Top 10

The top 10 things I have learned so far

#10- Rocking a baby to sleep makes me sleepy also
#9- I can can sleep upright with my chin touching my chest from #10
#8- I don't need as much sleep as I thought
#7- My baby likes to go in a clean diaper and will do so sometimes within 5 min of changing him
#6- There isn't crap on tv during the day
#5- There is a crap load of infomericals on at night
#4- I can spend all day at home and not get anything done
#3- It feels sooooo good to get a shower and clean clothing on
#2- I can so many tasks very quietly, dishes, cook, and clean
#1- It is all worth it when he smiles

Early

Well,

Our little man decided to come a bit early, July 22 at 3 am I was awoke by some slight contractions, nothing that was to terribly painful and they weren't close together.  I got up to get a bite to eat and to time them just in case they came more often.  I then noticed I was "leaking"  a little.  I pulled out the What to Expect When Expecting book and read about water breaking.  It isn't always a gush, can be a slight trickle.  I wasn't completely sure if this is what was going on or not.  I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't, I didn't want to wake Sean if it was a false alarm.  I knew I would be going into work at 7 am anyhow and would get checked then. Walked in a half hour early and told my co-worker that I was going to get checked.  They tested me to see if it was truly my water breaking and sure enough it was.  I had Sean go to work and I told him I would call with the results of the test.  I wasn't having any contractions so I was hoping that I could work a few hours.  Now I don't love my job that much, we just have A LOT going on and I had A LOT to get finished before I took 12 weeks off.  Nope, I was strapped down with all kinds of monitors and wasn't going any where. 

Called Sean and the family and let them all know what was going on.  Thankfully the hospital has wifi so I could play on my ipod touch and get on the Internet and facebook.  Have to kill the time some how.  I got the epidural put in around 1100, it was great!!!!  The worst part is that now I couldn't eat any more.  I hadn't eaten much all day, guess it was the nerves.

By 1200 I still hadn't progressed that much they started me on pitocin to help move things along.  5pm still hadn't progressed that much more and his heart rate was dropping with each contraction, so they took me off the pitocin and started talking about a c-section.  I didn't want to go down that path but they want the kid out within so many hours of your water breaking to prevent infection.  8pm check and then it was time to push, 38 min later out he came.  And wow did he let out a scream.  8 pounds exactly and 20 inches long with lots of hair and blue eyes. Hayden Allen Wagner

Hard to describe the first time seeing your child, was just amazing! The next few hours were spent with family, Sean's parents, brother wife and kids, and my parents were all there.  Got some nice photos, and me in the background of my mom holding Hayden is me eating.  I was so fricking hungry. 

Now 3 weeks later we have been adjusting.  I use to love sleep, I was at least an 8 hours a night girl, now if I get 3 in a row I am happy.  He is just perfect, although I am a bit biased.  Sean took the first 2 weeks off it was so nice to have him home to help.  It is hard to believe it has been 3 weeks already.  Seems if I would have lots of time during the day but it just flies by, with the seemingly endless feeding and changing. Diaper changes are going well, it seems as if I do it 100 times a day, and I have been peed on only a few times, he got Sean good during a bath, it was pretty funny! The grandma's have been so nice to watch him for a few hours here and there so we can get out.  As for the beer I had in the fridge, it was ok.  It just didn't taste as good as I hoped it would.

As for me I am figuring out this mom thing, it seems to me that it is a gene that we have and for some of us it doesn't get turned on till we have our own child.  But as people have told me instinct kicks in and it has.

Today's photo

2 weeks to go!!!!

