The Beach Bunk Diaries: May 2010

Sunday, May 30, 2010

This is one of those moments...

where I really should just go to bed. Lottie and Emmaline have been down for a while and its already passed my bedtime. Nothing interesting is happening on facebook and no one has updated their blog since I last checked. I'm tired, starting to get a headache but I really just don't want to go to bed. Know what I want? I want to know what on-base housing looks like in Guam. They don't have pictures anywhere online...I've been looking. And since I can't find that I might as well just go to bed. Ugh. Sigh. If Matt were home I'm sure I would never have gotten online in the first place. Man, having him back would solve a lot of problems, you know?

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Our First Foray

Today I braved going out with two children- by my self. Since Matt left early morning on Monday the most I have attempted is a short walk to a friend's house. Today's excitement started with taking a walk to the mailbox (its 11 building away). It was supposed to be a walk around the block but Emmaline was trying out her new tricycle and was going snail slow. On the the way back I suggested she let me carry the trike and she run a little bit. She enjoyed playing 'shadow chase' until she fell and scraped her knees. And the crying didn't stop for about 15 minutes. The walk wasn't over yet though. I'm carrying Lottie in the wrap in front of me, the trike in my right hand and Emmaline decides that if I don't pick her up at that moment, she'll explode. So I was carrying both girls and the trike up the rest of the hill, back to the apartment. So we didn't go as far as I wanted to but I definately still got some exercize in! Secondly- Weight Watchers is having a May promotion that the sign up fee is waived until the end of the month. I really liked the program when I was in it last year (quit when I got pregnant though) and I wanted to take advantage of the free registration when I could. So I packed the girls into the car and took off. Okay so, Lottie was supposed to fall asleep in the car. Babies do that, right? Not her. We got to the office and Emmaline decided she had to go to the bathroom. I set Lottie down hoping she'd stay content for 4 minnutes while I took Emmaline to the bathroom. Not so. I came out and hear her wailing in her seat, Upon picking her up I realize she is definately poopy and decide it would be a bad mom thing to make her wait until the meeting was over. Turns out its a good thing I went to change her. She had exploded her diaper- the worst one yet. (Why does that always happen when you go out? Emmaline decided to do that when we took her to the zoo the first time- and I think she exploded through two or three diapers before she finally finished...) I had to strip her down and use wipes to clean her up. She was screaming the entire time because of being cold. Ugh. By the time I got back out from taking care of her, Emmaline is crying in her seat because she didn't like being left alone. Sigh. Lottie wouldn't settle down either. I think she was hungry but I really wasnt' about to start nursing there- some places I just don't feel comfortable doing that yet. So I was bouncing her around trying to get her to take the pacifier, cuddling with Emmaline helping her feel okay again and the meeting gets started. Luckily it only took about 15 minutes total to get Lottie settled down so I could hear most of the meeting. Emmaline did start crying again when I jumped up to take someone's waterbottle to them when they left in a hurry and left it there. She didn't like being left alone and got worried i guess. So we finally get done there and head to my mom's house. Emmaline is still sick and really doesnt get along with her cousin very well and today that resulted in an hour of crying and screaming. So we didn't stay long. I got home and we all crashed. I wish I could say that was the end of it but we've been surviving off of crackers, waffles and cereal for a few days now and we just ran out of milk. I had to go shopping. So I packed up both girls and went. Now, Emmaline used to sit in the seat in the front of the cart but now I have to put the car seat there. Emmaline can't sit in the basket or I wouldn't have space to put the food. Has anyone ever gone shopping with a two and a half year old? Try telling them to hold onto the cart and not grab every colorful container off the shelf! One scare was when she decided she was going to get the eggs for me. She didn't actually drop any but man- I saw it happening in my mind! By the time I got done shopping I think I walked every isle twice just because of chasing her down and putting food away. Next time I'm not taking her with me! Now its bedtime. But Emmaline is still sick- coughing and crying at everything. I believe its going to be a long night of waking up to take care of both girls. And I think we'll stay safely at home for another few days. I had enough adventure today.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Day is Done

