Looks - Part 2

This is part 2, because I wrote a blog post about Lucy looking so much like Heath back in the day, titled, "Looks."

So, I might just have one that looks like me yet! :) Heath totally got Lucy...

But, I may have gotten Olive. :)

I say "got" like it's a competition or something. I really don't mean it like that. I mean that I look at Lucy and I see Heath. I rarely, if ever, see myself in her. She is even energetic and goofy like Heath. :) But, Olive, I see a baby version of myself in her. It's a wonderful feeling to look at your child and see yourself.  Even if she changes and starts to look like Lucy and Heath, that is alright. I had my moment. :)

Oh, and Heath...I don't know where those cheeks come from! Haha. Lucy had them too! We like our chubby babies!

Christmas Dresses

I always remember having Christmas dresses when I was little. Perhaps this is an altered memory; because, I can really only recall a couple of dresses. However, I know that we always "dressed to the nines" for our annual Christmas program at school. Granted, my grandmother made most, if not all, of our dresses for us...even these beauties I have shared before:

I swear my memory wants to say that Nikki's bow was on the back of her dress, above her bum. It came off or something, so my mom put it on her head. Haha. Mom, correct me if my memory fails me. Sorry, Nikki; I just had to show it again. If it makes you feel any better, I will post my 4th grade photo on here sometime....awkward! Or, my freshman year photo.....oh boy...

Anyway, we had special occasion dresses when I was little. At Easter, we even had hats with our dresses. I loved it. So, naturally, since I am making my girls basically relive my childhood in the 21st century (ha!), I had to get Christmas dresses for them. Lucy has had them, so why would I treat Olive any different?

2010

Heath asked about this tradition, and especially about the expense involved. "How many times will they actually wear these?" I understand that. But, they will wear them three times. That's not too bad at their age. They barely wear outfits three times before they grow out of them! They need the dresses to see Santa, for Christmas card photos, and to wear to church on Christmas Eve - totally worth it! Nonetheless, I could tell Heath was a little skeptical....until...

the girls got their photo in the local newspaper.

When we went to see Santa, they weren't very many children dressed up. But, we wanted to have good photos, so the dresses came out. Since they were all dolled up, the newspaper photographer took their photo with Santa Claus. It was a proud moment for these parents; I tell you what...



Heath finally "drank the Christmas dress kool-aid."

It's a great idea. Hopefully my girls will carry on the tradition with their own children. Oh, and yes, if we decide to have a third, and it is a boy, he'll be in the photo too with a little sweater vest, khakis, and loafers.

Merry Christmas to all! And, happy dressing. :)

Smiley Girl

Olive is such a good baby. Every time I say this I knock on wood. I am just sure that one of these days she will turn into a terror. However, for the time being, she is just a joy. She smiles so much that I just had to share. The sleeping ones could possibly be blamed on gas...but, I don't think so. I think she is just a happy baby. She always smiles when a loved one is talking to her and smiling. :)

Just got to love that smile!

Thankful Calendar

After yesterday's post about Halloween, I thought I should "get up with the times" and discuss Thanksgiving. What a wonderful time of year, right?

This year, I saw on Pinterest.com a 'Thankful Calendar.' Every day until Thanksgiving, you would write down what you were thankful for and put it on the calendar. It is a countdown I guess. Although we really should be thankful every day, it's hard to stop sometimes and just thank the Lord. We are so incredibly blessed in our lives, or at least I feel like I am. I try very hard not to take it for granted. We all forget sometimes though. I recently saw a pin that said, Only in the U.S. would we spend a day being thankful for what we have, then spend the entire next day trampling over each other for new stuff. True story! But, I still love Black Friday. :)

Anyway, I want to just state right now that I am not crafty. I do not have the patience and I don't have a lot of craft items on hand. For example, I've never owned a bottle of Mod Podge in my life. I just got a glue gun a couple of years ago, from my mom, and I burn myself incessantly!

So, I thought that when Lucy and I made this, we were doing pretty well:

We decided to hang it on the fridge, at least this year. As you will also notice, I created the calendar for up to the 24th, rather than the 22nd that Thanksgiving is on this year. I hope to reuse this calendar in the future and added a couple more days. Each day, we all say what we are thankful for. Since 'family, friends, four-legged family members and friends, food, shelter, faith, and a few others, are already written on our calendar (not in the picture; I added more after I took it), we try to think of other things - small things in life that often go unappreciated.

Heath has been thankful for daycare, technology, football, stuff like that. I've been thankful for cell phones, cars, and baking. We usually explain them a little bit to each other, but just write down a word or two. Lucy's are great! They make me laugh. She always says, "Mommy, Daddy, and baby Olive." It makes my heart melt with love, while wanting to burst with pride! But, she has also said, Aurora (her baby doll), Bonnie (her stuffed horse), her blankey, pumpkins, and really anything in the general direction she is looking. haha.

