Family Update - Our Sweet Jensen

You may remember (what feels like a lifetime ago) when Jared and I found out that our sweet Jensen would be born with only one working kidney. We were nervous and worried, not knowing what this would mean for him, and for us.  But we were lucky - blessed - to find out that our tiny boy's condition would have minimal impact on his health. His one good kidney is doing the work of two and he's as healthy as a horse!

The unfortunate piece of news is that (now that he's 2) his "bad" kidney has shrunk to a small, solid mass, rather than "disappearing" as we had hoped. It may stay this way forever with no change, and no harm to him. But there's a slight chance it could turn into a serious problem, with a slim possibility of cancer.

Based on many factors - some personal, some practical - Jared and I made the decision to have Jensen's "bad" kidney surgically removed. This eliminates risk of future health issues, as well as twice-yearly screening he would have to endure for most of his childhood.  The surgery is a routine, laparoscopic procedure that will be done here in Denver.

But surgery is scary and never entirely risk-free. After a very frightening ordeal with my brother, David's, routine appendectomy in 2009, I am especially nervous and scared for Jensen's upcoming surgery.  We just ask for your thoughts and prayers to be with us over the next couple weeks of preparation and recovery. We love our little stinker so much and can't wait for this event to be behind us. <3


UPDATE:

Jensen's surgery was a success! On April 20th, we checked in to the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver and went through the pre-op, operation and recovery process with no complications (and minimal tears!).  We stayed just one night there with our sleepy, sore boy before we were discharged!  Since Surgery Day, Jensen has regained his usual spunk and sweetness, and has been healing tremendously well.  He will have three small scars on his abdomen (one is in his belly button). But the BEST part is that he will never be at risk of developing cancer in his bad kidney, because it's no longer there! YAY!

We want to send out lots of hugs and thank yous to everyone who kept us in their thoughts and prayers over the past few weeks.  This was a trying time for us, but we made it through!

* If you are interested in helping us with Jensen's surgery expenses, please take a look at my etsy shop or my Instagram shop.  100% of my profits go towards Jensen's medical expenses *

Our Big Friday Night

As parents of two young kids (well, babies) we rarely get the chance to have a relaxing evening.  I LOVE being a mommy and I SUPER LOVE my kids, but sometimes you just want to have a peaceful night to unwind alone with your husband.  Don't worry though, my 8 month old and 2 year old make sure that never happens!

Here is a sample of a pretty typical Friday night in the Buckley House:

7:45 - Peanut's bedtime.  Storytime, snuggles and a bedtime prayer. 
8:00 - Peanut runs out of his room to ask for a snack
8:05 - Peanut runs out of his room to ask for a drink
8:15 - Coconut has his nighttime bottle and then goes to bed
8:20 - Dogs start barking frantically at a noise.  
8:30-9:00 - Peanut runs out of his room just to make sure we are still here (repeat every 2-3 minutes)
9:20 - Coconut wakes up SCREAMING, burps, snuggles, goes back to sleep
9:45 - We check on Peanut. He's asleep upside-down, under his pillow, one leg hanging off the bed
10:00 - Dogs go out for bedtime potty, Mommy & Daddy get ready for bed
10:00-11:00 - Mommy & Daddy watch TV, manage Etsy shop, play video games, work on art projects, shower, check Facebook, etc.
10:20 - Coconut wakes up SCREECHING, nurses for 30 minutes, goes back to sleep
11:30 - We turn off the light, snuggle into bed, alllllllmost fall asleep...
12:30 - Coconut wakes up HOLLERING, nurses for 45 minutes, goes back to sleep
1:15 - I fall back asleep
1:50 - I wake up with a MASSIVE coughing fit, feel like I'm choking to death for 10 minutes, lie awake in bed for 30 more, worrying about having another coughing fit
3:25 - Jared wakes me up "sensing a presence" in our room.  Finds Peanut asleep on our floor.  We send him back to bed.
6:00 - I wake up from a bad dream to Coconut fussing unhappily.  I make Jared go get him and nurse him in bed for an hour.
7:00 - Coconut is chattering and giggling so loudly that I can't fall back to sleep.
7:15 - I give up, get out of bed, play with Coconut in the family room.
8:00 - Peanut stumbles out of his room, rubbing his eyes, looking sleepy.  Gives me a big kiss.
8:01 - I remember that my babies are growing up so fast, and recall my night of almost no sleep with a rosy fondness.  It's all so worth it.