Well that means that technically the baby is full term and can come out any time he wants now.  Which means if he takes after Sean, late as usual.  I am always waiting for that boy, he is the one who takes the most time getting ready.  I will try and not get my hopes up for an early arrival.  I am just planning on being at least one week late.  Bags are all packed and the to do list ready before we head out the door.  I have been hearing from people on how to get things moving.  I think it will happen when it will happen regardless of what I do.  I will keep walking, but I will avoid the other crazy suggestions.   I won't go into details, just google them if you want to know. 
We did the big baby shower/party a few weeks ago.  I got so much nice stuff, I am really thankful for the friends and family I have.  I was feeling pretty good that day, running around with the other kids a bit even.  This last week though I feel as if I have another anchor attached to me.  I had one and got use to caring that around and now another.  I don't know if it is work or the weather, and my luck this whole next week is 90+ degrees and humid!  At least we have air conditioning and the lab at work is a beautiful 71 degrees at all times!

I was pretty board this weekend though, I hate spending my summer inside, I am so use getting out for a nice long bike ride on weekends, or planning some other fun work out.  At least I don't feel as guilty for watching 3 hours of Tour de France coverage like I use to.  I did manage to get out side yesterday for an hour and work in the yard a bit. I TOOK IT EASY, but it did feel good to sweat a little, like I actually did something besides get larger. 




And here I am, HUGE. 



And here is my stroller I got with the money my co-workers gave me.  It is the Bob Ironman stroller.  From what I have read on the triathlete and runners sites that this is one of the best for running.  While at Colby Cheese days (local carnival dedicated to cheese/beer/tractor pulls and brings out all the wierdos) yesterday I told Sean that next year I will run the 5k with baby. Hopefully Sean's knee is better and he can run with me.
 I had to go to get some of the best cheese curds, not those pre formed ones that are deep fried, but real curds in homemade batter.  Ohh so good, but so much grease.  I am good for another year now.

Soon! 

6 weeks to go

The weeks have been flying by!  Just over a month left to go, we have everything ready but are we ready to do this? This little guy will be done playing hide and seek soon and "ready or not here he comes" 

People have been asking me about if I have had any cravings.  I want to eat cheese burgers and fries instead of steak.  I don't want to eat blue cheese any more, and the smell of Manwich makes me sick.  Other than that no.  I just want lots of food in general. That is what gets me out of bed at 5:45 besides the urge to pee and it is light outside, I am HUNGRY.  Other things, my belly button is not sticking out yet, I have had Sean painting my toe nails and the best of all the hair on my legs has seems to stop growing.  If only that would last!

With only 6 weeks to go, I haven't had a hard time breathing yet, they say before the baby drops that they get into your diaphragm.  I have never been considered a small person so maybe he has plenty of room yet.  I feel him more on my bladder which is why I am in the bathroom 8-9 times a day and 2-3 times during the night.  It makes sleeping hard.  People say "oh but it is good practice for when the baby comes"  well you know what would be better?  Sleeping 8 full hours a night for the last month because when he comes I am sure it will be many months before that happens again! 

I can't complain too much, compared to others I have had it pretty easy.  I am not looking forward to this last month, work is going to be crazy!  We have people off on vacations, we all have to work harder and longer to get the job done.  I just can't move as fast any more, also drawing blood had gotten harder.  Trying to squeeze into the smaller ER rooms with my phlebotomy cart, and 2-3 other people sometimes is hard. Getting down on both knees draw blood, get up, I just keep telling myself I am building more leg muscles doing this.  I feel like a cat who's whiskers are not long enough.  I think I can fit though a space but I can't.  I guess my brain hasn't caught up with how big around I am yet. 

We are having a baby shower/4th of July party.  I didn't want to have any sort of party, I got out of my bridal shower but couldn't talk my way out of this one.  I did get the silly baby games thrown out.  I don't want to guess what candy bar is melted in the diaper, and I don't want to know how many squares of toilet paper it takes to go around my belly. I am happy this is a family/friends cookout party and not just a baby shower. 

I will get a photo on the next update.

