A New Year...

It'll be tough to beat last year. It was so wonderful, and it ended just as well - Hubby graduated with his MBA from Marquette University Business School - with a fabulous GPA, I might add. After 2.5 years of having him gone 2-3 nights per week, he's DONE - and he's got the degree to prove it! I'm so proud of him! It's awesome to have him around more and the kids love it too...

I have been horrible at blogging - my brother reminded me of this over Christmas when he pointed out to me that my last post was October 21.... yikes. I have been busy. It is still an adjustment having 2 kids. However, it's something that is so rewarding. I LOVE being home with my two boys more than anything - even though it's super hectic.. And those of you that know me, I like things orderly... I like things clean (on most days) so I've had to let go of some of this these last few months otherwise I'll go insane :-) I'm rarely on the computer though. I check my email and my Facebook account on my iPod while I nurse Will - and the iPod isn't so conducive to blogging, I must say. I turn on the computer when I need to buy something online or upload some pictures - that's about it. So bare with me... I will *try* to blog more this new year... but most of the time, I have something more pressing to attend to. Perhaps I'll try to make it part of my New Years resolution this year...

Adding to how wonderful our 2010 year ended - Matthew turned the BIG 5. Yes, my baby is 5! I can't believe it. We celebrated with 10 of his friends from school at the bowling alley - which was much better than entertaining ten 4/5 year old boys at our house. It was chaotic, but it was fun watching them wrestle and tackle each other in between bowling their frames.... the life of having BOYS! Other highlights of 2010 - a healthy and uneventful pregnancy, Drew's ACG Cup victory, Matthew being with us ALL OF THE TIME, the birth of our beautiful William, William's baptism.... and all the little moments in between with our family and friends that make us thankful for the lives we have.

I'm hoping that 2011 will be just as good as 2010. Unfortunately my brother just had to say goodbye to his "baby" Sedona... his 10+ year old golden lab that had cancer. He put her down yesterday with his girlfriend, Lauren by his side. It must have been so hard for him to say goodbye to the one thing that has remained constant in his life throughout his painful 18 months. That dog was a lifesaver for him. I know he takes comfort in knowing that she is running around and playing fetch with sticks up in dog heaven with her cousin, Max. I took a cute picture of William and Sedona over Christmas time, while we were up in Green Bay- here it is. Sedona liked to be near the baby, of course. :-)

My resolution for 2011 is to excercise 4 times per week... after one week, I've attained that goal thus far. Right now, it's doing some quick kickboxing and ab crunches in the living room until the weather gets nicer and I can use the jogging stroller to start running again.

....And the baby calls.... toodles for now!

What blog?

Adjusting to two kids has been a bit challenging. Rewarding.... but challenging. So, sorry... not much time to blog. Things are going really well though... Will is starting to get on a bit of a schedule in terms of his sleeping (although, sleeping during the day usually requires me to hold him.) I really cannot complain about his night-time sleeping though. Being a breastfed baby, he is wonderful. He'll fall asleep between 8pm-9pm and he'll sleep for about 4 hours. Then he's up every 2-3 hours after that until about 8am. And he's such a snuggler too - I love it!
Matthew is a GREAT big brother... He adores Will, and it's so neat to see the two of them together. He's a great help to me too - when I ask him to get me a burp rag, or his Nuk - he does it without even being asked twice. The hardest part is dividing my time - THAT is the adjustment! For everyone! I'm trying to learn to not feel so guilty every time Matthew asks me to play with him, but I need to attend to his crying (or in most cases, his eating) brother. I make it a point to give each one of my boys (Drew included!) my undivided attention each day. That's the best I can do... however, I think I'm going to need to start carving out some "me" time very soon. For now, I have coffee "dates" with my girlfriends once per week (love you, Shan and Brit!) while all the "big" kids are at school - and I LOVE that time with them. We get a chance to talk to each other without having to constantly intervene with our 3 and 4 year olds. And starting next week, my friend Sarah and I are mall walking with our babies since she has a little girl a month older than Will... it'll be a good start to shedding that baby weight.... I have about 15 pounds to go and I haven't even started any regular exercise routine yet - I CAN DO IT! So hopefully I can start getting back on a regular blogging schedule. Bare with me as I continue to figure out this Mommy-of-more-than-one-kid thing. :-)

William's Birth Day - September 13, 2010

Well, I've got a few minutes to tell the story of Will's birth. Things have been hectic around here, even with Drew home. Everyone was right when they told me that's it's hard to go from 1 to 2 kids. Matthew has had a few adjustments to get used to... like Mommy not being able to play with him whenever he wants. Slowly but surely, we will all adjust, and it will become normal again... Anyways, here's Will's Birth Day story...

