Blog much?

Well, it's been like 8 months since I have last blogged so instead of catching up with all that has happened, I will instead post a pointless survey that really doesn't offer any updates what so ever... excited? I know I am! 
Thanks Tracie! :)


About You 

Name: Brooke
Age: 28
Height: 5'10"

About The Father
Name: Jawad
Age: 32
Height: 6'2"
Are you still together: Yes, married for 1 year 10 months

About Your Pregnancy
Is this your first pregnancy: No
When did you find out you were pregnant: February
Was it planned: Not so much planned as it was not thought quite possible yet... Yes, ladies, you CAN get pregnant while nursing.  
What was your first reaction: Didn't believe it at first, but we were excited to expand our family 
Who was with you when you found out: All by my lonesome... I think Jawad was at work? Maddie was likely napping at the time
Who was the first person you told: Jawad, then a few days later I had to tell someone so I told Tracie.  
How did your parents react: They were very excited... So excited in fact, that one would have thought they did not just have a new grand baby 6 months prior... 
How far along are you: 38 weeks
What was your first symptom: Milk dried up 
What is your due date: Oct. 12th, sure would love to have this babe soon though! 
Do you know the sex of the baby: Girl!
Have you picked out names: Lauren Kate
How much weight have you gained: 26 pounds... woohoo! (Considering I gained 48 with Maddie!)
Do you have stretch marks: It's a sad truth
Have you felt the baby move: Move? yes. I think she will be born with a black belt wrapped around her waist! 
Have you heard the heartbeat:Yup

About the birth
Will you keep the baby: umm..I was planning on it.. 
Home or hospital birth: Hospital, where they provide the drugs
Natural or medicated birth: See above
Who will be in the delivery room with you: Jawad
Will you breastfeed: Yes
Do you think you'll need a c-section: Not likely
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time: Maybe a tear or two, but cry? Probably not... 
What's the first thing you might say to him/her: Hi! 
Would you let someone videotape the birth: Haha, nope!
Are you excited about the birth, or scared?: A bit... I was less scared with Maddie, but now I know what to expect, and I am not looking forward to it... At least, you get a pretty awesome reward out of all of it! 

Well hello there blog, it's nice to see you again...

I don't even know where to begin, I am so behind blogging so I will just start with what is current and if you missed any major holidays check my facebook :) I tend to post pictures far more often on facebook then I do here...

Tonight was Madelynn's half birthday, I know I know... Who celebrates half birthdays?!? Well I do! I mean, I don't, but she's HALF a year old! That's CRAZY to me! I was actually up last night at 12:15 (HA! Just looked at the clock typing that, and it's exactly 12:15!!!!) Anyway, it occurred to me that 6 months ago to the minute I went in to labor with her, and the rest is history. So we celebrated her half birthday, I most likely won't do it again, but it was fun this time around :) I was going to bake a "half" cake myself, but then got to thinking it's not really her birthday, so why not celebrate her "unbirthday".  So that's what we did, a good childhood friend of mine bakes cupcakes and cakes as a hobby/2nd profession, so I asked her to make a special unbirthday cake for Maddie and boy did she deliver! The cake was so gorgeous I didn't want to touch it! But Maddie definitely enjoyed what little I would let her touch it.. I think I was most concerned with her actually getting any in her mouth. I know she needs to start solids like now, but I was overly concerned with her consuming sugar as her first solid...

We HAD to put the hat on her head!

Straight in the mouth!!

 She had fun with it..

We took the cake away from her before it was completely inedible, and I'm glad we did.  It was delicious!!! 

We had a great time, and I am glad Maddie was able to celebrate such a fun UNbirthday, I can't WAIT till her first REAL birthday!! 

Good eats...

We started eating solids! Well, sort of. Rice Cereal, anyway.  We will start the real solids at 6 months, but I thought it was too cute not to post.  SHE LOVES TO EAT! 

And by eat, I mean cover her body in gooey mushy slimy cereal... 

Daddy doing such a good job :)...

But i'll do it myself... 

seriously...

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

1 year ago today...

...Was one of the best days of my life.  What a year we have had!  So many great things have happened this year and I am so excited to see what our future holds for our little family.  Happy Anniversary to the most amazing man I know.

