Our First Thanksgiving as a Family of 3!

 Good day to you all!!  I hope everyone had a smashing Thanksgiving holiday.  This was our first Thanksgiving as a family of three.  I got a little teary eyed thinking about it that morning.

Hogan woke up at 7, so we got up and watched the Macy's Parade while we cuddled on the sofa in our jammies.  After that, I made my side dish that I was in charge of bringing, (recipe below!) we got dressed and ready to go, and headed to my aunt's house for Thanksgiving Dinner...which we usually eat at about 1 or 2 in the afternoon.  We ate a delicious meal, watched some football, passed Hogan around to everyone and looked through the Black Friday ads to see if there was anything we couldn't live without.

Hogan in his Thanksgiving outfit!

hehehe...I love the little turkey butt!

 We didn't go all Gung-ho on our Black Friday shopping.  We didn't go at 8PM on Thanksgiving or whatever ungodly time they are starting it now...but we got up early and headed into Helena on Friday morning...and guess what...we still got everything on our lists, AND we didn't have to get elbowed in the face, or stand in line for an hour to do it.  There was hardly anybody at the stores when we were there...it. was. awesome. So, we went to 5 stores, and ate breakfast and we were back home within 3 hours of leaving that morning. (The drive to and from Helena is about 45 minutes each way).  Hogan was a trooper.  I just left him in his pajamas since we left pretty early, and I knew we wouldn't be in there for long.  He woke up for a few minutes right after we left but then passed right back out and didn't wake up again until we were almost home.  I thought for sure he would wake up for good when we left, (because he's so nosy) and then be cranky all day (because he won't take naps....since he's apparently afraid he's going to miss something...I wasn't aware that what I do all day is that interesting...but I guess it is to him!) But he was just perfect, as usual!  Then the rest of the day we just hung out around the house, watching movies and munching on left overs.

Saturday Hogan and I went to my mommy group, and went grocery shopping...pretty uneventful.

All in all it was a pretty nice weekend.  What did you do to celebrate the Holiday?

RECIPE:  Cookie Salad (a family fave)

1 SM. pkg Instant Vanilla Pudding
1 tub Cool Whip
1c. Buttermilk
1 Regular can Fruit Cocktail- Drained
1 Small can Mandarin Oranges- Drained
1 Regular can Pineapple Chunks- Drained
1 Package Shortbread Cookies (the ones with the chocolate stripes)- Crushed (set aside one "row"'s worth)

Mix Pudding and Buttermilk until combined. 
Add Cool Whip, fruit and cookies and fold together.
Top with remaining cookies and Serve!  I like to garnish with a cherry and a few mandarin oranges in a little flower shape.

In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

For Sh*ts and Giggles

1. What was the highlight of your week? 
Getting to spend it with the most handsome little baby boy in the history of EARTH!

2. Whose car were you in last?        
My mam's

3. When is the next time you will kiss someone?       
Tomorrow morning, probably.  Unless the wee one wakes before then.

4. What color shirt are you wearing?   
Black

5. How long is your hair?       
About chin length...I guess is the best way to describe it....

 6. Are you good looking?
PAHAHAHA!  Depends on who you ask.....

7. Last movie you watched?  
Dragnet on Starz....one of my faves.

8. Who were you with?  
Hogan

9. Last thing you ate?
Some Chubby Hubby ice cream

10. Last thing you drank?
Watah

11. When was the last time you had your heart broken? 
About an hour ago when my baby was crying.  He had his shots today so he's not feeling so hot.  Poor little sweetheart. 

12. Who came over last? 
My Grandparents

13. Are you happy right now?  
Very

14. What did you say last? 
"You can just leave that one on"

15. Where is your phone?
In the bedroom.

16. What color are your eyes?
Hazel most of the time...but they kind of change between green and brown

17. Are you left-handed? 
Nopers

18. Spell your name without vowels:
Chrt(y)

19. Do you have any pets?
One dog, One bird, Four hermit crabs and about 10 barn cats that wander around...they can wander all they want as long as they eat mice!

