Dutch Tanner de Jong, 9/17/2012 - 6:55am

I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.

The war story happened like this:
Sunday night, September 16th, I was admitted to the hospital, 41 weeks pregnant, to be induced a little before 9:00pm.  Around 9:45 they inserted a cervical catheter balloon thing because I wasn't dilated enough, because he still hadn't dropped - the kid was still in my ribs.  They also started a low dosage of pitocin at that time.  I spent an hour standing and rocking myself, or sitting and rocking on the birthing ball.  We entertained ourselves by watching Seinfeld episodes (perfect labor entertainment).
At 11:00pm the nurse checked my cervical balloon and it came right out, which meant I was at a 3-4cm and received a higher dosage of pitocin, which started some serious painful cramps.  After a few more hours of standing, marching, rocking and bouncing, I couldn't stand it anymore and got an epidural around 3:45am (I was then dilated to a 6).  I got about 15 minutes of sleep, then my blood pressure monitor kept beeping every 15 minutes because my blood pressure was about 2 points too low (so annoying!).  A little before 6:00am my nurse came in to check me and I was mostly dilated, but he was face up so she put me in different positions to try to get him to turn around.  At 6:30am she checked me again and I was fully dilated, but Dutch was still up in my ribs.  The nurse said to go ahead and start pushing him down.  At that point I was worried that it would be a long morning of pushing, and I was exhausted from a sleepless night.  The epidural had largely worn off and I hurt.  I pushed my guts out to get that kid out!  When he started crowning they told me he had hair, which made me smile.  When he moved down a little more the doctor said, "Oh, he's going to be a big one" (I have no idea how they can tell that so soon, because his head doesn't look very large to me).  When his head came out, they told me to stop pushing because his umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his neck.  He was completely blue in the face and they had to cut the cord immediately right there.  After they cut the cord, two more pushes and he was out at 6:55am.  25 minutes total pushing time.  I must say, I was pretty darn proud of myself, especially for having had to push him all the way down, plus being a larger baby - and, by the way, I don't remember it hurting that much with Gracie, I'll admit there was a bit of yelling and demanding water between pushes.  8 lbs, 20.25 inches.  And, best of all, I didn't tear, no stitches!  Yay! 
Dutch came out looking pretty purple, but still beautiful.  We love him so much and are so grateful that he has finally joined our family. 
I felt really well in the hospital and they let me go home a day early, which was great.  But now, every muscle is sore and I feel like I got hit by a train. 
But, on the bright side, I really love having my bladder back. 

First Family photo

Just a couple minutes old

Love at first sight

My handsome guys

In other news, just because I don't want to forget this bit of cuteness:
Gracie has taken to talking and giggling herself to sleep.  I enjoy sitting outside her door and listening to her play in the dark.  I love that girl. 

Get out of my belly!

We've checked into the hospital for my scheduled induction.  Little boy is 1 week late, more according to our preference.
They started the pitocin  around 9:45pm. 
We're hoping this goes quickly. 

Due date Schmoo date

In school and work we learn the importance of due dates, don't turn your work in on time by the due date, you get in trouble.
But those due dates deal with things we can actually control.
Why do we put a magical date telling a baby that he's supposed to now emerge from mama's comfy belly.
Babies know how to eat, eliminate, sleep, cry and let's also say cuddle (because everyone knows they're good at it even if they don't mean to be).
So here's a phrase that super bothers me.  "your baby will come when he's ready."  Really?  My baby knows when he's done cookin'?  How about we just admit that we can't control nature and leave it at that.  I guess it just sounds cuter, or more motherly?
Because here's the deal, if my baby is still kicking my ribs and punching my bladder just because he hasn't decided to come out of hiding, then that kid is in big trouble and will be getting a spanking* when he does man up and decide to show his face (that's right buddy, you better be scared, because mama's getting mad).


