30 DS, days 2, 3, and 4.

Day 2 went good. I literally did it right after my last blog post. My legs didn't hurt as much and I did a little bit better. Again, I didn't do jumping jacks, but I'm going to because apparently no one else in the house can hear me doing them (the bedroom I'm in, however, sounds like I'm taking the house down). But then I all out failed. I felt sick Sunday, so I didn't do my workout. Last night I was just so dang tired from the weekend and work (a whopping 2 hours at Pizza Hut) that I was KO'd by 10:30 pm.  Today I work, another whopping 2 hours, but I'm planning on doing my workout before I shower for work. I'm thinking on just starting on Day 1 again... But I'm not sure. I was not planning on taking a 2 day break, but I guess crap happens?

- Andie

30 Day Shred.

So, I bought and began the 30 Day Shred (DS from here on out). I did Day 1 Level 1 (D1L1) yesterday, along with 15 minutes on the treadmill (only 10 was logged, though.). I am planning on doing the treadmill every other day in addition to  the 30DS. I'm sitting in my comfy pj's procrastinating because Jayda is sleeping soundly (finally). It must take a lot of energy to be a Terrible Two.. even though she's not two yet. I'm going to try to keep up with my blog with my progress so that I can look back and remember. I am tired of giving up and then starting over, and I'm not quitting this time. All of my measurements (other than weight) will be in CM to be as accurate as I can be.

Yep, there they are. Thank you, pregnancy! I think a lot of my issue is water weight, because I'm really bad at retaining water... which sucks. I'm also going to start making Jillian Michaels' "Detox Water" which I've had before and it's sooo good!! If anything, it puts a good spin onto normal water. 

So, off I go! Wish me luck! :)

- Andie

Eeee it's been a while!!

So, I forgot I had a blog. Again. I hate it when I do that!! :( 

Anyways... Jayda is almost 17 months old. She can say and understand well over 80 words and is doing VERY well for her age. I'm so proud!! *tear* She and I are in my hometown in Illinois to help my mom out around the house for a while. Casey is working his hiney off to get us an apartment, hopefully this summer. *fingers crossed* I love my family, but I miss my honey, and I miss Tennessee! I do love that I have my cat, Cabriolet back. Jayda simply adores her! She gives her kisses all the time. It's precious.

I am working on a quilt for Jayda. It will be made up with onesies and receiving blankets of hers that I adored the crud out of, and I can't bring myself to get rid of any of them. I also just crocheted Jayda a stuffed animal net, that I plan on hanging up very soon. Here is a list of what I plan to make in 2013:

- Jayda's quilt (finish it)
- Cloth diapers for Jayda
- Hoodie purse (as seen on Pintrest)
- T-shirt quilt for me
- SOMETHING (I dunno what) for Casey
- Cabi's pillow/bed

There is way more, but these are the ones I want to do the most. I can't wait to do all of these!! I have so many crafts I want to do and so little time! I suppose I ought to do the sewing ones while I'm at my mom's... lol.

- Andie

A Small Update

A week or two ago, I weighed myself, the first time I had since I had started, and I had lost 12lbs total since my first doctor's appointment. I'm not doing as well as I want, but at least it's a start. I still have about 30lbs to go until I'm at my goal weight. I did start Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30, but I got to Day 2 and then I had to stop because of some personal things. I'm hoping to start up again soon, because I need to do it. I want to do it. Yeah the work out kicked my ass, but you know what? That's what it's going to take to get me to lose that weight.

Jayda is almost 11 months old. She can say mama, dada, nana, baba, duck, and kind of say pancake. It's cute. She's getting so brave, she tries to step and let go of stuff. I can't believe she's almost a year old.

I'll be 21 in a week. That's such an odd thought. I'll finally be able to do basically anything legally now. I mean, other than the obvious.. killing, stealing, etc. But I'll be able to drink in public and not get into trouble. I'll be able to buy alcohol. As awesome as that is, I think I could care less. I'm so used to not being able to, that I doubt I'll use my new "freedom" that often. But that's okay. I don't want to be an alcoholic.