Matt took off this morning for Korea. As soon as I got in the car after hugging him good bye Emmaline said 'Daddy come back!' and throughout the car ride she kept asking 'are we going to get our daddy?' Although she was very sad, and said so a few times, she did spontaneously tell me at one point 'its going to be okay, mommy'. That sounded like an angel wispered those words right into her ear and they popped out her mouth. Its going to be okay, mommy. I did well enough, crying only a little bit while watching him walk away and for a few minutes in the car before I drove away. I also got teary when both girls fell asleep for nap time and I realized I was really alone now. Sigh. I'll probably cry myslf to sleep tonight too... Matt is due to arrive in Korea Tuesday morning at 9:15ish, our time, but it'll be nearly midnight with the time change. Because of that we wont get to talk until Wednesday morning. Some of you may have caught the news about the North/South tensions right now. Obama just told the American troops in Korea to be ready- and Matt believes that means he may walk into some 12 hour days or continuous alerts. I guess I'll know on Wednesday. If war does happen (all the reports I've read say thats unlikely though) Matt'll be on the front lines helping to build bombs. He's assured me that doesnt put him in any danger. But I guess I still hope it doesnt escalate into war regardless. Here starts the countdown until we can be a complete family again: 37 weeks.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Matt's Vacation Home

Heads up: There are 30 pictures on this post. Its long.

Week 1

The first few days of Matt being home were rather surreal. He passed out presents (Emmaline got this stylish Kimono) and we all went out to dinner with my family. He hadn't yet gotten to show off his uniform for any of the family so he wore it out to dinner. Emmaline had to try on his hat. I love her little foot twist here:

Waiting in line at the store, styling her kimono and Daddy's hat

All week we waited for me to go into labor. I was big, uncomfortable and rather cranky. But Emmaline had a blast playing with Daddy. She loves climbing all over him- something she sure hadn't been able to do with me for ages.

Matt doing push ups with Emmaline

Emmaline climbing on Daddy's back for a horsey ride around the house

Week 2

We still waited and waited for the baby to make her apperance and went to the park to kill time. Emmaline hasn't enjoyed swinging or going on slides in a long time. She is a timid child and likes having someone show her how to do something and then do it with her before she ever wants to try it herself. Having Dad home gave her that chance. After months of refusing to swing or slide the two of them had a ball on the swings and slides.

Emmaline and daddy swinging

Emmaline and Daddy sliding

Yah! The time arrived for me to go to the hospital and have the baby! Emmaline stayed with a family friend (I don't think she hardly realized she was away from mom and dad, she had so much fun!) As I said in my previous blog, I went into labor at 1:30ish and had the baby at 9:14- only about 8 hours later! Yeah for fast labors!

Trying to smile through contractions

Baby Lottie born at 9:14 am! She was 8 pounds, 9 ozs.

Lottie being weighed

She almost looks like a gorilla in this picture! Turns out that she descended really fast and ended up bruising her forehead really bad.

Mom meets baby Lottie for the first time!

I was so excited for to see Emmaline- I hate being away from her for so long. And I was excited to let her meet the newest member of our family. Emmaline treated Lottie like a doll- a bit rougher than we wanted but she was so affectionate.

Emmaline meets the baby

We had only a few visitors. Along with Emmaline and Valerie coming in the afternoon, my mom, dad, one brother and sister all showed up in the evening.

Uncle Spencer meets Lottie

Grandpa meets Lottie

Grandma meets Lottie

We didn't actually stay in the hospital very long. I didn't want to be there any longer than I had to. I had Lottie on Thursday morning and they let us go by Friday night. We could have left sooner but Lottie ended up having slightly elevated bilirubin numbers (jaundice) and we had to make sure it was okay with the pediatrition for her to go home.

Daddy holding his new baby girl

Mommy and Baby Lottie

We spent most of Saturday lounging in bed and getting to know one another. Emmaline wants to hold the baby all the time and gets uptight whenever she hears Lottie crying. Its sweet to hear her concern for her sister.

Emmaline trying to hold the baby

My two girls cuddling

Lottie found her thumb and I couldn't resist getting a picture. It was way too cute.

