Brooklyn – 7 Months Old!

Before I give an update on B, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ROB MCGUIRT aka Daddy! So thankful you are my dad. I love you!

Ok, Miss B is 7 months old today. We have had an absolutely lazy day as Mom has been sick. So, B spent her day watching me cough and sneeze and lay on the couch and try to engage with her while she is busting out of the seams with energy.

She seems to have lost a little weight lately, I think because she is cruising around so much. She isn’t quite crawling but she scoots and rolls and lunges herself to wherever she wants to go. She will get up on her knees and rock a lot, and a few times has scooted while on her knees but for the most part she does all of this rolling and scooting business on her belly. She’s so determined.

We have a “jumper” that hangs on the door frame and she jumps and jumps and jumps all the time.

She has three teeth now, I just found the third one yesterday. All on the bottom, so I feel for sure she will get some top teeth soon.

She eats pretty much anything I will give her (and always wants more). She still prefers veggies over fruits and has a love for puffs. Her favorite foods seem to be sweet potatoes, squash, mac and cheese, and apple with blueberry. Today we tried baby yogurt, peach flavored, and it was a success. She is able to pick puffs up on her own and 9/10 times get the puff in her mouth. Sometimes I will still find one in her chair or diaper.

We are still cloth diapering and that is going well. For anyone that cares I’ve preferred bum genius 3.0 velcro instead of snap. I have some snap but she occasionally leaks out of those. We have the kind with inserts, I do have one all-in-one diaper but again, she has leaked out of it…so I don’t keep her in it for long when she wears that one.

She fits in anywhere from 6-9 mo pants and 9-12 mo shirts (more for the length than for filling it out).

She has started saying gagagagagagaga all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. (Cannot wait for the ma ma ma ma to start)

Brooklyn has been going to sleep around 730-830p and typically sleeps until 5-6a, eats and then goes back down for another hour or so. I am continually thankful for this.

I’ve noticed her trying to communicate and respond to me a lot more. Today she was grunting for some more puffs and I showed her the sign language sign for “more” and after a few tries she gave me somewhat of a similar sign and stopped with the grunting nonsense. She seemed thrilled with herself when I rewarded her with what she wanted.

Smart girl.

Her fuzz head is growing fast and I’m hoping I can get a bow in it soon!

I fall more in love with her everyday. I did not know that was possible. I’m so proud of her in so many ways and I hope that I make her proud as a mom through the years. She loves to grab my face and give me kisses (big, opened mouth, wet, slobbery kisses on my whole cheek), I don’t think I will ever get tired of those little eyes lighting up when I say “give me a kiss!!”. That little June Bug is so special to me.

Brooklyn – 6 Months Old!

I have let time slip away from me a little (ok, I get a little break right?? It was just a busy time of year!). B is now 6 and a half months old (as of tomorrow)!

We had her check-up and she is excelling in all areas she needs to be! Dr. Craig thought it was nuts she had two teeth that had grown in so much already (the look on his face when I said they were there at 4 months was pretty funny). She was smiley the whole visit to the doctor, and didn’t even flinch or cry when she got her shots.

She is rolling EVERYWHERE. We were in her nursery earlier playing on the floor, I left to go change out the clothes in the laundry room and by the time I was back she had rolled herself over to her bookshelf and was chewing on it. She eats everyting.”Everything is for eating!” she says. Not really. She doesn’t say anything yet. But she does try and put everything in her mouth.

She is in the 75% for her weight, and 90% for her height (length?).

She eats and loves all types of baby food. I would say her favorite is sweet potatoes or squash.

She has started interacting with people a lot more, even babies. She claws her cousin in the face pretty often. She’s smiling when she does this so I see it as a term of endearment. I am sure Meredith doesn’t.

B and Marley are pals. She laughs and reaches for him whenever he is around. He still tries to lick her any chance he gets. BFF’s I tell ya.

Brooklyn had a great first Christmas, she enjoyed eating all of the wrapping paper and playing in her gift bags.