Happy Saturday, friends.
<3

Snuggle Up! with Letter Pillows

I know a pair of girls who turned 7 this summer...  and I wanted to make them some personalized pillows in the shape of their initials.  This project is only slightly less basic than sewing a throw pillow - pretty simple. 

I began by drawing a pattern.

 My favorite method for sewing my own patterns (probably the "lazy" method) is to trace around my paper pattern with a pencil, then sew on that line.  This is quicker and easier than adding seam allowances to my pattern.  It also ensures that I stitch precisely where I want my seams to end up.  

I used a stretchy, soft fleece for the backs of my pillows. Super cozy!

Once I had sewn along my pattern line (leaving a couple inches open to turn my pillow right-side-out), I trimmed the edges and clipped the corners.

I typically use a large crochet hook when turning my projects, which allows me to push out crisp corners and edges without poking through my fabric by accident.  

The "A" challenged my spacial reasoning skills at first... 

I had to leave the center seam open in order to turn it right-side-out, then hand stitch it closed. 

Once turned, I stuffed my pillows (really really full, so as to avoid a "floppy" appearance) and hand stitched the opening closed.

I was so thrilled with how this quick project turned out that I made a couple for my own babes too!

A Little Hand Lettering

 

So much time has passed since my last post (nearly 7 months!?!).  I guess that's what you get when you are the mom of 2 kids under 2!  And, oddly enough, life has actually gotten easier since our graduation from the "2 under 2" club (Little J turned 2 a few weeks ago!).  He is also bubbling over with excitement about his new vocabulary, especially his ability to point out every car we pass on the road... The new Baby Coconut is almost 6 months old now, and finally following a loose daily routine - and sitting up all by himself! Busy, busy!

Luckily - for my own sanity - I have managed to make some time for myself lately to work on some art projects.  This one (above), is one that I painted for my mom to use as baby shower invitations back in November.  I added my invitation text digitally, then had them printed at Staples.  (My Autumn Baby Shower post can be viewed by clicking this link).

But the original painting had a big blank oval that I never had time to fill in.  I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to fill it with anyway... so this project got pushed to the back, back, back, back burner.  Until I had a free evening last week!

I painted a watercolor panda for Little J when I decorated his nursery, and I wanted baby #2 to have a Mommy Painting of his own.  Since I painted this little bad boy while I was pregnant with Baby Coconut (and since it was the inspiration for his baby shower theme), it seemed appropriate to officially make it his painting.  With hand lettering!

Autumn Baby Shower

It seems like the final weeks of this pregnancy are racing by.  It's as though every time I blink, an entire day has passed.  I'm in full-on, panic-stricken nesting mode now - at 34 1/2 weeks - and for the past few days I've been stuck on the couch with a yucky cold.  I keep scrolling down my huge to-do list, wishing I had the energy to get up and accomplish just one task.  And my main helper has been stuck in the adjacent recliner with the same cold, so the only thing we accomplished this week was finishing a full season of Supernatural on Netflix... 

I also managed to find the motivation to upload recent photos from the beautiful baby shower my mom hosted a couple weeks ago:

 Painting is one of my many hobby passions, so I was happy to provide some art for the invitations.

32 weeks pregnant! Ready to party...

I am so thankful to have such a wonderful network of women in my life - especially my mom! And I'm grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the upcoming arrival of my second baby!  Every baby is a blessing and we really felt like Baby #2 was honored at this little party!

Autumn Woodland Baby Shower

The acorns on our table fell from my parents' oak tree a few weeks ago.  I painted them gold and glued the caps back on so we could use them for table decoration.  Super easy and adorable!

The brown "baby" letters I cut from scrapbook paper and my mom pinned them to a leaf garland with miniature clothespins. 

