Christmas and more

New Developments....lots! Forgive me this will be short, I am holding a baby who wont sleep by herself. Which brings me to the first bit of news, Liv has colic. It came about 2 weeks ago. She cries and cries at night till 1 or 2. She also must be held all the time, she even sleeps on me at night. I cant get anything done. Big bummer but we are making it.

Olivia makes new noises "ah-00" in a high pitch and a few babbles. She can also do a squeal scream at an octave that makes you shiver. She is miss smiley in the morning that is when she loves to play (for about an hour then passes out) I love watching her learn everyday, she has a concentrating face and a surprised face, when I see them I know she soaking it in. Soooo fun.

I have a big girl on my hands...10.5 lbs. She is out of NB size. Not quite into 3 mo so she is in the 0-3size.

Well that was pretty good for one handed typing. Will try to get back soon. xoxo

She is real!

Olivia got her birth certificate and social security card in the mail. She has also received a few pieces of mail addressed to her....such a trip! It makes her so official.

I swear my baby is the strongest baby there has ever been! Did I tell you she rolled over twice and I was calling it a fluke but then at the doctors when she put Olivia on her tummy she almost did it again?! She also can push herself up to standing when I have my hands under her armpits.

She does not like to sit still in any one position very long. She demands to be walked around and shown everything when she is awake. The big workout bouncy ball we have is a favorite too, she is addicted to bouncing. Constant movement is the trick to keeping this baby happy. I can already tell I will have my hands full with her.

My little model!

So...my camera broke! That's why I have been absent on blogger. I took it in and it would be $175 to fix so I am debating on what to do, I am not sure its worth that anymore. I am dying not taking pictures of her!

Olivia had a little photo shoot. She was amazing. I think we are in trouble because she loves to be naked! In this picture I posted her butt is against my stomach and she projectile pooped all over me and the carpet. Then later she was posing on a fluffy white blanket and she tinkled. Normal baby behavior but it made for a funny day.

She is developing and its so exciting. She makes eye contact and moves her head towards noises. She is very smiley too although I do not know if they are intentional yet.

We have been battling thrush and gas problems so that has been hard. We are doing everything to try to get rid of it.

What else....oh Liv LOVES bath time in her big girl bath. Its adorable, sorry no pictures!! :(

Overall, we are fine, taking it day by day.

Love to all! xoxoxox

11 days old already!

Olivia is starting to stay awake more everyday. She is awake in the morning for a couple hours then again in the evening. She is also amazingly strong lifting her head and holding it. She pushes up on her legs off my belly to stand herself up too!

The nights are getting a little easier. Everyday around 8pm I get nervous thinking about what is to come, lol.

Yawn...thats all I've got folks. xoxoxo

On Saturday we had a big day out!We went to the bakery, the beach and out to lunch. Olivia loved the beach, she slept through it but I am sure she enjoyed the sound of the waves.

We also had our first bath at home and she did great! It was just a sponge bath but at the hospital she hated it so we were pleasantly surprised. She was really into the feel of the water on her head. Dad was blow drying her body as I washed...lol.

I am starting to feel like I have more time to do things between feedings. I do not know what I would do if my mom were not here keeping the house up though. God knows David would not be doing it. It makes me feel so much more under control when the house is in ok shape.

Livy is the best. She is an angel during the day just sleeping away and a monster at night...a lovable monster though. She seriously makes little monster noises and flails her arms and legs like a mad woman, its adorable. Not great for my sleep but cute none the less.

Time to feed myself then the little one!

Olivia is a week old today!

There is sooo much to say where do I begin? Olivia is perfect and its such a blessing. She is eating, going to the bathroom tons and gaining weight. She has already surpassed her birth weight by a lot!

We had our first doctors appointment on Tuesday which was our first time out! It went ok in the car then I fed and changed her before we went in. Unfortunately I was not prepared enough...Livy had to go into the doctors naked! She projectile pooed during her change in the car 3 times!! David and I were catching poop with our hands! She left her mark in the car forever, yuck :) It was the most unbelievable thing I have ever seen.

We also took our first walk on Wednesday. It was misty so she was covered but it was still nice. We went too far and I got really tired and sore but I think she enjoyed the ride. We are going out today too and the sun is out!

