You Knew This One Was Coming....

As 2011 draws to a close, and 2012 is quickly approaching, it leaves me, as well as many others, pondering what is that I "change" or "improve" this year?

In many years past, I have made the "get in shape" resolution, that quickly fizzled out by February. Then I've had the bright idea to try and change something about my life, about me that is virtually unchangeable. That just left me disappointed and feeling more like a failure. Boo!

This year, I focus on ME! Selfish me! My new year's resolutions have always been for the benefit of others, and mainly because my heart wasn't completely in it.

John and I have completed our family. I no longer have the excuse of another baby coming along, so why get in shape. This IS the year! I will be trying out p90x (I hear it's a challenge, but one I graciously accept) as well as throwing in a Flying Pig Marathon relay! I CAN DO IT!

The other part of my New Year's Resolution is to learn how to really use my Canon. I have an ever growing interest in photography, specifically portrait photography, but realize there is so much to learn.

If you are reading this, it's because you give a damn or you are bored. At any rate, if you are reading this, I know you understand New Year's Resolutions are a challenge and often times require support from family and friends to be successful! Leave comments! Words of encouragement! I would appreciate it (yes, I am desperately begging)!

Thanks in advance!

Happy New Year, 2012! May this year be the best ever!

Got Milk?

Twelve week of maternity leave are coming to a close. What a twelve weeks it has been. As from my previous post, you know I didn't bounce back the way I thought I would, I was knocked on my rear for longer than I had expected. Nonetheless, it was a great maternity leave, so back to rehabing patients I go!

I have built up my stash of "Mommy's Milk" (over 100 ounces) and have it frozen, ready for my time away from baby. Near are the mornings of waking up at 4:30 am to pump, off to the gym by 5:00 am, only to return by 6:00 am to feed once more! It's a lot of work, but worth every minute. I do physical therapy in the home, so I have to pump in my car. Finding a "safe" and private place to pump is often challenging. I have successfully breastfed the others with a similar schedule, and it's all seemed to work out well.

All this I do for the love of my child. I enjoy breastfeeding. Everytime I take them for a check up, put them on the scale and see how much they have grown, I know they a bigger because of ME! That's rewarding. The special time I have spent feeding my children in the middle of the night, just us, is awesome, something I would love to have back with each one of them!

Aubrey Hope Walton

From the time we started dating, John and I had always discussed having four children. He from a family of four, and I from a family of 3 (and then some....), it just seemed to fit. Gabriella Faith was first. She arrived in our early twenties, a little unexpected, but very welcomed. Then came John Macardell IV, you all know him as Jack! In John's world, it was perfect, a girl and a boy! Complete! Me, not so much. I knew I wanted four. I "talked him into it" and he agreed. However, that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at nine weeks. Nearly a year went by, no baby.... Finally, along came Madelyn Grace! We talked about the "fourth baby" often, and sort of decided, if we are going to do this, now is the time. This is the start of Aubrey Hope's story....

We waited a long while to tell family (about 14 weeks along), and friends (around 20 weeks). When you have had a loss, no matter how far along, you are always a little apprehensive. The pregnancy was textbook. Doctor appointments were spent mostly talking to the younger kids, showing them toys in their office and listening to the heartbeat. In and out. We knew we were having a repeat c-section. I had my first c-section with Jack, he was rather large, and wanted so badly to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after a Cesarean) with Madelyn, but it didn't happen. It was ok, as the cord was around her neck, and I felt blessed we decided to go with the c-section. We also knew that this fourth baby was it! John and I decided that I was getting my tubes tied, we are finished!

October 6, 2011.... D-day!

We had to be up at BNorth at 10 am, the babysitter arrived around 9 am, we kissed our three kids goodbye and headed off to the hospital to have our fourth. I had already set up my L&D nurse (I worked in maternity at BNorth for a few years as a Unit Coordinator), I wanted the best, and I had her! I also wrote some facebook friends/ nurses about trying to reserve "the good room" on the Mom/Baby Unit (I got that, too!). I was sure to request awesome day shift and night shift nurses, and it seemed my door was constantly revolving with staff wanting to say "hi." I LOVED IT!

As I was being prepped for the c-section, I noticed my blood pressure was elevated, in the 150 range, high for me. During delivery, and after, it was slightly elevated, too.

John and I sat in the recovery room, just the two of us, listening to our baby's heartbeat, and chatting. We discussed our thoughts on whether it was a boy (Ethan Xavier) or girl (Aubrey Hope), and how the others would feel if we brought home a boy or if we brought home a girl. All of our pregnancies, the sex of the baby has been a surprise. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Dr G came in, we chatted a little, then it was time to roll on back to the OR....