Hot Chocolate Bar

Coffee Creamer Bar

Acorn Donut Holes

Our hot chocolate bar was stocked with marshmallows, white chocolate chips, crushed peppermints and, of course, whipped cream.  My mom used a great crock pot recipe for the hot chocolate, which can be found here. 

We gave our guests some tasks to complete while they sipped their hot cocoa:  a Wishing Tree, Mad Lib and Diaper Message Center.

Wishing Tree

some lovely "wishes" for baby!

leaf confetti using a leaf punch

Our shower favors were little bags filled with a delicious autumn trail mix (recipe adapted from this one) using caramel-flavored candy corn and cranberries.

The men-folk enjoyed their time together (and the leftover shower treats)!

Thankful

Thanksgiving Day always serves as a nice reminder of the importance of gratitude.  We live in such a busy, go-go-go, society that it's really hard to remember to stop once in a while to give thanks - especially when thankfulness is such an undervalued attitude.  

Cynicism is too often over-appreciated, while those of us who value kindness and positivity are labeled as "naive" or "cheesy."  Complaints dominate social media and there always seems to be a sick competition to determine "who has it the worst."  Why do we want to be miserable?  Why do we compete for "most funerals attended" or "most stressed out?"  Can't we focus on the good things in life?  Every day that we are alive is a wonderful and amazing miracle.  Shouldn't we be thankful for life's blessings every single day? 

I challenge my friends and family to take a moment every day - not just today, not just the month of November - to reflect deliberately and sincerely about what you are grateful for.  I try to commit to a minute of gratitude every night before I go to sleep.  Call it prayer, call it meditation... whatever your beliefs, you can't ignore the importance of giving thanks for what you have. 


In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to share the things that I am thankful for today and every day.

My sweet, intelligent, funny little boy - and the blessing of being his mommy

My husband and our loving marriage

My supportive, loving and generous parents

My caring, fun and amazingly talented brothers - and the friendship we all share

My soul mate dog and her copious loveable quirks

Our strange and hilarious, affectionate puppy

Our precious new baby and his persistent kicking

Packing for a Second Hospital Delivery

My due date is sneakily creeping up on me with this second baby.  When I was pregnant the first time, I felt like the weeks and months dragged on in a cruel, eternal sort of way.  This time things have progressed as though someone pushed the "fast-forward" button on our old VCR: time is moving quickly and fuzzily and who knows when I will have a moment to sit back and actually enjoy this pregnancy?! I hit the 30 week milestone already - that's 3/4 of the way! I'm 75% done! And I know deep down that, with all the upcoming holidays and events, the next 10 weeks will speed by even faster than the first 30.

So, as my due date seems to be tip-toeing up without warning, I figured I should pack my hospital bag in preparation.  I've already begun packing for my Little Peanut, since he'll be staying with Nana and Papa while we are in the hospital.  He has fewer requirements, aside from a very lengthy packet that I typed up describing his daily schedule, eating habits, emergency information and Christmas wish list.  Not like my parents are clueless about this stuff... they watch him frequently.  But he's never been away from home without me overnight.  His bag will also include some spare clothes (and some sort of "big brother" shirt to wear when visiting the new baby), his blankie and bear, diapers, etc. The same items I would pack for any overnight trip.

Jared's bag will be up to him (he's a big boy!), but I will have some suggestions for him based on our last hospital stay:

The Daddy Bag:

• Sweatpants and sweatshirt - I kept my delivery room extremely chilly last time, and Jared was so sleep-deprived that his body ceased to regulate its temperature.  He ended up shivering through the last few hours of labor.  
• Water bottle and snacks - My parents will surely treat Jared to some fast food while I'm in labor (like last time) but in between meals, he will need food and water.  I will pack some (peanut-free) granola bars and beef jerky for him to munch on.  I would also consider bringing energy drinks for him, since he doesn't drink coffee.
• Phone charger and headphones
• Gum - Fresh breath is best
• Entertainment - For Jared this means packing his portable gaming device, but it could also mean a book, magazines, tablet, laptop, etc.
• Toiletries - He never showered at the hospital (he had some time after delivery to drive home and take care of some business, including showering), but he was glad to have brought some deodorant and a toothbrush/toothpaste to freshen up before he had the chance to venture home.  Also consider packing some basic medicine for Daddy (for headache, tummy ache, allergies).
• Change of clothes - He will likely bring a couple extra shirts, undershirts, socks and undies to change into when he starts smelling ripe. 

