Jumping in with both feet!

So I contacted by director today and told her my situation and she agreed with me that this is the perfect time to jump start my business. If you are out there and reading this, please go to the Mary Kay website and if there is anything you would like, just shoot me an email. Since this is a business all purchases must be paid for before product is received.

Still a little nervous but my goal is to do a Power Start! I am going to do 30 faces in 30 days! WooHoo! Yay me!

Its been how long....

Since I posted??? Sheesh! I really gotta keep up with this blog!
Ok I will try to summarize.....
Noah is getting really big. He weighs a little over 14 lbs and today he is 12 weeks old! I love my little man! His doctor wanted me to put him on a baby diet and I did...for a day and a half! I am sorry but I am NOT going to starve my child! The poor baby was so hungry he wouldnt stop crying! I finally said forget the darn diet and I fed my baby! Then he was able to nap. I have kept it up and Noah is fine. He is not eating too much. Believe me, if he doesnt want to eat, he wont take the bottle. He loves to smile and interact as well.

Sometimes I lay him on the couch and then hold his hands and talk to him and he just smiles and laughs at me. He absolutely LOVES his big brother! Trent loves him too. He loves to hold him and talk to him and he even will give him his bottle. I finally got him to change a diaper the other day. Even if he never does it again, at least I know that he knows how!

Ok on to current events...as alot of you all know, I contacted my boss as she and I previously discussed, to let her know I had a dr appt that week and that my doc would most likely be giving me the ok to start work again. To my total shock, she tells me that I was terminated not on leave of absence and tells me that she cant rehire me due to budget issues. Talk about jaw dropping!
I havent been able to find another job. Michael doesnt really want me to work. He feels I am best caring for our son and supervising Trent's schooling which is fine with me. I just feel so bad that I dont have an income to help with the bills. It breaks my heart really. I am not sure why since being a stay at home housewife and mother has been my dream. Is it because I have always had a job that I am feeling so bad about it.
I keep praying that the Lord will provide a job for me. So far I havent found anything. I have also prayed that the Lord will supplement the extra money we need to cover what income I lost. I got to thinking about it from an email that I received which was a question on "How do you display your product" and I was reminded that I have a Mary Kay business sitting here on my shelf collecting dust. I got to thinking about it and I decided to look at my director's website to see what kind of information she had on why women sign up with the company. The majority see it as a way to make extra money. I looked at what I need extra a month right now and it hit me! Most consultants make approximately $300 at a skin care class. One class a week would be a total of $600 a month! Go a step further....2 classes a week: $1200 a month! WOW!!!
Now, I dont have alot of business cards and no funds to order some so I will have to improvise. I found a business card that I may just be able to scan and print some out. No they wont look as good but at least they will be something to use. Wont need that many. I dont have a kit to use. I do have a cleanser and a moisturizer so I can use that. I can also use my own product to show but not necessarily demo.
I know it will be hard but at least it will work for the time being.
I was also thinking as well.....maybe my lack of having the full kit is what has been hindering me. Mary Kay always said that you cant sell from an empty wagon but the same goes for showing what you have. You cant show the product if you dont have any to show. But I do have this and I AM going to make it work!

Just pray for me!

How Time Flies!!!

I still cant believe I am a mommy. I love every minute of it. Yes even the crying times when Noah just doesnt want to sleep. Thankfully he doesnt have to cry to let me know he is hungry. He usually just starts sucking on his fingers like they were the last meal on earth. When his Aunt Rebekah holds him when he is hungry, he tries to eat her shirt or neck or whatever. When I take him from her, his mouth immediately opens. Hmm...think he is trying to tell me something?

This morning was really cute. I got Noah up and dressed and when I went upstairs, I saw Trent just sitting on the couch so I decided to take advantage of the situation and handed Noah to him. Then I got the bottle of breastmilk I had pumped earlier and showed Trent how to feed Noah. It was so cute!

