Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful this year.

I am thankful for our newest addition, Cole has been just perfect and I am so glad he completes our family. He is just adorable and I didn't think I could love another just as much as I love Lilly, but boy I am in love!

I am thankful not to be pregnant anymore...haha, but seriously I was done and the whole gestational diabetes thing was enough to drive me up a wall!

I am thankful for Lilly who simply amazes me everyday. She is so smart and funny and she is being a wonderful big sister. I can't wait to see what a the rest of the year brings to her.

I am thankful for my wonderful husband. He has totally rocked this year, especially through my pregnancy and this first two weeks of Cole's life. He is such a great dad and husband.

Lastly I am thankful for having such a great family. Dinner at my dad's was fun as usually, I miss my mom but she would love that we all still get together and have dinner there.


Here is a family photos, I tried to get us all to match, we sorta do, but Cole and I had limited things to wear!

2 weeks!

At Cole's two week appointment Cole is back to his birth weight plus and ounce! So he is 9 lbs. 2 oz.

I am so happy that he and I were able to do this. I am pretty sure this didn't happen with Lilly. Not that it was a bad thing but he pretty much gained an ounce a day, which if you read all the stuff on newborns is what they are suppose to do. I hope that this means I will also be more successful when it comes to breastfeeding and pumping. I don't know what I think this will have anything to do with it but I hope it does! I would love not to have to buy formula as long as possible.

Other then Cole gaining all his weight back, he is doing well. Sleeping pretty well at night, getting up every two hours, which is ok, sometimes he will go 2.5 hours, which I will take! He still has his umbilical cord and Lilly is very curious about it, but I assure her it will come off soon. I hope so because really I think its kinda gross too.

Life at home

Well since coming home, its been an interesting time for all of us. Poor Lilly has been through the ringer but is hanging in there. Sunday she had a few melt downs, but probably due to no nap. On the plus side she has been doing awesome with potty training. Who would have thought, I think she just wants to prove to us all she is a big girl and a great big sister.

Cole is adjusting well and pretty much eats, sleeps and poops! I must say he is great sleeper and night time feedings aren't bad at all. I pretty much get up once a night and to me that's not bad at all. I mean sometimes I don't go to bed until midnight but that's still ok with me. I am in the happy tired phase. Who knows how long this will last, but for now I am good.

Here are a few pictures since we have been home. I need to get better at taking them, I swear with Lilly I had a million by now!

Just chilling at home, eyes all open and everything.

Silly face, you know sayin' whats up!

Sara and Caden came to visit. Caden and Cole are already going to BFF's, see they are holding hands.

Uncle Benson came by to visit. So naturally I have them all in a picture.

I am not sure why Benson can't make a normal face in pictures?? The worst part this is the best one! Good think Lilly looks good.

Weclome Cole

We welcomed Cole Anderson Roach into the family Tuesday November 9th at 1:05pm. He was born via c-section weighing 9 lb 1.2 oz and 21 inches long. I love to grow some big babies! In case you didn't know Lilly was born weighing 9 lbs. 2.2 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

Cole was born with a full head of hair and the chubbiest cheeks you have ever seen. I was much more aware of what was going on this time around so it was sorta weird experience. I was able to listen to everything that was going on and I knew what they were talking about and when the pulled him out they did mention he was a big boy so I was dying to hear how much he weighed.

Before I went into the OR Ben and I discussed how big we thought he would be, I wasn't convinced he would be 9 pounds but Ben did, and well he was right.

When I got into recovery, I was feeling a little woozy and tired, the spinal meds they gave me didn't end up making me feel great. After a sometime I was finally able to hold Cole. Man I was in love, he looked so much like his sister but the cheeks, I still can't get over then, I mean how many times have I mentioned his cheeks this post so far :) Right off the bat, Cole has been a great nurser, so that fear of him not latching well was over.

My time in the hospital was ok. I had some great nurses and one really bad nursery nurse that totally stressed me out. Long story short, poor Cole was losing weight because my milk wasn't coming in and I ended up having to pump and to help and the one nurse wasn't to nice about what I needed to be doing all night long with no help. Ben was going home so it was just me, I ended up in tears and had Ben come back to stay with me. We made it through the night, and I was more then ready to go home after that.