When I had Jack, I had a horrible experience with the spinal. It took them six tries to get it in, and I was unable to lift my head for a few hours after delivery to prevent a spinal headache. The spinal with Madelyn was uneventful, in fact, I made it clear I was terrified and the anesthesiologist was so gentle, I didn't even know he had done it. Of course, I was apprehensive about the spinal again this time, but I had the very best anesthesiologist! She was great. Before they began the surgery, I did sort of freak out. I had some trouble breathing and felt very nauseated. They sat with me and calmed me down, then John came in and it was go time!

My little secret about the above moment of panic.... it was in part due to the fact that I was now numb from the nipples down, that I was about to have my stomach sliced open and anticipation of the safe delivery of our child.... But the biggest part, was I knew this would be our last one, my last time experiencing that moment in time when the world stands still and everyone in the room announces.... "IT'S A ______!" Bittersweet! So, I held John's hand, closed my eyes and cried (I am tearing up now just thinking about it).



Surgery began at 12:04 pm.... and at 12:08 pm, they announced "IT'S A GIRL!"



Aubrey Hope Walton entered this world at 12:08 pm, weighing 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 3/4 inches long! She was perfect! We are now a family of six! We joked how Jack will have his hands full protecting his three sisters! A job I know he will graciously take on (and he has)!

Our plan was to keep the sex of the baby a secret until Gabriella, Jack and Madelyn knew. We arrived to the second floor, and within minutes, the room was filled! The kids wouldn't come near me, but sat and took turns holding Aubrey. They were in love! Jack didn't seem to mind that he is going to be the only boy.

My life couldn't be more perfect! An amazing husband, and four beautiful, healthy children! We are also surrounded by gracious friends, The Tudor's, who stepped up to the plate to make sure I didn't have to worry about a thing while I was enjoying time with Aubrey at hotel BNorth! Stacey, Greg, Chance and Marley added Gabriella, Jack and Madelyn to their family for four days, three nights without a second thought. When I was trying to figure out where they were going to go while we were at the hospital, Stacey sent me a message and said "I got them! Go! Enjoy!" WOW!!!! There are no words! (tears again)

We arrived home around dinner time on Sunday. I was shocked at how difficult this recovery was in comparison to my other three births. Holy cow! I was beat! I went to bed, and really didn't move from there, it was not good :( Little did I know what was really happening....

Before we left the hospital Dr L stopped in and mentioned she was concerned about my blood pressures since I was admitted. She told me to watch for symptoms of upper gastric pain, blurred vision and headaches. She asked me to monitor my blood pressure, call with high readings or any of the previous symptoms. I checked my blood pressure before falling asleep, it was in the 170's. I took some pain medicine, and tried to rest.

I woke up in the middle of the night to feed Aubrey. I felt A-W-F-U-L! I even wrote on facebook, "This fourth baby, third c-section is no joke." I was having all the symptoms Dr L described and I was terrified. I decided to try a nice warm shower, maybe that would help.... as I stood in the shower, I thought to myself "I am not ready to leave my babies, I am so scared." I went to bed and lay there praying to God that I would make it, I knew something was wrong. A short time later, the alarm went off, it was time for Gabriella and Jack to go to school. I told John that I was not feeling so hot, and that while he was taking the kids to school, I would call the doctor. As I waited for the return call, I started getting ready and gathering a diaper bag, I knew I was headed back to the hospital. The phone rang, and Dr L said to go back to L&D....

John drove to BNorth, and I told him I would take Aubrey, go up for evaluation and would call him to pick me back up.... it was just anxiety, hormones, right? Wrong! My blood pressure reached as high as 200/102 mmHg, and I was staying. Staying alone! Aubrey was no longer a patient, I was, she wasn't allowed to stay :( John stepped up, took four kids (10 years, 4 years, 21 months and newborn) home alone! And he did a fine job, I might add! I stayed in the hospital for 2 1/2 days and was sent home on blood pressure medicine two times a day. This wasn't what I was used to. I have always bounced back in about two weeks. Not this time. It was about 6 weeks before I felt like me again.

Aubrey is now 9 weeks old, and growing so fast! My blood pressure is back to normal, and I am feeling great! Gabriella is adjusting to being the BIG sister of three. Jack aka The Smother Brother, can't keep his hands off of Aubrey. Madelyn is transitioning into the Terrible Two's, and would be happy if we took Aubrey back to where she came from! Mom and Dad don't sleep much, but we are happy and very blessed!

Lots of Love,

The Walton Family

Do The Potty Dance!

Madelyn has had success on the potty two days in a row! I have been a little hesitant to potty train her, even though she is turning two in a little over three weeks.

Having a brother who is only 2 1/2 years old than her, she is following closely in his footsteps. She has been interested in the potty for a few months. However, I didn't want to start potty training, then have the baby come along and it be ruined.

When we potty trained our first, Gabriella, she was satisfied with a simple sticker chart. She would potty, we added a sticker to the chart, after so many stickers, she would get a prize. Jack took a little more bribing. Bigger. More expensive. Items. It didn't take him long to be completely potty trained, thank goodness, our wallets were getting thin! So far, Madelyn will go potty for a simple piece of candy! Nothing outrageous, a simple sweet tart did the trick today!