Induction scheduled for Sunday night the 16th, expected delivery to be Monday September 17th, so stop asking if he's come yet, trust me, I'll be joyfully advertising if I actually go into labor by myself.



*don't worry, I won't punish my newborn child for being late, please refrain from preemptively calling Child Protective Services.

huge

It's a good thing that I really like being pregnant.
I like my big belly, and I feel pretty good, for the most part (mostly when I'm sitting comfortably)
If I didn't enjoy this time in life then I may be offended by the comments that people loving give, such as:

Stranger:  You're due any day now, right? 
Me: No, I have 3 more months
Stranger:  Oh, so you're having twins?
Or
Stranger: Let me guess, your due date was yesterday.
Me: No, I have another month.
Stranger: Oh wow, (yells to her friend - "she has another month!")  Must be a big baby then!

 I have a general rule for myself- I never ask someone about their apparently pregnant belly unless they bring the topic up themselves. 
Which also reminds me of a funny comment, that was overheard by a friend at our local water park (quick background info - pregnant women are not allowed on water slides, I disregard that rule when I feel like I can get away with it).   Skylar and I went down a water slide, then our friends behind us overheard this conversation between the lifegaurds:
Wait, was she pregnant?
I don't know, but it's not like you can ask, that's just rude.
Right, it could be some kind of tumor or something.


 So here's me with my tumor or something at 36 weeks:
(I don't know why I chose to take my picture right after a workout, let's blame pregnant brain on that one)

Belly looks like it should just fall down doesn't it?

And a close up of the gianormity

OMPB

[Oh my Pregnant Brain!] 

Pregnant Brain - The condition in which a women fat with child can no longer remember or think clearly.
 
I can't completely deny that I had PB with my first child,  but I do remember being skeptical when women blamed their blunders on their supposed pregnant brain (even after their child was 3 years old in some cases).  puh-leeeze, just admit you're a ditz...
When I mention to my husband that I don't think I had PB with our daughter, he usually mumbles something barely audible, or gives me a pity smirk - not very reassuring. 
However, with this boy that I'm carrying around in my belly, I definitely feel like my brain has turned to straw. I can never remember a time when I was so forgetful, but that probably doesn't say much since I can't remember anything, or think clearly.
I mentioned on FB a while ago that I forgot to get dressed for a while after the shower, I blame that one partly on the summer heat, good thing no one came to the door - I like to think I would have realized my current condition. 
One morning my husband told me that he was fasting that day, something I can't currently do (without complaint).  While actively thinking about my husband's fast, I simultaneously started making him scrambled eggs and a smoothie.   See what I mean?  This brain is lame.
 I sure hope the fuzziness comes into focus again after I give birth, I'm going to need to be even sharper than before with two babes. 
However, despite the fact that I get annoyed with myself for not having a brain anymore, I am lucky in the way that I don't get very sick while pregnant, my baby isn't pressing on any crazy painful nerves, I can still taste food normally, I (used to) still have enough energy to workout, I haven't started retaining water in a ridiculous way, and I'm sure the list goes on but I can't think of anymore right now - for the most part, I feel healthy and normal(ish) minus the giant beach ball under my skin and the constant jabs from the alien life-form invading that beach ball belly.

We've been going swimming a lot lately...

So I've just got a question, do any of you still pee in the pool?

 Here's an anonymous survey link where you can answer instead of leaving me a comment (unless you're brave - but I will post anonymous responses if they're entertaining enough, I'll also give the final verdict)
or copy paste this:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GWXNYDR

Ever heard the myth of the dye in a swimming pool that makes the surrounding water purple when urine hits it, so that everyone knows who the culprit is, thus embarrassing them enough to never going swimming again?  Yea, I don't think that exists.  But I'll tell you what does exist, very very bright yellow tinkle in shallow waters does not get camouflaged.  If you're going to leak in the public waters, please make sure that your peepee is diluted enough so that no one else knows what you're doing, or take your business to deeper waters.
Thanks.

