Yayyayayayayayay!

My sister in law JUST had her baby, a beautiful little girl. I can't wait to spoil her and take her shopping with Felicity!

=D

Life is goooooooood.

God is great, babies are such miracles from Heaven!

Rough night.

She woke up screaming three times, big tears, etc. Nightmare? Gas? Teething?

Finally, sleeeeeeep!

She woke at 4:15am, hungry! What happened to 6:30am?

Had leaked through diaper - mama didn't put it on properly, oops. Daddy had to change the sheets and everything while mama fed baby.

Baby ate, baby was half-asleep. Mama burped baby, baby burped... and vomited up at least six ounces, all over Mama, chair, floor, Boppy pillow.

Baby is hungry again, but won't eat. Can't sleep, too much went on. Mama is dead exhausted.

Daddy is sleeping.


.....

Even with the occasional rough nights, I still love being a Mommy. Best thing, ever!

Felicity is grabbing her toys! Not all of the time, and it's a very awkward snatch, but she's working on her hand-eye coordination and today she grabbed her toys and learned that she causes her rattle to make noise! It makes her so happy - she hasn't done a huge giggle or laugh out loud yet (it's mainly huge smiles and coos and gurgles and happy shrieks), but I'm hoping soon she'll be actually laughing. Usually she smiles with her mouth completely open and makes this "HEEEEEEE" sound that's kind of deep, but I want giggles like she does when she's sleeping! Oh, and with her little Asian eyes, she's so darn adorable when she smiles that I sometimes have to grab a pillow to squeeze really hard (because I can't squeeze her hard yet).

Also, she's still rolling over from tummy to back (she's been doing that since she was about five days old). Oh, and she loves her mobile.

I love being a mommy. It's so rewarding.

Oh, and I will be posting a link to her website soon-ish. Promise. Really. For seriously.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
The flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2

I do love me some Jesus! God is so good!

Also, Felicity has the best auntie, ever. Auntie Sarah already got her a pony! Her name is Windy, and she's an adorable little pinto for an adorable little girl. Whee! =D

I can't wait for my beautiful sister in law to pop! She's around 12 weeks along, but I wish she were in her ninth month already so we could play with our babies together! I'm sure she wishes she were in ninth month as well, since her morning sickness is so bad she's on anti-nausea medications, wearing wrist bands, and still can barely eat (let alone keep anything down). If you're the praying sort, please add her to your prayer list (she's lost 12 pounds so far!). Ahh, but yes. Whether she has a boy or girl, I can't wait to see them both riding ponies (because of course her child will have a pony before he/she is born, I'm sure!) and chasing chickens and jumping with lambies together. Yayayayayay!

Also, I'm totally not ready for another baby, but sometimes when I look at Felicity my heart just fills with so much love that I kind of think I need another baby just so I can get some of this love out before I explode. But then I remind myself that adding another bundle of joy would not only make me much less lovely (can we say cranky, sleep deprived, and bankrupt from the cost of diapers?!), but of course I'd love the new baby just as much, and then I'd have twice the excess amount of love. I'd definitely explode.

Which reminds me, I'm not sure if I posted it here or not, but my brother David was talking about the new Blackberry Storm a month or so ago, and after he made a comment on how cool it sounded, Eric just replied, "Sounds messy."

I love my husband. He's so good at making me giggle. Incessantly. For hours on end.

And on that note, I'm off. I have to make his lunch for tomorrow, anyway. It's Friday, so he gets an extra cookie to celebrate! =D

I finally made our baby announcement... It took a lot longer than it should've because I didn't have Photoshop installed on this computer. But it's finally done, in time to be sent out with Christmas cards!

God is Good! (All the Time!)

So, basically, this last weekend was the most difficult of my entire life. Felicity has officially entered the "painfully gassy baby" club. It's not quite colic, because it doesn't repeat at the same time every day, but she's having quite a few issues with straining and her upset tummy... To the point that she's crying in her sleep.

Let me tell you, there's nothing more damaging than hearing your baby cry in her sleep and not being able to do anything about it. Waking her up is WAY worse, because then she's fully aware of the pain and begins squawking (which of course results in more air swallowed, further compounding the whole gassy problem). So I sneak and rub her belly and work her legs, but it's just awful. (Oh, and yes, she's burping after meals and also taking Mylicon, and it's not anything I've been eating, both her pediatrician and I agree that her digestive system is just having issues with her larger intake of food.)

