About Me

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I am a Mom of two young lads, a fitness fanatic and wife to a die-hard Packers/Brewers fan. I worked in corporate america for 12 years. Now I am on a new adventure - raising my sons and working part-time in the fitness industry as a Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor. I hope you stop by and read my updates- family, fitness, or life related!

Monday, September 28, 2009

First Full Day On Our Own





Since we returned home from the hospital on Thursday late afternoon and Joe's parents arrived Friday early afternoon and were here until Sunday early evening, I guess this is technically our official first day with our little man all on our own. I must say he is doing a great job. The first few nights were rough with sleeping, but lastnight he did a much better job - sleeping in larger increments and not crying as much. We hate to get excited, so we'll see if it continues. I have been trying to relax and get stuff done around the house. It's amazing that when you spend more time at home how stuff starts to really bug you. :)
Here are some more pics of Braden cozy in his new home!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Welcome Braden John Hammond





Little did I know that when I went to bed on Monday night that it would be my last night before the journey of motherhood began. I woke up at 1:00 am with what I thought was my water breaking, stayed at home and talked to the nurse line for a few hours until contractions got closer (ouch) and that we were sure it was my water. We began the drive to the hospital around 6:30 a.m. They confirmed my water broke and my contractions were just a couple to few minutes apart.
By 10 a.m. I got the epidural put in - thank goodness. I was having back labor that was pretty excruciating. After the epidural began, Joe and I watched episodes of The Office and hung out while I progressed. It took a little while to get fully dilated and then they had me on oxygen since baby's heartrate wasn't fluctuating as much as it should. By about 5:45 I was ready to push. At 6:36 our bundle of joy joined our family. We were so excited to meet him. Joe announced the gender and happily yelled, "we have a son - it's a boy!!!"
It has been a exhilarating couple of days. We love and adore Braden. He sleeps all day and has some issues sleeping at night. Hopefully that will get better! We are functioning on just a few hours of sleep a night, it's amazing what you can do when in the situation.
Braden has had lots of visitors, now Grandma and Grandpa Hammond are in town for the weekend!
Thanks for all the nice thoughts and wishes and Braden can't wait to meet everyone. He is truly precious!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

39 weeks plus!

So Friday was my 39th week milestone. I don't have another doc appointment until Wed. I think there should be more progress by then, but we'll see. I feel like the baby might be lower since it's a little harder to walk these days although I am still able to be pretty active. Things sure get interesting towards the end! I haven't had any contractions yet- just braxton hicks - so we'll see. I know I keep telling myself I will go overdue, but sometimes I think it can happen any day this week. I'll keep you all posted...

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

38 1/2 weeks!

Well at my Doc appointment this week (Monday)she said I have started to dilate and my cervix is thinning. I was pretty surprised at this because I keep telling myself I will go overdue and each doctor's appointment I just assume zero progress. I think this mentality has really helped me (no expectations and then you are pleasantly surprised)! So, I will keep you all posted. The process is starting, and of course it could change any day or stay the same for another week- but at least there is progress to report! I am still feeling good, so I am not overly anxious or miserable. I am ready to meet our little bundle of joy whenever he/she decides to come!!!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

38 Weeks

I won't be posting any pictures until the baby is born because our camera is packed in our hospital bag. :) So, I'll try to just leave some updates on what is going on.

This week at my appointment I was 37 weeks and 5 days and there wasn't anything going on- no dialation, effacement, cervix still high, etc... I pretty much assumed that though, so at least my hopes weren't up. I have been telling myself this whole time that I assume I will go over my due date so I think that has helped me. I am not anxious or miserable. Of course I can't wait to get my body back (which yes, I know will take lots of time) and meet our little one - but I am enjoying these last few weeks, days, whatever of just Joe and I. We have gone to dinners, watched some movies, taken walks, had friends over or met friends out, etc.... so, this baby will come when he/she wants to and I am not going to mess with that. :) I am going to work in the office a couple of days before my due date and then start working from home. I think that will help my body to somewhat relax and prepare- and it's getting hard to take the bus, walk the 8 blocks in to work, sit at a desk all day, etc...

I'll keep you all posted, I still can't believe this is coming so fast. We are definitely excited and I wonder each day what the gender of Baby H. is and what he/she looks like. That will be TRUE motivation for me to get through labor - finding out all of these questions I have!!! :)

Saturday, September 5, 2009

37 weeks!

Yesterday I was 37 weeks- so three more weeks to go until the due date. Who knows if baby will arrive early or late, but after this weekend (Labor Day weekend) we said we would be prepared. I wouldn't mind at least one more weekend after this just for relaxing and doing whatever we want- going to dinner, or a movie, etc....but whatever happens we are excited for baby's arrival and can't believe how fast this whole process has gone. We are done with the showers and done with the classes. The room is all set. We bought the items that we didn't get except for a car seat to go with the BOB stroller which hopefully can get crossed off the list this weekend!
We will keep everyone posted on any changes or news!!!

Baby's First Concert


It was our National Sales Meeting last week at Target. It is always in late August. For this meeting, all the field leaders (stores, DCs) and everyone at headquarters gather at the Target Center for an afternoon of speeches, awards and entertainment. This year the surprise entertainment was Shakira, Faith Hill and the Black Eyed Peas. Renee Zellweger was also there promoting a new movie that she has in partnership with Target. It was a pretty fun day. The Black Eyed Peas were top notch-full of energy, got the crowd going and did an awesome job performing. The bass was so loud that Baby H. was jammin' inside the tummy.