Meeting My Daughter

Isabella Ray Marie
Saturday 11-24-12 at 11:09pm
7lbs 2oz and 21 inches

I woke up Saturday morning and got out of bed and noticed I was leaking some. I called the on call doctor and they said for me to come in and be checked just in case. So we packed stuff in the car, and I didn't expect for them to tell me much besides probably that it was just normal leaking.

We got to the hospital and they admitted me at 11am because my water was in fact leaking a little bit! I was 2cm and 60% effaced and baby was at a -1 station. When the on call OBGYN said that we could start pitocin to get things going for me, I was really excited!!!! They started it around 2:30pm and turned up the dose every half hour. At around 6pm I felt this painful and weird "pop" in my lower abdomen, and about two minutes later had the huge gush! My water had broke!!! It's too strange of a feeling to be able to describe, but I felt like a shamed child peeing their pants; and what was worse is that it didn't stop!!! Literally two contractions later and I was in immense pain; I decided then that I wanted to get the epidural because I couldn't just breathe through them like I had hoped I'd be able to.
By 7:15pm I had the epidural, but it wasn't working in one certain spot on my right side, so they came and adjusted it and I was feeling great! At 8:30pm the epidural stopped working, so the anesthesiologist came and adjusted it in my back again and I started feeling better. By 10pm it stopped working and they couldn't get it to work again and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working the way it was supposed to. My legs were numb, but I could feel everything else. Around 10:45pm my body started shutting down and I could no longer even squeeze my husband's hand to help through contractions and I started to pass out from them. It was decided then that I needed a cesarean, so the nurses started getting everything prepped. Because the epidural wasn't working and because I was starting to loose consciousness, they had to put me completely under.
I remember getting wheeled into the OR and getting prepped, and then of course waking up. Alex said they wheeled me out of the room at 11pm and Isabella was born at 11:09pm! It was really fast!!! I finally got to meet my daughter (who I didn't know the gender of yet) at 1:30am and it was the most beautiful moment of my life! Seeing her here perfect and healthy makes everything worthwhile and I wouldn't change it for anything!!!

I'm back!!

Wow!!! So much has happened since I last posted!! My computer crashed right after that and I didn't have means of being able to post a blog post the way I wanted to. Sooooo, there will be a couple of posts following this one that have been backed up and waiting to be posted!

39 Weeks 6 Days

Here is my *hopefully* last belly picture!! :-)

False Alarm

Well, I had crazy contractions that started at 9:30pm last night and I ended up going in at 2:30am, just for them to tell me I wasn't making any progress. And they also said they wouldn't do anything to help me make progress and to go home and take benydril to help me sleep..... So I'm a little disheartened when I woke up and no more contractions. I really thought they would do more, and I'm frustrated that it just stopped... :-(

38 Weeks 6 Days

Well, nothing new to report.... Still at the same dilation (1.5cm), effacement (60%) and baby's head is at the same station (-2). I'm a little disappointed... :-( Next appointment is next Friday.

Another Doctor Appointment!

I had an appointment on Monday and it went well. Still at 1.5cm dilated, but at 60% effaced! She couldn't strip my membranes because I wasn't dilated enough... But that's okay. Baby's heart rate was at 185. That worried me a little, so I went in again yesterday just to hear it and it was back in the 150s like it normally is. Still loosing lots of plug... So weird! I thought it was only a one, maybe two time deal, but apparently it just keeps forming and coming out! Eww! Hahahaha!!!

I have another appointment on Friday! I can't wait!!! They will determine then when I should have my appointment next week :-) Hoping for some good news and progress!!!!!

38 Weeks Tomorrow!

Nothing too new going on... TMI warning... I lost another HUGE chunk of mucous plug (the biggest yet!) this morning. So gross!!!! I also had another pregnancy massage today. It was AMAZING!!! Even better than last week's massage. It was a guy doing it, which made it a little awkward, but he was very professional and was very good! I would definitely see him if/when he works in the public. I have decided that I am going to get my membranes stripped on Monday if there is no progress. Hopefully I have possibly dilated and effaced more so I won't have to! :-) Almost there!!!!!

I got baby's bath in the mail today! It is so cute and soft! I can't wait to use it!!!

And baby's first Christmas ornament and present the other day too!

I couldn't pass up the classic Christmas story!!!

