Visit with Grandpa and GJ

On our way out to New Mexico/West Texas for the Fourth of July, we stopped at GJ and Grandpa's new house.  Wow.  Great house.  Landon was so excited to get his belated birthday present - the new interactive Buzz Lightyear.  Of course, he also had a great time hiding in the birthday gift bag.

They gave us two of the bedrooms - one with a twin bed and one with a full.  We tried to convince Landon to sleep with Bryan in the full bed, so Mackenzie and I could have the twin bed and not wake anyone up during our night feedings...LOL...no such luck.
Mackenzie, Landon and I (and duck and gator and pillow pet duck) shared the full and Bryan took the twin.  Probably good since Bryan had been driving all day (in constant rain!) 

GJ made special pancakes for Landon the next morning, which we all enjoyed and then we were on the road again.

Mackenzie Paige

Born June 19, 2010 at 10:14am.  7 lbs 5 ounces, 18 inches

Pictures Here

(labor and delivery story coming soon)

Mackenzie Paige - 6/19/10

First of all, she's beautiful and wonderful and perfect. 

Labor Story

I had a 37+4 day check up...still having lots of cramps and terrible back ache.  Dr. N's nurse said I should ask Dr. N to move my induction up a week.  Dr. N came in and asked how I was....I explained again that I had cramps but nothing I could measure like contractions.  He did an internal exam and I was dilated to 3, still only 25% effaced and she was still high.  He said, "Let's just go over to the hospital now."  He explained that he couldn't induce but he could break my water.  Now, as much as I kept saying how ready I was...when I actually had the choice, I backed down.  Mainly because I didn't want to be in labor forever and end up having to have c-section.  When he checked me, he REALLY checked me.  So I assumed I'd have worse cramps.  He promised that I wouldn't make it through the weekend.  I told him he better not be getting my hopes up, or someone would pay.

It was a friend's baby shower at work, so I headed back to work.  Still having bad cramps, loose stool (sorry) but no "measurable" contractions.  I visited with the girls and our token male.  Thought about going to walk Wal-Mart or target, but was hurting bad enough I decided to just go home.

I got home, did a couple loads of laundry, the dishes, made the beds, picked up toys, then decided to head on over to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things.  I walked around there for a while before heading to get Landon for swim lessons. 

After dinner, Nicole and I headed out to walk.  No, not outside - are you kidding, we live in Houston.  We went to Home Depot to pick up some things for Nicole and then on to Target and Wal-Mart. I wasn't cramping much at this point - just super hot.  Came home, showered and figured nothing was going to happen. 
About 11:30, Bryan and I finally climb in bed. I'm cramping again and tell Bryan that I just hurt everywhere, that's its not something I could time, its constant.  I only laid in bed for about 2 minutes before deciding I couldn't take - and I headed to the La-Z-Boy in our bedroom....
And OUCH! contraction!  So I take a look at the clock, just in case.  Sure enough 7 minutes later, another contraction.  And then 5 minutes later, another one.  Bryan and I get back up, make some phone calls, get our stuff ready and wait for Nicole to head over to watch Landon.  Thank goodness she only lives half a block away!
Bryan has a contraction timer app on his phone, so on the way to the hospital, the contractions are barely 2 minutes apart.  (again, thankful we live so CLOSE to the hospital!)  We get there, I check in while Bryan moves the car.  They wondered if I could walk up to the second floor by myself.  (Uh, yeah, if it means I get an epidural sooner!)

We get checked in.  I'm only 3 cm dilated, so plenty of time for epidural!  I have a GREAT nurse, even if she did butcher my IV line.  She decided she wanted to help me get my epidural as fast as possible, so she took blood before starting my IV instead of waiting for the "blood" nurse (don't know what they're really called) to get there.  After getting my wrist cleaned up (from the shooting blood) I filled out a bajillion papers (and yes, we had already pre-registered!)  My contractions are still about 11/2 to 2 minutes apart.  The anesthesiologist finally gets there and gets my epidural going!  Thank you very much!  And then its boring...from midnight on, I had contractions every 1 minute which I joyously could not feel at all.  Bryan tried to sleep in the chair, but with nurses coming in all the time, he didn't get much sleep.  Then, around 3-4 am, I start getting light headed...look over and my blood pressure is around 80/45.  Nurse comes down, we tried several things, after about 45 minutes, I'm back to normal.

