The Baby is Coming...

This morning, I woke up pretty early. I felt a pain and it was pretty intense. What could it be? It almost felt like the type of pains I had when I went into labor with Jayden. It felt like pressure on the cervix. Could it be? I’m not ready yet. The baby’s not ready. We’ve got 5 weeks to go still. But the pain won’t go. I’ve been getting Braxton hicks contractions on and off, but nothing like this. It feels like the real thing. It lasts longer than I think a contraction should last, but finally stops. Then it starts again. Esteban is leaving for work so I ask him to keep his phone close in case anything happens and I need to reach him. He leaves and it stops. Then a third one. I’m getting nervous. The baby is moving like crazy. What could be happening? Could the baby be on her way? The pain stops and I decide to get up and walk around. Not a long walk. Just long enough to get to the kitchen and fix me a bowl of cereal. If I’m going into labor, I’m not going in hungry, like I did with Jayden. That was the trick. They stopped after that. I guess it was Braxton hicks after all. Wow. That was all it took. The contractions were over. I guess that’s what false labor feels like.

A Promotion

Esteban works in food and beverage. He’s definitely doing something he loves to do. He has a gift for taking care of Guests and has great experience. For quite some time, they have been after him to move up the ranks, but he hasn’t really had an interest in it. Lately, they’ve gotten more serious with their offer and they are still in discussions, but it looks as though he may be accepting their offer at a promotion as Captain for Room Service.

I am very excited and nervous for him. I know he can do it. Hands down, he’s the best they’ve got. I just can’t help but worry about him and the change and how it will affect us. Of course, I worry about our financial picture. (No more tips!) I have not mentioned that to him because twice now I’ve accepted a lower paying job for life balance reasons and he’s been fully supportive. The other major change is that he’s going to be working 2nd shift. I wonder if that will be easier or harder for me. He will start at 3pm. He’ll be home with me and the kids (that sounds weird) all day and then leave around 2pm. Some nights he won’t be home until 1 or 2 am and if the graveyard person fails, he would have to stay until 5am. That’s an extreme case.

The boss is moving quickly with him so he may be starting sooner rather than later. Esteban has already explained that he needs them to honor his off days whenever possible which are Thursday and Friday. He’s also explained that I am expecting and he’ll be taking a 2 week leave when the baby comes. I hope they are true to their word. They are making a ton of promises to him, including the opportunity to move into banquets, which is where the money is. We’ll see.

Baby Blues

Jayden has been sick in a way that I’ve not experienced before. My poor baby has been vomiting for the last three days. On Tuesday, I put him down for a nap and I heard him about 45 minutes later. When I got to his room, he was covered in it from head to toe and I almost threw up myself. I was careful with him afterwards and made sure to give him food slowly. It seemed to be a one time occurrence. The next day, he had a great day at the sitters but then he vomited that night. The next day, there was no vomiting and I got a little too excited too fast. I gave him a couple of apple wedges in the evening and the poor guy threw up until there was nothing left in his system. It makes me nervous to see him like that. It’s so scary for parents and for babies. As an adult, I hate throwing up. It’s painful and very traumatic for me. I can just imagine for him. Last night, he was up most of the night and had us up, mostly Esteban all night.

Esteban took him to the doctor’s for me today since it was a work day. She said it was something that’s going around for the past couple of weeks and she felt we had caught it and brought him in just in time. Poor Jayden is back to liquid diet and crackers, dry cereal etc. I made him some jello too and tomorrow, I’ll be picking up some apple sauce for him. At least he’s not vomiting and drinking electrolytes and PowerAde / Gatorade.

34 Weeks Down! 6 To Go!

Today was my check in at the OBGYN. I am going on 34 weeks, so that leaves just 6 weeks to go. I am getting a little nervous because there is still so much to do and nothing is off of the last list. We still have to pre-register at the hospital, and pack my hospital bag. We’ve got to get the car seats installed, bring down the bassinet from the attic and get a toddler bed for Jayden. I’ve had a couple of people volunteer to help with Jayden when I go into labor so that is a relief. Both of my sisters will be here on April 12th, which is a day after my due date and a day before my birthday!

