Baby labor blues...

So, as you may know, this is my third child...and it's a boy...I'm so happy, I can't stop saying that...it's a boy!!! Jeremy!!!! So...with both of my girls, one born in September of 1994 and the other in September of 2006 (funny, right), I never had morning sickness...I was able to keep up with my regular routines quite honestly up until I was literally in labor with both of them.

When "they" say that each pregnancy is different, "they" ain't never lied. For the first 3 and a half months of this pregnancy, I had "morning sickness" morning, noon, and night. I felt dizzy, nauseous, completely tired ALL of the time, just a wreck. I knew that no matter what I gave birth to, it would be the last time, and I think the man upstairs decided that I needed to have a true "pregnant" experience, because I had always boasted about how "easy" my pregnancies were. Now don't get me wrong, no pregnancy is easy, but I have heard and witnessed horror stories. Thankfully, I'd had no toxemia, diabetes, no horrific acne, no nose spread, no dark neck, and most importantly, no problems with either of my babies. I did have issues with my hair (totally minor in the grand scheme of things), I was uncomfortable, tired, experienced swelling, weight gain (about 50lbs with each), and one or two other minor issues. So to me, these were easy compared to what it could have been. My births were fairly easy as well.

My first labor began on Labor Day in 1994 at 9:30pm. It was totally by the book. My first pains were an hour apart, then 50 minutes, then 40 minutes, then 30, then 20, then 10. Once they reached 5 minutes, apart, I began my journey to the hospital. That was around 4am. I was at the hospital around 4:30am, and placed in the hallway of the maternity ward with my mother. My daughter's father, Jeff, had actually made it to the hospital before me...ha!! So as I sat on a hard metal chair, waiting for a room to become available, I quietly dealt with my labor pains that are now 2-3 minutes apart with breathing, and holding my breath (not suggested). The nurses knew that I was 20 years old and that this was my first baby, so as I told them I felt like I had to push, they didn't really believe me. More than once I heard "...oh, it's her first baby". Finally, I was given an examination room around 5:30am. They told Jeff that it would be a while before I gave birth, so he left to tell my mother (who had gone for coffee) what was happening. I was told to change from my clothes into the hospital gown and to climb onto the exam table. As I walked into the bathroom, I knew how badly I had to make number 1, but I was afraid that the baby would fall into the toilet...lol...so I just changed and got onto the exam table. My pains were worse now, and there was NO ONE anywhere to be found. My water broke on the table, and I began to panic because all I could imagine was the baby flying out and falling onto the floor. "Hello? Is anyone there," I called. No one. I swear it was like a scene from a movie. There was no sound no one at all in sight. Now I was in full panic. "HEELLLLOOOOOOOO????????" I screamed this time. A nurse came to the door and asked me what the problem was. LOL...Uhhh, nothing...or maybe I'm having a baby here. I said, "the baby is coming". "No it's not," she responded. I spread my legs and showed her what I now know was the fact that I was crowning. "Oh my God...it is", she exclaimed. Finally!!!! Someone was in panic mode like me. So needless to say, a nurse delivered my baby in the examination room. Maybe I should say she caught my baby. Just as I thought...my baby popped out. Literally. I never had an exam, the nurse told me to take a deep breath, and when I did, Jeff's head popped into the doorway, and Ajanna Elyse popped out with a nasty juicy popping sound. LOL. He is naturally fair skinned, but he immediately lost his color...kind of like on cartoons when the color leaves their skin when they're afraid. It was quite a comical scene. What time do you think my baby was born?? 5:43am. Yes, 13 minutes after they put me in the room. Crazy, right?

My second labor began at 5:30am on the 5th Anniversary of 9/11. I emailed my boss and told her that I was in labor, and just sat downstairs documenting my labor pains. These were insanely sporadic. None were ever more than 15 minutes apart. 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 1 minute, 10 minutes, 4 minutes. It was crazy. By 9:30am, I woke my beau, Ernest, and Ajanna who was now 12 years old. I told them that it was time and that they needed to get ready. I of course was already ready. I called my doctor to tell him that my labor was odd, and the nurse told me to come to the office. I reluctantly agreed, and I said "...oooookaaayy, if you're sure", feeling like my daughter would definitely be born in the office. As my family prepared, the nurse called me back and said that I should just go directly to the hospital. Yeah, I thought so. So, as Ajanna and I stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Ernest, telling him that I feel like I have to push...I couldn't believe how slow he was! LOL. We left the house at about 10:15am and made it to the hospital by about 10:45am. I walked in with my daughter while Ernest parked the car. I had pre-registered this time, so I went directly to Labor and Delivery, bypassing the emergency room. I sat at the admissions desk, giving information, which to me defeated the purpose of pre-registering...once again breathing and not breathing...at least I had a soft chair this time...lol. I was admitted within 10 minutes this time though, and was in my lovely delivery room by 11:15am. This time, I was able to change, and be examined. I was fully dilated and ready to have my baby. Caira Lourie (pronounced LooRee) was born at 11:33am.

