Fall

There's a lot to love about fall- football, the leaves, the crispness in the air, pumpkin seeds. The holidays? There are others I prefer.

I think now that I have a kid, I can get into Halloween. Haunted houses and candy are not for me (unless it's dark chocolate- then it can be Halloween 24/7), but I'm excited about coming up with costumes for Leah and decorating with her one day. For her sake, I can learn to enjoy the jack-o-lanterns and witches and ghosts, but her daddy may need to take her trick or treating!

Thanksgiving is another story. When I was younger (now too?) bad things always seemed to happen around Thanksgiving- people died, relationships became broken. Then Thanksgiving was transformed into this magical getaway when, for a long weekend, just the five of us got away. We hiked on rocks near Lake Texoma. We golfed on a fallen leaf-covered golf course. We watched football with the aid of an antennae. We went camping and cooked turkey breast in a foil bag over a campfire (with just a smidge of orange juice to keep it moist because that's what we brought with us).  We had sweet potatoes and marshmallows and green beans. And one year we had to use Ari's diapers as napkins because we forgot those (just like the pilgrims did, right?).

But families grow and families change and families move and with that, the holidays change too. I don't think the crowded thanksgiving dinners are for me (although sweet potatoes with marshmallows are) and I definitely don't need a day set aside to remind me to be thankful. 

I am thankful for my sweet Leah who lights up my bad days. 

I am thankful for my Brian who supports me and laughs with me. 

And I am thankful for the rest of my family who loves me unconditionally. 

I am thankful for my Johnny who keeps me company and stays by my side (literally, he doesn't even let me go to the bathroom alone).

I am thankful for my friends who never let state lines or time zones come between us.

And I am thankful for opportunities- to move to Las Vegas, to learn things, to see things, to do things, to be things. 

Gratitude knows no boundaries, but I think traditions do. It is my hope that Brian and I can create our own holiday traditions that are meaningful to our family. 

Meanwhile, you can find me watching football. 

Weekend Recap

Leah's weekend was filled with lots of firsts!

On Friday night, she went to her first Shabbat service at Ner Tamid (or anywhere, for that matter). We had tried to go a few of the previous weekends, but for one reason or another we (usually me) wimped out. This particular Friday service was followed by a chocolate oneg. You had me at chocolate! She did really well- ate for the first part, checked things out for the second, cried during the sermon (me too- it was particularly long this week), and slept until the end. And then everyone's behavior was reinforced with chocolate!

On Saturday, Leah went to her first casino, first sports bar (which happened to be in the casino), and watched the Sun Devils beat UCLA for their first PAC 12 South championship. She is seriously a good luck charm- the Devils are 6-0 in her lifetime!

By the end of the game Daddy and Leah were so stressed out they were both in/near tears and totally wiped out!

On Sunday there was only a "last" - the  last Sunday we had just the three of us in a while! Get ready for exciting posts in December and January with lots of trips and visitors!

Quality vs. Quantity

Brian told me a story the other day, one that he heard during one of his many trips this past month. I believe it's an actual study done at some school, somewhere:

There were two groups of college students who were asked to make pots that would be judged at the end of the competition. One group was told the judging criteria would be based on quantity of pots, the other group on quality (at this point in the story I had Brian clarify what they were making... not pot as in weed, pots as in pottery, duh. Although I'm sure that would have made for an interesting competition).

The quantity group got started right away. They made short pots and tall pots and small pots and big pots. They just kept turning them out, one by one. The quality group, however, started by researching pots. They checked out pottery made by ancient Greeks and other cultures that withstood the test of time and beauty. They took months to complete their research and finally, days before the end of the competition, they made their pot. They placed it carefully in the kiln and waited for their perfect piece. Meanwhile, the quantity group just kept making pots.  They made wide pots and narrow pots and deep pots and shallow pots. They made lots and lots of pots. 

When the time came to judge the pots, both groups were told they would be judged not on quantity as one was originally told, but on quality. And wouldn't you know, the quantity group made the better, higher quality pots. You see, in the time the quality group was researching, the quantity group was doing. They were practicing. They were perfecting. 

Now, this story isn't exactly surprising. At some point while Brian was talking, I actually figured out what was going to happen.  While he had to finish telling the story before relating it back to our lives, my mind started doing that somewhere in the middle.

I can read all the books and ask all the questions I want, but I'm not going to learn what works for me or for Leah if I don't start doing (don't get me wrong- I will still read and ask because it's what I do, but I cannot take it as gospel).  Sitting at home in my beloved Kansas sweatpants because I am exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed, and frustrated is not going to help me become acclimated to our new normal nor will it allow me to learn from my experiences at home or in the community (except for maybe what show is on what channel at what time).