We have also decided to be thankful in other ways. We have started to say grace before meals. And, we decided to be better church goers. This last weekend, we decided on which one and would like to start going consistently.

It feels great to stop asking for forgiveness, when I take this life for granted. I still complain about stupid, stupid stuff; but, I'm getting better...

Tonight, I think I will put down that I am thankful for...my blog readers. :) Thank you for always supporting me and telling me that I'm not the craziest momma on the block! Have a great hump day!

Halloween 2012

I have to hurry and share about our Halloween. Otherwise, it will be too close to Thanksgiving and Christmas to do so acceptably.

First, a few notes: October 2012 was my all time low of blog posts; I apologize. I really thought I'd do better. Also, I won't be writing a post about the Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family. But, I still recommend it! :) Here is the link to the schedule. If I see any good movies on, I'll post it in the 'I Love Lucy Jean' Facebook group. (Thanks Becca for reminding me!) I find that the countdown has historically been better than the actual 25 days schedule! And, finally, I realize that I need to change the name of this blog to include Olive, and change the photos - all in good time. :) I have had two suggestions on blog names too; oddly, the same title was suggested. I love it! (Thank you Nikki and Nicole!)

Anyway, on with the story - this Halloween was a lot of fun!

We carved pumpkins, which only lasted a day in the afternoon sun. They shriveled bad this year. We enjoyed them for a small while though. I always try to carve something a little challenging. This year, I chose Michael Myers. He is the "killer" from Halloween (1978), otherwise known as the best scary movie ever...with the best scary music ever. If you don't know who he is, shame on you.

My creepy Michael sat next to Olive's pumpkin that Aunt Honey carved for her. :)

On the other side of the steps, Lucy's Cinderella sat next to Heath's scary face. I carved Lucy's for her. She didn't do much, but cheer me on. It was appreciate though. :) Heath's looks kind of like a mean Ninja Turtle to me...

Halloween finally arrived; Olive and I took a trip to the Peru Daycare to trick-or-treat the campus with Lucy.

We weren't able to really get around town that much. But, we parked and strolled around for about half of a mile. Olive slept most of the time.

We ended the evening at home around 8:15 pm, after eating supper. We had three trick-or-treaters then. Lucy was sad that Halloween was over. She still asks to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Apparently, Charlie Brown's Christmas isn't quite as interesting, because she didn't sit still long enough to watch any of it! We'll keep trying...

Here comes Thanksgiving! :)

Birth Story: Part 2

After finally getting to the surgery room, I felt great. I was a little scared of the spinal and I was still having contractions. But, to know there was an end in sight felt wonderful. Also, I had been to that surgery room before, when I had my gallbladder taken out; so, there was some familiarity to it all.

The spinal had a little sting to it, and I would say was very comparable to an epidural. It took a while, so I asked a few questions of the anesthesiologist. How much will I feel? Will this make me nauseous? How does it only numb me from the arms down?

I had drank some tart, grape drink before I went down to surgery. It was supposed to help with the nausea. I was hoping so. I had heard horror stories about women throwing up during their entire surgery. Nothing sounded worse than throwing up while laying on your back. Plus, talk about a moment ruiner...

I was on my back, arms strapped down, and the sheet was up before Heath was escorted into the room. They had already asked how much I could feel. It was the most bizarre feeling. With an epidural, it was somewhat scary to me. I felt completely out of control and almost paralyzed. I hated looking at my leg, trying to move it, and being unable to do so. It truly freaked me out. With the spinal, I could feel. But, I couldn't feel everything. I could feel them rubbing stuff on my belly, which I was told would normally seem cold. I only felt the movement and not the coldness. Then, she started to make the incision. I remember knowing that she was about to cut, when Heath came by the sheet. I thought for sure that he would see the blood and pass out on the spot.

When he got to me, he was feeling pretty good. He had popped a Xanax upstairs and was what I would describe as three-beer-Heath. He was invincible and when they told him that he could stand to watch, he did! I kept asking him, "Are you sure? Are you okay?"

Getting Olive out only took a few minutes. This is what I heard:

"Okay, get ready to meet Baby Olive."

"Oh, she has hair!"

"Heath, get the camera ready."

"She's no peanut."

"Here she is!"

Heath stood up the whole time, snapping pictures with the camera in one hand and video recording with his phone in the other. The video is great! :) It is kind of gross though, and so are the pictures. I thought I would spare you.

She was born at 6:42 pm.

As soon as I heard her let out her first wail, I broke down. I just cried and cried. It still wasn't quiet real to me. Nothing quiet prepares you for hearing your baby cry for the first time, or seeing them either. While I was blubbering, unable to wipe away my tears, Dr. B leaned Olive over the sheet for me to see. In her gross, bloody, crying state, she looked like Lucy. Then, as quickly as she was there, she was gone. They took her across the room to check her. Heath followed, snapping pictures like crazy.