Doctor Appointment - 37 Weeks 2 Days

Well my doctor's appointment went really well! Baby's heart rate is at 164 and I'm dilated 1.5 centimeters. She tried to get me to 2, but after prodding good, she said she couldn't and it would just be 1.5. Haha... So now after bleeding a little bit, I'm feeling better and bouncing on my yoga ball! She also said baby's head is really low and it's a good sign that I'm starting to dilate. I'm also 25% effaced and at a -2 station (baby's head needs to be at +2. 0 is apparently the pubic bone.) She said if next Monday there is no progress, she can strip my membranes if I want her to. We'll see... I kind of want to, but then again I don't want to rush the process. :-)

37 Weeks

I can't believe that in three weeks, 21 days, or less baby will be here! I'm getting more and more anxious by the day! Monday night I had Braxton Hicks contractions that were two minutes apart and lasted several hours. I called L&D and they just suggested I sleep until I knew I needed to come in. So I went to sleep and woke up Tuesday and had a few more, but nothing as consistent. I was rather disappointed...

Wednesday evening I stood for a few hours in line for the chance to hear Bill Clinton speak. It was really exciting and I got within a few feet of him to be able to say hi! I don't care what side of the political fence you are on, he was a great President and is an awesome guy!

TMI, but I lost part or all of my mucous plug on Thursday morning (thinking it was from standing on concrete for so long Wednesday night). But from what I have been reading, that isn't really an indicator of when you will go into labor. I walked the mall for a few hours Thursday afternoon and nothing.... Then yesterday I had a pregnancy massage and we went for a ride in the Jeep out in the field on the farm (because I heard bumpy rides can trigger labor), and we *ahem* had a little fun too, and nothing! I figured the little things like that won't hurt, but I'm definitely not willing to try any chemical crap (like people always suggest castor oil...no thanks!). I just am so excited and can't wait for baby to be here!!!

35 Weeks 6 Days

Only a week and a day until I'm technically considered "full term." Yay!!! :D

Nothing too new going on. I feel like baby has dropped down some, but isn't fully down there yet because I haven't had a lot of pressure. I am getting more anxious about labor....I just want the day to be here and hopefully I won't have to have a c-section for any reason. I'm still hoping to not have any pain meds, but I have been a little lighter on myself that I won't be a failure if I do end up needing something. I have my birth plan printed out and ready to go, birth photographer is booked (not the same one that I had originally planned for, but she takes great pics and is more affordable!), I even have a newborn session booked already! Alex is getting more excited, and as the due date gets closer, he is also getting more protective. He refuses to let me drive at night now because of the unknowns that could happen. It's cute, but a little frustrating at the same time.

35 Weeks

Getting closer!!! I can't believe how fast time is going by!!

34 Weeks 1 Day

I forgot to upload this week's belly pic! I took it and then just never got around to making the post.

Cutest Bump Contest

Hey fans and readers! Can you all do me a HUGE favor please?!!!

Please go to the link below and vote for "Excitement in the Air."

 http://www.z100radio.com/cc-common/contests/photo_contest.php?id=203018&image_id=291048

I entered a bump contest that the prize is a 3D ultrasound. I have already had one done, but the reason I entered was so if I win, I can give the prize to my friend who cannot afford to have a 3D ultrasound done.

Please vote as many times as you can and share to everyone you know! I would LOVE to surprise her with this gift!!!

32 Weeks 6 Days

I have a feeling baby is going to be a strong willed, stubborn little one! Last night I seriously thought my stomach was going to explode! I'm not sure what she/he was doing, but it felt like they were trying to stand up in there and it stretched my skin to the point that I was almost in tears because it hurt that bad!!!! It was NUTS!!!! I'm so happy to feel that he/she is strong though! It makes my heart very happy!!! :D

Here is today's belly picture! :-)

Boy or Girl - We're Ready for Either!

So I wanted to show some outfits that I have picked out for both boy and girl. My favorites!! :-)

I absolutely adore the Christmas outfits!! ♥

I also felt a little creative when I was out walking the puppies last night and walked by the shed and saw my shadow. I thought it was super cute! :-)

32 Weeks

I think reality is starting to set in a little. Well, anxious side of things anyways. It's so crazy to think that four to ten weeks from now, little one will be here! Big range, but you never know when he/she will decide to show!

