September 12, 2012

Elise Adelaide born Sept 12, 2012 at 4:42pm.

9lbs 11oz, 20 inches long

Yup, she’s here!!!  And yes, she’s a bit on the chunky side   We were not expecting that at all!  Both of the boys were two pounds lighter than she was!  But she’s perfect and beautiful and her chubby cheeks and rolls on her arms are the best!

So here’s the story…

Last Wednesday I went in for my 39 week check and we found out that she had turned transverse (for those who don’t know that means her head was on my right and her bum was down).  We did NOT want her to come out that way, and in fact my Midwife said that no one at their hospital would deliver a breach baby.  So for the next few days my focus was to get her to turn and for my water not to break.  I was supposed to get on my hands and knees often and my Midwife said that sometimes a Chiropractor could help.  So I made an appointment with a Chiropractor right down the road from me that specializes in pediatric and prenatal which was perfect.  She did some adjustment, nothing too major, on Friday morning.  So I went back in to get an ultrasound in the afternoon to see if she had turned and she did!  I honestly think she turned Thursday night because I suddenly felt some sharp pain as she moved and was really uncomfortable for a minute or two and I think that’s when she did it.

So from there we were good to go!  But nothing was happening…and nothing…and nothing.  When Monday morning came and still barely had any contractions, I decided to see how my Midwife felt about inducing me.  I’ve never been induced and never been a huge fan, but I just felt like we needed to do it.  One reason was that my Grandma is here (actually leaving today) and I was going to be so very sad if she left without meeting her.  And I just felt it was time.  My Midwife was fine with inducing and gave me the first available slot, which was on Wednesday at 7am.  So we geared up to get ready to meet our little girl.

Almost all of Tuesday night I had contractions to the point where I thought I might need to go in to the hospital.  But after a few hours they slowed down and eventually stopped – which is what they had been doing off and on for a week.  So we got up bright and early Wednesday morning, said goodbye the boys and headed off.

We got all checked in and I was given a pill to induce labor.  I will say that I have done a little research on this method since then and I am glad everything turned out ok because some people were not at fortunate!  After a few hours of light labor, my Midwife checked me and I was still only about a 3-4 (I went in at a 2-3).  And her head wasn’t down very far so they were not comfortable breaking my water yet.  So I spend the next hour on the birth ball and walking to see if I could get her to move down.  She did move down so they then broke my water.  After a few more hours she hadn’t moved down any more and I will still at a 4.  So my Midwife said I could keep going and see what happens (I believe it was about 12pm by then) or she could give me Pitocin to help progress things faster.  Since I had already decided I was going to get and epidural, I went ahead and let her give me the Pitocin.  So they got the Pitocin going and I started noticing stronger contractions pretty quickly and by the time the anesthesiologist got there I was definitely ready for him   He was so nice and laid back and funny, that helped me relax.

After about an hour on the Pitocin I had already progressed to a 6 and was well on my way.  Elise was still up higher than they wanted her, but they weren’t too concerned yet.  Once I hit about a 7-8 her heart rate started dropping dramatically with every contraction.  So even if I couldn’t feel them (I was only feeling about every other one) I could tell I was having one by the sound of her heart rate monitor.  I asked if it could be her umbilical cord and they said it very well might be.  If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you know that BOTH of the boys had cord issues when they were born, to the point where I had to be continuously monitored and I was not allowed out of bed.  Luckily hers wasn’t that bad and it was only at the end.

So I was about a 9 and my Midwife was trying to figure out why she wasn’t coming down.  She was moving with the contractions but not enough.  She figured out it was part of the catheter that was potentially preventing her from coming down far enough.  So she removed it and almost immediately she started coming down further and they started preparing for me to push.

Within minutes I was pushing.  It only took about 5 contractions for our sweet one to enter the world!  And it only took that many because her shoulder got stuck and they had to maneuver her out.  But luckily they did it without injuring her or me…I didn’t even tear!

