Memoirs of a Moorings

Introducing....

Shyane-Austin
born Wed., 12/12/07
9:41pm
6 lbs., 14 oz.
18 1/2 inches

He came four days early. And He's beautiful!

After dealing with sporadic contractions most of Wednesday, we finally headed to the hospital at around 6pm after the pain started to get unbearable. I arrived only to hear that I was only dilated 1 1/2 centimeters. UNBELIEVABLE. An hour later they told me I was going to have to walk. I knew I couldn't do it...but I tried. An hour later and about 2 minutes of walking and feeling like the baby was going to come at any minute, I told my husband to call in the nurse. She examines me and tells me I'm fully dilated and about to deliver the baby.

"What about the drugs?" I asked in the midst of the pain.
Since the baby was at the door, there was no time for drugs. I was going to have to push him out cold turkey. They wheeled me frantically to the delivery room and I knew he was coming quick. Five pushes and 10 minutes later. He was born.

I think I'm going to change the name of this blog to the Superwoman Chronicles!

Somebody absolutely adores their little brother. All he wants to do is kiss him and look at him. I love that.

The Countdown Continues

“I'm not interested in being Wonder Woman in the delivery room. Give me drugs.” ~ Madonna

I would post a picture......of our crowded garage, but I don't want to embarrass myself. (Plus, I don't even have the energy to go get the camera.) Asked dear hubby to pull out the bassinette and car seat in preparation for the baby. Of course, they are no where to be found. YIKES! Let's hope tonight is a more successful night.

Took a trip to Target earlier today to pick up some last minute items. Oh me, oh my.....I had to lay down after that 45-minute trek. And then I look in my bags for the disinfecting wipes and Windex I bought, only to discover that they were not there. The cashier loaded my basket for me so I assumed everything was there. I was going to head back out to get my items, but I'll have to count it as a $4 loss because every time I get up to walk I get shooting pains from I can only assume is the baby's head way down in my pelvic area. I'll find out tomorrow just what's going on.

Tonight for bedtime reading the soon-to-be big brother picked out the two books that talk about my pregnancy and what to expect when the baby comes home. I was shocked because we haven't read those books in months. I walked into the room and there he was waiting with them in his lap. He is anticipating the baby as well.

Been spending most of the evening trying to get a few things done between this aching back and these Braxton Hicks contractions--they are getting stronger every day. Just hoping this baby doesn't come before my mother gets in town on Friday!

9 Months and Counting

"Being pregnant and giving birth are like crossing a narrow bridge. People can accompany you to the bridge. They can greet you on the other side. But you walk that bridge alone." ~African proverb

If I bend over far enough, I can see the fresh, new pedicure I got today! Yes, that is my big 9-month belly in the way.

Feeling a mixture of fear and anticipation. Fear because I've been through labor and delivery before so I know what to expect. Anticipation because we are going to have a new baby to love and nurture. Exciting times.

It was a baby day today. Doctor appointment where I found out I'm 1 measly centimeter dilated. That's actually a good thing because I've got some loose ends to tie up for work before this baby comes. Then this afternoon, I took the Labor and Delivery tour since we will be delivering this baby at a different hospital.

It was obvious that I was touring with a group of first-time moms. There were a few husbands there scribbling down notes furiously, a few moms with tons of questions and some who just looked downright scared. I had to chuckle because I remember being just like that more than four years ago.

A week and a half to go!

The Nesting Continues

"Beginnings are always messy."  ~John Galsworthy

Getting ready for Rhyan's birth was such a smooth transition. Of course, it helped that I didn't have any other children to care for or that I was a stay-at-home mom. This weekend my wonderful hubby overworked himself to satisfy my nesting instinct. He painted two rooms and put up Rhyan's bunk beds which we picked up last week. I took pics, but when I saw the mess, I said no way am I going to publish them! Rhyan is soooooooo excited about the beds. The mattresses aren't here, but he wanted to sleep in the top bunk so bad. I compromised with him and set him up in the bottom bunk with his toddler mattress from his car bed. I padded the sides with his new bedding and some pillows. Can we say happy camper! He doesn't care that the rest of the room is in disarray. He was just so happy to be in his big boy bed. Let's hope this is the end of late night creeping to our bed! Cannot wait until everything is in order! I ordered a bunch of stuff online for the baby--basics like diapers, onesies, socks, pajamas--stuff we didn't have. I felt guilty for shopping online. Why? It's so hard for me to get around now, it really was the smartest move. So much still left to do--let's just pray I don't go into early labor trying to get it all done!

Cravings

"Pregnancy is a kind of miracle. Especially so in that it proves that a man and woman can conspire to force God to create a new soul." ~Robert Anton Wilson

I've made it to week 36 of this pregnancy--and I'm craving a lot of things from my  pre-pregnancy life like:
- sleeping on my stomach. Oh how I miss such a simple pleasure
- shaving my legs. Now I just run the razor over my legs hoping I got most of the hair.
- home pedicures. I miss changing my toe nail polish color every week. Now would be a good time to invest in a professional pedicure.
- wearing non-maternity clothes. I feel like I am now wearing the same outfits every week.
-getting on the floor and playing with Rhyan. If I get down there, who will get me up?

Even with all this, I clearly remember the day I came home from the hospital after having Rhyan and taking a shower without my belly. I went through mourning for a week. It really was a weird feeling to miss my pregnant belly. Even my hubby would reach over to rub my tummy and it wasn't there anymore. I have a feeling it will be the same this time around.