 

We all anticipated the weight. I overheard a conversation between Dr. B and the nurses on how much they thought she'd weigh. Dr. B was pretty close, saying that she thought she would be close to 9 lbs. She was 8 lbs and 11.5 ounces. She was 2.5 ounces more than Lucy and a week early! The shocker for me was, she was 21 inches long! That was 2 inches longer than Lucy. I just kept repeating it over and over. "21 inches? Wow, really? 21 inches?"

Olive cried and cried, until Heath said something to her. It seemed as though she recognized his voice, because she immediately stopped. It was so sweet. It warmed my heart. 

Olive and Heath were off to my right and a little over my head. After about ten minutes of watching, my neck and eyes started to hurt from straining. So, I stopped and laid flat again. Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks the 36 hours of little to no sleep. I was so tired. It was like my body knew that it was over and Olive was okay. I let my eyes close a few times as I jerked them back open. Finally, I called Heath over. "I'm going to close my eyes and I might fall asleep, is that okay?" 

I felt like a jerk; but, I literally couldn't stay awake. He of course told me that was alright, as he went back to Olive. I then fell in and out of sleep for the next hour or so. I woke up once because I was nauseous. I thought I might throw up. When I told the anesthesiologist, she got me a "throw-up sleeve," as I like to call them. Dr. B heard me and said that she was pushing on my stomach and that was probably what was causing it. Thank goodness the nausea passed and before I knew it the sheet was pulled down.

While they were moving me to a bed, Dr. B went to check on Olive. She is such a caring person and you can tell that she loves her job!

Funny story about the nurse in the maroon, over Dr. B's shoulder. She was a student when I had Lucy. I remembered her, only because her name is also my middle name. When she came in for the surgery and introduced herself, I immediately asked if she was a student back in February 2010. It was her. She was present for both of my girls. :)

Once settled, I finally got to hold her too. :)

She still looked a lot like Lucy to me.

We were taken to the recovery room, where I was able to have a few guests. I asked for Heath to go tell my sister to bring Lucy down. Little did I know, Dr. B had already went to get Lucy! haha. :) I think she was excited too.

Lucy was pretty excited and surprisingly not freaked out at all by the hospital. She rubbed Olive's head and talked to her. For the first time that evening, Heath cried. My sister did too. It was a special moment.

We finally got back upstairs around 9:30 pm. Good thing we have our babies on the weekend. :)

Everyone was thrilled. I have to say though, do you see Heath's sister's boyfriend over in the corner with his arms crossed? Haha. I have a picture similar to this one, when Lucy was born. Except, then, my cousin was keeping him company. I just don't think men/boys are into this stuff as much, unless it's their baby or grand-baby.

Everyone stayed only for a while and left to let me sleep. I was able to breastfeed her downstairs in the recovery room. So, I waited until the next feeding and then let the nurse take her to the nursery. We learned from Lucy, that for us, it was better for her to go to the nursery. I didn't have any trouble sleeping and was excited each and every time they brought her in to feed.

- To Be Continued -

Halloween on TV

Sorry this took me so long! Hopefully I will be more on top of things come Christmas. :)

I will have to give you a follow up after October 25th; many channels haven't released their full schedules.

Again, I would like to remind you of the following things: please pay special attention to the colors on the schedule. If you don't know about a movie, I recommend googling it first or reading about it on IMDB.com. My color coding is sketchy, at best. :} [I'd probably let Lucy watch some of the green movies...]

RECOMMENDATIONS: Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, Addams Family, Addams Family Values, Practical Magic, Twitches, Twitches Too, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and all Scooby-Doos.

And, for the scarier, adult movies, I suggest: Halloween (my all time favorite scary movie), Disturbia, The Amityville Horror (1979) and The Skeleton Key. I also enjoyed Shutter Island; but, I want to warn you that it is weird and mildly disturbing.

I also love Zombieland. I shouldn't; but, I do. Haha. It's so not something I would normally watch and in the first 5 minutes I regretted my decision. However, I stuck it out and it was good.

Lucy Friendly - Orange
Too advanced for a toddler, older children, or PG 13 - Green
Adult Only - Purple

Thursday, Oct. 11^th
7 pm – Stephen King’s ‘Thinner’ (AMC)
7 pm – Shutter Island (SYFY)
7:30 pm – Return to Halloweentown (DISNEY)
8 pm – Jeff Dunham: Minding the Monsters (COMEDY)
9 pm – Cujo (AMC)
10 pm – The Skeleton Key (SYFY)
10:30 pm – Return to Halloweentown (DISNEY)
11 pm – Stephen King’s ‘Graveyard Shift’ (AMC)

