Miami's Biggest Baby Shower.... Literally

I am by no means a pro blogger, so I didn't really take that many pictures of probably my most favorite girls night ever.  Living in a big city definitely has it's down sides, but it also has its perks. One such perk, is fun things happen here. There is this awesome "Baby Expo" if you will that only goes to a few cities during the year. Miami just happens to be one of them. It was easy to find someone to go with me because everyone in our ward is either pregnant or had a baby in the last year (or so it seems). I went with my friends Amy, Jeni, and Jen, and it was THE best night ever. I'm so glad I talked them all into coming with me because it was a BLAST. Hopefully we all have babies again soon so we can go next year.... kidding....kind of.

Basically it's a big convention where Baby vendors come and give you free stuff to get you hooked on their products. I got so much stuff, it was ridiculous. It was nice to get such a variety of stuff because as a first time mom I don't know what brands will work for my baby and which ones are crap. I got a variety of bottles, pacifiers, formula (which Henry HATES and won't take now that he's had my milkies), and baby food. Plus there was the most awesome gift bag that I got at the end. I had an Ultimate ticket or something, so I not only got the entrance to the expo with free stuff, but I also got this awesome gift bag at the end, an Ergo carrier, and a Diaper genie. And, I got picked to be a brand ambassador for this stroller company Jane (put an accent over the e, not pronounced Jane like the girl but Jaaa-Ne), so I got a free $800 stroller. No joke.

The LOOT

Bio Oil (big bottle)

3 different diaper rash creams

2 packs of diapers (big ones, not sample)

2 different kinds of baby wipes

6 tote bags (like reusable shopping bag ones, but nice ones, cloth and stuff)

Teething gel

Teething liquid stuff

Diaper Genie

Ergo Carrier ($120+ retail)

9 different bottles

3 different pacifier brands

FORMULA up the wazoo 

Baby food (jars and pouch things)

Snack containers for cheerios and stuff

Munchkin Swaddle Blankets

PedoPeds Shoes (my pair was for a girl, boo)

4 different water bottles

Boob Cream for mama

Sunscreen for baby

Medela Lanolin for mama 

Nail Clippers

Mamaroo Onesie

And more

Well these pictures don't really do it justice. And the gold Saltwater sandal in the corner is just me being messy. If anyone wants to come to Miami next year to partake in this Freebie Fest, I'll be here.

Henry Lewis Carlisle

I love reading other people's birth stories, so I thought I owed it to the Internet to put mine out there as well. Especially since I had a C-Section. Let me just start off by saying, all you C-section haters who think they know better than doctors, you probably shouldn't read this. I loved my birthing experience, and I loved my C-section. Yeah, maybe I'm weird, but I loved it. My little ab surgery brought my awesome, little, perfect Henry into the world, and I wouldn't change it for anything. VBAC? no thank you, I loved my experience.

**Please keep in mind I was on IV fluids for like 36 hours, so my face isn't that fat in real life. Thanks

My baby was measuring pretty big and I had a lot of excess fluid where they couldn't really figure out some stuff about the baby, so my doctor wanted to induce me. We were told to go in on a Tuesday March 4, 2014 to "get things started".

 I started out with my most favorite nurse ever, Letty, and she started my on this horrible drug called Cervadil. It "gets the cervix ready" for labor, but they should just call it hell. For the first 2 hours after they insert it (kind of like a tampon), you have to lay FLAT on your back and you can't get up. The mixture of getting pumped with IV fluids and all sorts of excess liquid in my body was killing my kidneys and lower back since I was laying flat. I could not wait to get up and go to the bathroom. After the initial 2 hours, I got up, did my stuff, and then my nurse gave me some pain meds that literally made me pass out. It was good/weird and I don't remember really anything until the morning. My beloved Dr. Santos came in in the morning before he went into the office to check things (I was at a 0 still, but my cervix had softened), and then I was started on Pitocin. Because they were trying to get me to go into labor, they didn't want me to have my epidural until I was at a 3-4, but I was in lots of pain on the Pitocin, having contractions every 1 1/2 minutes! It sucked. All you natural mamas out there, more power to you. I asked for an epidural about 20 times, but was talked out of it every time because it would slow things down. Well, these 1 1/2 contractions went on for 12 hours, and then my OB came in at 6:30ish to see how I was progressing and hopefully get me my epidural/start laboring/etc. I was not even at a stinking 1!! After 12 hours of labor, I was nowhere. The baby wasn't engaging and falling into the birth canal. Long story short, I have a tiny pelvis (just like my mom who had all C-sections), and Henry had a larger than average head (we are talking 99th percentile). So, my doctor examined some things and decided that this baby was not coming out of the vag. After being in labor for over 24 hours at this point, I didn't even care. I do not know how people do those long labors, I was so over it. And contractions, eww.