Baby Belly Beauty

By far the most common craving of pregnant women is not to be pregnant. ~ Phyllis Diller

Wish I could bottle up this pregnancy glow and use it when I'm not pregnant. I had a doctor appointment yesterday and as I was leaving a woman at the flu shot counter said, "you are such a pretty pregnant woman." Oh, I could have kissed her. And this week, I've heard that a few other times! Thank you to this little baby inside of me because the compliments did not come like this when I was not pregnant. Truth is, I feel most pretty when I'm pregnant. Maybe that's the key: I feel pretty, so I look pretty. Maybe that's what I need to bottle up! Found this picture of me from my first pregnancy. I'm marveling at how small my belly and everything else was (I think I was nearly 8 months pregnant here). That blouse did not fit like that this time around! Found out that I've lost one pound since my last appointment two weeks ago and that I've only gained 14 pounds. Talk about having a pep in my step. That was some good news to me!

The world as we know it.....

...is about to change very soon. I will be the mommy of two boys. T-W-O children who I will be responsible for. Been wondering lately how the dynamic between Rhyan and I will change. It's just been he and I for three years--almost four with his birthday coming up on November 16. Wondering what's going on his little head with regards to this baby. I look at him and think: it was only yesterday that he got here. But then I look again and see that he's growing into a big boy--the toddler chubbiness is gone--replaced by long, lean legs and a growing independence. I really do love this kid--the one who made me a mommy for the first time.

Little Details

“It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” ~ John Wooden

This weekend, we received the package we ordered from our belly shots session with photographer Tara Rochelle. Not only was I excited by our pictures, which were not simply photo prints on paper,  they were sprayed on mounted on boards. Talk about quality. And we love our gigantic wrapped canvas print as well as the extra shots I ordered. It's already hanging.  I was doubly excited by her packaging. I'm all about the little details and by the looks of her package, so is she! LOVED the beautiful brown boxes, the satin ribbon, the matching stickers on every package. Now I can't wait to get them all hung.

Showers of love

“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

  Saturday I was literally overwhelmed by everyone who came out to the baby shower and all the wonderful gifts they bought for our second baby. Much gratitude to my girl Toni for helping to bring all the little details together. You did a GREAT job girl! I'm waiting for that Walters baby so I can return the favor! *wink*

I"m much more comfortable throwing parties, rather than being the guest of honor. It truly is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart. My mother and cousins drove down from the Bay Area to make it extra special. Thanks so much. And Rhyan had a blast with his girl Kennedi, who he nicknamed Winky years ago. I asked him, "Did you have fun with Kennedi?" And he said, "I thought her name was Winky."

The venue and the staff was awesome. If you ever have an event in LA, give Lucy Florence Coffeehouse a try. The food was divine and the desserts delicious. Absolutely no complaints. Now it's all about getting these gitfts unpacked and organized before this baby come. Oh yeah, then there's the business of actually picking name before his birth It's six weeks and counting now! Whew.

A Happy Halloween

"Halloween was confusing. All my life my parents said, 'Never take candy from strangers.' And then they dressed me up and said, 'Go beg for it.' I didn't know what to do. I'd knock on people's doors and go, 'Trick or treat. No thank you.'" ~Rita Rudner

The Harvest Day parade at Rhyan's pre-school was such a treat. Everyone at my job comes out of their office to the main drive on campus to support. They rented a train and paraded the kids up and down the street three times! Two times too many since Rhyan cried as soon as he saw mommy and daddy. Prior to that he was waving and smiling like a beauty queen! Daddy went over to him and asked him why he was crying--he said he wanted to go home. Just the sight of us means 'it's time to go home.' Daddy had to remind him that he had so much fun in front of him--including a ride on that train. So that perked him up big time!

But when he saw the train--which I guess in his little head was supposed to be Thomas the Train, he was sorely disappointed. "That ain't no Thomas train!" he yelled. Daddy, who is always quick on his feet, told him it was Thomas' brother. Wow, I would have never thought of that :-) It worked and Rhyan's class got to ride the train for three go rounds since they waited the longest to ride. So I'm standing there in the hot sun with a big belly and the wrong shoes on. It was worth it because we had one happy little toy soldier on our hands.
And having Daddy there made parting so sweet. Usually when there is a mid-morning program and it's time to say bye, Rhyan is clingy and begging me not to leave. Daddy told him we'd see him later and he ran to me gave me a kiss and said, "See you later mommy," and just ran off with his class. What is it about Daddies that they have that magic power!

Later that night, he transformed into SpiderBoy! My sister was ready to take him out at around 7pm, but there was not a kid in sight. Walking up and down the block to see what porch lights were on did not sound appealing to me, so my sister suggested driving around to see where the hot spots were in our neighborhood. It worked! And after about two houses Rhyan got the hang of trick-or-treating. He was a bit frightened by a woman in a wolf mask who was sitting outside her door waiting for kids to come by. He was so hesitant to go up to her and she didn't help things by just sitting there saying nothing. I mean, heck, I was a little scared! Don't do that to little kids!

Surprisingly, our little one has not even asked for a piece of candy. Yet, I've already been digging through his bag for all the tootsie rolls I can get. Bad, bad mommy! Overall, a good day and night--but I wore myself out and had to stay home and rest today.

In other news, I've decided to jump in and join NaBloPoMo - National Blog Posting Month. So I'm supposed to post EVERY DAY for the month of November. I'm hoping it will stretch the way I see my life and help me to find a story in the everyday-ness of life.