Words to a pregnant woman...

Conversation at Publix last night between a store manager and myself:

Manager: WOW! Are you having twins? (eyes my stomach)

Me: Nope, it's just my third baby.
(plus I was holding Hope on my hip, thus sticking out my stomach even further)

Manager: Is it a boy?

Me: Yep!

Manager: Well, he is going to be a BIG boy. Were your girls big?

Me: No, they were both about 7.5 pounds.

Manager: You must be due in just a few days then.

Me: No, still 5 weeks to go!

Manager: (raises eyebrows) Well, good luck!

::sigh::

I'm 35 weeks pregnant, but I am feeling good. I don't feel huge (most days), and at my appointment earlier that day, baby was measuring at about 33-34 weeks...so even on the small side. Somehow pregnancy gives perfect strangers a free pass to comment on a woman's weight gain...I still don't understand that. Oh well - grow baby grow!

Doula Reimbursement

I was about 32 weeks pregnant with Hope when I thought about hiring a doula. Knowing friends who had used them, I thought it might be something I would benefit from, especially because I wanted to have a med-free birth. I emailed Charlie Rae Young, a doula that Jenny had used during her pregnancy with Noah. We met a few times before my due date and she was always available via phone or text if I had any questions. When I called my insurance company to inquire about coverage, their answer was short and to the point - "Sorry, but your insurance doesn't cover doulas. Even though I was going to pay $800 out of pocket, it was an experience I definitely didn't want to pass up. (for anyone wondering, that money covered two pre-natal home visits, the entire birth, a post partum home visit, lactation support and constant availability via text/email/phone).

I briefly wrote about how amazing it was to have a Charlie present at the birth of Hope. If anyone is on the fence or questioning having a doula for their birth experience, I say do it! You can never have too much support while you're in labor.

In January, I decided to write a letter to my insurance company, requesting reimbursement for my doula, or "labor support services." Even though I had been turned down over the phone, Charlie said it wouldn't hurt to send a letter. I mean, really, the worst they could say was no - and I'd already heard that.

Below is the letter I sent (certain areas blocked out for privacy):

(Name/Address/Phone)
DOB: x/xx/xx
(Insurance ID & Account Number)
Date of Delivery: November 15, 2012

January 8, 2013

With the labor support of Charlie Rae Young, DOULA, CLC, SM, I was able to forgo medical pain management and avoid other interventions that are costly to (insurance company), including a cesarean birth, during my recent vaginal birth at Florida Hospital.

The following were charged to (insurance company) during the birth of my first daughter on 11/15/10:

Vacuum Extract/Forceps: $197.00
Vacuum Mityvac: $126.83
Hi Risk Care per hour: $552.00 (8 hours)
Urinary Cath Ins-Foley: $202.00 (2)
OB Epidural Service: $506.00
Urinary Cath Ins-ST CA: $101.00
Daily Bed Service: $1508.00 (quicker recovery, so stayed one less night this time)

This is a savings total to (insurance company) of at least $3192.83, plus the cost of pain medication, as I used much less during the recovery period this time around. The cost of my labor support was $800.00, in which I am requesting reimbursement.

Please feel free to call with any questions.

Sincerely,
Sarah

I mailed it off, crossed my fingers, and waited to hear back. Four weeks later, I opened up my mailbox to see this:

 

I went screaming into the house, I was so excited. Progress! And my total out of pocket expenses? $230. Not bad. 

Feel free to use the above letter to start drafting a letter to YOUR insurance company. If more companies were willing to cover labor support, I'd like to think we'd be on our way to less inductions, c-sections and an all around happier birthing experience for all women. Good luck!

(*Update - I also included an itemized invoice from Charlie along with my letter - something most doulas should provide.)

No use crying over spilled milk

I used to think pregnancy brain was bad, until I became a mom. Then mommy brain hit me like a ton of bricks. Case in point: Yesterday at work, I prepared for my usual morning pumping session in my office. Pump? Check. Pump parts? Check. Bottles? Check. I assembled everything, turned on the pump, started answering emails and working on designs. Five, I repeat, FIVE minutes into pumping, I feel something on my leg. Looking down I realize that I have FORGOTTEN to attach the bottles to the pump. And I was wearing a scarf - an apparently super absorbent scarf. Meaning everything had  been pumping into my scarf and when that couldn't hold any more, had spilled onto my leg. And there on my desk sat my two empty bottles.