Anyways, I guess that's it. I might update again soon.

Always,
Andie

Day 1.

I took my medicine at about 5:30 this morning. I have to take a half tablet of my anti-depressant once a day for three days, then I take a whole tablet once a day after that. I think I might wait a little later in the day, because I went back to sleep for a while after I took it... but it was 5:30 am.

I was told to try to keep a food diary, so I'll try.

1 cup of Maxwell House coffee, 5tsp sugar, maybe 3 tbsp half&half.

3 pancakes, 3 tsp butter, maybe 2 tbsp syrup.

Always,
Andie.

Not exactly the update I wanted....

So I went to the doctor today. There have been things I've wanted to talk to a doctor about, but I didn't have a PCP since I had only seen my OB since I was pregnant. 


My blood pressure was high. It was 130-something over 100-something, I have PPD (post-partum depression), and I have Sertraline (generic for Zoloft) for my PPD and Atenolol (generic for Tenormin) for my blood pressure. I had fasting bloodwork done today (there's a nice little bruise on my arm, which isn't that common for me but that's okay), and I go back in in about two weeks for a physical and to go over my lab results.


I had a feeling that I had PPD. I read up on it, and a lot of the common symptoms I realized I had had since sometime in January, at the earliest I can remember. In January I started to... change. I've been irritable, towards literally everyone. I never realized that I snapped at people (like Casey or Jayda) until I was questioned about what the hell my problem was. I just looked at them. I didn't know. I felt like just staying in bed.. there were days where if I could get Jayda to sleep most of the day, I'd get her to sleep. Then I'd sit there. I didn't clean, I didn't exercise, I didn't do anything productive at all. I just sat there, feeling meh. 


My blood pressure has been spiking the past week or two. I get really dizzy or I get massive headaches. 


My doctor also suggested using a drug called Phentermine to help me lose weight, since I have been unable to do so myself. She said we can think on it, and make a decision later. I'm going to do more research on it, see what the side effects are, and if it's really appropriate for wanting to lose only 40lbs or so. I think once the anti-depressant kicks in I will be more motivated to go out and walk and eat right and lose weight. We will see.


I am currently waiting on Vol State to tell me whether or not they consider me a resident of Tennessee. I had to turn in papers to prove I live here and such, and if I'm not considered a resident of Tennessee, I cannot afford to go to school until the fall semester. Which would suck. I hate this waiting game, but I guess that's what I get for wanting a college education and to better myself.


I suppose that's it. I'm going to try to write ---- err, type, rather, more. I'm wondering if it can help my PPD?


Always,
Andie

Yay it's spring!

So it's finally springtime.

Jayda is 8 months old tomorrow, and it feels like it was just yesterday that my OB was telling me to go into L&D tomorrow morning to be induced. Time has definitely flown. Jayda rolls front to back, back to front, grabs things she wants, sometimes holds her bottle, has baby food (sometimes with rice, sometimes not) 3 times a day and a bottle about 5-7 times a day. She has seven teeth... Yep, I said seven! Four on top, three on bottom. She scoots along on the floor, going after whatever she wants, and she pulls herself up in the crib... We've had to lower the crib twice. She pulls herself up to standing up. Jayda has kind of figured out how to walk along the crib, but I'm hoping she holds off just a little bit longer on walking.. I'm not ready for a mobile baby yet!

Casey's job at Nissan is going along well... he's been there for about 2 1/2-3 months, I think. We are saving up to hopefully move out by Jayda's birthday, if not a couple weeks after. Definitely by Halloween. I hope. I may have to strangle a teddy bear or something if we're not (totally kidding, by the way).

Lately I've noticed just how down I feel.. and that it's been constant since about January. I have a small feeling that I might be getting PPD, finally, after 8 months. I'm probably going to call my OB tomorrow and see if he can help me, or if he can point me into the direction of someone who can. I was going to ask the pediatrician we saw the other day (ear infection #3 or 4), but I was more worried about Jayda's well being.

