" You gotta use Your Kegals!" Trampolines after Babies....

I know I have never shared this story, and thought of it today on a car ride out of town, and just laughed to myself. Boy, some things people say really are true, even if we don't want to believe what we hear.

A couple of years ago, I joked to my neighbor, Ray, while "riding" a tire horse swing, being spun around uncontrollably, that you had to use your kegals....boy did I ever know just how important those muscles would ever be someday!

This all happened this last summer, after I had Hayleigh. Our neighbors had gotten a trampoline for their boys the fall before, right after I found out I was expecting Hayleigh. The boys hounded and hounded me to come and play with them on it all of the time, and I kept telling them they would have to wait until after Hayleigh was born. So, about 2 months after I had Hayleigh, I was standing next to this trampoline, when they started in on me again. Now, growing up, my mom saved up for at least 6 months and bought us a trampoline. We LIVED on that trampoline, and learned how to do just about everything on it by ourselves. Well, the boys knew I still could do flips and hand springs on this thing, so, they asked me to get on it and show them how to do a flip. So, there I was, after taking my shoes off and scrambling up on this thing. Mind you it had been over a year since I had last been on one. SO, I began to bounce up and down, and it felt like I was getting the crap shook out of me! Then... I started to feel a leak that would not STOP! I could not believe that no matter how hard I clinched, with every bounce I shook the pee out of myself! After all of this wait for this?! I did go ahead and do a flip for the boys, and then quickly got off of that trampoline and ran straight back to our house, and changed clothes, vowing not to go on that thing again unless I had not had anything to drink for at least 3 hours, and emptied my bladder before getting on it. I left that trampoline in total shock. Why didn't anyone tell me this would happen??!!! I had not had a single problem with my kegals, or peeing my pants before this, after having Hayleigh, so why this? How did my mom jump on our trampoline? Finally after grilling some other women, I found out that I was not alone, EVERYONE experienced this, so why doesn't it ever get mentioned? I guess it is too embarrassing. I still laugh about it, planning my next trip on the trampoline in the coming spring. I laugh about it now thankfully, and thought I should write it down for Hayleigh to read someday. So, future Moms- let this be a lesson to you!

What all of the Fuss is About...

This week has been pretty tough, I'll have to admit. This week wasn't emotionally tiring for once, just physically. For the past few mornings, instead of waking up when I go in to get Hayleigh ready, she has been up at 5 am on Monday, 4 am on Tuesday, and then 3 am on Wednesday, crying and whining. I cannot tell you just how frazzled I was getting. Hayleigh has started teething, and has had a runny nose from it. I had been running the humidifier for it with baby Vick's rub on her chest and on the humidifier, making sure her head was elevated when sleeping, and gave her infant Motrin for the last week, resulting in a small cough and a fussy baby. I had had the last straw Wednesday morning, when nothing would soothe her, and made an appointment with one of the other pediatrician since hers was off on Wednesdays. We went in, and found out that she has slight chest congestion..aka has a cold, with the runny nose. We were prescribed benedryl, with antibiotics and nasal saline. I know the medicine has worked wonders on her- she was very giggly all last night, and not fussy at all. I even had her laughing harder than I have ever heard her laugh, which I made sure I got Allen on the phone for him to hear Hayleigh laugh as well. I was starting to worry last night that the benedryl would have an opposite effect on her that it does on me- making her excitable, and not drowsy, since she was bouncing and giggling an hour after giving her a dose. She finally did go to sleep about 8:30- 2 hours later than her usual time, but, she did sleep until 6am this morning. I know we both slept a whole lot better, but, I did get up and check on her every few hours through the night, to make sure she was okay. I now understand the feeling other parents talk about when they describe staying up with a sick baby, on just how exhausting it really was. With me being the only one home, the past few nights were really tough, especially when I had to go to work early as well. This all makes me really appreciate just how easy of a baby Hayleigh has been, resulting in spoiling me. I am afraid to see what we would get if and when we had another.

Other than Hayleigh being sick, I have made time for myself for once. Making time for myself has become one of my New Year's Resolutions, along with getting the house more organized. This week, I have started working out at least 3 times a week. I am just trying to tone up and shed a few pounds now, before baby #2 is in the plans. I have also started tanning again- first time in a year and a half, to help my psoriasis. I cannot tell you how great it felt to soak up those rays the other day! I don't think I have ever had a quick nap that felt that great. Also, yesterday, I got my hair cut off. I have not had my hair cut since Hayleigh was 4 weeks old, so this also felt amazing! I wanted it cut just bellow my shoulders, but, it ended up just above, which will be fine. Hair grows back. Just doing things for myself makes me feel incredible, hopefully making me a better mom for Hayleigh. Most of the stress I have been holding in kind of lifted somewhat from all of this, and I really needed it.