So, they took me off Pitocin and we waited for an OR to open up so that I could get my baby out of my belly. I kept talking about how hungry I was, but they assured me after I got my spinal I wouldn't be hungry anymore. At 7pm, my fave nurse Letty came back, and she was surprised I was still there. Though it sucked to be there FOREVER, I was so glad I got to deliver with her. I heart her.

A little after 8pm we started getting ready to go into the OR. For some reason, I wasn't nervous AT ALL. I totally trust my Doctor, and I just felt like this was the best decision for my body and for the baby to get here without it having to be an Emergency C-Section (which after they started the surgery, all of the people in the OR were commenting that Henry was certainly not coming out of my pelvic region. My doctor even had to make my slit a little wider because his head was HUGE). So, they wheeled me back into the room without Dylan for the first little bit while they get me ready. I loved my anesthesia team, there were 3 of them (student, nurse anesthetist, and an anesthesiologist), and I was well taken care of. I got my spinal which didn't even hurt at all, and then they laid me down for the catheter and stuff (didn't feel pain, but wasn't completely numb yet). My body was getting numb and then they brought Dylan in as well as Dr. Santos. 

I don't know why, but for some reason I thought I was going to feel something just because I was awake. I didn't even feel any pressure that people talk about. I had no idea they were making the incision, and was just laying there kind of hanging out. I was a little out of it, but I remember Dylan telling me how good I was doing a million times. Dylan was watching the whole time, and after a few minutes, they pulled out Henry. He wasn't crying, but not in a scary way. I think he was just shocked that he was outside and probably not happy about it since he wasn't coming on his own anytime soon (who would leave the womb by choice? It's awesome in there I'm sure). Dylan did all the daddy stuff like cutting the cord while they were taking care of my surgery area. They brought the baby over to me after he was cleaned, and he was there for what seemed like forever. I loved my baby, but I was still kind of out of it. (Side note: a lot of people complain that the C-section babies don't get to have the skin to skin stuff right away, but honestly, I was ok with seeing my baby the way I did. They took him to the nursery for 3 hours after that for monitoring because that is how they roll at the hospital I went to, so either vag or C-section I wouldn't have gotten him the whole time right away).

They finished getting my stuff together down there, and then I went to recovery for 3 hours. I don't remember recovery that well, I just know I kept asking for a beer (I don't drink so who knows what I was thinking. Gotta love morphine). Dylan got to be with me, and we then all went to the room when I was cleared to go and we got to have little Henry with us. He was so tiny and perfect. Again, I was out of it, but I just loved him. He was worth every struggle and every second of the wait to get him here. We are in love and are so happy with our little one.

As far as the C-section recovery, it has been so so so much easier than everyone made it out to be. I was up walking the next day, a little sore, but up. I was discharged after 48 hours and sent home with some pain pills (my choice to go home so early). I was at Target just the day after I got home, and was sore but not excruciating. I had a little tenderness in my tummy area, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'd way rather have it be my tummy than my lady party :) I'd say at 3-4 weeks post-partum things were almost back to normal, and now at 6 weeks PP I'm great. The biggest thing for me I think was staying active and fit during pregnancy, so my body responded well to the whole surgery process. So, if you have to have a C-section, don't listen to other people. Keep it between you and your doctor, and do what is best for your baby. I loved my experience, and I'll say it again, I freaking loved my C-section. My scar is way low in my under garments, and you better believe I'll be back in a bikini once I stop eating brownies for breakfast.

Just a Hormonal Pregnant Rant

Just a fair warning, if you think pregnancy thoughts and posts are boring, I’d skip reading this one. It’s a doozy, I’m super pregnant and hormonal, and it might just put you to sleep.

Anyways, I just thought I’d do a little documentation of my thoughts about this whole pregnancy. First, this picture below is right when I was finding out I was pregnant. (No judgment please. I do wear bikinis, and maybe in your mind I still need to lose a few L.B.S, but this is my blog so deal with it). This was around the time I’d been doing crossfit for 6+ months, and I was feeling the best about my body that I ever had. Just a side note/plug here for crossfit: This is the best I have ever felt about myself physically and not just by looks. I’m not looking for opinions on why crossfit is so bad for you (I know there are plenty of haters out there, so please keep it to yourself. I know my body, and my coaches are FABULOUS so please find a workout that works for you and let me love me some crossfit). Crossfit just gave me this empowerment that my body really could do hard things, and like it too. I looked forward to going to the gym, getting stronger, and I just love love loved it. I drank the Kool-Aid people, and as soon as I have clearance to go back to working out, I’ll be back.