Everyone was ok with me going home just getting things in place a day earlier then planned was challenging but we did leave! Cole's pediatrician came and we discussed the feeding protocol, we ended up having to supplement after each feeding and if I didn't feel my milk was coming in, to go over the weekend for a weight check.

Once home I felt more confident in what was going on and my milk did come in. Wow, did it come in, so uncomfortable, but this was good for Cole. The pedi, called on Sunday to let me know he wouldn't be in Monday so to schedule an appointment for Tuesday. So I did.

Just a few pics from the first day!

Here is Cole, all 9 pounds of him!

My and my little man. Love at first sight!

Me and my kids. Still weird for me to say and type that. What I have kids?! :)

Me update...

I had day off work! Yay, its nice to get a day here and there. On Tuesday I went to vote, and then went to Target and got some necessary items and then stopped for a pedicure which was heavenly and then off to my NST, sono and doctors appointment.

My NST went ok, but Cole was all over the place, so he kept jumping off the monitor so it took longer then normal. Then I went to my dr. office and it reminded me why I picked morning appointments! It took forever! I get a sonogram first then get my exam. It was packed in there, so I knew it was going to take forever. I finally got my sono and of course Cole looks great! He definitely is looking chunky, yikes. Then I went back into the waiting room to wait for my doc. When I got called back I think I waited in the exam room for 20 mins! She finally came in and low and behold no progress was made. So back into the waiting room till it was my turn to meet with her. Here's where it gets exciting. So after talking to my doc, we decided, ok I decided to have a c- section a week earlier then planned. The original plan was to attempt a VBAC, but with no progress being made and being 38 weeks and big and miserable I decided that at 39 I would just have the c-section. Plus I was going to have another growth scan done at 39 weeks to see if I was going to have to get a section, I just decided that go for it and low and behold, I left the office with a c/s on Tuesday Nov. 9th at 12:45!

Yikes and Yay, all at the same time. This meant one more weekend to get everything together, prep Lilly as much as we can, and have a final weekend as a family of three! Talk about a ton of emotions running through my head. Not to mention Tuesday was the 2 yr anniversary of my moms death. I think it was a great day for me, I sorta symbolized the circle of life. I am sure I will be a mess in a couple of days when I realize my mom will never get to meet Cole but I am sure she is watching down on me and loving that I having a baby boy.

Happy Halloween

The big day is finally here! Lilly was just so excited, she has been dying to put on her costume. In the morning Ben went into work to do some grading while Lilly and hung out at home. Then around noon we went and meet Ben at work and went to lunch. Of course Lilly didn't want to eat the lunch we went and got, I think she had more fun running around the place. We finally got home and Lilly went down for her nap. It was later then normal so I knew I was going to have to wake her but with Trick or Treating going to happen I knew she would be more willing to get up!

We actually got trick or treaters starting around 4pm! We didn't' even buy candy since we weren't planning on being here, when trick or treaters would come. So we ended up giving them cookie and cracker packages we happen to have. Once we got Lilly up we headed to my dad's neighborhood. It was an excellent place to go Trick or Treating. Lilly got a ton of candy and did a great job! She was just so excited. She also go to show her costume off to Uncle Benson, Aunt Kate and Desmond.

We took plenty of pictures of Lilly's Halloween so here they are!

Walking to Grandpa's house, she was on a mission!

Come on Dad, lets go, I need candy!

After collecting some candy from Grandpa!

Going to one of her first houses, she had no problem walking up the door and saying Trick or Treat!

Her pumpkin is getting full.

All smiles, while they dropped me off at Grandpas, I was done with luggind my large belly around!

Just a picture of me, Lilly and Cole :P

It was a great Halloween for all of us!

Autism Walk, playdate, and dinner with neighbors!