Now for my stats! I’m not sure why because I don’t think I’m doing anything differently, but my weight was at 215 ½ which is down 2 pounds from my last check up 2 weeks ago. At this point with Jayden, I was weighing just about the same thing. That’s a surprise I wasn’t expecting. The baby’s heart rate was at 140 and she was measuring 34 weeks, or right on track.

The doctor asked if we were planning on having more kids. Since the answer to that is not at this time, he wanted to know if I was having a tubal ligation. I was kinda hopin’ that Esteban would get snipped instead. The doctor thought that was a good idea and offered to discuss the option with Esteban so I guess I’ll be dragging him to my next visit. It’s the much anticipated vaginal exam. (Not!) I remember with Jayden, I had my 36 week visit and they did what they needed to do. I thought that while they were down there, they might as well check to see if there was any action going on, but there was nothing. No effacing, no dilating. Less than a week later, Jayden was born. What a happy surprise. Do you think the baby will come early? Some say no. They say girls take longer.

Falling Down...

Today was a bad day for me. I know it's time for a break when I'm screaming at Jayden at the top of my lungs. He’s just a baby and doesn't know any better. Sometimes, I worry what I am going to do with a second one. Then, I remember that I am pregnant and it’s especially hard for me to watch Jayden all day and night by myself. I am easily drained. I have very little patience. And by the end of the day, I’m worn out, exhausted. Usually, Esteban is such a huge help to me, but he’s been working extra hours. I know he worries about our financial security so I don't say anything, but I really need him to be home right now. Tomorrow, I have the same type of day ahead of me. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through.

Today, Jayden and I woke up about 8am. I changed his diaper and then we brushed our teeth. Can’t forget about Rio. I let him out and since it seems as though he’s gotten fleas again, he’s taking a very long time to handle his business because he’s stopping to scratch every thirty seconds. Back to Jayden. He had his milk while I cleaned the kitchen. And then comes breakfast. Afterwards, he played as he usually does. So far, so good.

I put him down for a nap around 11:30 and by 12:15 he was out. I usually nap when Jayden goes down, but I was feeling good so I caught up on emails, had lunch and started a movie until he got up. Then he had a snack and colored while I started dinner. This quickly came to an end when he starting breaking his crayons in half and bawling up his coloring sheet. Oh Lord! While dinner was cooking, I fed him. By now, my patience was thin. Before you know it, we are both fighting over the spoon which was full of food and finally ended up splattering all over. Now, I’m furious. I cleaned up theis disaster, finally get him fed and finish cooking dinner. But he’s bored and he’s looking for trouble. I decided to give him a bath.

Now it was 5:15. I didn't know what else to do with Jayden. I’m conscious of the fact that Rio hasn’t been out all day so I go to let him out and get the mail. Jayden is watching me through the bedroom window as I scream at Rio who decided he was going to run after two people walking two chihuahuas. Grrrr. Finally, Rio is back home and in his crate and I am back to dealing with Jayden. No sign of Esteban. I think, maybe I’ll have my own dinner. Jayden picks from my plate, but in between bites manages to pop the screen off of the window about a billion times and then he takes my napkin and shreds it. Then he tries to take anything he can from my nightstand which he knows is off limits. I'm trying to breathe in and breathe out. I just want to get through dinner.

It's 6:30 and there's no sign of Esteban, although atleast he’s called to say he’s on the way. Thank you God! Jayden is driving me insane and I'm snapping at him so loud that I know the neighbors can hear me. Then my neighbor Nicole actually calls. I’m pretty sure she’s going to tell me to tone it down, but she’s actually calling to invite us on a play date. I’m desperate for adult conversation so I don’t let her get off the phone and while I am talking to her into the handset, Jayden has grabbed the cradle and is speaking into it. Who knows what he’s saying but he’s going at it in baby speak and that gives me an idea. I'll call dad and let Jayden talk to him on the phone. Lately, he's really starting to open up and loves to chatter on the phone.