Because I was so happy with my body at this point (yes I had a little ways to go still, but I was seeing changes that I’d never seen from spin, body pump, group fitness, etc.) I was a little nervous to see what would happen to my body during pregnancy. I know that sounds so vein, especially since this pregnancy has been such a blessing, but I’m a girl and that is how I was feeling.

All I can say about being pregnant is, I have absolutely loved every minute of it. Even the throwing up and nausea in the first 14 weeks. Don’t get me wrong, pregnancy is kind of hard sometimes, but it is an amazing thing. I still get the discomforts and stuff that everyone gets. I am a huge sufferer of the 3 H's: Heartburn, Hemorrhoids, and Having sex. But,this is one of the first times I’ve felt completely confident with my body (even though I’m getting bigger and all that fun stuff), and I am amazed that this is what our bodies are made for.

I know I’ve been lucky to have such an easy and fun pregnancy. I haven’t had any back pain or had to be on bed rest, so I really can’t complain. And some people do have the right to complain. But for the most part, I get so annoyed when I hear those complaints (unless they are validated by multiples, bed rest, getting super fatso, back pain, etc.). Getting to hold a baby in these bodies we’ve been given is such a sweet blessing, and not everyone gets that blessing. My struggle to get pregnant (and stay pregnant) is so minor compared to so many people that I know, and I feel so blessed to be able to have had such a healthy pregnancy with a healthy baby boy on the way. I am just soaking up every last minute of having this little one in my tummy; every kick, every weird look people give me at the gym, every craving that I HAVE to have. And maybe you think I’m crazy, and that’s fine. But I just wanted to write this down so I could remember how happy this baby has and will make me, because it truly is the sweetest and most fun time Dylan and I have had so far in our marriage. We are so excited for this little guy to get here, but not too soon because I don’t even have the nursery all put together (or his clothes all washed). 

Our Big News

Where to begin?? Well we all know where babies come from, so I know I don’t have to go there… But in all seriousness Dylan and I are so so so super excited for our little baby to get here in March 2014. It’s kind of funny how things work out sometimes. I mean I get it, how Heavenly Father works and all, but it’s pretty great sometimes when you just kind of let it all go.

I was scheduled for a doctor’s appointment at the beginning of July to start “checking things out” if you know what I mean. It had been a year since the terrible awful, and we hadn’t been able to get pregnant on our own, so we thought there might be some sort of issue or whatnot. So the beginning of July comes around and somehow I didn’t get that thing that tells you you’re not pregnant (you know), so the initial fertility consultation turned into an OB appointment. I actually ended up hating my first doctor. The initial pee test that they had me take in the office came back negative, so they were trying to tell me I wasn’t pregnant from that (which clearly from the picture below and the fact that I bought 3 different pregnancy test brands to make sure, I knew I was. Side note: I couldn’t wait to tell Dylan in a creative way, and he was studying at school so I just text him this picture and he came home right away. It was probably one of the happiest moments in our marriage. So fun).

So I had to do the HCG blood test, but this happened to be the day before the 4^th of July, so I had to wait an ENTIRE day to get the rsults back. And low and behold, it came back positive! After that, the OB was telling me “anything can happen” “not to get my hopes up”, etc etc, which you DO NOT tell to someone who has had issues with pregnancy in the past.

So, I switched doctors, and now go to this way funny Cuban doctor who loves babies. He is exactly what I needed, super positive, and I think he is even more excited than Dylan and I to have this baby. Plus, he gives us an ultrasound at every apoointment which is so fun, and he let us find out the sex of the baby when I was only 13 weeks (he did a blood test, it’s this new trendy test and it was awesome finding out so early, but kind of weird at the same time since we hadn’t told people yet and I wasn’t showing even though I thought I was).

Anyways, the first trimester was a real doozy for me. I was super sick all the time, super tired, and just did not feel “normal” like ever. I was always nauseaous, and the only thing that made me feel better was eating or sleeping. Poor Dylan, he probably thought I was such a loser during that time. I was thinking that was going to be how all of pregnancy was, and I was really thinking there was no way I could do this for a second baby if it lasted the whole 9 months. Then, the second trimester came around, and I was like a whole new woman.  I still love sleeping (but that is just how I roll), but I can pretty much eat normal again (though I still love carbs). I can even go to the gym without having to take a 3 hour nap afterwards (though sometimes I take the nap just because I want to). I did quit crossfit in my first trimester (I will write a post on my love of crossfit in the future because I owe it a million blog posts for my obsession), and I just joined a normal gym right behind my house which has been good. I haven’t had any weird cravings, though there was a 2 week period that I ate a jar of pickles every 2 days (cliché but it was sooo good). I switch up what I love every week or so, this week it is chips and salsa.