So our Saturday was very busy, but it was a good busy. It started off with the Autism Walk down at M&T Bank stadium. Naturally in Roach fashion we were late. Lilly didn't want to wear her shirt I made for her, until she saw that I was wearing the same outfit. Then finally she decided it was ok. On the way to the stadium, which we never drive to, we sorta got lost finding the correct parking lot. The volunteer didn't explain things well, so we ended getting on 95 N, for a hot second only to get off. The walk this year was 2.5 miles going around both Ravens Stadium and Oriel Park, however me being 38 weeks preggo and Lilly walking we only made it around Ravens Stadium. It wasn't bad, Lilly enjoyed stopping by painting a pumpkin and going into the bounce house! Not to mention she got to hang out with her best friend Al. Of course I took some pictures but they are on my phone and I don't feel like uploading them right now. Around 11:30 we decided it was enough and we came home. Just in time for some food and nap, only for me to get ready for the next event. A BaltimoreMommies, MOTC/C Halloween play date.

I hadn't hosted anything in a while, so I thought a Halloween play date would be fun, since Lilly has been loving Halloween activities this year. It was also another chance for her to wear her costume. Its not all the exciting but she loves it. Oh and I must say she is one cute kitty cat! I had a pretty good turn out and here are a few pictures of the fun!

Some of the good treats, I had and so mini cupcakes Sara made! Yummy!

Here is the kitty cat! Isn't she just so cute!

Lilly and her boys! Caden the frog and Alex the Aligator.

Cricket the chicken and Max the cow!

After the playdate, we were to have dinner with our neighbors Sarah and Dave. We have been trying to get together with them forever, probably since July! We both are busy when the other is free. It just happened to work out since our original party was canceled. Lilly was very excited to go visit her friend Kiri and and Ben and I enjoyed just having a nice dinner with friends. We love catching up on neighbor hood gossip and life with another baby. Sarah had her second in the end of September. Lose (said Low-say) which is short for Losehina (pronounced Low-Say-Hee-Na) is nothing but cute and such a good baby!

Phew what a day! It was a nice one, tomorrow should be fun too!

Halloween Weekend Starts today...

So today starts off the big Halloween weekend! Toady Lilly had her party at Little Friends, and man she has been talking about showing her friends her costume. I think everyone knew she was going to be a kitty cat. Unfortunately I was not able to attend the party since I had a half day at work and it was our Halloween celebration, but Ben was able to attend.

He said that Lilly had a wonderful time. Ben was able to take some pictures with his phone I just have to upload them, they aren't great but they are something.

Tomorrow, all three of us will be walking in the Autism Walk down at M&T Bank stadium and then Lilly and I will be hosting a Halloween play date. I hope to get some great pictures of all the kiddos in their costumes. So please come back to check for updates.

Some more potty success!

So pretty much everyday when I pick up Lilly from Little Friends, I have to stop and go to the bathroom, even if I just went right before leaving work. Gotta love being pregnant sometimes!

Anyway, Ben was also there to get Lilly today so I took advantage to go in after we got all of her stuff. Naturally Lilly had to follow me in to the bathroom. I went and then of course Lilly exclaimed she had to go too. So I sat her on the potty and she wanted me to close the stahl door, I was apprehneive about this but she did ok. So I hear her grabbing for the toilet paper and then some "tooting" as Lilly calls it. Then next thing I hear is some pee, so I was all excited about that and when I got in there to help her wipe and I saw some poop in there! I was so excited, I ran out and got Ben told him then ran into the daycare room got a new pull up and wipes and let them know! I was just so surprised and excited at the same time, I don't think Lilly really grasped what she did but I am one happy momma!

Oh and the funny thing is that last week, she told her daycare teachers she wasn't going to potty train until next year! Haha! Oh Lilly Bean seriously its really not the worst thing to use the potty!

Big Baby Boy

Every Tuesday and Friday I go the GBMC for my NST (non stress tests) followed by sonograms and exams (only on Tuesdays).

