Today I Gave My Baby a Book.

My kids love books.  I've posted about this before.  They get it from me.  I love books too.  I never did anything without a book in my hand growing up.  I would do my chores while reading (my mom loved that). 

Today, while Elle was hanging out on my bed, looking around and taking it all in, I thought I'd grab one of those black and white board books we have and let her look at it.  And she did!  She was actually really into it.  And then she wanted to eat.  Again.  For the fifty-billionth time today.  And now you know what I really did today!  :)

Today I Took Elle to the Doctor.

It was the first time Elle and her doctor met.  Pretty uneventful visit, for the most part.  Elle is down to 8 lbs 6 oz and has a touch of jaundice.  So, I've gotta be a meanie and make her stay awake to eat more now.  This baby is seriously a little blob and looooooves to snooze.  She is in the 50th percentile for weight and 75th for height.  I was supplementing with formula until my milk came in.  This kid is a force to be reckoned with when she's hungry!  I used the supplemental nursing system and it was awesome.  I didn't want to use bottles because of the chance of nipple confusion.  I'm happy to say that practice DOES make perfect and she's now completely off formula and nursing quite well at this point.  Yay!

(ash can't get enough of her baby sister.  britt is not as excited as i thought she'd be.  we'll get there.)

Today I Had a Baby.

**squee!**

I have another little girl!  And I'm completely and totally in loooooooove.

Here's her birth story:

I was admitted to the childbirth center at 4pm on the 25th.  They put me on pictocin at 6pm.  I walked around and blogged and talked to Tony and my mom (when she showed up around 8 or 9).  The nurses had a beast of a time keeping the baby's heart beat on the monitor.  She has always been active and this night was no different.  She kept moving and hiding and then they'd have to stop me and adjust the belt and monitor.  Bit of a drag, but important in case there was a problem. 

(baby's first picture)

I think it was around 10 or 11pm when my midwife said I could have an epidural anytime I wanted.  I felt a bit like a cheater because though my contractions were painful, they didn't have me curled into a ball or crying.  But, I went ahead and ordered the epidural because last time (with Britt) I waited too long and then I couldn't hold still for the anesthesiologist because of the hard, killer contractions.  That was a terrible experience and he was a rude, angry doctor who did a bad job and poked me many times before he got it right.  So, needless to say, I was a bit nervous about getting the epidural this time around.  It was a wasted worry.  This anesthesiologist was sweet and kind and she did a great job.  It wasn't pain-free, but is it ever?  And it wasn't long before I couldn't feel anything from the waist down.

(profile shot)

Then we all took naps while I labored pain-free.  I think it was around 1am when I called the nurses to help me turn over to my other side.  They obliged and discovered that my bag of waters had broke.  They went to go get the midwife and when she came back everything went so very, very wrong.

(chubby chin and cheeks and everything else)

First, the midwife couldn't feel the baby when she examined me anymore.  Instead of being down where the midwife could touch and feel her, she had somehow bumped back up into me, out of reach.  And then her heart rate plummeted.  And I must have been hyperventilating because they gave me oxygen.  Though, I'm sure that was to help the baby too.  It was very tense.  They moved me back over to the side I'd been on, attempted to get a scalp monitor on to the baby, and then all of a sudden started prepping me for a c-section.  At that point I was so scared, and fighting back the tears and all I wanted was for my baby to be okay and for God to just help all my nurses and doctors to do their very best.  I didn't care if they cut me open from head to toe. 

On a lighter note, Tony (my husband) looks super hot in scrubs!  Who would have known? 

After everyone was totally ready to go, I realized that they'd managed to get the scalp monitor on the baby and that her heart rate was back to normal.  Everyone started calming down and breathing and they said that we were going to wait 5 minutes.  After those 5 minutes, they said that the baby must have compressed her cord for a while and that since she appeared to be doing better, they'd just leave me on my right side and continue to monitor her.  Later, the nurse moved me into an upright, sitting position and the baby liked that even better. 

(sweet girl)

Meanwhile, I was still laboring (and had asked the anesthesiologist to come back and turn my epidural down a tad so I could at least feel the urge to push) and sitting there, letting my body do its thing.  I was also fighting the urge to throw up.  They had given me an anti-acid medicine to drink when they thought they were taking me downstairs to have a c-section.  But instead of working like it was supposed to, it made me nauseous.  I eventually couldn't hold it in any longer and did vomit.  Not fun.  The baby really didn't like it either and her heart rate got iffy again.  The midwife and nurses rushed in and rolled me over into a super uncomfortable position, but it did the trick and baby calmed down. 