Wish me luck! Santa is promising to leave her some Big Girl underwear this year! She is so excited!

....now just to get rid of that darn bottle....

She will drink out of cups, no problem, but has been throwing temper tantrums when she doesn't get a bottle. She doesn't have any other attachments (ie pacifier, blankets, stuffed toys, dolls, etc), she just loves her bottle, especially at nighttime. :(. I always give in, I mean, seriously who wants to hear a kid scream for an hour at bedtime because she wants her bottle?

Gabriella was the same way. She didn't give up her bottle until shortly after her 2nd birthday. Jack, on the other hand, gave his away at 13 months.

The moral of this blog post, every kid is different, even those from the same two parents and raised in the same household!

Off to the bathroom we go....

Must. Do. More. Cardio.

Cardiovascular activity..... ugh! It is my nemesis. I love to exercise, but in order to lose the weight I want to lose, I have to step up the cardio. Apparently, twenty minutes on an elliptical is not enough. It is just not interesting. I have tried conversation, TV and music as distraction, and yet, there I am watching the seconds tick by in boredom.

My solution: changing it up! My spectacular workout partner and I have decided to run/ walk on the indoor track and get back into spinning. Both are excellent cardiovascular exercises, and interesting. I am not much of a runner, but the run/ walk combination helps. Spinning, in itself, is ever changing for the 50-60 minutes you are on the bike. Just when you think you want to give up, the instructor changes either your position, the tension or the speed. You feel accomplished when you get off the bike.

I am always telling my patients that in order to increase their endurance and strength, they need to build on what they are already doing. That simply doing the same thing everyday (even if they are very active), will only maintain what they have now. In order to increase strength and endurance, you need to take it to the next step, without exhausting yourself.

So I guess I need to start taking a bit of my own advise.

In the time since starting my exercise/ diet change regiment, I lost a total of 6 lbs, however, today I hopped on the scale and I am back to where I started. Major bummer, but more of a butt kicker. I will keep chugging along, and taking in the helpful advise that has been coming my way. I am so fortunate to have such great supporters, and hope they continue to motivate me along this journey.... "My Journey To The New Me."

"The Activia Challenge"

As part of "My Journey To The New Me," I have accepted the "Activia Challenge." The challenge is to consume Activia daily for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and Activia will help to regulate your digestive system.

I have tried the flavors, strawberry/ banana and peach! They are both very tasty, and an excellent sweet tooth fix. I have been eating Activia for two days now, and already feel a difference. I don't feel as full in the stomach or bloated as I did before, I look forward to what the next two weeks will bring.

I am headed to the refrigerator and grabbing a spoon.... until next time!

My Journey To The New Me

I have decided to use the art of blogging to my advantage..... my weight loss advantage. I have come to realize that the mere act of thinking about weight loss and the continual excuses for not losing the weight are not correlating. Well, duh! I know, how genius of me to put these those two thoughts together. Saying I want to lose weight and actually doing something about it, have been my biggest challenges.

So, I use this blog to put myself out there. To share my ups and downs with weight loss. To give myself somewhere and someone to report to. I feel that if I have that "someone to answer to," I just may be motivated to keep moving along. I am looking for encouragement and help through this journey, so today I am asking for your support, your ideas.

Weight loss is not something new to me. I have struggled with weight for a very long time. While I love my three children, having them has done a number on my body. Of course, they are not fully to blame, I also enjoy food! I have tried many fad diets, and frankly, I am not interested. I am successful while on the diet, but slowly go back to "old habits." TA DA! So, here I am.... Ready to make a change!

I will no longer hide behind my pretty pink North Face jacket. I am shedding the layers, and shedding the pounds. The right way.... no skipping meals (doesn't help the metabolism), no pills (I have heart palpitations, shouldn't be taking them anyway) and no binge and purge (been there, done that.... not a good time in my life and I don't want to go back).

I will try to post weekly updates with healthy food tips, exercise tips or other useful information I have found along the way. I hope to stay motivated through posting this blog, and with a little help from all of you! Your encouraging words, suggestions and tips through this journey will be uplifting, and at times much needed. Thanks in advance! Love!


"Most health professionals recommend slow weight loss as the safest and most effective approach. A sensible weight-loss program allows you to lose weight gradually -- about one-half to one pound per week. Gradual weight loss promotes long-term loss of body fat, not just water weight that can be quickly regained.

To lose one pound, a person must burn 3,500 calories more than are consumed (500 calories per day over the course of a week). For example, reducing calories by 300 per day and increasing daily activity to burn off an additional 200 calories should result in a weight loss of one pound per week.

Here is an example of how the calculator can help you. If your daily calorie needs were calculated as 2500 calories and you desire to lose weight, you could:

1. Consume 2200 calories. (That's 300 calories less than this example diet), and
2. Burn 200 calories through activity, to result in a 2000-calorie diet!"

www.caloriecontrol.org






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