Christmas 2014
11 years ago
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Sweet Nathan
Unsolicited today while studying our nativity, Nathan stated, "On Christmas I don't want any presents. I just want to celebrate Jesus's birthday."
Check...Can my job as a parent be over now?
Check...Can my job as a parent be over now?
Friday, October 29, 2010
Can't Believe It's True
After weeks of nursing Camille into a sound slumber and then gingerly removing myself from her presence, I am shocked by the recent sleep developments. Yes, you know the familiar story: parent waits for signs of deep enough sleep, puts baby into crib and holds breath that the transfer did not wake baby. Usually in our world, if the transfer was successful, it wouldn't be after about 10 minutes when Camille discovered that the soothing warm body of mom or dad was gone. I knew that eventually I'd just have to let her "cry" if we ever hoped to break this cycle of dependence. I dread that day.
To my suprise, twice this week, while Joe was out of town, my parental reserves were taxed and out of survival, I resorted to some new tactics. Tuesday evening, I was trying to get her to sleep when Nathan needed my night time attention too. I put Camille (11 weeks) down in her dark room and said, "I'll be back soon. Night Night." To my complete shock, I was able to spend a few minutes with Nathan, and never heard her crying for me. Before interfering, I went downstairs to make lunches, figuring that she'd "call if she needed me". She never called. When I checked on her, I found a beautifully sleeping baby!!! Last night was a similar story, I was getting tired, and after feeding her it didn't appear that she was ready for bed just yet. So, I put her in her crib and went to brush my teeth and get ready for bed. She was still quiet. So, I climbed into bed and figured, "she'll call if she needs me." That call never came until 4 am!!!
To my suprise, twice this week, while Joe was out of town, my parental reserves were taxed and out of survival, I resorted to some new tactics. Tuesday evening, I was trying to get her to sleep when Nathan needed my night time attention too. I put Camille (11 weeks) down in her dark room and said, "I'll be back soon. Night Night." To my complete shock, I was able to spend a few minutes with Nathan, and never heard her crying for me. Before interfering, I went downstairs to make lunches, figuring that she'd "call if she needed me". She never called. When I checked on her, I found a beautifully sleeping baby!!! Last night was a similar story, I was getting tired, and after feeding her it didn't appear that she was ready for bed just yet. So, I put her in her crib and went to brush my teeth and get ready for bed. She was still quiet. So, I climbed into bed and figured, "she'll call if she needs me." That call never came until 4 am!!!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Lauren? Nathan? or Camille?
I am sure you can guess! The first baby is Camille, the second 2 are Lauren and the last 2 are Nathan.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Beautiful Camille's Beautiful Birth
Camille Elizabeth Cody made a graceful grand entrance on Aug. 6th at 1:03 am. Her birth couldn't have been more memorable or special. After her pregnancy had threatened me with a cesarean delivery, we got the most unexpected and prized of all natural deliveries. Camille's "fast and furious labor" (less than 3 hours) ended in a unplanned, unexpected, but awesome (I can say that now, 4 days later!) water birth in a jacuzzi tub!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Final Days...but who is counting?
I am in the home stretch! My long pregnancy will (sooner or later) be coming to an end. My due date isn't 100% assured. We all know it's just a "guess date" and that some babies need to gestate longer than others...My first due date, based upon my cycles was 7/24. I liked that date! Then my ultrasound showed something quite different, giving us a date of 8/10! In my infinite motherly wisdom, I speculated that both dates were not quite right, and chose my own guess date of around 8/1!
This pregnancy has been very easy but also very hard. Fortunately, I am blessed with a body that seems to know how to be pregnant. I don't experience but a touch of nausea that is very short lived, and I generally feel quite well while pregnant. I move alot s-l-o-w-e-r, sleep alot more, and pop tums like candy, and that seems to be the extent of my physical discomforts!