Week 31

The weeks seem to be moving by faster and faster now.  We have our appointments every 2 weeks now and have had OB classes the last few weeks, guess that makes time go when you are busy.  One of the classes Labor and Delivery was a bit over whelming for me.  I knew most of what the entire process entails but really labor can last 16-18+ hours?   Longer than my Ironman's?  WTF? I am hopeful for something a little shorter, but left that class thinking an epidural is the way to go for me.  I have been told by lots of people how they did it, with and with out an epidural and why I should do it their way.  Why subject myself to more pain than I need to, I am sure if I could do it the other way, but you get your teeth numbed before getting a filling, I am sure that people could handle the pain but why. 

I got to go swimming at a local lake this weekend, somehow I squeezed into my wetsuit and that was almost as much of a work out as the swim!  It felt good to swim again, and see some of the other local triathletes.  I miss talking and training with these guys. It is going to be hard for me this summer now that tri season is starting up.  I was pretty slow, and the belly is defiantly a huge drag in the water.  I think I would float the same with out my wetsuit on. When I stopped swimming and tried to float strait up and down to clear my goggles I had a hard time keeping my bottom half off the surface of the water. 
The water was a bit chilly but thanks to my wetsuit and my "maternal stores" the baby books way of saying fat, I was plenty warm. 

Going to be a long 2 months, I hate the heat normally and now it will be worse.  I told Sean I think I will be spending lots of time in our basement where it is nice and cool. 

And when I get back into the shape I was before, I will not make fat jokes about myself again!! I will have some work to do, but can't wait to get started. 

Baby room is done!!!  We got the last little things in it, and got some diapers and other little things.  Just needs a cute little baby now.  62 more days!

Week 29

Not a whole lot going on the last few weeks.  Just getting larger and counting down the weeks till D-day.  Feels as if I have a football wedged in my stomach.  Some days it is horizontal and some days it is vertical and jabbing me in my lungs, I wonder what little body part can be so pointy, a foot or elbow.  2.5 more months of the kid getting larger and more jabbing, I hate to complain now about it, I know it will only get more and more uncomfortable.  Just makes me think those women out there that have 10+ kids are completely crazy!

This little guy is an active one.  I am suppose to be counting kicks now and trying to get 10 in an hour.  Well if I count around 8pm, I can get 10 in about 1 min.  I think he is running circles around in there, then using my kidney as a football, my bladder as a trampoline. My whole stomach just giggles back and forth, such a weird and painful feeling. 

Spring seems to be here finally, and so is race season.  I am motivated more than ever to get back into shape and start racing again.  Best of luck to all who are racing this summer. I hope to get out to a few races and spectate.

77 more days, but I am sure I will go late so hopefully no more than 84.

Week 25

Well I am nearing the last third of this journey.  We got the crib and changing table, and bedding all together.  I was not looking forward to putting the crib and table together with Sean.  We have different ways of putting stuff like that together.  I look at it as more of a puzzle and look at the photo and usually have to try a piece a few different ways before I get it right.  He reads the directions front to back, checks and rechecks the parts list and then still gets it wrong and gets frustrated.  Drives me nuts!!! By some divine intervention the power went down where he works (food plant) and since he is the manager of QC he had to help get all the product down to 40 degrees before it was too late and it all had to be thrown out.  Well that gave me the 3 hours needed to put it all together by myself.  When he came home, he said "well it is probably better this way."  I couldn't agree more. 

I am starting to get lines on my ankles where my socks sit.  I am hoping this little bit of swelling doesn't lead to the dreaded calf/ankle combo cankles!  Do I start to wear my compression running socks to prevent this?  Maybe it would look better also if we actually had some nice weather and could get some color instead of looking half dead!

Oh and I have passed Sean on the scale.  That's just great!  He eats twice as much as me and still cant gain a pound of sympathy weight.  Maybe my legs will get stronger caring all this extra weight around.  I know when I do 3 flights of stairs I am breathing heavy.  I use to run up 2 at a time on my way to draw blood in the hospital.  Now I walk up to the top, and the other day my roll of tape used to tape the gauze down, falls off my tray and rolls all the way to the bottom of the stairs!  SHIT, I don't have another on my tray so I walk all the way down and then all the way back up, and need to take a break at the top so it doesn't look like I ran 5 miles before I go and draw this guy.  That was pretty depressing.