And PS - my answer would be yes, I never grew up I guess- and I still think it's funny.

love

I wasn't going to buy Gracie the little doggy she found at the yard sale, but she was carrying it around everywhere, then she started reading books to the little doggy, then she found a little shopping cart and pushed the little doggy around, and I couldn't help myself any longer.  Hopefully when I put batteries in it, it will walk and bark, but I don't think that's going to matter.  Gracie hugged that puppy the whole way home, singing to it "cute cute puppy, I love you, cute puppy cute puppy I love you."
When we got home she found her dalmatian puppy and made the two snuggle together.  Then she put her new puppy down for nigh night after giving it a bottle.

Having a (almost) 2 year old is so fun and cute (most of the time)

Excited about her new puppy!

hiccup

My baby boy got the hiccups for the first time tonight, at least from what I've noticed. So cute, I love him, and I love watching my belly pop up and down with his cute hiccups. 

Running still and feeling great.

There are some days when I feel really great after I run, I mean, other than the feel good endorphins that you get from working out.
Today was one of those days.  
You see, it's all in the circumstances.  And here's my reasons:
-  I pulled myself out of bed at 5:40am - a few months ago this was my regular wake up and work out time, lately I've felt more like a slug has taken over my body until something important compels me to get out of bed.
-  Next, you would think that running that early in the morning would mean a cool breeze, or at least coolish air, WRONG!  When I walked out the door I literally took a step back it was so freaky hot, I wasn't expecting to walk into a sauna.  I took off down the road anyway.
-  I was not one of the people sleeping in their cars waiting for the doughnut shop to open. 
-  We just moved into a new place, and I don't have a running route yet, so I decided to just run straight for 18 minutes then turn back, which I did, but it turns out that the whole way out was downhill. 
- The whole run back was (obviously) uphill, but it took me the same amount of time to get back home.
- My belly is huge.  (I actually got asked if I was having twins)
- I ran just over 3 miles in 36 minutes.  Considering my state, I'd say that's pretty good, and I wasn't even trying to push myself.

Let's see if I can do it again.  I think twice a week is a reasonable goal.

Belly Perks

Here's a list of things that I love about having a pregnant belly

1.  I don't feel guilty about not doing any ab workouts after I run. 
2.  When I eat too much I'm not self conscious about my stomach sticking out
3.  I don't feel judged when I'm the first in line to get food on my plate at social gatherings.
4.  When Gracie wants me to hold her, the belly supports part of her weight and gives my arms a break.
5.  I get to park closer at the grocery store, at least when there's an Expectant Mother parking spot.
6.  Instead of being glared at when my daughter goes crazy in public and I can't catch her, I get looks of pity.
7.  It's always a great way to break the ice when trying to be friendly with strangers.
8.  When I run outside, I don't feel social pressure to keep running when I would rather walk.
9.   I take naps during the day without feeling guilty that I should be folding laundry instead. 

I just love being pregnant.  

Doing Something Right?

Gracie didn't want to sit in her high chair this morning
She didn't want to eat her cereal.
She didn't want to drink her milk.
She didn't want to go potty.
I thought, great, it's going to be one of those days.
Then I opened the fridge and she opened the vegetable drawer, pointed and said "cumbers. carrots."
She wanted to eat cucumber and carrots for breakfast.
I'm ok with that, in fact, it makes me feel like I must be doing something right if my 22 month old is requesting vegetables for breakfast.  So I let her eat them on the couch instead of at the table.
Gracie, thanks for making me feel like a good mom this morning.

Look Mommy!

Gracie is getting smart, or at least she's becoming more able to articulate her thoughts and prove how smart she is. 
Yesterday we went to the grocery store, Daddy ran in to get what we needed and Gracie and I people watched from the car. 
A girl walked by in tiny shorty shorts and an itsy bitsy tank top and Gracie pointed to her and said "body! body!"  
That's right Gracie, she is showing off her body.

I truly look forward to the other fantastic things she's going to say in public.  That girl makes me smile.