She has a new-found love for jumping. She will jump jump jump until she can’t jump anymore.

I can’t wait to hear “ma ma ma ma ma” come out of her mouth. I’m not thinking we are close to that.

Cloth diapering is going well! I seriously love it. We have saved hundreds of dollars so far!!

Also, DRUM ROLL PLEASE….She is also sleeping through the night!!!!!! This has been such a welcomed change! I was getting very tired of everyone telling me (even though I know they meant well) to get her in her crib or telling me yet another way to try and get her to sleep (cereal before bed, night time routine, waking her up from her daytime naps…etc). I just didn’t want anyone else telling me what to do or making me feel bad that I wasn’t comfortable with moving her yet. Then I reached out for some advice from another mom who I feel is level-headed and wouldn’t just give me a bunch of fluff or make me feel judged but offer some actual “hey we’ve been there” advice. And lo and behold some practical advice from Christen Naish is what made all the difference. June Bug now sleeps in her crib, snug as a bug, for about 9 hours . She wakes up every once in awhile but usually puts herself back to sleep within 5-10 minutes. (I probably owe Christen a million dollars, or something)

Loving it.

Until 7 months….much love from the Rinaldi’s.

 

Brooklyn – 5 Months Old!

The sweet little peach is 5 (and some change) months old!

I fall in love with her more and more each day.

She’s been up to a lot lately….trying to sit, trying to crawl, chomping on everything, chatting all the time, and STILL not sleeping great .

Since there isn’t a doctor visit this month, I don’t have any stats to update on. She still seems so long to me, her length fits 9mo clothes best…but she doesn’t quite fill out 6mo clothes, so finding outfits gets creative.

Brooklyn is totally smitten with her dad. Usually in the evenings while I’m fixing dinner or cleaning up dinner she will hang out with him and he gets the biggest giggles out of her.

I’ve noticed a little separation anxiety starting (for her, not me…I’ve had it all along, haha), but hopefully we jump over that hurdle quickly.

December is going to be RIDICULOUSLY busy for all of us. On December 17th alone we have: a family function, a graduation party, a youth party, a friend’s holiday gathering, and Brooklyn turns 6 months old. Other days in December seem just as jammed pack. Good thing the girl has a lot of “Christmas clothes”.

Speaking of Christmas, Brooklyn and her cousin got some holiday photos done…I’ve only seen the sneak peaks and they are GREAT! Do you need family photos done??  You’ve got to check out Brittany Porter (she also did my bridals) : http://bposhphoto.blogspot.com/

I’m pretty tired so I’m gonna wrap this up, I’ll update in a few weeks when we’ve gone to her 6 mo appt.

Much love!

Brooklyn – 4 Months Old!

Brooklyn was 4 months old as of Monday. We headed to the doctor Tuesday and she did great.

She was all smiles with Dr. Craig and let out some giggles too. Poor thing, she had no idea the shots were coming. She was a champ with them, though. She just let out a little cry and then was back to her happy self.

Four month stats -

15.8 lbs – 90th percentile

25 1/4 inches – 90th percentile

Great control of her neck/head

Rolls from tummy to back

Tries to sit alone, but can only manage it for a few seconds

“Talks” ALL the time. Laughs at/with her dad. She gives the biggest smiles for Joseph. Sometimes I’m jealous

Naps 3-4 times a day, depending if we are out and about or not. Usually from 9ish-11ish, 1-145ish, 6ish-7ish, and then maybe another 20 minute nap at any given time of day.

Sleeps in 4-5 hour spurts at night, but her pediatrician said since she’s growing so well that I can try and push her thru the night without feeding her, may take a few days for her to get the picture but I’m going to try. Last night we only got up once for a feeding, but she still woke up a couple of times just moving around or trying to chat.

She feeds about every 2-3 hours. Because of her reflux, it’s hard to stretch her more than 3 hours…because she just can’t stay full that long because of how frequently she spits up. But that is getting much better. So, maybe by 5 months she’ll feed every 4 hours

Other than milk, she has tried (and liked) rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, carrots, peaches, squash, apples. I don’t think the extra food really sustains her any longer, but I’m just enjoying her getting used to a spoon and different tastes/textures.

