Hi, welcome back to my blog.

It order for it to make sense I think you should scroll down and start at the beginning of today and work your way up. I am not that smart to figure out how to rearrange them. Thank you : ) Happy reading!

On May 28th (the original due date)

I got shat on for the first time. Thanks Gabe. Guess it was his way of saying welcome to motherhood.

My Postpartum Body - 2 weeks PP

05-25-2010 at 1:54 PM

So life PP has been pretty good to me. My hormones were a total disaster and I was an emotional wreck for about 5 days. Now I'm normal and far from any signs of PPD. I was worried for a quick sec. Now I am more motivated than ever to become a hot mom and wife and this decreased appetite helps. So does being a cow and milking my offspring. I don't know how much I've lost (don't own a scale) but my mom said she thinks a good 15 or 20 pounds just by looking at me. I gained 30something pounds - 13 kilos. And my rock hard porno mom boobs didn't last : ( I never stood a chance. Oh and I wasn't lucky enough for them to even out. Leftie still takes the crown as the bigger one.

37.4 weeks pregnant - on the way to the hospital



2 weeks PP



Another shot - the thighs and kangaroo pouch still need some work.



My c-sec scar



RIP belly button and ring. You are stretched out and loose now, but at least our friend the vagina isn't.




ANNNNNND last but certainly not least, meet Jesus and his deciples. (Jesus is the big one right to the left of the linea negra, which is way more negra now) Ahh, stretchmarks. I guess I am lucky that there aren't too many and they are white. They should blend in well when I get tan.





Are you grossed out yet? Be glad I didn't deliver vaginally.

Mom Boobs

I just have to say - they aren't this big still. Booo!


05-14-2010 at 9:24 AM
Quick update on me and Gabe (tig ole bitties mentioned)

Look what I finally got!!! Mom boobs!



My milk has come in. Breastfeeding is going *well* Hopefully I didn't just jinx it by saying that. He is a hungry little fart though. I woke up pretty much every 2 hours to feed him. But overall the first night home went well. I'm not as exhausted as I thought I would be. I automatically woke up and had energy when I heard him cry. And he doesn't fuss unless he's seriously hungry. He usually only stays awake long enough to feed on one side, but I have gotten both in a few times. I'm gonna start pumping today. My nips are sore, but not excruciating pain or anything. He has a really strong grip so only when he's actually feeding it's sore. But I love him so much and I know it's giving him what he needs so I forget about it. He has some serious gas but we have some drops for it. And I got to change the first poop diaper last night and boy was that an experience! He kept going and going and going - 3 diapers worth til we finally got him nice and clean. I also got to take my first poop since delivery. Wasn't as bad as I expected. I was afraid to push because my scar is still a little sore. It's real bad when I laugh or cough. But it looks good. There is no bleeding or secretion or anything gross. I've been able to move around and even go up and down the stairs without too many problems. Guess the meds are working good. I'm just so glad to be home. I can't wait for all of you girls to experience being a mommy, it is the most amazing reward.

Thank you all so much for the sweet messages and congrats. I love yall and miss yall, but I'll be back around when I get a hang of this. My mom has been a huge help. T's and P's to everyone who needs them : )