I need quantity.  I need to remember that it's not going to be perfect every time (or maybe at all) because it's all new for both of us and I need to practice.  I need the opportunity to struggle and fail and troubleshoot.  It's the only way I'm going to learn, and it's the only way Leah is going to learn.  And you know what quantity leads to?  Quality.  I will be a better mom raising a better daughter to have a better life.

So here's to screwing up, not being on schedule, and disastrous trips to Target because we will learn and we will get better.

Style?

One of my (many) pet peeves is when people dress in all the same color. I realize it's possible that this can be a stylish thing, but it's not my thing. I even have a name for it- smurfs. 

Today, I dressed Leah as a grey smurf. It was just to stay in the car as we drove Brian to the airport (again), but still ugh! Then I checked the mirror and realized that I, too, am dressed as a grey smurf *today.

Leah's face pretty much explains my reaction too (or maybe she's about to spit up).

Don't worry, we already had a chat about how she will be cute whatever she wears, but I hope she inherited Aunt Sara's sense of style and not her mom or dad's. Based on her face, I think she agrees!

*Seeing as how poop on my clothes is the biggest reason I actually change my clothes each day, and seeing as how I often dress like a smurf when I sleep, it's possible I dress like a smurf most days. 

And the Winner is...

The "Mo" to my "Betta" (or the "Betta" to my "Mo"?): Zach!

You might remember the prop bet from this post.  Zach got 6 out 10 correct, blowing the competition out of the water.

Items with fill-in-the-blank answers:

Closest date of birth- Zach and Mark both guessed correctly

Closest time of birth- my dad, Leah's <insert grandpa name here>

Closest weight- Mark

Closest length- Sara

Good guessing, Zach! Fill-in-the-blank isn't your strong suit, but you did well on all the other questions!  We can't wait for you to meet Leah, and we will deliver your prize when you do (see previous post on poop) (just kidding).

Whaaat?!

Can someone please tell me how we are in the second half of November already?!?

5 Weeks

The Thing About Diapers

Here's the thing about diapers...

I have not changed diapers on any regular basis for three years. When I was last in the classroom at SARRC we had two scheduled potty times and of course lots of poopy and super saturated diapers throughout the day. It's no surprise why we worked so hard to potty train everyone! When someone needed a diaper change, they stood in the bathroom, old diaper came off, new diaper was put on (all while creating learning opportunities, of course), and voila! Notes were sent home as needed, "please send diapers/wipes/change of clothes for your child."

Fast forward three years and I think I've lost my diapering touch. I was never the fastest at potty time, but I was fast. Sure there was the occasional poop on my finger or pee on my pants, but I can count on one hand the number of times I actually needed to change my clothes. Ha! Not so true anymore.  I'm not exactly slow at it, but not quite fast enough. Do you know how many loads of laundry I've done because of poop and pee all over the changing pad cover? Not to mention the poop on my clothes (something needs to motivate me to change clothes/get dressed each day, but I could do without it being poop!).

I think the diapers have changed too, although to be honest I never paid much attention to the diapers themselves when I was at SARRC. Did they always have the yellow-turns-blue line when the diaper was wet? It sure does make it easy to see if Leah needs a diaper change, but let me tell you- I feel so guilty it's even a little blue and I don't change her. Problem is, I'm the one refilling the diapers and wipes now so changing her three times during one feeding is ridiculous. Stupid guilt-causing blue line!!

Regardless of the poopy clothes and hundreds of diapers we've already gone through, changing Leah's diaper is one of my favorite parts of our day because she is so alert on her changing table. We have the best "conversations" there and have taken some of my favorite pictures (some of which include poop). She looks so happy and inquisitive and ready to face the day!

Love my girl, poopy diapers and all!

One Month

For as fast as my pregnancy went, no single month went by as quickly as this last one.

Leah is one month old today!

Happy ONE MONTH birthday, Sweet Girl!

To celebrate, we had lunch with Bubbie and Grandpa and enjoyed a walk across the Hoover Dam bridge before they left town.  It wasn't Leah's first outing- but it was her longest- and she did so well!  Girl can sleep all day in her car seat/stroller.

Measurements- At an appointment on Friday (11/8), Leah weighed almost nine and a half pounds.  Quite a 180 from not being able to regain her birth weight a few weeks ago!  She is quickly growing out of newborn clothes, although the 0-3 month size seems to swallow her.  I dress her in a white gerber "t-shirt" and grey fleece pants while we're hanging out and home, and she and I totally match!  I'll take a picture one of these days.