She is a doll to have around. I am really loving getting to know her personality. She seems to be really outgoing in the sense that she hasn’t yet met a stranger, she will go to anyone fairly easy. She’s probably too young to be a daddy’s or momma’s girl, but she sure does flash those big smiles at Joseph.

She has just started noticing Marley, and that is pretty hilarious to watch them both (try to) interact.

Other than watching the babe grow up, Joseph and I had our first date the other night. We decided to stay in instead of go out, and it was nice that we could both eat without holding a baby or having to leave the table to go settle her. We ate dinner and then watched a movie. I kind of got “mom nerves” towards the end and was ready to go get her from her GiGi, but we did enjoy our evening.

I’ve been awaiting the arrival of my nephew, he should be here in the next 2-3 weeks, looking forward to meeting that sweet boy!

Lastly, on a selfish note, if you haven’t become a fan of my brother-in-law on Facebook, check out his fan page – he has his 5th professional MMA fight coming up in November! You don’t want to miss it!

Brooklyn – 3 Months Old!

Hi ya, time for the 3 month post!

Month 2 to 3 has possibly been the most stressful of all, but we are starting to see a light at the end of the chaos for now.

After 2 month shots, I feel like Brooklyn was never the same! She was on a good 3 hour eating schedule and would go four to five hours sleeping at night. After that 2 month appointment, I was lucky to get her to eat between 1.5-2 hour spurts during the day and 2-3 hours at night. I mean. Really. Exhaustion to the fullest.

About a week after her appointment I felt like she was being nuts beyond belief. I felt terrible for her. She would cry and cry and eat and eat and this was no growth spurt, as it went on for 11 days. So, that brought us back to the doctor. She had developed and upper respiratory infection. Poor doll.

We were on the mend from that mess and then she started this little battle with me when I was trying to feed her. Arching her back. Screaming til she was red. Everything under the sun that makes a mom’s heart hurt. So…that brought us back to the doctor. The kid has reflux and TWO teeth coming in. What in the world. That poor child. Bless her.

This was last week that we went to the doctor and found out about the reflux and teeth. She was put on children’s Zantac for the reflux and the teething just gets some love and occasional orajel or tylenol. I was a teeny bit happy about the doctor visit since it was so close to 3 months, because I wanted to know how much she weighed. My little heffer was 13 lbs 10 oz. She is one chunk. And I love it!!!

The Zantac seems to be working, she still has moments where she refuses to eat, but we have had significantly less fussiness and she doesn’t seem to be in as much pain as she was. Praise the Lord.

So let’s talk about what all she’s learned to do…and then I’ll wrap up with the blessing of sleep story.

Three month coolness:

~ “Chatting” all the time. Still favors the “awww” sound. I’ve heard her try to make other noises “mmm”, gaaaa”, and “HAHA” yep, that is right. That cutie let out a belly laugh and it was hilarious. We have only caught her doing it like one other time. The other night she was laughing at my sisters little weenie dog. If you saw her you would too (sorry, Minnie!).

~ Holds head up steady

~ Picks her head and feet up while laying on her back

~ Rolls over from tummy to back, rocks on back but hasn’t mastered rolling over yet.

~ Has a mommy attachment. Really, Joseph can hold her and she will cry and I hold her the same way and she is fine. Weirdo. But, she won’t watch TV with me, yet she will sit for an hour on her dad’s lap and watch football.

~ Tried Rice Cereal, loves it. Eats it everyday.

~Tried carrots, hates them. Tried them again, couldn’t get enough.

So yes, I tried rice cereal and baby food before you’re “supposed” to, but whatever – she’s a hungry girl.

