It's a boy!

I am sorry it has taken me so long to update my blog. I like to go into hiding after having a baby...I guess I am just trying to survive right now and avoid any post partum issues that I had last time around.

I had a baby boy, Charles (Charlie) Louis M.assett, born on April 3rd, 2012. He weighed 9 pounds 1 ounce and was 21 inches long. I am so happy! He is so adorable and just the sweetest little blessing in our lives right now :) I will post more about the birth experience later on but for I will say it was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!! I had a VBAC after 34 hours of labor! My midwife was so patient with my body and the way/ time I needed to labor to have this baby. She was a blessing to have at the birth of my baby! I pushed for an hour and an half and the thing that got me through it was offering up every push for those IF women who haven't been able to have children yet. I put all of my frustration and sorrow for the IF community into that time and it really did make things "easier" for me. I hope God blesses those I specifically was praying for :)

Here is a picture of my family on Easter!

One week left (updated)

** O.k. I saw my MW today and she says she doesn't think I'll be in labor anytime soon. I guess my baby is in the wrong position (posterior) and is not lined up with my cervix :( I did have some bleeding about 4 days ago and the last couple of days I have been having period type cramps. The good news is my cervix is softening because of the 2000mg of Evening Primrose Oil I have been taking twice a day. So I hope the MW is wrong because I would really like to meet my baby soon!!! I am guessing a boy by the way, although I guessed a boy with Lucy and obviously I am a bad guesser :) oH, and just so I remember this pregnancy I am up 39 Ibs. A lot better than the 65 Ibs. with Lucy but I did start this pregnancy 30 Ibs. heavier than my last one so I think it works out to be about the same...um, I gain weight easily but it so worth it to be pregnant!


Well there is about one week left before my due date :) I am very excited and nervous! As of now I really don't have any symptoms of labor...tomorrow is my appointment with my midwife and I am actually looking forward to chatting with her about labor and everything. Lucy was born a week early so I am anticipating this baby arriving early. Although we're really having a difficult time with names so I really don't mind if the baby stays in a little longer. I am guessing it is a boy but I am a really bad guesser of genders!

What is your guess?

Just an update (200th post)

Thank you to those that requested me (by email as well) to pray for them during labor! It really gives me something to focus on during pain...I'll be praying especially for those of you who haven't been able to have children yet. That cross is still so present in my mind that my heart just breaks thinking about the heartache you all are going through.

Just so I remember in the future I want to write down what I am taking at the moment to prepare for labor:

1. Pre-natals
2. Iron 2x daily
3. Liver Capsules 4x daily
4. Dr. Christophers Birth Prep
5. Evening Primrose Oil 1500mg orally and 1500mg vaginally before bed (36 weeks)
6. Castor oil pack (starting at 36 weeks) 1 hr. per evening
7. Prenatal DHA 4x daily
8. Hydrocortizone 4x daily (of course)
9. Pre-natal tea 2 c. daily

I think that is about it. I am not sure what the castor oil pack is suppose to do but my midwife suggested it so I am just going with it for now. Plus, it is my excuse to lie down for 1 hr. in the evening and ask my dh to bring me things :) I was checked at 36 1/2 weeks and nothing is happening down there yet except for a little softening of the cervix. Other than than I am not dilated at all and the baby is in the right position for labor :) I guess at my last app. I had high blood pressure which they didn't tell me since they didn't want me to worry. But this last app. my blood pressure did drop down a bit so it wasn't as high. Also, my stomach measurement (I am not sure what they refer to that measurement as) didn't increase so they are going to keep an eye on that as well. Um, yeah, I am trying to worry about any of that because it is not a big deal as of yet.

I have to say that my dh has been a gem with helping me out! He has been making diner when he comes of from work and is so sweet to offer with anything else I need help with. i really am blessed!

I am hoping that transition for Lucy goes smoothly but I know it will be an adjustment. Whenever I talk about the baby she mostly thinks I am talking about her...i am not sure how really to prepare her since she doesn't really get that there is a baby in mommy's tummy. I think she is going to be jealous when she sees the new baby nursing but I have just decided to tandem nurse. At least that is the plan for now. Lucy still nurses quiet a bit and I think that she is nursing more because my supply is coming back...is that how it works?

Just waiting now :)

Prayer requests (updated)

Well it is almost time for my due date...yes I am rounding off probably because Lucy arrived a week early so I am hoping /guessing that this baby will come early too. If anyone would like me to remember their prayer intentions during labor just let me know. It will be nice to have people to offer up this labor for. Hopefully things will go much easier than the last time. I just mean that I am hoping for contractions to start on their own and actually dilate without the pain med.s.

Things are just about ready around here for the baby. I almost have my to do list done and now I am just acting very neurotic about everything being put back in it's place around here. I wish I had the energy to get the things done that I would like to accomplish during the day but I am so slow!!! and my back hurts like crazy by evening. Lucy has started walking a lot by herself which is making things a lot easier but she also still wants to be held often as well.

