We left the hospital on Friday the 19th with the most precious thing in tow. It was snowy and cold that day, but we were anxious to get you home and find our rhythm with you. the first hours made us think this parenting thing wasn't so bad...but then night fall came and it was a different story. Night one was a long night. Night two was much better, night three became a challenge again and night four was the best night yet! we are hoping tonight will be manageable as well.
The funny thing about sleep deprivation is that it can make adults start crying for no good reason and start saying crazy things to baby like, "peace, yellow devil child" after she gives a peace sign with two fingers. You have a touch of jaundice by this point, but it is very common at high elevations. We are working on getting it resolved.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Your birth day
On Wednesday, March 17th we went to the hospital pausing at our front door knowing when we came back there would be three of us and our lives would be different forever.
I was induced around 9 am certain you would be my "green leprechaun child", but at 1pm not much chang was happening or it was too slow, so the doc broke my water and by 3pm I had an epidural. Things seemed to picking up, but by 8pm I was only at 5cm, and I wasn't sure when you were coming. At 11pm I was checked by a nurse and was at 10cm ready to push. Two hours later you were crying your first cry, but your dad and I were balling like babies too.
It is one day I wull never forget! March 18, 2010 1:07am, Anna Louise came into the world. Your big beautiful eyes opened very early and you looked so curious. You hardly cried that very long first day. Your Dad and I hardly slept until late on the 18th.
I was induced around 9 am certain you would be my "green leprechaun child", but at 1pm not much chang was happening or it was too slow, so the doc broke my water and by 3pm I had an epidural. Things seemed to picking up, but by 8pm I was only at 5cm, and I wasn't sure when you were coming. At 11pm I was checked by a nurse and was at 10cm ready to push. Two hours later you were crying your first cry, but your dad and I were balling like babies too.
It is one day I wull never forget! March 18, 2010 1:07am, Anna Louise came into the world. Your big beautiful eyes opened very early and you looked so curious. You hardly cried that very long first day. Your Dad and I hardly slept until late on the 18th.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Due Date
Dear baby,Today is our Due Date! As in, you're due, time's up, come on out! For about the last 48 hours you have been giving me contractions of all types ranging from mild to strong to 30-minute bad cramps. I woke two nights ago around 2:30 to do my usual 2:30 business, but wasn't able to fall back asleep and found myself watching people buying hideous jewelry at 3:30am. Last night I woke around 3:30 to do my usual 2:30 business, and again wasn't able to fall back asleep. Only this time I fought for nearly 2 and a half hours to go back to sleep, and ended up making pancakes and eggs for your Dad and I for breakfast.
So here's the thing--I need you to come out on your own very soon or I am going to go ahead and get induced. I am feeling very tired, sore and beat up in ways I didn't think were possible. I know these feelings will get worse before they get better, but I also know I would like to go into the labor process with some energy.
Love,
Mom
Saturday, March 13, 2010
To induce or not to induce
Dear Baby,
This is your Mama. Come out and no one will get hurt. At yesterdays doctors appointment, the doc said that I am "right there" and can go into labor at any time. This thought excited me, though no major changes had happened from last week other than your head is moving lower yet. She also mentioned that we could go ahead and induce labor if I was tired of waiting...which honestly I am right on that electrical fence. One wrong bump and I start thinking, "Yes doctor, let's set it up." Alas, I did not take her up on her offer at that moment because I was feeling crummy all morning as it was and thought maybe, just maybe the Baby will come out on her own. (This is where you, Baby, do a favor for your Mama.)
During our childbirth classes we talked a lot about medical interventions and what it would mean to the overall birthing experience. For those who are unaware, there are a couple of labor inducing drugs out there, most commonly used is pitocin. It is an IV and once you start it you are connected via IV throughout your labor. You can get out of bed and still walk around, use the bathroom, rock in a rocking chair, but you are stuck there. Our visions and conversations after the classes were that we wanted to do a lot of the early labor at home. It is more comfortable to be walking around without bringing a rolling IV unit with you, we can go outside for a walk, take a warm bath, and I can stay in comfortable clothes for many more hours. The other fear we have that we learned about in the classes was once you allow medical interventions, you may keep having more to push your labor along like artifically breaking the "bags of water" or needing to have a C-section because you are so exhausted from the many hours of early labor and just want to end it all quickly.
