He's here! MacBoy's Birth Story

Well clearly a lot has changed since my last post! We are now a family of 4! Little JD joined us on Sunday, June 29th, 2014 at 5:57pm weighing in at 7lbs 7oz and 20" long. He was born at 37 weeks, 5 days gestation following a very fast and furious labour and delivery. I'm fairly certain he is perfect in every way, although I am totally biased. 

Little did I know when I was taking the photo on the left that it would be my last bump photo and the sweet little face on the right would be joining us approximately 24 hours later. 

On Saturday, June 28th J and I had a wedding to attend. J was in the wedding party so we kept joking as long as we made it through the wedding, our little man could make his appearance any day after that (I was getting fairly uncomfortable at this point in my pregnancy an the hot, humid southern Ontario summer was not helping). Apparently he took this quite literally. The wedding was wonderful and I had no signs of impending labor at this point... No cramping, nothing. When I woke up on Sunday I was exhausted and a little nauseous but I figured it was due to our very late evening the night before and being a little dehydrated so I headed to the barn for morning milking and carried on as per usual. T was at my in laws and they kindly offered to keep her for a couple more hours so I could take a nap... In hindsight, thank goodness I did! 

After I woke up from my nap I got ready for my friend's daughter's baptism that afternoon. The service started at 1pm and throughout the hour long baptism I noticed a few cramps but they were so sporadic and all over the place I figured it was due to being dehydrated. It was about a billion degrees that day and I knew I hadn't been drinking enough water. After the service I headed home to change for the BBQ that was to follow the baptism and to pick up T. The cramps were still there, but totally manageable and I really, truly thought they were Braxton Hicks. 

We arrived at the BBQ around 3pm. This is when I started to realize these cramps were definitely becoming timeable and lasting longer than before. At this point they were probably 4-5 minutes apart and about 45 seconds long. My friend noticed I wasn't acting like myself and after consulting with her and another guest at the BBQ who happened to be a doula it was decided I should probably head to the hospital to get checked out, just in case. The lovely doula made the comment that I would be "having this baby before dark." At the time I thought no way. I didn't even really think I was in active labour! Haha, jokes on me. 

I texted J around 4pm and told him that we should probably head in to the hospital and that I would drop T at his parents and head home to take a shower, pack a bag (so unprepared!) and see what the contractions did after that. As he was baling hay, I told him not to rush and to aim to be home between 5 and 5:30pm. 

I kinda figured that after a hot shower the contractions would fizzle out and that would be that. Boy, was I wrong! As soon as I got out, it's like they doubled in intensity and were now coming every 2 minutes and lasting about 45 seconds to 1 minute long. At this point I finally clued in that this was the real deal. As soon as J got home he had a quick shower and we left for the hospital around 5:15pm. 

The car ride to the hospital was fairly unbearable as the contractions were one on top of the other and by the time we pulled into the parking lot all I could think about was pushing. I wasn't even sure if I was capable of making it to the second floor to labour and delivery but I did. The nurses were waiting when we arrived as I had called ahead and after spending about 30 seconds in the early labour/triage room I was wheeled to a delivery room where the nurse announced I was fully dilated and he was ready to arrive... And there was no time for an epidural (cue small panic attack). A few seconds later my water basically exploded across the room and one of the poor nurses and then it took all my strength and concentration not to just push him out while we waited for the OB to show up. I swear it took him 5 hours to get there when in reality it was more like 10 minutes. 

Once the OB arrived, I pushed for approximately 3 minutes and JD was born! 

We had arrived at the hospital around 530pm and he was born at 557pm. If I had to do it without drugs at least it was quick!

As much as I was terrified for a natural delivery, the recovery has been amazing! 

So far, JD is an absolutely wonderful baby. He rarely fusses and sleeps like a champ. T is fairly smitten with her "baby brother" and has been a wonderful big sister (although a little over zealous with the snuggles and kisses... I find myself mindlessly saying "gentle" every time she gets within 3 feet of him). 

