2 weeks

Wow, this is going by fast!!! Today I am two weeks old and I even surprised momma and papa by sleeping for a whole 3 hours and 15 minutes at one time! Momma said it felt so good to be able to sleep the extra hour. Not a problem momma, you've earned it!

I also had a check up today. I am now 7 lbs 5 oz, and 20 inches long! Dr said I am doing great and looking good! He even suggested momma start giving me a bottle (of course with mommy's milk) if the evening feedings were getting too much. BUT momma tried to give me that silly bottle and I only wanted the real thing!!!

A week already!

So here I am!! Has it really been a week already!?!? I love my new home and of course my pups Leena and Fenton. I am sure they like me too, they are just a little shy at first.

Mommy and Papa are trying to adjust with all the changes, but me- I just do what I want. If I'm hungry mommy feeds me, if I have a diaper, papa changes me, and if I'm tired I go to sleep. Life is easy for me, not sure why everyone keeps saying baby's are hard work!

Mommy and Papa are very tired now. They take turns napping during the day because I am awake most of the evening. I feed every 2 hours and sleep for 2 hours. I am pretty set on my schedule- even if mommy doesn't like the routine :)

A true birthing story

On December 9th 2009, 6:30am

Mommy wakes up, looks out the the rain drops on the window and rubs her tummy to say hello to me. Hello mommy! Today was the day. Mommy and Papa were getting ready to head into the hospital for an induction. Mommy is so nervous, and I bet Papa is too- but he is better at hiding it. After taking care of a few things around the house, Papa packs up the car with mommy's bag and mine too and we head into Chesapeake General Hospital.

At 8:30 we arrive and head up to the 3rd floor. Checking in I can tell mommy was getting scared. She said she hated hospitals and didn't like the idea of being "tied" to a bed. I kicked her a few times to let her know I understood. So off we headed, straight to a room.

Mommy's doctor came in shortly after and at 9:30 he broke mommy's water and started her on a drug called pitocin. At the point the nurses asked if mommy wanted and epidural. She declined at the moment but as smart enough to stay "on the list".

Immediately contractions started. I was handling them very well and so was mommy. Papa was doing great to, talking mommy through each one and keeping her mind off of the pain. They weren't too bad! At least not at that moment.

Once the doctors came back to check up on us, mommy was still only 3 cm and 50% effaced. So up goes the pitocin, and up goes the pain. It had been almost 4 hours now. At this point the contractions were coming one after the other and mommy didn't have much of a break in between. Papa was doing great, counting mommy through each one and letting mommy almost pull his arm out of socket.

It wasn't long before mommy started losing awareness of what was going on. She was tired!!! The nurse came in again to check up on my pain. Mommy really wanted to keep going, but knew she didn't have much energy and was fearful she wouldn't have the strength when it came time to push. Papa was worried too so she went ahead and got the epidural.

Sadly, no one ever took mommy's blood when she first came in and so it took much lower than expected to actually get the epidural. Papa continued to help mommy through the pain, and while getting the actual epidural, she went through 3 contractions!!!

Finally when mommy could lay back down, she was having a lot of pressure much lower than before. The nurse went ahead and checked us again. Now mommy was almost 9 cm dilated and 100% effaced. There wasn't even time to put a cath. in!!! The nurse called in another nurse to get things ready and called in for the doctor.

Mommy was still having contractions, and while the pain wasn't as long, they were just as painful. For some reason the left side never went "numb". Now it was time to push. I had been waiting long enough and I really wanted o meet my mommy and papa.

Papa was there coaching mommy. Breath in, and push, push, push, push, push. Again, and push, push, push, push. Again and push, push, push!!! Papa said mommy was doing great, but mommy felt she wasn't doing enough. After pushing for about 30 minutes, the doctor still wasn't in and so they told mommy to take a break and not to push for the next few contractions. NOT TO PUSH??? I want out!!!

Sadly mommy's pelvis was 'small' and so it was a little harder. Finally the doctor comes in and encouraged mommy to push harder by telling her that he might have to use a vacuum since my head was turned in the wrong direction. A vacuum?? OH MOMMY PUSH HARDER!!!

Mommy wasn't going to let that happen so for the next few pushed she pushed harder, and harder. And finally, after an hour and a half, I was ready to come out!!!

The bed went up, the bottom part went down and Papa was there holding mommy's hand. Here we go!!!

Push! Push! One more! Okay, big push!!...okay stop, and pant, pant, pant..... Mommy had to have an episiotomy. OUCH! Why hadn't the epidural kicked in yet! Mommy felt every second of the cutting and said that was probably the worst part.

Ok, again. Push, Push......

And at 5:06 on December 9th 2009, I came into the world!!!



6 lbs. 10 oz.
It's cold out there and people kept touching me and taking my picture!!!
I see my Papa, and he watches over me while mommy is being "fixed" up. It doesn't take too long and finally, after a long long 9 months, mommy got to hold me in her arms!

