Wordless Wednesday

Andrew's Birth Story

On Wednesday, August 17th, I went to m y 39 week appointment desperately hoping for any signs that my body was getting ready for labor. However, I was checked and still had not dilated or had any effacement. So I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I would be overdue and most likely have to be induced again. Andrew (and my body) had other plans.

I had gone to my parents' house that night for dinner and nearly everyone that was there commented on the size of my ankles. They were absolutely HUGE! I chalked it up to typical pregnancy swelling though and spent most of the evening with my feet up. The next day, my ankles were still pretty swollen and my left one was significantly larger than my right. So me being me, I took a picture on my phone and sent it to my mom with the caption of "holy cankles." She had me call my doctor. 

So after waiting around all day, I finally got a call back from the nurse who ordered me into labor and deliver for monitoring. I was NOT expecting that at all. I figured they would tell me to keep my feet up and drink more water. So Ryan and I packed the last few things in our hospital bag and dropped Sarah off at my in-laws' house. Off to the maternity ward we went. We were there for three hours and I had tons of blood drawn and my blood pressure taken every 15 minutes. Finally, I was told I could decide to go home or be induced that night. So, since I hadn't eaten in over 9 hours, I opted to go home and eat and get everything situated for Andrew's impending arrival. But it was mostly food that motivated my decision.

Friday I went into the office for a blood pressure check and was sent back to labor and delivery. This time I didn't leave until after Andrew's birth.  I had another blood draw and we waited on those results before they started Cervadil. Just like with Sarah, it had to be in place for 12 hours before they could start Pitocin. So at 3:30 pm they started Cervadil and I contracted all night from it! That did not happen with Sarah and I was totally unprepared for it. Sometime past midnight, after about 7 hours of fairly strong contractions, I started crying and then I felt pretty bad about it. But luckily I was able to get some pain meds (Stadol again) to help me sleep. Since I didn't open my eyes, I pretty much avoided feeling woozy from it. 

Finally at 5:30 am they started Pitocin and I got my epidural around 7:00! I felt worlds better and was so ready to be done with the labor process at that point. Unfortunately for me, my epidural began wearing off on my left side right before it was time to push. Around 10:30 am or so. It wasn't unbearable pain, but enough to be uncomfortable again. I was really hoping to get it fixed before I had to push, but there wasn't time. I pushed for 17 minutes and then at 10:54 am, Andrew made his appearance in the world. He was in a bit of shock because he was born so quickly. He had a bit of respiratory distress, but nothing as severe as Sarah's. He did have to be taken for observation like she was though. But he passed all of his APGAR tests and was one healthy, big boy!

I had a minor tear and was just waiting for the epidural to wear all the way off so I could get up and shower and clean up! I felt a million times better after Andrew's birth. I'm thinking it was because this was my second baby and it happened so quickly after my first! But the whole process went fairly smoothly and while it was a surprise, I am really glad that everything turned out the way it did. We have a healthy new addition to our family and avoided a possibly dangerous situation with my blood pressure.

And here is the last bump picture and the post baby bump picture!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday

That's right we had our baby boy today. Andrew Ryan joined the world at 10:54 this morning. He weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs 0.4 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. I was expecting him to be bigger than Sarah was at birth, but not quite that big. All in all it was a pretty smooth delivery and both Andrew and I are recovering nicely at the the hospital right now.

Update

I'm headed to the doctor this morning for my follow up visit from Labor and Delivery last night. My blood pressure is on the rise again, just like with Sarah. I spent 3 hours in L&D getting blood pressure checks every 15 minutes, being hooked up to all kinds of monitors and getting bloodwork done. The results? Pre pre-eclampsia! I will most likely be induced today or tomorrow!

Things I Don't Want to Forget Thursday

Sarah as we anxiously await your brother's arrival,there are a few things I want to always remember about this time.

1. How much fun you are at this age. Everyday is a new adventure and full of surprises. While you can be frustrating, I never get tired of finding the new things that make you laugh and smile.
2. The way you gravitate to water, even if it's just a teeny puddle. You even love it when it rains and you could care less who or what gets wet when you're around the water. I love the way you say "rain" and "waa-bie"" for water.
3. The sound you make when we figure out just what it is that you have been asking for. When we finally get it right, you make this adorable little giggle/sigh of relief when you know that you're going to get that bottle/banana/fruit snack/etc.
4. Your love of cooking and how everyone gets a bite. You walk around with a cup and spoon and stir constantly and give samples to anyone around. And speaking of bites when you want a taste or sip of something you ask for a bite.
5.  Your hair! It's absolutely adorable and I love trying to get it in pigtails or in the "Pebbles" do. (Even if you refuse to sit still.)
6. How much you love "preebies" (pretty's). Whether it's a necklace, bracelet, or even just a hair tie. I love that you think it's fun to accessorize and even try and do Mommy's hair when it's down.
7. I love the way you dance and ask for "mo" the second the music stops. Your talking amazes me every day.
8. The way you love cleaning things. You are constantly wiping things, sweeping, helping with the laundry, or mopping. It's so cute and you are such a helper!
9. Your love of being outside, even if it drives me more than a little crazy! I never want you to forget how much there is to do outside!
10. And most of all I want to always remember how you taught me to be the mom I am now. I know that I will love all my children, but there's something special about the firstborn! You are the one who made me a mama and I have loved growing, learning, and loving with you and Daddy!

Wordless Wednesday (The Face of Mischief)

Hump Day = Bump Day

Well I'm officially 38 weeks today and feeling every hour of those weeks. Seriously, I feel like one big bruise, very swollen and sore! But I know it will all be worth it in the end, even as I am desperately hoping the end comes soon. But there are some good things to focus on right now.

