The past 5 days have really gone pretty smoothly. The first few nights with Miss Juliette were a little tough just because she's trying to figure out this whole eating and sleeping thing. She's getting the hang of it now, though and actually let me sleep for 5 hours straight last night! She did another 4 hour stint after that, but Maddox woke me up after about 2 of them. The adjustment of having 2 :-) I'm slowly working her into our "Baby Wise" routine and she's doing so well! She's such a content happy little baby! I've been blessed with 2 of them!
She's been eating like a champ! I haven't had a single problem nursing this time around. She's such a good little eater and quick at that! Which, of course is AWESOME being the second one I don't have to spend all day every day nursing and having a toddler to chase around!
Maddox is adjusting just beautifully. Yesterday morning was really the last "tough" time we've had. He's now randomly coming up and giving his little sister hugs and kisses and asking to hold her. Very sweet. I was able to take him to library story yesterday just the 2 of us and today Daddy took him out for a little bit. I think they're going to pick up some baseball cards and get some ice cream.
Well, I'm getting a Booby Call. Ta ta.
March 14, 2009
March 11, 2009
Childbirth = Empowering
I don't feel like I could say that after Maddox's delivery because I don't believe I let my body do what it knew it could do. I struggled to 7cm dilation before opting for an epidurl. Juliette's delivery was night and day different from his and I left with a very different outlook. And, I truly believe that 99% of why it was so different was the support that I had from the my awesome husband, my delivery nurse, my mid-wife and my doula. Probably all of 1% of it was my determination. I really didn't believe in myself going into the hospital on Monday. But, when I was surrounded by people who believed that I could do it and actually helped me cope, my labor breezed by and before I knew it, I was having my beautiful baby girl plopped on my chest!
We left the hospital yesterday less than 24 hours after giving birth and I feel almost 100% normal. I'm a little sore, but nothing NEAR what I was with Maddox. I've actually started laundry this morning and everything! We are resting and not over-doing it, but it's just nice that I actually feel like some-what of a norml human being!
I guess I'll go ahead and share my birth story from my perspective. Kyle it up on the other site and I think did a great job of describing everything. But, I want to share it here as a way to process and to remember from my side of the story.
Sunday night, I was really tired of being pregnant. REALLY REALLY tired. I was seriously considering scheduling an induction for Tuesday or Wednesday. I had pretty much tried everything to naturally induce labor, except for taking Castor Oil. So, I decided that $4 and diarhea was a far cheaper price to pay than paying for an induction (Yes, my thriftiness even comes into play in regards to childbirth as well). So, before bed, I took 2oz of castor oil (looking back, I probably should have taken 1/2 that). Any way, my body cleaned itself out from 3am-6am. Fun fun. I was able to go back to sleep from 6-7:30. Maddox woke up at 7:30 and I laid in bed with him for a few minutes and started noticing cramping across my lower belly that were coming 8-10 min. apart. Since they felt different than any contractions I had had up to this point I thought maybe it was intestinal cramping from the castor oil. Finally, around 8:30 I decided to let Kyle know what was going on because whether I was in labor or not, I was pretty miserable and should go to the Dr. to be checked out and make sure everything was okay with the baby because I couldn't tell whether she was moving or not.
My appointment was at 10:20. The midwife came in and checked my cervix and I was dialated to 4cm (Thursday, I was 2cm). She casually told me she thought I was in the early stages of labor and recommended I go and walk around for a bit and come back at 2pm. Since we had Maddox with us, we decided to drive back to our town and take Maddox to our friend's who were watching him. The weather was really icky and Kyle needed to send out a few e-mails for work, so we went over to the church to walk around the gym. By the time we actually started walking, it was about 12:45 and the contractions really seemed to have intensified quite a bit. We couldn't even make it 1/3 of the way around the gym in between contractions, so we timed a few and they were coming 2 1/2 minutes apart, so we decided the hospital might be a better place to be since it was 15-20 min. away from home.
We arrived back at the hospital at 1:15 and of all wonderful things, the contractions had begun to move into my back (like last time). Our wonderful labor/delivery nurse settled us in and set me up to be monitored for a bit until the mid-wife could come in and check me (she was in a c-section). She taught me a breathing technic to make room in my uterus for the contraction and then to force my body to fully relax out of the breath. Let me tell you, it was an incredible breathing technic. Let me know if you want details, kind of hard to explain in writing. The midwife came in at around 1:30/1:45 and checked me and was pretty startled when I was 6-7cm already!
