Thanks, Mom.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's, mama's, mommies, momma's, and ma's everywhere.

I want to say a special thank you to MY MOM.

For those of you who don't know her, her name is Joni. She was a stay at home mom for pretty much my entire life and this post is dedicated to her so, here it goes...

Thanks, Mom.

Thanks Mom for all the times you took care of me when I was sick. Except for the time I had the chicken pox and you had to send me away because you've never had the pox before.

Thanks Mom for all of the softball games, cheer practices and school events you came to. I don't remember you missing many, and if you did, you were at Brit's (that's my sister for you newbies) school functions, but you always made sure someone was there to watch me.

Thanks Mom for the Super-sized tampon you and Brit had me try out that VERY first time I started my period and for laughing when it got stuck. You guys obviously didn't think that one through. 

Thanks Mom for being by my side every time a boy broke my heart. You were my rock through all the tears and listened to how "devastated" I was to learn they were complete and total douchebags.

Thanks Mom for telling me I'm pretty even when I'm 40 pounds overweight, no make up on and feel like Sloth from "The Goonies."

Thanks Mom for being the cool parent in school all my friends wanted to hang out with--sometimes they talked more to you than me.

Thanks Mom for being the parent who listened to "Sweet Lady" by Tyrese and "Errrbody in the Club Gettin' Tipsy." Because of your awesome taste in music (except for your love for the Commodores) and your rad dance moves, my friends created a dance move called "The JONI" where they drove and did a Night-At-The-Roxbury like head-bob. Thanks for being "that" mom.

Thanks Mom for bringing my homework to school when I forgot it. And for starting all those school projects sometimes even before I got home because I waited til the last minute. Most of 'em I got 'A's' and they were the best in class, thanks to your artistry.

Thanks Mom for surprising me sometimes with a magazine or a cute shirt when I got home from school. I never knew what might be laying on my bed when I got home from school. Sometimes it was nothing, but I appreciated that you surprised me every once in a while. Those were the good ole days. If I only still got treatment like that from my husband.

Thanks Mom for loving me even though I flip my shit sometimes and totally go off the rocker. And thanks for telling me I'm not crazy, I'm just stressed, and then telling me that I should call Klay and have him bring home a bottle o' wine.

Thanks Mom for calling me every day I lived in Alaska. I don't think you missed a day, except for the time Klay and I went camping in the Alaskan wilderness and you almost sent the National Guard after us because you haven't heard from us in a day or two.

Thanks Mom for worrying about me even when I don't know I need it. Even though I'm 26, you still want to make sure I'm OK and I make it home safe. I'm a mom now, and you're right, I do understand why "parents worry about their kids."

Thanks Mom for coming up to the hospital without me having to ask when Brody had his seizure in the car on that terrible November night. I was so upset and terrified, but my worry eased some when you arrived at the hospital. There is something about a mom being there when your sick or your child is sick that can make things better.

Thanks Mom for allowing me to know what it was like having a stay at home mom growing up. I was never scared to call home if I didn't feel well or sometimes when I was cough, cough "sick" and you came to get me even though you knew I was trying to pull a fast one.

Thanks Mom for breaking up Britney and I from fighting that one time she kept trying to pop my first pimple. I'll never forget how upset I was for having a pimple and then my sister antagonizing me to let her pop it, which turned into an argument where you sent us both to our rooms. Pimple popping was clearly not a good reason for almost going all WWE in the living room floor.

Thanks Mom for allowing me to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and becoming a fan yourself. I'll never forget the Buffy marathons where we closed the blinds all weekend and had a rerun Buffy-a-thon and did nothing but be lazy couch potatoes the entire weekend.

Thanks Mom for not tearing up my "Adventures in Babysitting" and "Beetlejuice" video tapes even though I watched them about 8 times a day. I knew every word, every song and even dance moves to the musical numbers and you still never tossed the tapes out the window.

Thanks Mom for making custom made costumes all those years. Whether I was Lydia from "Beetlejuice" or Jasmine from "Aladdin," my costumes were always better than the store-bought kind.

Thanks Mom for being the best "GiGi" to my Brody. He loves you so much and he always wants to go to "GiGi's hooooouse." Apparently you're a lot cooler than me--not only with my high school friends, but now with my kid too.

Thanks Mom for taking pictures like this. I'll never forget you wanting to get a good photo at 7 a.m. before Britney and I went to school. I guess you wanted to use them for Christmas cards and we just weren't having it. 