My belly button is starting to level out; and when I cough, it pokes out. Hahaha! Just had to share :-)

Seems a lot lower than last week!!!

Perfect Birthday Weekend

We had so much fun in Bayfield this weekend! We left home at 5am so we could get up there and enjoy a full day of roaming and shopping and fun. We stopped on the way for breakfast at a little place in Trego. Then once we got to the lake, we hit a couple of beaches before heading into town. Once in town we visited some shops before hitting more beaches and roaming the area. Then grabbed lunch and checked into out hotel room at Winfield Inn. I was exhausted at this point, so we decided to take a two hour nap and once we got up, we went to Big Water Cafe in town and I got a hot caramel apple cider. It was freaking amazing!!! Then we hit more beaches (yes, we love walking the beaches and looking for agates and other random fun things we can find), and then went back to the hotel at dark. We decided on a relaxing night in, and showered and changed into PJs. Then we ordered deliver pizza from a local pizza place (which was the best pizza I have ever had!!!!! SOOOOOO yummy!!!) and once the guy came, we opened the door and in came a cat! Hahaha!! We called the office and it was the owners cat, and we said we didn't mind if she hung out with us for a while, and the owner agreed, but the kitty had a 10pm curfew. Haha!! So we ate pizza while watching Ratatouille and hanging out with the hotel owner's cat :-) We stayed up for a while after we sent Rosey (the cat) home and then crashed while watching the Mask. Sunday morning we got up at 8am and Laura did my hair and we went for breakfast before our maternity shoot at 11am. After breakfast we had some time to kill yet, so we hiked around this wooded creek area right in the middle of town. It was so pretty! Then at 11am we met with Hannah and had a fun, fabulous shoot! She wants us to move up there so bad! Hahahaha!!! We love her!!! :D After the shoot we hit one more beach before heading home. We stopped at Tremblay's Sweet Shop in Hayward and bought a TON fo candy and sweets. Probably enough to last a year! lol. Once home we cuddled the puppies and relaxed and went to bed early! Ha! 

Anyways, here are some of the pictures!! 

It was cold and windy when we first got to the lake!!! 

Lunch time! Can you tell we're tired?!

View from our room...

 My yummy hot cider!!!

 Beach at sunset...Still super cold and windy!

The owner's cat that we hung out with for a while. Haha!

Sunday morning before our shoot

Sunday after the shoot on the way home. Last beach we stopped at. It was so gorgeous out! Barely any wind; perfect weather!!!

  

And of course I have to add one of the maternity shoot! I will add more when I can, but as of right now, she is SUPER busy and this is all I have seen :-) 

I love Alex! He is such a ham, and totally stole the show!!! :D Hannah was ROLLING with laughter after this one!!!

30 Weeks 6 Days

I'm getting very excited to leave tomorrow morning for Bayfield! I can't wait for a nice relaxing weekend in the north woods; on the lake ♥ We are leaving at 5am so we get up there between 9-10am. That way we have plenty of time to roam around town and find things to do! Then Sunday morning we are having our maternity pictures done by the famous Hannah Stonehouse Hudson! Super fun! I even got her a surprise thank you gift!!

I hope she likes it!!! We are also going to bring home apple brats if we can find them. We had them a couple years ago when we were there and they are AMAZING! Oh! And it's my golden birthday on Sunday! I can't believe it! :D SOOOOO much going on!! Anyways, here is this week's belly bump pic!!

Most Amazing Experience

We had the 3D ultrasound yesterday (12 hours ago. haha!) and it was awesome!!! We got to see little peanut blink, stick his/her tongue out, suck on their hand, and move around soooo much!! We also found out that baby has hair!!! We obviously couldn't tell how much, but she showed us how she picked it up and there is a little bit there! Too cute! Here are a few pictures!

Tonight is also Alex's beer and diaper party. We are doing cloth, but wanted back ups for trips, out and about, and at family's houses. We both agreed it would just be easier that way :-) Here was the invitations I had made and sent out!!

I thought they were cute :-) I'm still up waiting for him to call because I'm the designated driver and cab for anyone who needs a ride. But this momma is going to need some major sleep because I'm getting tired fast!

