Graduate from College

Complete- Drop # 10- Graduate from College

Something that was on both my life list and on 25 before 25 was graduating from college. Although I still have graduate school in my future, I did earn my bachelor's degree!

Overcoming Challenges
      Being pregnant my senior year, I was unsure of whether I was going to be able to:

1. Walk and
2. Get my GPA above a 3.5.

      When getting my Associate degree I had graduated with a 3.8 GPA. So, I was disappointed in myself when the transition from community college to university did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. I calculated my likelihood of graduating from Clark with a 3.5 or better. I needed straight A's my final semester. An A- would mean failure. It seemed like a fat chance.

      Not only did I actually get straight A's my final semester, Lela's procrastination in escaping the womb meant that I was able to attend my graduation. I honestly hadn't planned on going- I was sure I would be in labor by then. I hadn't even picked up my cap and gown! On May 20th I woke up pregnant, so we headed up to Clark. Looks like I was walking after all!

Baking the Turkey

     I was excited- until I put on my cap and gown. It almost immediately became clear that a graduation ceremony on a nearly 90 degree day was hardly an appropriate place for a pregnant woman. I was wearing way too many layers, soaking up the rays with my lovely black gown, and packed together with hundreds of other graduates. I felt like a stuffed thanksgiving turkey covered in tinfoil and left to roast in the oven.

     When it came time to accept my degree, I could barely move. Nor could I keep up with the rest of the line. I tried to act as un-pregnant as possible. I jumped out of my chair way too fast and pulled a muscle in my leg. Now I became bloated pregnant turkey with a limp. Awesome. I waddled across the stage to accept my degree and eagerly went back to my chair to start stripping off my layers. It was way too hot for this formal nonsense.

     My parents had flown up from Texas for Lela's birth, so it was a bonus for them (and me) that they were able to also watch me graduate from Clark. Vinh's mother and sister were also able to come. Although I was very happy that I had the support, the last thing I wanted to do was to put the turkey tinfoil back on and take staged pictures. Let's just say that by the time this picture was taken, I was not a happy camper. Shortly after this picture I refused to put the cap back on. I was dried out and overcooked..

     Despite the heat, I was glad I was able to walk. Attending school at Clark was a great experience and- despite being a pregnant, bloated mess- it is nice to have pictures of the event.

Update- Paxil Jack

     One of the goals on my list of 25 before 25 was to get to the bottom of my cat Jack's peeing issue. There is more detailed information about this goal in a previous post, but in short with Lela on the way having a cat with an uncontrollable urge to pee on everything wasn't an option.

     As a last resort, the vet recommended putting Jack on Paxil. The theory was that the peeing was caused by anxiety. Putting him on Paxil for a few months would help balance him out, and then we would eventually wean him off.

The Result:
     Success!

      This success did result in a few personality changes in Jack. But, it's quite impossible to tell if these changes were caused by the medicine, or if the original 'personality' was actually not Jack's personality as much as it was a reaction to his anxiety.

      After weaning him off of the medicine, certain aspects of his personality have returned. But, it makes me wonder if this is also a sign of his anxiety returning. Time will tell. Overall, there have not been any major accidents that can't be blamed on a dirty litter box. So, I am considering this goal complete! 

Welcoming Lela

Complete: Drop # 7- Have a Child

     Wow! It's been a while since I've posted anything on here!I think a part of me really needed a break for a bit, and just some time to relax before some major life transitions. Regardless of my lame excuses, I'm back! And I am bringing a little half-me along for the journey :-).

The Push

     Lela was way over-baked. She was due May 18th. A week came and passed, and no baby.
Anything over two weeks late is considered a medical condition, so they scheduled me for an induction on May 31st.

     Thankfully, that morning I went in to labor myself. We checked in the hospital at 9:00 A.M., and the nurses decided to admit me (was sent home the day before- false alarm). After they broke my water my contractions increased. It was time to give me the juice.


     Epidural: Epi-Do It!
     
       After my water broke the pain and contractions significantly increased, taking place every three minutes or so. After they gave me the 'juice', no pain. The mood in the room completely changed, and both myself and my husband were much more at ease.

     Around 7:00 things had come to a standstill, and boredom kicked in. Vinh ran down to the store to pick up a pack of cards, and we played games  until it was time for me to start pushing. By 10:51 P.M., we had ourselves a baby girl!

Settling in to Parenthood

      The first night at home was frustrating. Breastfeeding is hard! The poor thing literally didn't get anything from me to eat, and she essentially starved until we decided to go against the advice from the hospital and sub her intake with formula so she would get something to eat (for which we got yelled at for later by the lactation). I'd rather have a happy and full baby than a half-starved one any day. Sure, exclusive breastfeeding is great if it's successful. But I can't be convinced that if mom's supply simply isn't catching up to baby's demand, that it's better to let the baby starve than to give her a bottle. Feedings should be as stress free as possible for both parties. I'll end my little soapbox speech here :-).

     There's still some problems in that area, mostly with falling asleep while feeding or general fussiness. Other than this ongoing difficulty we couldn't ask for much of an easier baby (knock on wood!) She sleeps very well at night and overall is fairly quiet... Unless she's hungry, which she's developed quite a desperate cry for (I would too, after starving my second night in existence).

     Being a new parent  is going to be an incredible adjustment. Here's to the next 18+ years of overcoming the challenges of parenthood as they arise.