My sad attempt at weight loss hasn't been working out well. I forget to track my calorie intake, I don't get to go walking like I want and I don't get to work out like I want. *sigh* I knew this was going to be hard, but it's even harder when a beautiful little girl is so mommy needy... there is only so much I can do while packing her around. I need to look up exercises I can do with her in the Moby wrap.

I suppose that's it for now. Hopefully I'll update later.

- Andie

Three cheers for change in 2012!

The last time I posted was in November. At the time, Jayda was 2 1/2 months old. She was first starting to smile and teeth.

Jayda is now almost 6 months old. She smiles all the time, she plays with her feet, reaches for toys, has two little teeth and eats baby food. We were given the okay to give her baby food and cereal at her 4 month appointment in December. She gets rice in her bedtime bottle, and she has rice with apples and it's mixed with apple juice... but she will not eat regular ceral by itself. She loves green beans, sweet potatoes and peaches. She doesn't seem fond of bananas or squash.

Casey got a new job at Nissan in Smyrna. His last day at Lowe's is tomorrow, he starts at Nissan on Saturday. We will move over the summer, or sooner if we can afford it. I'm excited, but scared at the same time. The only shift offered was 3rd shift... which means Jayda and I will be home alone at night in a new place. Thankfully Casey does training for two weeks during the day, and then goes to nights, and we'll still be here. Jayda isn't much trouble at night, but I hate not having Casey at home at night. I don't feel safe. :(

When we move to Smyrna, I'll be closer to Gallatin, which means I'll be able to go to Vol State again. I am planning on starting off with just online classes over the summer, and then in the fall I do a mixture of both but limit the campus classes as much as possible. We are guess-timating that I'll be done with my physical therapist assistant degree in 2-3 years.

I am planning on starting the Special K diet, and doing "mommy excercises" (excercises that moms can do that involve the baby.. like normal day-to-day things). I want to lose about 40 lbs by my birthday, because Casey is taking me to Nashville for my birthday. I'll be 21 this year.

I think that's it update wise. I'm sure I'll have more soon. I'm hoping to keep this up instead of writing one entry every couple months.

- Andie

a few new things...

Casey got Jayda and me a ticket to fly to my mom's for Christmas! I'm excited but kinda scared. I've always been afraid of heights, and when I flew down to see Casey during my spring break I felt pretty okay with it... but now I will have Jayda with me. She's 3.5 months old, and I'm kinda worried about how she'll handle it. I know they say to have babies suck on their pacis or have a bottle/nurse during take off, but it's the hour and a half that I'm more worried about. What do I do when she starts fussing and won't calm down?

I'm also gonna miss Casey a ton... Jayda and I are flying out on the 13th (pretty late... we'll get to Chicago at about 9) and we'll be gone 16 days... We'll be back to Nashville early on the 29th because Jayda's 4 month appointment is the 30th.


On another note:

I'm closer to starting school!!! I've applied, gotten my FAFSA in, gotten my transcripts requested as well as my vaccination records requested. I should be able to register next week, but I'm not sure. I'm hoping they won't ask me to come in and meet with an advisor, because I'll be gone for almost 3 weeks!

On a sad note:

When Casey and I were headed home from WIC and from dropping off a couple papers at the college, we got stopped by a funeral succession. It seemed to have triggered memories of my friend that passed away in 09.. And the fact that her birthday was the 5th doesn't help anything. I wanted to break down and cry during and after the succession went through the intersection we were at. It made me remember her funeral, the ride to the cemetery, and then the grieving process afterwards. I was probably depressed for a while after Jackie died.. I felt it. It felt like there was no reason for me to be here anymore... and I don't know why. Jackie and I had lost contact after a while, and I talked to her twice in the 3 months before she died. I found out about her death when a friend of ours texted me and asked if I got the email from Sheryl (Jackie's mom) saying she was very sick and her heart just gave up. It seemed to have pulled our little group together, but then life tore us apart again. The only two I talk to on a semi-regular basis are Shane and Whittney.... I talk to Jason occasionally.

But after being fine for so long, I think seeing anything that has to do with a funeral will set me off. I don't know why. Some days I want to relapse into my little state of depression but I can't now that I have Jayda. I honestly don't know what to do about this one.