Week 3

Lottie had her first dr appointment where we determined she only lost 3 oz since leaving the hospital. Also, the nurse measured her at 19 inches then tried again and got 20 inches. Its typical to get different readings because babies squirm but I thought it was funny that my baby shrunk!

Trying to take advantage of all our time together we went to the zoo on Tuesday. It was the perfect weather. Emmaline loved running around with her dad.

Emmaline and Dad on a Gorilla statue (compare this to the birth picture of Lottie...lol!)

Lottie getting some lovin' from big sis!

Emmaline and Lottie at the zoo

Emmaline posing in front of a bird exhibit

There was a major thunder storm the next day- that sort of fit what else was going on. After going to the zoo I was hurting so bad- and not just from just having had a baby! The sore throat I felt on Monday and thought was a stress cold turned out to be strep throat!!! My throat swelled up and I could barely swallow for 2 days until the antibiotics kicked in. Unfortunately the dr said its more than likely that I'll end up getting thrush from the medications because of breast feeding. Ayayay. So I'm trying to pray that one from happening!

The rest of the week Matt has been working hard to get things around the house done.

Matt installing a new light fixture!

We gave Lottie her first at-home bath! She loved it. Unfortuantely, we left Emmaline alone with the open bottle of shampoo and we no longer have shampoo. The entire bottle ended up down the drain- and we'd just opened it. Oops. I guess thats what happens when I can't keep all 8 eyes on one child anymore!

Bath time for baby!

I got up in the middle of the night to feed Lottie and she decided she was incredibly happy. Luckily the camera was right next to me and I snapped several really fun pictures.

Happy Lottie!

The rest of our week we've been hanging out, enjoying spending time together and getting to know our new baby. Here are some more fun pictures of our week.

Cuddle time for my girls

Emmaline cuddling with her dolly while sleeping

Emmaline and Daddy dancing to Mulan music

Emmaline smiling at her daddy

Lottie chillin and looking at her daddy

Friday, May 7, 2010

Welcome to the World!!!

Charlotte Ruth Beach was born on May 6, 2010 at 9:14 am. She weighed 8 lbs 9 ozs and measured at 21 inches long.

The story

Matt and I went in at 12:00 on Thursday morning for a scheduled induction. They started the pitocen at 1:30am and let me be while the pitocen kicked in. Of course I didn't actually get hardly any sleep... At about 5am I woke up needing to go to the bathroom and realized that my water had broken!!! Boy was that an odd feeling. Remembering from Emmaline's birth, I assumed I had about 4 hours before she was actually born. I was right. At this point the nurse, Lynette, asked me if I'd like to consider an epidural but because of my previous experience being not-so-pleasant, I decided to wait longer. I said the same at 7am and then again at 8am. Well, when checked at 8am I was already 6-7 cm and the nurse explained that the transition stage (hardest part of labor) was next. I decided to tough it out since I'd already gone so far without the epidural (or any other pain medication actually). About 8:45 the doctor called to say she was about 10 minutes away. Well, that was just dandy because as soon as I was told that I started feeling the need to push. And that wasn't pleasant. The doctor slid in the door just before 9:00, checked me and told me that it was time to start pushing immediately. Wahoo! But I was hurting so bad I almost couldn't even push. Turns out I could because once the doctor got me focused she was out in 3 contractions. Man oh man, I was so glad to have the pain over with! My natural reaction to so much pain is to shake- a ton. It made the stitching up sort of interesting as I jumped every time the doctor touched me. And I didn't feel competent to hold Lottie until I was all cleaned up and done shaking. But in the end, I was so glad I didn't go through the epidural. I've already been asked a few times if I'll do it next time without an epidural and honestly, I don't know. It sure was nice to have such little pain during Emmaline's birth. But at the same time, it was nice to be able to be up and moving and ready to go home after only 24 hours after the baby's birth. So, we'll see. I'll post pictures after I get everything off the cameras. But I promise you it'll be worth the wait. As you can already see, Lottie is completely adorable and totally worth the wait!