Well last week I hit 36 weeks and it was time for the growth scan. Pretty much instead of just checking fluid levels they took measurements of Cole to see approximately what size he is. Naturally I like to grow big babies and they were guessing last week, that Cole is about 7 lbs 1 oz. Needless to say they need to keep an eye on his size because of my gestational diabetes, it would not be safe for me to attempt a vaginal birth bigger then 9 lbs. So that would mean I would end up with a c-section. I am still ok with this, but I am really hoping I go naturally.

On a positive note, Cole's head is down and I am have contractions every now and then, but no progress. So I guess only time will tell what will happen.

I went to the Dr. today and still no progress, but I found out that I will get another growth scan on Nov. 9th, so we will see how Cole is doing then. No for the truth, I am not going to lie, at 37 weeks I would be ok if this baby came any day. I am done, done, done! I'm sore, tired and I feel like my patience is wearing thin. I would like to give a huge shout out to my husband Ben, he has been awesome! However I am pretty sure he might be done with me being pregnant too.

Ok, I think I rambled enough and now for the pictures. Here is Cole!

These pics are from last week, 36 weeks. This is Cole with his mouth open, its crazy how good they turned out. I have gotten pics for the last 4 weeks, but these by far are the best and the best of his face. I think he looks like Ben and Lilly combined into one. So I am really excited to see what he looks like. What color hair and eyes. Not to mention, look at those chubby cheeks and full lips!
These pics are from today, 37 weeks. Cole was moving a lot and he had the cord in front of his face so I literally only got two pictures today. I mean he is still so cute! I can't wait to meet him!

Trunk or Treat

So in my previous post I mentioned how much Lilly loves Halloween, well it turned into her calling it Christmas and then I had to make a calendar at work to let her know what days she could dress up and the fun Halloween events we would be going too.

Well finally this past weekend, Lilly got to dress up in her Halloween costume. She has been wanting to be a kitty cat for months, so that's what she is.

Trunk or Treat is an event hosted by my moms group BaltimoreMommies.com and this is the third year it has happened and we have been to it every year. I was stuck at the hospitality table most of the event, but it was part of my duty. Thank god for Ben, he has been a trooper, running after Bean and Al, since being 37 weeks pregnant it isn't so easy to get around.

We got a few pictures but they weren't great. Lilly was on the move and Ben was try to multitask so I will only post a few.

Lilly before we left, she was so excited!

She is possibly the cutest kitty cat I have ever seen! However I might be biased.

Just taking a cat nap! haha, no nap at home, so naturally she was out by the time we got to trunk or treat. I let her sleep for about an hour, I knew she would have been mad if she missed all the fun.

Lilly and her BFF Al, the AL-ligator (haha)

Digging in to her candy!

Let the Halloween fun begin!

Yay, we made it to the pumpkin farm this year. Lilly has been all about Halloween and we have been reading books about this holiday for months. On Fridays I try and leave work a little early so Ben and I can hang out, we occasionally we will take a walk over the a local bookstore and one of the last times we went we got Lilly some more Halloween books and they have been a big hit.

Anyway, we made it to the pumpkin farm and Lilly was amazed. She loved her whole experience, from riding on the mini hayride to the big hayride, to the giant slide, and the animals. Only to top it off to spend time with her BFF Al, and getting pumpkins.

We went to Webers Cider Mill Farm on a Sunday, but it was also a BaltimoreMommies MOTC/C event, so we got to spend time with some of my mommy friends, some work friends and my BFF. All in all a good day.

Here are a few pictures from out trip.

Lilly and I walking toward all the fun!

Of course we had to get one in the pumpkin sign!

The giant hill slide! She loved this!

Aww, her and her best friend Al, conquering the slide!

The mini tractor ride, isn't she just so pretty!

Looking at the animals, see the black bracelet thing on her wrist. Yup she kept this one for about a week. She thought it was the greatest thing and was upset when it pretty much fell off her wrist. She totally loved the pumpkin farm.

Look at me, I got a pumpkin!

My Baby Bump

It seems the last time I updated I had just been diagnosed with GD. Still not my favorite thing about this pregnancy but I have been dealing with it. My blood sugar levels were all over the place even with the diet in place so they put me on meds. The meds didn't seem to be helping my fasting levels so I had to increase the amount I was taking right before bed and low and behold it worked. Yay for not having to go on insulin!