Thanksgiving was spent at Marianne's (my mother in law's) and it was a big event. There were 13 of us. She did pretty well in all the chaos. Of course my baby looked adorable but I did not take any pictures! I need to work on that, camera on hand all the time. She wore a dress and leggings (thanks Leigh!)

As always, more to come... Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers our way!

Labor

Hi all! I am doing ok, recovering but it feels like its taking forever. Labor was an unforgettable experience. I do not believe that "you forget about the pain as soon as the baby is born" Bull. I did have a posterior baby so it is more painful than a baby in the right position so I am not sure what regular labor feels like, but in my experience there were times when I actually did not think I was going to make it.

They tried moving the baby by rocking my hips and I got sterile water injections in my back which was supposed to help the back labor but nothing worked. I spent a lot of time in the shower because it was the closest I could get to "relaxing". There were times of absolute delirium, exhaustion and I was terrified. Towards the very end I seriously could not remember why I was going through the pain, it was hard to keep my eye on the prize. So when the baby came out I was shocked! It was like "oh my God, oh ya...her!"

I had an awesome labor team, I could not have done it without them that is for sure. I had two doulas and a midwife...they were patient and helped me get through it. If I had a different group with a doc and no doula, I would have probably had a C section which would have devastated me.

Olivia is doing great. I will get back on to blog about her soon! But know she is healthy and we are trying to get everything together here at home!

pictures...

Bringing Baby Home

Baby Olivia is Here!

Got back from the hospital today with your perect little angel.

She was born at 3:18am on the 21st, weighing in at 7lbs 15oz and 21 inches long. Labor was 27 hours long and even though she was "sunny side up" and the back labor was so painful, Jayme delievered naturally.

Mamma got her milk in today so the little one is one happy peanut.

The doctors said that this is one healthy baby, so all is well in the
Raichart household. We just need to sleep!

I am in labor!!!!

Yea! In my robe at 5am with contractions 8-10 mins apart.

Daddy timing and me now 11:56am with 5 min apart contractions...she is looking low! Will be going to the hospital soon I guess. Well wishes my way!!

XOXOXXO

One week left!

I never thought I would be this big...I am so ready! I have contractions and pressure so I am just waiting for something to happen.

I have one child birth class left but it is a potluck and two couples are coming with their newborns to share their birth stories. Last week we learned about infant and mom care after birth, good information for sure!

I am going to stop working this week, the house is clean and the freezer has a few meals in it. I have been so busy it is going to be weird to just hang out. I am sure I will find stuff to do...paint that belly cast, baby book etc. Oooo I just remembered I could clean the shelves of the medicine cabinet!

I went to the beach today and thought about the waves like contractions, it was pretty peaceful... hopefully something I can take with me when my big contractions start coming in.

I am pretty pooped from my day so I am going to go rest with some ice cream ;)

Love to all....xoxoxoxo

Its a full moon tonight...but no baby yet.

I colored my hair to brown so I can be a mommy that doesnt have to keep up with highlights. I like it ok, I will like the money it saves me more. It looks sort of redish in this picture but its not.

I measured today at 39 weeks and I have had a lot of practice contractions! We are getting ready! My blood pressure is back down to where it usually is so no worries there.

I would really like her to come out before I have to get any bigger, I am certain she is large and healthy at this point. I am so ready to have some of my body back!

Come on out!

The doctors was fine, nothing important to report. I go again tomorrow to check my blood pressure again. It was high for me on Monday so its good to watch it.

All of a sudden I feel like my baby weighs 20lbs. Walking is so hard, everything is so hard. My feet don't fit into any shoes comfortably and not being able to wear my rings makes me feel like people are thinking "that poor girl has to raise that baby alone". I am such a head case.

I think I am on my final round of nesting. Today I went to the store and bought things for beef stew, chili, black bean corn chowder and chicken jambalaya and tupperwear. After all the shopping though my energy is not there to cook!

Unfortunatly I have to go feed myself and this baby that I wish would stop growing! Will write again tomorrow!

xoxoxxo

38 weeks!!!

We did a belly cast! It was so cool! When I first got pregnant I thought these things were totally weird but now that I am almost done, I realize I am going to miss it so much. I never want to forget what this experience has looked and felt like. A belly cast is just the thing! I am going to sand it and paint it...maybe put her name and little foot prints on it?? I am undecided about how to decorate it, I may also paint it in such a way it is "disguised".