Our birhting expereince looks more like me at home resting when possible, taking a walk in the park across the street if I'm feeling ambitious, using the birthing ball, massages, still being able to eat a little like some soup and getting enough fluids, and being able to pack my bag with the clothes I want to bring. I would much rather spend 10 hours (plus or minus a few hours) doing these comfortable things at home than in the hospital. Once we get to the hospital, soothing sounds, watching movies and depending on how far along I have progressed, getting the epidural will be our plan. Did you see the blue birds singing, or a movie montage there? We'll see how it really goes.
This is your Mama. Come out and no one will get hurt. At yesterdays doctors appointment, the doc said that I am "right there" and can go into labor at any time. This thought excited me, though no major changes had happened from last week other than your head is moving lower yet. She also mentioned that we could go ahead and induce labor if I was tired of waiting...which honestly I am right on that electrical fence. One wrong bump and I start thinking, "Yes doctor, let's set it up." Alas, I did not take her up on her offer at that moment because I was feeling crummy all morning as it was and thought maybe, just maybe the Baby will come out on her own. (This is where you, Baby, do a favor for your Mama.)
During our childbirth classes we talked a lot about medical interventions and what it would mean to the overall birthing experience. For those who are unaware, there are a couple of labor inducing drugs out there, most commonly used is pitocin. It is an IV and once you start it you are connected via IV throughout your labor. You can get out of bed and still walk around, use the bathroom, rock in a rocking chair, but you are stuck there. Our visions and conversations after the classes were that we wanted to do a lot of the early labor at home. It is more comfortable to be walking around without bringing a rolling IV unit with you, we can go outside for a walk, take a warm bath, and I can stay in comfortable clothes for many more hours. The other fear we have that we learned about in the classes was once you allow medical interventions, you may keep having more to push your labor along like artifically breaking the "bags of water" or needing to have a C-section because you are so exhausted from the many hours of early labor and just want to end it all quickly.
Our birhting expereince looks more like me at home resting when possible, taking a walk in the park across the street if I'm feeling ambitious, using the birthing ball, massages, still being able to eat a little like some soup and getting enough fluids, and being able to pack my bag with the clothes I want to bring. I would much rather spend 10 hours (plus or minus a few hours) doing these comfortable things at home than in the hospital. Once we get to the hospital, soothing sounds, watching movies and depending on how far along I have progressed, getting the epidural will be our plan. Did you see the blue birds singing, or a movie montage there? We'll see how it really goes.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The quirks of this pregnancy
In honor of what is hopefully our last week of this current living arrangement, I have decided to list the quirks of this pregnancy before I forget them. Happy starting of our 40th week Baby!
1. Found out I was pregnant on July 9, 2009. Had family visiting on the 10th. I was completely freaked out, Jon held it together and was genuinely excited after the shock wore off.
2. Had total loss of appetite as of July 10th, but blamed it more on the summer heat than the pregnancy.
3. Started to feel nauseous around July 14th, and was sick (vomitting at LEAST once a day, usually more) until mid-October when I received anti-nausea meds that are usually prescribed to cancer patients.
4. Lost 27 pounds before I was prescribed the meds.
5. Mostly ate cereal (Capt'n Crunch Berries, Apple Jacks, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch) through the first four months, and then the cereal became my afternoon snack. Watermelon also helped in the early months. Nothing else would really stay in me.
6. At our last appointment I had just reached my starting weight. So this pregnancy, I technically gained no weight. I lost so much and gained that same amount back. I will come out of this pregnancy weighing LESS than when I started!
7. I haven't experienced pregnancy cravings. Everyone asks me, but I am just trying to eat healthy (minus the sugar bomb cereals).
8. The doctor never seemed settled on a due date. She has kept it at March 16th and as time has progressed she has felt better about it. I suppose it is a big guessing game anyways.
