I'm a mommy!

After 16 1/2 hours of labor, Kaden Timothy came into the world at 10:02am on Tuesday June 22nd via c-section. He weighed 7lbs 15oz, and was 21 inches long. Of course I think he's freaking adorable, but I know I'm biased!

Here's my birth story for anyone that wants the details. More pics are below.

Monday morning I woke up just after 8am and had to pee. So I go, and after I stand up liquid starts rushing down my leg. It wasn't pee, so I assumed it was amniotic fluid. It wasn't a gush, just a trickle. I called my doctor's office, and they said to head to labor and delivery to be checked. My poor H had only gotten to bed at 7:30am, so he had about 45 minutes of sleep before he had to get up again.

We got to the hospital just after 9am. They hooked me up to the monitors to check for contractions and his heartbeat. I was having contractions but I could barely notice them, and they weren't consistent or time-able. I was 3cm, which was more than I had been at my previous week's checkup. They checked the fluid and it wasn't amniotic fluid, but they didn't have an explanation for what it was. After monitoring me for an hour, plus lots of extra waiting we finally got discharged around 1pm. We headed home so that H could get some more sleep.

Just after 5pm I started timing my contractions since they were starting to be painful. Using an online application I timed them for an hour, and they were around 5 minutes apart and about a minute long. So I called my doctor's office and left a message about my situation. After waiting a half hour for a call back and not getting one I called a 2nd time and left a more detailed message. After waiting a short time for a call back again, I decided to call labor and delivery to see what they said. Labor and delivery said that I could go ahead and come in to be checked, and they would get ahold of my doctor. Note- I never heard from my doctor's office that night, or even saw the doctor on call.

I woke H up around 7:30pm and told him what was going on. I had been timing my contractions for the last 2 hours, and they were staying about the same. And they were really painful in my lower back and top of my hips. He decided to shower and eat something, so we didn't get to the hospital till 9pm Monday night.

We went to triage where I had been monitored earlier that morning, and within 20 minutes they were admitting me. My contractions were more than they had been (obviously), plus I was now dilated to 4cm. I was surprised that they moved that quickly. H went to find a place he could get cell phone reception so he could call my mom and his parents. I had called my mom before we left home, just so she had a heads up that we were heading back to the hospital because of my contractions.

I was moved to an LDR room, which stands for Labor, Delivery and Recovery. So I would do everything in that room till 2 hours after delivery when I would be moved to a postpartum room. I would stay in that room till we checked out. Once in my room I had an IV to make sure I had plenty of fluids and I had to receive penicillin since I had tested positive during the GBS (Group B Strep) test. It can be a problem for baby, but penicillin takes care of it and baby will be fine. That crap burned going into the back of my hand.

I managed the contractions, mostly by walking around. At 12:30am my nurse De started me on pitocin since I wasn't making further progress. While this was going on we also had the TV on. We were watching a local news channel since we could see lightning flashes out the window. According to the news there was pretty severe weather headed our way. Then we hear the tornado siren go off. My nurse comes in and says that we have to go out into the hall until the tornado warning is over. So H carries the rocking chair out and we sit in the hall. We ended up having to stay out there until almost 2am. My mom and sister arrived during the tornado warning. Luckily they didn't have to drive in the pouring rain. They got to the hospital just as it was starting.

Back in my room my contractions were continuing to increase in pain, so I opted to get Stadol via my IV. The pain meds helped some, but by 4am I couldn't handle the back and hip pain so I decided to get the epidural. I seriously have a lot of respect for women that go medication free. Getting the epidural was the worst part of the whole night. I had tears running down my face and if I could have handled the contractions without the epidural I would have called it off. Once the epidural was in things improved greatly.

My nurse, De, kept upping the amount of pitocin I was receiving to try and get me to progress. She checked me at 5:15am and I was at 7cm. But while she was checking me my water broke, and I regressed to 6cm. And no matter how much pitocin she gave me, that didn't change.

At 7am the day nurse, Danielle, came on. She decided to start cutting back on the amount of pitocin to see if she could get my contractions to increase in intensity even if they decreased in the time between them. She also started changing the position I was in, since the baby's heart rate kept fluctuating every time I had a contraction. After almost 2 hours of messing with the pitocin and my position, Danielle called my doctor and she ordered a c-section.