The birth story

So, you have no idea what kind of mess we went through before I even got check in to the hospital. Basically, they would not attend me much less look at me or talk to me until I had paid them. I had just finished paying my Dr. his half earlier in the day, which was my limit on my debit card, so there was no way my card was going to pass. What luck I have. I was supposed to check in at 6:00 and be operated on by 8:00. Well I had to call mom and she had everyone running around to ATMs taking out cash to send to me Western Union. My dad JUST made the 8:00 cut off to send the money and God's grace is the only thing that allowed us to make the 9:00 pick up cut off. Right before we got the call that the money was sent I went to my Dr.'s office to check on Gabe. I had been leaking fluid a good six hours by that point, I was a little freaked out and nervous. Luckily he was fine. I also was told I was 1cm dilated after doc shoved his entire arm up there to check. But frijolito was not interested in dropping, he was still way up high. On the way to the hospital after we got the money the contractions started. OH MY GOD. All I can say is bless you girls that have to go through that. I only had maybe a total of 10 before I got the drugs, but motherfvcker that was a pain I would rather not ever have to experience again. They got me all prepped and prepared and wheeled me back. That's when I lost it. I was so scared of surgery and the fact that I was gonna meet my son. I remember looking at the clock all freaked out at 10:20. I had no idea what I was in store for. That's when they gave the the epidural/spinal block thing. I don't even have words for that. They made me lay on my side and roll up into a ball while he did his thang. It was HORRIBLE. Just awful the way that felt. All I know is my right side felt like someone just poured gasoline on me and lit a match. I thought it would never end. Then my legs went numb. Actually my whole body was numb. My chest felt so heavy, I really had trouble breathing and could not talk despite all the things I wanted to say since I could hear everything. I also felt like I was gonna puke my guts out but somehow didn't. I told them I wanted to and I think they pumped some dramamine in my IV. I really did not like being awake for the procedure. It is a creepy feeling not having control of your own body and having to listen to the doctor talk and know what they are doing. I made them put a drape up so I couldn't see but when my legs went numb before they did it and he was prepping me I could see the reflection in the huge spotlight hanging over me and it was like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I remember them like pushing and pulling on me and then saying go get the father. Franco showed up and I could tell my the look in his eye he was freaked the eff out. He stayed by my side and rubbed my arm but I couldn't feel it really. I could not feel anything or move my head either. I wish he would have played with my hair but I couldn't even talk to him. Then the next thing I know I start hearing baby noises. And cries. And it was the best sound I have ever heard with these ears. I saw them take him over to the side and watched DH cut his cord while they sucked all the gunk out from his holes and pumped some kind of liquid with a tube down his throat. He was beautiful. I could not take my eyes off of him. My head mysteriously could move again and I could talk when they brought him over for a couple kisses before they took him to the nursery. He had hair! And was so white! or little guy could hardly open his eyes. But I was so proud of myself for making him. I asked DH if he had all his fingers and toes and he said through blurry eyes yes. Next I felt them finishing up. Like pressing on my body and legs and I heard snips so I guess that was the stitches? The absolute worse was the blood sucking up vacuum and the 5 gallons of blood i saw afterwards. Eeeeeeeeek. I thught they had sliced me from my pubic bone to my chest bone, but the Dr. said it's just a little bitty ole thing. I still haven't seen it, I think it will hurt more if I look. I'm all wrapped up. Like a gauze belly bandit lol. It's so weird not to have my tummy anymore. They brought him to me around 2am and I got to hold him a little while and breastfeed. That boy is a natural pro! He must have been hungry. He went straight for it and with a little tapping on the cheek stayed awake about 20 minutes feeding on the right side. But I just couldn't get him to take the left one. (Silly boy, it's the big one. You would think it would look more tempting) Then I slept til about 6. They came in and took my catheter out and gave me some more pain meds. I am sore. My back hurts from laying down in this stupid bed and I am just really sore where they cut me. It hurts to laugh or move or anything, but I will live. I am waiting on my awesome breakfast of tea water and jello : ( I really want a big fat something that's more filling. DH is sleeping on the couch. Mom will be here around 4:30, so he will have time to go home and clean before she gets here. Annnd that's all for now folks, meet my frijolito.

Gabriel David Franco born 10:43pm on May 11, 2011 (one day late for Mother's Day) He weighed in at 6.5 pounds and is 19.7 inches long. And he is already making his momma proud. He scored a 9/9 on his first test, the Apgar.

[Here I inserted the cutest photos in the whole world]

More Updates

05-11-2010 at 3:15 PM
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I don't know if I just peed myself or my water broke

I didn't think it was possible for my water to break. Dr. said it almost never happens like that with the first baby or you have contractions first (well on Friday I was having ctx and didn't know it but these antibiotics were supposed to stop them?). Plus Gabe hasn't even dropped so how can it break?

I did go pee right, then I got up and felt a little trickle down my leg like three drops. Then I came into the room and like a little gush came out on the floor. Then a minute later another little gush. And now I'm sitting on a towel cause he said that is the best way to know for sure like bring in your panties. Well of course I don't have those on. My Dr. told me it wouldn't smell like pee if it was my water but it didn't smell like anything really. It's clear.Do I wipe it up off the floor and save it and take it in?

Does anybody have any idea how much is supposed to come out? I'm sitting here waiting for more but so far there's only been a little bit.

WTF. Do I call? Or start cleaning because my house is a wreck? How do I even know for sure?

I guess I can't go swimming anymore cause then I'll never know. That's where I was headed when this mess started.

ETA: I really don't want to be the douche that goes in there only to have him tell me I wet my britches.




05-11-2010 at 3:44 PM

Awesome.

My dog drank what fell on the floor. But I still have the towel between my legs and more is coming out. I am just waiting on DH to get home. I don't even have credit on my phone to call the Dr. or my mom.

I haven't showered or shaved or anything. My feet are gross and my house is such a mess : ( OMG it was not supposed to happen like this. If it's even happening. But yall freaked me out and convinced me it's the water so here goes nothing.