Yes. So, there was lots of crying. And I was stuck at home without a way to leave the house with her. And Eric was up in Renton learning to drive a motorcycle. It was rough.

Anyway, so the point is, the entire weekend, every time Felicity would begin crying again (which was pretty much whenever she wasn't nursing, because the sudden onset of gas was keeping her awake, so she was also overtired, which made her cranky) I would pray. I was praying to God for patience, because I obviously needed it. I also prayed for knowledge, so that I could help my baby girl with what was wrong (because at the time, I didn't really know, she was just crying a lot and I was trying to figure it out).

Yes. So. Then on Monday she was back to being the wonderful little only-squawks-when-there's-a-reason baby. She's still gassy and still whimpers when it gets bad, but she seems to be learning already how to deal with it, and I'm certainly better about it.

Anyway. So I had prayed, right? And then I remembered that asking God for patience isn't going to suddenly make me Job-like, and praying for knowledge won't make me a baby whisperer. God doesn't work that way. I've been praying for patience and knowledge since she was born, because obviously I want to be a good Mommy. Well, God doesn't just give out character traits, He gives us opportunities to develop them. This weekend, though trying, was excellent for me because it helped me to rely on God for help, and also made me realize, yet again, that God really is amazing. I can honestly say that I'm more patient with Felicity when she's fussing, and I (hopefully) won't freak out if she won't stop crying and I'm home alone and I haven't showered in two days and the house is a mess. It happens. And if she's crying and I can't figure out why, well, maybe she's just crying to unwind. Or for no reason. It's okay if I don't know, I don't need all of the answers. I just need to love her and take care of her as best I can.

Yes. So. I just realized the time. I'm exhausted, and going to bed.

Oh, and another thing - I'm also praying for a few friends, that they would be patient with their morning sickness. It's a whole other round of babies!

Because she complained about her empty friends page:

Congratulations, Sarah! I'm so happy for you and Josh!

Also, working on uploading photos. Lots of photos. Taking awhile. Sorry!

Felicity Anabelle Schactler was born on November 6, 2008!

2:37pm
8lbs, 9oz
20.5 inches
14" head, 14" chest
Strawberry blonde hair (she actually has HAIR!)

APGAR: 9, 9
Passed her hearing test in 2 min, 14 sec (and can be either righty/lefty)
Minimal jaundice, and it was gone by six days
Didn't cry during her heel test

Oh, and when she was six days old she pushed herself over from her tummy to her back. She has strong arms, and a strong neck.

Pretty much, she's PERFECT. I love being a mommy!

It took three and a half hours of pushing to get from a pelvic station of 0 to +1.5. Being much larger than we had imagined, she couldn't navigate mommy's pelvis very easily (nurses though it would be necessary to have a c-section). I was exhausted, ready to just tell them to just cut me open, when the doctor came in and said that he could probably vacuum her out.

So he did. It took ONE contraction and four pushes. She just couldn't get around one tiny section. Silly big baby.

She's a bit fussy every day between 4pm and 7pm (Eric calls her a leaky fire engine), but I'm not sure if it's colic-related or if that's just because Daddy comes home then and there's always lots of commotion at our house due to property-related drama (Eric's parents are ALWAYS here, I'll rant about that later, it's also why I'm not healing as quickly as I should be, which is why it's taken so long to post this). But she's also twice as hungry during those times. Thank goodness I'm a cow when it comes to producing milk. She's great about sleeping through most of the night, and I've been okay functioning on barely any sleep, which is also nice because Eric can't function without at least six hours (which has caused a bit of stress between us, which I'll also discuss later).

I've been taking photos like all new mothers, which means in crazy amounts. Expect links to a website at a later date, and a few posted online soon-ish. I can't guarantee when, because my computer has been taken apart and I'm posting from David's, which Eric is using because his is dead.

I haven't had time to read my Bible or do any personal time with God the way I used to, but I find myself praying for help and singing His praises for sending us our little miracle baby throughout the day.

Yes, life is currently very fun, very educational, very stressful, and extremely satisfying.

Still no baby.

Technically, I still have two days before my official due date. And five days before my unofficial due date (according to one of my ultrasounds).

