Lifestyle change in the works

So I started working out again... I feel so pathetic! My mind thinks I can still do the routines I did before I was pregnant at the same pace but that is NOT the case. I mean I used to be able to do a minute long plank no problem- I was shaking after 15 seconds yesterday. I know your supposed to stay active and continue working out throughout your pregnancy but I just couldn't do it. Puking your guts out every morning and then getting home from work and the minute you sit down you fall asleep and the rest of the time you feel like crap- sorry but working out was not happening. I barely had enough motivation to  do the dishes! But I'm excited to get my butt back in shape. And it helps that I have probably the best motivation a person can have. My doctors a UW stressed the importance of letting my body healed and getting really healthy for future pregnancies so that I have a better chance of going full term. Plus they stressed that losing the baby weight alone doesn't mean your healthy, that it needs to be done the right way and I need to get all my levels in good order. Sooo that means that I need to cut out as much processed foods as I can and eat fresh stuff. I have no problem eating fruit, its the veggies I have trouble with.

The only problem with this is that it means a lot of cooking... from scratch, which takes time. I do like cooking but I have more experience baking so I'm afraid to try things I've never cooked before. With that being said if you could share some of your favorite healthy recipes? Preferably "dude approved". Darren is a casserole, meat, potato and cheese person so I have a hard time finding healthy stuff that he would like too. Though I did make Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin the other night and didn't tell him what it was. He actually liked it; it wasn't something he raved over but he ate it with no complaints. I thought it was really good. Spaghetti squash is probably one of my new favorites.

One recipe I'm looking for is a good easy marinara recipe and pizza sauce recipe. I've never made my own marinara, always buy the jars but there is so much sodium and preservatives I would like to try my own.

Also looking for a few new workout dvd's. I have a couple Jillian Michaels ones and a few Shaun T ones- not his insanity ones, I'm scared to try it! I like to do a variety of different things in my workout, not pure cardio or pure strength, I like a combo of both; any suggestions? I was also thinking about trying a yoga one too? Any suggestions?

In need of some inspiration

This week I've been feeling creative and planning out what updates to the house I want to do and prioritizing my list and then making the list that I can actually do right now for cheap. I decided where to put our dining room table- now I just need to sand it down, paint the legs and stain the top. I think I'm going to paint the legs black but not sure how dark I want to the top?? All the wood in the house in grader build oak (which I hate) and the furniture is dark- like almost black dark. Any suggestions on what to do the top?

The next thing I want to do is paint our laundry room and rip out the ugly useless cabinet and replace it. I just don't what color to paint it..... here are pictures of it now:

The cabinet isn't wall to wall and its not deep enough to fit any laundry soap jugs in. The other picture is the wall across from the washer and dryer. It's a small laundry room- the door next to the dryer leads to the garage. I can't decide on a color! I was thinking leaving the ceiling white and maybe doing the wall the washer and dryer are the dark grey that the stripes in Brants room is. but the other walls I'm not sure. I think it'd be too dark and cave-like if I did the whole thing dark grey. I was also thinking of doing a little saying on the open wall. I was thinking "The most memorable days usually end in the dirtiest clothes" But any thoughts on colors?

After that I plan on painting the bathrooms. Already have the paint for that- same base color as Brants room with white ceilings. I would like to replace the light fixtures - they are just brass with the big white light bulbs sticking out. I haven't decided which fixtures I want yet. I also want to frame the mirrors. Has anyone done this?? All the tutorials on pinterest I have found are for ones that are glued to the wall with no clips. Ours aren't glued and I don't really want to glue them down if I don't have to. I love the ones that have tile in the frame by using 2 different trim widths and then tile sheets but can't figure out an easy way to do it with the clips.

What I want to do most is replace all the floors. The carpet is thrashed and stained and I hate it. But Darren said no for right now. He wants to put hardwood down everywhere but the bedrooms. But thats a long ways away.

And to finish off with some pictures of Brant!

Always so smiley! He was holding his head up so good before I got my camera out. 

hehe love these converse socks! 

Pictures!

He is one happy boy!

Uncle Brent came over and brought mom coffee this morning! New person to smile at! 

sorry this one is kinda dark- but I love how he was holding his hands! 

Smiley baby! he loves to be naked... This was right after he threw up all of his vitamins- he thought he was pretty funny. After I got him out of gross clothes he started kicking like crazy and smiling. 

He is getting SO big! Darren and I were just staring at him the other night and both said how much he's grown! Everyone who visits him say how small he is but to us he is huge! Darren was "playing" with him last night, by playing I mean they were having a stare off and making faces at each other. He doesn't do too much yet. Darren said he just looks so much better even from when we brought him home. He's completely outgrown newborn sizes. 0-3 fits him best but I don't have many of that size so he mainly wears 3 months- which is still really big on him. Anyone have suggestions on a place to get footie onesies with a zipper instead of snaps?? It seems like everything is snaps and they are such a pain  in the middle of the night when he thinks he is starving and won't hold still! 