05-11-2010 at 6:06 PM

Final update before I go in and belly pic

Okay well I got to take a shower afterall. I am headed to the hospital right now at six and Dr. said they would do the c-section at around eight. Since I'm not having contractions and the only thing protecting him is the liquid and almost all of it has dripped out in the last two hours, it's the best way to go to get him here safely. I should be legit by ten tonight.I'm so freaking thirsty but can't have anything. And wish my momma and dad were here : ( Please keep us in your t's and p's.

Here is Gabe's last day inside:

I just have to say

I just came across some real old school stuff and I remembered just how much I love the phrase "Oh no you didn't!" I love my bump girls.

Appt. Update from 05/07

Ummm I might be meeting my baby in 10 days, not 21!!!

Here's how it went down:

I pee and get the gown on. Found out I've gained four pounds in one week and it's pure water or retention anyways. He pressed on my leg and it left like a 2 inch dent. No wonder where that swelling came from. My BP is going up. It's like 130/60 but that's higher than normal for me. Did an ultrasound. Gabe officially has the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. But everything else looks great. He weighs 3 kilos - 6+ pounds. I'm having contractions and didn't know it. But I'm not dilating yet, more than half way there though. I also have some kind of slight bacterial infection in my vag and get to start using suppositories and taking some antibiotics, which he says will probably stop those contractions (the ctx also caused the infection?) And he has not dropped. So I stay home and rest and go swimming until next Friday. We regroup then and if the cord is still wrapped around his neck and he hasn't dropped I pick a date for a c-section. If I feel frequent contractions or anything comes out from down below I am instructed to call immediately.

I'm freaking out man.

The end of pregnancy

Last little survey thing I did was at 31 weeks. So much happened those last six weeks before the baby got here. It started feeling like someone kicked me in the crotch with a steel toe boot. I couldn't walk. I couldn't sleep. I could hardly manage to waddle to the bathroom 15 times a night without running straight into the wall or bedroom door. But I could still eat chocolate boy. And the chub rub - OMG. Since it's always like 200% humidity here and you have to wear clothes in order to not get arrested, I went with sun dresses. Well the bad thing about that is your thighs start to sweat and rub together giving you a heat rash looking thing. Pregnancy is so glamorous. My belly grew to epic proportions, my belly button got nice and stretched out, my legs were so swollen you could press on them and leave 2 inch dents. I did some nesting - some. I went to the doctor all the time. I swam and floated for hours on end. It was the only way to relieve the back pain and to let it all hang out in a bikini at 9 months pregnant (in my backyard of course) was so liberating. Plus, it was Dr's orders to get in the pool. Then this one day I was about to go swimming and went to the bathroom to change clothes and my water broke. I was always told with your first baby it never happened like that - that it only happens in movies. Well that was a crock of shit cause it did happen that way. It particularly came as a surprise since I had just chosen a c-section date (May 19th) due to the cord being wrapped around his neck and him not dropping down into the birth canal. Well he had other plans. He showed up a day late for Mother's Day on the 11th. Best day ever.

I think I am gonna start blogging more.

But first I want to go back and fill in the blanks, so bare with me. And by that I mean I am pretty much going to copy and paste posts from Thebump. For a few reasons:

I didn't work at.all. the last few months of pregnancy so I bumped all day instead. It gave me a place to be baby crazy and talk about being pregnant with a bunch of other awesome girls who have been through a loss. They get it. I shared all the ups and downs, joys, worries and pains with them. I didn't have anyone in real life down here to share it with. I really think being knocked up is the worst thing that can happen to an employee with internet access though. There is so much other stuff to look at and plan - bedding, furniture, clothes, toys, making registries. How can you expect someone to focus on work you are paying them to do? Pshh.
And it is the best way for me to make Gabriel a baby book. Since I don't have cool stores like Hobby Lobby I can't make him a super awesome little baby book like I want to. I can do an online photobook, but it's just not the same. I like scrapbooks. Like a lot. So I can go back and review and then be able to put one together this way.
Enjoy : )

One Month

Dear Gabriel,
You are a whole month old today. Thirty days since I first saw your sweet little face, thirty days since my whole life changed forever. It really has gone so fast and makes me wonder if I will say the same thing when you turning thirty years old.

Your first week we just kind of hung out and got to know each other while I tried to get better from the surgery. You got to meet your grandma and grandpa and you loved that. To be honest, you pretty much stole everyone’s hearts. And you sure did eat and sleep a lot. We took you out on the town and to the Dr. where we were told just how perfect you were. Then for lunch you got a special treat – some lovin from a Hooters girl. Boobs, your fave!







