Surviving

Where have the last 4 months gone?  We have been busy surviving around here.  Parenthood brings days that are full of joy, love but exhausting all at once.  There were so many nights that I went to bed thinking, "What in the world am I doing?"  I would be excited for work the next morning but then miss my boy terribly when I walked through the office door.  Motherhood is full of so many ups and downs.  I have learned to embrace those downs because they make the wonderful moments so so good.

Bennett is the best.  I know all moms think their babies are pretty awesome, but I am just so in love.  He is such a ham lately.  He has two teeth.  They popped through right at 5 months.  And he is so close to getting his top two.  I check every morning to see if they have erupted.  I keep thinking maybe he is teething and that is why he is still not sleeping through the night... wishful thinking!  He wakes up once to eat around midnight or 1pm.  But he goes right back to sleep so its not a big deal.

He has been sitting unsupported since about 5 months as well.  He is getting braver and reaching for toys that are further away so I know crawling is not far off.  He will push himself backwards across the entire room.  My little monkey!  He can roll but chooses not to most of the time.  He is also chatting all day and clapping!

Bennett is finally starting to enjoy solids, or purees I should say.  I think he had so much trouble in the beginning because of all of his allergies and reflux.  He still is sensitive to a lot of foods: avocado, bananas, peaches, coconut and quinoa to name a few.  His allergist confirmed his allergy to milk, eggs and peanuts.  I still eat tree nuts and they seem to not bother him at all.  I am sure about the peaches, coconut and quinoa but the days I ate those he was fussier so I have just avoided them.  I am so that crazy person.  In a few months I'll reintroduce them.  Food allergies are a challenge but when I think of all the other health issues Bennett could have... we are blessed to just have allergies.

I am still able to exclusively breastfeed and that makes me so happy!  Not because I feel breastmilk is best- I think anyway you choose to feed your baby is best- I just love the bonding nursing brings.  It is the time during the day when it is just him and I.  There have been so many hurdles that we have overcome!  First the oversupply, then going back to work, and the food allergies!! But through all of that we are still successfully nursing and I am thankful.  I sometimes curse my pump as I feel like it has to go EVERYWHERE with me and I stress out about getting all my sessions in at work, and then not to mention that I can't have a date night that is longer than three hours because I am engorged.  But in the long scheme of life, this is a very short chapter and I am grateful for it.

Bennett spent the entire week at "Daddy Daycare" this past week.  I try not think about all of the money we are spending for a daycare the he rarely goes to, but this is the best we could do in the situation we were in.  Next year we are going to re evaluate and try to work our schedules so that he only has daycare two days a week instead of four.  Then maybe I wouldn't feel so bad about the 1000+ dollars we spend a month on daycare when he generally only goes 3 - 4 days per month!  Bennett is lucky that he has a dad that is willing to take such good care of him.  And I am lucky to have married a man that is such a good dad and an even better husband.

3 Months in Photos

 3 Months!  

My sweet baby loves to talk and giggle and hug you while you hold him.  He is the sweetest. 

Bennett is swinging and grabbing at his toys in his play gym!  You can barely see, but Milo is laying right next to him.  So sweet.    Below: Bennett and My Valentine on Valentine's day.  We went out to dinner.  It was... errr... interesting.  I amy have been standing up by our table "jiggling" Bennett to sleep while we waited for our food.  It wasn't exactly the romantic and intimate dinner I had pictured but I don't think we would want it any other way.  Bennett first thing in the morning (fireman outfit).  I think he looks the most like a "Zickert" in the morning.  His face just looks like mine there.

ABOVE- Bennett has found my hair and I think he is never letting go!  Just laying there looking cute.  I think he may have his thumb in his mouth.  I thought he was going to be a "thumb sucker" but he tends to just be a finger suckers.  He doesn't discriminate.  He sucks them all.  But a pacifier?  Heck no.  But I'm going to keep trying...

ABOVE: Top- Taken on his 3 month birthday.  Bottom- My mom sent him his first Bible book.  It is the sweetest book.

 Top:  Sporting a knit black cap just like his Daddys.  I found it at Walmart for 50 cents.  I just couldn't pass it up.  I never shop at Walmart but I had a 15$ gift card to use up.

Bottom: Visiting me at work  Top:  Tummy time is bearable now for a few minutes at least

Top: Sitting in his NEW bathtub while mama gets ready for work.  He already outgrew his other bathtub.  I kid you not.  This boy grows like a weed!  Bottom:  Another sweet photo of tummy time.