I am getting a little anxious for labor...i really do NOT want another c-section so my plan is to stay at home this time until I feel like I am going to die. Should be easy enough :) I am really feeling anxious about leaving Lucy when I am in labor. I hate being separated from her!!!!! Just hate it!!! I am worried about not being able to put her to bed or nurse her when she wants me, ugh! I am hoping to get an early discharge from the hospital so hopefully that works out. The one comment that drives me nuts right now is well people tell i won't be thinking of Lucy when the new baby comes or that it will be good for me to have the break from her, WTH! I seriously don't want to be separated from her and if I could have gone to a birthing center so I could be home 4 hours after labor I would have done so but the one birthing center her want take VBAC. Anyways, just a little vent about that!

If any of you can spare a prayer for me that I will be able to have VBAC I really would appreciate it!!! Thank you :)

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Sorry I forgot to mention if you want to email me your intention so it is private that is o.k. too :) ambermassett@gmail.com

Quick update...

This diet thing STINKS!!! So now after dealing with major headaches, crankiness, etc. I decided to avoid grains for breakfast and lunch and then eat a "normal" dinner. This has been much easier :) And I am a happier person now.

My in-laws just surprised us with a visit that lasted from Thurs. night until Mon. morning. Lets just say I am EXHAUSTED! It all my own fault though because I want to come across as the "perfect" wife (which I am not, haha). I cleaned, cooked, exercised, and entertained while they were here...only to want to die the day after they left because I was so tired!!!

O.k. I am off to shower while Lucy is sleeping and then take a nap myself...oh, I almost forgot to mention. My nesting energy is gone, boo-hoo, I really need it to come back because my house is falling down around me!

It's that time again (Baby to do list)

Yes, I go NUTS with my baby to do lists. Maybe you remember this post :)I figure I have 12 weeks or so to get this done. I know some of this may absolutely absurd but I really feel like it is necessary to have everything in its place before the baby arrives. I am sure I am about to drive Dh crazy with this list. This is not the final list though. I have stuff to add and I am sure some of this won't get accomplished but it is worth a try :)

Baby to Do List

Master bedroom
Clean out dresser drawers
Nursing pillow
Organize two drawers for baby
a. diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, thermometer, nursing pads, nipple cream,
Diaper pail/ bag
b. onesies, outfits, socks, swaddling blankets, burp cloth
Baby Hammock/ co-sleeper
Sweep
Mop
Dust
Clean out all junk, and unnecessary books/ items
Dark out curtains
Night stand next to bed for supplies
Baby gate at the top of the stairs
Clean ALL items off of back porch!!!
Buy new sheets and duvet cover

Guest Room
Sweep
Mop
Dust
Move clothes bins to basement
Replace batteries in baby swing and baby seat

Bathroom
Organize under sink
Scrub tub
Replace shower curtain
Mop floors
Clean out all books
Remove book shelf and put L’s potty in its place

Closet
Organize all baby supplies
Wash all blankets
Sweep

Lucy’s Room
Wash crib sheets
Hang pictures on wall
Hang valance
Dust
Put together photo album
Finish baby book
Write birth story

Kitchen
Organize all cupboards
Dump old spices, replace with new ones
Gather all breast pump, bottle supplies
Clean out freezer/ fridge
Make a 7 frozen dinners
Stock cupboards for easy to make meals

Living Room
Clean out toys and store in basement
Buy new living room couches, haha!
Add framed pictures of family on walls
Buy new side table (a heavy one)
Buy glider for rocking baby

Entry way
Organize all paperwork
Put away all clutter

Basement
Organize all paperwork in boxes
Sweep
Throw out all junk
Organize laundry area

Car
Wash
Vacuum
Add infant car seat
Dust interior
Air in tires

Wish List
More cloth diapers
Double jogging stroller with infant car seat insert and cup holders
Bamboo swaddling blankets
Ergo baby carrier with infant insert
Labor outfit
Baby clothes, especially if baby is a boy

French Toast Sickness (updated)

So I thought I would treat myself since today is Sunday and the Feast of the Holy Family. I made Texas toast french toast with syrup, and sausage this morning...why would I feel sick after eating that? I always feel sick after eating french toast and I don't know why. I think the rest of the day I should go back to grain free.

Tonight I am going to make Roasted Chicken with sherry gravy and mashed cauliflower that I have been hearing so much about. It's funny two days with just cutting back on the grains (although seriously not perfect) and two days of headaches I woke up with energy to get us all dressed and ready for early morning Mass. That is soooo not like me. Normally I am begging Dh to let me go back to sleep and he can watch Lucy...such a bad wife!

So here is today's so far and a game plan

Breakfast: 1/4 coffee with whole milk and coconut sugar. 1 Banana

Lunch: 1 c. whole milk, 2 slices Texas Toast French toast with junky syrup, 4 sausage links, and some m&m's. I really do need to through those damn m&ms out of the house!!!!

Snack: Fruit Drink with Kefir, 1/4 of English muffin with almond butter and honey.
Two toffee cookies and stinking m&ms...a handful

Dinner: Roasted Chicken with sherry gravy, mashed cauliflower, and a veggie.
(We ended up having steak with mushrooms, onions, a small baked potato, and a glass of raw milk.
Exercise: Walk 45 min.s (never happened)
Drink 3 mama jugs of water!!!! So far I have only finished two in a day :(

Thank you girls for all your tips and support! I really need the encouragement to suck it up through the headaches ;)

***gees you girls are smart with advice and ideas on what to eat!!! I have so much to learn!!!