9. You have racked up close to 4,000 frequent flier miles, and over 9,000 road miles while hanging out in me.
10. I have convinced myself that I am feeding you too good and you are too comfortable to come out to the real world. If I had room service the way you do, I would probably put up a fight and not want to leave either.
1. Found out I was pregnant on July 9, 2009. Had family visiting on the 10th. I was completely freaked out, Jon held it together and was genuinely excited after the shock wore off.
2. Had total loss of appetite as of July 10th, but blamed it more on the summer heat than the pregnancy.
3. Started to feel nauseous around July 14th, and was sick (vomitting at LEAST once a day, usually more) until mid-October when I received anti-nausea meds that are usually prescribed to cancer patients.
4. Lost 27 pounds before I was prescribed the meds.
5. Mostly ate cereal (Capt'n Crunch Berries, Apple Jacks, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch) through the first four months, and then the cereal became my afternoon snack. Watermelon also helped in the early months. Nothing else would really stay in me.
6. At our last appointment I had just reached my starting weight. So this pregnancy, I technically gained no weight. I lost so much and gained that same amount back. I will come out of this pregnancy weighing LESS than when I started!
7. I haven't experienced pregnancy cravings. Everyone asks me, but I am just trying to eat healthy (minus the sugar bomb cereals).
8. The doctor never seemed settled on a due date. She has kept it at March 16th and as time has progressed she has felt better about it. I suppose it is a big guessing game anyways.
9. You have racked up close to 4,000 frequent flier miles, and over 9,000 road miles while hanging out in me.
10. I have convinced myself that I am feeding you too good and you are too comfortable to come out to the real world. If I had room service the way you do, I would probably put up a fight and not want to leave either.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Week 39
We had another doctor's appointment today, perhaps you felt her poking around? We've made some progress this week, but I've come to realize it doesn't mean anything in terms of a "date and time". So here's where we are at: I am 80% thinned out of a possible 100%, your head is on my pelvis bone (which I didn't need the doc to tell me, I've known this for a few days now), and I am still dialated about 1.5cm. What does this mean? Last week I was at about 10% thinned, and all of these small contractions and cramping feelings ARE being productive. I am to start to watch for show, a water break, or strong and regular contractions. You could be days away or a week or so yet.
Yesterday I started a fun game of, "Guess when baby is coming". It's funny that no one has chosen the actual due date yet, but 5% of births actually occur on the due date. It is becoming more fun for me to look at people's guesses and look forward to that day than counting down from the due date.
We have been experiencing great weather here in early March, and though snow is in the forecast for tonight/early tomorrow, Saturday looks to be gorgeous and I am planning on taking a walk out at Garden of the Gods to see if we can make something happen. I will probably just end up utterly exhausted and sleep for the rest of the day, but just for giggles we'll see.
Yesterday I started a fun game of, "Guess when baby is coming". It's funny that no one has chosen the actual due date yet, but 5% of births actually occur on the due date. It is becoming more fun for me to look at people's guesses and look forward to that day than counting down from the due date.
We have been experiencing great weather here in early March, and though snow is in the forecast for tonight/early tomorrow, Saturday looks to be gorgeous and I am planning on taking a walk out at Garden of the Gods to see if we can make something happen. I will probably just end up utterly exhausted and sleep for the rest of the day, but just for giggles we'll see.
Monday, March 1, 2010
March 1st
Last night was the end of the Winter Olympic Games, and for the first-time ever I actually watched a lot of the games. Hannah Kearney kicked off the games with a big win and gold medal in women's moguls, Apolo Ohno set an all-time record for the most decorated athlete of the winter games leaving Vancouver with a career total of 8 medals, Bode Miller is the most decorated men's downhill skier, America finally won a gold in Nordic combined skiing -- the first medal ever own in this event. Lindsey Vonn was a hot mess but walked away with a few medals, and another first-ever was the 4 man bobsleigh who pulled down a gold. Shaun White was impressive, but has raised the bar to the point where we expect nothing less than a gold to come from him.
Yesterday was also the end of February, and now we can say it is only a matter of days before we get to meet you! People are starting to ask on a daily basis about you and how much longer. I wish I knew the date you were really going to come. I think it would help ease some of my new mommy-to-be jitters.
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