Friday, Oct. 12^th
4 pm – James and the Giant Peach (DISXD)
4 pm – Shutter Island (SYFY)
5 pm – Cujo (AMC)
7 pm – Stephen King’s ‘Christine’ (AMC)
7 pm – Girl vs. Monster (Premiere)  (DISNEY)
9 pm – Pet Sematary (AMC)
10 pm – Girl vs. Monster (Premiere)  (DISNEY)
10 pm – The Happening (FX)
10 pm – Disturbia (TNT)
11 pm – Pet Sematary II (AMC)
11:30 pm – I Married a Witch (TCM)
Midnight – The Hills Have Eyes II (SYFY)
Midnight – Murder at 1600 (TNT)

Early Saturday, Oct. 13^th
1:30 am – Under Wraps (DISNEY)
4:30 am – Under Wraps (DISNEY)

Saturday, Oct. 13^th
7 am – Pet Sematary II (AMC)
8 am – The Haunting in Connecticut (SYFY)
10 am – Girl vs. Monster (DISNEY)
10 am – The Amityville Horror (2005) (SYFY)
11 am – Murder at 1600 (TNT)
12 pm – The Amityville Horror (1979) (SYFY)
1 pm – Disturbia (TNT)
2 pm – Ghost Town (SYFY)
4 pm – Scary Godmother: Halloween Spooktacular (CARTOON)
4 pm – Haunted High (SYFY)
5 pm – Scary Godmother: The Revenge of Jimmy (CARTOON)
6 pm – House of Bones (SYFY)
8 pm – American Horror House (SYFY)
10 pm – The Amityville Horror (1979) (SYFY)
11 pm – Mystic River (TNT)
Midnight – American Horror House (SYFY)

Early Sunday, Oct. 14^th
1:30 am – Phantom of the Megaplex (DISNEY)
4:30 am – Phantom of the Megaplex (DISNEY)

Sunday, Oct. 14^th
8:30 am – The Messengers (SYFY)
10:30 am – Scream of the Banshee (SYFY)
12:30 pm – The Village (SYFY)
3 pm – The Devil’s Advocate (SYFY)
6 pm – Jeepers Creepers 2 (SYFY)
8 pm – The Mist (SYFY)
10 pm- Resident Evil: Afterlife (USA)
10 :30 pm – Mothman (SYFY)

Monday, Oct. 15^th
4 pm – Race to Witch Mountain (DISXD)
4:30 pm – The Mist (SYFY)
5 pm – House on Haunted Hill (AMC)
7 pm – Friday the 13^th (AMC)
7 pm – Hellboy (FX)
7:30 pm – Twitches (DISNEY)
8 pm – Alice in Wonderland (ABCFAM)
9:15 pm – Friday the 13^th, Part II (AMC)
10:30 pm – Twitches (DISNEY)
11:30 pm – Friday the 13^th (AMC)

Tuesday, Oct. 16^th
4:30 pm – Alice in Wonderland (ABCFAM)
4 pm – The Nightmare Before Christmas (DISXD)
5 pm – Friday the 13^th, Part II (AMC)
5 pm – Scary Godmother: Halloween Spooktacular (CARTOON)
6 pm – Dear Dracula (CARTOON)
6:30 pm – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ABCFAM)
7 pm – Friday the 13^th – Part III (AMC)
7:30 pm – Twitches Too (DISNEY)
9:15 pm – Friday the 13^th Part IV: The Final Chapter (AMC)
10:30 pm – Twitches Too (DISNEY)
11:15 pm – Friday the 13^th – Part III (AMC)

Wednesday, Oct. 17^th
3:30 pm – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ABCFAM)
4 pm – My Babysitter’s a Vampire (DISXD)
5 pm – Friday the 13^th Part IV: The Final Chapter (AMC)
7 pm – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (ABCFAM)
7 pm – Friday the 13^th Part V: A New Beginning (AMC)
7 pm – Horror of Dracula (1958) (TCM)
8:30 pm – The Curse of Frankenstein (TCM)
9 pm – Friday the 13^th, Part VI: Jason Lives (AMC)
10 pm – The Mummy (TCM)
11 pm – Friday the 13^th Part V: A New Beginning (AMC)

Thursday, Oct. 18^th
3:30 pm – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (ABCFAM)
4 pm – The Haunting Hour: Don’t Think About It (DISXD)
4 pm – Jeepers Creepers 2 (SYFY)
5 pm – Friday the 13^th, Part VI: Jason Lives (AMC)
6 pm – One Missed Call (SYFY)
6:30 pm – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (ABCFAM)
7 pm – Friday the 13^th Part VII: The New Blood (AMC)
7:30 pm – Girl vs. Monster (DISNEY)
8 pm – Thir13en Ghosts (2001) (SYFY)
9 pm – Friday the 13^th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (AMC)
10:30 pm – Girl vs. Monster (DISNEY)