SLEEP:

Ok so Wednesday my girlfriend Sarah called me to check-in on Brooklyn’s reflux because her daughter has been battling this for a long time and she understands the frustration and helpless feeling. We got to talking about sleep and I was telling her I just feel like I’m never going to have a full nights sleep. Anyways, Wednesday night Brooklyn slept thru the night (7 1/2 hours). I got up like three times to make sure she was breathing, haha. So last night I was really nervous to go to bed, but the kid slept 11 hours only waking one time!!! What in the world. Bless her heart she’s needed some rest! And I have too. And her dad has needed a sane woman as his wife again, lol.

She is sleeping right now, and looks pretty peaceful. Hoping this trend continues.

In other news, my sister’s baby Mr. London Starr will be here before we know it!! She has just 6ish weeks left!!! Can’t wait to meet that little prince. My hope is he is bald, chubby, and clumsy. Because that would be my ideal boy. It’s nice to be the non-pregnant one and return some love that was given to me when I was expecting. She’s in the rough stages now and I enjoy just checking in on her hoping it brings a little light to her day like it did to mine when she would check on me.

Welp, that’s it for this update. Until next time…

 

Brooklyn – 2 months old!

Brooklyn was two months old yesterday, and we had a very fun day.

We relaxed at home, saw Maw Maw Betty, Dee Dee, and Aunt Tracy, then met Lisa Tucker at Chick-fil-a.

This girl changes so much, and I know I’m a total “first time mom” for being excited and talkative about all of it, but…get over it.

So, here are some fun facts:

Weight – 11 lbs 12 oz, 75% percentile

Height – 23 inches (although I beg to differ…the nurse didn’t get her fully stretched), 75% percentile

She can now hold her head up when she’s having tummy time, pic included below.

She loves to kick her legs, Maw Maw Soup says she’s “riding her bicycle” when she does this, hehe.

She coos a lot, the most common sound she makes sounds like “awwww”.

She sneezes three times, without fail, and typically throws in a fake sneeze at the end. Trying really hard to get that on video.

She makes eye contact and now can follow my voice with her eyes as I move around the room.

Her brother loves to try and lick her feet. hehe. Grandparents – we don’t let him get too close, don’t worry.

She is STRONG. She kicks and punches all the time (fist pump, yeah!). When we hold her she extends her legs as if she is standing on our laps.

She can’t quite figure out what to do when Joseph’s chest hair…so she usually pulls it or tries to lick it, weirdo.

She now loves being in the bath, but doesn’t like when I lift her out to put her in her towel…I think that’s when it hits her she is “cold”.

She sleeps a lot better! She will usually go for a five hour stretch (the other night we got a 6 hour!) between 9-10, then when she is up around 2-3 she will eat and fall back asleep until 5-6. I’ve noticed she eats about every 2-3 hours during the day instead of a solid 3 hours, which is fine by me…it’s getting us more sleep at night

We are getting out of the house more and more, I find that when we are out and about she seems to get hungry before she would at home…which I attribute to the change in atmosphere and more stimulation.

Enjoy the pics of my two month girl

She’s a professional DJ, so sick on the beats she can spin them in her sleep.  

Daycare

I worked in daycare for a long time.

I loved the kids in my classroom. Any parent that knows me, knows how much I love kids.

But, sometimes you have a bad day.

This satire piece I wrote for a college class is “the bad day at daycare”.

I am so glad I stumbled upon it while cleaning out some REALLY old emails this morning.

Enjoy, and don’t take it personally if I’ve watched your kids…or do.