20. Favorite Vacation?
Disney World when I was 12 We went for Dance and I was with all my friends!  That was pretty much the last  real vacation I went on too...besides camping...and I'm 27 now.  (We have been on a couple trips...but I would hardly call them vacations)

21. What do you dislike currently?
The way humans treat each other....myself included.

22. What are you listening to?
The dog snoring

23. If you could have one thing right now what would it be?
For Hogan to feel better.

24. What is your favorite scent?
Sweaty horse...I know it sounds weird, but it is intoxicating!  

25. Who makes you happiest?
My husband and my Hogan

26. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Typing a blog entry...

27. When is your birthday?
March 19

28. Who has the same phone as you?
My husband...and probably a lot of other people

29. Last time you went swimming in a pool? 
Uh....over the summer when they had lap swim.  It felt SO amazing on my poor pregnant body.

30. Do you read your horoscope? 
Not since junior high

31. Where was the last place you bought something?
Wal Mart...yeesh, I dislike that store.

32. How do you feel about your hair right now?
I LOVE IT!  Just got it cut.

33. Do you bite your nails?
Only if they get a ragged edge...

34. Do you have any expensive jewelery?
My engagement ring is probably the most expensive piece I have.  but I have some diamond earrings and a few other pieces that were expensive.

35. Do you have any expensive jewelery?
Didn't I just answer this?

36. Myspace or facebook?
Facebook...does anyone still use MySpace?

37. How fast have you driven a car? 
90...I know...I'm a rebel

38. Have you ever smoked? 
Yes...yech! 

39. What was or is your favorite subject in school?
History and English

40. Do you have Verizon?
Yes...weird question

41. What type of boy or girl do you usually fall for? 
Sweet and Smart...and can make me laugh like crazy

42. Do you have any hidden talents?
If I told you it wouldn't be "hidden"....now would it?

43. Favorite Song?
I don't know...jeesh!

44. Do you like to sing at all? 
Love to sing!  Especially to my boy.

45. Dream Job? 
Stay at home Mom...haha  I'm "old fashioned"  I guess

46. Where does most of your family live?
Right where I live!  Lucky me!

47. Are you an only child or do you have siblings?
I have 8 siblings....and 4 step-siblings...but I am not in contact with all of them.

48. Would you consider yourself to be spoiled? 
YES!  Majorly.

49. What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
YAY!  I get to snuggle Hogan!

50. Do you drink?
Last time I had a drink was New Year's Eve...

51. Know any other languages? 
Not fluently.  I know how to say a few dirty words in French and Spanish though.  Impressive, right?

52. Ever write a coded message?
 Yes....haha! Quinn, remember our "coded message" to Britney Spears? hahaha!

53. Have you ever been IN a wedding?
Yes!

54. Do you have any children?
I was recently blessed with my first.

55. Did you take a nap today?
Unfortunately, no. 

56. Who has the same birthday as you? 
Lots of people

57. Ever met anyone famous before?
Yeppers!

58. Do you want to be famous one day?
Nopers!

59. Any Pet Peeves? 
Too many to list

60. Are you multitasking right now?
No

61. Do you like Britney Spears?
HAHAHA!!  This is funny QUINN!

62. What is your least favorite chore? 
Laundry

63. Last place you drove your car?
Home from work

64. Ever been out of the country?
 Nope

65. Where were you born?
Helena

66. Could you handle being in the military?
NO!

67. What is your average cell phone bill?
Too much!

68. Who are you thinking about right now? 
A lot of people, actually...

69. When was the last time you laughed REALLY hard? 
I don't remember.  Jason gives me a good laugh, usually on a daily basis.  but I don't remember the last time I laughed REALLY hard.  I need Quinn and Jami.  STAT! 

