Day 31 - Wait? What's That? It's Looking Like Another Cold Dinner Night...

10:10pm

I want you to think hard about your favorite meal. What is it? Picture it in front of you right now.

It looks delicious, right? Smells good, your mouth is watering, anticipating eating a wonderful dinner.

Sit down, grab your eating utensils, and reach for that first bite.

Wait? What's that?

Your newborn's diaper has leaked? Your baby's legs are dripping grainy, yellowish poop?

I guess that fresh, hot dinner is going to have to wait. You have bigger problems to solve.

Strip the baby's clothes off. Carefully, so that you don't make more of a mess than you are already dealing with.

Try to rinse the majority of the baby mustard(as I like to call it) off in the sink, before a real bath is ready.

Twenty minutes later, baby is all clean. But we still have to get her dressed.

Put on a fresh diaper, get her in some clean pajamas. About 45 minutes have passed since the first sentence.

Now she's hungry. She cries and cries until she is fed.

Prepare a bottle, feed her for ten minutes, until she is content. Can't feed without burping.

Pat her back for five minutes, or so, until a burp or two is released. Let's set her down.

Get her comfortable in her sleeper. Pacifier in. Blanket tucked around her little body. She's finally asleep.

Might as well eat dinner on a plate made of ice. It's cold, and ruined. It cannot be repaired. It's the norm these days.

Take a few bites, it's just OK. At least it's food. And edible.



Wait? What's that?

She's pooping again....

Dinner is going to have to wait. Again.


Welcome to my world.

Day 29 - Growing So Fast!

9:08pm



Brynlee had another doctor's appointment today. She has these little white bumps on her upper gums, and at first we thought they were teeth. Then we thought "thrush". But apparently they are pretty normal, and harmless, and if they aren't causing her any discomfort, then to not worry about it. So we aren't.



She is now 23.5 inches long, which is above average. Maybe she will be tall? At this rate (nearly five inches in just four weeks), I wouldn't doubt it.

She weighs 10.2 lbs. Which means in one month she has gained almost two pounds.

Yep, tomorrow will be one month old. We have those stickers that we used during the pregnancy. They gave us for the baby as well. So we will have to bust out the trusty camera (aka iPhone) and get some photos taken.

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Day 24 - Why Am I Enjoying This Fried Pig Skin?

8:41pm



 YUM!

Have you ever eaten pork rinds? Fried deliciousness in a bag. You can find them at any grocery store in America. Otherwise known as "Cracklings" or "Chicharrones" if your hispanic tongue overpowers your english tongue. But if it does... You already know what they are. They are a very common snack amongst Mexican/Spanish foods.

Pork rinds are actually fried pig skin. I know it sounds weird/gross/nasty/awesome, but they are very tasty. I am not one to shy away from a new food, because I am not really afraid of anything. Pork rinds are really good. They make a great game day snack.

Why am I talking about pork rinds? Who cares? Well, I do, because I am eating them right now while I watch the Blackhawks game. Rudolph's was kind enough to send me a few bags to enjoy and make me even fatter. Thanks, Rudolph's!

This year, they are having a Pork Rind Appreciation Day where fans can vote for which team they want to be on. One lucky player will have the chance to win $1500 and pork rinds for a year! So make sure you don't miss out on that! While you are doing that, I will be sitting here enjoying my favorite flavor, Hot & Spicy!

I would give away a few bags of these things to a lucky reader, but they are too good. So, sorry. Maybe next time.

Day 21 - Nap Time!

8:03pm

It's time for a nap! Not for Brynlee, but for Daddy! 

She kept us up, what seemed like, all night. I remember looking at the clock at 2am. Then noticing it again at 3:15am. I even got up with her and sat in the living room for a while, so that my wife could have a break. She was getting frustrated and exhausted, too. She finally went to sleep, which allowed us to. I was right back up at 5:30am to get to work. More overtime today. Supposed to be my day off but when opportunity knocks, you answer. Back again tomorrow. 

So with that said...

Good Night!

Day 18 - How To Get A Newborn Baby To Smile

4:10pm

I think we figured it out. We have seen her smile quite a few times. Though we couldn't really figure out what exactly she was smiling about. Other than a relief-fueled smile after a nice long bowel movement, it's hard to get her to smile on demand. Or a kiss from her dad usually works too, but that might just be coincidence. 