We had a great experience with all of the staff at the hospital.  I am so grateful to have found them at such short notice!  My midwife (the one on the left) said that it was good we induced when we did.  The way my body was responding to everything she thinks it might have still been another week before I would have had her on my own.  And based on her weight, her peely skin and a few other factors she was almost overdue for her.  It made me feel so much better about my choice to induce and very glad I did it.

They have a little mini photo studio set up in the nursery at the hospital where they take a few pictures of your baby for you.  A few of them turned out pretty cute!  What a fun service to provide!

I love that you can see he tattoo of her name in this shot!  The only thing we forgot to do before leaving the hospital was take a picture of the three of us.  I have one of those for each of the boys that I have hanging in their rooms, I’m so sad I don’t have that for her.  Hopefully I can remember to just take one here at home in the next few days so we have something.

Well now we are just trying to get through the days and nights and letting the boys get used to her.  Most of the time they are too distracted by Pop being here, but Aiden is always concerned when she cries.  It’s so sweet!  He just started showing some interest in her today.  I’m hoping he adjusts to her well.

38 weeks and my crazy life

My midwife checked me for the first time yesterday and I’m 1.5 cm so that’s something!  I’m not really having any other signs of labor, expect for very, very minor contractions once or twice a day, so she’s pretty sure I’ll be another week at least.  I know you can’t ever really guess the size of the baby, but her guess is that she will be at least 8lbs which will mean that this would be my biggest baby.  She better not be too big because I have LOTS of newborn size clothes

For a few reasons, I really want to have her next week so I’m going to have my membrane stripped on Wednesday.  It’s basically a natural form of induction, but not guaranteed to work.  It all depends on if your body is ready or not.  I did it with Aiden and it worked like a charm, so I’m hoping for the same results this time.  One reason I want to do it is because my Grandma is coming on Saturday and I don’t want her to leave without getting to spend time with Elise.  The other is, I’m just done   I’m SSOOO ready to hold my little girl!!!  Not good enough reasons to have a real induction, so we are going to start with this.

September is going to be insane!  Tonight we have Riley’s school open house because he starts school on Tuesday!  He will be going Tues/Wed/Thurs from 8:30am to 11:30pm.  We will have company for the entire month, which I’m so grateful for so that I don’t have to haul all the kids out twice a day for school for a while.  It gives me time to get used to everything before having to do it on my own.  Then on September 15th Riley starts swimming lessons every Saturday.  This will be Daddy/Son time   I wish I could go, but I don’t think sitting in a hot pool room with a newborn (and having to nurse her probably) is my idea of fun.  I’ll choose to stay home with the little ones and give Travis an opportunity to have time with his big boy.  I will want to go once just to see him do it in person.  If I can get Elise on some sort of a schedule maybe I can work it to go more, but that’s the plan right now.

That’s where we are right now.  Hopefully next week I’ll be able to introduce you to our sweet girl!

Labor Gifts

So, I’ve decided that since this is my last pregnancy (God willing!) that I’m going to take advantage of it!  I’ve never got myself a “labor gift” before or done anything special for myself before or after giving birth.  I told my husband he better start saving because this is happening

First will be a pedicure and manicure!  I love being pampered and this is my favorite pampering thing.  I think I want this the first week of September so I make sure and get it in if she’s early and the foot massage could help bring her a little early

Next is house cleaning!!!!  Once before (like maybe even while we are in the hospital so it’s clean when we come home) and at least once after.  With three kids, the Lord knows I need this one!

And last is a tablet!  I’ve been wanting one for a while now and I think this is a great time for it.  Something light to bring to the hospital, but bigger than my phone so I can actually see things   I really want this for cooking.  I am always using my laptop and it’s so big and clunky it takes up a lot of counter space.  Plus the battery is dead so I have to plug it in.  And I really think the whole thing is going to die any day now.  I could do almost anything I do now on my lap top on a tablet.  If I could eventually get a keyboard to go with it it would be perfect!  I plan on moving my pictures over to our external hard drive anyway so I really wouldn’t have need of my laptop very often.