Your second week of life your Grams from Texas had to leave us and go back home. We were both sad about it. Me and your daddy got used to the fact there was a baby around. It was still kind of hard to believe. We waited SO LONG for you to get here!



We rang in your third week in on vacation. You got to take your first trip to the beach, which was something I dreamed of often when I was pregnant with you. Since you dig a nice warm bath, you thought the ocean was alright... Until an explosion came out from underneath you and we had to take you out REAL fast.



Some days seemed a little long but now looking back on it, I can’t believe just how quickly these four weeks came and went. I am loving figuring you out and learning new things to love about you. Each new day you amaze me by doing something even cooler than the day before. I’m figuring out your grunts, cries, coos, sighs, whines, etc. I also learned that sometimes you don’t just cry when you are hungry, you wake up mid-nap and whine cause you need to fart.

Gabe, I love how little you are right now and it makes me sad that you will never be this little again. Thank you for the best thirty days of my entire life.
Love you forever and always,
Momma

Let me re-introduce myself

I'm Katie and I am the world's worst blog updater. I had my son Gabriel David Franco a day late for Mother's Day. He arrived on June 11, 2010 at 10:43pm and was 6.5 pound and 19.7 inches long. I will fill in the gaps when I get a second. But today he is one month and one day old!

31 weeks

How far along? 31 weeks!
Total weight gain: Last I heard I was up 12 pounds.
Maternity clothes? You better believe it.
Sleep: Not as wonderful as it once was. I have to pee on average 5 times and I am lucky if I can walk a straight line to get in the bathroom.
Best moment this week: Laughing at my husband when he told me not to ¨push his baby¨ after he kicked the crap out of me and it hurt.
Movement: I think Gabe is sneaking in Red Bull from somwhere, he´s so active now. But it´s kinda starting to hurt. It looks like a freak show from the outside.
Gender: Male!
Labor Signs: Meh, not really. But the Babycenter emails sure make me feel like I´m gonna go into preterm labor.
Belly Button in or out? Still in. Not gonna lie though, it´s getting pretty shallow.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach. I miss is more than words can express.
What I am looking forward to: Seeing my boy´s face in a few weeks!
Weekly Wisdom: Medela brest pads are awesome - yes, they are leaking.
Milestones: None this week, but every step closer is a milestone to me.

Survey says...

About the Mommy:

Hair Color: Light brown with blonde highlights (I know those don´t count)
Eye Color: Golden brown
Skin Complexion: Olive
Age: 23
First Child? Yes.


About the Daddy:

Hair Color: Dark brown
Eye Color: Dark brown
Skin Complexion: Brown and beautiful :P
Age: 27
First Child? Yep!

Finding Out:

What day did you find out? September 18, 2009
How did you feel when you found out? I was so so happy, but terrified something would go wrong again.
Who was the first person you told? Duh, my husband. Then mom.
How did they react? Franco had the biggest smile on his face and started crying. He was excited, but I think part of him was scared too. Mom was happy, I think.

Telling the Parents and Grandparents:

How did your parents react? I think my mom was happy. She´s been ready to be a grandma. I let her break the news to Dad cause I knew it could have potentially been a blood pressure raising issue. He might have been a little disappointed/upset at first, but later got really excited too.
How did his parents react? Not totally sure, he told his mom over the phone. I think she´s thrilled since she´s been pressuring him to have kids. He´s the only one of 5 who doesn´t have at least 2.
Are they helping with baby names? Nope, it´s OUR baby.
Have they bought anything for the baby yet? My mom and dad have bought him a ton of stuff already. He´s spoiled : )
How often do they call and check on you? I talk to mom allllmost every

About the Pregnancy:

When was your first appointment? September 21, 2009
When is your due date? May 28, 2010 - a Gemini boy
How far along are you? 30 weeks, 5 days
Pre-pregnancy weight? Nice try.
Weight now? Last I heard I am up 12 pounds.
Have you had any ultrasounds? A bunch, I actually lost count.
Have you heard the heartbeat? Sure did! The first time I heard it was at my ultrasound October 7, 2009.

About the Delivery:

Are you going to videotape it? Eeeeek, no thank you.
Are you allowing everyone in the room? Franco and Momma
Medications or Natural? There´s no way I am going to blow out my vag without drugs.
C-Section? Water Birth? Natural? Planning on going natural, but not gonna lie I have the optino to choose a c-section and I´ve been playing with the idea.
Will you cry when you hold your baby for the first time? I imagine I will.
Will daddy cry? Yes, he´s such a softy.
Are you scared about the labor? You could say that, I´m more concerned about tearing.

