I love my MILKIES!

OK so every nursing new mom need to run out & buy MILKIES!

While I was pregnant I came across these & now it is my new best friend . I was super skeptical (and thought it was a little pricy for a piece of plastic) but I had such a hard time breastfeeding my first child that I was willing to try anything this time around- I was determined to breastfeed this little one.  Let me just tell you how cool this is- while you are feeding on one side you put the "milkie" in the other side & it catches all the "leakage". The first time I used it I was not expecting anything actually planning in my mind to return it... but I went on & gave it a try, pulled it off & OMG! The thing was almost full. In two days I was able to freeze a tray of breastmilk from my "leakage". Milk that would have been absorbed in clothing & pads can now be saved for my baby to eat. GENIUS, I tell ya! Any nursing mom knows how many hours & hard work goes into breastfeeding, any way I can save I'm all for it!

My collection from day #1
 sorry if this grosses some of you out. I am just beyond amazed but this little invention.

PS: I got mine from cotton babies (around $30) or you can order from their website https://www.mymilkies.com

My birthing story... Welcome Baby Meredith

I cannot believe that a week ago Jason & I were checking into the hospital. Time really does go fast when you have no idea what day it is & you often have to look outside to see if its day or night. LOL.  Baby Meredith made quite an entrance into this world, and she wanted everyone to know she was coming.

After many text between me & my doc, Jason & I headed to the hospital thinking that my water broke. See, I'm not one of these lucky ladies that has a movie moment of "My water broke", and it gushes everywhere. Everyone says when your water breaks, you WILL know it-- not true for me. Headed to the hospital at 8am, taking our good old time knowing that even if my water is broke it was gonna be a long day. At the hospital they started checking me and running test to see what was going on. The house doctor was convinced that my water did not break (I was convienced it had, and didn't trust any of these test. I'm a little stubborn. or maybe I just refuse to except the fact that I pee'd on myself for the millionth time!) In my mind I knew it was time, I knew that baby was ready to come. Just that sixth sense you get as a mom. I thought they were going to send me home and I was not happy about that at all! I was a few days from 39 weeks, I had everything packed & in the car, had a babysitter for Karly, Jason had taken off-- this was PRIME time! Thank God for my amazing OB, who after all the testing suggested that they check the fluids around the baby. Sure enough, baby was lacking fluids, she had 1/2 of what she should have had, they proceeded to tell me how dangerous this could be to the baby and I finally heard those magical words-- "You are staying & having this baby today!" YIPPPEEEEE. So although they tell me my water didn't break I am so glad I trusted in my mama instincts!

 

So they started me on cervidil, something I had never heard of but worked amazing for me! I wanted as little of medication as possible, but I also knew I had to get her out. They started the cervidil to soften the cervix in hopes that in 12 hrs I would be dialated 1-2cm. It was a long day in the hospital, lots of walking, talking... but I have to say I enjoyed having my husband captive for the day! They checked me 10 hrs later & I was dialated to 3cm. Leaving me with 2 options, breaking my water & seeing what happens or breaking my water & starting on pitocin. I had them break my water & give me a little time to see what happens, sure enough in no time I went from a 3 to a 7 and baby was a coming! Everything was happening so fast & these contractions were nothing like I had with Karly. I seriously thought I was going to die at one point. The pain was beyond. I kept telling Jason this is so much harder than it was with Karly. Jason says I handled it like a champ & was totally composed but I swear I was that woman on the movies that you can hear screaming down the hallway. In no time at all I told the nurse call my doctor baby is coming I can't hold her in. I don't think the nurse was convienced at the time & she continued to prep the room and get things ready. I know she thought I was being dramatic. She asked me if I was ready to push & called in the house dr. And then the drama started, I'm pushing and the Dr. & nurses are saying its gonna be a bald baby (not surprising to me, Karly was bald as could be) then all of a sudden this bald head poops on them! Uh, that is not a bald head that was a butt. Baby was breech & coming fast. I was about to deliver a breech baby vaginally with no medication- SAY WHAT?!!! There is still some argument as to weather the dr missed this in my ultrasound that morning or if she had flipped at the last min. I have to say i agree with her pediatrician that the house dr missed that she was breech, cause its been a week & the girl still has her legs up in the air! lol. I was completely in the dark that she was breech, they did not want me to know. I am so glad now that I didn't know the risk involved in vaginally delivering a breech baby. The Dr got in my face & said whatever you do, DO NOT stop pushing til I tell you. I had nurses holding my legs, I see Jason doing everything in his power to hold his composure. I was giving every ounce I had & I will say this was by far the hardest most painful minutes of my life. What I didn't know is if I took a breath my vagina could close on her neck, she could end up with spinal damage, break her neck... It was about this time I saw my Dr come in & even though I was in crazy pain I had peace knowing she was there. She is the calmest person ever & just makes you feel better by being around her. I was able to keep pushing and finally there she came at 2:49am 7lbs 4oz and 20.5 inches long, my beautiful little girl. Completely healthy, bright eyed, with a headful of hair. I looked around and I think every nurse & doctor on the maternity floor was in my room-- for some I was a learning experience because babies are not allowed to be delivered like that anymore & I am so thankful for an experienced house Dr that knew what she was doing, and an incredible husband who did not let me give up.

Little Meredith is an absolute miracle. We knew as soon as she was delivered that she would be jaundice. She was black & blue from the waste down from hitting my pelvic bone every time I pushed. I was prepared for it. When I had Karly she had to be hospitalized for her levels of jaundice (but for different reason) so I knew what I was doing this time around. We are getting her all healthy & the girl is eating like a horse, but it kills me not to be able to sit & snuggle with her for hours on end. I know there are many many worse things that could be & I am so grateful that after all the drama this is the only thing we are dealing with.