Around 6:00 or later, they start pitocin in my IV.  And then....

my epidural bag is empty!  EMPTY!  It starts beeping, so the nurse calls the guy back, who takes his sweet time getting there...meanwhile I'm starting to feel the massive contractions I had laughed about earlier (seeing them on the doppler but not feeling them.)  I'm bawling my eyes out and Bryan's losing circulation in his hand.  The guy says he's done and I should be feeling better soon - he leaves...and yeah, it didn't take on my left half.  Get that dude back in here ASAP!  He finally comes back and loads me up.

Dr. Nguyen comes in and breaks my water and says he'll be back later.  Bryan decides he has time for breakfast, so off he goes.  I keep thinking I feel pressure, but the nurse checks and says the baby is still high.  Finally around 10, I tell the nurse the pressure thing again, she checks me and then walks out.  I realize at that moment I'm going to be sick - Bryan rushes around to find something for me to throw up in - my water cup...and I start puking.  At the same time, about 7 nurses and Dr. N come in and I start apologized for throwing up.  (Because throwing up causes you to push out at the same time!  As every pregnant woman with a weak bladder knows.)  They assure me this is a good sign.  And tell me if I need to push, go for it.

Yeah, yeah, I pulled the whole "woman-screaming-can't-do-it-put-her-back-in" thing.  Three pushes (long pushes) later, my baby girl is out!  She's beautiful!  Bryan moves to the baby's bed and Dr. N finishes up (had to get stitches - ouch.)  She was a little bit bigger than Landon - by over a pound.  Which meant a bigger head! Mackenzie nursed right away, she was a pro!

So, at 10:14am on Saturday, June 19th - Miss Mackenzie Rhodes was born weighing seven pounds, five ounces and measuring 18 inches.  She was gorgeous!

Soon after delivery, Danny and Nicole bring Landon up to see us.  He is the best big brother.  You can see on his face how proud he is!  Bryan hang out with me for a while, then Nicole came back to visit in the evening.  Then it was just me and Mackenzie.  She was wonderful.  She nursed great and slept great.  It was a good night.

Bryan and Landon came back the next morning, which was Father's Day, to pick me up.  We spent some time there, waiting for both doctors to release us.  Then we finally got to head home, a family of 4!

Kemah - Holy Hot Batman!

I've been wanting to go to Kemah to eat at Babin's before the fish market exceeds our financial budget (thanks BP!) So, off we went last night.  Fridays in June is fireworks, which we've done several years in the past...we know what we're doing.  We park on the very top level of the garage, facing out - so 1) we have awesome view of the fireworks from our car and 2) we can leave as soon as their over.

After parking, we walk down to Babin's to find it chained off.  Sign said it was closed for the day.  Hopefully it's not closed forever - we couldn't get the story on it.  So instead we decided to try the new seafood buffet there (that replaced Kemah Crabhouse.)  It was okay.  Way cheaper than what we would have spent at Babin's. 
We've started packing ham and cheese sandwiches for Landon everywhere we go.  Its actually something he'll eat and doesn't cost us $6 for a bowl of kraft mac and cheese.  Well, the manager comes over and tells us that Galveston County food ordinance doesn't allow outside food - uh, whatever.  He mentions that Landon can eat the buffet for free since he's only 4.  To which I reply - 'That's great, except there's nothing a child will eat on your Buffet."

So after some strawberries, watermelon and rice (great dinner, huh) I sneak Landon bites of his sandwich.  LOL.  How pathetic is that.  Anyway - Bryan and I had nice meals - though I won't be going back again.  Just not GREAT food.  I'd rather have eaten at Joe's. 

After dinner, we walked down to the playground.  It was breezy and overcast, so 87 wasn't so hot.  We even had a few sprinkles.  Bryan promised Landon a train ride, which I declined.  So I found a bench in a breezy area by the train tracks and off the boys went.  An hour (seemed that way) later the boys finally rode by on the train.  By this time, the breeze was gone, mama was HOT and my ankles were the size of small nations.  The boys found me again and we headed to the car.  We sat inside with the AC for a couple minutes to get me cooled off and then popped the back and waited for Fireworks.

Fireworks were great.  Landon said he didn't like the loud ones - and kept trying to hold Bryan's ears closed.  Not sure why he didn't just hold his own ears.  After a long firework show, we loaded up and got out of there in less than 5 minutes.  Wow. 

