Holden Robert Meyer

Our baby arrived on April 22 at 12:51pm.  He was 7 pounds 7 ounces and 20.25 inches long.  I was 37 weeks and 6 days.  I labored for 35 hours!!!!!  I will be typing up my birth story and share soon.  BUT in short, I was in early labor for 30 hours went in after 14 and was sent home because I was barely 2cm.  Then at 30 hours we went back and thankfully I was 4-5cm!!  This was wonderful news!  My contractions had been 3-15 minutes apart the whole time and I was in HELL.  I got an epidural and 5 hours later he arrived.  Some scary shit went down at the end too, but I'll save that for the whole story.  I had a NSVD aka Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery and was very proud no interventions were needed.  

Drum Roll Please..........

Presenting...

The most beautiful baby I know ;-) 

I'm back...

I hope to start writing again but can't make any promises... this world of baby has taken over my life.
However, I'm 36 weeks now and SUPER excited for our little guy to join the world.

Baby in Motion

I'm 26 weeks and LOVING how much he moves.  I have found a new joy for this pregnancy because I can feel Holden everyday.  I find myself talking to him and smiling as he moves around.  I think within the next few weeks I should be able to tell his hands from his feet.  I'm also so glad we have chosen his name because it makes it even more real.

It feels like 14 weeks is an eternity away.  I want him now :)

24 Weeks- Lots Accomplished!

Eric felt Holden move!!!
Yes, we have chosen a name:  Holden Robert Meyer
H for Harold my grandpa who passed last year.  Robert for Eric's older brother who passed when we was only 7 years old.  Meyer for our last name.  This is a name to conquer the world with!  He is going to be one fabulous son... we can tell already :)

It is feeling more and more real each day and I am enjoying myself at the moment.  These are the glory days of pregnancy (I have been told) and I am trying to soak them up for all its worth.

We have both had a dream about Holden.

I bought a one month pass to Prenatal Yoga at Blooma and have attended two classes.  It felt so welcoming and peaceful.  It is nice to be in a setting with all moms who are focused on their babies and relaxation.  It is all part of my connection process with our little guy.  It also fells like preparation for labor (in a good way).  I'd like to go at least once a week.

We began our registry and bought our Stroller, Crib, and Dresser!  We went to Baby Grand in St Paul and had almost all our questions answered.  We spent 3 hours there receiving help from the owner and anther employee.  They were fantastic.  We are just waiting for them to add the rest of our items. I hope that no one finds it rude that we only registered at a local store.  It was the place that made me feel comfortable, excited, and content.  I'm an organic gal and Babies R Us isn't for me.  The most exciting part was ordering our stroller... its the Cadillac of strollers and our biggest purchase, but we love it!  I'll post about specific items in the future.

We bought new Leather Couches!  Leather has not been our style BUT everyone said they are kid proof and the best investment.  Dock 86 is the bomb and they delivered the next day.

And now it's time for me to go to bed... more to come :)

We Be Jammin!

I can finally feel our baby moving!!!!  It is the coolest thing.

My alarm went off and I switched it to MUSIC.
A few seconds later the baby started to dance around!  I was all smiles and couldn't have asked for a better start to my day.
My husband has been on work travel all week and this was just what the doctor ordered.  It's so cool that I can tell he recognized noises now.
I have been talking to him LOTS.  I like to say goodnight, apologize when I move around all crazy, or simple say hello when I am alone with him.

I think Eric will be able to feel him from the outside any day now too!  It feels so much more real once the movement is recognizable.  I'm 23 weeks, its about time :)

Adoption Story

http://beckyandbenadopt.blogspot.com/

Becky & Ben Adopt : A Journey To Baby

Our wedding photographer is looking for support to begin their adoption process.  She has been struggling with infertility for three years including 6 miscarriages.  Her story is linked above and anything you can do to share, like, or help is greatly appreciated.  It only takes one person to put them into contact with the right connection to precious baby.  