He will be smiling so big and I'll grab my phone to take a picture and as soon as I hold it up he frowns! Just like his dad.... 

"Ok mom, enough with the pictures..." I can hear it now! 

And his nasal prongs are not supposed to be that low in all of these pictures.... it's an ongoing battle to keep them in and they never stay. Usually if he starts screaming in the night its because he's knocked them into his mouth. He's also figured out that if he grabs it behind the tape he can pull them out of the tape and they come totally out and off his face, not just falling down. And he's discovered my hair- if it's not up and I try to put him down he grabs a handful with his powerful grip and then I can't put him down. He's going to be a mischievous one when he's older! 

Trying to find time

I'm finally getting around to doing another post! I would like to say I've been super busy, but that would be a lie. I've been slowly working on getting the house put together. I hung a few things on the walls and got an idea of what I want to do to the rest of the family room. I'm going slow and taking it room by room- trying not to overwhelm myself! 

Brant has been doing good. His nose is still pretty stuffy, I have the humidifier on and squirt saline solution up there a few times a day to try to break things up. Still no fever or cough so that's good. I just feel bad for the little guy, in the morning he sounds terrible. He is very picky about where he sleeps. He will not sleep in the bassinet, or his swing anymore. He did the swing the other night for a while but that was only after he totally passed out and I very carefully moved him into our room where the swing is. He is most comfortable propped in his boppy pillow. So I've had him on the chaise part of the couch in his boppy and me laying with my head next to him. I tried putting the boppy in the bassinet and it fits but it's too squished up for him to get comfortable. I ordered a pack 'n play today to put in our room so he can sleep in his boppy in that and I can get some good sleep in our bed! The past week I've been on the couch until Darren goes to work and then I put Brant in his pillow in the middle of our bed with me. It works with 2 of us, but would NOT work with Darren there too with Brants cords. Plus I don't really want to start that. It's amazing how little sleep I can run on these days! 

Brant is going to be a whopping 4 Months old next week! CRAZY!!! He is doing really good at holding his head up! He's a little bobble head but he's trying so hard. 

Darren and I had date night last night- we left Brant with Nicki while we went out for dinner just the two of us and then had a little fire at the woods with a few friends. It was the first time in I don't know how long that just the two of us went out together! 

I will post pictures tomorrow! 

Life has changed

So this morning while I was snuggling with Brant after feeding him I started thinking about how much our life has completely changed since his birth. Its amazing how fast everything switched to being all about him! I used to NEVER be late for anything- like always being at least 5 minutes early because I hate being late. Now I'm late for EVERYTHING if I have him with me. It takes me at least 30 minutes just to change him, switch oxygen tanks, put him in the car seat, make sure everything is in his diaper bag and then get him in the car. And one thing I learned the hard way. Always get him ready first! The other day I got ready to go and then was going to give him a quick bath... yeah pee everywhere!

Also, on a day off from work I would sleep in, make sure the place was cleaned, take a shower, run errands, and cook dinner. HA now, getting ready consists of changing out of my PJ's into yoga pants, throwing my hair up, and the rest of the day is completely consumed with Brant. And I will admit that on more than one occasion we have had cereal, mac & cheese or top ramen for dinner... but part of it is that when I do actually get a chance to go grocery shopping I don't really plan anything out and I end up being in such a hurry to get back home that I end up with a bunch of random stuff.

Brant also qualified for WIC, why I do not know... I had NO clue how that whole system worked but formula is expensive so I figured eh, we'll see how it goes and if it's a total pain in the butt then forget it.  I had that appointment this morning. They wanted me to bring Brant with to do a weight and length check but I told them no- I wasn't going to bring him there and gave them his weight and length from last weeks doctor appointment. She never asked anything about our income in the appointment or anything! I was kind of amazed and that just shows why our country is in such a bad economic state right now. We really don't need WIC- I mean don't get me wrong it definitely helps! $20 a can for formula, and thats a small can is ridiculous and he's not even on full formula yet. And normally I wouldn't take it because we don't need it but it's gotten to the point where we're giving so much in taxes that if they are going to just throw it out there to anyone, then I don't feel so bad. Is that a bad attitude?? 