I honestly can't thank you for everything you've done for me because we'd be here for a month, and to be honest, I don't remember it all. Sometimes it may seem like I'm not appreciative of you making dinner or coming to pick up Brody or watching the dogs, but I do. 

I appreciate you.

I love you.

And you're the best mom anyone could ever want. 

Thanks for being such a bad ass.

Happy Mother's Day!

Brody's Birth Story Part 1

This is the story of the birth of our sweet Brody, but before I start let me tell you about some of my medical history. I've had high blood pressure my entire life, even as a kid. Both parents have it and my grandparents (I think on both sides), so it figures I'd be the one of two Welch offspring who'd get the trait. My sis was blessed with the better traits--tiny bod, tiny nose, no migraines, no headaches everyday, no hypertension and she even got the skinny genes. I'd been diagnosed with high BP at a young age (though didn't start taking meds until 2009-ish).

I was the prime candidate for pre-eclampsia. Throughout my entire pregnancy, my doctor was concerned and warned me that'd I'd most likely develop it. I was even a participant for a pre-eclampsia study that the hospital was conducting at the time. They had to draw blood every time my BP was up. But I got $25 for each poke! Ayeee!

Fast-forward to 30 weeks: I was working and we were about to move into our remodeled house so my stress was high. My doctor put me on bedrest. "You will have this baby somewhere by 37-39 weeks," she said. "It's too risky for you to go full-term."

Not only did I have weekly appointments with my doctor, but now I had to go to a specialist  (located in the same building thankfully) to get weekly sonograms to check on Brody's progress, ensure everything was developed before delivery and that if I had pre-eclampsia it wasn't affecting him. I did receive a steroid shot to help his lungs mature faster (and ensure they were fully-developed).

36 WEEKS: Doc said, "We will have this baby next Wednesday."

37 WEEKS, Tuesday, Feb. 21: I'm supposed to spend the night at the hospital to get some pill-thing inserted in my cervix which is supposed to help soften my cervix to prepare it for labor and improve my chances for a smooth induction the next morning. My doctor said I couldn't eat past lunch, and I was supposed to be at the hospital til 8 p.m.

We took the dogs to mom's house and while I'm sitting on the couch chatting I start having contractions (though they were braxton hicks). Klay and mom watched my stomach contracting. "We should probably get going," Klay said.

Klay was hungry and went through Whataburger en route to the hospital. I'm in a pissy mood because I'm starving and can't eat while the smell of french fries wafts in the air. Seriously, dude?

When we get to the hospital and they hook me up to machines, the nurse starts looking at the papers coming out like receipts assessing them closely. "You're definitely having contractions alright. But they aren't consistent, so are more likely braxton hicks," she said.

I asked them if I could eat, and they said it was fine since I wasn't going into labor. I ate some hospital food. It was the best damn burger I've ever eaten or it tasted like it anyway. I was just so hungry.

They inserted the vagina pill and repeatedly interrupted the tiny amount of sleep I was getting in the middle of the night to take my BP.

5 A.M.--I start putting on makeup before they took me off to the delivery room. I wanted to have some make up on so I didn't scare my child once he got a glimpse of me. They came in and prepped me to head downstairs.

6:30 A.M.--I now have my own room in Labor & Delivery. It's big and spacious, and this is about to get real. I start to get nervous.

7:30 A.M.--Pitocin was administered and I start having contractions. OUCH. Some visitors (Klay's dad, Susan and Nanny come in to see me).

9 A.M.--I'm given magnesium. This is to prevent me from seizing if my BP starts to rise. Side effects, include: headache, fever symptoms, vomiting, and a catheter pre-epidural, which means I felt it, plus it slows down labor. I immediately have a headache (which later develops into a migraine) and once the catheter is inserted and the nurse leaves the room, I lose it.

"I can't do this. They have to find another way to get him out. Not a c-section and not vaginal, I can't do this. I can't, I can't." I'm sobbing hysterically to Klay. It was all so real, and the catheter was so uncomfortable. On top of all of that, I'm burning up, feeling nauseous and having contractions.

2 P.M.-- The doctor comes in checks my cervix. OH MY GOD. OUUUUUUUCH! "This will be the most painful check of the day," the doctor says. She wasn't lying. It was excruciating. I was dilated to a 2.

She breaks my water with some sort of rod, through the tiny space where my cervix was opening. POP! I hear like a flood coming out. Britney and Klay who are in the room don't even notice as they talk to the doctor hounding her with questions. Despite me wanting to press further without an epidural my doctor goes ahead and orders one.

"You're in pain?" she asks.

"Yes," I reply.