But this pregnancy brought on some new, unique challenges that I never expected. At the 20 week ultrasound we discovered that not only was she a little small, but I also had a placenta previa, making for a potentially dangerous situation for mom and baby, if it is present at birth. We were reassured that most previas self correct by full term and to not worry. Life went on as usual. Until April 1st, when Joe unexpectedly lost his job....~HIT HEAD-ON BY A MACK TRUCK~ Our world crumbled and we felt the pain. On the bright side, while he was jobless for 3 months, we enjoyed plenty of quality family time that we otherwise won't have.
To add to my stress, we learned at 32 weeks that the placenta was still too low in my uterus, and now the baby was also breech. I was heading for a cesarean delivery if things didn't literally turn around. Each week that passed with her still breech caused me more and more distress. After much prayer, finally, at 37 weeks (mid-July) she turned and my placenta got the heck out of the way! Finally my emotions could settle.
July was a busy month preparing for this little one, and keeping 2 bored children adequately mothered and entertained. We kept the calendar full, while I also tried to keep the projects managed. We went to Michigan Adventure for a fun family overnighter, enjoyed lots of play dates and park outings with friends, went to a few movies, tried out rollerskating (clarify: the kids tried), and visited the library regularly. I worked hard locating lost baby items, painting dressors, sewing a crib skirt (my baby tradition) and organizing the nursery. Good thing for that last spurt of nesting energy that makes it all possible! It is now August and nothing is on the calendar but midwife appointments. She'll be here any day now and we'll be ready!
This pregnancy has been very easy but also very hard. Fortunately, I am blessed with a body that seems to know how to be pregnant. I don't experience but a touch of nausea that is very short lived, and I generally feel quite well while pregnant. I move alot s-l-o-w-e-r, sleep alot more, and pop tums like candy, and that seems to be the extent of my physical discomforts!
But this pregnancy brought on some new, unique challenges that I never expected. At the 20 week ultrasound we discovered that not only was she a little small, but I also had a placenta previa, making for a potentially dangerous situation for mom and baby, if it is present at birth. We were reassured that most previas self correct by full term and to not worry. Life went on as usual. Until April 1st, when Joe unexpectedly lost his job....~HIT HEAD-ON BY A MACK TRUCK~ Our world crumbled and we felt the pain. On the bright side, while he was jobless for 3 months, we enjoyed plenty of quality family time that we otherwise won't have.
To add to my stress, we learned at 32 weeks that the placenta was still too low in my uterus, and now the baby was also breech. I was heading for a cesarean delivery if things didn't literally turn around. Each week that passed with her still breech caused me more and more distress. After much prayer, finally, at 37 weeks (mid-July) she turned and my placenta got the heck out of the way! Finally my emotions could settle.
July was a busy month preparing for this little one, and keeping 2 bored children adequately mothered and entertained. We kept the calendar full, while I also tried to keep the projects managed. We went to Michigan Adventure for a fun family overnighter, enjoyed lots of play dates and park outings with friends, went to a few movies, tried out rollerskating (clarify: the kids tried), and visited the library regularly. I worked hard locating lost baby items, painting dressors, sewing a crib skirt (my baby tradition) and organizing the nursery. Good thing for that last spurt of nesting energy that makes it all possible! It is now August and nothing is on the calendar but midwife appointments. She'll be here any day now and we'll be ready!
Belly Shots Photo Session
Last Saturday I had a session with a photographer to capture the final days of my final pregnancy...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Flashback of Nathanisms
You’re the best
2/2010 One evening as I was rocking Nathan in his chair at bedtime, I was reflecting on a mistake he had made that day. I tried to convey to him that it is okay to make mistakes, but that we need to own up to the mistake, apologize and try to be better the next time. I explained that we all make mistake, especially mommies and daddies. I said, “Mommy tries really hard every day to be a good mommy, but sometimes she makes mistakes too.” He said,” You don’t have to try Mommy, cuz you’re already the BEST.”
Curious George
3/2007 After our ultrasound Nathan became very concerned about the exit of the baby from my body. One evening while rocking, he said, “Mommy, when we’re all at the hospital and they cut your belly to get the baby out, I hope I have my bouncy balls so I don’t have to see all the yucky stuff inside.”
“What will the bouncy balls do?”
“They’ll cover my eyes.”