Saturday, Noah will be 2 weeks old! He is just as adorable as ever and he is staying awake more now. I cant wait till he starts to smile. This Monday I have an appointment with Sears to have his newborn pics done although it looks more like it will be his two week old pics. Of course I have plenty of pics that were taken when he was just minutes old so I think those will do well for newborn pics! Now if I could just learn how to use my scrapbooking software and roxio software to edit pics and print out some really good ones! Gotta send out some wallets ya know!

Today? Really?

So picking up where I left off on Friday afternoon after my doctor appointment, I called Michael and let him know we were dilated even more and to be on standby to go to the hospital. He said ok. It really sucked that he had to close the store which means I would be lucky to see him before 2 am. I still didn’t feel right but lucky for me the pains went away. Ok they didn’t go away totally but every 20 minutes was still a bit more comfortable than every 6. I didn’t go to L and D as instructed because the pains had fizzled but they fizzled to farther apart, not away. I decided to call the L and D unit and they told me that I could come in but they would most likely check me and send me home since the pains weren’t that consistent. The gal there also told me to take advantage of that fact and rest. She said it was no fun to labor all night long so she recommended I go to bed. Good idea. I laid down about 9:30 and I just couldn’t sleep so I started reading my book again and just relaxed. I fell asleep about 10:34 which ironically was when I had a contraction. I think that’s why I can remember it was 10:34. At 11:49, I was awakened by a strong abdominal cramp which really made me grit my teeth. It was over in less than 2 seconds but quite painful. I sat up feeling like I had to go to the bathroom and it was as good a time as any to pee so why not. I sat up and I felt a small trickle of liquid. I could have sworn I peed myself. I stood up and felt another little trickle. I went upstairs and sure enough, I had to go to the bathroom which was good since I had not been able to go for the past four days. It was a relief! I had more trickles and it was after I left the bathroom that I realized that I didn’t have the “tingle” that alerts you when you have to pee. I asked my sister about it and she told me that it sounded like my water had broken. I called L and D again and the nurse there told me that it most likely wasn’t my water breaking because when that happens it is a gush or a steady trickle and not a start then stop then start again trickle. She did say that I could come in to be checked and they could test for amniotic fluid but she said that many things could cause the amniotic fluid test to come back positive. If that is the case, then why use the test? I mean really. She then told me to keep track of any contractions I may have and see if they get closer together or more intense and if they get worse or pick up then to come on it. That sounded reasonable so I called Michael again to tell him about the possible water breaking incident and he said to keep him posted. I decided to go back to bed and I started having more back pains once I laid down. I read my book for awhile and breathed through each contraction. Then I decided to time the pains. By this time it was well after midnight. I went upstairs and paced my living room and kitchen. The pains didn’t go away. I called Michael to see if he was on his way home. He said he was and he arrived a few minutes later. It was about 1:30 by this time. I decided to go ahead and make my RRL brew to see if it would really work and it would give me something to do. Michael decided to go ahead and sit down on the couch to catch a few winks in case we needed to head to the hospital. My tea needed to brew for 30 minutes and in the time it took for my tea to brew, my contractions went from being a steady every 14 minutes to every 10, then 5, then 4. It was at this time (2:00) that I realized heading to the hospital would be a really good idea. I told Michael that I still needed a few things for the hospital bag and he said ok. I began gathering the last minute things and told Michael that it was time to go. I look over at him and he was asleep!!! Hmm….I raised my voice at him and kind of yelled his name. He shot straight up and asked “What?” I said it was time to go so he got the hospital bag and loaded it up. I told Rebekah where we were going. She said she would be there soon. Good thing I decided to show her which entrance to the hospital she would need to take and let her know which floor that L and D was on! Michael and I left for the hospital at 2:28 and arrived at the hospital at 2:30. Thank goodness its just down the street! Michael dropped me off at the entrance while he parked the car. I had called L and D and let them know I was on my way so they were prepared. Sure enough, they were. I was rushed into the labor and delivery room and told to put on a gown. By the time Michael got there, the contractions were still steady at every 4-5 minutes and I was dilated at 5 cm. They also tested the pad I had put on earlier as I was spotting a bit after my internal exam and was using pads. It tested positive for amniotic fluid so they decided to keep me and alert my OB. I guess it must be my night! It turned out that my OB just happened to be the doctor on call that night. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway since he would have been delivering the baby but to have him be the on call doc was reassuring.My sister arrived at 3 am and Michael’s sister arrived shortly after that. They were going to be there in the delivery room with us. I tried to get comfy on the hospital bed but the only position that I could find was to sit cross legged on the bed. When a contraction would come, I would make my hands into fists and slightly raise myself off the bed and breathe deeply through the abdomen.First thing the nurse did was hook me up to the monitors so they could keep an eye on the baby and my contractions. Noah DID NOT like those monitors at all and each time they put them on me, the contractions would ease up but when they took the monitor off me, the contractions would pick back up again. It was around 5:30 that the nurse checked me for dilation again to see if I had made any progress. The contractions, which were back labor I might add, were still 4 minutes apart. Lucky for me, I had dilated to 7 cm and I was at 100% effaced and at zero station. I didn’t know this before now, but station referred to the baby’s position in the pelvis. Zero is right in the middle and when it goes into the pluses, +1,+2 etc, it means the baby is closer to the birth canal which means baby is getting ready to be born. At 6:00, the new nurse came in to introduce herself. Her name was Susan and boy was she a gem. She wasted no time in making sure I was as comfortable as could be. She gave me to washcloths that she had rolled up and explained to me that squeezing my hands would release endorphins which are the body’s natural pain reliever. She instructed me to grip the rolled cloths as tight as I could during a contraction instead of using the fist and lift method that I had been using. Surprisingly, this new method worked! By this time, the contractions were really getting intense and the best way I could handle them was by breathing through my teeth. It sounded like I was saying SHHHHH as deeply as I could. I guess the noise helped me concentrate on getting through the contraction. Michael was being a great help as well. He would just rub my knee and tell me I was doing a great job. Then he would tell me that we were one contraction closer to our baby. How right he was. About 7:58 or so, Susan told me that I should try to go empty my bladder. I had been periodically sipping orange juice and munching on ice chips and it had been awhile but I was still rather uncomfortable and didn’t want to move. She told me to try to go anyway and that would give her the opportunity to get some stuff ready at the foot of my bed. The CNA had already gotten out the baby warmer bed and all the other instruments the doctor would need and she had put them on a tray table that was ready and waiting. I decided to go ahead and try to go a few minutes after Susan had encouraged me. I also had the slight urge to pee so that helped. I think I was reluctant to go as each time I sat down on the toilet, I would have a contraction that would be a little stronger than those I would have while sitting cross legged on the bed. This time was a little different. I sat down and started to pee and went what little bit there was to go with. That’s when it hit: the sudden urge that I had to poop. I had been having the need to go for the previous 4 days with no luck so I didn’t think anything of it. That is until now. I instinctively pushed. That’s when I felt more water that was not pee start to trickle. And I had to push again. After 2 more pushes with no bowel movement, that’s when I realized I HAD TO PUSH! I shouted for Michael to get the nurse; that I had to push NOW. That’s when the room came alive. I asked Michael to hurry and he said she was on her way and to come back to the bed. I shouted back that I couldn’t get off the toilet. Michelle came in the bathroom and had me put my arms over her shoulders. She lifted me off the toilet and helped me back to the bed only this time sitting cross legged was not comfortable. Susan came in then and checked me and announced that I was fully dilated and ready to push! Doctor Hardin came in then and got what he needed to ready. Susan took my left leg while Michael took my right leg and they helped me into the “sitting squat” position. Doctor Hardin told me to push whenever I felt a contraction. Michael reminded me to take two deep breaths at the start of the contraction, and with the third deep breathe, put my chin to my chest and hold my breath like I am getting ready to dive into a pool and then push as hard as I could. So I did. I didn’t think I was making any progress pushing so when the contraction ended, I took the opportunity to lean back and “relax” and calmly told those around me to “wake me when its over.” From what Michael told me, this sent everyone including my doctor into laughing. Another contraction started and I followed the same routine only this time, Michelle took over my left leg as the nurse had to take care of something and didn’t make it back to the bedside in time and I had to push again. Michelle was a great encouragement. She kept telling me how close I was and to push hard. At one point I was so out of breath I had to relax. Unfortunately, the baby’s head was halfway out when I stopped pushing which caused some bruising for him but hey, I had to breathe! The next push I pushed as hard as I could. I remember letting out some grunting/groaning sounds which more or less sounded like I was growling at someone. Whatever it sounded like it must have helped. The next thing I know, Dr. Hardin is placing the most beautiful baby on my chest. He was crying which for sure was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard! He was perfect! Noah David Blickenstaff made his entrance at 8:24 am on July 18^th 2009. He weighed 8 lbs, 8.7 oz and was 20 ½ inches long. He is so beautiful! My sister had set herself up as official photographer and got some amazing pictures! I wanted to hold Noah longer but I was told that I tore and had to have some stitches so I let Noah get cleaned up and weighed. He also had to get his vitamin K shot and ointment for his eyes. After I was stitched up (Dr said it was a minor tear, so please explain why I have 13 stitches), I got to cuddle Noah. Michael came close to tears which my sister got in a picture! It’s one of my favorites.