We are settling into life as a family as 4 and slowly but surely finding our rhythm. Thank goodness my mom joined us for 5 days after he was born... We ate like kings and T had the best time with her GeeGee. J has been a great support with T as well, taking her for tractor rides to give me a break and making sure I get enough sleep. It truly does take a village to raise a child. 

And these two are never very from each other... He is the best bodyguard around. 

MacBoy: Another update.

Sweatpants for the win. Every day. 

How far along: 33ish weeks. (Homestreeeettccchhh, sorta)

Feeling: Like a water buffalo. Everything is measuring right on track but I just feel so… cumbersome is the best word I can use to describe it. Whenever I drop something, I seriously question the importance of picking it up since it is such a chore to bend over. I get pretty exhausted and winded fairly quickly as well. Buuut besides feeling like I'm 105, I really shouldn't complain too much. Things seem to be ticking along fairly uneventfully.

Looking forward to: Meeting him! Maybe not the whole labour thing, but the end result will be worth it. 7ish weeks to go!

Days Like These...

Lately, our days have looked a lot like this…

Somebody can finally reach the pedals of this pint sized tractor.

Spring has (kinda, sorta) sprung! So much spring fever. 

He's a bit of a bed bandit. 

Kissing her babies good night, my sweet, tenderhearted girl. 

I can't believe it is already May (although this spring has been fairly craptastic and it still feels like the beginning of April). Soon, we will be extra busy with planting season (if it would ever stop raining), and you know, that whole preparing for a new born thing. I hope to get another MacBoy update done soon… the weeks seem to be ticking by. We are also tackling potty training in the next week or two… add this to the list of things I should have done when I was able to drink. 

MacBoy: an update

This photo was taken a couple weeks ago but it's the last time my hair looked half decent and I didn't feel

Like a complete slob, so this is the one getting posted! 

How far along: 26 weeks (tomorrow) 

Feeling: good! Well, starting to feel kinda hippo like but other than that and some sciatic/hip pain, things are just ticking along. This baby boy is a mover and a shaker, mostly after meals, and it's pretty fun to feel him rumble around in there. Don't really have any notable cravings other than Greek yogurt and fruit. (That sounds far too healthy, so I also throw in assortment of Easter candy to balance it out... Mini eggs are the devil.) 

Looking forward to: spring!! It's kinda, sorta, slowly starting to feel more spring like around here. I mean, we aren't busting out the shorts and flip flops but most of the snow has melted and I have downgraded to a "spring" jacket as opposed to a parka suitable for arctic conditions. 

Also, being done work. I really don't mind my job and I only work 3 days a week but I'm pretty pumped to be done at the end of the month and just have T and the farm to focus on... Oh and preparing for new baby and all that jazz. (Not having to commute will be a big plus too!) 

Anxious about: weight gain. It sounds dumb, and is obviously par for the course for a healthy pregnancy but it's something that causes extra anxiety for me. I previously struggled with anorexia as a teenager and while I consider myself "recovered" sometimes those nasty, self deprecating thoughts sneak into my head, mostly when I feel like I have been eating out of control (pretty much all the time lately since I have been SO hungry.) the rational side of me knows that my body is telling me that I am growing a human and need the extra nutrients, but the delusional, anorexic 16 year old in me makes me want to freak out and restrict. Luckily, I have developed a lot of coping mechanisms for these irrational thoughts throughout the years and I have a very supportive, loving husband, but it doesn't make it any easier. 

14ish weeks to go!! 

Ps. A note about the title: we have a pretty Scottish last name, and like any good Scottish name it starts with a Mac... So MacBoy it is for now!

Holiday.

T and I recently got back from a week long vacation on Florida's Gulf coast. This winter has been long. Really long. And this little dose of sunshine and vitamin D was exactly what we needed.

We wen't down with my mom and it was so wonderful to spend some quality time with her (and have an extra set of hands!). My mom and I had a tumultuous relationship when I was a teenager. I was struggling deeply with an eating disorder, consumed with my own selfishness and swallowed by the demons that haunted my every thought. I was angry, and wasting away. It took me having my own child to realize the extent of suffering I had put my mother through. There are no words to describe the respect and love I have for her as a mother, a wife, and an incredibly strong woman. 