Today is the day!

Morning world!!! Well, that's morning to you, mommy and I have been up all night long! It's going to be a long day, but mommy sang to me all night and told me how much she loved me and couldn't wait to meet me.

It's almost 7am and at 7:30 we will be calling the hospital to make sure everything is still a go. Arriving at the hospital at 8:30am and hoping to just get started right away. If I am anything like my mom, I will NOT like waiting around.

Mommy feels terrible about having to take medicine to get me to come out. She is scared it will lead to more serious interventions such as a c-section. Papa is trying to keep mommy calm and even my puppies have been very "loving" this morning.

So I shall see you soon- better yet you'll be seeing me! Wish mommy and I luck, and a safe, easy, and healthy delivery

Induction!?

Today mommy and I had yet ANOTHER appointment. Everything looked good and the doctor even said he'd let us go to 41 weeks before scheduling an induction. However before leaving the office he wanted to do a stress test just to make sure everything looked good.

So for 20 minutes mommy and I laid there, with one monitor on my heartbeat and one on mommy's tummy to see if there were any contractions. Mommy said she wasn't having any, but after the doctor took a look at the chart, it showed she was having a few. Contractions?? Really?? She said she didn't feel a thing!

The doctor was concerned however because I wasn't moving much. Moving much!? There isn't any room to move, what do you expect!?

So into another room we go where the doctor wanted to check out my fluid level. He said that sometimes if the fluid gets too low that the baby no longer moves as much, this of course would be a red flag.

During the check, the doctor notices that there isn't much fluid around me. Looking back at the last ultrasound (just 6 days before) I had 15 (mm? oz? no sure of the measurement they are using) and today there was only 6. WHAT? Now that is a red flag!

Doctor said that at 4 there is grave need for concern and that he would send me to the hospital to deliver at that moment. However, he said that my bladder looked full and so the number should go up. But since the fluid is lower then what is ideal- if mommy doesn't go into labor before Wednesday the 9th of December that she will have to be induced.

Now this comes to a disappointment to mommy. She really wanted to go naturally and labor at home without drugs as much as possible. However, she knows my health is much more important then her feelings on the matter.

So come hell or high water, I will arrive and make myself known by the end of my actual due date...cross your fingers it will be a easy and fast delivery for mommy's sake!!! :)

One week to go!

Today mommy and I are 39 weeks! We were both every excited to go to the doctor today to see how things are coming along. After a check, mommy is 2 cm dilated and 25% effacted. The doctor was concerned about allowing mommy and I to go past our due date. He is worried that because we had complete previa earlier in the pregnancy and there may be blood vessels too low lying. Allowing me to grow too big or having mommy's water break on her own might cause these vessels to rupture which could cause a lot more problems that neither mommy or I want.

Mommy really wants to see if her and I can go into labor on our own. She really wants to try to go natural because she feels that since she couldn't conceive naturally, this is the least she could do. OH mommy, in the end it really doesn't matter- just as long as you love me :)

So right now mommy has turned down an induction. However, the doctor wants to schedule a date this coming Monday if we have not already gone into labor. Mommy said she is going to take these next four days and try everything to see if she can help move the process along!!!

21 days and the count down begins!

Mommy and I are now 37 weeks and I am getting ready to make my grand entrance into the world! Some people have commented that mommy looks like she has "dropped" and mommy always has noticed that she can finally breath normally again! We were waiting in line at walmart today and I gave her some horrible Braxton Hicks contractions. She had to focus for a few seconds and even debated if something more was going to come. Nope, not quite read just yet!

Doctors say I am around 6 pounds now (a little smaller than average, but mommy thinks it's just fine!) and I am almost 19 inches long. My quarters are getting smaller and smaller by the day and I let mommy know by pushing and kicking her liver, stomach, and ribs out of my way!

Time is ticking down and mommy is just a little stressed. She has been hoping for a fence before I come so my four legged siblings wouldn't need to go out on a leash. I am hoping for that as well!

Still growing strong!

Man, these last few weeks have been tough! I mean all the extra strength I have yet NO room to move around. Papa is calling me his ninja because I kick mommy all day long! Hey- I am just working on my muscle control! We have been going to the Doctor every week now and I am just about ready to let the world see me. Just putting on a few more pound so everyone can see my figure. BUT here are some more preview pictures. I was looking right at the ultrasound tech as she was "taking" my picture.

The Dr. said I weigh approx. 5 lbs 12 oz and that I will most likely be around 7lbs. 12 oz at birth. Mommy is hoping I wont be any bigger!

Bring on the gifts and fun!

