On This Day in History

*On this day in 1870, the 15th Amendment was passed, guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of race.

*On this day in 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

*And on this day in 1978, my handsome, kind, sarcastic, dirt bike racing, carefree brother was born! He used to completely torment me and my friends and even beat us up when we were younger. But he has also been there for me through thick and thin my entire life. My brother is one of the most important people in my life and I am very thankful to have him. Happy Birthday, brother! I love you!

The Deal's Been Made

Ha! Did you guys ever play that card game, Cops and Robbers? Each person draws a card from a pile face down in the middle. The King is the Cop, the Jack is the Robber and the other cards are random numbers. The Jack has to wink at someone else at the table to indicate a "deal". This person then says, "The deal's been made", and then the Cop reveals him/herself and has to guess who the Robber is. Each wrong guess results in the amount of drinks per the random number on their card. Great game in the good old days! Anywho.....that's totally not the deal I made.

I went to my OB doc's office yesterday and received a Depo Provera shot. I know it is a birth control shot, but for me it is the first of 3 steps to guarantee that our family is complete. Joe and I had originally agreed that after Myer was born, he would immediately schedule the male procedure to stop reproduction (you know what I mean), but if anyone knows my husband, he is the epitamy of procrastination. You have to remind him almost hourly to assure things are completed, unless it's his idea, or they don't get done (I'm actually thinking of investing in a cattle prod). That being said, I'm sure you can guess that by my 6 week postpartum checkup, there was still no procedure appointment made. So when my doc asked me about birth control, I told him our plans and he told me about a relatively new procedure. Essure. A small coil is placed at the entrance of each falopien tube, and the cells of the tubes grow into the coils, therefore blocking the passing of eggs. He said it is the most permanent method at this point to insure that you won't have more babies. It is in office, quick and virtually pain free (other than maybe a few cramps). Doc said the only way to reproduce after this is implantation. He also said that while the male procedure is also outpatient and virtually pain free, men are more likely than women to milk the situation and need sympathy (and just so you know, my doc is a man). I told him I would discuss the options with my husband and call back, since you have to be 8 weeks postpartum for the Essure procedure anyway. I'm sure you'll be shocked to know that Joe's choice was for me to have the procedure done. And that's what I'm doing. Step #1 is to have a Depo Provera shot which not only provides birth control until your coils are placed, but will also thin your inner walls for good visibility to place them. Step #2 (April 21) is to have an ultrasound to make sure the Depo has thinned everything properly and your body is ready for the coils. Step #3 (April 28 - Joe's birthday - serves him right) is placement. I will go into the office, receive a local anesthetic, have my coils placed, hang out lying down for a bit and then go home. After 3 months, I will have another ultrasound to make sure my tubes have grown into the coils.

DONE. Sweet, huh?

Gosh, I guess I sounded a bit resentful towards my husband in the above procedural explanation. I'm working on this.....actually, we both are. Don't act like you haven't ever taken your significant other for granted, we all do it. Joe and I are taking the steps to try not to. We go to a couples group every Tuesday night and learn about the Love women require and the Respect men desire. We have a book that we read chapter by chapter at home and we watch a DVD of the book author's conference to coincide with what we've read.

Then we all discuss what we interpretted between the two, how we related and what we may be able to do to better Love/Respect our partners. You never really realize how different mens and womens' actions and thoughts are until it is pointed out to you. It's out of this world. Ultimately, we will learn how to accept our differences and support each other through them. We will learn that we are not wrong, just different, and our love will grow for eternity. I love my husband VERY much and would do absolutely anything for him and for our marriage and our family! Speaking of which, our 1 year wedding anniversary is this Sunday, March 28th! We are going on a date this Friday night and hanging with our beautiful children the rest of the weekend to celebrate!

Our wedding day was crazy. We planned for this beautiful spring wedding, after wrestling season but before mowing started, complete with a balloon release as we ran to our car. We got rain, thunder, lightning, sleet and snow. Too funny! I'll tell you what, though, we went with the flow, as did our wedding party and all of our family and friends. It was a magical day surrounded by the most amazing people in our lives! We definitely made a memory. In May, we had a We Did It session with the wonderful Kathy McCloy, so we got our outside wedding pictures along with our indoor ones taken by the fabulous Tammy Kerksiek. We had the best of both worlds! This is my favorite of ALL of our wedding pictures of the 2 of us. A friend pointed out to me that our body placement makes a heart between us!