I can't make this stuff up people. Mommy brain is real.

someecards

True story.

My mother-in-law told me about this Luvs commercial while I was nursing Hope in the middle of Chik-fil-a. She said it reminded her of me. When I got home, I looked it up and had a good laugh. That woman is totally me. So even if you're not a nursing mama, have a look - it'll make you chuckle.

DIY Advent Calendar

Growing up, we always had an Advent Calendar. I remember it had little doors on it and every day of December, leading up to Christmas, my two sisters and I would take turns opening the door and seeing the surprise treat behind it. It was a great way to celebrate the season and got us excited in the countdown to the birth day of Jesus.

Now that Emmalyn is two years old, she's starting to understand the concept of Christmas a little more. I wanted to make something that would get her excited in the same way I did when I was little. After scouring Pinterest and blogs for ideas, I headed to Michael's and Target to get my supplies.

 

I bought Emmalyn a miniature tree of her own. I wanted her to open a bag each day that had a small ornament she could put on her tree every morning. 

I found some mini clothespins and sparkly scrapbooking paper at Michaels. I cut thin strips of paper and used double-sided tape to stick each strip onto the clothespin.

 

I made a quick template on the computer and printed them out on a piece of cream card stock. I trimmed the edges so they looked like little hang-tags.

I put an ornament in each paper bag and added one peppermint M&M (which, by the way, was the first time I had seen them in stores. People, if you have not had them, you are seriously missing out. Go get yourself some NOW!)

 

I strung some jute rope and red and white bakers twine to hang all the bags from. Every morning, when Emmalyn puts her ornament on the tree, I put the empty bag back on the twine. I like seeing them all together, and plus I plan to reuse them in the years to come, so putting them back helps ensure that I will not lose them.

Photo bomb by this blonde cutie - hey there!

 

 

Supplies:

Ornaments - $5 (Target)

Bakers Twine - $1 (Target dollar bin) 

Peppermint M&Ms - $4 (Target)

Paper Bags - $3 (Michael's)

Clothespins - $5 (Michael's)

Jute Twine - $2 (Michael's)

Two sheets of Scrapbook Paper - $2 each (Michael's)

Cream Cardstock - Free (already had at home)

Total Cost - $22

Have any of you attempted DIY projects this Christmas season? Do tell!

My little Sleeping Beauty

...is gone. Just when I get used to something in parenthood, my toddler decides to change things up on me. Let me preface this post by saying that I am not complaining. My daughter sleeps through the night, takes a nap every day and is generally in a happy mood. But at 36 weeks pregnant, I am selfishly trying to get all the sleep I can!

Her old schedule was going to bed and 7:15 p.m. and sleeping until at least 7:45-8 a.m. This was perfect, because I could wake up, shower, get ready for work and eat breakfast, all before she made a peep. About a month ago, she decided to start waking up earlier (and going to bed later). First it was 7 a.m., then 6:30, and now we're averaging a 6:00-6:15 a.m. wake up call from her.

She's in a twin bed (which is low to the ground, so she can hop right out). I'll hear her door creak open in the monitor, then her little footsteps running through the house, and then the door to our room will slowly open and she'll say, "Hi!". I've tried putting her to bed earlier AND later, and the wake up time is still the same.

Keeping her entertained in the morning has proven to be a little more difficult. She wants to get in the shower when I'm in it, to sit on the counter while I put on my make up, and to brush her teeth while I'm brushing mine. Now we've figured out a little routine. I'll shower, she'll run around the bathroom playing with her toys, then I'll get a smoothie/breakfast for her and she watches cartoons from 7:30-8:00 so I can dry my hair and get dressed.

I'm guessing that as soon as I have this new routine down, she'll do something to change it up. That's parenthood for you.

On the plus side, she's my new alarm clock – and I have to say, hearing that sweet little voice whispering hello is WAY better than my noisy iPhone alarm.

The things people say....

"Oh, I thought you were pregnant because you were working out all the time and not losing any weight!" (when I first announced my pregnancy at 12 weeks)

"Whoa, you're carrying different this time. Are you sure there's not two in there?"

"You look huge! Are you sure there's only one in there?"