I am super swollen :( Not only do my rings not fit but my hands are tight and manly, its bizzare. My legs feel hard, look huge, I have canlkles and puff feet. It hurts to walk very long. It makes me wonder if she has dropped and is putting pressure on my legs somehow....although it does not explain the hands. I am going to go into the doc tomorrow to get my blood pressure taken just to make sure everything is ok (ie no preeclamsia!)

Its really crunch time! I need to get Dave cleaning but he is snoring on the couch right now, must be tough to be the expectant dad...piff. Its a busy week coming up for both of us but hopefully we will relax a bit soon.

I will keep you all posted with doctors appointments this week! Stand by!

xoxoxox

She's Ready!

Hello all! I am 37.5 weeks which is full term! This means baby is fully developed and can come at any time. I have a doctors appointment in 40 minutes but last week the check was good...everything is moving along for her to be born on time.

I had crazy dreams last night about forgetting the baby! I left her at home twice, once to go to the store and the other to go out to eat. When I came home to her I had left her on the changing table and it was falling apart. The other time I came home she was sweating a lot, I had left her over dressed. So...I think I am having subconscious doubts about my ability to mommy! Lol.

I am working hard to get to a point I can take off mentally and get prepared for all of this. I am really looking forward to that.

My heartburn is completely out of control nothing helps anymore, they say it goes away the second you give birth. I can't wait.

Have to run... xoxoxo

28 days or so left

I am trying to wrap things up to be really prepared for the baby. I am working hard, too hard according to my doula, doing stuff for my website like getting new merchandise up and changing things around and creating the "juicy" world for holiday in the stores. I am planning on stopping everything a couple weeks before my due date to relax, turn inward and get ready. I heard it is a good thing for the baby, they need to feel relaxed too and welcome to come into the world.

I go to the doctor every week now. I am not sure why but I am going. When the doctor felt around on my tummy she said I was all baby, so she should be pretty big. Maybe around 6 lbs. She is head down although she looks quite lop sided (her butt is on the right side).

Classes are going well although I feel like I should know more at this point in my pregnancy. We did talk about labor last week, the stages, what to expect in each and what the baby is doing. So that was good. We also went over some breathing...quite basic but I am not sure I will remember when the time comes. This is why I have a doula.

David and I are going to pack the hospital bag this week and make sure the car seat is in ok. Next week I am full term!

If anyone wants something from my site, please let me know. I am offering stuff at cost or under to make room for more merchandise coming. Just shoot me an email jayme2256@hotmail.com

http://www.thedressingroomonline.com

I am going to give bed a try....goodnight. xoxoxo

Sleep typing...

I am getting so excited to give birth! I cannot wait to meet my daughter! Everyday I am getting less afraid and more ready....thank God!

The nursery is coming together, David painted, crib is there, changing table set up (THANKS LIZZY!) and there is a dresser! I need to wash baby clothes and get a few more things. Oh and decorate of course.

The baby is dropping and my hips hurt a lot but I am happy for the pain, makes me feel like things are "happening". I still cannot sleep well and when I do its like I am not totally asleep anyway. Nature really has its way of preparing you. She is head down as far as I can tell...I have movement everywhere but especially up at the top, where her feet are.

I am more amazed all the time at the gift and mystery of all of this. Being pregnant and growing a human is so miraculous you just know its beyond this world.

I cannot really tie my shoes anymore. Somedays I cannot at all and David has to, others I am feeling more limber and can mostly do it. Its pretty funny. Everything is such a chore! Lol

zzzzzz...got to go.

xoxoxo

ZZZZZZZZZ....I wish!

I dont sleep. It is terrible! I did just find out that pregnancy insomnia effects 75% of women, so I am feeling better knowing I am not alone.

There have been nights lately that I have only had 2 hrs of sleep! My eyes are bloodshot and my body hurts.

On the upside, I am 33 weeks! Yea. I also finally start my childbirth classes this week on Thurs. I am really looking forward to that.

Yesterday David put the crib together and its totally cute. Its the only thing in the nursery so far but I think it looks great! Once I get sheets and stuff I will take a picture to post here.