70. How many pairs of shoes do you own? 
Too many to count!

71. Are your toes always painted? 
No...I'm rocking the 3/4 grown out look right now from when I was in the hospital...2 months ago

72. How many piercings do you have?
Just my ears

73. What did you do today?
Took my hubby to work, went to Helena, ran a few errands, did some Christmas Shopping, took Little Man to the doctor, went to a meeting, visited my mom, picked Jason up from work, came home, gave Hogan a bath, snuggled with him, ate some supper, snuggled some more, put Hogan to bed, watched some Television, and now I am sitting here typing this...

74. Have you ever been gambling?
Yes

75. When is the last time you cried?
Today

76. Do you like roller coasters?
LOVE EM!

77. Have you ever been to Disneyland or world?
Disney World...twice...jealous? 

78. Do you have a favorite cartoon character?
Stewie Griffin 

79. Last thing you cooked? 
Uh.....I put something frozen in the oven to cook...does that count?

80. How's the weather?
It was gorgeous today...but now it's really windy

81. Do you e-mail?
Not as much as I used to

82. What's the stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone?
 Ran over it with my car...oops!

83. Last time you were sick?
It's been awhile...last year about this time I guess...I mean, besides all the good stuff that comes with pregnancy.

84. How many states have you lived in?
2
85. Do you wish you could move?
No Way!  Maybe into a new house some day  but as far as location goes I'm exactly where I want to be.

86. Do you take a shower every day? 
Yes...well sometimes I skip a day but 98 days out of 100 I shower

87. What is your dream car?
I would just love an SUV...as long as it's sleek and can hold a lot of stuff...I don't care what it is.

88. Have you ever wanted someone you cant have?
Who hasn't...?

89. If you could be anywhere right now where would it be?
Surrounded by my family...especially the ones I don't get to see very often

90. Are you happy with your life?
Very.  Elated! 


In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things!

As we approach Hogan's 2 month "birthday" I was thinking about all the things that have made our lives easier, or we just plain love that we have used over the last two months. 

1) Bugs & Hugs Baby Gym- Hogan LOVES this thing!  The big caterpillar plays music and he just jams out to it.  Some days, putting him on this is the only way that I can get anything else done.

2) Blankets & Beyond Blue Swirl Swaddler-  MIRACLE!!  I swear this swaddler is the main reason that Hogan sleeps through the night.  He gets all snuggly and warm and passes right out.  It is super soft and it's SO pretty!

3) Cozy Cover Car Seat Cover- Hooray for keeping babe warm!  The only thing that I don't like about this, is that with our car seat the little face flap touches Hogan's face....and he HATES having things over his face...so we have to use an additional cover from Carseat Cover (which is amazing as well) to keep the cold off of his face...which is fine...because it keeps people from touching him at the supermarket too.....most of the time.

4) Meadow Menagerie Graco Pack-N-Play-  Besides being SUPER CUTE, we use this as Hogan's bed for now in our room.  We didn't use the bassinet attachment because I didn't like the thought of him not sleeping on a solid surface. (the attachment is kind of like a hammock) And the "changing table" attachment isn't all that practical since it tilts to the side when you put the kid in it....so...we didn't use that either.  But the inset that elevates the "sleeping surface" is awesome so we don't have to put him practically on the floor. 

5) Prince Lionheart Wipe Warmer-  A small price to pay for a baby that doesn't scream now whenever we wipe his tushie at home....but...I wouldn't want cold wet wipes on my derriere either.

6) Bright Starts InGenuity Swing~Bella Vista- Hogan will usually take his naps in this.  He is only a cat napper, but he usually will last longer in the swing than he does in his bed...little sleep fighter!






Not pictured:
7) The First Years Infant to Toddler Baby Bathtub-  He loves to take baths and splash around in this. It has a nice support for his little tush and his for his head.  It comes with a mesh sling for newborns, but we didn't use that...

8) Gerber Long Sleeve Onesies-  It's chilly, they cover his little hands, and he wears them under everything.

9) Johnson & Johnson Bedtime Bath- This smells so nice....and he seems to like it...so, YAY!

10) Sony Baby Call Baby Monitors-  They were inexpensive and they work really well...TA DA!

11) The First Years BreastFlow Double Breast Pump- I love this thing...it works well, and it's super easy to clean...two of my favorite things! 

