Wednesday, January 16, 2013

June's Birth Story

Two weeks ago today, I gave birth to our baby girl. Gosh, I can't believe it's only been two weeks. It seems like she's been here forever. It's a day I will remember for the rest of my life, but I want to document it here before I forget all of the little details. 

The night before I started having contractions-we had no idea this would be our last photo as a family of two

On January 1st at 5:45am, I woke up to what felt like stomach cramps. I thought to myself, "Am I having contractions??" I was a little skeptical because my due date was still a week away and I hadn't experienced any other "symptoms." (I don't know what I was expecting. I guess I thought I would feel an urge to clean the house like everyone talks about, or at least be dilated a centimeter or two?? haha)
I got back in bed and tried to go back to sleep but I was too excited/nervous. After about 30 minutes I decided I should start timing the contractions. They were ranging anywhere from 12-6 minutes apart. 

At 8:00am they became more regular and closer together so I woke Paul up. I got in the shower, put makeup on and finished packing my bag because I thought we would be heading to the hospital soon (in my childbirth class they said to go to the hospital when your contractions were 5 minutes apart). We called our parents to let them know what was going on. And then, wouldn't you know it, the contractions slowed down a bit. Now they were anywhere from 20-8 minutes apart. So Paul and I went for a walk to see if that would speed things up. It didn't. 

At 1:00pm we went to a going away party for one of Paul's coworkers. We decided to go to the party since we were just sitting around waiting for my contractions to speed up. I continued to time them and after an hour or so at the party, they got closer together. Now they were consistently 5 minutes apart. I told one of my friends at the party that I was having contractions. She told me to be careful because when she went into labor with her second baby she progressed so quickly that by the time she got to the hospital it was too late for her to get an epidural. 

Just to let you all know, THAT IS MY WORST FEAR IN LIFE!

Paul and I promptly left the party, stopped by our house to grab our bags (and take a few last minute pics) and went straight to the hospital. 




At 3:00pm we got to the hospital. The nurses hooked me up to the monitor and checked to see if I was dilated. I was 100% effaced, but only dilated 1.5. They called the on-call doctor and she told them to check me again in an hour and send me home if I hadn't progressed. The nurses had me walk up and down the halls of the labor and delivery floor in hopes of getting my water to break. No such luck. An hour later I was still at a 1.5 so they sent me home. I asked them how I would know when to come back. They told me to come back if my water broke or my contractions were so bad I couldn't walk or talk through them. 

Ugh.

At 6:00pm we went home. My parents were there waiting for us.  At that point I was so discouraged. And my contractions were becoming more and more painful. I started to cry and told Paul I couldn't go through this all night. He looked at me like, "I don't think you have a choice" haha. He suggested I take a hot shower which actually helped a little, but a few hours later I was in complete agony. I told Paul we had to go back to the hospital and this time I was going to MAKE them admit me and give me drugs for the pain :)

At 1:00am we went back to the hospital. I wish I had a picture of us leaving for the hospital for the second time. It would have been a very different picture from the one above. I looked like a hot mess with tears streaming down my face, my makeup smeared, and my hair all tangled and matted. I guess I know for next time: if you're feeling good enough to fix your hair and makeup, it's too early to go to the hospital!

When we got to the hospital they checked me and this time I was dilated to 5 centimeters. I immediately worried that there wouldn't be enough time for me to get an epidural. The nurses said they had to get my lab work back and then they could order the epidural, but it would take at least 30 minutes. I was in so much pain that I started throwing up, so they gave me some pain medication while I waited. And let me tell you, that pain medication messed me up! I felt like I was the most wasted I've ever been in my life. Apparently I told Paul I was so tired that I felt like I was going to stop breathing and I asked him to keep an eye on me!?

I have to say, Paul was so good to me throughout the whole process. He stayed so calm and really encouraged me. I don't think I would have survived without him.



Around 2:00am I was dilated to 6.5. The anesthesiologist came and gave me the epidural which made me get sick again. The nurse gave me some anti-nausea medication and once that kicked in, life was grand! I even dozed off for a little while. I progressed to 8 centimeters pretty quickly, but then I got stuck at 8. 