On Saturday, September 11, I was really feeling yucky. Very emotional, VERY uncomfortable, and I could hardly walk normally. I laid in bed pretty much all day long watching old episodes of Friends, and some of Matthew's movies (when he wanted to rest with Mom). I was having contractions, but none of them were regular, AT ALL. I didn't even worry about trying to time them... I knew that they weren't the real thing. Come Sunday morning, Sept. 12, I realized that I was having contractions a bit more regularly. So I decided to carry around a mini notebook with me all day. In the morning, the contractions were anywhere from 10-15 minutes apart. They stayed that way all morning and early afternoon. I ran some errands alone while Drew stayed home with Matthew. Once I got home, I ate, took a bath and then plopped down on the couch to watch the Packer game at 3:15pm. Literally, at 3:15, my contractions started to get stronger, and also were noticeably closer together. For the next hour they were 3-5 minutes apart. I remembered from my childbirthing class that if the contractions are consistent even when you change positions, and walk around, then it's reall labor. I sat, I laid down, I walked around the house... they continued to be 3-5 minutes apart. At that time, I realized that this *may* be "it". I decided to wait until 4:45pm to call the on-call doctor to let them know about my contractions. The after hours nurse told me that the Doctor on call would be getting back to me shortly. She called back and since I was mid-contraction, Drew had to talk. She advised us to come in since they were only 3-5 minutes apart. We packed up the rest of our stuff, waited for my mother in law to arrive to watch Matthew, and we were on our way! We arrived at the hospital at 6:30pm. They put me in a labor and delivery triage room where they checked me and hooked me up to the monitors. I was "contracting up a storm" as the nurse said, and was a little more than 3 cm. dilated and 80% effaced. They wanted to keep me there to see if I would progress before really admitting me into labor and delivery. So Drew and I walked the halls, sat on the yoga ball, and tried to get labor going... contractions started to hurt... the resident on the floor checked me at 9pm and said that I wasn't quite 4 cm. yet, and if I couldn't get to that point before 10pm, that they would send me home. I walked more, bounced on the ball more, and by 10pm I was "just about" 4cm... so thankfully they admitted me into a labor and delivery room! I continued to labor, with the contractions getting stronger and stronger, until about 2am. At which time, I decided to get into the shower fro comfort. I got in for about 30 minutes, then got back into bed and FELL ASLEEP! I woke up 30 minutes later and realized that I wasn't really having any contractions.. I started to panic a little. I called the nurse in, she checked me and I was still at 4cm! She told me that she'd wait until 4 or 5am to call my OBGYN (Dr. Webb) to see what to do next. Well, I waited, and waited... 5am came and went and the nurse still hadn't come back. I called her in and she said that the floor was super busy so they were playing the "waiting game" with me. Uh, seriously?? The waiting game? I started to get pretty pissed. At 7am, the resident came in (whom I really didn't like from the get go because she was convinced that I was 4cm in the labor and delivery triage and almost sent me home the night before), and told me that since my contractions had subsided, and I was still at 4cm, that she believes my OBGYN would be sending me home because she would be in her other office today which is 30 minutes from the hospital and wouldn't be able to get there on time. I started to cry... I wanted my baby! I had been almost ready to get an epidural hours before because the contractions were starting to hurt so bad, and now they were telling me that they were sending me home? Well, come 7:30am, the nurses changed... my "new" nurse told me to walk around a bit and then see what happens. So , we did. Drew did everything in his power to gear me up for the worst - telling me that maybe I could be induced the next day and he and Will could share a birthday. As we walked, we saw our nurse talking to my OBGYN in the hall. Dr. Webb told me that she was going to be changing and then heading right to my room to talk to me. I fully prepared myself for her to send me home and then have me come back in the morning and be induced. Dr. Webb walked right in, looked at my monitors and said "Well, I think it's time I just break your water." I was in shock. I thanked her repeatedly, and then asked why she wasn't sending me home like the resident had said she was going to. She told me that the resident failed to tell her I was having regular contractions on my own all night long. How can you fail to tell my own doctor that? I was dumbfounded, but ecstatic that I wasn't going to be sent home when I was 4cm, and 80% effaced! My doctor then broke my water around 9am, which at that time I was 5m dilated. By 10am, my contractions were so strong, and I was VERY ready for an epidural. I got my epidural in by 10:30am. I laid on my side, and took about a 20 minute cat nap while Drew ran to get something to eat. Once he got back, the nurse came in around 11:00am to empty my catheter, and said that Dr. Webb would be here shortly to check me. She arrived in my room around 11:15, and to my suprise said "You're complete!" I was shocked that it had happened that quickly! I started bawling (tears of joy, of course) and think I said something like "I've waited 10 years for this baby!" (referring to having Drew's baby) The nurses got everything prepped, and had me push. I pushed a total of 3 times, and at 11:39am on September 13, William Andrew Zimmerman was born. He was covered in vernix but was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Drew was giggling, and I was crying. It was a moment I will never forget. After holding him for a while, and nursing him for the first time (he's a pro!) Drew took him over to get weighed and measured. Will was a surprising 8lbs. 6oz. and 19 inches long. It was such a whirlwind of a birth - once it got going, it was so quick! He apparently wanted his own birthday too - not to share with Daddy, cousin Maggie, or great aunt Patti...

I feel so incredibly blessed to have a healthy baby boy - let alone a healthy family! Matthew has been a wonderful big brother, showering him with kisses and hugs. And Drew as a Daddy... WOW. That's all I have to say. This past week, I've cried numerous times just watching Will with his Daddy. It's amazing and I am so lucky to have the family that I do.