"Wow, you look ready to pop." (I had 12 weeks left)

"Are you having another baby?" (said to me when Emmalyn was 5 months old and I was NOT pregnant)

"Would you like to join the Publix Baby Club? You'll get coupons all the way through your pregnancy." (I was not pregnant and had no child sitting in my cart, nor any child-like food)

-------------------------------------------------

I'm sure I'm not alone here. None of these comments were said to be cruel. People think seeing a pregnant woman gives them the opportunity to point out the obvious; however, pregnant women KNOW all of these things. They feel swollen and huge and are retaining water like a cactus. It's certainly no icing on the cake to hear people confirm all of these things.

It is however, all a matter of perspective. The same day I had someone tell me how huge I was looking, someone else couldn't believe how far along I was because I was "so small." So while the hormones have made me extra emotional these past few months, I keep reminding myself that people are just trying – (trying to somehow relate and make conversation mostly) and that there is no ill-will. I am growing a human after all.

So what do we like to hear?

"You look great!"

"How are you feeling?"

"Is there anything I can do to help before the baby comes?"

"Would you like a shoulder rub?"

"Why don't you sit down and put your feet up while I throw in a load of laundry?"

What was the worst and/or best thing said to you during your pregnancy?

Gestational Diabetes

When I was pregnant with Emma, I ate a lot. Mostly healthy, but there were times when I'd have ice cream every night for more than a week. I had a healthy pregnancy, was gaining weight at a good pace, and everything looked good at all of my doctor's appointments - until the dreaded 28 week glucose test. I went in for my appointment and downed the orange drink in under five minutes. A few days later I got a call from the nurse letting me know that my numbers were high and I'd have to go in for the 3-hour test.

I made an appointment, fasted for 10 hours, and showed up nice and early to the lab on a Saturday - only to find out that I had forgotten to have my doctor fax over the prescription for the appointment. So, hungry and cranky, I went home to make myself breakfast.

A few days later, WITH all the proper paperwork, I was able to take the 3-hour test. It was painless, but boring. When I arrived, they drew blood, then I had to drink the sugar stuff and for the next 3 hours they drew blood on the hour. I left feeling pretty good. I must have passed, right? 

(swollen ankles for my entire third trimester)

I remember when the office called and I gave me the news that I had gestational diabetes. I was home in Wisconsin for my baby shower and I cried and cried. I thought I would have a super big baby and possibly problems with delivery. Then I started googling everything, reading side effects and that just made my hormonal self more emotional. (lesson learned: There is a right and a wrong time to google things!)

When I was back in Florida, I met with a nutritionist and learned all about the diabetes diet and how to check my blood sugar. I basically needed to eat more throughout the day and combine proteins/fruits/carbs in the right amounts. It was easier than I thought it would be and as you may have read in Emma's birth story, she was a perfectly average size baby with no delivery complications.

 

With this second pregnancy, I thought I could prevent myself from getting GD. I've been eating super healthy, gaining less weight overall, and so far, have had no swollen ankles/toes (fingers crossed it stays that way!)

No such luck. I failed both tests. Which I guess, is just my body's way of dealing with pregnancy. So my pregnancy hormones block my body's insulin from doing its job? It's not the end of the world. No nutritionist for me this time, and I still have all of my testing equipment and OneTouch Ultra machine. 

Diabetes is serious and if not controlled, there are complications that can come up, HOWEVER if you happen to be one of the women who gets GD during pregnancy, try not to over think it. You didn't do anything wrong.

I'll be sharing a few of my favorite meals and snacks in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned! If you have any questions about my experience with GD, please feel free to leave a comment. 

nice to meet you

Well, I think it's about time I introduce myself: 

I am Jack's mom 

Jenny Anne  

I regularly read blogs, I've been journaling since I was 8.5 years old (and recently found the pile of said diaries/journals - hilarious reading!), and I've dreamed of blogging one day...

and thanks to Sarah (Emma's mom) that is now a reality!

Hello World!... 

my days are spent with 2 little boys, ages 2 and 8 months, and lately - I'm exhausted! I'd like to share Jack's birth story, complete with pictures, soon... but I'll begin my blogging experience with these thoughts:

I LOVE my eldest son, Jack:

...this picture was taken after a drastic hair cut.. that made him look like SUCH a big boy... he had previously looked like this:

...as I was saying, I love him. but MAN - being a mom is SO MUCH HARDER than I anticipated. my expectations were hmmm

unrealistic? 

I LOVE kids, I'm a patient human and everyone told me, "Jenny, you'll be the BEST MOM EVER!" 

..then... I had my first.. 

since when am I SO IMPATIENT!?! Anyone else feel like this?