Sunday, October 4th I had my very first party! I thought about many different outfits, but ended up in my birthday suit! That's right! It was baby shower time! Two very sweet ladies and a good friend from Mommy's work got together and threw mommy and me a party! We had lots of good food, the ladies who came decorated some onesies for me, the grown ups were wearing diapers, and Mommy even smelled "dirty" (chocolate filled) diapers! It was a blast and mommy felt very special and honored to have such kind people in her life! I can't wait to meet them- grown ups wearing diapers?!?! They sound like a lively bunch!

We also had cake! OH yummmy! Boy oh boy was that the best cake we have ever tasted! I can't wait to get some more. Everything was perfect, and although I could see what was going on, it sure sounded like a lot of fun!

Mommy opened lots of gifts she said were for me. I'll have to wait two more months til I get to see them but I know it's worth the wait! Thank you everyone who came- you all have been such a wonderful part of my Mommy's life! A special thank you to Miss Megan, Miss Beth, and Miss Diana! I can't wait to meet you all!

My first photo shoot

Here are some more pictures from Fun Fetal Photos. I am so cozy in mommy's tummy that you can only see half of my face. BUT oh what a beautiful half it is :) And don't forget my beautiful toes!

Fun Fetal Photos!

Tonight Mommy and Papa took my grandparents and aunt to see what I look like. I of course wasn't in the mood. I was tired and hungry and I didn't feel like getting my picture taken. PLUS the lady put some cold gel on me and was pressing down on me. WELL I showed her!



Mommy says I have my papa's lips and the ultrasound lady agreed! Mommy also think I look a lot like Papa... but he isn't so sure. COME ON Papa you would have been beautiful as a girl ;)

30 weeks on the 30th!

Yeah, mommy and I are now 30 weeks along. Can't believe how fast it has flown by. Of course at the time it seemed like forever! Today mommy had another check up and everything looks fine. I am laying sideways on mommy with my bottom laying right on mommy's bladder!! Poor mommy doesn't get a break!

Here is another picture, a week behind but still- LOOK HOW BIG she is getting! Mommy feels fat, but Papa keeps telling her that she's beautiful. I like him already!

T- Minus 85 days!

Okay Mommy! We're in the home stretch. And boy it seems EVERYTHING is stretching these days. Mommy is now almost 28 weeks and just under 12 to go! Mommy sure is tired all the time now and I am growing like crazy.

The doctor says I can open and blink my eyes and that I can even see light through mommy's tummy. Papa thinks that means he can shine a flashlight through mommy's belly button!!!

Placenta Previa

It seems as though in the last post I forgot the most important part of the ultrasound!!! It find out if Mommy and I still had previa! Well, wonderful news! My placenta moved 6 cm!!! We no long have complete previa! Everyone is so happy and now we are looking forward to hard labor and pain! Yeah! :)

OH, and here are some more pictures of Mommy's tummy. I am growing a bunch and can't hide any longer!

Why is Mommy crying!?

Last night Mommy and Papa drove to Dr. Kemp's office to get another ultrasound. This was the "big" ultrasound to let them know where my placenta was at and if they would be able to have a natural birth or if Mommy would have to have a c-section.

I was very tired myself, but some lady (ultrasound tech.) kept pushing on Mommy's tummy to wake me up. So I thought if I'm going to wake up, I am going to at least put on a show!

I played with my toes, sucked my thumb, gave a peace sign, and yawned throughout the entire performance. The ultrasound tech was awesome! She spent 10 minutes showing Mommy and Papa all sides of me (even double checking to make sure I was still a girl, surprise!! I'm still a girl :) ) Mommy started crying. Why are you crying Mommy? Does it hurt when I move?

Mommy placed both hands around her tummy and realized how much she could possibly love someone she has never met before. Her heart was overflowing and couldn't believe she and Papa had made me.

Aww Mommy, that's sweet! I just hope you keep reminding yourself that when I keep you up all night :)

One Kick, two kick, three kick, OUCH!

Last night (August 9th 2009) Mommy called Papa into bed real quick. I was kicking and rolling around. Mommy gave a little tap tap tap on her tummy and I'd give her a kick or two back. She was very excited and when Papa came to bed she asked for his hand and right as he placed it on her tummy I decided to give a one, two punch! Yeah, Papa finally got to feel me move! He was excited too and stared tapping on mommy's tummy. After about twenty taps and a few kickes and punches mommy had enough and sent us both to bed. Well- I decided to stay up a little longer!!!

I have been growing a bunch lately. Mommy says it feels as though her muscles are being pulled apart.... sorry Mom, but they are!!!

When I grow, Mommy grows!

Mommy has been taking pictures of her as the weeks go on. Papa has been joining in on the fun too. I just hope he knows that there is no baby in HIS belly! Take a look as I grow!

I am not a carrot in here! I promise!