If only I could type more...my brain is less than sharp right now. ;)

Love to all,

xxoxoxoxo

Burn baby burn...disco inferno

Here I am, this was taken at 30.5 weeks so I need to take another one soon. I am rounding the corner to 32 weeks and that feels amazing. I am so happy to be in the "30's". To say I have 8 weeks left seems a lot shorter than saying 2 months, so I stick to thinking about the few weeks that are in the "30's"

I have raging heartburn! Its no fun! I have it everyday at some point. Today I woke up with it, so its been around for hours. Tums really help but I am going through them so fast :)

The heartburn makes me wonder about the myth that says heartburn= a hairy baby. I wouldn't mind a lot of hair on my baby as long as it was all on her head. I am scared of uni-brow babies...they are creepy. I think everyone must get some heartburn since our stomachs get squashed up to the lungs...not a big distance between stomach acid and esophagus.

I have started moving stuff out of the spare bedroom/office to make room for nursery! Its very exciting. I think I will drag David to get some paint soon. My friend gave me a bumper and skirt she barely used so I am going with those colors: yellow, brown, white and blue. I will play down the blue though ;) Yellow walls? Probably. I figure if I paint first as furniture and stuff comes in I can just add it to the room instead of waiting until I get it all and moving it out to paint.

I am not so hungry these days so I have to force myself to eat. I have not gained any weight since my last appointment, according to my scale. Strange since I look bigger... So I am going to go eat now.

xoxoxoxo

10 weeks left!

Today I am celebrating 30 weeks! I feel like its a milestone moment. So far I have just done laundry and vacuumed which is not so celebratory but I will do something fun later.

I had that darn shot this week. It was just as awful as I thought it would be. I did get David to come but we were late so he dropped me off to go park. So I was in the room alone....waiting....I told the midwife I needed my husband before I could do this....waiting....waiting...I sent her to look for him and he was in the front office, just sitting there! Such a typical man thing. He just figured since we were late I was just going right in and out. Apparently I did not make it clear enough that I was terrified! Anyway he gets in and the nurse comes in to shoot me up. I thought it would be a shot in the arm but she told me to roll over and pull down my pants!! It was a hip shot with a 5 inch needle. She said she has been doing this for 30 years and she is really good at it....LIAR. OMG it hurt so so bad I wanted to cry. I was woozy, David was woozy, we have a long way to go before we will be ready for labor. :)

The worse part about it is I am still paying for that shot. Apparently I am allergic to an additive or something in the medication and I have a rash on my legs and arms. Itchy itchy.

I am not taking the classes at the hospital. My feeling was right. I started asking around more and there were not a lot of great reviews. So I am starting with a private lady (who I am also interviewing to be my doula) she takes 6 couples and the next session starts Oct 9th. She has been doing this 35 years and is really an advocate for teaching about getting past the fear of labor as well as all the normal stuff. She did come recommended so we will see. David and I are meeting her on Wed of this week about her doula services so I should get a vibe about the classes too.

I am off to do yoga....xoxoxox

Two down, One to Go!

I am pumped to be in my third trimester. Everything seems to be going well still with baby, we tested free of gestational diabetes this week! When I was younger I was diagnosed hypo-glycemic so I was pretty nervous for this test. I do have to get a shot at my next doctors appointment, I am RH negative, which means my blood is incompatible with baby's blood. So, I get a shot of Rhogam to block my immune system from seeing the fetal cells. I hate shots, I would rather have my blood taken any day over a shot! I am totally making David go with me so I don't cry.

I started nesting, when I read about it early in my pregnancy I did not take it serious at all. I sort of thought it was not a real "symptom" of pregnancy. I was so wrong, it is SUPER powerful and intense! I want to get everything for the baby and organize and clean. Its really too bad that our "nesting" is not as inexpensive as other animal's nesting. I would love to just go collect some sticks outside and call it good! Instead I have to have all these urges and not be able to act on them (unless I got another credit card) ;) God should have made the human nesting hormones come gradually in consideration of our financial needs!

What a headache it is to pick things out too. Completely overwhelming...this I did know so I started my registry early on but now I find myself revisiting it everyday and questioning my decisions. Whats worse is when it comes to actually buying something, I freak out at the commitment of it all. LOL...I am a wreck.