The Perfect Parent If you’ve ever been questioned about your knowledge on raising children, I would bet my measly pay you probably work in daycare. But if you’ve ever been the one questioning, I can guarantee you are the perfect parent, and you’re right, my pay isn’t measly- you do my job for a living, for free. With four years of experience, CPR certification, and several childcare education classes, I can see how you as a parent would question my abilities to take care of your one year old, as they enter my classroom screaming at the top of their lungs, a spontaneous event that occurs every day, having nothing to do with the fact they are hungry but a mere expression of how they agree that your care is better than mine. As the parent, you are obviously better at raising your child than I am, even though I see them more hours in a day than you do. I would never bring up the fact I’ve worked for four years with one year olds, and you’ve had a one year old for, well, one year. I’m sure that if we switched places and I were to take on the arduous tasks your job requires of responding to emails, and making it to Starbucks before they run out of low-cal blueberry muffins, I would fail miserably as you shine at my job. I imagine you’d throw out my lesson plan for hands on activities, which may encourage individualism- which may lead to a child’s rambunctious behavior or a frenzied excitement, both extremely unacceptable. Yes I’m sure instead an episode of Baby Einstein’s would start your morning with the kids; an overgeneralization of a child’s learning ability is much more efficient. And everyone knows learning in front of a screen produces more productivity than learning by doing. I have no doubts you would have a more successful time on the playground. Each one without a scratch or bruise, because you’ve carefully been watching all ten of them, with your mommy multi-tasking abilities. I clearly have not developed these abilities yet, since I am not a mother.  Not a single one would try and eat mulch, no fall from a height would take place, and all the children would be satisfied without having to swing on the only two swings available, which are currently occupied. Lunch time would run smoothly, without a drop of food landing on their new outfit, or the floor. Each child would eat quietly and milk would not end up spilled on their lap but rather gently sipped with calmness and reserve. Nap time would come next, which is certain to be a breeze. Even though one forgot their blanket, I’m sure he wouldn’t cry- you would be able to make him understand he can sleep with his blanket at home tonight, and a towel from the daycare’s linen closet is just as fulfilling as “blankie”. They would wake up in a timely manner, each one waiting a few minutes after the other, so that diaper changes can take place effortlessly, without a sound of crying in the air. The harmonious sound of silence that one year olds with good care produce will surely take place, leaving no distraction in your mind as you plan the rest of the days successful happenings. I’m confident you will have no problems with biting, or hitting, or pinching, or spitting. After all, these things only happen to people like myself, careless individuals, trying to pursue a college degree, and working part time.  A lackadaisical life indeed. As the day wraps up, I am positive the end of the day will end sweetly. There would be no question in my mind that each diaper would be fresh as each parent picks up their child, your ability to time each parents arrival would surely be without error. No parent would complain to you that you kept their child out for too long on the playground and now they have a runny nose, while simultaneously another parent chimes in their child wasn’t outside long enough and will now have a restless night’s sleep. As the day closes, you’ll feel accomplished- as you should. I will feel insufficient- as I should. However, we aren’t switching jobs today, and the morning has just begun so I’ll take your screaming child from you now- I’m sure they are screaming to relay tragic sorrows of having to spend another day with a inadequate individual like myself. But most importantly, I’d hate for you to miss your Starbucks run before you arrive at work- so hand over your angel and I’ll see you this afternoon.

Motherhood

It’s hard to believe my little peanut is going to be a month old this weekend. Where does time go?!

I’ve had a lot of thoughts on motherhood since I’ve become a part of this “club”. I thought I’d share them, so that I remember them later on. Thanks for being my audience.

There’s this automatic change that happens when you become a mom. The moment I held that baby girl for the first time I felt such conflicting feelings. I felt the need to protect and provide, but I also felt inadequate and overwhelmed by the task at hand.

I mentioned that motherhood is a “club”, and it really is an unspoken club. Nearly every mom you come in contact with after you give birth – there’s just a moment where your eyes meet and it’s like you silently dwell in the fact that you both know how difficult pregnancy and delivering a child can be, and they nod with their eyes as if to say “you made it, and you’re doing just fine”. It’s reassuring.

There is no “one” way to parent your child and all mothers are different. Figuring things out is a difficult thing but a rewarding thing.

In the late nights, especially the first week, it is really hard to figure out: are you hungry? sleepy? did you poop (ok that’s kind of easy to figure out…)? or are you just tired? Night time can be full of terribly frustrating moments.