This morning, before going to work, my wife called me into the bedroom to show me that when you rub her face with the silky part of a blanket, she almost always smiles. She loves it. What's funny, is that I used to love the same thing when I was little. I'm going to go ahead and make the assumption that all babies must love this action, so go ahead and try it with yours. If it doesn't work, let me know. Not that I will really care. 

Dont forget to add me on Facebook and Twitter! I always interact with social media friends! 

Day 8 - Visiting Daddy

4:54pm

My wife ventured out on her own today for the first time since Brynlee was born. Where did they go? To see Daddy at work!  

My coworkers were able to meet Brynlee and she was excited to meet them too. Or maybe not, since she was sleeping... Oh well. 

They went to lunch with me, but it wasn't really a "lunch". More of a "feed Brynlee, then oops she puked it up and now we need a booger sucker but we don't have one in the diaper bag so we have to run to Walgreens, and they are all out of the basic ones so we have to buy the one in the kit that costs 15 dollars".  Did you get all of that? I had about 4 minutes to eat McDonalds. Good thing I wasn't even hungry.  

In other news, the Chicago Bears beat the Pittsburgh Steelers last night. Making them 3-0 so far. Awesome. 

Chicago Blackhawks are getting ready to start a new season next week, too. So there goes all of my extra free-time, if I even have any free-time. Brynlee is a lot of work! Luckily for me, her mom takes on a lot of the work. 

Remember to SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! And any questions feel free to email pregoformen@mail.com!

Week 39 Day 6 - Pre-Labor 3 c.m. Dilated

10:10pm



My wife was up about every hour last night. She was having pretty painful period-like cramps. I heard her a few times, but I managed to still get a decent night's sleep.

I went to work and my wife had to drop off her 24-hour urine collection at her doctor's office this morning. When she got there he wanted to do a quick exam to see if her blood pressure was now at a better level. All was normal, and her swelling had gone down, so he was very pleased with the results. While talking to her, she explained that she had been up all night with cramping, so he did an internal exam as well. He discovered that she had dilated another 1.5cm (within the last 2 days), to a total of 3cm! He said she is in "pre-labor".

image from iahealth.net

Since last night she has noticed she has been excreting a lot of discharge/mucus which she thinks is the "plug" starting to come out.  When she came home from her doctors and used the restroom, she noticed a faint streak of pink in this mucus.  Some hour or so later after more cramping she used the restroom again and noticed a lot more blood when she wiped.  She was so excited hoping this was the start of "the show" and that she'll hopefully be going into active labor within the next 24-48 hours.

We are getting pretty anxious and I hope so as I am home from work tomorrow and that would be just perfect.

We ran to Target and got some last minute necessities, for the hospital bags and to organize and store some more things in the garage... Now that baby could be making her grand debut any day we need to make sure we have as much room around here as possible.  I didn't want to run to the store at first but of course my wife spoiled me with a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, it was my first of many this season, so can't complain that I was dragged along.... How horrible!

We're watching some college football and going to be finishing up some of these never ending house chores.  Getting ready for this baby's arrival and anxiously awaiting this night out! Tomorrow could possibly be the last "pregnancy" post.....






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Week 39 Day 5 - Preeclampsia Scare

8:08pm



Well, we had quite an evening last night...


What started off with an easy morning of overtime, and then a great game of golf, turned in to most of the night at the hospital!

We had a doctor's appointment at 4:40pm. My wife didn't get home from work until about 4:20pm, and she had to change and then we had to get to the office, about 10 minutes away. So she rushed to change, and we hurried to the office. We were about 10 minutes late. (Normal for us, actually).

They always take her weight and blood pressure, and then do a vaginal exam to see how dilated she is. Yesterday she was at 1.5cm. And the baby's head was low, which is good. However, her doctor was concerned with her blood pressure.

It was somewhat high, and high blood pressure could be a sign of Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a medical condition characterized by high blood pressure and significant amounts of protein in the urine of a pregnant woman. If left untreated, it can develop into eclampsia, the life-threatening occurrence of seizures during pregnancy. (Source - Wikipedia.com)

So, after a quick stop at KFC (because we need to eat!), we headed to the hospital. 