I think I'm done for now... I'm going to try to keep this updated in the upcoming weeks as I do school and be mommy and lose weight.

- Andie

A little update

Jayda is 2 1/2 months old now. She's developing so well!! She smile, tries to talk and laugh, holds her head up a lot, and we think she's starting to teeth. I'm so glad that I didn't start school in August like I had originally planned, because I'd have missed all of this. I'm also glad that Casey isn't working with dude anymore... I feel like that was stressing our relationship because I felt like I was doing it all by myself because Casey was always at work and when he wasn't he was tired. 


There really isn't much to post right now... Jayda is sleeping on me so it's kinda hard to sit here and type this up.


Ta-ta for now!


- Andie

A fb thing that deserved to be shared

Had to share this from a friend - When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his Biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!" You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine! And please pass this along to someone who has enriched your life... I just did! Life is too short to wake up with regrets... Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't. ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE!

Jayda's birth story

Monday night I only got about 3-4 hours of sleep or so. I was anxious, excited and really nervous because I didn't know what was gonna happen. Casey and I got to the hospital at about 5:30 and I got signed in and everything and they started me on oxytocin (I think) to induce my labor. Every time my dr would check me, I wasn't dilated but we were hoping I'd start dilating soon. Come bout noon or so, my contractions were about 1-2 minutes apart, some were intense according to the monitor (I didn't feel most of them), and I wasn't dilating. My OB said he wanted to do a c-section because of my blood pressure going up and down, and he thought that she was either a reall big baby or my pelvic bone was too small that she wouldn't come out vaginally on her own.

I was reluctant, but I agreed. Not like I really could have said no, because of the blood pressure and the toxmia, but I really wanted my baby out so I could cuddle her. I got prepped, and I got my spinal (which is the most amazing thing ever created. lol), and with Casey holding my hand my OB opened me up and got Jayda out. He was having a pretty hard time to get her out... I can only imagine what a vaginal birth would have been like!! Casey took a few pictures of her and got to take her back to the nursery while I got stitched and stapled and cleaned up. I got rolled back into the L&D room I was in, and got to hold my gorgeous little girl. She was 6 lbs, 15 oz and 19 inches long. We tried breastfeeding, and it worked great! She nursed for nearly 30 minutes on one side, and then went to sleep. Sadly I was either too drugged up to nurse her or I was too sore to sit up, so I just had Casey give her the little bottles. I kinda regret it now, because she's not latching real well, but I'm hoping once my milk comes in she'll latch.. I'm pumping and giving her the colostrum that I'm getting out.

Casey's done such a wonderful job with her.. You wouldn't have guessed that he'd never really been around babies! He got to change her first diaper, gave her her first bottle (but I win because I got to feed her first lol), and they've bonded so well. He's taken great care of her since I've been too in pain to get out of bed.

I had a bit of a scare Tuesday night.. I guess it's normal that even with a c-section that you bleed.. I passed two really big blood clots and they kinda freaked us out. Apparently it was so much that the nurses were really worried... it was "too much" at one time, I think one said. They kept track of me all throughout the night, and gave me stuff to cramp up and hopefully get my uterus to soften up (I think. I might have gotten it mixed up) and to kinda "relax" the bleeding.. like make it not so much at once. Now it's kinda like period bleeding, which doesn't make me worry so much anymore. I really don't miss that lol.

After that, I was just sore from the incision and after my little bleeding episode they put me flat on my back and raised my legs/butt up to try to get the blood to go the other way. Kinda doesn't make sense to me, and it sucked after a few hours because my back started hurting real bad. I've not laid on my back since before I got pregnant. 

Jayda and I are home now. My blood pressure finally started to go down but when I go in Monday to get my staples taken out my blood pressure is going to be checked then too. Jayda needs to be checked again for jaundice in the morning, but I was too out of it to remember to call them before they closed so I gotta call them as soon as they open tomorrow. Casey just picked up my pain medication and I'm feeling it kick in a little bit, which is a relief. I've been out of bed walking most of the day and it's finally starting to hit me.