At my 30 weeks appointment, I think it was 30 weeks, I had to switch doctors since I am now considered high risk. Yes gestational diabetes makes me high risk, because they have to monitor me and the baby much more closely. I have been going to the Dr. every week since 28 weeks, oh so much fun. Now that I am 34 weeks, I have to start NST (non stress test) twice a week along with a regular exam and sonogram once a week. I am kinda of excited to see how the little man is doing, but I also feel like I am going to be living at the doctors for the next 6 weeks!

Yikes its kinda scary to think that I only have 6 more weeks to go at the most. I mean I still could go into labor, but we do know for a fact if I don't I will be having Cole on Nov. 15th!


Here are the most recent pictures of me. I am 33 weeks and 3 days.

Opps

Looks like I went a whole month without updating! My bad. I had lots to update on too!

I will try and update better this month.

October has already started out with a bang! We went to Weber's Cider Mill farm last weekend and Bean had a blast. I took ton of pictures so lookout for my next post!

Showers

Bean has finally decided that showers are ok! Yay, since giving her a bath wastes so much water and it takes so long, I am happy to say today Bean took a shower all by herself.

This weekend she took one with me on Saturday and on Sunday. When she wanted me to take one with her today we told her she could do it bye herself and not be scared (since this was one of things she would say when we tried to get her to take showers before, and then it moved to not being scared when she took one with me) There were a few tears when it came to washing her hair but she gets a little confused on what way to tilt her head so she doesn't get soap in her eyes. Overall, she is only 2.5 plenty of time to learn how to take a shower and wash her hair.

Oh my Bean, you are growing up to fast!

Another update on me and Cole

At 28 weeks I have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. Yuck! Tuesday morning I got the phone call from the Dr. I am still less then thrilled with this whole thing, but I have to do what's right for baby Cole.

On Thursday I went to the Geckle Diabetes and Nutrition Center for a class designated for moms diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. I got there at 9 am and left at 12pm. It was a very informative class but a tad overwhelming. I am now a proud owner of a One Touch UltraMini. I use this wonderful device to check my blood glucose levels 4 times a day. It isn't so bad, but I just have to remember to do it. Luckily I have some pretty great girls at work that helped me out today. Besides taking my blood levels I also am on a diet. I pretty much have to count my carbs making sure I don't get to many.

Its a new way of thinking but it isn't horrible. I pretty much eat every 3-4 hours during the day and I am not suppose to go 10 hours between my night snack and breakfast. Not to mention I have to write everything down and have No milk and fruit for breakfast. Not so bad right?! We will see. I go back on Wednesday for a visit, to see how I am doing. Hopefully things are a-okay, but I won't know until then.

I would love for the next 11 weeks to fly by, so I don't have to worry about this, but at the same time I/we are not ready for Cole to come yet. Not to mention we don't have a middle name, a painted room, a new bed for Lilly and well I have to just get organized. I guess this could be a whole other post. Anyway, I will update again after my appointment Wednesday.

She is growing up :(

I guess its to be expected but Lilly is growing up. Yesterday we went to Little Friends for an open house. Bean has moved up from Baby Friends and will now be with 2-4 year olds. I think she will do an awesome job and her language will take off and, fingers crossed, she will become more interested in the potty. But what happened to my baby? Luckily in a few short weeks I will be reminded what its like to have a newborn, but until then I can be sad about how my baby girl is growing up.

Today was Lilly's first day of Little Friends. Like my mom always did, we took our first day of school pictures and she already looks so grown up. Then, since it was break week, I was able to go in a little later and go with Ben to drop of Lilly. She was all excited to go in, and see her new friends and then we insisted we give her a hug and say goodbye. We should have just left, but when she realized we were leaving she didn't want to stay. Poor Bean wanted to go home and not stay. She cried and didn't want to leave me. Of course this made me upset and I am not really sure why (I am going to go ahead and blame pregnancy). So as we were leaving I started to cry. I had no doubt in my mind that she would be ok, but her being upset like this made me sad.