At around 2pm, I climbed into the jacuzzi tub for a little bit of relaxing and that was a nice change. At 2:30 the midwife recommended breaking my water because Juliette's head was tipped down towards her chin and thought if she broke my water it would get her head in the correct position to progress things even quicker. The contraction I felt after she broke my water was probably the most intense one I felt, but with the help of all of my support, I was able to get my head back in the game and get back in control of the pain. I labored on my side with the midwife putting pressure on my back to relieve some of the pain there. Kyle was holding my hand and squeazing my hand (they wouldn't let me squeaze because they wanted me to relax). Everybody was talking about how stoic I was because I just laid there and didn't make a peep.
At 3:00 the midwife noticed one of the contractions made me move funny and asked me if I had gotten the urge to push. I was exactly sure so she checked me again and I was dilated to almost a 9 but the front of my cervix wasn't dilated yet. So, she asked me if it would be okay if I flipped over onto an almost hands and knees position with me on the bed leaning over the back. I said that was fine and they helped me move in between contractions. I had one contraction in this position before I was overwhelemed by the urge to push. I was fully dialated in one contraction! They just said to go with the natural urges of my body. 9 minutes later, she was out! My natural urge when I felt the amount of pain from pushing her out was pretty much to get her out as fast as I could, so that's what I did :-D
They plopped my beautiful girl onto my chest and I got to hold her for like 15 minutes before they even took her to be weighed. My first comment was "she's so tiny!" and the nurses and mid-wife looked at me like I was crazy and they said, "no, that's a big girl!" She weighed in at a whopping 9lbs. 3oz.! Talk about all that anxiety last week not being necessary! Oh, and the Dr. that did the ultrasound was wrong, too :-) He said on her due date maybe 8 1/2 lbs.
I have taken all of a couple of ibuprofen to help with some inflammation and that's it! I can't believe how different this recovery is than last time around. Hope I didn't gross anybody out!
We left the hospital yesterday less than 24 hours after giving birth and I feel almost 100% normal. I'm a little sore, but nothing NEAR what I was with Maddox. I've actually started laundry this morning and everything! We are resting and not over-doing it, but it's just nice that I actually feel like some-what of a norml human being!
I guess I'll go ahead and share my birth story from my perspective. Kyle it up on the other site and I think did a great job of describing everything. But, I want to share it here as a way to process and to remember from my side of the story.
Sunday night, I was really tired of being pregnant. REALLY REALLY tired. I was seriously considering scheduling an induction for Tuesday or Wednesday. I had pretty much tried everything to naturally induce labor, except for taking Castor Oil. So, I decided that $4 and diarhea was a far cheaper price to pay than paying for an induction (Yes, my thriftiness even comes into play in regards to childbirth as well). So, before bed, I took 2oz of castor oil (looking back, I probably should have taken 1/2 that). Any way, my body cleaned itself out from 3am-6am. Fun fun. I was able to go back to sleep from 6-7:30. Maddox woke up at 7:30 and I laid in bed with him for a few minutes and started noticing cramping across my lower belly that were coming 8-10 min. apart. Since they felt different than any contractions I had had up to this point I thought maybe it was intestinal cramping from the castor oil. Finally, around 8:30 I decided to let Kyle know what was going on because whether I was in labor or not, I was pretty miserable and should go to the Dr. to be checked out and make sure everything was okay with the baby because I couldn't tell whether she was moving or not.
My appointment was at 10:20. The midwife came in and checked my cervix and I was dialated to 4cm (Thursday, I was 2cm). She casually told me she thought I was in the early stages of labor and recommended I go and walk around for a bit and come back at 2pm. Since we had Maddox with us, we decided to drive back to our town and take Maddox to our friend's who were watching him. The weather was really icky and Kyle needed to send out a few e-mails for work, so we went over to the church to walk around the gym. By the time we actually started walking, it was about 12:45 and the contractions really seemed to have intensified quite a bit. We couldn't even make it 1/3 of the way around the gym in between contractions, so we timed a few and they were coming 2 1/2 minutes apart, so we decided the hospital might be a better place to be since it was 15-20 min. away from home.
We arrived back at the hospital at 1:15 and of all wonderful things, the contractions had begun to move into my back (like last time). Our wonderful labor/delivery nurse settled us in and set me up to be monitored for a bit until the mid-wife could come in and check me (she was in a c-section). She taught me a breathing technic to make room in my uterus for the contraction and then to force my body to fully relax out of the breath. Let me tell you, it was an incredible breathing technic. Let me know if you want details, kind of hard to explain in writing. The midwife came in at around 1:30/1:45 and checked me and was pretty startled when I was 6-7cm already!