There are rewarding moments though, like I mentioned earlier. Like, when you are out in public or around family and friends and your little one cries and you know what they need. The moment I swaddle her and hold her close, in the moments where she stops fussing and settles close to my neck and starts cooing and breathing sweetly, I just know I have to be beaming – I feel so confident in those moments. I feel peace in those moments.

Motherhood also brings on this intense sense of ownership. The first few times we had people over that wanted to hold her, I would sometimes have to excuse myself to go back in my room and just cry. I don’t like giving her away. I know, that’s nuts. I know, it’s controlling. But, you know me- I just like to speak honestly. I am getting better at it and enjoy watching others enjoy her, but the first few times I had to hand her over were a little rough.

I know this is short, but I just had a few thoughts I didn’t want to forget. So when I’m around other new moms I can remember these things.

We have B’s 1 month appointment on Monday looking forward to updating on her progress. She’s growing so much

 

Brooklyn June Rinaldi

The long awaited post.

I’ve been wanting to blog about Brooklyn’s birth story, but I feel sleep deprived most of the time which doesn’t lend to good blogging . The peanut is sleeping now, which is a good time for me to write. Also a good time for me to sleep. But I did get a few hours of sleep last night.

I tend to be overly detailed, so – sorry in advanced!

Here’s what life was like the weekend our babe was born:

Thursday – June 16th ::

I had a doctor’s appointment scheduled this morning and Joseph decided he would go with me. We knew there was a chance that they would want us to schedule an induction since I was 40weeks 1day at this appointment, so we headed to the appointment with some dates in mind. We were thinking starting the induction process on Monday June 20th would work out well, so that’s what we had in mind. Dr. Finlon came in and checked me out – still no progress from the week before. Barely dilating, blood pressure abnormally high (for me), no sign of Brooklyn coming on her own. Dr. Finlon said he was going to step out and check on dates we could come in to start induction, and we chimed in about Monday. A few moments later he came back in the room and said “Well, we’re pretty booked Monday, so you’ll need to come back in tonight to get everything started. Be here by 7pm, eat before you come”       WHAT. what?! 7pm, that night? I don’t think I’ll ever forget what hearing those words felt like. I’d been waiting 40 weeks to meet this cutie, but now it all seemed SO fast. Our ride home was kind of funny as Joseph and I were both in semi-freak-out mode. We called the ‘rents and let them know what was going on and then decided we’d grab a pizza for my “last lunch” haha. Most of the afternoon we spent watching t.v., cuddling with Marley, and occasionally saying back and forth “gosh, tonight?” and then letting out a few sighs. HAHA. Having a baby is intimidating enough on it’s own, let alone planning to have one when your body doesn’t show signs of being ready.

Anyways, we decided to eat at Panera for my “last dinner”, and after I downed some mac&cheese – we checked into the hospital. I felt a lot of nerves rise up in me. What was labor going to feel like? What was delivery going to feel like? Was she really going to be a girl? (there’s always that chance they miss something on the ultrasound machine….) Thursday night was pretty low-key. I had some medicine that was helping my body prepare for the pitocin that I would get the next morning, so that when the contractions started, I would be ready for it. We watched a movie or maybe two – don’t quite remember, and then settled in for a good awful nights sleep. Because of my blood pressure issue – they came in and checked my blood pressure every 15 minutes, even ambien didn’t knock me out. Such is life.

Friday – June 17th ::