So if anyone wants to contribute to the “Labor Gifts” fund, I’ll send you may PayPal account info

The rest of the story

I still wake up amazed that I’m pregnant.  Everyone has asked if this was a planned pregnancy or a surprise.  At first I started saying it wasn’t un-planned since we weren’t using any birth control, but it was a surprise.  Then I realized that wasn’t really true.  This baby was planned, 100%.  And no, I’m not being super spiritual and meaning that God planned it (even though I believe that).  We were definitely trying to get pregnant.  But it was a surprise to me since we did it without medication.  It’s still hard to believe it happened that way.

Anyway, I wanted to share the whole story about how we found out that I am pregnant.

Over Christmas and New Years, my sister and her family were visiting (this picture is of Riley and his cousins..Aiden wouldn’t pose).  It was near the end of their visit that I started thinking that I might be pregnant.  I didn’t say anything to anyone, including my husband.  I always keep a few pregnancy tests on hand but for some reason I didn’t have any in the house.  I normally buy them from the Dollar Store (yes they work!) but it’s not convenient to go to.  So I had a $2 off coupon for an E.P.T one.  On my way over to my parents house for family dinner, I stopped and bought one.  I wasn’t feeling good that day so I had been home resting and I was by myself.  I kept the test in my purse and went straight in to the bathroom when I got to my parents house.  I took one test (there were two in the box) and almost right away there was a very faint line.  I’ve heard so many people say the line can be really faint and still accurate.  In fact, that’s exactly what happened when I found out I was pregnant with Aiden.  I took one and it was really faint, then took a digital one and it said “pregnant”.  So I didn’t even second guess it, I knew I was pregnant!  But just for kicks I decided to take the second test, but unfortunately I already emptied my bladder and didn’t have enough to make the test work (sorry TMI).  So I wasted it.  I was still convinced.  So I walked into the living room and got everyone’s attention.  Then I asked (in the commotion that was ensuing with all the kids in a small house) “Are we ready for another one next Christmas?”.  Everyone was so excited, and I think my husbands face was priceless!  He was excited but shocked.  I have never got to tell my sister in person that I was pregnant, so I was so excited to get to share this moment with her.

When my husband saw how faint the line was, he encouraged me to take another test just to be sure.  So we bought a digital test on the way home.  So I went ahead and took one that night.  It was negative.  I waited until morning to take the second one.  It was negative.  I was crushed!  I really couldn’t believe it.  And I was humiliated.  I couldn’t believe I made that big announcement and it wasn’t true.  I wasn’t in very good spirits for a few days after that.  But somehow I still wasn’t convinced that I wasn’t pregnant.  And even my sister encouraged me to take another test in another week or so because it’s so uncommon to get false positives.  And if I wasn’t feeling good and I hadn’t started, then there was a good chance it was just too early.

So a week later I took a Dollar Store test.  I was a blaring positive.  I took one more with the same results.  I really was pregnant!  Unfortunately my sister had gone home the day before, so I just had to call and tell her.  But she really did get to know in person.  Based on dates, I thought I was about 6 weeks pregnant.

Monday I had my first appointment with my Midwife.  She did an ultra sound just to verify how far along I am and check on the baby.  I found out I am NOW only 6 weeks (I thought I was almost 8 weeks!).  So as far as I can tell, my due date should be around September 8th, instead of August 30th.  She is going to do another ultra sound at my next appointment in 4 weeks, so we can actually see the baby.  We couldn’t even see the heartbeat since it was so small.  It was really only the yolk sack we were seeing and couldn’t see the baby yet.  I’m glad we are doing another one so this time my husband can come!

Well, that’s where we are.  Six weeks pregnant and feeling pretty sick these days.  But as a friend said, at least that means the baby is growing and things are moving along.  If you think about it, you could pray that I feel good enough to take care of my kids and the safety of the baby.  I get paranoid because I know so many people who have issues with their babies and I know I’m not exempt from the possibilities of that happening.  But I have my hope in God and I know His plan is already written for this child.

We are so excited to complete our family with this new little bundle!

Here we go again!