Overall, having Noah is one of the best experiences I have ever had in my entire life! I know people wondered how I was able to give birth without any meds or any IV or anything and honestly it was simple. My first approach was to not be afraid of it. I am more afraid of needles than I was about having a baby. I knew it would be painful and I sincerely believe that God allows women to deal with cramps every month to give them a tiny taste of what they will experience in labor. To me, that’s what it felt like. A bad period with cramps paired with some intense constipation. The other thing was to just breathe and welcome each contraction with the mindset of knowing that each one, no matter how painful, would bring me one contraction closer to holding my baby.I held fast to that and sure enough, Noah was here in just under six hours. Just having him in my arms is enough to say that I would gladly go through the whole experience again because he is so worth it!

Noah David

Getting a kiss for a job well done

Proud big brother.

Mommy and me

Cuddling with Mommy

What A Week!

Sooooooooo……where to start…..How about last Monday the 13^th? Ok. I got up on Monday and I felt fine. Went to work as usual. Did my half day then came home to relax. There was so much around the house that still needed to be cleaned but I was so pooped out from my 5 hours at work that I just didn’t have the energy.

Tuesday morning I woke up not feeling well. I felt sick to my stomach. For the first time since the first trimester, I had to get out one of my preggie pop drops to counteract the nausea. Needless to say, I didn’t go into work. I just didn’t feel well at all.

Wednesday morning I woke up with low abdominal pains paired with low back pain and at first they were pretty regular but then they spaced themselves out, then they became regular again and then fizzled down to nothing. Of course it was later that things got interesting.

Thursday morning began at 2am for me. I was awakened to a bell ringing in my room which I knew was this stray kitty that we kind of half adopted as we have been feeding her and even let her in the house. Thing is, she had been acting out on the other two cats. She would see them and then take off after them even if they were a whole other room away! Well my cat, Mittens, was on my bed when this kitty came in and I immediately txt my sister to come get her because I did NOT want a cat fight to take place on me! Well at 2:30, the little kitty got away from my sister and took off after Mittens who was innocently trying to get some food from their dish. Well sure enough, they took off downstairs and had a little cat fight at the foot of my bed! After that I just couldn’t get back to sleep. Around 8:30, my bedroom door burst open to admit Trent yelling at the top of his lungs “MS KITTY HAD A KITTEN!!!” Turns out that was why she was so temperamental. She was getting ready to have her babies. Ironically appropriate that she decided to have one of them under Michael’s truck and on his birthday. What a gift. It was today that I had no pains at all. Not so much as a cramp. I don’t get it! I don’t feel right both Tuesday and Wednesday and here I feel fine on Thursday and the cat has kittens! Unbelievable!