Friday, Oct. 19^th
3:30 pm – The Mummy (ABCFAM)
3:45 pm – Mostly Ghostly: Who Let the Ghosts Out? (DISXD)
4 pm – Scary Godmother: The Revenge of Jimmy (CARTOON)
4:45 pm – Friday the 13^th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (AMC)
5 pm – From Dusk till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter (SYFY)
6 pm – The Addams Family (ABCFAM)
7 pm – Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (AMC)
8 pm – Addams Family Values (ABCFAM)
8 pm – The Lost Boys (VH1)
10:30 pm – Scary Movie (AMC)

Saturday, Oct. 20^th
6:30 am – Sabrina the Teenage Witch (ABCFAM)
7 am – Bride of Frankenstein (AMC)
8 am – Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula (SYFY)
8 am – Isle of the Dead (TCM)
8:30 am – The Little Vampire (ABCFAM)
8:45 am – Friday the 13^th Part V: A New Beginning (AMC)
9:15 am – The Revenge of Frankenstein (TCM)
10 am – Girl vs. Monster (DISXD)
10 am – Prowl (SYFY)
10:30 am – Teen Witch (ABCFAM)
10:45 am – Friday the 13^th, Part VI: Jason Lives (AMC)
11 am – Frankenstein Created Woman (TCM)
Noon – Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (SYFY)
12:30 pm – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (ABCFAM)
12:30 pm – Don’t Say a Word (LIFE)
12:45 pm – Friday the 13^th Part VII: The New Blood (AMC)
12:45 pm – Diary of a Madman (TCM)
1 pm – The Scorpion King (TBS)
2 pm – 30 Days of Night: Dark Days (SYFY)
2:45 pm – Friday the 13^th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (AMC)
3 pm – The Addams Family (ABCFAM)
3 pm – My Mother’s Secret (LIFE)
4 pm – Girl vs. Monster (DISXD)
4 pm – Stake Land (SYFY)
5 pm – Addams Family Values (ABCFAM)
6 pm – The Lost Boys (VH1)
7 pm – Hocus Pocus (ABCFAM)
7 pm – Jason X (AMC)
7 pm – A Nanny’s Revenge (LIFE)
8 pm – Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (SYFY)
9 pm – Hocus Pocus (ABCFAM)
9 pm – A Mother’s Nightmare (LIFE)
9:15 pm – Eight Legged Freaks (AMC)
10 pm – Stake Land (SYFY)
11 pm – Alice in Wonderland (ABCFAM)
11 pm – A Nanny’s Revenge (LIFE)
11:45 pm – Friday the 13^th Part V: A New Beginning (AMC)
Midnight – Wolvesbayne (SYFY)

Sunday, Oct. 21^st  
7 am – Tim Burton’s the Nightmare Before Christmas (ABCFAM)
8 am – Monsters vs. Aliens (FX)
8 am – War Wolves (SYFY)
8:30 am – Coraline (ABCFAM)
8:30 am – Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (AMC)
10 am – Red: Werewolf Hunter (SYFY)
10:30 am – Time Burton’s Corpse Bride (ABCFAM)
10:30 am – Jason X (AMC)
Noon – An American Werewolf in London (SYFY)
12:30 pm – Alice in Wonderland (ABCFAM)
12:30 pm – Eight Legged Freaks (AMC)
3 pm – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (ABCFAM)
3 pm – Jeepers Creepers (AMC)
4 pm – Dear Dracula (CARTOON)
4 pm – Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (SYFY)
5 pm – Land of the Dead (AMC)
5:30 pm – Tim Burton’s the Nightmare Before Christmas (ABCFAM)
6 pm – Queen of the Damned (SYFY)
7 pm – Beetlejuice (ABCFAM)
9 pm – Edward Scissorhands (ABCFAM)
10:30 pm – Stigmata (SYFY)

Monday, Oct. 22^nd
4:30 pm – Eight Legged Freaks (AMC)
4:30 pm – Hannibal (SYFY)
5 pm – Edward Scissorhands (ABCFAM)
7 pm – Switched at Birth (series) Fall Finale (ABCFAM)
7 pm – Halloween (1978) (AMC)
7:30 pm – Girl vs. Monster (DISNEY)
8 pm – Practical Magic (ABCFAM)
9 pm – Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (AMC)
10:30 pm – Girl vs. Monster (DISNEY)

Tuesday, Oct. 23^rd

All Day – Pretty Little Liars (series) Marathon (ABCFAM)
4 pm – The Scream Team (DISXD)
5 pm – Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (AMC)
6 pm – The Twilight Saga: New Moon (FX)
7 pm – Pretty Little Liars (series) Halloween Special (ABCFAM)
7 pm – Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (AMC)
8 pm – Hocus Pocus (ABCFAM)
9:15 pm – Halloween: Resurrection (AMC)
11 pm – Pretty Little Liars (series) Halloween Special (ABCFAM)
11:15 pm – Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (AMC)