Brant has been pretty stuffed up the past couple of days, I called the doctor yesterday because I was getting worried. He didn't have a fever or cough, just very congested. All she said to do was keep sucking his nose out before every feeding and give him some warm water through a dropper for some extra fluids and if anything changes call back. I'm still not getting anything out of his nose with both nasal aspirators I have. So I just keep squirting some saline solution up there and have the humidifier going. I was freaking out a little bit yesterday... I do NOT want him to get sick. But he's going to get something eventually. 

I am still not getting much done around the house... anyone want to come mow the lawn and pull weeds? :) I hate doing yard work! 

snuggling with dad

Husky baby! 

SO sleepy 

loves his boppy pillow! 

this was this morning... after being awake from 11:30-4:30 and then waking up at 5:45. He FINALLY fell asleep at 7:20 in our bed... normally it would've been fine, I would've just gone back to bed BUT of course today I have be up by 7:30. Coffee was a must this morning and there will definitely be a nap this afternoon! 

Boring week

This week has been pretty boring after Monday. The days have been spent snuggling with Brant, cleaning and more organizing. Mainly just snuggling! I'm taking advantage of the rest of the time I have off work relaxing and spending quality time with my little man. I go back on June 17 and will be working Monday's & Fridays all day and then either Tuesday or Thursday for a few hours. Mom and Nicki will be taking care of Brant through the summer. When school starts back up I will need someone to take care of him Monday's & then the other few hours- Nicki will have him Friday's. So if you would be interested/available or know anyone let me know! We cannot put him in daycare and he can't be around other younger kids which make things difficult but we don't want him getting sick!

He slept from 11:30-7 last night! It was AMAZING. I woke up at 4 thinking what the heck?? I checked on him and he was sound asleep so I gladly went back to bed and next thing I knew Darren's alarm was going off and Brant was just starting to wiggle around. So I fed him and a half hour later he was back to sleep. He's actually slept a good portion of today... you'd think after all the sleep he got last night he'd be wide awake, but no. So it's going to be a long night for me! Oh and the newborn size Halo Sleepsacks no longer fit... his feet shoot out the bottom of them. It's so exciting watching him grow out of things yet he's such a snuggle bug and a cutie that it's kinda sad at the same time. Time is going by so fast! MUCH faster than the time we spent at the hospital.

He loves touching different textures right now. I don't know how to explain it but he sort of "paws" at things with his fingers. He does it to the my shirts, his blankets- especially the ones with the silk borders, and his play mat. He's not interested in any toys right now. He just likes to look around, watch, and kick his feet. He took his first 4 ounce bottle the other day... and 2 hours later took another one! Right now he is eating anywhere from 80ml's to 120ml's every 3 hours during the day and at night whenever he wakes up- it's anywhere from 2.5-7.5 hours.

Well that's all I really have for right now... His next doctor appointment is with his pediatrician on June 6 for his 4 month checkup.

NEVER again

Okay so I'm going to start off with the good news! Brant's doctors appointment was today, he weighs 8 pounds 14.5 ounces! He is gaining 1 ounce/day and they extremely happy with how he is doing! I called Children's to see if they had any earlier openings but there was nothing... His UW High Risk Infant Clinic appointment is August 28- which just so happens to be the first day of school. Me and mom were going to bring him down for his appointment and then go visit all his girlfriends in the NICU. I called to try to change his appointment for before school starts so mom could go but their next available slot wasn't until October. So it's staying the 28th and mom said she would figure it out.

So now the crappy evening I had. Mom came over after work and hung out with him while I went and ran a TON of errands I had. What was on my list: SeaMar WIC office to give them his prescription and get that figured out, Bed Bath & Beyond for bar stools, TJ Maxx for some more bottles, Along Comes a Baby for Aden & Anais crib sheet and check out their infant carriers, Target for a bunch of stuff, and Safeway for groceries...

So I have no idea how WIC works... his doctors at UW gave me a prescription sheet for his BM Fortifier and told me to bring it to a WIC office. So I did. I got there and they looked at me like "What the heck is she doing??" Apparently you have to have an appointment first and they have to evaluate Brant. When she said that I started freaking out. There was NO way I was brining him there- it felt SO dirty and gross. So I told her he's a preemie and on oxygen and cannot be exposed to anything. I told her he had Dr. appointment this morning and I could give them his weight and length from today because that's all they were going to do anyway. She said fine. Seriously if they made me bring him in there I would've said forget it, I'll buy his formula.

Next I hit up Bed Bath & TJ Maxx, both places didn't have what I was looking for. Bed Bath was out of the right height bar stools I needed and TJ's only had little bottles left; I did get a new pair of sunglasses though- mine just broke. After that I went to Along Comes A Baby. They didn't have the sheets I wanted. They had some other stuff I wanted to get for him but I've found them cheaper online so I just left.