They brought me my “clear liquids” breakfast Friday morning. Gag. Who wants to eat chicken broth for breakfast? Not me. But I did, because I knew I’d need the energy later. The nurses set up my pitocin drip and said the doctor would be in to check me shortly. Mid-morning Dr. Rollins came in and said she was going to see what kind of progress I had made. I was pretty sure I had made some progress because contractions were getting strong. She checked me and….NOTHING. NO change from 7pm Thurs night to 11am Fri morning. What. a. bummer. Dr. Rollins said she was going to go ahead and break my water to speed things up, so I said cool beans. Then five minutes later I said OUCH! Getting my water to break HURT. If it breaks naturally, I read that you don’t feel it. Also if you have an epidural, you don’t feel it. However, when you are completely aware of what is going on, and a coat hanger type thing goes to break your water – it’s painful. So from 11am – 230pm we waited…contractions were getting NUTS, I was grumpy and sad and crying and trying to “hee hee hee hee ha hee hoooo” myself through them, and that was not fun. Joseph became a champ at reading the monitor telling me when a “big one” was coming. At least knowing in advance made me feel better? Or something like that. Anyways at 230pm the doctor came back in to check me. I knew I had to be a good 6-7cm because of all the pain I was feeling. JOKES on me. 3cm. Barely 1cm more than when they checked me before. The doctor said I was okay to get the epidural at anytime, I just needed to say the word. Well “word!”. I told the nurse I was game for the epidural now (and about THREE HOURS AGO! haha) so she put in a call to the anesthesiologist. A little while later he arrived and I got my epidural. It was awesome, I didn’t feel a thing, and I was a much happier person

Two hours after getting the epidural the doctor came in again. I expected her to say I was 4cm dilated or something around there, since I had not been progressing on my own and they say the epidural can slow labor down. I almost wanted to cry at the thought of the news, but then she said “you’re a good 7 cm!”. WHAT. Yes. yes yes yes! So, take that “labor slows down with an epidural” nay-sayers!

Let me interject here that throughout the day we had family pop in and out of the room, wanting an update. Previous to this when people would come in for an update I felt like I was at a bad comedy show and I wanted to have a rotten tomato in my hand to throw every time someone would ask “when ya gonna bring that little girl out?” or “how far along are we mommy?” …not cool when you don’t have control and it is taking awhile. However, when I started progressing – I wanted to shout it from a loud speaker! I texted everyone in the waiting room and told them the positive news. My phone saves a record of my text messages, at 4:48 pm I texted my mom about being 7cm. Just two hours later at 6:54pm I sent another text that we’ll address in a moment. After I found out I was 7cm I think I could mentally let myself rest, so then I was finally able to fall asleep for a little while. Joseph and I both took a nap and then saw a few more visitors. Around 6:45 we were just chatting and I said I’m pretty sure I need to push. The nurse on call said “already?” and I said, I guess or I have to go to the bathroom? She said the doctor would be making rounds within an hour but she’d go ahead and check me just to make sure all was well. She said she didn’t even get half and inch inside before she felt Brooklyn’s head. She said hang on- I’m gonna call the doctor and if she doesn’t get here in time, we’ll be fine! Time to push! SO…text sent at 6:54pm to Momma saying “Gonna push!”

They made me wait a minute while they prepared the bed and everything, although I kept saying I need to push. I need to push. I need to push! In walks Dr. Rollins and she coaches me on what pushing will be like, and how to push, all the while I’ve been told all day since I’m slow at progressing it could take a good 2-3 hours to push. SO we’re prepared to have a baby around 9-10pm. I’m amped up and exhausted all at the same time and they give me the go-ahead to push. I just look at Joseph the whole time because I feel like I will die if I look anywhere else. I push and they see her hair. What?! This is fast, I thought. I push again and they tell me she’s almost here. I feel my strength fading. I push one more time and I hear her cry! Wow, she’s here!!! I push a final time and it is all over? 10 minutes of pushing and my little Brooklyn is in the world. What a crazy, amazing, exhausting, worth-it experience. She is indeed a girl, by the way. So, no more wondering about that, haha. Joseph takes pictures while they are weighing her and cleaning her up. Born at 7:07pm, at 7lbs 12oz and 21 inches long. She came out crying and was quickly consoled when she was allowed to eat haha, and boy did she eat!

I didn’t cry when she came out, like I thought I would. I was more stunned at this tiny little person who found comfort by me. I can’t exactly say that I’ve ever been the most motivated person in life or had a great sense of direction for my purpose. But holding her, I knew that my purpose was being fulfilled, I was now the keeper of this baby…this little woman, and would be faced for the duration of our lives in guiding her in Christ and loving her unconditionally.