Wednesday, Oct. 24^th
4 pm – Hocus Pocus (ABCFAM)
4 pm – Igor (DISXD)
5 pm – Halloween: Resurrection (AMC)
6 pm – Scooby-Doo (non-animated) (ABCFAM)
6:30 pm – Twilight (FX)
7 pm – Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (AMC)
7:30 pm – Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (DISNEY)
8 pm – Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (non-animated) (ABCFAM)
9 pm – Halloween (1978) (AMC)
10:30 pm – Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (DISNEY)
11 pm – Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (AMC)

Thursday, Oct. 25^th
4 pm – The Haunted Mansion (ABCFAM)
4 pm – Girl vs. Monster (DISXD)
4 pm – A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (SYFY)
4:30 pm – Scary Godmother: The Revenge of Jimmy (CARTOON)
5 pm – House on Haunted Hill (1999) (AMC)
6 pm – The Addams Family (ABCFAM)
6 pm – A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (SYFY)
7 pm – From Dusk till Dawn (AMC)
7 pm – Zombieland (FX)
7:30 pm – The Little Vampire (DISNEY)
8 pm – Addams Family Values (ABCFAM)
8 pm – The Mist (SYFY)
9:15 pm – From Dusk till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (AMC)
10:30 pm – The Little Vampire (DISNEY)
10:30 pm – Saw III (SYFY)

Friday, Oct. 26^th
6 pm – Practical Magic (ABCFAM)
8 pm – Matilda (ABCFAM)

Saturday, Oct. 27th  
12:30 pm – Monstober Movie Marathon (All Day)
6 pm – Monster House (ABCFAM)
8 pm – Monster House (ABCFAM)

Sunday, Oct. 28^th
6:30 pm – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (ABCFAM)

Monday, Oct. 29^th
7:30 pm – The Mummy (ABCFAM)

Tuesday, Oct. 30^th
6 pm – Edward Scissorhands (ABCFAM)

Wednesday, Oct. 30th - Halloween!
6 pm - Hocus Pocus (ABCFAM)
7 pm - It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (ABC)

Birth Story: Part 1

September 6th - Induction day!

Following what was arguably the longest day at work ever, I said farewell to my co-workers and giddily got into our car for home. I was antsy to say the least. I just wanted to get the show on the road. I was so ready in all senses of the word. Ready to meet her. Ready for newborn cuddles. Ready to take 8 weeks off work. Ready to bend over and tie my shoes again. Ready, ready, ready.

We got home and tried to go about our usual business. Heath fed Lucy supper while I took a shower. Our bags were already packed - had been for over a week. I checked my list for last minute items to add. Phone, phone charger, makeup, etc. Check. I was ready. We took one last photo of our family of three, knowing that it would never again be the same. Life changes were happening. :)

We hopped into the car to take Lucy out to my mom's house. We were on time, for once, and were scheduled to arrive at the hospital about ten minutes before 8 pm. We said a quick goodbye to Lucy and told her that we were on our way to "go get" Olive. She was basically oblivious to the whole idea and was completely fine with us leaving her.

On the way to Sonic to pick up one last 32 ounce, iced water, my phone rang. Another woman was currently delivering a baby and they had to move me back "a few hours." The nurse told me that it might be closer to 11 pm before we were asked to come in.

I cried.

I had anticipated this moment and just wanted to be at the hospital, feeling like it was at least coming! Heath tried to make me feel better. I was just so disappointed that I would have to wait even longer. We went back to the house and thank goodness my sister came over to keep us company. It helped pass the time.

At 11 pm I called the hospital to see what was going on. The nurse told me to go ahead and come on in. I was ready and about to fall asleep. I couldn't even tell you the last time I had been up until 11 pm! A smart mommy-to-be would have taken a nap.

I arrived in good spirits. I filled out all of the appropriate paperwork, put my gown on, got weighed (under my goal weight - whoo-hoo!), and got my IV. Heath and my sister sat nearby, sleepily. I was finally ready to go around 1 am. Before giving me Cytotec to soften my cervix, the nurse checked my progress. I was certain that I had surpassed 2 cm, since I had been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions all week. I was completely disappointed when she said that I was still at 2 cm. However, I was only 2 cm when I came to the hospital with Lucy. So, I was hopeful!

At this point I was already having Braxton-Hicks that were showing up on the contraction monitor. Dr. B had told me that the Cytotec might possibly be enough to send me into labor, especially since I was a second-time mother. That it did...

Just 20 minutes or so after getting it, my contractions became somewhat consistent. By 2 am I was having considerable contractions that were about 5 minutes apart and realized at that point that I would not be sleeping for the night. By 4 am, I was having to "breath" through them and couldn't talk. I was in pain.

When the nurse checked me again, I was certain that I would at least be at 3 cm or more. I was just holding on through those contractions, thinking that an epidural would be coming soon. She checked and I was still 2 cm. What?! I couldn't believe it. I teared up, trying not to be an emotional, sleepy mess. I couldn't believe that I wasn't making progress. The contractions continued.