From the little bit that I know about Rebecca and her story, she is more than qualified to be a mom.  It breaks my heart that some deserving couples are faced with so many struggles.  I used to be so scared of infertility and how it would affect my mindset as a woman.  It would consume my thoughts when we started thinking about trying for our own family and my husband would always try to comfort me by saying that these emotions had no background and I needed to wait and see.  For him, it was so irrational that I was scared of something we had never experienced.  For me, it was so real and I have known so many people who face (or faced) infertility struggles.   

All women have a story.  Each story has its own path.  Each path ends with the start to a new journey.  I think adoption is one of the most amazing journeys for both the innocent baby and deserving parents. Being a parent comes in all shapes and sizes, but it is a miracle well deserved by those who want it.  Unfortunately, you don't have to want it to become pregnant... want has almost nothing to do with fertility, so if you can please share their story.  

2013 Movies

http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/17-must-see-food-documentaries.html

I'd like to watch the above movie's this year!

I have seen: 
Food Inc:  Changed my life (refer to my first blog posts ever).  I think people that don't watch this are being naive and unwilling to make changes they KNOW are better for the world.
Killer at Large: Obesity and kids :(
Super Size Me: Gross but great
Food Matters: Duh!  What you eat controls how you feel and look.
Forks Over Knives: Vegan/Veggie movie with lots of juicing tips
Fast Food Nation: This movie really made me think.  I also read the book.  The book is completely different but same topic.  I couldn't eat (and still rarely do) ground beef for a long time.  I have not had a FAST FOOD burger (or any meat) for over 3 years.  Nasty.

New Year Movie watching...

Because it IS time to change your life if you are STILL unhappy with your weight, skin, health, energy level, or more...

Hungry of Change

Instant Netflix... so you can watch it now!  https://signup.netflix.com/#do-login

http://www.youtube.com (Official Trailer)


My Friend Angelique and I were looking for something to watch and stumbled across this documentary.  Its a great eye opener to America's current stage of eating.  I don't really need to type much because you can watch and learn, agree, and make change yourself.

We JUICED twice this morning :)  Everyone is SICK around us and I'm trying to stay healthy.  I do believe that my immune system is STRONG because I have been sober for 5 months AND taking great vitamins for 7 months.  I feel that writing this out means i should knock on wood, but i haven't been sick yet :)

Fruit Juice:
2-3 cups of blueberries
2 green apples

Green Juice:
3 stalks of Kale
2-3 cups of cucumber (skinned)
4 red apples

Easy, Easy Easy and both were simple and good.

Happy New Years!

Story Time :)

Our baby can officially hear our voices, or mainly vibrations, but is able to begin recognition of mommy and daddy's voice.  I read that he will actually respond to us after he is born WAY more than other individuals because he should feel safe from recognizing our voices.  How cute is that?

I am a teacher and talk ALL DAY LONG, so i don't think he will have a problem getting to know me.  Eric however, is not talking right next to me as often so... we have started a tradition:

Daddy Story Time!
Eric picks out a kids book, lays on my chest, and reads to our little one.

It makes my heart smile each time.  

Gifted to us and super cute

Strange book

19 Weeks!

And doing Fantastic!  I still think I've only gained about 10 pounds and my belly is looking pregnant and cute... I have been sleeping wonderfully (with my Snoogle Pillow), having little pains!, good skin, and more energy to work out.  I'm not saying being pregnant is the bomb or anything but this month it is not so bad.  I was extremely stressed a few days ago and wanted to DRINK more than I have yet (I know drinking to cover up stress = a problem) but that passed.  It always seems to pass when I want to do something I "CANT" do because of baby... this little guy is worth all the sacrifices in the world.

Ultrasound: Watching him move around and confirming he was "normal" really relived me!  I just needed to see that he had four limbs, 10 fingers, 10 toes, 4 chambers in his heart, looked human, and moved around.  It was a completely priceless experience :o)

I still haven't felt much movement at all but am way more relaxed and looking forward to this experience in the next month.  I can't wait for Eric to be able to feel the him too!