At around 2pm, I climbed into the jacuzzi tub for a little bit of relaxing and that was a nice change. At 2:30 the midwife recommended breaking my water because Juliette's head was tipped down towards her chin and thought if she broke my water it would get her head in the correct position to progress things even quicker. The contraction I felt after she broke my water was probably the most intense one I felt, but with the help of all of my support, I was able to get my head back in the game and get back in control of the pain. I labored on my side with the midwife putting pressure on my back to relieve some of the pain there. Kyle was holding my hand and squeazing my hand (they wouldn't let me squeaze because they wanted me to relax). Everybody was talking about how stoic I was because I just laid there and didn't make a peep.
At 3:00 the midwife noticed one of the contractions made me move funny and asked me if I had gotten the urge to push. I was exactly sure so she checked me again and I was dilated to almost a 9 but the front of my cervix wasn't dilated yet. So, she asked me if it would be okay if I flipped over onto an almost hands and knees position with me on the bed leaning over the back. I said that was fine and they helped me move in between contractions. I had one contraction in this position before I was overwhelemed by the urge to push. I was fully dialated in one contraction! They just said to go with the natural urges of my body. 9 minutes later, she was out! My natural urge when I felt the amount of pain from pushing her out was pretty much to get her out as fast as I could, so that's what I did :-D
They plopped my beautiful girl onto my chest and I got to hold her for like 15 minutes before they even took her to be weighed. My first comment was "she's so tiny!" and the nurses and mid-wife looked at me like I was crazy and they said, "no, that's a big girl!" She weighed in at a whopping 9lbs. 3oz.! Talk about all that anxiety last week not being necessary! Oh, and the Dr. that did the ultrasound was wrong, too :-) He said on her due date maybe 8 1/2 lbs.
I have taken all of a couple of ibuprofen to help with some inflammation and that's it! I can't believe how different this recovery is than last time around. Hope I didn't gross anybody out!
March 9, 2009
March 7, 2009
I'm Doing Better, Really
I really am doing better. I've had a really good few days. I've been crocheting some hats and attempting to crochet some leg warmers for the little miss. Since I don't actually have little legs to try them on I really don't know how they'll fit, but they're pretty stinkin' cute if you ask me. I'll post pics soon.
I really thought I was in labor this morning. I woke up from contraction pain at 4:45, the contractions were wrapping around my back (fun fun). I had 3, 10 minutes apart, so I decided to get up and take a shower and see what happened and possibly get ready to head to the hospital. Alas, after my shower, they dwindled to nothing. Stink. I was able to go back to sleep for a few hours, though, so that's good.
I'm beginning to think that this little one might take after me in more ways than I'd like. Take for instance, her stubbornness. Something's keeping her in there and I swear it's just the fact that she knows we want her so badly, LOL!!! And, if she decides to come out 11 days late (like me), then I just need to be okay with that.
Ta Ta.
I really thought I was in labor this morning. I woke up from contraction pain at 4:45, the contractions were wrapping around my back (fun fun). I had 3, 10 minutes apart, so I decided to get up and take a shower and see what happened and possibly get ready to head to the hospital. Alas, after my shower, they dwindled to nothing. Stink. I was able to go back to sleep for a few hours, though, so that's good.
I'm beginning to think that this little one might take after me in more ways than I'd like. Take for instance, her stubbornness. Something's keeping her in there and I swear it's just the fact that she knows we want her so badly, LOL!!! And, if she decides to come out 11 days late (like me), then I just need to be okay with that.
Ta Ta.
March 5, 2009
I'm Not Doing Well
**Update: 4:15pm** Thank you for your sweet comments (and e-mail), I really appreciate it. I've had a MUCH better afternoon. Kyle took Maddox and me to lunch and then Maddox and I took a little road trip and he fell asleep and we snuggled in Starbucks for awhile together while he dozed. It's amazing what a chocolate chip cookie and sweet drink can do to brighten down spirits:-) And, of course just getting out of the house! I appreciate your prayers, they mean so much!
I'm struggling right now.
It's hard to put this in a blog post because I know I'll get flooded comments "trust God", "be patient", "God's timing is perfect", yada yada yada.
I know those things. I really do, and I'm trying really hard.
The last 2 days I've been overcome with depression and today I've lost it. I'm in sweats and I can't stop crying.
I know she has to come some time. I know that it's not even my due date. I know that God has already predestined the day she's going to be born.
But, my anxiety rises each day because I have horrible fears that I won't be able to deliver her on my own because she'll be too big. I know they're not rational. I know a few extra ounces each day aren't going to be the difference between me being able to deliver her or me not being able to deliver her. But, the anxieties are still there. I'm scared out of my mind. By this point with Maddox I had had him 2 days ago and he was big, I had a traumatic delivery, and a not-so-fun recovery. Those fears loom over me.
It doesn't help that I have painful contractions every day almost all day long. There's always that question, "is this it?" I don't have anything going on right now, we've been sitting at home and I'm feeling bored out of my mind. I know I should go somewhere today, but I can't stop crying long enough to be able to apply new eye make-up and not look like a freak.