About 15 mins after I got to work Ben texted me saying that he got a phone call saying that Lilly cried for about a minute and then was off to play like it was no big deal. That made me feel so much better and only proved to me that she is growing up and ready for the new fun things that she will be experiencing this year. Go Bean Go!

Bean and Ben! Se is so little yet so big!

Me and my baby girl!

Up close.

Another pic and look at my belly, Me and Cole (28 weeks), and Bean 2 years and 6 months.

Fun with beads

When Ben was in Paris, Lilly and I took a trip to Michael's. Beads were one of the things that she picked out. I was all for it, but we didn't use them until now. Since I have such a girly girl, I thought it might be fun for us to make necklaces. Lilly only liked it for a few seconds, but in those few seconds I happen to get a few pictures.

Sometimes it amazes me the skills she has and then I remember that I work with children that are really delayed. Clearly my Bean can string beads like a champ!

She already has a great pattern going!

Working hard on finding the correct bead to use next.

Stringing them like a big girl. Gosh, isn't she the greatest!?

Update on me :)

This is me at 26 weeks and 1 day. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going. I feel like I am getting bigger by the day. I am pretty sure that I am already bigger then I was last time.

At my doctor's appointment today I gained 8 lbs! Yay, and wow! This whole pregnancy I have lost weight. Why is this the only way I can lose weight? I am hoping this trend follows for when after Cole arrives. A few things happened at my appointment today. First: I failed my glucose test. I hate this test with a passion, it's one part of pregnancy that I hate. I was so sure I passed since I didn't get a phone call but I failed. I don't know much about the whole glucose test in general but its a test they do to make sure you don't get gestational diabetes, which is very bad for the baby and me. So it looks like I will be taking the 3 hour test. Not my idea of fun whatsoever, but at least break week is coming up so I don't have to worry about taking too much time off. Also at my appointment today, I found out that my my c-section is scheduled for Nov. 15th at 10:15 am. This is scheduled in case I don't go into labor myself. I have a feeling I will be having the C/S, but I am hoping it doesn't happen. I would like to experience a vaginal birth but I'm also worried that I will have a huge baby just like Lil (she was 9lbs. 2.2 oz) and pushing that out is not my idea of fun! Oh well only time will tell!

Afternoon at the FBS playground

So Bean loves to go to the playground and this one just happens to be shaded--a huge plus in my book. Its a pretty big playground and really not suited for a 2.5 year old but that doesn't ever really stop Bean. I snapped a few pictures with my phone, so again, not the greatest quality but one day I might get a point and shoot that works (or the new iphone that has a better camera).

Ben is really great with Lilly on the playground and plays with her, when I just like to sit and feel pregnant. Once we were finished with the playground we thought it would be a nice idea to go visit he stream and see if we could see any fish. Friends School really does have a beautiful campus and I love getting pictures of Bean and Ben walking and holding hands. Makes me feel extra special to have these two wonderful people in my life. I am pretty excited to see what baby Cole will bring to the mix!

Success, this is the second time at this since Ben accidentally clunked Lilly's head into the handle the first time.

The big slide.

Yay, I love the slide.

Cheese, she thinks she is such a big girl.

I absolutely love this picture.

Welcome August

Today, since it wasn't so hot out, Lilly and I took a trip to the zoo! I haven't been to the zoo in a long time and usually it's all three of us, but I thought I could brave it. Being pregnant it wasn't the easiest of things to do but I managed. Lilly did a wonderful job walking and riding in the stroller.

We got to the zoo right as it opened (10 am) and we didn't leave until a little before 1. We opted to go on the tram instead of walking, I think she was a little hesitant especially since she rode in her stroller on the tram, but she did great.

So here are a few pictures from our trip. There are only a few but I felt like the pictures I took, where the only times I go to stop and take a breather! Haha!

Lilly in the stroller on the tram.

She still loves the turtles!

Standing in the nest, why would she possibly sit down??

Going down the slide, um yes she went down it repeatedly without any hesitation. She really is growing up!

Brushing the goats, she loves the goats too!

Looking at the giraffes.