By this point I was exhausted and wanted to go home and snuggle with Brant. But we were out of toilet paper so I had to go to Target. I got a few groceries, toilet paper, and then I was going to get curtains for Brant's room, a boppy pillow, and a bumbo. They didn't have ANY of it. I did get a boppy pillow but it wasn't the one I wanted so I'm going to order a cute cover off Etsy.com for it. And I gave up on the curtains- they only had 1 panel of the one I wanted and sorry, I'm not paying $40/panel for curtains in Brant's room.

I SO did not want to go to Safeway but we have nothing to eat for dinner so I went. I'm now totally wiped out and want to crawl in bed! and I NEVER want to go to Bellingham again! What a pain in the butt! I'm ordering everything I need online from now on! Forget the store!

Thank You UWMC NICU Staff!

It was nurse appreciation day the other day and I want to thank all of Brant's nurses, respiratory therapists, NP's, etc...

We had so many that I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch but here are the ones that I remember names of:

Nurses:
Larissa
Rachel
Terri
Sherie
Tara
Serena
Lael
Nicole
Debbie
Edlin
Mackenzie
Doug
Krystal
Maria
Maurine
Sara
Susan

There are more that I can picture their faces I just can't put a name to them! SORRY plus I'm sure there are more that I just can't remember- especially night nurses who I've talked on the phone with a bunch just never met in person

NP: Julie, Teresa, and again, cannot remember the names of the others.

Physical Therapist: Dankia

Respiratory Therapist: Jim- and there are 2 other ones that I can picture in my mind but cannot remember their names!

Front Desk Staff:
Amber
Angela
Emily

Week In Review

Finally finding a few minutes to do an update... I've been BUSY this week! Monday I was sick... no idea what happened but I woke up and felt TERRIBLE. I checked my temperature like 3 times and didn't have a fever but I was sick to my stomach, exhausted, and dehydrated. Drinking water made me even more nauseous. Mom came over in the morning for just a little bit and fed him for me- she had an extremely busy week too, and then headed back to work. Cody brought me some gatorade and 7-up. And my Grandma June came over in the afternoon and snuggled with him while I crawled back in bed. I felt SO much better after sleeping for a few hours. I think it was dehydration and not enough sleep. So Tuesday I took it easy. Didn't really do much but rest up and drink lots of fluids. 

And this is what I did Wednesday/Thursday!!

Yep got Brant's room totally painted. It's a light grey in an eggshell finish and then on one wall I did stripes a few shades darker grey in a high gloss 

And I must say I impressed myself!! I've never done stripes before and thanks to pinterest for all the tips it turned out AWESOME. My lines were straight and SHARP! 

And this is what I tackled Friday..... The crib.... I finished it but don't have any pictures yet of it finished. It looks great though! 

This is the matching dresser that we got.... and it sadly came totally damaged. It is being picked up on Monday to go back. They must've dropped it somewhere along the way. 

Today we had his baby shower! This outfit is the first thing I bought after finding out I was pregnant and it fits him perfect now!

This is my Great Grandma holding Brant. 

I missed my Grammie a lot today. She was SO excited for Brant to be born. Not quite a year ago we were taking pictures of the 4 of us at our wedding. Wish she could've been here today. 

We will go to the doctor on Monday for a checkup in Bellingham. I'm very curious to see what his weight is! Earlier this week I think he was going through a growth spurt and then this afternoon he has been awake almost all afternoon but every hour and a half to 2 hours he thinks he is starving. I increased the amount I was giving him and he passed out afterwards; I thought that would be it but no, 20 minutes later he was awake and another hour and a half later hew as hungry again. We'll see how tonight goes. But I'm preparing myself for no sleep. 

Darren has been slammed with work this week. Really haven't seen him much. He gets home after I've gone to bed and is up before I'm up for the day. I wake up when he gets home and we will talk for a while but that's about it. So I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I always look forward to Sunday's- it's our "No work, Family Day". It's my turn to go to church in the morning but we will see what feeding schedule Brant is on- Darren won't feed him yet. And after that we will go to Darren's parents house for a while and then up to my parents house for dinner. 

Oh and a HUGE thank you to Derek for coming over today and taking down our hideous brass chandelier and putting canned lights in our family room. One of things that I just don't get about our house- there are canned lights everywhere else in the house EXCEPT the largest living area... why??? Just one more project down! Maybe this week I will get motivated to paint the bathrooms. Though I would like to go get new light fixtures for the bathrooms too. I'm just not a fan of brass.... plus they are in bad shape. 

picture catch up

Alright it's time to catch up on some pictures!!!! 

Mr. Snuggles 

After our walk yesterday

3 Months old yesterday!!! 

22 inches long- not sure on weight, my guess is between 8-8.5lbs

LOVE him!