29 Weeks 6 Days

Only 10 more weeks to go!!! I can't believe it! :D Tomorrow we got for our 3D ultrasound and we are going to Bayfield, WI for my birthday weekend next week and on Sunday before we come home we are getting maternity pictures done. Woohoo!!! :D I can't wait!!!

Looks like baby dropped some this week or something! Last week he/she was way up there!

Eleven Years Later

I still remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and what was going on around me when I heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center in NYC. I was in 7th grade and in my Social Studies class and the teacher received a call and promptly turned on the news. Everyone in the class was working on our world map projects, but was soon engulfed into the scene unfolding on that little monitor. About five minutes later the principal announced for the teachers to please turn off their TVs and go back to routine daily work. At that point, there was not going to be a routine daily work...and none of the teachers through out the day had us do anything much, and they left their TVs on. I remember at lunch time sitting with my group of friends discussing it, and arguing with one girl as we tried to figure out what country had done it. We had just finished discussing Pearl Harbor in one of the classes, and the kamikaze Japanese pilots, and I blurted out "what if it was the Japanese?" Of course, that started a heated argument with her because she had been to Japan and said that the people weren't like that anymore. Oh how I didn't realize how stupid our seventh grade ramblings were... I remember after school coming home and my mom already being there. We sat on the couch cuddling for hours (which was something I never did with my mom) watching the news and I remember her stroking my hair for comfort as tears streamed down her face....

Since I was younger, I didn't have the affect of pre-9/11 freedoms taken away as much, but I do remember post-9/11 flights. We were living in Madison, WI at the time and I would fly to visit my dad once or twice a year in Charlotte, NC. I remember how different it was after the attacks...all the extra security and feeling scared of the unknown.

I look back now, at the age of understanding everything that happened that day, and going to be a mother soon myself, I understood what feels were surging through my mom; and everyone else in America. I hope that my child and future children will never have to see a day where all certainties are stripped out of our hands, and no where feels safe.

Today I did a patriotic photo shoot with one of my friends in honor of all of the men and women who lost their lives that day, and those who are still serving our country.

I'm also doing a shoot tomorrow with a few other people, including fire fighters and police officers. I hope that the images I produced today and will produce tomorrow give them strength and courage and know that America and her people support their service!!

9/11/01 - We will NEVER forget!

28 Weeks 6 Days

I had really bad stomach pains on Monday night, so I called the dr to see what they could do to help. They told me to try a few things and if nothing worked to call back. I did what they told me to and nothing helped, so when I called back, they told me to come in.
I got checked out and everything was okay, and they said that it was just a lot of stomach acid, and they gave me anti-acid stuff and sent me on my way. I ended up waking up several times through the night and I had the pain Tuesday afternoon into the evening and again a few times Wednesday morning. But I haven't had it since Wednesday morning. Hopefully it won't come back!!!!

Here is this week's belly pic!!

Items Checked off the To Do List!

I finally set up the bookshelf and got all the books on it! I have a few of my books on top, but all the rest are baby's. :-)

I also took the blanket that I had bought for if we have a girl and got her name embroidered on it!!! So these are both blankets next to each other!!

All I have left to do is re-sew the corner because I had to rip the seam so it could be embroidered the correct way.

I can also no longer see my feet! So funny!! :D

27 Weeks 6 Days

The last birthing class went really well last night. We had twelve stations set up for different breathing techniques and exercises. She also showed the husband/partners (an my mom) how to do certain pressure points on the lower back and hips during labor. It felt great! I can only imagine how good it will feel while in labor and to relieve back labor! :-)

I am SOOO looking forward to fall and all the great things that associate with it! Cool weather, beautiful colors, great food, and family time! And of course baby will be joining us in late fall! :-) 

We have a 3D ultrasound scheduled for the 15th! I can't wait to see little one!!! Later that same evening Alex is having a beer and diaper party; he is looking forward to it! We also booked a vacation for Bayfield, WI on my birthday weekend on September 22nd/23rd. Going to have maternity pictures done with my good friend Hannah of Stonehouse Photography! :D Very, VERY excited about that!!!

I finished setting up the crib how I wanted it to be when baby comes home :-)

The first picture is of the wall decor and the Rainbow Fish books I have. I thought it would be cute since I have the Rainbow Fish bedding temporarily until we have the baby shower after little one gets here. The second picture is just things all ready for baby!

Plus here is this week's belly picture! :-)