12) Dr Seuss Books-  Not sure why, but he seems to really like Dr. Seuss...which is okay by me...I love Dr. Seuss too :-)


Well there you have it...of course there are more things that he likes...but I thought I'd keep it simple for now.  I hope everyone is having a great weekend!  Stay warm!


In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

Hogan's Room!

 I had such fun decorating Hogan's nursery,I thought I would share some photos of his little bedroom.  

 The horse print is a watercolor that my dad got for me when I was younger.  It's a numbered print by Joann Scott of a paint horse foal.  I had a paint horse when I was little named Prairie Rose.  She was beautiful, but unrideable.  She was a mustang foal that just didn't want to be broke.  So, we had to get rid of her because she was of no use to us since we couldn't ride her, and on a ranch, you need to be able to ride your horses.  The cowboy tins are from Real Deals. and the little cowboy boot lamp I got at a second hand store in Missoula.

 The sun was bright that day!  His crib is Graco.  The little animal shelves in the corner were built by my grandpa, the Picture frame and letters are from Hobby Lobby and the bedding was made by me and my momma!

This little gem was built by my grandpa as well.  Specially for this little "dude" we call Hogan.  It has the family brand on it which is D/H.

In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

It's Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus

Hello all you Ghouls and Guys!  We hope you had the Happiest of Halloweens yesterday!

The Cutest little bag of bones in Montana!

Hogan and I had a fabulous day!  We went Trick-or-Treating to Great Grandpa and Grandma's, Daddy's office, Oma's office and the hospital where I used to work.  It was great fun and everyone, of course, loved seeing our little Skeleton, Hogan.  We had "Ghoulash" for dinner, as usual, and watched Hocus Pocus. 

Hogan had his first bath in his baby tub (since his umbilical cord took FOREVER to fall off) and we had some nice snuggles and went to bed early!  The little man has been  sleeping through the night for the last 4 nights!  I have been so tired, I think because I am getting "too much" sleep compared to what I have been getting for the previous 5 weeks.  I guess I will get used to it though ;-) He is such a good baby, I just love him sooooooo much! 

Anyways, Happy November from our home to yours!

In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

Good News!

Hello!!  I am EXTREMELY happy to say that I am feeling MUCH better!!  My PPD has subsided, and the exhaustion is finally loosening it's hold on me.  Boy, lemme tell ya, when people give you the advice to "sleep when he sleeps"  TAKE IT!!   It made all the difference when he was being a pill to put to sleep at night.  In other news my hubby found a JOB!!  YAY!  The poor guy has been looking for 2 stinking years and I am glad to say that he finally found one that I think he will enjoy.  It is with a company based here in town, that is rapidly expanding into Wyoming, Idaho and Washington.  I will be staying home with Hogan until after the first of the year, and after that I will be picking up one shift a week at the hospital.
I did Hogan's one month pictures the other day...he is so damn cute!  So...feast your eyes on the most adorable baby in the WORLD!

In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

Hogan's Birth Story

My oh my!  Well, as you can imagine a lot has been going on since my last post!  Hogan was born on September 17,2012 at 2:48PM.,  He weighed 9lbs 2oz, and was 20 1/4" long. He is Amazing!! The love I feel for this tiny human is immeasurable.  He is perfect.  We had a rough start, but things are doing better...but I am getting ahead of myself.  I want to share Hogan's birth story with you.  So...here goes:

Introducing Hogan David!