WE don’t have a name yet, though there are a few that we think we like. We are going to wait until we meet the little guy to decide who he is, just our preference.

I know we waited a long time to share the news, but it was just such a fun special time for us that we kind of liked keeping it that way. We are so overwhelmed with all the excitement from our friends and family, and we can’t wait until March. We just know he is going to be so cool since he took so long to decide to get here.

Not that everyone needed a play by play on this pregnancy, but I just started writing and couldn’t stop. So, there you go. Here’s some pictures of my progress. I’m almost 23 weeks now (on Saturday), but our A/C is out and won’t be fixed until tomorrow, and I’m strutting around this hot hell-hole house of mine is just my undies so you will have to wait.

This is me at 12 weeks thinking I look like I have a bump… in reality I look back and think “dang I was skinny”

This is me at 15 weeks thinking the bump is again huge… it’s more just bloating. And Barkley wanted to get in on it

This is 19 weeks and I have an actual bump now. It’s fun when people know that I’m pregnant, but for the most part people just think I’m fat stillJ

Living like Kings (for a week)

(First I just wanted to share a genius idea I had today. You know all those ANNOYING giveaways on Instagram that you really want to do but you don't want to crowd people's feed with? Well I started a second IG account today and just followed all the normal giveaway accounts, etc. So I will never crowd your feed with giveaways now and will just use my giveaway account for giveaways. So Smart)

Anywho- we were lucky enough in August to get spoiled for an entire week when my in-laws came out. Sadly, I am really horrible at taking pictures, so we have a few of some different activities, but you will mainly have to use your imagination.

We got to do lots of fun things and eat at lots of expensive restaurants that we don't normally get to eat at. Plus my in-laws make for a great time, so it was awesome. Really, I lucked out with my in-laws. I mean, sure, people like their in-laws, but I am as comfortable with my in-laws as my own family. They are super funny and so easy to be around, and I think they like me to so it all works out.

We went down to the Keys for a few days, which was so fun!! My in-laws bought us snorkeling gear so we could explore the waters that weekend, but it turns out the beaches in the keys are just kind of so-so, and the only good snorkeling you have to pay for. But, since we are spoiled, we got to go to this way cool reef and go snorkeling. It was kind of choppy that day, but it was still BEAUTIFUL. Since it was choppy though, you couldn't really see way far in front of you, and I got stung by a jelly fish. Don't worry, I didn't have to pee on myself. They had vinegar on the boat for these kinds of incidents. And it didn't even hurt that bad, really.

We walked on this cool bridge that was the old road to the Keys (there is just a loooong road over the water to get down there... it's pretty cool), and watched the sunset one night.






It was my birthday the week they were here too, so I got extra spoiled. They took us to Cheesecake Factory (who doesn't love that), bought me lots of fun things at the mall, and we went for a night on the town to this play called Slava's Snow Show (think blue man group meets The Artist). It was so awesome. And we ate at this way fancy restaurant at the Opera House that was WAY WAY more than Dylan and I could afford so it was a really fancy night out. I would've taken pictures, but it's not the kind of place you get your iPhone out and start snapping pictures of your food, you know?

Other than that, our A/C was out for a whole week while they were here, and it was Hell.

And then a picture of Barkley because she really knows how to kick back and relax.

We're (Dol)Phin-Atics!

Get it? Fin-atics? It was all over shirts and paraphernalia in the gift shop, and I thought it was pretty clever. So, one of the bonuses in living in a big city is we get to do lots of fun things, like go to NFL (pre-season) games for cheap. Like $7 cheap. The only thing that sucked was the $25 parking, but we drove with 2 other couples so we split it 3 ways. We are so thrifty.

Long story, but Dylan was really mad at me when I didn't buy Dolphins tickets last year during pre-season since that is the only time we can afford them, and then I dropped the ball again and didn't buy pre-season tickets for the Heat either. Whoops. So, this was my attempt to make up for it. We went with like 10 or so friends (really popular), and had a blast. The only thing I bought at the game was an $11 soda and a bag of popcorn. The soda didn't have to be that expensive, but it was a refillable souvenir cup, and I knew I was going to want to keep the cool cup and drink at least 3 diet cokes. It paid itself off.

And, now for what we read blogs for, the pictures:
(Please note I am the only one wearing a shirt that supports the team)

Callings and other sappy Church Stuff

So, I know I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog, and since I don’t want the era of blogs to die, I’ll do it. But it’ll be slow, and I’m going to do it backwards because it’s way easier to remember what happened yesterday. I’ll continue to go through my photos and then either make up cool stories about it or tell you what actually happened.