So much is going to change!

Holiday Nails

My little bump :)

Kissing his baby boy...

It's a BOY!!!!

His Head :)

Little Right Foot with Five toes!

Boy Parts!!!!!!

I love him so much already its crazy!  I didn't want to find out what we were having for the longest time BUT when it came down to it today, I just couldn't handle not knowing.  All said and done, I feel more attached to him and am sure I'll buy twice as much ;)

 

Top Names:

Harrison Robert Meyer- Both of us love name and the H comes from my grandpa Harold who passed away this year.  Robert comes from Eric's brother who passed away at a young age.

Holden Robert Meyer- Same as above but a more unique.

Liam Robert Meyer- LOVE this name but now its #1 on the baby name list and that will just drive me crazy every time someone reminds me of it or has the same name as us.  

Others still talked about:  Luke, Andrew, Aidan, Hayden (Eric thinks this is a girl name). 

Email Exchange

Monday, December 03, 2012 3:00 PM

Subject: heLLo

I love you! When will  you be home today?

Laura Meyer 

Monday, December 03, 2012 3:05 PM

Subject: heLLo

Not going to the gym today but have some stuff to take care of….you making dinner? Love you!!

Eric Meyer

Monday, December 03, 2012 3:16 PM

Subject: heLLo

I’ll PLAN to make dinner but I’m not keeping any promises…

 

Laura Meyer

Monday, December 03, 2012 3:20 PM

Subject: heLLo

See how happy she looks?

 

Eric Meyer

OMG... i  laughed out loud for a minute.  LOL

17 Weeks!

Popped!

This week has been good!  I slept though the night (without peeing) twice and I'm loving my SNOOGLE body pillow (http://leachco.stores.yahoo.net/snoogle.html).  I have also officially popped and have gained a total of 10 pounds.  I hope that is on pace to only gaining 25... I'm slightly nervous that I'm ahead of myself.  Eating is just so much fun!!!  And I always want too.  I have been eating good (healthy) but I haven't had the energy or ability to workout how I used to so it all catches up.  I WILL start doing more cardio this month!!!  I don't think I look like I'm gaining anywhere but baby (I hope).

Eric couldn't be at this appointment so I had to record the baby's heartbeat for him (and our moms)!  

Photo Fun!

Thanks to my friend, and mother of two, I have this chalkboard to log my weeks!  Its fun thinking of what to say or draw.  I plan to keep up on it but who knows if it will happen each week.  It makes a cute journal :)

We still haven't decided if we are going to find out and the Ultrasound is in 10 days!

I had to get Eric in a picture :o)... Holding Week by Week.

GUM without Aspartame!! And it tastes good.  

Last Single Birthday..

By single I mean without child :)

It was a good day.  All my students wished me lots of happy birthdays and kept a smile on my face.  Then when I came home my husband was already back to surprise me...

two dozen roses, body pillow, and card

I've been waiting for these since we found out we were prego! 

.

He did wonderful!  And I've been really blessed to have him as my body changes so much.  I need to be told I'm beautiful more often so i don't just feel like a whale... lol

We also went out for a wonderful dinner at Alma (http://www.restaurantalma.com/about_us.aspx)!  Eric googled "organic restaurants" and then we picked our top choice.  We have eaten here before and wanted to go back.  Its yummy!  Three courses and desert!  I also had a NA Beer that tasted wonderful.

Seared Sea Scallops

cauliflower two ways, cumin mojo & cippolini onions 

 Pork Loin & Smoked Belly

roasted grapes, escarole & saba 

Overall, turning 29 was great!  

My BUTT hurts...

I've been having the most discomfort in my buttocks!  I thought it was so strange and couldn't understand the connection to my pregnancy BUT after a little research I found it is actually very common during this time of my pregnancy and may worsen.