More on Baby Will and the Zimmerman's to come...

William has arrived!

William Andrew arrived on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 11:39am. He weighed 8lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 inches long. He is absolutely perfect and we are all doing well! Birth story to come in a few days! In the meantime, here's a picture!

Anticipation

I know it's been a couple weeks since I blogged last... I think the anticipation of this baby is driving me batty. I constantly feel like I should be doing something to make sure (double sure) that this house, our family, and myself are all ready to have this baby. Yesterday, I found myself typing out a list of Matthew's "daily routine" and hanging it on the refridgerator for whomever is taking care of him while I'm in the hospital. I guess it's not too crazy now that he's in 4K at a public school, and he needs to get put on the bus at a certain time every morning.... and well, he's Matthew - thrives on routine!
I went to the Dr. yesterday for my 38 week appointment. I'm 2-3 cm. dilated and 80% effaced. Will's head is fully engaged in my pelvis. According to my doctor, I'm "very ready" to have this baby. Well, YEAH! I can feel that I'm ready. Every ounce of my being has waited to meet this baby since I knew I was going to marry and have a family with Drew. Did I mention that I feel like I have knives in my ass? Yeah, the joys of pregnancy... every aspect of them. I'm in pain... a lot of pain. I broke down in tears 2 nights ago because "my ass was on fire" and then again this morning with Matthew because "Mommy's tushy hurts". My sweet boy just hugged me and let me cry a few tears on him. The past few days, he's been making me beds on the couch and covering me with his stuffed animals. He knows just how to make someone feel better.
So this anticipation... everyday I wake up thinking "this could be the day..." but then it's not. I made "Labor Cookies" last week (ginger snaps with cayenne pepper in them that are supposed to kick start labor). The cookies were good. I ate a lot of them. Had consistent contractions for 2 hours. Then, of course, they went away. Everyday I wonder if this is the last day that Matthew and I have together alone. Either way, I'm anxious, excited and oh so eager to meet this little guy! Until then, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I have an easy labor and that our family of 3 becomes a family of 4 sooner rather than later!
I'll keep everyone posted.... send some "good go-into-labor-vibes" to me......

Humbled

Humbled. That's how I feel right now.
It's amazing to me how generous and supportive so many people in our life have been throughout this pregnancy. Matthew and I just got home from a baby shower that Drew's work threw for us. The generosity of these people is amazing... and it just adds to the generosity and support that we've already received from so many other people throughout this pregnancy journey (even with the few stressors we've had to deal with along the way!) They ordered pizza from Louisa's, and fancy cupcakes from Metro Market. Then showered us with so many wonderful gifts for Will - and even a few for Matthew too! They bought us our fancy pack n play that I wanted, the "must-have" space saver high chair, a couple cute outfits, baby towels & washcloths, designer baby socks (that apparently you can only order online according to Jenny... heehee), feeding necessities, and my personal favorite - his very own sock monkey (I've always wanted to own one of those!).
These people did not have to do this... but they did. Not because they had to, but because they genuinely wanted too - and that feels so wonderful. Another reason why I feel so incredibly blessed.... I frickin' love my life and how it has turned out. Like I've said before, maybe once you go through the tough stuff, and experience true happiness, is when you can genuinely be greatful for all that you have and not take things for granted. I try not too. Life's too short.
In other news... I had my 36 weeks doctor appointment today, and I'm at 1 cm. dilated and 50% effaced. Not too horrible, but I'd be lying if I wasn't a tad disappointed that I wasn't dilated more. However, I do know that it hardly means anything, and that I could go into labor at any point, since I am considered "favorable for delivery". My doctor also estimated his size right now to be about 5 to 5.5 pounds, putting him at 7 or 7.5 pounds by my due date - so he won't be huge! A nice average sized baby, just like me and his Daddy.
That's it for now... I think I'm needing to go put my feet up with some ice water now...

Two years ago (yesterday)...

...I married my very best friend. Drew and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary yesterday. It was most likely our last night alone for at least 2-3 months (until I can part with my infant!). Matthew had a sleepover at my sisters so Drew and I could really focus on each other. After dinner we caught ourselves pondering, "Well, what do we do? We never have this much free time together!" We spent the rest of the night watching the sunset by the Milwaukee River, going for a drive, watching a movie and cuddling on the couch. Very relaxing, and just what the two of us needed to do together.

I can't believe how fast those past two years have gone. We talked about how much has happened in these last two years.... and yes, we have been busy. And it's not looking like it's not going to slow down anytime soon. Although, we are greatful, for all the many blessings we have been given (especially in the past year). And we know that we've worked really hard to be "happily married". Marriage is tough, but SO worth it. I've been on the other side, and it's so much better to work hard at something and reap those benefits and share a life with someone who truly loves me and takes care of me. I feel loved. I feel taken care of. I feel happy. What more could I ask for...?

...A healthy baby boy that's due to make his arrival in about 4.5 weeks! Come on Will! We're all so excited to meet you and make our family a family of 4! Here's the lastest picture of me and my belly... I take weekly pictures of myself to see how I progress. (I feel like I look larger in the picture than I really do!)