"Then, why not? It will make you feel a lot better, I promise. I'll order it. There's no reason for you to be in pain and uncomfortable. That's what these drugs are for."

15 minutes later... A guy comes in and gives me a whole lot of info about the risks (which scared the hell out of me), how still I had to be, orders everyone out of the room and told me to sit up. I still have a catheter in, my legs and entire body are shaking from adrenaline, I've got the worst headache and I'm extremely nauseous.

I lean up clenching on to a pillow and he sticks the needle in my lower back, and BAM! it's done. Didn't hurt a bit. "That's it?" I say. I immediately feel relief. A few minutes later, I can't feel a thing.

6 P.M.--I'm dilated to a 4, not much progression. My doctor puts some device up my GOODS to try to measure the severity of my contractions. This device helped me somehow because I immediately had stronger contractions. And they were consistent and progressing within minutes. "I'll come back in a couple of hours, and if you're not close, we will talk about other options," the doc says.

So here I am laying in the hospital bed in pain with wet rags on my face, oxygen mask on (Brody was doing better with extra oxygen), but also with a migraine, throwing up and burning up (from the magnesium). I'm just hoping this kid would be pushing his way down and out of my body. After the painful cervix checks from the doctor, and putting devices up in places to monitor my contractions, I was ready for people to leave that part of my body alone (stop sticking things up there) and eager to push this kid out.

8:20 P.M.--My doctor checks my cervix one last time to see if there was any progress, (thankfully I couldn't feel it due to the epidural). "You should be something more," she said.

I stared up at her face trying to gauge her reaction. Please let me be at a 10, please Brody, do it for mommy! Gazing at her face, I thought I saw a glimpse of disappointment. He didn't do it, I thought.

Then very softly, she said, "Ten."

Read part 2 of Brody's Birth Story here.

 

Mommy Mistake = 911

Ok, guys. I've not posted lately because I've been trying to decide whether or not I wanted to blog about my most recent major incident with Brody.

I struggled with the decision to post or not to post, because of the pure humiliation and embarrassment of what happened over two weeks ago. Plus, I needed a little time to try to begin to forgive myself.

As parents, we are all bound to make mistakes. We are only human and aren't perfect, no matter how hard we try. So before you read this, I want to express how embarrassed I am to share my story. However, I chose to write about this incident because I have some dedicated readers out there (and on my best day, I had nearly 260 views on my blog from all over the world) and I do feel an obligation---a good obligation---to write about my trials and triumphs as I explore my new life as mommy.

I started this blog so people can read, laugh and share our journeys as parents. But I also decided to start this blog, because I wanted people to really learn from my mistakes. So, here it goes...

About two weeks ago, Klay and I met my mom at Walmart to buy flowers for our garden. We are no experts on plants, so we inquired mom's help. We were about to check out when Brody got fussy; it was time for him to eat. Klay told me to just head out to the truck and feed him because we had to get home ASAP to drop of the plants before heading out to Dallas for my doctor appointment.

I complied and took Brody out to the truck. I unlocked the door, put his car seat in the truck (but not in the base) facing toward the driver's side passenger door because I was going to walk to the other side to feed him.

I'd forgotten that Klay's new truck has an autostart. So proud of myself that I remembered, I started it up to get the truck to cool down a bit faster. I grabbed my bags and sat them in the truck and shut the door.



Uh-oh, I thought and started yanking on the handle to the LOCKED door.

Ok, so I've NEVER once locked my keys in my car, and the first time I do it, my three-month-old is in the backseat.

I immediately start panicking. What do I do? My phone is in the car. I can't call Klay or anyone for help. Decision time: do I leave my child in the locked car that was running, though the keys weren't in the ignition, to go get Klay and get help or do I stay there until Klay and Mom get out to the car? Luckily, I turned around and saw Klay heading out the doors and over to the car.

I start hollering at him to hurry and get over there and then quickly tell him what happened. His immediate reaction: "I'm breaking the window."

A week before, when Klay first got his truck, he was looking at the manual and found the number for OnStar. He told me, "OnStar can unlock your car remotely, if you just call this number." I said, "Put that number in your phone cause it'll be good to have."

I told Klay to call OnStar first. The car is still running, and Brody has AC, but it's not going to last forever. As some of you probably know, autostarts eventually shut off if you don't put the key in the ignition.

Mom comes out, with a Walmart associate who's helping her carry out five trees she bought, and I run over and tell mom what happened. I ask the Walmart employee if they know if they have someone in the auto/mechanic department that has something they can jimmy the car door open with. She runs in to seek help.