A Mommy and Her Babies

So I have a friend who is amazing a lot of things, one of them being photography.  She took some pictures of Gracie and I while we were visiting Utah, here's just a few of my favorites, though there are hundreds more that I love.

I think she's too pretty to be mine...

...but mine she is!

So excited for baby brother!

See?  I told you my friend was awesome.  If you're interested in her work, her website is: http://www.ProStudioPhotography.com  Or you can find her on facebook, just look up ProStudio Photography.

A little help?

My mom is participating in a fundraiser for the Huntsman Foundation, cancer research for women. 

She's doing a bike ride called Huntsman Hometown Heroes in the Little Red Riding Hood Bike Ride.  She's close, but not quite there, so I'm reaching out for her.  

If you could just donate $5 that would be a huge help, and it's for a great cause.  I'm sure all of you know of someone who has suffered from cancer, specifically women.  

  

Follow This Link to visit her personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Huntsman Cancer Foundation

Some email systems do not support the use of links. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://littlered.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=1000429&u=1000429-350244822&e=5353574387

 Many thank yous.  

 

Best Date Ever!

Skylar and I ran the Columbus Half Marathon together today, it was so much fun!  We just loved being together through it, I couldn't have asked for a better boyfriend to hang out with. 

Before the race

Baby Boy's 1st 1/2 Marathon

After

 

 

 

New Style for SAHM?

SAHM ("Stay At Home Mom", for those like me who usually don't know acronyms).

Is it a new style for SAHMs to wear their workout clothes when taking their children out?  Are they going for the, "Yes, I'm a sexy mama who works out and plays with her kids"  look?  I mean seriously, I've been seeing a lot of mom's in their Nikes, spandex and tight tanks at the zoo, parks, cosi, etc, but I've noticed they do still make sure to remember to do their hair, put on makeup and pack lunches, they just seem to not have enough time to put on normal people clothes. 
What's the deal?  Granted, gym clothes are comfortable, that's the point of them, but come on people, you look weird, like you forgot where you were going.  Throw on a pair of jeans already. 
Just sayin'

Baby!

It's a BOY!  I'm going to have a son!

I can't wait to snuggle with my little guy.  

Due date is September 10, 2012

It's Woe time

So I haven't talked about my chest woes for a long while, I decided to skip the complaints about milk leakage, engorgement, etc while I was nursing Gracie, but now I've got something. So here goes..

Itchy Boobs

That's right, I said it, super, untreatable, inconsolable, itchy side boobs (mostly).  

However, that being said, itchy boobs is really the only thing I can complain about with this pregnancy, otherwise it's been a breeze so far.  Being a flat chested woman, these puppies have a lot of growing and stretching to do in order to house the milk needed to fill up a hungry baby's tummy.  My body's just prepping for that occurance. If only they'd stay milk jug sized afterward...

And yes, I did just say that I'm pregnant. Yipee!  More to come on that later. 

This little piggy.... is so not cute.

I love my daughter, I really do.  I can't talk enough about how I think she's the best little person in the world, not to mention the prettiest little girl I've ever seen.  Seriously, I don't know how we got her, she's just too cute.  But despite her adorable face, her clever wit and good humor, her rockin' style and her girly flare...
Girlfriend has got the ugliest feet.
First of all, she was born with gargantuanly long feet, looked like they belonged to a child rather than a baby.  But that was just the beginning.  She's got some funky toenails that literally grow upwards, I don't mean out, I mean they actually curl up if they grow just a little bit too long.  Needless to say, I'm very meticulous in making sure this doesn't happen.  And now, to top it off, she's developed some wicked constant skin peeling on her toes and feet.  I lotion them several times a day, it helps for a few minutes.  Poor little things are shedding like a snake in the summer.
And the best part is:
She loves them. 

5 Years

My sweetie and I have been married for 5 years.  He bought me a new wedding band for our anniversary.  I love it!