Wasn't Kailyn the most adorable flower girl on the face of the planet?!

We have had such a great first year of marriage. A new house, a new job for Joe, a kindergartener, a new truck, a new baby! Whew, maybe we'll slow down a little this next year.....NAH! We LOVE our life! Happy Anniversary, Joe. I love you!

Growing Up Everyday

Isn't it amazing how time flies by? I mean, tomorrow is March 24, 2010 already! Saturday was Myer's 2 month birthday. We celebrated by having our first professional family pictures taken. Kailyn, of course, was a supermodel! She did everything asked of her and was so patient with Myer! Myer, however, wasn't too sure what he thought about the whole "studio" experience. He is such a smily boy, but was so curious that he just stared with his big, beautiful blue eyes. No smiles. He actually got a little cranky at outfit change and fell asleep for that half of the session. Oh well, they both are flipping adorable and I'm sure the pictures will be fantastic. I'll put them on here when I can! Just to show how big my kiddos are getting, here are some pictures:

Myer thinks his Dad is cooler than me, but he thinks I'm ok too!

Kailyn is such a big girl. She and I have some private time in the mornings while she eats breakfast and I help her get dressed and fix her hair. Then she brushes her teeth while I get dressed.

I haven't done too darn bad at getting into this morning routine. I thought I was never going to make it to work on time, but I've been the first in my department to get there every day except for yesterday! Myer had his 2 month check up yesterday morning. He now weighs 12 pounds 10 ounces and is 24 inches long. He is in the 90th percentile on his weight and the 90th - 95th on his height. He has gained 4 pounds and grown 4 inches in 2 months! What a BIG dude! It's hard to believe that 9 weeks ago I was anticipating getting to meet him for the first time. Oh how his birth was so much different than I ever imagined.

You see, Kailyn was a relatively easy pregnancy. I worked 90 hours a week up until she was born, no sickness, no tiredness, nothing. I did go into early labor with her a couple of times, but other than that, it was great. The only reason I was induced with Kailyn is because her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. Induction wasn't so fabulous. Pitocin is the devil in liquid form. However, an epidural was my saving grace. Once I got that bad boy, my doctor broke my water, my nurse turned up the pitocin and I had a baby 4 hours later.....after a big fat nap! Piece of cake.

~Jump forward 6 years~

I was horribly nauseous from the day I got pregnant with Myer up until around 12 weeks. I was so, so, so exhausted the entire pregnancy. I had all sorts of back problems, and I was HUGE! I begged my doctor to induce me to end the misery, and he agreed to 39 weeks. I went in on the 19th at 10pm and my nurse inserted a quarter of a pill in my cervix to start labor induction. It apparently was made of something magic, because I only needed that one quarter. I didn't sleep at all that night because my contractions were so consistent and some were pretty strong. My doctor broke my water at 8am, and my nurse said to stand up and rock side to side so gravity would help pull Myer down to where he needed to be. I decided around 9:30am that I needed to tinkle, but when Joe took me to the bathroom, all hell broke loose. The pain was 100% unbearable. Joe said it was time for an epidural since the pain would only get worse from here, so I asked my mom to get the nurse. My nurse, who was an ANGEL in scrubs, called the anesthesiologist, and while he was on his way, I told her I thought she needed to check me because I felt like things weren't right. That's because I was at an 8! Right after she checked me, at about 9:40am, Myer decided it was his time to meet the world. When the anesthesiologist came in, he said he could give me an epidural, but that I was so far along that it probably wouldn't help, so I passed. As he was walking out of the room, I started screaming. I'm talking the pain/pressure was so unbelievably strong that I couldn't do anything to take it away. By 9:50am, I told my nurse that I needed to push. She told me I needed to calm down and breathe, and I told her AGAIN that I needed to push. She checked me and said, "Oh gosh". Within the next 5 minutes there were tons of nurses and my doctor in my room. Joseph Myer Klinge was born at 9:59am.