But dangit, I'm ready to welcome Felicity Anabelle into the world NOW!

Needless to say, I've been walking (waddling) everywhere, drinking lots of water, getting foot massages, and participating in other labor-inducing "activities".

They better work, and soon! Everybody keeps calling and asking me if I've popped yet (which is getting a bit annoying, honestly, because I've told them all time and again that I'll let them know as soon as I head to the hospital). Talk about pressure to perform!

The only people I'm in regular contact with who haven't begun annoying me about it are Eric, David, and Sarah. Eric's even more anxious than I am, David's just funny about the entire thing, and Sarah hasn't asked if I've popped, she's telling me I need to do it when she's at work so she can leave early. =)

I love family. (Now, if only I can expand my own... While shrinking my waistline!)

...

Oh, and yes, it's 6:52am. I woke up at 5:02am and was unable to get back to sleep. A cupcake, peanut butter & jelly sandwich, large glass of orange juice, and a cup of "sleepy time" chamomile tea later... And I'm still wide awake. And nesting like crazy. LOTS of cupcakes! With pink frosting! Cleaned the ENTIRE house! TWICE! Nursery painted! Finally! Prepared frozen meals for the first week! All laundry is DONE! Everything is READY for our little girl! All in two days! COME ON, BABY!

Oh, and I voted. You should, too.

Today my brother sent me this comment in an email, concerning the election and general annoyances with the campaigning:

Basically I'm tired of hearing "My opponent removed his baby on board sticker from his car last week, he's a baby hater. We don't want a baby hater in office. Vote for me, I've got a secret plan to fix the economy that I've been keeping to myself the last 12 months."
- David Pettengill, Jr.


I think it's BRILLIANT.

Also, I already didn't like Christine Gregoire much, but now I can't stand her. Purple and Gold Day? SERIOUSLY? How about Crimson and Gray Day, lady?!

Oh, and Baby News: I'm dilated to two centimeters and 50% effaced. Which means that I could pop any day!

So, today I got an early morning call from Eric. He told me that somebody (he wouldn't say who) had bought us a crib, so I was NOT to go crib shopping with my Mama this week.

I totally freaked out. It was the NICEST, SWEETEST gesture in the world, but at the same time, I'm such a control freak and I had already picked out styles that I liked, and stains that I like (I prefer stained wood over painted), and, and...

And I'm pregnant and really hormonal.

Anyway. So Eric tells me he can't tell me who got it for us, or where the crib was from, but that it was white... And I freaked out a little more. Because I chose the nursery designs and paint colors specifically for darker oak stains, not for white furniture (and we're so financially deficient that pretty much our only decorations will be paint, furniture, and some stuffed animals - which is also all a baby needs, so yay). And I like the cribs from Babies R Us best, because they're the cutest and have the best designs, and they're nearly all convertible cribs...

Anyway. So then I decided to ask Georgia if she was the one to buy us the crib, because I knew it wasn't anybody in Eric's family or my family. After about a minute of saying no, she called me and told me that she did buy the crib (she knows me too well and can always tell when I'm feeling stressed - and immediately does what she can to reduce that stress). See, my Mama was supposed to buy the crib for us, but she keeps putting off our "shopping date" for silly reasons, and I was getting really stressed (again, hormonal and pregnant). So Georgia bought us a crib for her little niece to get rid of my stress.

That woman loves me so much.

But again, I feel terribly, because I love the gesture, but I'm a picky control freak, and so she asked if she should change it to oak or maybe get something else that we need... And I told her that my Mama is going to buy the crib (we're going shopping on Sunday, barring any random emergencies).

So she bought us the carseat and stroller we registered for at Babies R Us.

See, this is why I'm a spoiled brat. I freaked out earlier in the week and just wanted to vent to my best friend that I needed a hug. And she not only promised me hugs, but playtime with her new little kitten (absolutely ADORABLE tiny calico), and then she reduced my stress levels by about 99% because now we have a guaranteed safe way of transporting our baby around. Which is so important, because we wouldn't be allowed to leave the hospital without a carseat... And it'd be nice to be able to go home, you know?

For the record, she had picked out a beautiful crib from Babies R Us, it was just white instead of oak, but still... too expensive!