So now I am 21 weeks old and I am kicking up a storm. Last night I woke mommy up like I normally do around 3:30am to use the potty but I was staying up late. Mommy swears I am going to be a dancer! I am moving and grooving to my own music!!! I'm about 10 inches long now (about the size of a carrot) and arms and legs are needing to be stretched out! Mommy is still trying to figure out my movement pattern, but I'm keeping it a secret for now.

What in the world is THAT sound?!

Okay, so I hear Mommy's heartbeat everyday, all day long- but why am I hearing a second heartbeat? Mommy told me a very nice lady from her work let her borrow a prenatal education system. It's called Baby Plus (www.babyplus.com). She says it's an "auditory exercise" what will strengthen my learning ability. I am not sure about it but I make sure to kick and move around whenever she turns it on. Mommy says it feels like I am dancing to the beat!!! I've got rythm! Each week I learn a different heartbeat which gets faster each week. I am learning how it sounds different from Mommy's heartbeat and of course my very loud canine sister and brother, Leena and Fenton.

A big scare and a big heart!

Monday July 6th I gave Mommy and Daddy a big scare!

Mommy hasn't been feeling "right" for the past few days. Papa even noticed Mommy lost some weight. While at work, she noticed she was bleeding lightly and panicked both Mom and Papa. She rushed to the Doctor's office and they took her right in to check things out.

After checking around and a well needed ultrasound, Mom and Papa got to see me kicking and moving around. They were at ease that I was okay. The doctor was concerned because my placenta was looking a little lower than it should, but just wanted to double check.

When they were done looking at me the Doctor told Mommy and Papa that I had Placenta Previa (now don't go looking it up online, it will scare and worry you!!) There are different types and Mommy and I have completely placenta previa. Basically my placenta is completely covering the cervix and may present some problem later on as I grow. Please keep my Mom and I in your thoughts and prayers. We are both taking it easy but the doctor said right now there is no need for us to go on bed rest. We will find out more when we go back to the doctor in the beginning of August.

On the plus side, Mom and Papa received a ton of pictures of myself. They even got to find out what I was! Papa got a better view of the ultrasound screen and so he was able to peek and find out I was his first little GIRL. He was very excited and can't wait to meet me. Mom is super excited too, but just worried that I might be like she was as a teenager ;)

Check out my profile! I already look like my Papa!

Finally Mommy can function again!

Well, it's been a while and I have been growing up a storm! Mom has been very ill for the past few months (Sorry about that!). There were time where she thought about grabbing a shovel to knock herself out for a few hours just to not be sick anymore. On top of not feeling good, Papa decides to go ahead and re-model the bathroom. We thought it would just take three days and so it wasn't too big of a deal, well, until it turned into three weeks. Between one bucket for throwing up and one bucket for potty, Mommy was about to check into a hotel. She tells me that bathroom looks great now and I will enjoy having a brand new tub to bathe in. I hope it was worth it!!!

Each day now Mom gets sick less and less and now she no longer needs her Zofran, I am glad too because it gave Mommy terrible headaches! Each day she forgets more and more about all the trouble I caused in the beginning! And even forgetting all the things she needs to know for daily functioning too. She blames me, but that's okay!

My little Heart beat

Today mommy and papa had to wait over 3.5 hours at the Greenbrier OBGYN. BUT I am well worth the wait! They both got to see my little heart beat going a mile an hour. My hands and feet are starting to get fingers and toes!!! Mommy is worried that she isn't eating enough food for me, but trust me- If I need it, I'll just borrow it from mommy!!!

Just a Spec

Mommy and Papa drove down to Dr. Flood's office again. Why are we still going here? Isn't this for mommies and daddies without a baby in their belly? I am here! I am HERE!!

After what seemed like hours of waiting they were finally called back into the office where the very nice doctor showed them my very first picture! Silly Mommy didn't even see me until Papa pointed me out. Look at me I look like a diamond ring. "You see that spec, that's your baby."

(5 weeks 4 days)

SPEC?!?!? What are you talking about I am already thousands of cells here! I am working very hard dividing and multiplying, what have you done today?!?

"You see it? RIGHT?!"

Mommy was laying on the couch waiting for Papa to get into the shower to get ready for work. Whatever was on TV was a blurr and all she could think about was "What if"... What if this was the month!? What if this time it worked?

So, as soon as Papa was out of the bathroom she decided to head on in and take THE test. After being so nervous she ended up peeing on her own hand and got just enough on the test for it to work. BOY did it work. Less than two minutes later one bright pink line appeared....and a very slight second line was coming up too. With all her excitement she ran out of the bathroom to find Papa to tell him the news. And what does Papa think??? He thought Mommy was trying to get him to look in the toilet after going to the restroom. That Papa -he is such a male!




"You see it? RIGHT?! That second pink line....." "Yeah, I see it..." "WE'RE PREGNANT"

Boy, oh boy this lady gets excited. What she doesn't know is that she has a long 9 months ahead of her ;)