One thing I get a kick out of anymore is about how I get excited over stuff that most people dread. For Christmas, I got a kitchen aide mixer and a Dyson vacuum. I cannot tell you how giddy I was to use them- like a little kid and a new toy. Things like vacuums, mixers, and now shelving make me soo happy. We are turning our hall coat closet that is next to our bar into a pantry tomorrow. We just need to add shelving, since it is not a wide closet- perfect pantry size! I have been running out of room in the kitchen for things lately, and have been desperate for space. Since the New Year, I have been obsessed with organization in our house. I guess that is just the mother coming out in me. After Christmas, we found ourselves with the kitchen about to bust, and just the house in general looking like a bomb went off in a toy store. Now, I am losing my storage room, which was the only room in the house that was a wreck, and turning it into a den room for both Allen and my hunting stuff, and the current den/ bedroom will be turned into a play room / guest room for Hayleigh, with the stuff that survives being thrown out of storage, being stored in the extra large closet in the new play room. I know this will be quite a job, but, I am working daily on it, along with thumbing though catalogs for ideas on how to decorate, and organize a play room. The first of the organizing stuff for the play room I ordered will be here tomorrow, and I am not even ready. In the mix of all of the organizing, I once again have to clean out Hayleigh's closet and dresser for clothes that are too small once again. It seems like I just did this a month ago. We now are up to 3 storage tubs full of clothes for her, and I cringe thinking just how much she will have by the time she is 2. I know I should sell some of it, but, I just cannot bring myself to do it, thinking we will possibly have another baby within the next year and a half. Some days this is very debatable- I really think one baby is enough at moments. We will have to see though. Anyway, my goal is to have the play room done by the time Hayleigh turns a year old- I am actually giving myself a realistic time frame to get this accomplished, and plan to have before and after pictures up when this gets done.

2010 Looking Back

Well, for the most part, 2010 has been quite the year. We have had quite a few highs and lows, and I thought I would share our highs for the year after reading another bloggers and thought it was a great idea to do.


Highs for 2010:  (in order of events)
1. Started off with finally being pregnant.
2. First feeling Hayleigh kick for the first time on my Birthday.
3. For the first time in my life, enjoying the "fat look"
4. shopping for clothes..maternity clothes- much more fun than the regular.
5. Growing closer with my whole family- some major ties were made
6. Enjoying Mother's and Father's Days this year.
7. Made the nursery of my dreams a reality.
8. Enjoying the Baby shower of my dreams
9. Having Hayleigh- holding her in my arms and knowing we were finally a family.
10. Watching Allen beam and glow as a Dad
11. Showing our little baby girl off to everyone, and being the most proud I have ever been in my whole life.
12.Bringing Hayleigh home- house has never been the same since
13. Seeing Hayleigh's Smile and Hearing her Giggle
14. Trick or Treating
15. Allen doing great in Sporting Clays- made lots of connections and moved up from "D" class to "A"
16. Celebrating our 7 year Wedding Anniversary- I wish I would have known just how lucky 7 years would be! And Celebrating being together for 10 years too!  
17. Thanksgiving
18. Buying our baby Christmas presents
19. Seeing Santa Claus
20. Celebrating Christmas as a family of 3

As you can see our highs have for the most part been Hayleigh. I would really hate to see what our year would have been like if she was not here- probably be a very sad one to say the least. I can tell you that this last year has made me more grateful than I ever could have thought I could be. Just the privliage of becoming a Mom, has made this year one of the best years of my life.

Is it Friday Yet?

Post From Wednesday I did not get published:

Today has been quite the day already. It has all started with me hardly sleeping last night, worrying about lots of things going on right now, followed by being up every other hour with Hayleigh. I had to keep getting up and putting her paci back in her mouth. I finally found out just why she was stirring all night- poor girl peed through a diaper, pooped in it, and soaked her sleeper and sheets. UGGHHH! I never did flip the light on when I checked on her everytime I got up with her, because we have a light set up in her window, which puts off just enough light to see just enough in the dark like a night light. Hayleigh was not crying, just kind of wimpering, after I would replace the paci, she would fall back to sleep. If I would have only known that the problem was the diaper and the mess, poor girl would have slept a lot better, and me along with her.