(For those of you who follow both my blogs, yes I’m double posting!)

That’s right folks, this PCOS girl is pregnant with baby #3!  And this time….NO CLOMID!!!

Since finding out I have Hashimoto’s, I have been taking thyroid medication and my numbers are normal!  That combined with my weight loss earlier this year and the progesterone has helped us conceive naturally.  And I also know God’s hand was in it all!  He is so amazing!  I can’t believe He has intrusted me with three little ones to raise and guide towards Him.

I am about 6 weeks pregnant, due August 30th.

If all goes well this will be our last child.  I am going to relish every moment of this pregnancy.  I’m also going to spoil Aiden like crazy since he won’t be the baby much longer   And boys is he going to be mad about that!  He loves getting all the attention.  I’m not so sure the transition will go as smoothly as it did with Riley   He will learn to love the baby though.

We are so excited and can’t wait to meet this new little one that will complete our family!

Wordless Wednesday: Fall Pics & 39 Weeks

Wordless Wednesday: 38 Weeks

Two Steps Back, No Steps Forward…

I had my 38 week appointment yesterday and still no progress.  This is pretty discouraging to me.  I just figured since I’ve done this all before, things would progress quicker this time.  Last time I already had progress by now and don’t remember feeling any Braxton Hicks contractions.  Now I’m feeling contractions every night and sometimes during the day, but nothing is happening.  And the reason I feel like I’m going backwards is because I’m feeling LESS contractions over the last few days than I have been, urgh!

I’m sure it’s just the hormones talking, but all this doesn’t make me very excited.

I wish I had a picture to share with you today, but we’ve had a rough couple of days and I’m not really picture ready   Riley has been a little sick so that’s no fun, and that’s a whole other post.

Sunday we had a pre-birthday celebration for my husband.  His birthday is really on Saturday, but I didn’t want to risk not feeling up to doing something for him.  I know the longer I go, the less I’ll feel like putting on a party.  I made Melissa’s Chicken Stew with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables for dinner and an amazing version of a German Chocolate cake that I found last year.  It’s my hubby’s favorite kind of cake, but my least favorite.  I found this recipe on Foodnetwork.com last year and he and I both loved it!  It’s a delicious chocolate cake with a Carmel sauce and a chocolate sauce that you pour over.  I’m not a huge Carmel fan, plus it has coconut in it which is pretty much the most evil food ever   This way we can both eat the cake the way we like it.  I know it’s not important that I like it because it’s his birthday, but he doesn’t want to be the only one eating the cake either.  Plus he told me he loves this cake and wants it every year now, so I can handle that.  It also freezes really well, so we don’t feel like we have to eat it all really quick.

Anyway, my parents came over on Sunday for the pre-celebration.  We attempted to watch “How to Train Your Dragon” with Riley, but he wasn’t very in to it.  I made the Chicken Stew for dinner and then the cake for dessert.  Both were a huge hit!  As much as I love cooking and baking even more, it was a lot for me to do all in one day.  But I’m glad we did it so that we have cake for Saturday and I don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen.  After Riley went to bed, us adults watched “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”.  I had watched it last week with Riley and it was  pretty cute, so I talked them into it.  I think everyone liked it.  Just something light and fun to watch.

So now I need to think of something fun to do on Saturday for the hubs.  He’s pretty laid back so I know he doesn’t expect much, but I love doing something special for him because he’s AMAZING!

WordFUL Wednesday

35 Weeks (last week)

My hair is really weird at this angle, not sure what was going on   This picture was taken on Saturday at my baby shower that the girls at my church gave me.  It was a nice, intimate shower.

I can’t believe how close we are getting!  At my midwife appointment on Monday, she said to me ”Ok, one week and two days and then you can feel free to go into labor whenever you want”.  I laughed, but inside I was screaming “What?!?!?!”  I know that just means it’s safe after that and I’m sure it won’t happen that fast, but that was a reality check.  I’m 36 weeks today, so technically I have 4 weeks.  I know it could be a little more or a little less, that’s the glory of natural birth.  I am a bit jealous of my friends who have scheduled births, because I’m a schedule person   But I know I have no medical reason for it and this is what’s best for both me and my baby.  I’ve heard enough scary stories of induction not to wish it on myself.  I know there are many successful ones as well, but you never know which you will get.  Anyway, I’m not even considering it (my midwife wouldn’t let me anyway), just jealous sometimes

Here are a few shots from the shower.