We arrived at the hospital bright and early at about 6:45AM that morning.  We registered, and were taken up to my room, met my nurse and were asked to fill out some paperwork before I got changed and comfy.  About 10 minutes later our nurse came in and notified us that the surgical tech had called in sick and that my surgery (scheduled for 9:30AM)  would be postponed until later that morning when someone could come in to cover their shift.  "Ok...no problem"   Well..."later that morning" turned into "later this afternoon" to "maybe not today"  UGH!  With optimism in mind, my nurse had me change into my gown at about 10:00AM and got me all hooked up to the fetal monitor and got my IV started (which took 3 people and 6 pokes before they got it in...yowch!)  My doctor was in and out the entire morning and early afternoon checking on me and making sure that everything was going okay and reassuring me that my baby would be born that day since he knew how anxious I was to meet Hogan.  SO...at about1:00 we are confirmed that my surgery would be at 2:30PM.  EXCELLENT!
At 2:30 my nurse came into my room, collected me and my husband and we started the anxious walk down the hallway to the O.R.  I kissed Jason, and said "see you in a few" since he had to wait in the waiting room until I was all prepped and ready to go.  It was SO hard leaving him there.  I was nervous, I knew he was nervous, and he was the one person that I desperately wanted with me.  As soon as I stepped into the chilly stark Operating Room I started bawling.  I got scared and extremely nervous.  The nurses were great though and helped me calm down and get situated on the Operating table so I could get my epidural.  Let me tell ya...those fuckers HURT when they are getting put in...(crying ensued once again)  SO...anyways, they get me all prepped...put the curtain up and then Jason was right next to me "Thank God!"  I could feel them touching me, but I felt no pain.  After a few moments, I felt this "whoosh" feeling (like a balloon deflating) and seconds later we heard our sweet baby's first cries.  Jason and I both started crying immediately while my doctor joked "Congratulations!  It's a 3 year old!"  Jason went over to be with Hogan while they were cleaning him up and doing all the good stuff that they do to babies after they are born.  I LOVED hearing those cries and coos from the other side of the room and I desperately wanted to scoop him up and cuddle him.  Hogan and Jason then left to the recovery room while the doctors finished up whatever they were doing down there.  They slid me over to a hospital bed and wheeled me down the hallway to the recovery room.  They brought my sweet baby boy over to me and I was able to nurse him for the first time.  I LOVED that once he heard me say "hey baby" he looked right at me like "hey, I know that voice".  I was in heaven!  Especially once I was able to suck on some ice chips since it had been like 15 hours since I had anything to drink.  I spent the rest of the day snuggling him and visiting with family that stopped by to say hello and meet the new little one.

In the bilibed

That night after our nurse had taken Hogan to the nursery to get his first bath and do a few tests, she came back in and told us that his bilirubin levels were slightly high and that they would have to keep an eye on it especially since we were coombs positive.  In other words he was slightly jaundiced.  The next couple days went by just fine.  Of course lots of visitors and lots of cuddles.  The night before the day we were going to be sent home, our nurse checked his bilirubin again and the levels were higher...also he had lost almost a full pound, had a slight fever and his blood sugar was low.  All of these together landed my poor sweet baby in the NICU.  He was put under bililights, and put on IV fluids and antibiotics.  This was excruciatingly painful for Jason and I to sit helplessly by while our poor little mad felt so dang crummy.  I just thank God that it happened while we were still in the hospital.  So...my doctor just let us hang out for another day (until Friday) since my insurance paid for up to 5 days in the hospital.  Friday I was discharged, but Hogan was still in the NICU. Luckily our hospital is awesome and we were able to just stay in our room until he was discharged so I didn't have to leave my precious boy there alone.  Friday afternoon he was able to be in our room, and Saturday we got to go home!  What a nerve wracking week!!

Jay, Hogan and my doctor Dr.H

 It has been 3 weeks since we have been home and things are going about as good as they can be.  I am battling a slight case of Post Partum Depression, and of course we are exhausted from lack of sleep, but other than that...I am so incredibly happy, and I can't imagine life any other way.  I am SO deeply in love with this baby boy.  But he is calling me from his bassinet right now...just in time.  So, I must go.  Take care!



In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

40 Weeks & A C-Section!

How far along: 40 Weeks, 3 Day(s)

How big is baby: Estimated weight is 9lbs 3oz

Total weight gain:  I don't know...I stopped paying attention, haha.

Maternity clothes:  Thank God for stretchy waistbands!

Sleep: HA!  Very funny!

Best moment of the week:  Hearing that I get to meet my baby VERY soon!