(peeky-boo!)

 

Then my midwife examined me, discovered that I was completely ready to push and that the baby was down in position.  Hallelujah!  So, I pushed for 25 minutes and out slithered Elle.  As soon as I saw her, I cried.  I was just so relieved to see her all safe and sound.  She weighs 9 lbs 1 oz and is 21.5 inches long.  She's totally adorable and looks like her sisters and like her own little self.  She has a very strong suck and loves nursing, her pacifier, sleeping, and her mommy and daddy.  Can't wait to introduce her to Ash and Britt!  She's doing very well.  I'm healing nicely so we'll probably get to go home tomorrow afternoon! 

Today I Am Being Induced.

I had an appointment with my midwife today.  When I got there they said that because I am 41 weeks that they'd like to do a stress test and an ultrasound.  I, of course, had no issues with that.  Nor did I have a problem when she asked to check my cervix.  I'll never forget how surprised she sounded when she said, "You're 75% effaced and 4 cm dilated!"  Naturally, I then decided that since I rely on a ferry to get to the hospital that an induction makes a lot of sense.  So, here I sit, contractions slowly getting more intense, on a clear liquid diet (dumb), waiting until I'm in enough of a rhythm to get my epidural.  Hopefully I'll be posting baby pictures tomorrow!!!!!

(i look like i'm wearing a tent)

Today I Babied My Baby.

Britt isn't going to be my baby much longer and she's getting some new molars so I babied her a lot today.  Those mean teeth are hurting her a lot and have caused a yucky cold too.  She keeps crying and saying, "my nose!" over and over.

I was pretty amazed when I went into the girls' room this morning to discover Ash on the floor, surrounded by a million dolls and Britt ASLEEP!  This is the kid who wakes up at least a full hour before me, yells for her sister to get up and give her toys and then plays in her bed until I go in and get her. 

She had been awake and played and taken off her pajamas, but obviously doesn't feel well.  Hence, her crashing again.  She also took an extra long nap this afternoon.  AND she's gone straight to sleep tonight.  I'm sorry she doesn't feel well, but I'm enjoying all this extra quiet time!  :)  Britt just doesn't, generally, need the amount of sleep that her sister did/does.  Ash totally spoiled me in the sleeping department.  She's always been a dream in that area. 

(this is the best pic i could get.  didn't want the flash to wake her.  this pic also shows how she likes sleeping with her blanket best.  over her shoulders like a cape.  tony thinks she dreams of being a super hero.)

It's going to be very interesting to see how my current baby (Britt) reacts to being moved to middle child status.  To be honest, I think getting used to a new baby will be easier for her than for Ash (who is going through a rough phase right now anyway).  But, we'll see!  Ash had a hard week after Britt first came home and then quickly adjusted with no issues.  But every kid is different. 

Today I Felt Much Better Than I Did Yesterday.

I'm not sugar-coating this post.

I haven't been sleeping well.  My brain won't shut off.  It's impossible to be comfortable with the size of this belly I'm carting about.  I have restless leg syndrome baaaaaad.  I got 4.5 hours on Sunday.  I need 9 hours to be at my best. 

I got out of bed yesterday and was immediately taken over by sadness and gloom.  I had been so sure that I'd either be in the hospital by the 22nd, or home with a new baby.  I sobbed twice throughout the day and moped about feeling very depressed.  Is my body even capable of going into labor by itself?

Tony is the sweetest ever and was patient and upbeat and eventually managed to help me think more positively.  I also sat down and made a list of things that would be really nice to accomplish before the baby arrives. 

I worked on that list today and have been feeling more positive and patient.  I'm going to be talking to my midwife about induction when I go see her on Wednesday. 

Today I Am Due!

But nothing is happening.  It sure has felt like the 20th was a long time in coming and yet, it appears that it will have come and gone and be totally uneventful. 

Tony was saying that 20 is his lucky number.   Baby doesn't care.  :)

Any bets on when the baby will actually make her debut?

I just can't wait to see if she looks like this:

(newborn ash)

Or this:

(newborn britt)

Or completely different all together!