We are lucky that my parents are in town (like, beyond lucky sometimes) because anything Jared forgets, they can bring him.  Or they can keep me company while he runs home.  One thing I never really touched on in my previous delivery posts was the fact that I don't want to be alone in my hospital room. Not for a moment.  This stems from bad previous hospital experiences and the fear that, at any time, something can go wrong.  And I'm the kind of person who likes to have someone I trust around as backup - just in case.  Some women probably relish any time they get alone in the recovery room with Baby.  I'm not one of those women :)

Speaking of previous posts.... I posted a while back about how I would pack my hospital bag for the second baby (it can be viewed here), but I wrote this entire post long before I actually got pregnant for a second time.  Now that I'm actually thinking about being in the hospital again, I thought it might be prudent to revisit this list with careful consideration.  For some more perspective from a mom who has already gone through the birth experience once before, check out my post "Second Time Around Makes Me a... Pro?".  

I will state again: this list has been written with extremely careful consideration.  I'm not about to tell you exactly what kind of pajamas to pack, and I'm no expert on labor and delivery.  This is MY list that I'm sharing with my readers - and my thought process behind each decision.  Get ready for some serious detail!

No Need to Bring:
Diapers, wipes, maxi pads, disposable underwear, swaddling blankets, nursing pads, baby shampoo, booger sucker - the hospital provided much more of this type of stuff than I expected.  I wished I had packed an extra bag to bring all that stuff home with us though!!  Check with your hospital to find out what will be provided, and prepare for some "free" take-home supplies by bringing a spare bag or box.  Also, don't worry about bringing any kind of "entertainment" for yourself (book, laptop, knitting needles, etc.) because any downtime you have will be spent sleeping!

Definitely Bring: 

Labor Comforts -  everyone is a little different, so think about bringing items that you would want around for comfort if you were, say, sick in bed.  Labor is a similar situation, especially if you have an epidural or don't have the option to get up and walk around. 

• Robe
• Slippers or socks - for walking the halls. Hospital floors are chilly.
• Hair ties/pins/headbands - to keep sweaty hair under control. 
• Water bottle
• Music & headphones - I'll use my iPhone, so I will make sure to pack my charger too. 
• Chapstick  
• Focus Item - The hospital doesn't allow anything that burns (candles, incense, etc) but other labor support items can be really helpful.  For ideas, check this site, read some books, or take a birthing class.  I plan to have an epidural again this time, but I'd like to bring a "focus item" (something to remind me that all my hard work will result in a precious little baby in my arms) to help me through labor. 

**Your pain management is a very personal choice - do your research and take careful consideration before making your birth plan, and try not to judge others for their childbirth decisions.  I repeat, it's a very personal decision for every woman.** 

Recovery Comforts -  even though post-birth recovery is a time of bliss and excitement and you will likely be staring contentedly into your newborn's perfect face, it's also a time of  discomfort (and pain) and, again, similar to being sick in bed. 

Not pictured: pillow, going home clothes

• Pillow - with a non-white pillowcase to distinguish it from the hospital pillows
• Nightgowns or Pajamas - preferably grungy ones that you won't mind staining.  Also keep in mind that you will be examined every couple of hours, so access to your Lady Zone is pretty crucial. Easy access to your Milk Zone will also be important if you choose to breastfeed.  And there is always the possibility of needing a C-Section, which would leave an incision in the lower abdomen.  Pants that are tight against your lower tummy won't be comfy, so take that into consideration as well.
• Big Undies - again, that you won't mind staining.  The hospital provides disposable underwear, but it's not very comfy.
• Clothes to wear home - I plan to choose reallllllllllly comfy maternity clothes, since I don't expect to be much smaller leaving than arriving.  I will also need a warm coat in January - don't forget to think about what the weather will be like when you leave the hospital!
• Toiletries:
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• shower supplies
• hairbrush (the hospital provided a blowdryer)  
• makeup (you'll be happier to pose for pictures if you feel you look your best)
• facial wipes or face wash
• deodorant
• lotion 
• soft toilet paper (the hospital gets their toilet paper straight from the tree... meaning: it's not soft.  I plan to bring my own, cushy TP from home, since my Lady Zone will be sore already)
• prenatal vitamins (if you choose to breastfeed, you'll want to continue taking these for the duration) 