I know I've skipped a few things,, but I'm so tired and kinda drugged up right now I don't really care lol. 

Gonna go cuddle my baby a little bit and feed her again. Or maybe Casey will. lol. 

- Andie

Mehh.. in labor

So I came in today at 6 am. I got signed in, hooked up and got started on pitocin within the first hour. Now, almost 3 hours later, my contractions are about two minutes apart. I'm still not dilated so my Dr couldn't break my water... I'm really praying that I'll start contracting soon and won't have to have a c-section.

Jayda's birth story, part 1.

I'm 38 weeks 1 day pregnant with little miss Jayda-bug. At my 35 week appointment, I wasn't dilated but my cervix was starting to soften. I went back in two weeks later at 37 weeks, and same thing... I hadn't progressed at all. I go in today (38 weeks 1 day) and my blood pressure was 146/118. The nurse had me lay on my left side and she went to check the protein level in my urine. When she came back, she said it was really high and checked my BP again. 140/110. The second number should never be above 100. My OB came in, checked me, and said I hadn't dilated at all. Still. I guess I have early signs of toxemia, and he decided that tomorrow morning I be at labor and delivery at 6 am. From what he was saying, we're inducing.

I've wanted Jayda to just be here, but I didn't picture it like this. The look on Casey's face was just like "... what?" We're kinda scurrying around getting last minute stuff ready. He doesn't feel good and I kind of don't either.. but I'm fighting it. I'm not to drink or eat anything after midnight, which really sucks because my heartburn gets really bad at night and tums has made me sick lately.

I suppose we'll see how all this goes!

- Andie

Chicken Enchilada recipe

Chicken Enchiladas
prep: 20 minutes
total: 40 minutes
makes 4 servings, 2 enchiladas each


2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
4 oz (1/2 of 8 oz pkg) Philadelphia cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup taco bell home originals thick n chunky salsa, divided
8 taco bell home originals flour tortillas
1/4 lb (4 oz) Velveeta pasteurized prepared cheese product, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 Tbsp milk


Preheat oven to 350. Mix chicken, green bell pepper, cream cheese and 1/4 cup of the salsa in sauce pan; cook on low heat until cream cheese is melted, stirring occasionally.

Spoon 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam side down, in lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Place Velveeta in small sauce pan. Add milk; cook on low heat until Velveeta is completely melted, stirring frequently. Pour over enchiladas; cover with foil.


Bake 20 minutes, or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/4 cup of salsa.




** if you don't use the pepper, put salsa in the Velveeta and milk mixture and also the chicken mixture, and use a little more than in the recipe. It works just the same!

dreaming about baby

So most every time I dream about Jayda, I dream of her birth. Very few times I dreamt of her older. But this one is very odd..

I lost a good friend almost 2 years ago. She was only 18, she would have been 19 the following December. She caught the H1N1, but at the time they said it was pneumonia (sp?). She died from it.. She was sick on and off all summer and on September 25th 2009 her heart couldn't take it anymore and gave up. I still have issues with it from time to time, but I'm being able to handle it better. ANYWAYS (had to give a background),, in my dream she ended up not dying... she had to do it to protect her friends and family from something bad. Then she looked at my huge preggo belly and said "it's time" and then bam.. my water broke.

Next thing in the dream was I was taking Jayda home. I didn't see/feel the labor, or the days following in the hospital. It was like I blacked out in the dream. I looked at my daughter and asked all sorts of questions.. How was my labor, did I handle the pain well, did I get to hold her after, etc. And then I realized... she was in a little boy's outfit. I went off.. I had an outfit planned (and I still do.. I have two actually lol and possibly another if we can buy it), and why was she not in the outfit. Koda looked at Casey and they both kinda shrugged. "Because this outfit was there."

I'm truely amazed at my dreams.. one night it's about drinking Smirnoff Green Apple, the next pancakes and hashbrowns (which I still want, btw) and then this. My other birth dreams, I never go through the actual labor.. it goes from water breaking to holding her in my arms or bringing her home.