We went to Hayleigh's 6 month checkup yesterday, with good reports all around. Hayleigh weighed 17 lbs 6 oz, and is now 26 1/4" long, fitting her into the 75th percentile. Her head, which we think is a little big, measured 34 cm which was right at the 50th percentile, which shocked me. The doctor remarked that Hayleigh is developing very well, no set backs from being born 3 wks early, and is at the top of her developments for her age group. She can roll over both ways, coo and make "noises" sucking  and popping and a growl/gargle sound, she can walk with assist, sit up on her own, with supervision, walk forwards and backwards in her stroller, and scoot.The things we are to watch for now are her passing objects from hand to hand- I have witnessed a few times, but, it is not a steady thing yet, and babbling maamaamaa daaadaaadaa. These will come soon enough! We were given the okay to start her on meat now too, which is exciting, I just wish she would break a tooth through so we can start on other foods. Hayeigh had even attempted to "army crawl" the other night. We go back for her 9 month appointment next in 3 months.

The last month has been quite rough. I got my first fever blister from worrying, mainly about my Grandma, whom Hayleigh is named for. She has been in and out of the hospital soo many times now. Every time she goes in it is to drain fluid off of her chest, and it has been getting worse as time passes. She is no longer optimistic, but, looks sad, and doesn't say much anymore. My mom and I don't see her making it past this summer with how her health has been for the last few months, which is hard to swallow. I just wish we had more time with her than that. I really wanted for Hayleigh to be able to remember her, which I know is not going to happen. I am just grateful that we were blessed with Hayleigh while Grandma is still here, and that we could name Hayleigh for her.

My Prerogative of Life

I know it has been quite a while since I've gotten to write on here. Work has been extra busy, and it seems like the weekends pass with the blink of an eye. A bit of a recap for everyone... Hayleigh will be 6 months old on Thursday ALREADY!! She can roll over, walk backwards and FORWARDS in her walker now, walk with someone holding her hands, eat baby food with no problems of her tongue getting in the way, and is now reaching out to everyone instead of crying. I cannot believe how fast time has flown by.

Christmas was great! It made me very happy, and very sad at the same time. I cannot tell you the joy I felt buying my daughter her first Christmas present. I bawled in Hallmark, picking out cards to give out, reading all of them that I could. I know some people in there thought I was a bit emotional, but, I cannot help it. We got a white Christmas to boot too! 3 inches of fluffy white snow on Christmas Eve. Hayleigh got to try out her infant sled we had got her on Christmas day in my mom's yard. It is amazing just how different it is to go from a family of just Allen and I, to having Hayleigh in the mix. Everything has been more special, and some people have actually grown closer to us with having Hayleigh here.

Christmas shopping this year was actually enjoyable for once. I think we got the closest to getting it right this year out of all years. Allen and I received way more than  we asked for- Christmas was mainly for Hayleigh this year, not us, but, it was still nice that some people actually remembered us too!

With New Year's right around the corner, I find myself with every passing year, trying to understand people more, and trying to be a better person, ending up usually disappointed with what I find, and sometimes a little surprised with how things turn out. I have found that to me Christmas time is a really good time to get a good gage of just how people really feel about you. It is the thought that counts to me, instead of the amount spent on presents. Some things I just shake my head at, and say to myself, really? But, I do find myself being very grateful for the other times someone goes out of their way to make something special, or really takes the time to make you feel special. I guess you just learn to appreciate the people who really listen to you throughout the year that remember what you said way back in the beginning of the year. There are always a few people who really try, and then the ones who just slap together a few things and say "tada!" It is not the fact that I am not grateful for being given a gift, but, the fact that we really took the time to think about and get something special for someone, and them in return giving you something you just had lying around the house.



Every year I find myself depressed over getting my hopes up that someday a certain select few will finally open their arms and actually accept us as family, instead of inviting us over for left overs of a Christmas Get together, while their other family is leaving after having their "real" Christmas. I know I love the quote Eleanor Roosevelt gives- No one can make you feel inferior without your consent, but, it is pretty darn hard to ignore a billboard sitting right smack dab in front of your nose, and not notice it, or let it get to you. It just really makes me feel like I am not really a part of my own family sometimes. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am just waiting to finally "fit" into my own family.

What gets me the most is that now that I have my own little family, I would never want anyone, not even my own daughter, to feel like she is not welcome, or an after thought. I want her to know every day just how special she is and always will be, no matter what happens in life. She will always be our baby.