I know this is all stupid. It's not even my due date yet!!! But something inside feels out of control and I don't know how to deal with it. I want to bury myself in a hole until it really IS time. I don't want to show up at church one more Sunday and be bombarded with questions, "she's not here yet?"
They will induce me tomorrow if I want. Believe me, it sounds wonderful from one side of the spectrum. Then, I get flooded with all the "what if's" of being induced and then that freaks me out and makes me want to cry even more.
I just want somebody to tell me what to do. I just want to know what day she'll be here. Everything is ready for her, we're just waiting and that's REALLY HARD.
I'm struggling right now.
It's hard to put this in a blog post because I know I'll get flooded comments "trust God", "be patient", "God's timing is perfect", yada yada yada.
I know those things. I really do, and I'm trying really hard.
The last 2 days I've been overcome with depression and today I've lost it. I'm in sweats and I can't stop crying.
I know she has to come some time. I know that it's not even my due date. I know that God has already predestined the day she's going to be born.
But, my anxiety rises each day because I have horrible fears that I won't be able to deliver her on my own because she'll be too big. I know they're not rational. I know a few extra ounces each day aren't going to be the difference between me being able to deliver her or me not being able to deliver her. But, the anxieties are still there. I'm scared out of my mind. By this point with Maddox I had had him 2 days ago and he was big, I had a traumatic delivery, and a not-so-fun recovery. Those fears loom over me.
It doesn't help that I have painful contractions every day almost all day long. There's always that question, "is this it?" I don't have anything going on right now, we've been sitting at home and I'm feeling bored out of my mind. I know I should go somewhere today, but I can't stop crying long enough to be able to apply new eye make-up and not look like a freak.
I know this is all stupid. It's not even my due date yet!!! But something inside feels out of control and I don't know how to deal with it. I want to bury myself in a hole until it really IS time. I don't want to show up at church one more Sunday and be bombarded with questions, "she's not here yet?"
They will induce me tomorrow if I want. Believe me, it sounds wonderful from one side of the spectrum. Then, I get flooded with all the "what if's" of being induced and then that freaks me out and makes me want to cry even more.
I just want somebody to tell me what to do. I just want to know what day she'll be here. Everything is ready for her, we're just waiting and that's REALLY HARD.
March 3, 2009
This is More Than We Bargained For
***Update***
It's bad.
$3,000 bad.
Good thing money isn't everything.
God is in control.
We have one car. Last night, it broke down. I am a 9 month pregnant woman who could go into spontaneous labor at any moment.
Great.
It's the one time in the last few weeks that I have begged God NOT to let her come tonight.
She didn't.
The car is being towed to the mechanic and we'll be getting a rental car in the mean-time.
Great timing.
It's bad.
$3,000 bad.
Good thing money isn't everything.
God is in control.
We have one car. Last night, it broke down. I am a 9 month pregnant woman who could go into spontaneous labor at any moment.
Great.
It's the one time in the last few weeks that I have begged God NOT to let her come tonight.
She didn't.
The car is being towed to the mechanic and we'll be getting a rental car in the mean-time.
Great timing.
February 27, 2009
Oh, the Woes
I've developed Carpal Tunnel in the last few days and it's starting to really bother me! I wake up about 5-6 times during the night with completely numb hands. My wrists are really tender as well as my middle finger joints. Well, really, my whole hands are stiff, but the middle finger is the worst. Thankfully, it does go away within a few weeks of giving birth! This would not be something I would want to deal with for the rest of my life.
February 25, 2009
Maddox is 2!!!
I just realized that I hadn't posted any pictures of the birthday boy!!! He actually blew out both of his candles (in 2 puffs)!
February 23, 2009
On Getting Ready
Today, I'm feeling much better after this terribly awful cold. I actually have energy which feels so amazing! Forgot what it was like! Some things fell apart when I was sick, no laundry was done and not much got picked up around here. Thank goodness that I have energy today so that I can hopefully accomplish some things! My bags are not packed to go to the hospital, so hopefully after I am caught up on laundry I can focus on packing up what I will need for my stay there.
The sun is peaking out it's head from behind the rain clouds so I think Maddox and I will go take advantage of that and go on a little walk, something I haven't done much of this pregnancy, unfortunately.
I need to work a little this afternoon for the church (monthly bill time) so that it is done and out of the way before I give birth.
Off to strap on my tennies.
Adieu
The sun is peaking out it's head from behind the rain clouds so I think Maddox and I will go take advantage of that and go on a little walk, something I haven't done much of this pregnancy, unfortunately.
I need to work a little this afternoon for the church (monthly bill time) so that it is done and out of the way before I give birth.
Off to strap on my tennies.
Adieu
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