On Thursday I went to the hospital for a scheduled (and required) c-section. Rick met my OBGYN for the first time and 20 minutes later, the doctor brought our baby into the world. That’s sort of how it goes when you’re having your 5th kid.
I made sure everyone in the operating room was sober because it never hurts to check these things out. I mean, I didn’t require a breathalyzer or anything. They just had to walk a straight line. The birth was okay. A lot of nausea and pain due to air under my diaphragm.
Our beautiful son was born and we introduced him to everyone as, “We aren’t quite sure on a name but standby, we have some finalists and I’m sure we’ll narrow it down shortly.”
That was two days ago.
I have tons of girls’ names that I absolutely love but it seems selfish to raise him as a girl just so I can use one of them.
Apparently “Grey’s Anatomy” is still on the air because (SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!) a few friends texted me the name Bailey after Meredith had a baby boy on the show and named him Bailey.
But other than that pesky name detail, he is absolutely perfect. Love him madly.
(If you are a guy, you really don’t need to read this. I mean, you can. But don’t say you weren’t warned.)
I was going to get a tubal ligation (that’s fancy for getting your tubes tied) since I have to have a c-section. I was told it’s easy! It takes 3 minutes! As long as the doctor has already cut you open, why not?!
I was sort of convinced. But then I sort of wasn’t. And finally, I decided against it all together. I thought, “Hey, maybe we will love having 5 kids so much, that we will want a 6th!”
ARE YOU INSANE?! I NEVER THOUGHT THAT.
I chose not to do it because there was something bothering me about the procedure. So I started reading about the risks and I wasn’t happy. There are women who are suffering from something that is very real called Post-Tubal Ligation Syndrome.
Symptoms can include…
- Menstrual irregularity
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Anxiety or depression
- Decreased libido
- Thinning hair and fingernails
- Breast tenderness
- Weight gain
- Osteoporosis
- Uterine prolapse
- Headaches
Ugh. I know there are many many women who get their tubes tied and live happy, healthy, care free lives. But I just can’t add the possibility of this syndrome to my plate. There can also be a lot of emotions that go along with having your tubes tied and frankly I don’t have the energy for that either. So what I’m saying is…
My darling husband is going to have to step up to the plate for a vasectomy. Feel free to cheer him on.
mama bird notes:
Okay, enough about tubal ligations! Have you ever wondered if all those cute moms in yoga pants and tennis skirts are really working out? Here’s the answer on Lifetime Moms.
If you read my blog, you know that my dad can be a little quirky.
Like his mobile closet.
And I recently tried to take a picture of him with my twins and I asked him to smile about 8 times. This is what he finally came up with….
After I showed him the photo, he said, “The twins aren’t smiling either.”
I mentioned that they are toddlers.
And over the weekend, I asked him to pick up flowers for 6-year-old Summer’s ballet recital (which might be one of the highlights of my life it was so cute) and he was nice enough to pick up the flowers. Except this is what he bought…
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Summer! We loved your recital!!
Of course, the poor man is colorblind and I gave him no direction so maybe that had something to do with it.
And in case you think my dad never gets even with me for sharing these things, let me tell you this tidbit.
Because I am an incredible loving daughter, I recently drove him to a medical appointment so he could get a steroid shot in his leg. When I picked him up, he said, “They told me I might have to get an epidural but I am so glad I didn’t because that would totally have FREAKED me out.”
“Oh really? Why would an epidural bother you so much?” I said.
“I don’t know. The whole idea of it just seems very freaky.”
“I see. You mean, like if you had to get one if you were having a baby for example?” I responded.
“Uh. Yeah. Like that,” he said, glancing at my 38 week pregnant belly.
Speaking of 38 weeks, this was me on my last big night out…
I think when your boobs appear to be resting on your belly, it’s about time to have a baby!
mama bird notes:
I did some eves dropping on teenagers and found out some very interesting things. Read my piece on Alpha Mom.
I told my 8-year-old daughter recently that it’s hard to remember when I wasn’t a mother. It has changed me so completely. Yet, there were years and years (too many to count, okay too many too share) that I existed on this planet just doing my own thing.
What was I doing exactly?! I can’t really remember. Working, exercising, looking for my future husband, ordering take-out, keeping a rigorous TV schedule, stuff like that I guess.
But then these little beings came into my life and I’m just different.
On Thursday, I went to pick up my 6-year-old daughter at dance rehearsal. The place had been evacuated and there were firetrucks outside.
My heart just seized until I saw her.
That is sort of what motherhood is – continually trying to protect these precious people that mean more to me than myself.
I recently watched a docu-short called The Untold Stories of Motherhood. It’s the stories of all kinds of mothers through adoption, teen pregnancy, foster parenting, etc. I couldn’t get through this video without tearing up and I pride myself on being an emotional rock. Let me know how you do….
This video is helping kick off Oxygen’s second season of their docu-series “I’m Having Their Baby” on Wednesday, June 12th at 10 PM ET/PT. It’s an authentic look at adoption through the eyes of the birth mother.
This post is sponsored by Oxygen.
P.S. A very happy mother’s day to all the wonderful mothers, grandmothers, aunts and pregnant ladies out there. xo
I have a lot to tell you about today. First of all, did you hear that apparently 3 kids is the most stressful number to have? So if you have 3, you should immediately try to make it 4. I’m going to just assume that 5 is like a relaxing day sipping pina coladas in the Caribbean.
Also, according to this same study, 72 percent of moms stress about how stressed they are. Wow. That sounds stressful.
Okay, second thing. Awhile back I wrote an article for Lifetime Moms about Kim Kardashian’s pregnancy wardrobe needing just a smidgeon of help and boy, that girl does not listen to me. Because this is what she wore to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala…
I’m not saying that there isn’t a right time to wrap a floral quilt around yourself and call it a dress – I’m just saying that maybe not when your pregnant.
Thirdly, the infamous tan mom released a pop single. Oh yes, she did. I guess there must be tanning beds that double as recording studios or else how could this happen? If you want to check it out or just can’t figure out a way to stop yourself, here you go….
Should I give you a moment to recover?
Moving on – Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (that philandering, not so truthful one) just revived his political career by winning a special election for an open U.S. House seat. He beat comedian Stephen Colbert’s sister.
You might remember Sanford because when he was governor, he disappeared for days to spend time with his lover in Argentina. Oh, he was married at the time. And his staff claimed he was out hiking the Appalachian trail. But you know, whatever! Let’s get him back in office!!
Finally (and this one is super important), there are making a Hot Tub Time Machine 2!
Man, this movie sucked the first time around but heck, let’s give it another go. Because who doesn’t love hot tubs! And time machines! And John Cusack! (Disclaimer: This time around there is no John Cusack so I hope you really like time machines and hot tubs.)
mama bird notes:
Are you a mama bird diaries’ facebook fan? It’s so easy and free and I think promotes weight loss. Just click here and become a fan!!
kelcey kintner
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