I walked. I lunged. I did squats. I sat and bounced on a ball. I changed positions. I rocked in a rocking chair. All of this made the contractions stronger and hurt more. I had to be getting somewhere!

I was checked again right about the time the sun came back up. Still no progress. I was crushed. This time, the nurse couldn't even reach my cervix; it was obvious that Olive's head was no longer down. I felt that all of the "work" that my body was doing and the pain I was feeling was literally for nothing. It was so frustrating.

Dr. B came in around 7:15 am. She felt my stomach and checked me. No progress. She couldn't reach my cervix either. She told me that she thought Olive had flipped and was was breach. The nursing team brought in an ultrasound machine to make sure. Dr. B and another doctor both said it looked like she was breach. They called in an ultrasound tech to make sure. While we were waiting, she explained the c-section process to me. I had already come to terms with it. I was experiencing painful contractions and had been for about five hours. Dr. B explained that she didn't think I was progressing because the baby's head pushing down on my cervix is what causes dilation. Since her head wasn't engaged, I wasn't progressing.

I had rolled over while waiting for the tech. Apparently Olive took that opportunity to move again. By time the tech arrived, Olive was head down again. She still wasn't engaged; but, she was in the right direction. We were back on for a vaginal delivery. I admit it; I cried again. I was tired and not getting anywhere. I was heartbroken, thinking that I was going to have to endure the pain even longer and was scared that I still wouldn't have any progress. Dr. B was very supportive though and said we had to focus on getting Olive to move down. I knew that I preferred a vaginally birth, as did Heath; so, I sucked it up and decided to "push on."

The contractions continued as they decided to go ahead with the Pitocin. They thought that the Pitocin might make my uterus contract harder and push Olive down. It only made the contractions more frequent. The nurse checked me again before noon. I was prepared for her to say that there was still no progress. The pessimistic outlook made the news easier to swallow. My dad and step-mom showed up soon after and served as good distractions from the pain and disappointment of no progress.

At 4 pm, I looked at the clock. I had been having these painful contractions for over 12 hours now. I was exhausted. I felt like it was never going to end. The nurse checked me again - nothing. They couldn't break my water either, because Olive's head wasn't engaged. So, we couldn't take the risk of the umbilical cord coming out first. They just kept increasing the Pitocin.

Dr. B finally returned around 5:30 pm. We talked and she gave me the option of either a c-section or going home and trying another day. I was convinced that I would continue to have the contractions at home, on my own. I had been all night. Plus, I was not at all mentally prepared to experience this all again. I was in low, low spirits at this point. I agreed to the c-section. Dr. B asked several times if I was sure, since I had not wanted a c-section.

I was ready though. Ready, ready, ready. I was also exhausted. I was finally taken to the surgery room around 6:30 pm. Heath was taken to the prep room. Unfortunately my sister couldn't be in the room. I asked if she could be dressed and ready though, just in case Heath's Xanax didn't kick in. (He did great though.)

As soon as they took me off that damn Pitocin, I was doing much better! I was still having contractions; but, they were much farther apart. I was ready for my spinal and to meet my baby girl! I was actually smiling, knowing that the time had finally come!

 - To Be Continued -

Dear...

Dear Olive...I am unbelievably anxious for your arrival. Pregnancy, during the time, always feel like it lasts forever; but when I think of announcing we were pregnant in February, I can't believe at how fast these months have gone!


Dear Oreos...it's been real. I've enjoyed these last 8 months or so. I won't be seeing you again until I reach a reasonable weight. Take care!

Dear Uterus...tonight's the big night. Please be good to me. Let's go with minimally painful contractions until I can get an epidural. Thanks.

Dear Lucy...I love you baby girl. We will always have a special bond, since you were my first little girl. However, please know that I will have a bond with Olive too. Each of you are special and I will always have enough time and love for you both. In fact, I may smother you two and make you abandon me during your teen years...

Dear Chico...believe it or not, my foot is not your chair; quit sitting on it.

Dear Dad...yes, I posted a picture of my big ole' nasty foot. At least the big toe is hidden.

Dear Heath...look at what you are doing to our little girl. I am literally lying in bed at night with two tech geeks. :) As long as it pays her bills when she gets older...haha.


Dear September...check out a calendar. You are the beginning of autumn. So, don't be giving me this 95 degree weather, trying to be like August. You are better than that! Seriously. Everyone liked you better before. Now, give me light jacket weather. Please.

Dear Lucy...I am sorry that I can't build tents like Daddy. First of all, I don't get zip-ties from the garage, I'm a little more old school. And, second, it's hard to crawl on the floor with this belly! I promise that I'll be back on the floor with you soon enough.


Dear Readers...sorry if during the next 6 or 8 weeks I am a little MIA. I will be taking care of a new bundle of joy! :) I hope to stop in and share my birth story, along with any updates and several photos; however, you know how I am about that sometimes! :{ Perhaps I will write you in the middle of the night, in lieu of smothering Heath with a pillow...haha. (Don't get that? Check out Tuesday's post.)