Names:

Is your baby going to be named after someone? Yes, after the greatest man I know, my daddy.
Name: Gabriel David Franco

Momma´s got a brand new (diaper) bag

And oh boy does she love it.

The nursery

This is the final product. It really does look so much better in real life, it looks a little plain in the pics. I LOVE it and I know Gabriel will too. My dad and Franco did such an awesome job on it.

Corner one


Corner two


Changing table wall


His letters up close, thanks Mom!


The wooden owls that Dad made for him and Mom put them on those canvases


The rug - Bella thinks it´s hers


She is not thrilled about all these changes and no longer being the baby of the house



And some progress pics


Now that´s a delivery service! Our attempt at getting the rocker home


Daddy welcoming you to Gabe´s nursery, he was so proud


The whole family hanging out in Gabe´s room (these are the cameltoe pants by the way)


Sums up the day nicely haha


Upclose of his bedding

Bump progess

15 weeks



17 weeks


Christmas Day on the beach bump


Comparing bumps with dad - his is WAY bigger


18 weeks


20 weeks


23 weeks


24 weeks


25 weeks


26 weeks


27 weeks


28 weeks


28 weeks again



My attempt at artsy - 29 weeks and a few days on our 2nd wedding anniversary trip

A well overdue update

Last time I updated I was 14 weeks, I´ll be 30 weeks on Friday! Good gravy, how fast time flies!
And let me start with a quick recap: at 16 weeks I had a bleeding scare and thought everything was over, just as soon as I finally started to get excited about the pregnancy. There is no worse feeling than seeing that gush of blood. I was especially terrified because I had no signs with my first two losses. I was on strict bedrest for 3 days or so and thinking the worst possible thoughts. Turns out it was just caused by some harmless sex, my baby was fine and the bleeding was coming from little cups up under my uterus, nowhere even close to frijolito. My Dr. just upped my progesterone intake and in a couple days everything was normal again. But I was not allowed peen for a while. I might have broken that rule though.
Next came my fears of lack of movement. I swear I was the last person on earth to feel those little movements. I wanted so so bad for proof of life, to know there was a real baby in my belly. Everybody talks about flutters and butterflies and taps and popcorn sensations, some as early as like 15 weeks. My ¨big ultrasound¨ and gender reveal came before the movement did, right around 20 weeks. And I wouldn´t call them any of those above mentioned things, it was like little muscle spasms and jolts. Hands down, best/wierdest feeling ever.
On January 4th, 2010 at 19 weeks and 3 days we found out we were going to be blessed with a little boy. A son, wow! This came as a total shocker, my ¨mother´s instinct¨ had 100% convinced me it was a little girl. It didn´t help that my Dr. told me 90% of the time that feeling ends up being right. I was dreaming of laces and bows and pretty little dresses, already had her bedding picked out. Franco just knew it was a girl too and there were probably a good three weeks that went by with us calling her Toñita, short for Antonia Elise. After about 15 minutes of searching between the legs and triple checking, my doctor said it was a varon. A little man in there. Oh, sweet relief!!! haha. I just knew I was gonna have a little girl and she would give me back ten-fold all the trouble I gave my mom and dad. Self made Kharma. Love ya´ll, sorry about all that by the way! Now I know I will have a momma´s boy and raise him to be the sweetest gentleman to ever walk this planet.

Those are the main things that come to mind now. Other important dates/milestones:

01/08/2010 - I hit the half way mark, 20 weeks. A half baked frijolito!
01/16/2010 - Mom bought Gabriel´s bedding! (pictures to come in the next post)
01/11/2010 - Figured out what round ligament pain was. Ouch!
01/21/2010 - I got my first ever cameltoe due to tightening of maternity pants, SAD DAY
02/02/2010 - Ordered his furniture.
02/03/2010 - Realized I was having Braxton Hicks contractions Eeeek!
02/05/2010 - Made the decision to name my son after the greatest man I know, my dad. Gabriel David Franco, has a nice ring to it if you ask me : )
02/05/2010 - Was also Viability Day (24 weeks) A relief to know that his chances of survival are on our side. He is of course expected to stay in there until May.
02/19/2010 - 99 days left til my boy makes his grand entrance! Grandma and Grandpa also came in town to get his nursery started/finished.

Oh yeah, and my boobs started leaking colostrum a while back. Dr. says it´s a good thing. I am not impressed, they still haven´t grown.