Food cravings: My sweet tooth is RAGING right now.....

Food aversions:  Nothing really...that I didn't have an aversion to pre-pregnancy anyways

Symptoms: Heartburn, mood swings, restless legs, pelvic pressure, swelling...etc...

Movement:  lots of rolls and pokes

What I’m looking forward to:  Meeting my son TOMORROW!

What I miss:  Not feeling like my insides are going to come shooting out of me at any moment...


In other News: As stated above...we get to meet our precious baby boy tomorrow!  At my ultrasound 2 weeks ago, we learned that the little stinker has tucked back up into my belly and turned sideways and therefore, refusing to come out the natural way.  SO..tomorrow we will head to the hospital at 7:00AM, for my 9:30AM C-Section to remove him from his comfy confines.  I am both thrilled and terrified at the same time. I cannot wait to see him, and smell him, and kiss him, but at the same time, I know he is getting exactly everything he needs right now inside of me...and after tomorrow, I will be responsible to make sure Jason and I are meeting all of his needs...Scary shit!

This afternoon my hubs and I are heading to "the city" to go have a yummy last meal out as just husband and wife and go to a silly movie before I am banished to a hospital room for the rest of the week.  So, the next time you hear from me I will be a mommy!  I'm not sure when this next post will be, but until then, take care and enjoy the cooler weather!



In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

38 Weeks

How far along: 38 Weeks, 1 Day(s)

How big is baby: As of my ultrasound this morning he's 8lbs 4oz.

Total weight gain:  I don't know...I stopped paying attention, haha.

Maternity clothes:YUP!

Sleep: HA!

Best moment of the week: Nothing exciting happened....same ol business.

Food cravings: Not much of an appetite right now.

Food aversions:  Nothing really...that I didn't have an aversion to pre-pregnancy anyways

Symptoms: Heartburn, mood swings, restless legs, pelvic pressure, etc....

Movement:  lots of rolls and pokes

What I’m looking forward to:  Meeting my son.

What I miss:  Being comfortable....but It is all SO worth it, so I don't really mind.


In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity

37 Weeks/Induction Discussions

How far along: 37 Weeks, 0 Day(s)

How big is baby: As of my ultrasound last Thursday his estimated weight is 7lbs 2oz. 

Total weight gain:  I think about 15 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Those...and yoga pants and tank tops....lots of yoga pants and tank tops.

Sleep: HA!

Best moment of the week: Getting to Full Term...Baby can come any time now.

Food cravings:  Popsicles, Milk, Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cranberry/peach juice, York Peppermint Patties

Food aversions:  Nothing really...that I didn't have an aversion to pre-pregnancy anyways

Symptoms:Heartburn, mood swings, restless legs, pelvic pressure, etc....

Movement:  lots of rolls and pokes

What I’m looking forward to:  Meeting my son.

What I miss:  Being comfortable....but It is all SO worth it, so I don't really mind.

In Other News: Still at about 1.5cm.  Had a Dr. Appointment today ,my blood pressure is back up and Doc said that I will probably be induced in the next 2 weeks.  To be perfectly honest...I was secretly hoping that my Doctor would say "Why don't we go ahead and induce you Monday"  No luck.  I know that it's best for Hogan to stay in there for another couple weeks, but my motives are purely selfish.  I WANT TO MEET MY BABY!  I want to not be pregnant any more.  It's getting to the point that it is painful...not just uncomfortable.  So...of course, I start bawling in the exam room after the doctor leaves to write up my lab sheets for blood work.  The nurse came in to find me all snotty and red faced with my poor helpless husband standing there with his arms around me and says " You want it to be over, don't you?"  "YES!  (bawl more)" 
(I am so lucky to have the doctor that I do and his nurses are AMAZING!)  But it sounds like he's going to take a look at my blood panel results, and see how my blood pressure does ( I have to take it at home) until my next appointment next week...and go from there...  But More than likely I will be induced at 39 Weeks. 


In Strength, Love & Faith, Thanks for Reading, Charity