The Working Woman

I have always admired woman that have children and continue work full time. How do they keep the balance? Especially when there job is taking care of twenty plus children! I am faced with going back to work in a week. Knowing that Lacey will be in good hands while I am away is extremely reassuring. However, keeping the balance of my work load and family is what I am trying to process.

If you are a teacher, you can understand that our work is never ending! We could literally stay until 7pm every night and still not be done with everything. AND, to be considered a "good" teacher, you put in the extra hours helping out with tutoring, workshops, and family nights!! So, when baby and marriage come along, and priorities shift...what is the balance?

I am a "yes" person. I tend to say yes to many things. I also like to get things done efficiently. So, I tend to take on more than I need to, just so it gets done fast and on time:) Anyone else that way?? Going back to work, I have to rely on others to take the lead. I have to learn to say "no" and not feel guilty or that I am a "bad" teacher. I need to be able to leave at 3:30pm, which is the time we end our day as a teacher!

So ladies, I would love to hear from you! How do you keep the balance? How do you stop from feeling guilty that you are not putting in as much effort into your job as you were before baby?

XOXO,

The Shaws

One Month

We are celebrating Lacey's 1 month birthday this week! We cannot believe our little girl is growing so fast. It seems like yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital. I have yet to share our birth story, so today seems like the perfect day to do so:)

Lacey's Debut

5 am

The early morning if January 9th, I awoke having to use the bathroom for the tenth time it felt like. As I slowly climbed myself back into bed and adjusted the million pillows around my body trying to get a somewhat comfortable position, I noticed that maybe I wasn't done using the bathroom. Warm trickles followed by a gush sent me back to the bathroom while I yelled to Ian, "Um...My water definitely just broke!" Ian jumped out of bed and came in while I continued to stay seated in position on the toilet. My body begin trembling at the excitement that today was the day we would be meet our baby girl.

We immediately called my doctor and asked when we should go in to the hospital. I was dead set on going out for a big breakfast and stuffing my face, knowing I wouldn't be able to eat once I got to the hospital. The nurse said go in now, and do not eat! What!!! I really was not happy about not eating, so I had a granola bar to at least satisfy my hunger. We got to the hospital and they insisted on wheeling me in the wheelchair upstairs to labor and delivery. We were at Baptist Hospital, which I have to say was FABULOUS! My wonderful mother in law was with us along the way, taking pictures of the adventure. I was hooked up to monitors, had an iv placed in and waited...waited...and waited for contractions. Nothing. So pitocin was next, and throughout the day they kept giving me more and more. I was dilated a little over 4 cm. and almost fully effaced at this point, but my contractions were not regular. We then talked about getting an epidural, but I was feeling ok. However, I was really scared of the pain!! My doctor convinced me that getting an epidural now, when I was 4cm, would not prolong labor, and if my intentions were not to have pain, I mine as well do it now....so they called in the anesthesiologist.

2pm

The epidural was a piece of cake! Honestly! Except for me, they had to try 3 times. The only horrible part was the shot of numbing solution they give you in the spine before the epidural. So I received the shot 3 times, I guess 3rd time is a charm. Once I relaxed my spine into position it was fine. As soon as that sucker went in, no more feeling in my legs. It freaked me out! Ian could have put my legs behind my head for all I know. I really had to stop myself from panicking about my legs being motionless and heavy. I feel that was the worst part of the epidural for me, not being able to move my legs.

After the epidural was more waiting. I believe by around 4pm is when I was fully dilated and effaced. My nurse, who was wonderful, asked everyone to leave except Ian. During the course of the day, my mom was actually flying in from Minnesota. My dad had gotten her on a flight and she was expected in around 5:30pm. To this day, we believe Lacey waited purposely for her Glam-Ma to be there:)

4pm Pushing!!

I never really thought about how hard pushing would be. Obviously, it would be hard since they call it labor! I was in active pushing labor for almost 3 hours. I felt like I was in the last chance workout with Bob yelling at me to push harder! Little Lacey wasn't moving that first hour, which was discouraging. The nurse asked if I wanted to take a break, but I insisted on keeping at it. She then asked if I wanted a mirror, which may help with pushing. I said no, I really didn't want to see what was going on down there. So, there I continued with Ian as my coach and the nurse encouraging me on to push and push. I was able to feel a bit of contractions in my upper abdominal, which helped me push. At about 6pm my mom burst into the room.

YAY! My cheerleading squad increased tremendously at that point. Once my mom arrived, it seemed as though she brought the whole cheering squad with her. I had a sudden burst of energy. Lacey's little head began to emerge with a head of hair, black hair!! The doctor came in and suited up and within two more pushes, little girl squirted out!

6:45pm

Weighing in at 7 pounds and 12 oz, 20 inches, we had a perfect little girl.

Happy Birthday Lacey !!!

XOXO,

The Shaws

Feeding on Demand?

Lacey had her one month appointment today with her pediatrician. She weighed in at...are you ready...10 POUNDS!! That is right, she has gained more than 2 pounds since her birth.

As you may know, I am breastfeeding. It has been a rollercoaster, but I can honestly say that it has gotten much better! I have been waking little Lacey for her feedings during the day every 3 hours and then we began letting her sleep at night. Last night was a difficult night of waking every 2 hours to feed. We think it is a growth spurt

So, Lacey's doctor today said that we can begin letting Lacey sleep and waking on her own during the day. Basically he said feed on demand. So my question is, what do you all think of feeding on demand? I read the book Baby Wise, which talks about feeding schedules and advocates Parent Centered Feeding. I have been pretty stressed out trying to keep a schedule for her, and I feel like it isn't working. I do believe that after feeding, Lacey needs a time for wake and then sleep. I guess my question is, what is your opinion on feeding schedules with your newborn? Ian and I have agreed to have a set bedtime routine. We will begin that today and try to keep that scheduled. We are going to let Lacey begin sleeping during the day and waking on her own when she is hungry. We will see how that goes. There are so many opinions out there, it is hard as a mom to know what is best.

My doctor also believes that it is important the first 4 months to make sure baby keeps that bond with mom and dad. He does't agree with letting baby cry themselves to sleep at night until baby is 4 months. He believes that a baby isn't able to console themselves at this point. He believes it is important that when a baby cries, we are there as a parent to create that bond of trust. He does recommend putting her to bed somewhat awake at night and letting her fall asleep, but not have her cry it out. My doctor did stress that this was his opinion based on his research done through his practice and personal experience. Other doctors and friends have different opinions. I am torn on what I have heard and what my doctor has expressed to us. He is a great doctor and definitely doesn't pressure us one way or another.

I hope to continue bringing up different questions and concerns as a run into them as a new mommy. I would love to hear your advice and concerns as well.