Meanwhile, I'm bawling and hysterical. I can hear Brody crying and I can't get to him---THE WORST FEELING EVER.

Klay gets mad because OnStar is no help, saying something like we aren't in the system (it's not a new truck, we bought it used). THEN, the truck cuts off.



I'm saying "call someone, call someone!" Mom, then, dials 911.

Now I really have the water works going. I'm sobbing and so distraught, I start throwing up in the parking lot. Klay starts looking around for a rock to break the window to his new truck, when four managers from Walmart come outside, along with a Walmart mechanic. They immediately start working on jimmying the lock.

A few minutes later (I'm not really sure how long this took cause it seemed like forever), the fire department arrives and they give it a go. Brody is now calm and looking around like what's going on guys? He's interested in watching all the people surrounding the windows trying to get into the truck.

Finally, they are successful and unlock the truck. I'd say it took them at least 7-10 minutes to get in the truck. I told mom that the whole ordeal had to of lasted 30 or more minutes, but she seemed to think it was less, saying it just seemed longer to me.

When I got in to my baby boy, he was cool as a cucumber. Smiling at me as though he wanted to let me know he was ok and not to worry.



Klay and mom hugged and thanked everyone for all of their help and rapid response. I tried my best to pull myself together to thank everyone, but I was still a mess. Felt like I deserved and earned the title as the "Worst Mom of the Year." So, special thanks to Terrell Walmart staff, managers and employees and Terrell Fire Department. We are forever grateful!!!

I did end up making it to my doctor appointment and my blood pressure was 142/108. That should tell you what kind of state I was in.

So, here I am, telling all of you about this horrific incident. I never want anyone to have to go through that. I've been so upset with myself for allowing that to happen. I could have understood if I'd been rushing, but I wasn't. It's taken me a while to truly TRY to forgive myself. But I figured the best way to start forgiving myself is to write about it and try to prevent others from doing the same thing.

As a parent, brother, sister, grandparent or friend to any child, please learn from my mistake. Every time you buckle a child in, think of me and Brody, and ask yourself "where are my keys?" If your rushing to get somewhere, slow down, make sure they are buckled in right, and that you have the keys on you at all times. Thankfully, it wasn't crazy hot outside that morning, but summer is almost in full-swing, and it's getting hotter by the day. So, keep your keys on you!

Wishing you many more successful days as parents/grandparents and no days like this incident,

Cassidy

First Mother's Day

Although I was extremely excited about my first Mother's Day, it wasn't an amazing, relaxing day like I'd thought it would be. Saturday night, I, along with a few others, planned a surprise spa party for my sister. We spent the entire night enjoying mini mani's and pedi's, food, desserts, wine, gifts and massages. It was relaxing, fun and we laughed all night, telling stories and enjoying our time free of men, kids and work! (What perfect timing with it being Mother's Day weekend and all!) Everyone even got a party gift/favor (see picture).

The next morning, I woke up not feeling so great. It wasn't the wine or anything; I'd only had two glasses. Apparently a few other girls woke up with upset tummies too. So, unfortunately, I spent majority of Mother's Day sleeping, sick and in the bathroom.



I did, however, get a beautiful card from my two favorite men--Brody and Klay. Brody signed this card with his foot- and handprint (which was a little smudged, but that was ok cause it was perfect!). I also got a gift card for a pedicure from them! It was so sweet.

We went over to my mom's for a bit to celebrate, and Brody spent most of his time outside. He absolutely loves it. He's so alert now and constantly looking around at everything. He hardly ever wants to be held in a cradling position any more. SAD FACE. He wants to sit, facing outward so he can get a good look at what's going on around him. Already so grown up!

He's really starting to turn his head when someone talks and especially when his daddy walks into the room. He hears Klay and his eyes widen while he tries to find him. We're enjoying every moment of this, because before I know it, he'll be sitting up on his own, crawling and then graduating high school. Ok, maybe it's too early for that, but these past 12 weeks have gone by so fast.



Everyday this gets more and more fun. He's always doing something new and smiling is an everyday deal now. We're just loving every moment with our little angel! =)

Hope all other mommies had a wonderful Mother's Day and are enjoying every moment with their babies (big and small!).

Wishing everyone the best,

Cassidy

Right in front of my face.

After introducing Brody to Similac Soy Isomil, he seems to be doing a lot better. The past two nights he's slept 7-8 hours, he hasn't been near as fussy and we've gotten back to having more of our smiling sessions again!