• My family of three is happy and healthy. (Although Sarah had a particularly grumpy day today)
• I have been working really hard on my patience and not letting the little things get to me. It's taken a lot of prayer, discipline, and list making. As my mind has filled up with all the things I want/need to get done I make a list and feel better about it almost instantly. 
• I stayed at the same weight this week. Still only up 27 pounds which is drastically improved from my weight gain with Sarah. I think that's part of the reason I've had better energy.
• All of these aches and pains HAVE to mean that baby is coming soon.
• I don't have to worry about finances (too much, we still stick to a budget) and I am blessed to be able to continue to stay home.
• I can technically sleep through the night without being woken by a child. Problem is my bladder wakes me up  a lot.

And here is me in all my 38 week glory!

My Little Talker

At 16 months, Sarah's verbal skills have totally taken off. I swear she adds a handful of new words to her vocabulary every day. Sometimes I'm so surprised at how well she communicates, I forget that she isn't even a year and a half yet! Here are some of her newest words

• Help Me
• Ummy (Yummy)
• Hewwo (Hello)
• Hi Baby
• Eyes
• Shoes
• Keys
• Mou (Mouth)
• Tee (Teeth)
• Toes
• Nose
• Nigh Nigh (Night Night)
• Nana (Banana)
• Snack (Fruit Snacks)
• Raisin
• El-a-bee (Elephant)
• Gi-aff (Giraffe)
• Trash
• Blue (Blue's Clues) Most of the time she just grabs the TV remote and says Puppy Please
• Yucky/Ucky
• Caw (Car)
• All Gone
• Milk
• Hun-ry (Hungry)
• Papa (My Dad)
• She's also starting to say something that sounds similar to Grandma sometimes it's Gaga other time it's Mamaw 

Not only is her spoken language improving everyday, but so is what she understands. I don't feel like I have no one to talk to during the day anymore, because Sarah can say and understand so much. If I ask her to pick something up, she will (most of the time). Or if I tell her to get another book or to get something from her room she usually will do that too. She's started coming into the kitchen with me and showing me what she wants to eat by pointing to it or asking for it. It's really crazy to see how much she changes everyday! My little baby is so big now and she's such a motor mouth!

Full Term

So I reached 37 weeks this past Wednesday which makes this baby technically full cooked! And let me tell you I am totally ready for him to get here. There are still a few loose ends to tie up, but for the most part we're as ready as we'll ever be. And I am truly grateful for this baby, and realize how big of a blessing it is, but my body is just done. I don't know if I can make it the next three weeks if he doesn't come on his own. Which by the way if this baby doesn't make an appearance by August 31st, guess who is getting evicted!! Yup, due to the extreme heat here they don't want me going more than a week past my due date. And as of right now, I'm sure I'll be induced.

1. How far along - 37 weeks and 2 days
2. Total weight gain - 27 pounds gained
3. Maternity clothes? - Yes and no. Basically I wear whatever fits. (Even if it's the same pair of maternity shorts and a tank every day!)
4. Sleep -At this point I'm pretty sure I'll get more sleep once he's born
5. Best moment this week - Setting an end date for this pregnancy
6. Movement-  It's more subdued, but he still moves
7. Food cravings - I'm not really hungry anymore, there's just no room in my belly anymore
8. Labor signs - NONE! No dilation, no time-able contractions. :( Lots of aches and pains though!
9. Belly button in or out - Out 
10. Stretchmarks - Yep, lots of new ones on the lower part of my belly. I think it looks like a cat mauled me but Ryan says they aren't that bad.
11. What I miss - Being able to play with Sarah easily and not peeing every three minutes
12. What I'm looking forward to - Meeting this baby and a break in our heat wave

Thank You Note Thursday

I saw this on another blog that I can't remember right now but I liked the idea. Basically you pick a few people who have made your week better and thank them.

1. My husband, Ryan! You have been absolutely amazing this week! Even with my crazy mood swings, worrying, and nesting kicking in. Thanks for tolerating all of this chaos and taking everything I have dished out in stride. I really do love you lots and even if I'm cranky I should show it!
2. My parents! They have made getting ready for this baby much easier. My mom has been amazing about making sure we have enough clothes and got our double stroller. My dad has been great in playing with Sarah and keeping her occupied when we are there. And they feed us multiple times a week so that's more than awesome. Free food = money saved for diapers or whatever else comes up.
3. And last but not least our maintenance man, Anthony! He saved the day and restored air conditioning to my apartment. I was miserable all of Tuesday night with no a/c and very little sleep. And he came out Wednesday morning and fixed the problem for us. He has no idea how much better he made this pregnant lady's life!

I'm sure I left a few people out, because I have truly been surrounded by support in these last weeks of pregnancy. Who has made a difference for you this week?

Wordless Wednesday (Daddy's Birthday)

Monday Mind Dump

1. How is it already August? I'm having a baby this month!!
2. I'm so thankful that my 16 month old still takes two naps a day. I hope we can keep it up once Little Brother gets here.
3. Along the same lines, Sarah didn't fight me very much for naps today! I must have found the magic sleepy window... too bad that window of time will be different tomorrow.
4. I hate meal planing! It doesn't matter if it's picking meals for Ryan and I or choosing things Sarah will/can eat. All it does is stress me out. Anyone want to meal plan for me??
5. Today I feel like a mom who has got it together. I'm dressed, my hair is done, my make-up is done, Sarah is dressed and fed, and I've done dishes and laundry. I'm afraid all of that is about to be flipped upside down!
6. HOLY CRAP IT'S AUGUST!!