And this cutie stole the hearts of all the woman on Facebook.  He is one popular fella. 

P.S He is in his crib now!  It is still in our room, but he is in our crib none the less!! 

P.S.S He spits up a lot more too.  Not sure what that is about.  And he has a teeny tiny bit of eczema on his elbows.  I'm going to try a different lotion before I really freak out. 

Back to Work

I went back to work this week.  And I started a new job.  Two huge events, but we made it through pretty well.

I have worried for weeks about how this would go.  Would Bennett take the bottle?  Would he feel abandoned?  Would Jeret feel too overwhelmed?  Would I fit into my new job?

Overall, the past three days were a success.  They were long... yes.  They were an adjustment... yes.  Am I tired... yes.  But I only had to work three days and I get to be home for four days in a row!! I feel very fortunate to be able to only work part time.

Since Bennett was born I have had these overwhelming maternal feelings (which I am pretty sure is normal for any new mom).  I was/am woken up to a hungry baby in the middle of the night,  I was never gone for longer than 1.5 or 2 hours for fear the baby would be hungry,  I didn't leave the house for weeks because it was too cold for the baby to go out.  I can honestly say I loved it all.  I didn't feel  alone or overwhelmed or tied down like people told me I would feel.  I wanted to always stay home with my baby!  He is just a tiny baby and he needed me and I couldn't leave him.

But then my practical husband stepped in.  He reminded me how much I enjoyed working with people and getting to know my patients.  He reminded me how hard I worked for four years to earn my degree.  He reminded me that Bennett will get bigger and more independent and working will be good for the both of us.

So, I did it.  And guess what?  We both survived.  I still wish that I didn't have to leave my sweet baby.  But I know that with all changes... the adjustment will take time.  I still worry that I won't be able to breastfeed as long as I had hoped because I am only able to pump at lunch time.  But that is ok.  I don't mind waking up an extra time in the middle of the night just to pump.  This baby stage is so short and goes so fast.  And if my milk does dry up, that is ok too.  Formula babies are healthy too.

This is the new normal and that is ok with me.

Jeret brought Bennett to visit during my lunch hour.  Just hanging out in the car.  

A quick picture I snapped this morning. 

29, 30 and 31 Weeks

29, 30 and 31 Weeks

We were able to stay with my sister Jessica in Chicago on our way to Ohio

And then we stopped at my dear friend Nicole's in Indiana

OHIO!

We finally made it to our destination!

Downtown museum car show

Mom and Dad at the museum

                 

                        While visiting my Mom and Dad in Findlay Ohio we went to a fun dinner at the country club 

 

My dear friend Rachel made baby Bennett the most adorable hat and garland

Milo with his favorite toy 

Getting our walk on

Due Date:  November 3rd, 2013... 65 days and counting... say what!?

Boy or Girl:  Sweet baby boy

Currently Avoiding: Trying to eat as healthy as possible and avoiding sweets except an occasional chocolate dipped ice cream cone from McDonalds

Weight: 168.5 at my visit this week.  That means up 24.5 lbs! Oh my goodness.  That is just crazy.  The number doesn't really bother me because it means I have a growing baby boy!

Belly Button Status:  Still in.  

Sleep: So far so good, just lots of potty breaks! 

Evidence of Pregnancy Brain: Absolutely.  And also clumsiness.  

Symptoms:  I am feeling pretty fatigued at the end of the day.  I have also felt bouts of nausea again but nothing like the first trimester.  I have not had any issues with swelling, thank goodness.  Oh, and I have felt some indigestion.  It seems like if I eat anythings with onions it stays with me for hours!

Health:  Baby's heartbeat was 131 at my doctors visit.  They also gave me a TDAP Vaccine that caused my bicep to be sore for a few days.  They also drew blood to check my antibodies. 

Movement:  My baby boy is moving all of the time!  It makes me smile with every move.

Baby Related Purchases:  We bought the crib! So excited to get it put together.  I have also made a few garage sale purchases.  I bought a few 0-3 month outfits and a fleece zipper for the car seat.  It is going to be cold this winter!

Best Part of this Pregnancy:  Feeling Bennett move around.  We are so excited to meet him!

24 and 25 Weeks!