So, as you can see, I don't like to be at hospitals, getting poked and prodded. I like to be at home, with my own surroundings, doing things my own way until it's time to push...lol. 8 hours the first time, and 6 hours the second time. I don't think I'll wait so long to get to the hospital this time...lol.

Stay tuned for my labor drama this time...

xoxo

HHHHHHHot...

Ok, so maybe it's my hormones, or maybe it's just too freakin hot to be Spring still. I'm in Jersey, and I swear it was 110 degrees on Wednesday...ok, maybe it was only 95...but to me, it felt like it was 110. Is there something to this whole "global warming" thing, or is it just simply hit or miss?? It's not like the whole season has been that hot...and the last time it was actually 110 degrees was in 1936...imagine.

So how do you keep cool in the heat?

Hair smoothers

Hey there!! So, what products do you use to smooth out your hair during or after blow drying, flat ironing, any styling?? Normally, I use
Chi Infusion serum




for blow drying, and then
Fantasia's IC Hair Protection Spray




If I need some care for 'flyaways', I use
Aveda's Brilliant Pomade


I signed up to be a Bzz Agent last year (the company sends you products to test out, and you tell family and friends about it). So far, I've only done Avon's lip stain, which I loved!! Well, I've just signed up to do a review/test on Got2Be's hair smoother.

Be sure to check out my youtube channel for the update! In the interim, tell me what you use, and how well it works for you.

Mindless shopping and the NERVE of some folk

Ok, so let's do the NERVE first, because I want to end on a good note.

First, let me make a tiny disclaimer. I love the Lord. I have no issues with ANY religion. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and as long as they respect mine, we can be cool. We don't ever have to talk religion. I know it's a touchy topic. So...I hope that cleared me, and here we go...

I go to my mailbox the other day, thumbing through the junk, shopping magazines, my Marie Claire of course (LOVE IT!!)...when I come across a letter addressed to me. First initial, last name, and on the back, a return address that I do not recognize. This is handwritten mind you. Not the fake handwritten that you get for sweepstakes and BS, but really handwritten. Hmm, ok. I'll bite. So I open the envelope to find a full page of again handwritten sentiment. As I'm reading, I realize that I have no clue who this person is. As I get to the meat of the letter, I realize that this letter...this handwritten letter is from a Jehovah's Witness. Wow. So not only am I ducking what seems like knocks at my door every three weeks (one that included a toddler playing on my lawn), not only am I acosted in the parking lot every other month at my local Walmart, but now, I am getting handwritten letters? Sheesh...As I continued to read the letter, it began to dawn on me that this person either went into my mailbox to obtain my name, ordered a mailing list, OR perhaps went to the local municipality for a list of names. It took me a while to come to the second two possibilities...I was initially only on the first and super pissed that he had gone into my mailbox. As I've stated, I have no issues with anyone's religion. If what you need to do is go out and try to recruit (or whatever it is called when the JWs do it), that's fine for me. But seriously, scouting parking lots while I'm trying to load my car and get home, or sending handwritten letters? I'm baffled...

So....on to the shopping.
MY NAME IS AJANNASMOM...AND I AM AN ADDICT!!! Things have been a little tight lately with the baby coming, just one or two issues popping up with the house...but none of it seem to stop me from makeup shopping at Sephora.com. I figure that I would glance at their sale site last night as I usually do every couple of months or so...and boy did I find some deals. Tell me how you can pass up foundation that was previously $40 and is now $5? Hhhhh, I ended up spending about $140, but I got sooo many fabulous deals...I'll of course do a haul when it comes in...I'm so excited. But my question is...when is enough enough??? I need to do a sweep of my makeup dresser (yes dresser) so that you can see how sick it is...so sad...