Most days, I CANNOT WAIT until Jack looks like this:

which happens from roughly 1-4:30pm every day (PRAISE THE LORD!) and again at 7pm. 

I'll give him that... he's a CHAMPION sleeper.. 

All to say, as I enter this blogging world, I'm in a position where I am searching for the right ways to love, the right ways to discipline and the right ways to "mommy" and some days are better than others... right?!

At only 2 years of age my son reveals to me some of my MAJOR weaknesses and daily I am humbled as I learn hard lessons.. 

a dear friend recently shared some thoughts with me that I now pass along to you... 

one current struggle of mine: anger

as I shared with this dear friend how angry I get and how out of control I sometimes feel and how sad it makes me... she said:

• you are a great mom, jenny. God is just using your kids to get the stuff out of YOU that needs to come out so you can be an even better wife and mommy and bring more glory to him.
• you cannot teach your kids to control their anger if you do not know how to control yours
• that's why this is happening
• so you can teach them
• what good would you be if you didn't know a things about anger but one of your kids struggled with it.
• you could pray, sure. and that's great. but when you MODEL your struggle and they can see where you've come from
• you have credibility and experience.

and VICTORY.

WOW, right!? Thank you Courtney, for being such a dear and honest friend. 

One day at a time, one day at a time.. 

and let me end by saying, one more time, I LOVE THIS KID: 

Tulsa Zoo

We recently returned from a short visit to Jason's home state of Oklahoma. We hadn't been there in over four years, and there was lots of extended family who wanted to meet Emmalyn. While we were there, we visited the Tulsa Zoo. Zoos are a great place for toddlers because there is so much to see, and most of them cater to the younger crowd. Adults pay $8 to enter (discount for AAA and/or military). Children 3-11 are $4 and under 2 are free. If you are a member at another AZA zoo, you receive a 50% discount on tickets.

There was a petting zoo for the little kids, and the workers encouraged them to brush the goats and sheep. Emma had a great time playing with the "babies," as she called the little goats. I loved that there was a little trough for hand-washing immediately upon exiting.

 

In the middle of the zoo was a huge shaded playground, with benches and picnic tables. I saw a lot of moms gathered with picnic lunches. It's a nice place to take a rest, especially during the hot day!

There is also a train that runs around the entire zoo. It costs extra, but definitely worth the break from walking, plus the chance to see all the animals again. Adults are $3 for a round trip and children under 2 are free.

I loved that the animal enclosures were large and spacious, especially being so used to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Emma had a great time and Mom and Dad enjoyed it too! Bonus - she was all tuckered out and ready for a nap as soon as we got to the car. We spent a good 3.5 hours enjoying everything. Definitely a fun thing to do if you're in the Tulsa area.

And just for fun, here's a picture of the first time Jason and I visited the Tulsa Zoo in 2007 and a picture of Jason and Emma in the exact same spot, 5 years later.

Restaurants and Kid's Meals

As a former waitress and cocktail server throughout four years of college, I remember what it was like to be in the restaurant industry. I always tip well, stack our dishes to make bussing easier, and take extra care to tidy up the table if Emma has been messy. Even though it's part of their job, more clean up for waitstaff means a longer turnover time which equals less tables and less tips.

And as a former server, I am also aware of certain wording that should be used when talking to customers. Case in point: Jason, Emma and I were out for dinner a few nights ago. The restaurant did not have a kid's menu printed, but the waiter spouted off our choices - the usual Mac and Cheese, chicken fingers, cheese pizza, etc. As we mulled the choices, he proceeded to ask what drink he could bring Emma while we were thinking. We asked for half lemonade/half water, which was brought out in a tiny kiddie cup. Jason and I always order water at restaurants, and that's what Emma has as well, unless her meal comes with a drink.

Fast forward to the end of our meal. The bill was brought out, with a $2.50 charge for the half cup of lemonade. One of my biggest annoyances is when servers word things during their table spiel to trick the customer into thinking they are already getting something, when in all actuality, additional charges are racking up.

My husband gave the server a heads up for future tables (he was in training). He simply said, "Oh, sorry. We charge for our kid's drinks." At which point Jason replies, "Well, I usually tip 20%, but most of that went towards a watered down lemonade." After running our credit card at the full amount - then hearing us complain -another server brought over an amended bill.

Now, I'm usually not one to make a big deal over things like this, but I'm frugal when it comes to saving money, even if it is $2.50.

What do you think? Do you have a restaurant experience that's similar, or does this kind of thing only happen to me?