Our family now feels very complete. Karly is so in love with her. My favorite is when Meredith is crying Karly will sing to her & in seconds the crying stops. Its that sister thing that no words can explain. I can't imagine our lives without this little bundle of joy.  I feel so blessed and thankful God chose to give me these precious girls.

Before & After-- Baby #2 Update

Oh my!!! I can't believe I am posting this other than it makes me feel good to know that I gained double the amount of weight with Karly than I have with this pregnancy & was able to lose it... so there is hope for me after this baby! :)

I haven't posted any prego pics in awhile & have gotten lots of requests (after this I bet I stop getting request! lol!).

Baby girl is good. I am good. I've been having contractions for awhile now but nothing to worry about. She is growing like a beast and I am predicting that she is going to be bigger than her sister was at D-Day. It is really hitting home that she will be here so soon! We are all registered & bags are packed and I think we are as ready as we can be. In a perfect world she will be here the week of July 7th- I do NOT want a 4th of July baby, I already have one kid on New Years weekend. Please no more holiday babies! And I also don't want her staying too long after that- I do this delivery thing ALL NATURAL (A.K.A NO MEDS!) hints, I don't want a 9lb+ baby! Yeah yeah yeah I'm sure it is just wonderful with an epidural, but they just aren't for me. I love the rush of delivery and the feeling of accomplishment- I'm a lot tougher than I look ;) So we will see if she wants to make mama happy! ;) You can start praying for Jason now, because we've decided against hiring a doula this time around... So he better brush up on his doula skills!

Exciting times in the Courtney house! Can't wait for this new little life & glad to know that here soon I can dust off my running shoes. It is so exciting & emotional for me to think that we will be bringing a baby home & a month later Karly will be starting KG. Life is getting ready to take a new turn! We will soak in every moment with these precious girls.

No Bake Energy Bites. I'm in love!

I'm not quite sure how stay at home moms survived before Pinterest, it is my productive addiction! Recipes, cleaning tips, DIY laundry, organization, millions of things to do with the kids-- I simply cannot get enough! I have a ridiculous amount of pins and I can honestly say I do most of them. Today I finally got around to a recipe I've been wanting so badly to try. No Bake Energy Bites.

Having a 5 yr old & being 9 months pregnant, I need all the energy I can get not to mention the #1 ingredient is PEANUT BUTTER! LOVE.

These are super easy, require no cooking, are super healthy & my picky 5 yr old was devouring them! BONUS.

http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/

You can kinda modify them to your taste, we chose to add chocolate chips & cranberries. but the possibilities are endless!

Interview with my 5 yr old

Every year I have a birthday interview with Karly. I realized the other day that I am a little behind (LIKE 6 MONTHS!) I'm working hard to get caught up on photos & baby books before baby #2 shows up! Better late than never!

Interview with my 5 year old:

1. Who is your favorite person in the whole world? Mommy

2. What is your favorite color? Blue & Green

3. What is your favorite television show? Dancing with the Stars

4. What is your favorite outfit? What I am wearing! (a fancy butterfly shirt & sweat shorts)

5. What is your favorite sport? Basketball

6. What song do you love? Party Rock

7. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles

8. What is your favorite meal? RIBS

9. What do you want to be when your grow up? A Vet

10. What is your favorite book? Mouse Paint

11. What are you really good at? Taking care of animals

12. Where do you wish you could go on vacation? Disney World

13. What is your best memory? Going camping

14. What would you buy if you had $1000.? American Girl Dolls

15. What vegetable do you hate? tomato 
Me:"that is actually a fruit"
Karly: "Well it taste like a vegetable!"

16. If you could have a wish, what would it be? That my kitten, Chuck, would talk to me

17. What is your favorite ice-cream? vanilla or chocolate chip

18. Who is your biggest hero? My Dad

19. Who is your best friend? Wyatt

20. What do you have to do before your next birthday? Go bowling

Baby Blogging- THIRD TRIMESTER!

So I'm a little behind on my baby countdown. whoops! So backing up a little bit...

My Man.

So today happens to be one of my favorite days of the year. May 7th is my husband's birthday. Not only do I love my husband but I love birthday's! Anyone who knows my husband knows what an incredible man he is, and I feel so blessed that I know the deeper sides of him. He truly is a blessing in my life.

This has been a very challenging year- we have lots of changes, shocking moments, lots of tears, lots of hugs, brokenness and laughter, and no matter what we face we always come out on top.

So this one is for you! Here are just a few reasons I love you:

I love the way you look at me.

I love watching you rap & dance with our little girl.

I love your curiosity.

I love that you think I am funny.

Thank you for telling me I'm beautiful when my pregnant belly is growing & pretty is the last thing I feel.

I love your ability to make anything fun.

I love your strength & integrity.

I love that you have the courage to change.

I love watching you learn to love family time & create traditions.

I love how hard you work for our family.

You are the smartest man I have ever met.

You never give up on me.

I love that you give me the comfy seat on the couch.

I love that you challenge me to be better every day.

I love hearing you pray over us every night.

I love watching you seek God in every decision you make.

I love listening to the beat of your heart.

I love how high you set the bar for our girls, they will always know what a 'real' man looks like.

I love that you still open my door.

I love being your wife.

There are so many reasons I love you & love to celebrate you. You enhance every ounce of my world, and I am blessed everyday to get to share life with you. I don't take our time together or who you are for granted.

Our song of the year

Happy Birthday!