Saturday, August 28, 2010

Beau Isaac's Birth Story














Beau Isaac on his birth day.

Riding down a dark country road that leads us to J's parents's house, the vehicle suddenly slows. I clench my jaw as another contraction comes around.

"Babe, they're two and a half minutes apart. Maybe we should go faster," I say. We're dropping the Mini Monster off before heading to the hospital. We thought we'd have plenty of time to make the five minute drive to his parents when we were leaving the house... until I noticed the time separating each contraction. Oops.

"I would but I'm watching for deer crossing, Babe," he said apologetically. Sure enough, we see a small deer tiptoeing out the woods at the edge of the road. J slows and let's it cross the street. We stare at each other eerily. I'm adding "Sixth Sense: Animal Predictor" to J's list of attributes.

Let's back up. The above happened early Monday morning. My water broke 13 days early at 1:00am. My due date was August 28th. I had been telling J and my Mom for weeks that Beau was coming early, I just had this very strong feeling about it. When I started getting contractions at 11pm on Saturday night I looked down at my belly and rubbed it. "I think Mama was right. I'll see you soon little Beau."

All day Sunday the Baberhusband and I literally sat our butts on the couch and timed contractions. We finally got bored and tired around 10pm on Sunday and headed to bed for some shut eye. At that point my contractions were 7 minutes apart. Three hours later my water breaking awakened me. "Jason," I coaxed him awake with a very loud whisper. "Hey babe? Don't freak out, but, I'm pretty sure my water just broke."

I got a sleepy look and J's head rolled back to the pillow... and suddenly jerked back up. "What? Your water broke??" Annddd we were up throwing over night bags in the car and on our way.

When we got to the hospital and pulled up to the curb, the security guard met us and asked if I needed a wheelchair. Like a child excited for a ride in one of those things I say yes, bare down for another contraction and think "This is it." Strange how nervous I was at the beginning of my pregnancy and for years before that... of labor, of delivering a baby. And now all I could do was smile like a fool in between my grimaces. I couldn't wait to meet the little monster who hiccuped three times a day and held his own kickboxing classes in my tummy for the past 9 months. Soon my husband and I would go from "we" to "three".

Before I was even in my laboring room both sets of parents had made it to the hospital. Upon checking how far along I was the nurses decided we needed to get an epidural running asap. This made my heart race: was I really that close? The nurses cooed at me and told me how rare it was these days for a woman to go into labor on her own, without inducing and progress this steadily. I was secretly a little proud...

Towards the end of my pregnancy my doctor predicted Beau to be a large baby. At my 36 week appointment she said "We've got a big ole butt in there," and sent me to get a sonogram to estimate his weight. And at 36 weeks Beau's weight was estimated to be 8lbs, 4oz. An average child's weight at that week: 6lbs. Plus, babies gain a 1/2 lb each week in the last month of pregnancy so you do the math. Needless to say, I was thrilled that I would have a chance to deliver him instead of going in for the c-section she expected me to have at 39 weeks.

After seeing my doctor at 7 am and making the decision to "truck on through" for a regular delivery, J and I held hands and settled in for what we hoped to be just a few more hours. We tried for a cat nap shortly after her visit, but my shakes were getting worse and the epidural began fading to the point where I could feel my contractions again. Not one to be brave, I told the nurses. After a quick Mommy-check we found I had a fever, one that I would keep for days after delivery. This was draining the effectiveness of my epidural.

After 3 hours of very real contractions and being stalled at 8 cm my doctor came in to make a decision. When she pulled up a chair to talk to me and J my heart sank a little. I knew what she was going to say. Beau was sunny side up (which explained the rib pains, little booger, hehe) and while she would stand by my decision to try to deliver him naturally you could tell she was opting for a c-section. (My doc had been very laid back through my entire pregnancy, never pushing a decision on me. At this point I needed her to make one for me.)

At this point I was weak from the fever and pain; I broke down into tears. All I wanted was for Beau to be delivered safely, without him experiencing any trauma. Worried about the baby, we opted for a c-section. How soon? my husband asked her. She stated that we would prep right away but that we had 5 people waiting for a section in front of us. What?! There was a waiting line for c-sections? She laughed and told us that the hospital was a mad-house this night, that they were basically full to the brim with deliveries. We asked if there was a full moon out. :)

An hour and a half later I was being wheeled into surgery. While they prepped me I worried about Jason waiting for me outside of the room.