I was amused, and just dropped the subject, not ready to get into a conversation about childbirth, but surprised that he had thought this deeply.
The next night, he broached the topic again. “So, are they gonna cut your belly to get the baby out?”
“No, Nathan, they aren’t gonna cut my belly. Some mommies have their belly’s cut, but not your mommy.”
“Oh, that’s good cuz I don’t want you to get cut.”
“Thank you, Nathan. Neither do I.” Again, I decided to only answer his direct questions, and not get into a detailed explanation that was too much information for him!
By the third night, he had processed our conversations enough that my answers were not satisfying his curiosity.
“Mommy, how is the baby gonna get out of you? (Silent pause...) Are you gonna poop it out?”
The moment I had dreaded….”Well, sort of…Nathan, do you have a special hole where your poop comes out?” (he giggles, and nods.) “Do you have a special hole where your pee comes out?” (giggles and nods again.) “Well, so does mommy. But I also have a special hole where my babies can come out. It’s called a vagina.”
“Really? How come I never saw it?”
“Because it’s private.”
“Really? Where is it? “
“Its right next to the holes where my pee and poop come out.”
“Oh….Silly Mama!”
End of discussion! I was quite relieved and floored by the thoughtful mind of my young child. I’ve never had to answer this line of questioning and was pleased that I had done it with such ease and simplicity.
2/2010 One evening as I was rocking Nathan in his chair at bedtime, I was reflecting on a mistake he had made that day. I tried to convey to him that it is okay to make mistakes, but that we need to own up to the mistake, apologize and try to be better the next time. I explained that we all make mistake, especially mommies and daddies. I said, “Mommy tries really hard every day to be a good mommy, but sometimes she makes mistakes too.” He said,” You don’t have to try Mommy, cuz you’re already the BEST.”
Curious George
3/2007 After our ultrasound Nathan became very concerned about the exit of the baby from my body. One evening while rocking, he said, “Mommy, when we’re all at the hospital and they cut your belly to get the baby out, I hope I have my bouncy balls so I don’t have to see all the yucky stuff inside.”
“What will the bouncy balls do?”
“They’ll cover my eyes.”
I was amused, and just dropped the subject, not ready to get into a conversation about childbirth, but surprised that he had thought this deeply.
The next night, he broached the topic again. “So, are they gonna cut your belly to get the baby out?”
“No, Nathan, they aren’t gonna cut my belly. Some mommies have their belly’s cut, but not your mommy.”
“Oh, that’s good cuz I don’t want you to get cut.”
“Thank you, Nathan. Neither do I.” Again, I decided to only answer his direct questions, and not get into a detailed explanation that was too much information for him!
By the third night, he had processed our conversations enough that my answers were not satisfying his curiosity.
“Mommy, how is the baby gonna get out of you? (Silent pause...) Are you gonna poop it out?”
The moment I had dreaded….”Well, sort of…Nathan, do you have a special hole where your poop comes out?” (he giggles, and nods.) “Do you have a special hole where your pee comes out?” (giggles and nods again.) “Well, so does mommy. But I also have a special hole where my babies can come out. It’s called a vagina.”
“Really? How come I never saw it?”
“Because it’s private.”
“Really? Where is it? “
“Its right next to the holes where my pee and poop come out.”
“Oh….Silly Mama!”
End of discussion! I was quite relieved and floored by the thoughtful mind of my young child. I’ve never had to answer this line of questioning and was pleased that I had done it with such ease and simplicity.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
24 week update
1. Weeks 13-20, still felt tired but slowly regained my ambition to shower, cook clean and exercise again. My daily nap was an absolute necessity. Cleaned the toilets again for the first time in months!!! ( I know that's NASTY)
2. 20 week ultrasound: the kids found out that they're gaining a sister. She is a tiny one, measured smaller than her big bruiser brother did at 20 weeks gestation. Learned why my sensation of fetal movement was delayed (baby size and placenta placement). Our placenta is anterior and low-lying. Hopefully, as my uterus grows, the placement will be higher, in the correct position. Because the placenta is anterior, it cushioned her movements while she was still little.