Headed home for some much needed showers and conked out for the night.  I think I just heard Landon turn on his TV upstairs, so I guess he's up.  Not sure what's on the agenda for today - may be our last weekend as a 3 person household! 

Week 36 and 5 days

Had a checkup with Dr. Nguyen.  Bryan got to tag along this time (since we were going to have an ultrasound!)  First off, Julie (the awesome nurse) wouldn't let me see my real weight.  Thank you (I think.)  Not sure what she wrote down but it wasn't my real weight because Dr. N asked if I was dieting...uh, no.

Dr. N did an internal - 1.5 centimeters dilated and 25% effaced.  And she's still pretty high.  By this time with Landon I was 2 and over 50% - so we'll see.  Surprising both Bryan and I, Dr. N said he thinks she'll be coming in the next week.  He said, "she could always decide to hang out for a while, but I don't think she will."  Really trying not to get my hopes up (too high, anyway.) 

After the internal, we got an ultrasound. She's head down and facing the right way (facing my spine.)  And yes, still a girl!  Although she didn't want us looking at her parts.  She wasn't facing us, so we didn't get a good look at her face or profile, but afterwards, I realized, I didn't notice any hair floating around her little head.  (Who knows, though, I was kind of in awe.)  Dr. N thinks she still pretty small.  Close to 6 pounds.

Another appointment for next Friday - wonder if I'll get to see Dr. N before then!!  Mom flies in a week from Monday (21) so she's hoping Mackenzie holds on til then.  Me - not so much.  LOL. 

Surprise Baby Shower

Yesterday my coworkers (you rock!) surprised me with a diaper shower.  I got a ton of diapers, wet wipes, along with some great outfits, and even more baby stuff.  And DELICIOUS food. 

My friend Kim made a cake decorated to match Kenzie's room.  It turned out great - I know someone took a picture, but I don't have it yet.

It was fun to sit and talk with all the girls and munch on CARBS!  Of course, we all spent the rest of the afternoon in a sugar coma.

I hauled everything in last night and just started bawling when I saw it all - I just can't believe how much people gave.  So nice!  Here's some pictures of the shower - yep, I think these are the only pictures of my belly this whole pregnancy.

Week 35+5days

Doctor appointment today.  He did the strep B test, but didn't do an internal - man, disappointing.  He called the hospital and set up induction for June 30th at 7am.  I SO am not expecting to last that long.  I know I shouldn't get my hopes up...but with the constant braxton hicks, I just can't imagine 3.5 more weeks of this.

Speaking of contractions - as I was leaving, I was waiting at the desk to set up next week's appointment and I had a contraction - I must have taken in a deep breath - Dr. N was standing there and put his hand on my stomach - "Oh wow, you're having a contraction right now.  Okay, well, see you next week."

Braxton Hicks contractions have been horribly uncomfortable this week.  Wednesday being the worst. I actually made Bryan download a contraction app for his droid.  But they never progressed.

I'm not sleeping well, but that's to be expected I guess.  Good thing is that I've had less cramping in my legs and I don't seem to swell up as much this week. (of course, I just looked down at my cankles...so maybe I'm wrong.)

Guess she'll keep cooking for another week.

2010 May Wildlife Park

Click here to view these pictures larger

Week 35 and Waterpark

Week 35 - nothing new. I'm really not sleeping at all now. I just can't seem to get comfortable and it takes me about 10 minutes to roll over. I'm mostly sleeping in the La-Z-Boy now that Bryan has moved it to the bedroom. Prevacid is barely working now and I'm using tums in addition to it on most days. I finished the canopy for the car seat and I'll go ahead and brag - it is way cute!

Waterpark

Last summer we bought year passes to Schlitterbahn in Galveston. We've gone the last three weekends - Landon is in heaven. That boy can SWIM! I have to say to, it's nice being weightless in the water...feels so good to get pressure off of everything.
The first weekend, it was just Bryan, Landon and I - even with a company picnic (not ours) being held there, there was barely anyone there - no waits in the lines. It was perfect.

Last weekend, Mr. Danny went with us and it was still great - no crowds. Landon wanted to swim with Mr. Danny the whole time. He loves to go on the river - the wave part, but he doesn't want to be in a tube, he wants to swim it. Which, he does really well, but man, its work for the adults. In between the waves, the water goes down to 2-3 feet and you end up crab walking, great workout on your quads.