They took us into the Labor & Delivery wing, and gave us a room. About an hour went by before a nurse came in. My wife was ready to leave, because that is ridiculous. Turns out, they forgot about us, and the nurse that noticed, had just started her shift at the time that she discovered us. She was very nice and helpful, also knowledgeable. We were at the hospital from about 6pm to around 11pm.

A blood pressure monitor was hooked up to my wife's arm, a baby's heartbeat monitor to her belly, and they took a few vials of blood for testing. Oh, and urine, they took some of that, too. 

Her blood pressure fluctuated the whole time we were there. It would start to go down, but then next time the machine took a reading, it would be back up to risky levels. We thought that maybe because we had rushed to the doctor's appointment, that could cause the blood pressure to rise, and it could, along with a lot of other possibilities including diet, and stress.

Her blood results came back perfect. So her doctor decided that the hospital could release her, even though the blood pressure was still a little higher than normal. She is now required to save her urine, so that they can further test and monitor the situation. If preeclampsia becomes determined, the only real way to stop it is to deliver the baby. She would have to be induced.

She was also told that she is no longer allowed to work, and to take it easy. Bed-rest, basically. Her work already knows that she is due on Tuesday, and it's pretty surprising that she was able to work up until now. A lot of pregnant people stop in their 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. We got lucky. Plus, she makes more money than I do, so that helps!

Still no baby. She obviously stayed home from work today, and a few of her coworkers called to check on her. I thought that was nice of them. 

In other news... At 7:30am this morning, a drunken neighbor went on a rampage through the subdivision. He drove his truck into several parked cars, took down a few trees, hit some buildings, and drove through a garage. Finally ended up, in the parking spot in front of his condo, like nothing ever happened. He was arrested. I left at about 6:15am this morning, so luckily I made it out of there before it happened. My wife thinks that she heard it happen. She said there was a lot of loud noise around that time, and that she woke up. He didn't come by our place, so that's good. I just don't get how he did so much damage. He had a big Chevy truck, fairly new. I remember seeing it parked there the day before. Crazy.

Driver being arrested.

Every day is something different! Always some sort of excitement. 

Week 38 Day 2 - Passed Out Dad

1:23pm



I could probably write a whole story about the dangers of eating three hot dogs for lunch, like I just did. But I really don't care, because they were delicious. Actually, they were expired. Almost a month, expired. But I ate them anyways. Why? Because I am a MAN. And that's what we do. 


Although, we usually don't do this....


Last night, after I wrote yesterday's post, we continued to organize the baby's room. I had been up at 5:30am that morning, followed by an exhausting day at work. Then a family party.

Reallly, I was pretty darn tired.

Most of the following I do not remember....

My wife said that I fell asleep. On the floor. Against the baby's crib. With my iPad underneath my head, like a pillow, and my iPhone still in my hand.

Anyone that knows me, knows that this is not that hard to believe. I am glued to my phone. Then again, who isn't these days?

I wish she had a picture.

Here I was, sleeping on her new pink shaggy carpet. It looks really comfortable, so I don't really blame myself. But how did I end up on the floor in the first place? I must have been so tired that I don't even remember sitting down? Apparently, I wasn't helping organize too much.

I have a feeling that once she is here, this type of situation will happen quite a few more times. Long, late nights feeding, and comforting the baby. I know that many parents find that sleep is not as prevalent as before-baby. There are loads of stories about parents falling asleep in the nurseries, and other odd places.

I will remember last night as the FIRST of many future awkward sleeping locations.

(Also, if I don't write for a few days, assume that I am in the hospital for hotdog food poisoning.)




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Week 36 Day 2 - Where's The Expectant Dad's Parking Spot?

9:04pm



I got to spend some time with my dad yesterday. We went and played a quick round of golf. I'm not very good at it, but he tries to help. I guess you could say I'm getting better. Need to keep practicing.