everything packed along with makeup bag

Nursing Comforts - Breastfeeding your baby is a choice - not a requirement.  There is a lot of pressure to be a nursing mom, but it is ultimately up to you.  Many of the best parents in the world opt to bottle-feed their babies. But if you do choose to breastfeed, many hospitals, like mine, are very supportive of this choice by making it standard practice for your baby to "room in" (allowing baby to sleep in the room with you at all times).  I also had no fear of the nursing staff giving my baby a pacifier or a bottle without my permission - this is likely practiced at your hospital as well.  And if you aren't sure about your hospital's policies and procedures regarding these things, don't be afraid to ask.  I hope to give myself the opportunity to successfully breastfeed my second baby, so I will bring:

Not pictured: Boppy

• Nursing bra or supportive tank top - it's nice to feel like your Milk Zone is well-supported if you plan to have visitors
• Lanolin - baby may not latch properly right away, leaving you with sore nipples
• Boppy or other nursing pillow - this is a bulky item that I chose not to bring the first time, but wished I had.  Keep in mind that poor positioning of the baby during breastfeeding can potentially be the single breaking point when it comes to having a successful nursing experience, and hospital pillows may not give you the kind of positioning you'll need.
• Nursing cover (optional) I got my yellow one from this website!

Tech and Other Essentials

Not pictured: Camera, treats for nurses

 

• Camera and charger
• Video camera and charger (Optional. My camera and phone happen to have a video function, so I won't be bringing my camcorder this time.)
• Phone chargers 
• Cash - for snacks and meals
• Notebook - for recording thoughts & feelings, as well as important information and instructions from the nurses/doctors
• Insurance information (for you and for the new baby)
• Extra bag or box - to bring home the hospital-provided diapers, as well as any gifts or flowers you receive
• Gift for older sibling "from the new baby"
• Treats for the nurses - many people I know have recommended bringing cookies or candy for your nurses.  I didn't even think to consider this the first time.  And I may or may not have the time/energy this time, but I do like the idea of thanking my nurses with something sweet.

For Baby   

For the hospital stay

For the trip home

• Outfit to wear home
• Socks and mittens - or consider baby nail clippers to prevent scratches
• Vaseline - coating baby's bottom will make it easier to wipe off those first few sticky meconium poos
• Onesies or sleepers to wear in the hospital - we didn't dress Little J while we were staying in the hospital with him - just swaddled him in his diaper.  But this second Baby will be born in the dead of winter, so I will pack some warm, snuggly clothes this time.
• Hat - my hospital provides a hat for baby to wear home, but I will pack a spare anyways 
• Weather-appropriate travel supplies - warm hat, extra blankets, car seat cover (like these)
• Car seat (strapped into the car)

I packed most of these items (the ones I don't use on a daily basis) into my small duffel bag.  A suitcase would do just fine as well, but I like the option to have my beefcake husband masculinely swing my bag over his shoulder as we walk into the hospital... if you would like a bag suggestion, this is the bag I'm using for my stuff and baby's stuff.  The items that I haven't packed yet are written on a list so that I can throw them into the bag at last minute - things like my phone charger, robe, wallet, etc. that I can't really pack away this early. 

I will reiterate: this is my personal list.  My suggestions for Mommies-to-Be who want some advice for packing.  Please note that I am not a doctor, nurse or midwife - nor am I a professional of any kind.  I'm just an overly organized Mommy who likes to be helpful :)

Happy packing!