"Hey Doc?" I asked and she responded, coming into view. "My husband... he's not curious about what's going on down there so can we..." Before it was even out of my mouth she and the nurses were laughing and promised they would prevent him from any necessary distress and/or fainting.

Soon they were ready and he walked in, all Daddy-cuteness in his white scrubs head-to-toe. They sat him down beside me and he immediately grabbed my hand. The only part of him not covered up were his eyes. "Your eyes are killing me right now," I told him, catching a sob in my throat, the tears just cascading down my face. I will remember the way his eyes looked in that moment for the rest of my life.

What seemed like minutes and yet hours later, Beau Isaac was born. I heard him before I saw him and that sweet little mewing off his set me off into another round of sobbing. He was the most beautiful baby I've ever seen. And boy was he big! That was in my tummy?? J stayed by my side and comforted me until the nurses asked if he wanted to come over to where Beau was being taken care of. I assured him I was fine and off he went. Seconds later J was at my side again. Did I want to hold him? Still dizzy with the shakes, I sadly declined. I looked at J's eyes and saw the question before he asked it. Yes, I told him, hold your son. I'm fine.

And another moment later J had our little monkey in front of my face, all 8lbs 15.2oz, 21 3/4" of him. I rubbed his little face with my fingers and kissed my husband before they wheeled me into recovery. "I'll see you soon," my husband said and we exchanged I-love-yous.































Beau being a relaxed lil baby right after delivery.














Jason watching Beau being bathed and fed after delivery. I love the look on his face in this photo.

Three hours later I was wheeled out of recovery into our room. I was told I'd be in recovery for only an hour so I didn't believe my mom when she rushed up to me, a little freaked out that I was in there for so long.

I do recall being in recovery, going in and out of consciousness while the nurses came in waking me to do the touch-and-pinch test. "Does this feel like a touch or a pinch?" After a few times of being woken up for these I realized the sooner those touches felt like pinches the sooner I would be released and would see my baby and husband. I remember trying my hardest to hold my eyes open when she came in and hoping each and every time that the touches would feel like pinches. It didn't even occur to me to fib a little. (Even heavily medicated I'm a rule-follower. *snicker*)

The hours after delivery seemed to fly by. Eventually the shakes wore off and I was able to hold and cuddle my sweet Beau Beau. Oh how he smelled and looked! We heard our family saying "He's got Jill's lips!" and "He's got Jason's eyes!" but all I knew was that he was adorable, the perfect mix of both Jason and I. Would he have our shared sense of humor? J's height? My facial expressions? Would he grow up to be spontaneous like his Daddy? Would he possess his Mama's love for cooking? I saw our lives flash before my eyes of him all grown up as Jason joked beside me about our little linebacker. "Stay little," I whispered to him and kissed his bitty cheek.































Beau Isaac Corkern
Born August 16, 2010
Weight: 8lbs, 15.2 oz
Height: 21 3/4"
With steel blue eyes, blond hair, his daddy's eyes and his mama's lips.
We love you, Baby Beau. Thank you for changing our lives forever.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Even though Beau was taken from me by c-section, I'm so glad I was able to experience labor. It truly is an amazing thing to go through. I had told J before that I had hoped to have a good story to tell Beau when he was older of his birth day. This Mama is happy she got her story. :)

Monday, August 23, 2010

Our First Days with Beau


















While I want badly to start working on my very own "Baby Story" or birth story, I'll have to start with just a few tidbits as my fingers are still very sore and swollen. Just a few minutes of typing and I'm done.

This is not only for me and my online journal, but a present of sorts for the love of my life and now father of my child. Baber, I don't think I could ever repay you for the amount of love and care you have given to me and our little Beau in this past week. I know how much you love my blog posts and well, its been a while... Here's a little token of Mommy-appreciation.

I love you, BaberDaddy.

Our First Days with Beau

People ask if I cried in delivery when I first saw Beau and I said no... The second I heard his bitty voice I cried. Due to a last minute c-section I heard our little guy annouce his arrival before I saw him and that precious mewing of his set me off.

Babe, seeing your face question mine in the delivery room when the nurse asked if you wanted to hold the baby made me realize how lucky I am to have such a selfless, thoughtful man in my life. You knew I couldn't quite hold him just yet and still you made sure I was okay before you stepped in. It may have seemed a small gesture to you but to me, in that shaky moment, it meant the world.