On the day you were born...

I have been meaning to sit down and write about this for some time but have yet to have a chance to do so. So, for those interested, here is the story of how Madelynn was born.
It was a cold stormy night..
No wait, that's another story...

Ok, here it goes...
I found out I was pregnant November 19, 2009 via pregnancy test, but the doctor confirmed it on November 25th.  I was thrilled and so excited, but had one teeny tiny detail on my mind- well 2 teeny tiny details, but well go with the first for the sake of this story.  My bestest friend in the whole wide world had asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, set for just 4 days before my due date.  I was not planning to tell ANYONE I was pregnant till at least after December 5th, but really until after the 12th week of my pregnancy had past, and while that was the plan of attack, it was eating inside me that Tracie was counting on me as a bridesmaid, and I was pretty much assuming that I would no longer be able to be there for her.
I called to let her know that I was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad friend, but that I had this WONDERFUL news all at the same time.  Needless to say, she was even more excited than I was about MY news, and told me not to worry the slightest bit about the wedding- I still felt horrible, but promised her, that as long as I was not physically in labor I would be there.
I told my husband the same thing, to which he laughed, and told me there was no way I would be able to go to San Diego at 9 months pregnant and survive a wedding.  To which, I spent the next 9 months making sure I would.
I even used the wedding as an excuse to not gain excess weight, as I was certain I would be in the Guinness book of records as the fattest bridesmaid to ever exist- However, once the cravings really kicked in, it was as if I was being held hostage within my own body, and at any cost would be required to eat the syrup.  Yeah, I craved nothing but pancakes, waffles, cinnamon rolls- Anything and everything I could put syrup on I did.  So much for looking good in a dress!
I had a relatively easy pregnancy, I was sick the first 3 months, but at 14 week on the dot, it went away and never came back.  I dealt with some sciatic pain, but it gave me an excuse to not have to tend to my daily/weekly chores, and I was exhausted from pretty much the beginning to the very last day, but have a WONDERFUL and AMAZING husband who went to work each and every day to ensure that not only did I not have to work during my pregnancy, but would allow me to stay home once sweet Madelynn was born.
All in all, everything was going well, and at each and every doctor appointment I went to the baby was on track pretty much to the date and all looked as though, not only would she not be early, but maybe even a little late (I had a bottle of Castor oil waiting on the sidelines just in case).  I maintained that as long as I was not in labor on the day of, or a day or two before, I would be in San Diego for Tracie's wedding.
The weeks and months came and went, and before I knew it we were to July.  Madelynn was to be born in less than a month!  I was beside myself with joy and excitement and could NOT WAIT for her arrival.  And, before I knew it, I was not only packing a bag for the hospital but for the wedding as well! We made it down to San Diego, and although I was EXHAUSTED, I was not feeling as though labor was anytime soon.

 Looking back at her wedding pictures now, Tracie probably wishes I had been in labor!!

YIKES!

July 24th- No contractions what so ever, Hair, Makeup, Dress, Shoes- check
I should say, that if I thought I was going to make it to the ceremony, my biggest concern was that my water would break right in the middle of the ceremony- Now although it was a running joke between Tracie and I that it possibly could- I was planning an exit strategy in the event that it did- and it involved never speaking to any of my friends again- So I am very thankful that it didn't!

I made it through the ceremony, and could not get my shoes off fast enough once it was over.  I went to the reception in such an exhausted state, that I actually do not remember much of it at all.  I do remember leaving shortly after the cake was cut to go back to the room. I know we got back right around 11pm, I left my bobby pins in, did not wash my face, crawled in to bed and crashed. Then I had to pee.  I looked at the clock and it said 12:15.  I sat up in bed and my water broke (thank god I wasn't in my bed!) I actually did not know if my water had broke, or I had peed but I woke Jawad
We arrived to the hospital at about 2am, and sure enough of the small percentage of women whose water actually breaks prior to labor I was one of them.  I blame/thank Ashlee for making me wear the most ridiculous shoes on the planet.