On Friday, we took off work and headed down with Miss Nicole. A little bit more crowded - since there were about 15 charter buses with teenagers. Some of the lines to the rides were longer than they have been, but it still was a lot less crowded than summer. Bryan was in charge of swimming with Landon and I corralled Miss Cole to the right directions, although we lost her one time on the rapids for a while. She had gotten caught in the backflow and couldn't get to the next opening.

Yesterday we went to the pool down the road - one of my coworkers used to live in the apartments there, and I programmed her gate code into the Acadia. Unfortunately, in the last year, either my car lost the code or the apartments changed theirs...but another car was going in, so we tailed them and got in. Its a pretty nice pool - saltwater. Going to be sad if we can't get in. (Our subdivision doesn't have a pool, which is okay with me, since that means are homeowners fee is only $200 a year.) Landon can swim. (After three weeks of swim lessons.) He does great. So proud of that boy.

Here's some pics of the water park from the last couple weekends.

Picking Blackberries

We headed out to Fruits 'n Such orchard to pick blackberries and peaches.  Wow!  $45 later...we have a ton of fruit!  I can't imagine going there during the day (they're open some weeknights and Saturdays depending on the produce selection.)  It was extremely hot.  But we survived and as you can see, ended up with a fair share of blackberries and peaches.  The blackberries are delicious!  We just kept picking and picking. We saw so many ripe ones it was hard to pass them up!

Bryan washed them all and we have the first batch in the freezer (we wash them and freeze them on a cookie sheet and then move them to a ziplock bag so that they don't freeze as one big block of blackberry.)  

Landon had a great time trying to find the biggest one.  I think he may have ended up eating more than he put in the bucket.
 

The blahs...

Bryan's in Virginia for the week.  It's actually gone by pretty quickly, thanks to swim lessons, gymnastics and a movie.

I'm almost 33.5 and miserable.  I don't remember being this way with Landon - but that's probably part of God's plan.  If you remembered the uncomfortable - not fun - painful parts of pregnancy, you'd never EVER have a second (or third or fourth) child.  I literally have no room.  I know I've mentioned this before - but you know the feeling when you've eaten too much food and you unbutton or unzip your pants and think - "ahhh" - yeah, well, I need to do that with my stomach.  Seriously.  There is no room.  I feel soooo full, like my stomach skin needs to stretch more, but it just won't.

I'm also to the point in pregnancy where I can not sleep.  I have to wake up to pee or turn over (which takes about 5 minutes) and then I'm wide awake for an hour.  I know that this is prepping me for after the baby gets here...but seriously, I'd rather slam shift it when the time comes. 

My feet are also swollen.  I know lots of women who've gotten swollen feet, and I'm sure mine aren't as bad as some, but its like my stomach - the skin just doesn't seem to stretch enough.  And did I mention the dizzy spells?

Okay, okay - enough complaining right?  I'm very excited to meet Ms Mackenzie.  I love looking at all her little clothes.  I have a few more blankets I need to get sewn (quickly!)  I love Landon patting my tummy or giving it a kiss.  I'm just ready for her to get here! 

Playing in the rain

We were very close to drought conditions - the north of Harris county was already considered in a drought.  Luckily, we've had two solid days of downpours.  Unfortunately (for Landon and I) this was the weekend for Mud Volleyball.  Bryan got up early and headed out to the pits.  He sent a picture earlier of people, watching, not playing, in mud up to ankles.  Nasty.  Needless to say, Landon and I decided to hang out at home.  Bryan's team came in second place and he should be on his way home.  I'm guessing he'll head straight for the laundry room and then to the showers.

Landon was tired of being cooped up and after playing Scooby Doo board game and Cars dominoes several (hundred) times, we went outside to play in the rain.  He started out fully clothed, in rain boots, but ended up in only shorts, barefoot.  He was loving it.

I remember going with my sisters down to the park where the water drained.  In the small town I grew up in, there wasn't an underground drainage system, the roads simply had slopes so that everything drained down towards the park, which was a block from our house.  When it rained (not frequently...lol) we would go down and wade through the drainage.  Kind of gross now that I think about it.  But it was great at the time.  We loved it.  And lost several shoes during those play times.

Needless to say, it was great to see Landon enjoying the rain today.  Total abandonment.  A very priceless moment.