Milestones- Leah is mostly on a schedule and even slept 5.5 hours the other night.  She also totally rocks at tummy time as she shows off her super strong neck muscles.  She is more and more alert and strengthening her eyes all the time!  She had her first big girl bath and loves it.  Umbilical cord fell off, and Leah celebrated her first Halloween!

Tummy Time!

First big girl bath

New bellybutton!

Happy Halloween!

Likes- Milk, her stroller/car seat, pooping on Mommy, bath time, being swaddled, bouncing, being held upright, ASU football (they are, after all, undefeated in her lifetime), trying to put her hands in her mouth

A-S-U!  Go Sun Devils!

Dislikes- Wet/dirty diapers and wet necklines from spitting up, 6:00-10:00pm (less time if we're lucky, more if we're not), Daddy leaving town alllll the time :~(

Gotta get Daddy snuggles before his next trip!

I'll add pictures to this post soon... I really do promise.  I just have to upload them and since all our visitors are gone for a while I have NO EXCUSE not to do it!  Hold me accountable, please!!  I do like blogging and want to make sure I get back into it so that everyone can stay up-to-date on our lives here in Las Vegas.

Leah's Birth Story

Leah's birth was long and scary and uncomfortable and painful. But it was also awesome and amazing and I never want to forget it. Not how I felt, not even the worst parts. I do my best to remember it here, and to censor it the best I can, although many of the details are already up for debate.

October 9th, 8:00pm

I literally pranced into the hospital. 40 weeks pregnant and as mobile as I could be. Also full of plenty of excitement and nervousness. The plan was to start me on cytotec- medicine that would help me start dilating. I would have another dose every four hours until my body started labor on its own or I was dilated enough for pitocin.

Heading to the hospital

A birthday party? My favorite!

My body had other ideas. The monitors showed that I was already having contractions- intense and long ones at that (some lasting well over 10 minutes!). They couldn't start meds until my body chilled out for fear of stressing the baby, so we waited.

Getting hooked up

11:00pm

I was given a first dose of cytotec, but never any subsequent ones. We know my external monitors were not working super well, but it also appeared that the baby didn't appreciate the eviction notice. I was on and off oxygen throughout the night to maintain the baby's heart rate. 

Talking with Sara

October 10th, 10:00am

At two centimeters dilated I wasn't quite where they preferred me before trying pitocin, but they went ahead and did it anyways. The baby had a similar response as to the cytotec so I was off within the hour. 

2:45pm

After a long day of waiting and "intense" contractions (these are intense? I can totally do this, no problem!), my water broke when the nurse checked to see if I was any more dilated. We had been waiting for the doctor to do this so that I could have the more accurate internal monitors placed, but turns out we didn't need no stinkin' doctor!  They restarted pitocin and with the internal monitors we had a much more accurate reading of the baby's heart rate and the intensity of my contractions. Oh, and those contractions hurt!

Contractions pre-breaking of water

Contractions post-breaking of water

4:30pm

My mom made it to Las Vegas and as I was puking the lining of my empty stomach into a bucket, she came into my room laughing. "I did the same thing when I was in labor with you! <insert chuckles>". Thanks, Mom.

6:15pm

The anesthesiologist was on my floor and I was ready to talk. I had already convinced myself that an epidural would not be possible, but if he wanted to talk to me I was more than willing to listen! Right before the nurse went to get him, her face dropped. Brian and I both noticed, and she points to the monitor readings and asks, "did you see that?" Baby's heart rate dropped rapidly and hopped right back up which, according to our nurse is generally an indicator of reaching 10 centimeters dilated. She checked me, and sure enough... So much for the anesthesiologist!

6:30pm

Totally guessing on the time here, but everything was ready to go. Let the pushing commence!

Because of the timing- shift change at 7:00- the doctor and a room full of nurses were in there from the beginning. It was a pretty steady hour and a half: push, push, push, oxygen on, watch a few seconds of the Detroit/Oakland baseball game, oxygen off, repeat.

8:20pm

Modified discussion-

Dr. S: "Do you want to use a vacuum?"

Me: "Yes. My legs are about to detach from my hips."

8:21pm

"It's a girl!"

Leah Francine was born, blue as a blueberry with her umbilical cord wrapped tightly around her neck. NICU nurses were on call, but thankfully she recovered quickly and passed her second Apgar with flying colors (blue not being one of them).

We are so happy she is here and love her more than the world!