We checked in to Labor and Delivery (hair and makeup still done by the way) and were told to get some sleep. HA!  Jawad actually crashed on the couch that was provided in the room immediately and I sat and read magazines that were still in my bag from the wedding (thanks Trace!).
At 6am a nurse came in to check on me.  I was still not having any contractions and was only dilated to 3cm.   She wanted to start the pitocin but I was really trying to avoid it, if at all possible.  She told me she would give me till 10am, for the contractions to start on their own, or she would need to get them going herself.  10am came around, and still nothing, I told her I would get up and walk around the hospital to see if it helped at all, and after 20 minutes or so of walking, my sciatic was hurting so bad, my leg was starting to go numb.  So, I went back to the room, and gave in, but asked for them to start the epidural as quickly after the pitocin as they were able to.

 At around 1pm, they started the IV, and at around 2pm the contractions started- or should I say, took over my entire body.  They felt just seconds apart, and I was unable to do anything but beg Jawad and my doctors to give me the epidural.  Turns out the anesthesiologist was in surgery, but I was told would be to my room as soon as he was done.  I spent the next few hours, begging for any drugs they would give me, and remember at one point, telling the doctor I just wanted a c- section (pain will make you say some crazy things).  At 5pm, I was finally given an epidural, and the next thing I remember was the doctor saying it was time to start pushing.  It must have been about 6, because Maddie was born at 7:19pm.

7pounds 1ounce, 19.5 inches and a full head of hair.  She was beautiful and I could not believe she was finally here.

You are just perfect sweet baby girl! And your auntie thanks you for your cooperation! 

November

Why has it come down to blogging the month?! It's a lot busier taking care of a munchkin then people realize, or I realized.  Although, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Madelynn started the teething process this month, and oh, what a joy it is! We picked up a Sophie in effort to help, and it seemed to help!

Madelynn also noticed the TV for the first time, and LOVED watching it. I know this makes me sound like a terrible parent but she will sit in front of Yo Gabba Gabba and Mickey's Playhouse for the entire half hour, without making a sound!  It's great when I need to get something done, but I always feel bad afterwards for having my 3 month old sit in front of the TV! 

She doesn't look to miserable to me though... 

We went to Colorado to visit Jawad's brother, fiance and son.  We had a great time, but it was COLD.  Not much snow, but definitely COLD! 

First trip on an airplane!

Staying warm. 

My mother in law's sister sent this dress from Jordan

Daddy

Uncle Zeid and Aunt Amber

Loving her fingers.

Cousins. 

We had a great time visiting in Colorado!

We were home less then 48 hours when Maddie got sick and started throwing up.  By the end of Tuesday she could not keep ANYTHING down.  I called the off hour doctor who told us to take her to the ER.  So we jumped in the car and headed that way.  When we got there they tried to get her to take some Pedyalite and although it was a nightmare to try and get her to take it (she's never had anything but breastmilk) she finally did.  Then about 20 minutes later, spit up everything she had taken down.  The doctor said they were going to have to admit her so she could be monitored and given an IV to keep her hydrated.  Mother's worst nightmare! The hospital we were at, however, did not have a pediatric unit so they had to take us by ambulance to another hospital in Anaheim where she would stay the night.  Apparently, when you are transferring hospitals, you cannot take your own car- such a big scene!  She was a champ through it all, and I was the one who was a mess! Even cried when they gave her the IV.  The hospital told us once we got there they would need to run some tests to find out why she wasn't keeping anything down, but to expect to stay about 24 hours, which would have put us till midnight the night before Thanksgiving.  She did so well however, that at 9am the next morning, the doctor came in, checked her out and released us! She came down with a virus (most likely on the plane) that needed to run its course and leave her system.  She has been drinking the pedyalite regularly and feeling much better! 

Thanksgiving! 

I decided this year, it would be so much easier to have Thanksgiving at our house so we would not have to tote Maddie all over town to the different Thanksgivings we normally go to.  It was quite a bit of work, but well worth it in the end.  

My first Thanksgiving Turkey

Or maybe she is my first Thanksgiving Turkey :)

Grandma

Grandpa

GREAT Grandma

GREAT Grandpa

Uncle Bobby

Cutting the turkey!!

All in all, it was a great month and I can't believe my baby is already 4 months old!

Here is to the Christmas season!