 

After that we headed over to all the "baby" stores to take back some duplicate items, and exchange for things that we still need. We loved all the gifts, but ended up with quite a bit of stuff that wasn't even on our registry. We really need a few important items, so we exchanged some of the things that we won't really use. I parked in the "expecting mothers" parking spot, but it got me to thinking...

Why doesn't dad get a special spot? Are these people sexist? I'm expecting a baby too. But I have to walk farther? What's the deal?!

If you can't read the sign, it says "Parking for Expectant Mothers, and Parents with Newborns." Well, I am neither! I want my rights! BuyBuyBaby, I say you give us dad's some credit too! Maybe our spots don't need to be closer than the mother's spot, but maybe we can have the next few. Heck, put us in the back, we are men, we don't care. It just is exciting to be recognized. Us guys are pretty easy to please.


So if any of you get to park in the new "Dad Spot" in the future. You can thank me later.


My wife was supposed to have a doctor's appointment today, but the Dr. was doing a delivery, or something like that. So her appointment won't be until next week. Simple check-ups until the baby comes now. Exciting that she can actually be here any day now. Hopefully she will wait a few more weeks, but she should be healthy even if she does show up a little sooner. My wife is starting to get pretty uncomfortable too. Feet hurt, back hurts, lots of naps, pains, all kinds of stuff. She doesn't look huge, either. I think I am over the whole "pregnant" lifestyle. I am as ready now as I ever will be. Well, besides the fact that I don't know how to put a diaper on, still. Better get working on that!


When did you learn how to change a diaper for the first time? Was it after your first born was already here? Did you practice before?

Week 35 Day 5 - Chuck Taylor's and Pig's Feet?

9:10pm



Well it's almost baby shower time! I am not looking forward to lugging all the gifts home. I am not even sure where we are going to put it all. We have so much already, from people that have sent the gifts straight to our home. Yikes! Time for a bigger house!


Got my first pair of Chuck Taylors tonight. My wife had to pick up some shoes for the baby shower, so naturally, I get the second pair(because it was buy one, get one half off). Thanks Famous Footwear. Do you know what Chuck Taylors are? Converse!

I am only about 40 years late to that fashion party....

Here is a 34 week photo of the wife, and the spoiled little baby.

I am going to go eat my taco bell. We got some new "products" in at work. Made me crave mexican food. Hope you enjoy your meals after this one!

Mmm, pig's feet!

See, you could have my job. That's what I deal with on a daily basis. And lot's of fish, too. Nothing like smelling like a dirty salmon when you come home from work. Ask my wife, she will tell you. 

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Week 35 Day 4 - Love With Food

7:24pm

Love With Food

www.lovewithfood.com

$12 per month

Woohoo, another subscription box. I'm sure you are all getting sick of these by now. Either that, or you are so interested, and bought one of each. Yes? No?

Either way, this box is a good one. It's only 12 dollars per month, if you buy it on a montly basis. It differs if you buy a longer "plan". Like an annual subscription, turns out to be only 10 dollars per month. I can barely buy anything at the grocery store for 10 dollars. So to get a box full, and then shipped to my door, is pretty impressive. Oh, and did I mention that for every sale, they donate a meal to a hungry child? Read more on their website....

Here is what was in my box -

Nice packaging

List of everything included.

Yumm!

Organic candies

Even comes with a $50 gift card, to nakedwines.com

Full box!

This box is definitly worth every penny. The contents are nutritious, and pure. The price can't be beat. And the fact that they donate as well, makes it a great choice for yourself, or for a gift. Try one out, you'll look forward to the next!

Love With Food

www.lovewithfood.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/lovewithfood

Twitter - www.twitter.com/lovewithfood

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/lovewithfood

*See Disclaimer

Not much news on the baby front. Same old, same. We did get a couple more gifts, but instead of spoiling them on here, we will share them at the baby shower. Or at least I think that is what my wife has planned. I let her decide all of that stuff. It's easier that way.

I picked up about 5 pounds of Salt Water Taffy today at work. Apparently it wasn't selling, so they discounted it huge, for the employees. As you can see, I paid $1 per bag. And with my employee discount, my total came out to $1.93. Not bad huh?

 

*Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, the products reviewed have been provided to me at no charge. All opinions are my own. I will never recommend a product that I do not believe in. This is not a paid review.