Friday morning I woke up to pee at 2 am and each time I crawled back into bed, I would have some low back pain. It wasn’t bad back pain but it was definitely uncomfortable. Of course, I just breathed through the pain and eventually drifted off to sleep. I woke up another time to pee and of course the same thing happened. I eventually kept willing myself to go to sleep and I was sooo tired! I woke up at 10:30 and I realized that I still had the low back pain. I got up and the pain still didn’t go away. I tried to sit on the couch and I could not get comfy at all. I eventually got down on the floor to lie down in the running position and I got out a book to read. It helped distract me from the pain. I decided to keep track of how often this back pain would peak. After timing them several times, it was obvious that the pains were coming every six minutes. My due date wasn’t until the 25^th and I figured that this was just something to keep me guessing. I also had a doctor at 3:20 so that would be a good time to let him know I was having contractions every six minutes. In the meantime, Rebekah and I went to Kohls and to Sonic and did some other errands and even walking around didn’t ease the contractions. They would average every six minutes to every ten. Made it to my doctor appointment and my doctor checked me to see if I had made any more progress. To my shock, he said I was dilated 4-5 centimeters. He didn’t say if I was effaced any more so I just figured I was still at 80% effacement like I was the previous week. I guess being 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced was pretty good for a first timer like myself and to be dilated even more was really good! I told him about the low back pain I had been having and how often and he did say that it could be labor and to go to labor and delivery at the hospital in a couple hours if the pains got any worse and in the meantime to just go about my day, run errands and see if the contractions fizzled out. Sure enough, they fizzled out to every 20 minutes. Figures.

Interesting Night

So I go to bed last night mentally wishing that Noah would decide today would be a nice day to arrive. As usual, I have to get up a few times a night to go to the bathroom. Normally I have no issues with this but this time, after I went, my back would start to hurt. I went back downstairs and when I crawled back into bed and plopped my head on my pillow, I was hit with strong period like cramps along with the back pain. I just closed my eyes and took deep breaths and "worked with" the pain. I soon woke up again to pee. Same thing happened again with the pains. This happened two more times and then Michael got up to go to work. I told him what had happened and he told me to stay home. After he left the room, I started having back pain again. It was almost a constant pain except it would get stronger, then die down but not go away, then get stronger again. Around 6:00, the back pain was still there only each time it got stronger, I would have a milder period like cramping. I finally decided to get up. The back pain lessened but didnt go away. Now I am sitting here on my couch and I am having BH contractions about every 5-7 minutes but there is back pain with each one. I am so debating on if I should call my doctor today. Please pray that Noah makes his appearance today!

Oh Come On Already!!!!!

So last Wednesday I had my weekly OB appiontment and I was shocked to find out that I was already 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Doctor said that Noah arriving withing the next 10 days would be highly possible but he said not to expect Noah to arrive for another month.

That would suck.

As for right now, 6 days later, I have had some days/afternoons/evenings/nights where I have Braxton Hicks contractions but it never increases to anything. Totally disappointing!

Of course, just my luck on another matter! I have a buddy group on another site where we can post messages and read replies etc. Well this group is for women who have July due dates. I had posted the update on my appointment and all the ladies were very excited that I made some good progress! I had a feeling something was going to happen and sure enough I was right.

Lets just say that we have welcomed 4 babies on our buddy group and may have one more baby arriving today! Funny thing is that this particular lady woke up with contractions and when she got to the hospital, she was 4 cm and 80% effaced. WHAT GIVES???? Hehehe....I knew that once I made progress it would motivate the others! Now if only Noah would give me more progress!

I did talk with my aunt the other day who told me that because my height and build are like my grandma's, I have a high chance to have a labor and delivery like hers. This is interesting because she didnt even have contractions or anything to let her know she was in labor until her water broke. Then she would have a baby within the next 30 minutes to an hour! I highly doubt that will happen for me but goodness, I sure do wish Noah would come soon!