Also (be warned, too much information coming): I'm losing my mucous plug, slowly but surely. At this rate, I may not last until our due date of October 28th (and they thought that it'd be closer to Halloween!). If that's the case, and she arrives early enough, then Felicity will be part of Georgia's birthday present, heh (her birthday's on the 14th). I only hope and pray that Georgia's in Washington for the birth, or else I'm going to be sending a LOT of photos from my cell phone!

As of Tuesday, I'm 36 weeks along.

Today at my weekly OB appointment, my doctor checked my cervix for the first time.

His eyebrows rose, he smiled, and let me know that I'm already dilated one centimeter.

This has, of course, resulted in me sporadically breaking out into a very awkward solo conga-line around my house, chanting, "We're gonna have a BAY-BEE! We're gonna have a BAY-BEE!" (much to Eric's amusement, of course).

I haven't had any other labor symptoms so far, and only non-painful Braxton Hick's contractions... (Or are they real contractions, since they're working to dilate? Hmm, I should look that up.) But I'm getting there! Progress is being made! Now, if only I can dilate to (at least) four centimeters in this gentle manner, I'll be a very happy Suzy.

We're gonna have a BAY-BEE! We're gonna have a BAY-BEE!

· What do I really believe?

I believe that if I live my life for God, that I will be blessed (even more than I already am!). I believe that if I submit fully to Him, that He will guide me in the perfect life, one of His planning, not mine. I believe that I am a long way off from getting to that point, but that it's more than worth the effort.

· Why am I doing what I'm doing?

I'm growing a baby, because Eric told me to stop taking birth control (and, you know, there's that whole expanding our family thing). =) Otherwise, it's more of what I'm NOT doing. I'm not working because my morning sickness was so bad I had to quit my part-time job (while I was looking for full-time work) as a waitress. Then I was too "pregnant" to get another job, which is sad because I wanted to work until the beginning of my 9th month to earn money for baby expenses. Basically, I'm doing the best I can to be the best wife and soon-to-be Mommy that I can be, because it's what brings joy to my husband, my family, and myself.

· What really has brought satisfaction to my life?

Being the best wife I can be. Knowing that at this very moment, I have a miracle inside of me growing and getting ready to teach Eric and I a million wonderful new things (in less than seven weeks!). Helping people through issues. Worshipping God.

· What creates pressure for me? And what does God want me to do about it?

Financial stress, guilt over pregancy-induced fatigue (and the resulting disaster area that is our home), silly worries about our baby, not being able to "control" everything. God wants me to put aside my worries and focus on Him, so that He can work in my life. Which is another struggle...

· How does my schedule reflect my ultimate values?

Well, currently, it just reflects that I love sleep. On a deeper level, I hope that eventually it will outwardly show a dedication to those I love, and to creating a family that loves and serves God.

· How will my present lifestyle affect my family in 20 years?

Well, I'll have a 20 year old daughter! Hopefully it will be the foundation for an intimate family with priorities in line with God's desires.

· What does God want me to do with my life, my family and my possessions?

Place them second to Him. ;) Seriously, I think that He wants me to seek and serve Him above all, and then to use His guidance to serve my family in the best way possible. Whether this is through being a stay-at-home Mommy and housewife, or by going back to work at a later date, well... We'll see. In the meantime, I'm still praying. As for possessions, I'm reminded every day that most are luxuries I can do without (although that doesn't mean I shouldn't take care of my belongings).

· How does the pace of your life allow time for reflection and thinking?

It allows for a lot... Perhaps too much. Which should change drastically in a little more than one month. I'm looking forward to it - I think right now I'm bogged down my thoughts more than I should be, and I miss being actually busy. Just so long as I still make time for God (rather than "find" time for Him), I think all will be well.

...

Oh, and photos coming soon - my computer is currently off while we re-arrange things. But I will be posting pregant photos! Eric and I are still really bad about taking them, but I've got a new one, and hopefully we'll take more this weekend.

Felicity has hiccups! She's just there in my tummy, and every few seconds I get a little rhythmic "bump".

I love it. I was kind of worried, because it's supposed to be a sign of fetal well-being, and I hadn't felt anything yet... But now I feel them all the time. Yay!

Also, somebody bought us the jumper we registered for on Babies 'R' Us, but we have no idea who because it came in the box without packaging or labels... Anybody on LJ, or who reads this journal? Let me know!