Soon after posting my last blog, I logged on to Similac's website to do a little research. I ended up registering for Strong Moms, to get free samples, information, etc. I got a two-month baby update from them (as Brody's almost two months old; I can't believe it), and I saw this:

Signs of milk-protein sensitivity in babies

All babies are fussy and gassy at times, but if it seems your baby has more frequent fussiness and gas, he could have milk-protein sensitivity. Reactions can include:

• Skin rashes


• Watery stools


• Irritability

If you are formula feeding your baby, these reactions could be due to milk-protein sensitivity. Your health care provider can determine whether your baby should be fed a special formula such as Similac^® Soy Isomil^®.

I couldn't believe what I read. What I've forgotten to mention in my previous posts is that Brody's had these little bumps around his mouth and on his chin, neck and shoulders. I knew it was from formula spillage during his feedings. I'd even mentioned to my mom that I thought he may be allergic to the formula or something. He's had watery stools and everyone knows he's been more irritable than normal.

I was so excited to learn that we'd finally put him on a formula that looks like it should be the perfect match for him. I ran into the bedroom eager to tell Klay what I read, only to discover him on his phone googling (of course) about the formula too. I guess our parenting intuition is in full gear now. We are both always constantly researching anything relating to babies and parenting.

I don't want to get my hopes up, but I'm just glad to see my Brody get some relief and become more at ease. My smiling and happy baby boy is back again. Don't get me wrong, I know every baby cries and has his/her bad days, but he seemed like he was hurting and in pain all the time. The cries were screechier and louder than normal and he'd hardly stay calm for me to spend some fun time talking and singing to him. It was unbearable to see him that way.

The sad part about all of this is that I could have found a solution a lot sooner. If I would have really utilized my resources, more than I had been, and read the material I've gotten from the doctor, Similac or Enfamil, I might have figured this all out and saved us from some sleepless nights, exhaustion and frustration.

But hopefully, we are on the road to success in the formula department. These past few weeks have been so frustrating and have completely wore me out. I hated feeling like I didn't know what to do. I was at a loss.

From now on, I encourage everyone to utilize resources. Similac's website offers a lot of information about supplementing, formula feeding, and it even offers tools and questionnaires for your tummy and stool troubles.

Here are a couple of recommended pages/resources to visit to help soothe some of your mommy worries:

• Similac Tummy Trouble Tool


• Similac Diaper Decoder


• Similac Formula Finder

I'll post more valuable resources later!

Best,

Cassidy

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

First off, I'm so sorry I haven't been able to post some new blogs lately. This past week has been extremely challenging, exhausting and frustrating. Brody's sleeping and eating hasn't been the least bit consistent, and it's completely worn me out.

Due to some recommendations and Brody's tummy issues, we switched formulas AGAIN. Because a lot of people who've used Enfamil Nutramigen said it solved all of their child's tummy problems, we decided to give this formula a try. This brand is the most expensive brand of formula on the shelves, at least that we've seen. We weren't happy about the price, but if it works we'd be happy to foot the bill and bring peace to Brody's formula issues.



It seemed to be working fine at first, and Brody was having a bowel movement everyday or every other day, so I was pretty excited. Eventually, his stools became a bit more watery than I liked and his spit up resurfaced again. I'm thinking he may have a little bit of reflux, but we called the doctor and they've recommended that we try a soy-based formula, like Enfamil ProSobee or Similac Soy Isomil.



Klay bought Similac Soy Isomil, so we're starting that tonight. I'm just hoping we get a handle on this formula thing pretty soon. I don't know if I can take any more of this.

Even though today and last night was rough, Sunday night into Monday morning we managed to get a record 11 hours of sleep. We went to Klay's parents for Easter on Sunday and everyone was excited to see and hold Brody. Everyone had their turn holding him and for the five hours we were there, I don't think anyone sat him down once. It was nice to see our family so excited about our new addition.



I think after being held the whole time, Brody never managed to get a deep sleep so by the time we got home, he was completely wiped out (and we somehow managed to get 11 hours of sleep). This was a good night for us obviously.

But with the good, comes the bad. One good night for us normally means a rough night the next and then an even uglier day/night after that. So for every good day, it seems there are two to three rougher days that follow. It's hard not to get discouraged when I think "wow, it's getting better" and then the next day he's fussy, gassy and won't sleep and I can't help but think the "it's getting better" part keeps drifting further and further away. The uglier days and nights only leave me to question everything I'm doing.

I'll do my best to try keep these blogs up-to-date.

Sending everyone my best,

Cassidy