How the heck is time flying by so quick?? I can't believe in a few short weeks I will be starting my third trimester! So exciting!

I am almost (10 days away) from 6 months pregnant! 

We got to celebrate Jeret's 26th Birthday.  I love this man to the moon and back.  

Helllllo belly! This was taken a few days past 25 weeks.

Taken on Jeret's Birthday, July 13th.  24 Weeks.

My husband chose to do yard work on his birthday! Crazy man!  I had to sneak a photo to document.  I knew if he saw me with my phone he would hide and say, "Your not going to post that, are you?" Ha

Due Date:  November 3rd, 2013 still. Almost 3 months left to go!

Boy or Girl:  Go Blue

Currently Avoiding: Hmmm... not much!

Weight: At my doctor's visit last week, I am up 12 lbs!  She was pleased and said I was right on track.

Belly Button Status:  In for sure, but looking a lot more shallow.

Sleep: Pretty good.  I am getting used to waking up a few times a night to go to the bathroom.  Last night I noticed I was waking up because my hip was sore (the hip that I was laying on while on my side)

Recent vivid dreams: Lots and lots of dreams 

Evidence of Pregnancy Brain: I can't remember...

Symptoms:  Just noticing my appetite pick up!  I am so hungry all of the time.  I seriously make my food choices not by what sounds good but more like what will keep me full the longest?

Health:  Everything checked out great at the doctors office.  Baby's heartbeat was 131 beats per minute and my tummy was measuring right on track at 23 cm

Movement:  Officially feeling movement everyday! I love it!  This morning while I was eating my cereal I could see my belly moving from the little kicks and punches.  It is such an awesome feeling.  It brings a smile to my face no matter what mood I am in!

Baby Related Purchases:  Still just doing a lot of research.  I did start sanding the dresser that we are refinishing for the nursery.  I hope to try to make one big purchase per month until baby comes:  ie crib, stroller and car seat. Oh and breast pump.  Man those babies are expensive!

Best Part of this Pregnancy:  Feeling my little guy move :) 

17 Weeks / 2nd Anniversary / 50th Post / Jeret's Paramedic Graduation

17 Weeks

We have had such an fun and eventful weekend!  We spent the weekend celebrating Jeret's graduation from the paramedic program, Memorial Day with lots of family, did some maternity clothes shopping, and even spilled the beans to the public facebook community!! Here are a few photos from the weekend and some info on baby progress.

Grandma and Grandpa Zickert

Mom and Dad

Grandma Dwyer

My momma and Aunt Chris

Close up

Hello baby bump! 

"Umm Maria, this just feels soft to me..." haha thanks honey.

Celebrating 2 years of marriage with cotton

SO PROUD OF THIS MAN!  Such a stud.

Jeret and his mama!

Due Date:  November 3rd, 2013 

Boy or Girl:  It was fun to be around family members and hear them guess.  My mom and Lydia think boy, but my Grandma Dwyer is confident it is a girl!

Currently Avoiding: I have seen a huge increase in my appetite over the past week!  Holy cow!  My meat aversion was definitely gone this weekend:  Hello roast beef sandwich and burger.

Weight: 147... its creeping forward!

Belly Button Status:  In for sure

Sleep:  Must.Buy.Pregnancy.Pillow.STAT

Recent vivid dreams: Lots of dreams but none about baby yet

Evidence of Pregnancy Brain: I can't remember...

Symptoms:  I have noticed some slight cramping if I get too hungry or thirsty/dehydrated.  It happens mostly at night and is not too significant.  The cramping is kinda in my upper abdomen and not so much around the uterus and lower back.  I am trying to stay sane and not worry too much, but I would be lying if I didn't worry every single day about this little baby.

Health:  So far so good!  18 days until my next OB appointment and 24 until my ultrasound! 

Movement:  It is SOOO hard to tell!  I want to feel baby so badly but I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is just in my head.  I am hoping for some solid baby movements to help my confidence and soothe my nerves in the next week or so.

Baby Related Purchases:  Oh yeah!  We bought two onsies for our little photo shoot (above), we were given a ton of receiving blankets from my grandma that she found at the second hand store (score!) and my husband took me on a generous maternity clothes shopping spree!  We have two weddings, a bachelorette party and two graduation parties in the next month.  

Best Part of this Pregnancy: It is so amazing to just sit here and think about the fact that there is a baby inside of my belly.  I feel so blessed it moves me to tears.