T absolutely LOVED the beach. (Although, upon first seeing the sand, she announced that we need to shovel. Did I mention it hasn't stopped snowing since November??!!) She had absolutely no fear when it came to to the waves, and giggled as the splashed her. 

And while it was so lovely to get away, it's nice to be home. (Even if this is the winter that will not quit and it is still -15C outside… wtf.) 

Surprise...

So I've been a super crap blogger. And while I'm not one for excuses the above is a pretty big reason why I have been MIA. But now that I have surfaced from the first tri nausea and fatigue and am enjoying that golden hour that is the second trimester I'm embracing blogging (and life in general!) again before I reach hippo like proportions.

One of my biggest regrets with my pregnancy with T is that I never really documented anything. I mean I know the stats (how much weight I gained, how many days gestation she was born etc etc) but the little details are gone. I do remember feeling like absolute crap for most of her pregnancy but that's about it. 

So this time around (because in all honesty this is probably our last time around) I intend to try to preserve some of those minute details that I lost with T in amongst the newborn haze and sleep deprivation. And while I'm not a huge fan of maternity photos (just a personal thing) it's a pretty big blessing that I get to grow a human being inside me so some grainy, selfie iPhone photos are going to be taken.

My intention is not to do updates every week, because really, at this stage in the game, week to week this pregnancy is just ticking along. But maybe once every 3-4 weeks a little update will do.

And since I've already reached the halfway mark, here's the summarized version of how it's been so far; pretty awesome. First trimester was tough. I felt like a zombie... I don't remember feeling nearly as exhausted with T as I did this time around. It was a struggle to function, and the nausea was terrible too. But I hit 13 weeks and it was like I was a new person. Energy, appetite and all! 

We found out baby is a boy at our big ultrasound around 19 weeks and we couldn't be more excited for T to have a little brother!

How far along: 21 weeks. Baby boy is due July 15 and I am excited to have a summer baby this time around.

Feeling: awesome, and lots of movement, way earlier than I did with T (probably started feeling it around 18 weeks). Most annoying symptom these days is lower back/sciatica pain but I only really notice it if I overdo it in the barn. (Pushing/lifting something heavy).

Looking forward to: warmer weather. Honestly, this has been the winter from hell. I know I'm Canadian and should suck it up but when the wind chill is -28C in March and it just won't stop snowing I feel like I'm allowed to be over it. Going out to the barn is a ridiculous process of numerous layers for both T and I. My mom, T and I are headed on a beach vacation in a couple weeks and I am counting down the days til flip flops, sundresses and bathing suits. 

Scared of: a toddler and a newborn. I know we will get through it but I'm sure it will be an adjustment period. Also, how T will adjust to not being the baby anymore. She will be just over 2.5 years old and while I know she doesn't get it now (when I informed her she was getting a baby brother she told me she would rather have stickers) I think it will be a bit of a rude awakening for her. 

Also, I forgot how hard it is picking out baby names! 

I am beyond excited for this next chapter in our lives as a family of 4. 

Dear Baby Girl

Dear Baby Girl,

It has practically been a decade (at least in baby years) since I wrote an update on you. You have turned into a bigger than life little kid, full of all the spark, wonder, joy (and defiance) that comes along with this whole two year old territory.

Right now, you are obsessed with all things Disney Princess, Minnie Mouse and baby dolls. And I love it. You are my girly girl… you are only this little once and I think its so great that you have fully embraced the magical world of princesses and fairies.

But you are also the kid that loves getting dirty in the barn. Miss T, you name your favourite calves (current buddies include "Mighty Mouse", "Minnie", and "Cutie Pie") and count down the minutes until it is calf feeding time. You are followed throughout the barn by your entourage of kitties and your faithful companion, Angus.

You really dislike the cold (which is unfortunate, since we are in the depths of the Canadian winter). I have to bundle you up for the barn in about a billion layers. Which is ironic, since you are a bit of a nudist lately. Getting you dressed is like wrestling an orang-utan.

Miss T, you amaze me every day with your comprehension of the world around you. You are teaching me patience, and to embrace every moment.

Love ya little one.
xoxo Mama