So, first thing is first. Dylan and I just moved (again) to a different place in Florida. We just moved to this little beach town called Sunny Isles. It’s heaven. It’s closer to Dylan’s school, literally 5 minutes from the beach walking, and we live near all our friends. It’s so fun, and we love it. I’ll write more on that later. But, with a move came a new ward. I was just recently the Young Women’s President in our last ward, and let’s face it, “high profile” callings are a lot of work. So, I was kind of hoping to lay low and maybe not even get a calling in the new ward for a little bit, or at least get something awesome like ward greeter. Dylan and I were in our new ward for a total of 3 days, and then I got called to be in Young Womens and Dylan in Young Mens. So, here we are again. It’s actually been awesome with Dylan working with the youth too because now we do all the activities and stuff together. It makes it so much more fun.

Yesterday we were lucky enough to go to the temple with the cutest kids ever. I really cannot say enough about the kids in this ward. A lot of them are converts or don’t have active parents, and they are solid. They come to church on their own, ask amazing questions about the church, and are just awesome. I sometimes wonder why I’m the leader because they are way better examples to me than I am to them. Heavenly Father is funny sometimes.

Though it’s challenging and time consuming and crazy at times, I’m so so so grateful to be working with the girls right now (and Dylan the boys). It has been one of the sweetest blessings and I am constantly reminded of how exciting the gospel is and how much happiness it can bring us.

Ok, enough churchy testimony stuff, here’s some pictures. 

It's been a while

Where to even begin??

I am horrible at blogging, but with Instagram making its entrance in a BIG way, I have a fear that people are going to stop blogging. And being someone who LOOOOVES to blog stalk, I need to put some blog posts out into the universe so that it will return some to my Google reader (don’t even get me started on what to do when reader is retired).

So, let’s see here. Oh yes, I work now, as in a real job. Gone are the days of me lounging around watching Pretty Little Liars and feeling sad for myself because I had to move to the sunny and warm state of Florida. I work for a Healthcare Marketing Firm as a Project Manager. It’s kind of hard to explain, but I do work from my house (cheaper for the company to pay for my internet/phone bill than to pay for real estate to have a real office), and I love my life. The job is different week to week, but I love my boss so much and the job is even better. She is super flexible, and a lot of weeks I only work 30 hours so that I can go to the beach and be lazy. It’s fab. Dylan is an all-star at school, getting almost a 4.0 this semester (he was soooo close). He has really amazed me how dedicated he has been this semester. Sure it stinks sometimes being home alone until 11pm at night (which is also not good for baby-making since I love me some sleep), but it has really paid off with his grades. He is in the top of his class, and just makes me proud in the cheesiest way possible. Florida living has really taken a liking to us, and we have loved getting tan (and sometimes burned), playing outside all the time, taking up tennis again, and swimming until our hands are raisins.

We all know people don’t read blogs for the words, so I’ll put some pictures too, don’t worry. In March one of my cutest/best friends ever Rachel and her hubby went to Orlando for a little baby moon. Dylan and I went up to Orlando for a few days with the Barkley in tow, and left her at the Disney World Pet Resort. She hated it, but we felt good knowing she was only a few miles away and getting the best treatment ever, because let’s face it, Disney is amazing. Since this trip was sans kids, we just did whatever the hell we wanted to, and we didn’t even have to go back to the hotel room for an afternoon nap (usually I need one). We closed Epcot the first night, and then started the next day with Rachel and the group at Magic Kingdom. Rachel and Aaron treated us to the BEST meal ever at “Be Our Guest”. Think Beauty and the Beast Castle, AKA every little girl’s dream. It really was magical.

Then we rode some rides, went to Animal Kingdom (the new Kilimanjaro ride is AMAZING!!), and then ended the night again at Magic Kingdom. Dylan and I were on the Big Thunder Mountain Coaster while the fireworks show was going on, and I think I said at least 15 times “This is so Magical”. And, it really was. I freaking love Disney, even without kids. I know it will be a different experience one day when we get to go back with our littles, but even with just boring old adults, it’s pretty great. Enjoy some pictures, some stolen from others below:

Be Our Guest

This may be my fave picture ever of Dylan. I don't get it.

That Toy Story Ride is amazing. I always lose, and don't even worry I got mad at Dylan after I lost (like no talking to him for atleast 15 minutes mad).

I didn't even know they had an aquarium. Duh, of course they do, it's Disney.

Typical.

Sure do love her.