I was this weight once before in my life and even more, just out of college.  I keep telling myself that I lost it all once before I can do it again, and that this situation is completely different than before.  I just think I shouldn't look at the scale when I go in for my appts.  It is just a darn number. 

Photos of the room. 

With the room ready for the most part, I would have to say I am getting a bit excited.  I have tried to hold back due to what happened last time.  Well the room will be complete in 14 weeks well I hope it isn't any longer than that but if the kid takes after Sean he will be a bit late.  

Week 23 and photos



Belly


Well there is no hiding this thing now.  Not like I was, but I am getting some looks now at work.  I find it is weird when talking to some people they stare at my belly (I think and not my boobs). I know it is sticking out but do you have to stare at it.  Like I don't feel self conscious enough! 

Not to many people are touching me yet, I guess I don't give off that touchy feely feeling, well I know I don't.

This is what we are going with for the room.  We had this picked out before we knew what we were having.  It works, and going with the light green walls. 

The room when we bought the house was "burn your eyes out" yellow. It was like staring at the sun, and when you look away you can still see the color!  Not good, we primed it white and were waiting for this occasion to repaint it.









Sean painting the room

It is a light mint green color.  Next weekend's project.  Crib and car seat, and register.  Oh so much fun. 

Week 21

So in the last two weeks-

I am over half way, it feels like a very long out and back run and I have just turned around to head home. 

I can't see my toes any more when I look strait down. Bye toes, hope to see you again soon.

I have felt the kid move.  That is such a strange feeling!

Got tested for the effectiveness of my blood thinner and now they have upped my dosage, luckily it is still only one poke,  but now I have to do it all the time cause when I get tested again it needs to be 6 hours post dose and I am not going to get drawn at 2am. 

Had our ultrasound and I know we didn't want to find out, well I didn't want to know, but the kid was liking what I had just ate and was moving like crazy for the ultrasound tec.  She was trying to get us a photo of the profile when it moved and flashed us.  They have a 40 some inch big screen tv to watch this on and there was no need to have any schooling in ultrasound to figure out what that appendage was!!  So its a boy, we are both excited! I thought it would be easier for me to handle a boy, I am not very girly, in fact I think Sean is more girly than I am in some ways.  I hate doing my own hair so, it will be soooo much easier to have a boy. 

We are going to stick with the same light green colors and the bedding design of animals. Sean and his dad will start painting if it ever gets nice around here. 

Week 19

So almost half way done.  Sean has been giving me hard time about changing diapers, cause I have never done it.  I was so close in age to both of my brothers, and I didn't babysit any kids that young I never had to learn.  Really how hard can it be.  I deal with poo at work, that doesn't bother me, I grew up on a farm shoveling lots of cow poo.  So being the lab dork that I am, I thought I should write a procedure on diaper changing.  At least how I think it works


DIAPER CHANGE

Principle / Purpose

It is important to keep the baby clean and happy by keeping their bottom clean.  This may require several changes through out the day and night. 

Reagents & Equipment

• Clean diaper
• Baby wipes
• Changing area/table
• Butt cream
• A change of baby clothing
• Dirty diaper disposal area

Testing Procedure / Operating instructions

When it is determined that a diaper change is needed, usually by smell or if baby is unhappy, take baby to changing area/table.  Remove clothing to gain access to the diaper.  Remove diaper and clean area with baby wipes.  If more than 4-5 wipes are used consider following the procedure BATH TIME .  Be sure to have all fecal/urine substance removed.  Apply butt cream if necessary. Dispose of dirty diaper into proper diaper disposal area. Follow with clean diaper.  If any fecal/urine substance has reached the baby's clothing put on a new set.  Throw dirty clothing in basket for Sean to wash.  Wash hands thoroughly after each change. 