I am sure you are all wondering about my child birth classes and how they are going...Well, they are not going at all. Only two couples signed up for the class so they cancelled it. The next session starts September 11. In the spirit of second guessing all of my decisions I am wondering if these are the right classes for me because they are put on by the hospital. I heard these classes are basically teaching you how to be a good patient and I do not want my birthing plans (no not planned yet) or personal needs compromised. I am thinking of talking to a Doula about my concerns and maybe she can help me.

David started a new business working with telecommunications. He reps for a third party company that sells Direct TV, Internet, home phone, digital phone service and wireless phones/contracts. If you need any services check out his site, you can sign up there, or call if you have any questions. http://davidr.acnrep.com

Don't forget to be checking out my site too ;) http://www.thedressingrooomonline.com I am very excited about it! New stuff is going up next week and tomorrow a huge sale starts.

Hope you are all doing well. That's it for now!

xoxoxoxo

Babies are blooming!

Here is my best friend Sarah and I in Colorado 2 weeks ago. She is due Oct 7th and my other friend Leigh, my college roommate is due in just one week! Its so crazy that babies are coming in every which direction in my life...and no we did NOT plan this!

I am feeling pretty well. The baby must be doing great because she is beating me up constantly. She can kick, twist and shake so much, it will wake me up out of a dead sleep! Training for when she is out I suppose, but I would like to enjoy my last months of sleep freedom.

I joke but it has been amazing to have her moving around in there. Sometimes its annoying but at other times, it brings me such joy. I feel like we have moments together when its just "us"...she is dancing and I am singing. I laugh and laugh, its so much fun. You can see her move from the outside of my belly which is super strange but she kicks so hard I can also share that with my loved ones. What a gift!

My love for this little girl gets stronger everyday, I really am so excited for her to come on out. Not even close to ready for her, but VERY excited! I start birthing classes next Tuesday and they continue for 8 weeks. 6 classes are for giving birth then one is for infant care and the other for breast feeding. I wish there were more infant care classes! I am thinking one is not enough!

Here I am a few days ago, I am 25.5 weeks here. I have started prenatal yoga and everyday I mean to start lifting weights for my arms ;) Maybe today I will do it. I also try to walk daily, it makes me feel a lot better. I only go 20-30 minutes but it does me good still.

Fun fact: I started to do diaper math which turns out to be very scary! I am not sure if this is common sense to the rest of the world but a baby going about 10 times a day and an average diaper costing .30 cents is over $1000 a year! Thats not even counting wipes which are more expensive! Can you believe that?

xoxoxo

...

I am a bit behind, this was me at 22.5 weeks. I have more pictures to come...stand by.

So cute already! ;)

I had my official sonogram on Tuesday! It amazed Dave and I to no end! Not only did we get great pictures of her profile and feet, but we saw the different parts of her brain, four chambers of the heart, kidneys and her little girl parts!

I am constantly told our daughter is more active than "normal". I think it is so funny that since she was 10 weeks, she was moving all around. She does not want to sit still for a picture or to hear her heartbeat (it just takes a while to get it through all the swishing). Makes me nervous for diaper and clothing changes!!

On that note, I can defiantly feel her moving around. Mostly at night when I am not moving myself but everyday, I feel her more and more at all times of the day. They say the baby should sleep like 14 hours a day but I think she has things she has to do or something because I think she is awake a lot.

She weighs 14 oz (when I was 20 weeks 4 days) and she is measuring for Nov 23rd! I did not find out exactly how long she is but the average at this point is 10.5 inches. People still love to tell me how big I am for my due date (grrr) and I am starting to put on the chubbiness. I have been all baby bump to this point, so I should be thankful. It is making me want to exercise more to stay as taught as possible :) Its time for prenatal yoga!

Thats about all for now! Till next time....xoxoox

6 weeks to 19 weeks

The pictures say it all...Its hard to see myself grow. I know its supposed to be a beautiful thing but to have by body change so much is sort of depressing. Today I was looking down thinking "what the hell happend?" And my husband captured it!

I am only half way there (ooohh oooh, I'm livin on a prayer)

Its a girl!!!!