My advice for anyone in labor? Don't wait on the epidural. Just ask for it as soon as you get to your room so you don't miss out! I'm pretty glad our family is complete, because my last experience was a little rough. WELL worth it, but rough. And yes, I'm positive that our family is complete. Everyone seems shocked that we are so decided, but Joe and I made up our minds before we were even engaged. Two kids. Want to know a secret? Joe didn't even want kids before he and I started dating. Kailyn is so fabulous that she changed his mind. Isn't that crazy?

Holy cow, speaking of time flying, I've got to get some work done. I can't wait to share how Joe and I are also growing up everyday. Coming soon!

Back in the Saddle

Quit calling out to me, Blog page, I know I promised to be a MUCH better blogger when I came back to work, but it's only the third day. I had a few things to catch up on here and now I'm able and ready to BLOG!

My first day back was St. Patty's Day, and I think it went relatively well. I got up on time and had the kids and I ready and delivered on time to our destinations. I did not cry when I dropped off Myer and did not cry during the day either. I have gone to Mandi's each day during lunch and fed him, which cuts back on my withdraw for sure. I think the transition has been quite smooth for all 3 of us!

I do want to give a shout out to any family with multiple children. I totally understand that 1 child is hard with work, school, housework, etc, but when I got off work Wednesday and had to come home and get everything done plus a 6 year old and 2 month old, I thought my head was going to spin off backwards. So "high five" to all families who have found their groove. I'm hoping mine comes in the mail today..... I really think it is so frustrating to me because I am so extremely organized. EVERYTHING is planned and done ahead of time, so this whole living by the seat of my pants is wearing. I am very thankful that I worked a little here and there and my fantabulous co-workers were extra helpful during maternity leave so that I wasn't too far behind. Not having a stress level at work is very relieving. I am also glad that I came back to work on a Wednesday. Having a 3 day week for my first week back has been comforting.

Anyone watch college basketball? I know this is the HUGEST time of year, but I'm just not into it. My Finance office mates are, though! At this very moment MU is playing and they both have their computers streaming live. One of them, who has requested to remain nameless, is actually participating in the game. Coaching really. There are lots of "What are you shooting at", "ZOU" and clapping coming from her office. I asked if the guys can hear her and she says yes. Whatever makes her feel better. I love you, Melissa.....GO MU!

I think Monday we'll start getting caught up on the past eight weeks. Until then, take care and have a great weekend!

The Beginning of the End

Today is Wednesday, March 10th. One week from today is Wednesday, March 17th. One week from today I have to go back to work. 7:30am to 4:30pm at work. Without my sweet, precious, handsome newborn baby boy. Where did the past 7 weeks go? What am I going to do? How did Myer go from this:
To this: I really shouldn't be upset in the least. My babysitter is extremely well qualified and trustworthy. For heaven's sake, she's only been my best friend since 7th grade. I am very blessed to have someone so dear to me watch my kiddos. It's still pretty hard, though. It seems like time just flies by so fast. I blink and time goes by and I can't get it back. Am I doing all I can to make the most of it? Am I taking enough mental pictures to remember everything? I think I feel like it's all slipping away from me because I know I won't have any more babies. Don't get me wrong, our family is complete and I wouldn't have it any other way, but it seems like life is moving even faster now than ever before.
I'm practicing a few things this week to prepare for my return to "real life". Like getting the fam to bed at 9pm, setting my alarm for 5:30am and staying awake (which is so hard when you really don't HAVE to be awake), no naps and not holding Myer every free second I have so my withdraw isn't as bad. I know we have to pay our bills, but this sucks. Some of you may be thinking, "You already have one child, don't you know how this feels?", but I stayed with Kailyn for 5 months. I mean, I was ready to go back to work, I needed to have adult conversations. 2 months seems really quick to me, so I've been giving myself pep talks daily. "I need to get back on the ball", "I can't wait to have a little time for me", "Work will bring back a normalcy to our house". Yeah, I'll keep telling myself these things.
Ok, I've wimpered and whined enough for now, I suppose. Don't think you're off the hook, though. We've got lots to catch up on, (labor and delivery, lazy me, making our marriage better and the amazing 6 year old who lives in our house for a few examples) so be ready. Until then, take care, and if you're looking for me, I'll be kissing my baby boy.