Later that night, holding Beau with J at my side and watching his eyes move from my face to J's face, recognizing our voices as we murmured to him was the most intense, joyful moment I've ever had in my life. That was when it felt real for me, when it set in. We are parents. I am a Mommy.

People tell us "Beau looks just like his Mommy!" or "Beau looks just like his Daddy!" While I'm pretty sure our little guy is the perfect mix of us both, I secretly melt when I hear he looks like his Daddy. When I'm holding him and he furrows his brows or puckers his lips, I see so much of Jason in him and it kills me every time. I imagine what he will look like when he gets older. I know he'll be just as handsome as his Daddy.


















I'm a wreck. I can't see the computer screen.

I cry all the time now but they are nothing but happy tears. The smallest things set me off and I just let them fall. The icing on the cake? Looking up from watery eyes and seeing my husband smiling at me, or hearing him say "You're a mess," before he kisses me on the forehead. Which of course, we all know just makes the tears fall harder.

Did I mention that I'm a wreck? Someone give me a tissue. Shoot, just give me the box.

Something I noticed yesterday and just had to laugh: I love how J and I talk to each other through the baby: "Daddy takes good care of us doesn't he? He does cuz he loves us." ... with Jason sitting right there within earshot, grinning his face off. Funny how a baby brings another way of communication into the mix. :)

Little baby noises. Need I say more?

The way Beau smells right after bathtime. *sigh* There's nothing quite like it.












I catch my husband using Beau's name in the silliest ways. This morning he was singing to our little monkey: Beau Beau Beau Beau Beau Beau Beaaau... in the tune of the Jeopardy melody. I snickered to myself for a minute in the hall before walking into the den and asking if our baby was going to be on the gameshow.

Right now my husband is napping, the first nap he's taken all week. I don't know how he's done it. He changes just as many diapers and gives just as many bottles, along with taking care of all the household chores and taking care of me... I would have crashed long before now if I were him.

Again, I appreciate everything you do for us babe. I hope you liked my "tidbits" of our first days with Beau. I'm so lucky to have you by my side.

xoxo

BaberMama

Friday, August 13, 2010

CELEBRATE WITH JILLRY

Is it really true? That this month marks ONE YEAR that Jillry has been a full time business for me? *squeal* Yes, yes its true...

As most of you know I've been addicted to beads and creating jewelry for close to 15 years now but it wasn't until this time last year that I decided to make it a dream come true, a real live CAREER for myself. You can read about the beginning of my journey here.

I have lots in store to celebrate with you but unfortunately we will have to postpone the festivities until Baby Beau makes his big debut. But fear not! He will be here before you know it and Jillry will be in full swing again.

When will Beau arrive? Well, my due date is August 28th so hopefully any day now. (Eek! Right around the corner!)

When will Jillry reopen? If everything goes as planned, Jillry will reopen in late September. Who knows, I just may be back before. As you've seen I can't even make myself stop with these sore swollen fingers and a concerned hubby pointing his stop-working-now finger at me. I LOVE what I do and I love sharing my days with you, my amazing fans and customers online each day. Staying away is taking not only my job away from me but my friends, fun and social life away as well! (You forget - I have only walls and the Mini Monster to talk to all day...)

Without further adieu, here are some fun things to expect from Jillry at my return in celebration of my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!






I love nothing more than seeing the photos you post of yourselves on my walls daily, sporting my newest Jillry creations and treasures. I know, vain, right? So why not make it less about me and more about YOU?

Starting NOW I will be accepting photo entries for this contest. Take a photo of yourself in your favorite piece(s) of Jillry and submit them either by wall post, personal message to www.facebook.com/JillLamonteCorkern or by email: JillryLove@gmail.com.

What for? For FREE JILLRY of course! The winner wins $50 in FREE JILLRY and FREE SHIPPING for the remainder of the year. (Up to six orders starting September through December.)

Your photos will be posted on the blog no later than September 6th so we can begin the judging process. The judges will be YOU and YOUR FRIENDS so winning can be easy and totally up to you! I will have a poll set up for you on my blog and you can send your friends the link to vote. There are other ways to win, of course:

*Suggest Jillry to your friends on Facebook! Make sure they post your name to my wall in order for you to get an extra entry. You get an extra entry for each new fan that posts their name to my wall.