Sarah asked herself these questions in her journal. I think I'll do the same, and answer them next time (might also help me to blog more often)...

· What do I really believe?
· Why am I doing what I'm doing?
· What really has brought satisfaction to my life?
· What creates pressure for me? And what does God want me to do about it?
· How does my schedule reflect my ultimate values?
· How will my present lifestyle affect my family in 20 years?
· What does God want me to do with my life, my family and my possessions?
· How does the pace of your life allow time for reflection and thinking?

Eric and I need to buy insurance for his car, so that I can make it to my appointments and run errands. It's a stinky situation, because the car will only be driven MAYBE once every two weeks, but we'll have to sign up at least six months. What insurance company do YOU recommend?

Other than that, I just really need a pedicure.

I have only a few "pregancy" photos so far. Eric and I haven't been good at all about taking them. Probably because I need him to take them for me, and he hasn't. I think I'll ask Sarah to start helping me document, because (dangit), I really wanted to watch (in photos) the progression of my belly enlargement.

My new kitten is a monster. A very cuddly, sweet, large-eared purring monster. He's either awful or absolutely wonderful, depending on his level of sleepiness. He's also louder than Oliver, which I wasn't sure was possible until I heard him yowl to go outside and play. He's currently sleeping on my left arm, which is making typing difficult. Silly kitten. Oh, and he caught his first mouse (or stole it from Oliver) the other day. And found another and brought it inside without us knowing, and proceeded to rip all of its hair off in the laundry room. Fun clean-up.

Also, he's highly attracted to the toilet. I can't pee without him scampering into the bathroom (or yowling loudly outside the door until I let him in). And he frequently falls into the toilet while trying to climb onto the sink area. And he likes to play in the wet bathtub after my showers. Kitty pawprints EVERYWHERE.

Oliver's a good outside kitty. He's so much happier and cuddlier since gaining freedom. Yesterday he caught a bunny. It was sad, but at the same time, I'm happy because that's one less rabbit to eat the yummies in my garden (Sarah, I think a bunny got to a few of the pumpkins, doh!). If only he could chase away deer as easily...

I still don't have a job, and I doubt I'll be able to get one until AFTER having the baby, which is of course when I didn't want to have to work. But Eric got a raise at work, and we have medical and dental, so that's good. But we need more income. I need to spend more time on the computer and actually develop my business ideas into solid business plans and IMPLEMENT them. But obviously, judging from my lack of posts, I haven't been online in quite awhile.

Photos of belly, recent events, kitties, and more coming... someday. I'd say soon, but then I'd probably be lying.

I don't have gestational diabetes. Yay!

We're still searching for the perfect middle name. Felicity "..." Schactler. I like names that end with "elle" (but not "Elle" itself). Belle, for example, or Noelle, which was my first choice (Eric doesn't like it, too Christmas-y). However, Belle just doesn't flow as well, it feels like it needs another syllable. So maybe Anabelle. Or Michelle. I think Michelle would be cute, because it's semi-Biblical (female version of Michael), and my best friend is Shelly, and I'm sure she'd love that, plus she's in Japan for a year and will be missing out on the birth (which is sad, because she's one of the few besides Eric, Mama, and Sarah that I'd actually feel comfortable having in the room with me while I'm pushing the baby out). So it'd be kind of a hats-off to her, you know? Oh, other ideas were Arielle (are-ee-ell), but Eric says that's too Little Mermaid-ish.

Anyway, comment with name ideas, if you've got any.

I'm sure there's more for me to say, but at the moment I can't think of anything. I'm off to a garage sale. I have so much used baby clothes. It's ridiculous, since that's probably the main thing I'll be getting from other people... I need to clean and sort everything and figure out what sizes I don't need. We're registered at Babies R Us and Target (under my name, Suzanna Schactler - they don't list Eric's name, which is weird - I think they should list the daddy's name if it's given). I have to edit the registries, because I got tired and just went through and added a bunch of stuff that I may not even really need/want.

Life is good. Really. Oh, and Eric and I are official members of Eatonville Baptist Church! We gave our testimonies and were voted in. Whoo-hoo! =)

I'm sure there's more to say, but it's late and I have to write a cover letter.