Results & Interpretation

If baby is now happy and smells better than all is good.  If baby still unhappy try procedure FEEDING or CUDDLING. 

Troubleshooting / Corrective Actions

Diapers do not appear to be to complicated to put on, but there appears to be a front and back.  I am sure it is important to the effectiveness of the diaper to have it on the correct way. 

Alternative Procedure

 Tell Sean it is his turn.

Warnings & Precautions

Use extreme caution when changing a diaper of a boy, from what I hear that thing can squirt a long ways.  This also can be a very smelly and dirty procedure.  Attempt in well ventilated areas.  Also dispose of diaper in a area that a dog can not gain access.

References

Observing this procedure being done by others and common sense. 

If there is anything I need to know, PLEASE tell me.

 

Photo



This would be the before photo in Hawaii with some giant branch of crap we found on the road. 



And now

Week 17

I can't say much is new, eating a lot, trying to motivate my self to do some sort of workout.  I am use to having a purpose to my workouts.  Also the energy level to workout isn't there.  Is it the cause of not working out as much; or the effect?  I think it is the latter.   It will be sooooooo nice when the weather gets nice around here.  I guess I can count shoveling snow as a workout, but I can't wait to walk and maybe even jog slowly when the ice is off the roads.  I don't have a gym membership right now, trying to save a little money.  Will sign back up in the fall.  I was using my trainer downstairs, that was fine till I started to gain weight, I though my ass hurt before.  Put a 15 pound vest on, bike and see how your crotch feels.  Maybe I should put a granny seat on for now.  I am sure that would look real cool on my bike. 

I am starting to move through my clothing.  My tote of doesn't fit is getting full.   I don't have a lot of bigger stuff and I don't want to buy a whole lot.  Most of my scrubs are pretty large so I should be good till the end there.  I might have to get one pair of shorts that aren't biking shorts or running shorts. 

We have the ultrasound next month.  Sean is still on the fence on if we should find out what it is or not.  I don't want to.  We have already picked out a light green color for the room, but he is very impatient.  I will make him wait.  He can suffer a little bit.

Suppose to be feeling the little bugger move soon, haven't felt anything yet.  It will sure be a weird feeling when it dose happen. 

Week 15

This week starts off great for all Packer fans.  I hope the baby didn't get bounced around too much, I was trying to stay calm, but I get a little excited sometimes.  My I pod tells me that the baby's ears are developing this week, hope it couldn't hear what I was yelling at the TV last night. 

One of the good side effects of being pregnant, I have been drinking lots of water.  I knew it was good for me before with racing and training but coffee is just so good.  I hope to continue this after I am done.  I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want to do this fall and next summer.  Dreams of another Ironman, but I have only a small idea of how much work a baby is. This is a entire new world of stuff.  Cribs that eventually turn into regular beds? Changing tables, boppy pillows etc.  What the hell, feels like when I started into triathlons.  Seemed easy, just swim, bike and run right??? No you need a wetsuit, then special shoes for the bike, special bike shorts, butt butter, derailleurs, saddles, clipless shoes, schrader valve, presta valve.  It was a whole new language and world.  I feel the same way now.  Thank goodness for the Internet, I will be spending more time on baby sites rather than all3sports.com.  I will write about getting back into shape and hopefully racing again. 

I have swimming tonight again, I better turn off the pace clock, don't want to know how slow I am going.  Just swim to enjoy it, right years of competitive swimming are hard to ignore. 

14 weeks

Well,

I am down to one pair of jeans that still fit, BUT I still have one pair.  I don't want to switch over to the maternity pants yet.  Luckily all of my scrubs have the stretchy waist bands already so I can probably wear them till the end.  I am starting to get excited, I am starting to look like I am preggo, and not like I have been eating like a horse, which I have been.  I will take a photo in a couple of weeks. 