**Email your friends about Jillry and the photo contest. Simply copy me: JillryLove@gmail.com and you win an extra entry.

PHOTO EXAMPLES: Check out my wall photos to see some of the current fan photos posted.






I think I saw some of your ears perk up. Its no secret you guys like FDF - who wouldn't love a chance to snag a variety of handmade beaded and metal earrings at just FIVE DOLLARS EACH?? This will be a pretty big FDF since its in celebration of my one year anniversary. And what great timing - you can stock up early on Christmas gifts! Think stocking stuffers, teacher gifts and affordable gifts for your co-workers.
This Five Dollar Friday is set up tentatively for September 10th so mark your calendars!






My most favorite event EVER to share with you. I usually hold my trunk shows once a month but by the time this show comes around two months will have gone by without one. *sob* So yeah, its gonna be a big one ladies...

What to expect: TONS of brand new pieces. My fingers will be back to normal and beading away so you will see LOTS of one of a kind handmade beaded jewelry: sets, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Fleur de lis jewelry, metal jewelry, Saints & LSU jewelry. Cuffs and bangles. Keychains: fleur de lis, religious, teacher and pink ribbon themed. Lots of affordable pieces perfect for teacher and Christmas gifts.

This show is scheduled for the week of October 4th-8th. Again, mark your calendars!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's a recap:

Fan Photo Contest - Going on NOW! Judging begins September 6th and will last two weeks. Date of winner annoucement TBD.
Five Dollar Friday - September 10th (tentative)
Trunk Show - October 4th - 8th

That's all for now. I know its a lot of information to take in but I will be posting reminders on my Facebook Fan Page along the way so you don't miss out on these celebrations!

I will also be posting the dates and locations of the local shows I'll be shortly.

Thanks, as always, for your love & support!

xo Jill

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Crockpot Mexican Chicken Spaghetti

Well here it is, the concoction I made up last night! I must admit I'm still not sure if the name is right... after reading the basic recipe below, please scroll down to see some different variations of this recipe which of course, deserve totally different names. :)

Enjoy!

Ingredients

3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large block Velvetta cheese
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I tried the basic off brand and it was great and saved me a buck!)
1 can mexican rotel tomatoes with green chilis
splash of milk

Put all ingredients except the milk into the crockpot and turn on low for 5 hours. After cooking, take the chicken out and shred with a fork and knife. You can probably do this in the pot but I did mine on a plate. Return chicken to pot.

When its time to eat, if you feel the sauce is too thick just add splashes of milk until you get the consistency you want.

This is a really rich dish! I served the sauce over Ronzoni Wheat Noodles to balance out the, err, "bad" - like cheese can ever really be bad? Pfft!


DIFFERENT VARIATIONS

South of the Border Chicken Pasta (thanks Erica!) - Add a can of rinsed black beans, an extra can of rotel & the juice of one lime. Same cook time.

Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta - Add 2 heaping tsps of dried basil & one cup of milk to the thick sauce and stir well. Upon serving, toss a handful of croutons & mozzarella cheese on top of your pasta before adding the sauce. Same cook time.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Crockpot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy, Potatoes & Onions

This recipe is a regular at our house and one both my husband and I thoroughly enjoy. I hope you do too!

Ingredients

4-6 boneless chops (you can use bone-in but I prefer without because they end up so tender they fall apart)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (I use the Healthy Choice for less fat & sodium)
2 packets onion soup mix
4-5 med/large baking potatoes, cubed
1 large yellow onion, cubed
1 carton white mushrooms
1 can of water using cream of mushroom can

Pour soup, soup mix & can of water into the crockpot & stir well. Add chops and turn on low heat. After about 5 hours on low heat, add all the veggies: mushrooms, onions, & potatoes. Let cook on low for another 2 hours.

We eat this exactly as it is and when I'm feeling like a fatty, I LOVE to take a piece of fresh white bread and sop up the remaining gravy. Delicious!

Total cook time: 7 hours on low. (Can cook anywhere from 6-8, I know not everyone is home all day to babysit. As long as veggies get one hour of cook time on high or 2 hours on low you're good to go.)

Feeds 4-6, depending on how hungry the men in your house are. ;)

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