Just before she came into the room to give me the news I told H "just knock me out and take the baby out." The epidural was wearing off, I was feeling pressure in my lower back and I was starting to feel the contractions again. I was so over labor, that I was ready for it to be over. Even if that meant a c-section.

The c-section went well. Kaden was completely healthy, and I'm recovering.

Taco Salad

Source: My family

This dish was always present at graduation parties, family reunions, birthday parties, etc. Easily made and definitely enjoyed by all. I decided to make this just because, not to take to any party or event.

Ingredients

• 1 lb hamburger
• 1 pkg taco seasoning
• water
• head of lettuce
• 4 Roma tomatoes- any kind will work
• 1 yellow onion
• 8-16oz shredded cheese- Mexican, co-jack, etc.
• 1 bag Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavor
• 1 16oz bottle Catalina Dressing
• Other vegetables are optional- radishes, black olives, green peppers

Preparation

• Brown hamburger in skillet. Drain fat
• Add taco seasoning and water to hamburger. I cook until water has evaporated.
• Cool completely.
• Chop lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Add to large bowl.
• Add shredded cheese.
• Add cooled hamburger.
• Crush Doritos
• Add dressing and chips to bowl.
• Mix well.
• Serve chilled.

Note- if not eating all of the dish right away I recommend adding Doritos and dressing individually to personal plate. That way chips don't get soggy, and you can control the amount of dressing you want.

37 Weeks, Full Term!

I'm full term today!! Time certainly has flown.

I saw the doctor yesterday. I'll see her weekly until the baby is born. She did the Group B Strep test, which was no big deal. I'll probably find out the results next week. She also did an internal exam to see if I've progressed at all. For you moms-to-be- there was pressure and it was a bit uncomfortable but it didn't take her long to check. I also have had no spotting since then. She felt Baby Rebel's head (from the outside), and said he wasn't "engaged". Which I took to mean he hasn't dropped at all into the birth canal, considering how far up on my stomach she was feeling his head. She also said that I'm not dilated at all. I was kinda bummed about this since I was hoping for some progress at least. I am so over being pregnant. I'm so over it that I am ready for labor, and I am DREADING labor. That tells you how I'm doing. I'm just ready for the next step, and to have an outside baby.

Next week my appt is on Wednesday, which also happens to be my birthday so I'm really hoping for some progress by then!

How far along? 37 weeks
Total weight gain: I'm up about 4 lbs from 2 weeks ago. But since baby has probably gained about a 1lb since then, I'm really not worried about it.
How big is baby? From now till he's born he's considered the size of a watermelon. I don't want to think about having to push my little watermelon out!

Maternity clothes: Never needed them. I bought the Be Band from Target and I've used that.
Stretch marks: A few more of those red marks towards the top of my stomach.
Sleep: Awful. Moving is painful in my lower back and pelvis, but not moving isn't an option. Getting up to pee every 2 hours or so has become the norm.
Movement: He doesn't kick so much as just push. He's head down so all of his movement is towards the top of my stomach. He's gotten the hiccups quite a few times now. He's been much more active the last couple of days. But if he wants more space he needs to come out!
Food cravings: Nothing really. I eat a lot less than I did pre-pregnancy.
Food aversions: Nothing specific
Belly button: Still shallow, no popping.
What I'm looking forward to: This pregnancy to be over. I'm so sick of the pain and aches that I'm looking forward to labor. Just cuz I know there is an end to labor and a baby in my arms!
Weekly joy: Knowing that I'm full term, and there is almost a light at the end of my pregnancy tunnel!

Ricotta & Spinach Shells with Meat Sauce

Source: Girl from the North Country

I've never had ground turkey before. Recently there was a really good sale at our local grocery store, and H pushed me to buy a few packages of it. I also found this recipe and was willing to use the ground turkey it called for, instead of using ground beef.