Dear Husband...I cannot believe we are bringing another miracle into this world. I am so happy to be sharing my life with you. You are the best thing to ever happen to me; you gave me these wonderful blessings! :) I wouldn't change a thing with our life and I appreciate and love you so much. Remember these words when I am a raging 'B' over the next few weeks. :)

Everyone - have a great rest of September and hopefully you will hear from me soon. Watch Heath's Facebook account for updates. I will also try to give exclusive updates to 'I Love Lucy Jean' Facebook group members. :) Ah, the perks! :)

Pray for us that everything goes well! :)

38 Week Update

I come bearing pictures. Okay, picture.

Alright, alright. I can give you a few more. The last time you had a picture of just me was at 34 weeks; I've been slacking:

She's bigger and lower. But, I don't appear too much bigger than when I was pregnant with Lucy:

 

I am definitely lower though! Perhaps my butt is bigger too? I blame the shirt. Alright, enough of my huge photos...

How far along?

I am 38 weeks, 6 days, going on eternity! I swear I have been pregnant forever and I wish the risk of "going early" would have never been introduced to my psyche. I only have 31 hours before I check into the hospital! Only 30 hours before I leave for the hospital! I am going insane waiting...

Baby is the size of...

a leek? Again, no idea what that is. She is so strong and she seems pretty big, but I seriously do have a feeling that she is going to be about the same size as Lucy was, especially with the picture evidence I showed you above.  According to BabyCenter, she is approximately 20 inches long and anywhere between 7 and 8 lbs. We will soon see.

Symptoms:

I  have been pretty achy. My hips hurt pretty bad lately. I had a theory that it was related to my intake of water in the evening. I think I am still kind of right about it; however, not just my hips hurt anymore. My pelvis literally aches. I told Heath that from my boobs to my knees just aches sometimes. She is definitely taking a toll on my body! I think it's because she's so low and I stand/walk weird to compensate.

I still have the usual: swelling in my ankles and feet, leaky breasts, gassy, occasional nausea, headaches that come and go, and the crazy common Braxton-Hicks contractions.

This week though, I have added a sinus cold, thing. I am not sure if it is allergies (because I don't generally have allergies), or if it is pregnancy related. I read online that it can happen due to the increase in hormones late in pregnancy. Either way, I am stuffy. I wish it was running! It just stays in my head and causes me to sound weird and I can't breathe sometimes. Bah.

Anything New?
No! Nothing is new. I am going insane! Okay, so I'm a bit dramatic. Some of you ladies understand the feeling of the last weeks, right? I did have my doctor's appointment. I was almost 2 cm; Dr. B said she could call it 2 cm dilated. So, that is what I am going with. From zero to two? Sounds good to me. I better be more now, with all the Braxton-Hicks that I've been feeling. I look at it this way, two less centimeters that I don't have to contract through!

She didn't really mention if I was effaced or not; but, she did say that Olive's head was down. In fact, she poked Olive's head and Olive hated it! She moved like crazy and did quite the number on me. Dr. B also stripped my membranes. I have had a lot of people ask me what that means exactly. Well, here you go:

According to the first site listed on Google (something mommies.com), "Stripping membranes is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed in the doctor’s office and is usually performed during a routine exam. The doctor or midwife places their fingers into the opening of the cervix and attempts to gently separate the amniotic sac from the uterus."

We also did a stress test, with Olive hooked up to a monitor for about half an hour. She passed with flying colors. :)

New with Heath?
He is babying Lucy like mad. You can definitely tell that he is a first child and I'm a second. He is so concerned about Lucy with the transition. I am probably a bit more concerned about giving Olive the individualized attention that Lucy received as a baby.  I know that we will both have to meet in the middle. :) It's that odd balance that I have talked about in previous posts.

Lucy has been able to fall asleep in our bed the last two nights, "because they are the last few nights where it will just be the three of us," Heath says. He was really thrown off this morning when I said that this will be our last evening at home without Olive. I wish we had something planned...

New with Lucy?
Besides being spoiled by Heath, not much. Her world is about to be thrown through a loop. I don't think she knows what to expect or that it is even happening. We talk to her about Olive, but she has no sense of time. Overall, I really do think she will be alright through the transition. I think this because I know that with Lucy, Heath often felt like he couldn't take part since I was breast feeding. So, I think there will still be plenty of Heath and Lucy rolling around on the floor moments, while mommy holds Olive.

I really do think that Lucy will be excited to help out with Olive too. She loves to play with her baby dolls. I just need to get her some "real" diapers for her dolls and some other baby items that she can use on her babies, while I'm using them on Olive. :)

Anything else?
I better not complain anymore. I'm becoming quite the downer lately. I just can't wait. I try not to ever wish time away, so I'll have to do something more tonight than sit in front of the television...hmmm...any suggestions?