After our little family spent time together, Joseph called all the troops in – and when I say troops, I mean troops. Check the pics on facebook- there was nearly 40 people in the room with us after she was born. I almost had an anxiety attack but just kept watching my little peanut go from one person to the next and her little face kept me at ease.

The rest of the weekend is so clear still and yet such a blur. So many details I could bore you with, but they are probably only significant to me, haha. You can only read about someone else’s child’s first bath, smile, poop, melt-down, etc for so long before it all sounds the same.

I’m really thankful that our family has expanded and although it is TOUGH being new parents, I know we will be blessed through her life and I pray she is a strong example of Christ.

We’re really thankful to everyone who has called, stopped by, fed us, and written cards. Your love has helped us get through some of these sleepless nights and frantic first moments when you’re trying to figure everything out.

I’ll update again in a few days or weeks to let you know how we’re all doing!

P.S. she’s already growing like a champ – yesterday she weighed 8lbs 4oz, grow baby girl grow!

Love,

Alyssa

38 weeks

Ok I’ve been kind of a crappy updater. Sorry.

I’m kind of tired or irritable all the time. But trying to keep my good spirits up. Bless my husband for making me laugh and understanding how hard the end of the road is for a pregnant woman.

ALSO, for everyone that said “you’re lucky you’re delivering early June – you’ll miss out on those high 90 temps!” you were wrong. It’s hot. Not your fault. But, 98 degrees is not fun or comfortable. Also it’s making me itch like CRAZY. But, I think I’m almost getting used to the itch. Which is semi-good, semi-sad. Ha.

OK now that my little rant is out, let’s get on to some fun or exciting things.

We had a WONDERFUL weekend, celebrating the marriage of Melissa and Toby. They are great friends of ours – they are heading to Ohio to minister to church up there and while we are excited for them, I am selfishly sad, too! I tried to get my groove on at their wedding, but I’m sure it was more comical than cute. I mean, close to 180lbs of momma and baby trying to groove – not exactly the easiest thing in the world. But I did jam to some Hanson when it came on, and the cha-cha slide. Plus Joseph and I slow danced, which was also funny

After wedding festivities we went to Church on Sunday and my Sunday School girls brought me cupcakes and some goodies for Brooklyn. It was sweet ! We finished the day having lunch with good friends and then at night we might have indulged in some cold stone ice cream – because why wouldn’t you?

Monday was Memorial Day and we relaxed all morning then went to my parents for some pool time (for the girls), relaxing / reading / napping (for the boys), then a cookout and laughter for all. I did not realize how awesome it was to be in a pool while it is hot and while you are pregnant.

So, since I found my new-found happy place I solicited my pool plopping services on facebook yesterday and was welcomed by Mrs. Tanner to join her for the afternoon at the pool. Ahhh, refreshment.

I am working half-days now which seems to be helping with my swelling, and gives me a lot more cuddle time with Marley who is soon to no longer be party of 1 as far as children in the Rinaldi family. He’s so curious about everything that is hers. He carries her clothes around sometime (which then I have to rewash…so yes, I’ve got them put up now and out of his reach), he sniffs her crib and carseat and stroller. He peeks in her room, too. They are going to be best friends.

I have a doctor appt on Friday I’ll be 38 1/2 weeks, so we’ll see if I’ve had any progress. So far not too much to speak of…infrequent contractions occasionally and a few other things, so just playing the waiting game.

Basically everything at the house is ready – thanks to my mom and sister for cleaning our house last week! Her nursery is all “put together” thanks to Joseph and some people previously mentioned in the blog. The last couple of things are: getting the car seat in the car, getting the glider together.

Most of my stuff is packed for the hospital, and I’m trying to decide what to take for her to come home in…I will probably go with more practical than cute, because that is just how I am…and if it happens to be cute, that is just a bonus. SO, maybe I will pack a few things – and decide at the hospital, since I don’t know what size she will be?

I think that is about it as far as baby updates go.

Love to all.