I can't wait till it gets warmer outside, I would really like to walk, and it would make August seem so much closer.  Right now summer seems so far away.  I have been swimming for something to do.  I feel like I am dragging an anchor!! I don't know if the added weight/fat in certain areas are changing my body position in the water, but I am moving 15 sec slower/100 yards.  I am a bit out of shape, and not going 100% but I can normally swim 10 x 1:25s/100 as an easy warm up.  So annoying, I just keep thinking of all the work I have to do when I can again, but I am looking forward to it.  It will be a new challenge. 


Spring I am ready for you!!!

Week 13

9 months is a long time!!!  I am 1/3 of the way done and it just seems as if Aug is so far away.  I can't complain to much, I haven't been sick at all.  I just want to drink a huge pot of coffee.  I tried switching to decaf.  That doesn't work, its just not the same.  Also tried a NA beer.  What a waste of 2.50$.  I would rather drink water and enjoy the real thing when I can. 

The shots are getting old.  I have a few bruises on the stomach. 

I have one pair of jeans that still fit, and only my sports bras still fit.  It is like I got a boob job, and I don't like them.  How do active women deal with these big things? At least my scrubs are large and baggy to start with. They will fit for awhile. Can't wait till I have my body back.  It's going to take some work!!

Hope the baby doesn't come out stressed, this last Sunday watching the Packer game I was on the edge of my couch almost the entire game.  Feb 4th is going to be the same way, but I have to work till 6.  I will get to see most of it.  It is a good sign I guess, last time I had to work a Packer Superbowl, they won!!  I was 17 at the time.  Then the following year I took of of work so I could watch the game, they lost to the Broncos.  So I will just work this year, hope it has the same effect. 

Only 6 months to go!!!!

Week 10

One quarter of the way done!

Well I skipped blogging about week 9. We had our first appointment, it went well till we tried to listen for a heart beat, it was a bit too early and we couldn't find it.  It was hard not to think back to the first time we went through this process, we tried 3 times to hear fetal tones but it should have been a sign that things weren't going to work out.  We left the office still happy that so far things are OK yet.  Later in the day I get a call from the Dr saying, that since I do have Factor V clotting disorder (makes me clot too fast/easy) and that may have played a role in the first miscarriage that I should start on blood thinners.  Ok no problem I can take another pill. WRONG!!  The blood thinner I have to take is a daily shot in the stomach much like a diabetic.  I draw patent's blood as part of my job, but I can't poke myself.  I am making Sean do this, he isn't liking it but will do it for me.  So for another 30 weeks or 210 shots.  But if it prevents what happened the first time, I can take it.  It is easy now since I have a bit of pudge there but as I get bigger and more stretched out how am I suppose to pinch something to poke?

Oh and one of the questions the doctor asks me in front of Sean, how many sexual partners have I had?  What really you are going to ask me this now?  I just haven't told him the exact number before, I just told him I could count on one hand, but having to say it in a dead quiet office was a bit awkward. He just laughs and says are you suppose to multiply the girls number by 3 and divide the guys by 3? 
Early this week I called the Dr's office to see if they had time to listen for fetal tones again, and thankfully we heard them. So far so good!  I was freaking out a bit, nice I work at a small hospital and know the Dr's and they all know me. 

Symptoms? I am tired, not as hungry as I was before, I just need to eat often.  Every 3-4 hours or I will start to feel sick.  The tired part is probably due to lack of caffeine, out of shape and being pregnant.  I am with out my 3 favorite drugs right now, #1 Caffeine, #2 the high from a hard work out, and #3 a cold beer.  When I can again, I am going to go out and get one of those crazy alcoholic energy drinks, chug it and go and sprint 2 miles, then probably puke. 

Tomorrow is the first snowshoe race of the season, I will be walking.  My mom and mother in law walk so I will stay with them.  It is hard to watch people go by me that I know I can beat.  I will be out there just to enjoy the day, even though the temp with wind chills are suppose to be -10 to -15.  No problem just walk faster!!