Surprise! We found out early what we are having and its a little girl! We went to Colorado for a long weekend and my doctor out there wanted me to come by to see me and do an ultrasound for fun. So my parents, Dave, myself and the doctor all squished in a little room and saw so much of the baby! We saw 10 toes, legs, spine and then...she asked if we were going to find out what we were having and I said yes. She then said "do you want me to tell you?" so I said yes again :) I am so excited!

You would not believe how active she is in me! She would not sit still for a picture at all. I think it is so funny that she has been moving since her first ultrasound. Must have an athlete on our hands. David was a very active baby in the womb and he came out with the cord 4 times around his neck! We did see our baby's cord and it wasn't tangled as of now.

I am ready to dive into baby "stuff" now that I know to look at girl things! I am going to make an online registry and I cant wait!

If you haven't voted for a girls name, do it now! (scroll down) Or if you have an original idea, email me.

Baby can hear now, hiccup, make faces and her eyes are open. She has regular sleep patterns and is 5.5 inches long from butt to head (have no idea how long those legs are).

I will still go in for my July 8th ultrasound since it was not a full one I got in Colorado, they need to measure everything and look closer. I also have a doctors appointment between now and then but I am not sure what happens at this one.

I need to log off for now...huuunnngggrryy! ;)

xoxoxox

I am afraid I'm going to be gigantic!

16 weeks! 4 more and I will be half way! A lot of people are telling me they think I am really big for how far along I am. I asked the doc and she says no...but...I am scared. If half way means I am going to double in size in the remaining half, its going to look like I am having sextuplets.

Report from the doctors: The baby's heartbeat was 146. The baby was also moving around a lot! You could hear the beat which sounds like a horse running, then loud swishes that meant baby moving! It was awesome.

I will find out the gender July 8th which seems like an eternity away! I can't wait. Its so funny to get everyones opinions. Most of my friends here think its a boy and my "moms" think its a girl. Someone has to be right!

Until next time... xoxoxo

Welcome to the Second Trimester.

Are you surprised? I hope not, I knew this would happen eventually. Sorry about the HUGE gap in blogging. I am going to try to stay on track now.

The baby is growing so fast now which means I will be growing at a comparable rate. I am supposed to gain a pound a week now! I gained a total of 4 in the first trimester which is so low for how big I already feel.

My next doctors appointment is on Tuesday and we will hear the heartbeat, last time we just saw it. I am so excited for that! Then I hope at the next appointment that I will be finding out if baby is a boy or girl!

I am totally out of the sick phase and feel a lot better. I get dizzy and have headaches but I count my lucky stars I have been blessed so far to have an "easy" pregnancy.

I do need to share that the pickle rumor with pregnant women is true! I love pickles with Oreos. I have read that with most women its pickles and ice cream but I could care less for ice cream, Oreos are the best!

Till next time...xoxoxo

I have a squirmy baby!!

I had my first ultrasound! It was truly incredible! I did not have to have it internally, a sign that my doctor rocks! No, she is really nice, matter or fact but I like it. Anyway, so when the doc put the "thingy" on my belly the baby showed up right away and he/she was kicking their arms and legs all around! I was shocked to see it looking so much like a baby. I expected just a peanut. The doctor froze the picture to measure and she said the baby looks perfect. I am not so excited about baby's first photo...It could have been captured in a more flattering way ;) But regardless its cute...the head is on the right and the feet on the left up in the air. I have been told my baby looks like a penguin but I assure you I saw two separate flailing feet. I cried, David wore a giant smile and it was best experience of our lives so far.

My due date is Nov 25 although this ultrasound pic says Nov 23rd and I have been told Nov 24th by my first doctors office. Any of those days sound good to me! Baby is 2 inches now which is still small but I drew a 2 inch line on a piece of paper and it looks SO big :) The growth is remarkable. I need more food comparisons to understand how big the baby is. I love thinking of the baby the size of something I eat but I cant think of a 2 inch anything. Anyone? I can tell you my uterus is the size of a grapefruit but, that is not nearly as exciting.

The flood gates are open... I am ready to tell anyone and everyone I am preggo. I saw the heartbeat fluttering and my baby is not going anywhere! I could not be happier. I am completely blessed. Thanks for everyones support. Until next time...

xoxoxoxox