Riley in  his “Big Brother” shirt.  This is the shirt I bought to tell Travis and my parents I was pregnant.  I remember when I bought it thinking it was huge (the smallest size they had) and maybe Riley would fit in it for the birth.  It’s a  3T and any new clothes I buy him now are that size.  So, needless to say, it fits!

We did this cool thing where Riley got to open Aiden’s presents.  He wasn’t too into it at first, but then he was going crazy and opening them faster than I could get to them!  Afterwards he took a swim in all the tissue paper.  He looks really long in this picture!

I’m so ready to get to the next stage.  I know I’ll be tired after he’s born, but it’s a different kind of tired.  Right now I have zero motivation and just want to veg all the time.  Really not good with a two year old.  Plus my hubby is going on his last trip before Aiden is born, but he’ll be gone from Friday to Friday this time.  Luckily my Dad is going to take Riley for Saturday and Sunday, so I’ll have a nice break.  But then I still have the whole week.  Hopefully we both survive

Simplified

If you view my blog on any kind of regular basis, you will see that I change the background and header often.  I’m a girl who likes fresh change.  I love rearranging my house, opening a new bottle of toothpaste (even if there are still one or two uses left out of the old one), and just in general changing my view of anything.  My blog is something I can change as often as I like with little to no stress involved.  But not lately.  I had it in the 3 column lay out for quite some time.  I liked having  everything more present, but I didn’t like how narrow the actual posts were.  I don’t know anything about HTML so I couldn’t mess with it.  About a week ago I decided to go back to the 2 column.  But again the post area was still really narrow.  I messed with the HTML as much as I knew how and got it wider, but messed up my header area some how.  It drove me nuts!  Plus, I wasn’t loving how my headers looked lately.  They seem sloppy.  So I decided to simplify.  I chose to give Bloggers new “Template Designs” a try.  I found two that I really love, and this is one of them.  I think this one fit my blog better.  It is bothering me a bit not to have personal pictures up top, so I might add those later.  But for now, simple is better.  I have enough craziness and chaos in my life right now, I needed some simplicity somewhere!

I hope you like it!  And if not, too bad – it’s my blog, hee hee :)

On a totally other note, I’m going on a trip on Sunday.  My last one before Aiden is born.  I am braving the open road with my almost 28 month old, just the two of us.  My husband has a lot of out of town trips between now and November, so that he doesn’t have to take any for a while after that.  I’ve been going nuts here by myself and need a change of pace.  It’s too expensive to fly, so we are driving to see friends and family in Portland.  Luckily my Dad has loaned us his portable DVD player, so that should keep Riley entertained for most of the 8 hour trip.  I’m supposed to drink a lot of water, which means lots of stopping, urgh!  The only problem with that is there are some long stretches where there is literally no where to stop, and no privacy if you are desperate and stop on the side of the road   This should be interesting to say the least!  If you think of it, pray for us.  We are leaving Sunday after church and coming home on Saturday.  I’m excited to see my friends and family for a few days, but any time I’m on my own with Riley it can prove to be a rough week.  Especially 33+ weeks pregnant!

I really can’t believe how close it’s getting!  I’m down to two week appointments with my midwife – totally crazy!  Our next appointment we will be going over the birth plan.  I’m excited about this because I want to talk with her in detail about a few things.  I feel a little unprepared this time.  I thought I didn’t need a birth class refresher, but the closer I get the more I want one.  The only problem is that all the hospitals in the area don’t have one again until the week Aiden is due!  Oh well, I’m sure it will be fine.

Well, it’s late and I think I might actually be able to go to sleep now.  Night, night everyone!