It is related to my ligaments stretching and uterus expanding causing the muscle deep in my butt check to move out of place.  Crazy!  It gets sore real fast and then seems to stay sore more the time.

I guess I can continue to ask my husband to massage it.. hehehe but it just seems to remain sore.  It is causing me to move around A LOT while sitting and sleeping.


I also just learned about the RELAXIN hormone that helps my whole body physically become a bit looser.  I mean I need to prepare to carry a baby deliver an extremely large human out of my tiny body parts :)

15 Weeks

I'm officially used to being pregnant... I think!  And I am starting to enjoy more than just the outcome.  You see, being pregnant is a miracle and knowing that a baby is the outcome is so amazing and wonderful, BUT all the changes to your body and emotions are much more than you can prepare for.

I have had so much going on physically: constipation, headaches, dry skin, runny nose, stuffy nose, blurred vision, ligament pains, sore butt, constant peeing, growing belly, lose of breath, exhaustion, gas, lots of burping, random pains all over, waking up to readjust while sleeping and I'm sure WAY more but I'm not thinking of it all at the moment.

I have had just as much going on emotionally: extreme excitement, obsessive thoughts about what I am eating and doing to keep our baby safe, dramatic dreams and nightmares, loneliness, desire to drink, overwhelmed easily, out of control and then completely in control and joy.

BUT NOW I am getting used to all this and acquiring more of an understanding as to why all this is happening.  I have found some good books, resources, midwives, friends, and more that I can rely on and find comfort in.  I'm starting to feel in control of what is happening and not so unsure of my every move.  I have always had a fear of getting pregnant and then having a healthy baby.  By this I mean, I am scared to death of having a child with special needs (mentally or physically).  I think part of this is because I am a teacher and have worked with all types of kids but I really don't understand these fears or why I'm so scared.  When i went to a holistic doctor, before I was pregnant, I expressed this huge fear of mine and she simply said, "So what would happen if you had a kid with special needs?" and my reply was, "the kid would be really lucky to have us as his parents."  This did bring some comfort to me and in all reality I believe we would be amazing parents to any kid.  So again, NOW I am feeling more in control and have realized that I have done everything I can to make and keep a healthy baby growing inside me so if anything is unique about him/her it is out of my control.  I actually only believe that last statement about 90% but that is a LOT more than before.

The other thing that I cannot wait for is when i am finally able to FEEL my baby!  I hear it should happen this month!!!!  I can't wait.  I'm also really excited for Eric to be able to feel the baby.  I know he has tons of his own emotions going on right now about fatherhood (although WAY LESS than me because he magically doesn't let things bother him) and I can't wait for our baby to become more real for him.  

We have settled in to our new lifestyle and have lots of things to look forward too.

15 Weeks 

Aspartame = Bad News Bears!

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-most-dangerous-substance-added-to-food.aspx

This article is a MUST READ and then adjust your life to get aspartame OUT!  I started reading about it in a book "Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven" and then googled and then researched and then made a conscious decision to avoid aspartame at all costs.

Next read this list of items containing aspartame:

http://supersweetblog.wordpress.com/list-of-products-containing-aspartame/

Last do your own research and let me know if you find anything good.

14 Weeks

Baby: Navel Orange (4.5 inches, 2 to 3 oz)
Me: 25 Weeks to go and growing!

Pregnancy Headaches SUCK

I didn't get headaches very often before this little one was inside me and now I have one almost every day :(  The last two days it has woken me up (also a weekend so I really wanted to sleep in).  I know its normal and just one of the many prices my body has to pay right now, but it really stinks.

One of our midwives said that a Tylenol and Coke are a great headache remedy.  I haven't tried this yet, but I will be willing to very soon.  However, I'm not a Coke (or soda) drinking so it seems strange to pick up the habit.  I do want to see if it works, so I'll test it out.

That's all folks.

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