3. 24 weeks: The age of VIABILITY! My little 500 gram 10 inch nudger is moving alot now. I've been able to feel movements with my hand, but everytime Joe puts his hand on my belly she stops. I look mildly pregnant, although my belly is probably my smallest asset. My rear protrusion is still winning. I have gained far more than I like to admit, but my body doesn't follow those pregnancy growth charts.
2. 20 week ultrasound: the kids found out that they're gaining a sister. She is a tiny one, measured smaller than her big bruiser brother did at 20 weeks gestation. Learned why my sensation of fetal movement was delayed (baby size and placenta placement). Our placenta is anterior and low-lying. Hopefully, as my uterus grows, the placement will be higher, in the correct position. Because the placenta is anterior, it cushioned her movements while she was still little.
3. 24 weeks: The age of VIABILITY! My little 500 gram 10 inch nudger is moving alot now. I've been able to feel movements with my hand, but everytime Joe puts his hand on my belly she stops. I look mildly pregnant, although my belly is probably my smallest asset. My rear protrusion is still winning. I have gained far more than I like to admit, but my body doesn't follow those pregnancy growth charts.
Monday, January 18, 2010
13 weeks and counting!
Here's the official word: The final member of the Cody family is on its way! Baby #3 is due sometime in mid-July. I feel fortunate that I won't have to be pregnant through the entire summer again...as this seems to be my inescapable destiny.
So the most common questions a pregnant woman is asked after revealing her condition, 1) when are you due 2) how are you feeling?
To answer the latter: I'm over my "pregnancy queasies" by now. That yucky empty stomach feeling that would wake me out of a sound sleep and yell, "feed me!" started around 7 weeks and ended about 12 weeks. Everynight for the last month and a half, I've woken up at least 2-3 times to pee. Sometimes as I'm trying to drift off to sleep, I have to drag myself out of bed to go again, even though I just went 10 minutes before. Sooooo annoying. To state the obvious: I'm exhausted. And still working night shift part-time. Did I mention that I am exhausted? Beyond exhausted. My house is falling apart around me, the Christmas tree is still up (i did manage to put away the ornaments, but still waiting on the ambitious husband of mine to disasemble and put away...) I had a hard time getting into Christmas this year, as all I wanted to do was sleep. I've never been this tired before during pregnancy. I'm sure my work schedule is partly to blame. Since I just couldn't find the enerygy or will power, I had to take a short temporary reprieve from my work out schedule. Amazing how a few extra hormones on board can turn a very ambitious, active woman into a lazy hybernating mammal. Now I'm left with the reality that none of my clothing fits. How I love the early 2nd trimester! So I am back at the gym, trying to keep my butt from growing larger than my abdomen eventually will grow. Right now the butt is winning.
So the most common questions a pregnant woman is asked after revealing her condition, 1) when are you due 2) how are you feeling?
To answer the latter: I'm over my "pregnancy queasies" by now. That yucky empty stomach feeling that would wake me out of a sound sleep and yell, "feed me!" started around 7 weeks and ended about 12 weeks. Everynight for the last month and a half, I've woken up at least 2-3 times to pee. Sometimes as I'm trying to drift off to sleep, I have to drag myself out of bed to go again, even though I just went 10 minutes before. Sooooo annoying. To state the obvious: I'm exhausted. And still working night shift part-time. Did I mention that I am exhausted? Beyond exhausted. My house is falling apart around me, the Christmas tree is still up (i did manage to put away the ornaments, but still waiting on the ambitious husband of mine to disasemble and put away...) I had a hard time getting into Christmas this year, as all I wanted to do was sleep. I've never been this tired before during pregnancy. I'm sure my work schedule is partly to blame. Since I just couldn't find the enerygy or will power, I had to take a short temporary reprieve from my work out schedule. Amazing how a few extra hormones on board can turn a very ambitious, active woman into a lazy hybernating mammal. Now I'm left with the reality that none of my clothing fits. How I love the early 2nd trimester! So I am back at the gym, trying to keep my butt from growing larger than my abdomen eventually will grow. Right now the butt is winning.
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