Ingredients

• 12 oz Jumbo Shells
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 lb 99% lean ground turkey (we used natural 97% fat free beef and drained all the fat)
• 32 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp basil
• salt and pepper
• 2 cups part skim ricotta cheese
• 2 cups reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 egg
• 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Reggiano

Preparation

• Boil water and cook shells according to package directions, make sure to make them al dente.
• Meanwhile, saute onions and garlic in oil.
• Add turkey or low-fat beef and salt and brown until cooked, breaking up in small pieces. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and basil, then simmer on low, covered.
• Preheat oven to 375.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg. Then add the ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, and parmesan and mix together.
• Once shells are cooked and cool, fill shells with the cheese mixture and place in baking dish with a little sauce in the bottom.
• Cover shells with half of the sauce, cover with foil and bake 40 minutes, uncover foil and bake 5 more minutes. (used all the sauce to cover shells, didn't reserve anything)
  
• Serve with additional sauce on top.

Next Time- I wasn't really a fan of the ground turkey in the sauce. The shells were really good. I'd make this recipe again with that one change. Although it is very similar to the other stuffed shells I've made before.

30 Weeks Pregnant

H and I started our childbirth classes this evening. They are 2 hours long for 5 weeks. Tonight we mostly discussed relaxation and exercises the mom can do. A lot of what there is to go over I've learned from either the baby book or from TheBump.com. But it doesn't hurt to go over things with a professional. We definitely need to figure out our birth plan. I really want to know what H will be comfortable with.

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain: At my appt last week I'm up 3lbs from my weight as of Nov. 3rd (about 6 weeks pg).
How big is baby? From weeks 29-32 he's the size of a squash.

Maternity clothes: Still not needed! But I am thinking of buying the BeBand from Target.
Stretch marks: I have some small red ones that are at the tops of existing stretch marks that have gone white. I'm putting the cocoa butter on them because I don't want them to get worse!
Sleep: Eh. I miss a good night's sleep. I wake up numerous times to pee, and change position. Have to move to get rid of specific aches. Only 10 weeks left of these aches.
Movement: He has active times and sleepy times. Daddy has gotten to feel him a few more times.
Food cravings: Salads. I guess that's good that he wants healthy stuff!
Food aversions: Nothing specific
Belly button: It's coming out a bit more. I'd love for it to pop out!
What I'm looking forward to: My baby shower on May 1st.
Weekly joy: Not baby related, but we just got a brand new printer/copier/scanner. I'm enjoying having a printer again! We got this one:

Chocolate-Cream Cheese-Peanut Butter Bars

Source: Betty Crocker

Peanut Butter and Chocolate together, never heard of a better combination! This dessert certainly didn't disappoint. It comes together fairly easily, just takes awhile because of having to cool and refrigerate between steps. But once it is done, AWESOME! LOL!

Ingredients
Cookie Base and Topping

• 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® peanut butter cookie mix
• 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp water
• 1 egg

Filling

• 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1- 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup crunchy or creamy peanut butter
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup whipping cream

Preparation

	Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie base and topping ingredients until soft dough forms. Shape 6 (1-inch) balls of dough. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls 2 inches apart; flatten in crisscross pattern with fork.
	Press remaining dough in pan. Bake cookies and base 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Reserve cookies for topping.
	In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and butter uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and stirred smooth. Spread evenly over bars. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
	In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar and whipping cream with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Spread over chocolate layer.
	Crush reserved cookies; sprinkle over cream cheese layer. Press in lightly. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Next Time- Can't really change much in a dessert. These are great as they are!

Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili

Source: Lauren's Kitchen

This is a Weight Watchers recipe, but neither H nor I am on Weight Watchers. I happened across this recipe in my Google Reader and I thought it looked really good. The fact that it is on Weight Watchers just makes it that much better, since healthy stuff is never a bad thing to try.

We opted to use both cheese and sour cream. We also decided to try it with tortilla chips. We used the chips as scoops, and it worked well. Definitely liked these additions to the chili.

For any readers that are on Weight Watchers, according the link provided in Lauren's post, this recipe makes 10- 10oz servings and each is 4 points. Obviously without the additions.

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 16-oz can black beans
• 1 16-oz can kidney beans
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
• 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
• 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
  
• 24 0z. (3) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• chili peppers, chopped (optional)
  
• chopped fresh cilantro (omitted)
  

Preparation

• Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker.
• Place chicken on top and cover.
• Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours.
• Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred.
• Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in.
• Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points).

Next Time- This recipe is so easy to make, and it tastes great. No changes need to be made. : )