I try calling my dad, but I get a busy signal and Jayden says uh-oh. I finally get through on his cell phone. Jayden spoke to Grandpa almost for as long as I did. My dad was cracking up with Jayden. I took the phone back but Jayden didn't stop speaking, which made it very hard to hear, but I was just happy that he was entertained and not looking for mischief. I could tell that dad was tired so we all said bye-bye about a thousand times and finally it was 7pm. Finally, it’s time for me to start bedtime rituals.

I got Jayden his bottle. He was already changed into his PJ’s and in a dry diaper so I put him in his crib, got his music going as well as his collection of nightlights and started to read. The ABC book by Dr. Seuss is what I picked because Dr. Seuss entertains me too. Esteban finally gets home at 7:15. I finished my story and went to my room thinking thank God this day is over. I picked up where I left off on the movie I had started earlier in the day, but Jayden was still carrying on in his room. By now, I am so drained that I can't even fuss. I just go back to his room, and I rock my little angel. He tries to kiss my lips, bite my nose, slobber all over me and then he points to the crib all on his own. Nighty night. This time, it's for good.

I go back to my room and I’m exhausted. My eyes are tearing on their own and I can’t stop yawning. Esteban goes to sleep, but I'm so wound up, stressed out and emotional that I can't sleep. I had to let it all go. I had myself a good cry and then went into the shower and now I feel like a human again. Finally, I’m feeling a bit more relaxed. Lord, I don't know how single mothers do it day in and day out. I'll have to make a special prayer for all single parents out there who I know must be struggling. I should also remember to be more appreciative of Esteban who does so much around the house to help with Jayden. When he’s not there, is when I realize it the most. I should also remember that Jayden is learning as much from me as I am from him. Lord, give me the grace to make it through the day. I hope tomorrow isn’t a repeat of today.

Number 10 and 11 - All In One Day!

For a long time now, Jayden has been waving good-bye. Of course, I think it’s completely adorable. A couple of weeks ago though, he started to say yeah when he waved good-bye. I didn’t pick up on it right away, but one day when we were out in public, and I heard him call out and then wave. Of course, no one knows that he’s trying to get their attention when he’s waving to people’s backsides so he started to call out, “Yeah!”. Since then, Esteban and I have been slowly repeating bye-bye to him anytime we waves good-bye. And then yesterday, finally, he said it. Bye – Bye. He waved at me and said bye – bye. I was so happy; Jayden added word #10 to the list.

You would never believe it, but Jayden had two accomplishments in one day. He was home with Daddy and I was at work. Daddy was calling him over to our changing area because he noticed that Jayden had a soiled diaper. He told Jayden, “Come on. You have a poopy diaper.” Jayden responded, “No. Ca-Ca.” J When Esteban called me and told me that, I was cracking up because when I clean up Jayden after a soiled diaper, he will always try to reach down and grab something. I always say, “No, ca-ca”. Esteban asked me, did you teach him that word? I cannot tell a lie. Yes, I did. Now, Jayden tells Daddy when he’s soiled his diaper by saying ca-ca. He’s such a big boy! Way to go! Word #11 makes it onto the list.

Valentine's Day - Take 2

This year, Valentine’s Day was completely spoiled. Esteban worked late, for the third day in a row. Since he usually cooks when he gets home, that meant no dinner for us. We were both super tired and so was Jayden. He had only napped for 50 minutes at the sitters and was completely cranky. I thought that a bath would help him settle down, but he was even misbehaving there. Then, it was time for nighty-night and he wouldn’t go to sleep. This was the third night in a row. Finally, I decided to move him to our bedroom instead. Finally, he settled down. We put him in his crib and he fell asleep. Esteban ate leftovers and I had a bowl of cereal. I looked at him and he looked at me. Well, that was romantic. Not!

Jayden, Daddy and I decided to have another go at Valentine’s Day. When I got home from work, we all went to Carrabba’s for dinner. The wait wasn’t bad at all and we had such an enjoyable dinner. Great Food! Great Service! And Jayden was so well behaved for his age. He ate from every plate that was brought to the table. He had calamari for the first time, which he liked. He had salad, even though it didn’t have ranch dressing on it. Then he had spaghetti, which he loved. And of course, he helped me with my dessert. It was such a great evening. Thank God for second chances.