The baby's heart rate kept dropping and they had to give me oxygen. 



At 7:00am I was still at 8 centimeters so they gave me Pitocin to help things along. And then the epidural started to wear off. NOOOO! I asked the nurses if they could give me some more juice. They had the anesthesiologist come back and give me another injection which was great because I couldn't feel a thing...but it was also a problem because I really couldn't feel ANYTHING from my waist down. 

At 9:30am I was finally dilated to 10 and it was time to push! I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to   since I couldn't feel anything. Paul and the nurses had to hold my legs up for me, but after 45 minutes of pushing, out she came and I immediately saw she was a GIRL! Before the doctor could even say anything I shouted, "It's a girl!!!" I was completely shocked. I was so sure I was having a boy. It was the best surprise of my life.



When Paul came into the waiting room to get my parents, my mom said she had never seen such a big smile on his face. Melt my heart! 

Giving birth was a truly amazing experience. 

I am so thankful for a healthy pregnancy and delivery without complications, and most of all, our healthy baby girl-things I prayed for constantly.

We are very blessed!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

10 on 10 :: January 2013

10 on 10: Take ten pictures on the tenth day of the month to find the life and beauty among the ordinary things of your day...

My goal for 2013 is to participate in 10 on 10 each month.


Today, June Louise is 8 days old. Here's a glimpse of my day with our baby.


Good morning sleepy head! June woke up around 10:00am this morning.


The boppy pillow. I love this thing. I've used it every time I've fed her since we came home from the hospital.


After I fed her, she spit up all over herself and me! So I gave her a bath.


Snoozin. This girl loves to eat and sleep. She has to sleep elevated in her bouncer seat because of all the spitting up. While she slept, I showered :)


I realized I hadn't left the house since Monday and I was feeling a little stir crazy. So we went to visit daddy at his office for the first time.


Then a quick trip to the post office and Sonic for a Coke.


Stretching out on the floor. I love it when she's awake and happy!


I assembled my new breast pump and tried it out for the first time. Success. 


When Paul came home, he gave June her first bottle and enjoyed some snuggle time.


My sister gave me this book and I love it! Lots of good info. 


There you have it, our day in a nutshell :)


Monday, January 7, 2013

Introducing...



This little lady has us wrapped around her finger already. We are so in love! 




Tuesday, January 1, 2013

38 weeks


This is my picture for the week..I noticed my shadow on the wall and had to snap a pic! 

How Far along: 38 weeks

Size of Baby: the size of a leek (according to baby center) But actually, I had an ultrasound last week and this baby was measuring 8lbs 4oz!!!

Total Weight Gain: 24 lbs. so far...I lost a few.

Gender: ??? 

Movement: The movement seems to have slowed down a little in the last few days. Maybe Pat is running out of room?

Sleep: Not great, but not terrible.

Maternity Clothes: I am so sick of maternity clothes!

Symptoms: Lots of pressure in my lower abdomen, having a hard time catching my breath (especially after I eat), swollen arms and legs, and general uncomfortableness.

Aversions: No aversions. 

Cravings: cereal

What I Miss: I think I've said this before but, I miss being able to move around like I used to.

Best Moment of the Week: I have a few: this week we traded in my Mustang for my new mom-mobile, an Acura SUV. While I was sad to see the old Mustang go, I'm loving the new car! Paul and I also went out for a little date last night at a fondue restaurant in Manitou Springs. This will probably be our last date before Pat arrives :)

Worst Moment of the Week: At my appointment this week, my doctor checked me to see if I was dilated and so far, I'm not. That was kind of disappointing. Then he did an ultrasound to check my fluid levels and measure the baby. As I said above, according to his calculations, the baby is weighing in at a whopping 8lbs. 4oz.! And it will likely gain .5 lbs. per week. Yikes! Not gonna lie, I'm a little scared. To top it all off, the ultrasound picture of the baby was the ugliest looking thing I've ever seen haha.

We are so ready to meet this baby!!!