Well, things are going OK! Olivia slept right through the night, not even a peep when Amelia would wake up! YAY. Hopefully that continues! Im' sure the fact that we don't have to delay feeding time by running off to make a bottle helps! Amelia on the other hand has decided she needs to eat ALL NIGHT long. Oh man, I've never been so exhausted...she eats for 20/30 minutes, then 30 minutes later she's hungry again. Hopefully this does NOT continue!This morning we were off to the doctor for a blood draw. We dropped Olivia off with Christian's mom and headed down to the clinic. We checked in with the pediatrician, who said everything was looking great. Amelia left the hospital at 6lbs13ozs, so she really didn't lose much from birth, and today she was actually up an oz, so she is doing great there! After the check up, we were off to the lab to get her billi level checked. Taking blood from a newborn should be outlawed...the poor thing, I could hardly stand it!After the appointment we picked up Olivia and Christian's mom and headed home. She came over to cook some food and help out around the house for a while. Amelia went back under the billi-blanket as we anxiously awaited a call with her results. They finally called and her levels were still up there, but were the same as the day before, so she was able to come off the blanket! YAY, no more glowworm! Later, Christian, his mom and Olivia were off to meet my mom at the Rice Street Parade. I was very sad that I had to miss it...I think this is the first time, in my WHOLE life, that I missed the parade. But, Olivia came home, with treats and goodies in hand, happy as can be...and tired as can be, she passed out very soon after!So, day one of being home was a success! Maybe we really can do this!
Well, today was my actual due date, but instead, today is the day we take our little Amelia home! Her jaundice levels were up even higher, to 11.2 this morning. But, they are sending us on our way and having a billi-blanket delivered to the house until she levels off. It was a long morning of packing up, paperwork and getting ready to head out into the real world. I think we were both actually quite scared!! What in the world is life like with two kids?!?We were finally all "checked out" around 1:00. We picked up Olivia from my mom's, made a quick stop at Christian's parents' house to pick up some food they had for us, then were on our way home. We got some resting time in, hung out for a bit, then were visited by Nate and Gini!! They brought us dinner and came to meet the baby. As exhausted as we were, it's great to see our friends and catch up with them.Obviously Amelia spends most of the waking hours asleep, so life at home was pretty much as usual. Due to a slight lack of sleep, I think Christian and I are both a little short on patience right now...Olivia is crazy as ever and Chuy does not help matters...he's basically like having another toddler running around! But, we got Olivia off to bed, and we settled in for the night. I'm sure it will be a long night...and we're just anxious to see how Olivia sleeps with a crying baby next door...hopefully she's a much sounder sleeper than we think!
Well, we're still on cloud nine, still can't believe we are the proud owners of two beautiful girls.We were sure we'd be sent packing from the hospital today, but Amelia's jaundice levels were up, so they urged us to stay. We knew Olivia was in great hands with Grandma, and that it would be best for Amelia to just stay put, so we did. She spent the rest of the day and night under the billi-blanket. It was hard to see her like that at first, but we weren't too worried about it. She was at an 8.6...and back when we had Olivia, she got up to a 16 and they never did anything about it...no blanket or anything. Apparently the guidelines have changed, but knowing that Olivia was WAY higher, and we didn't have any issues, we're not too concerned about it.So, we spent a very quiet day at the hospital. My mom and Olivia stopped up for a quick visit...Olivia doesn't seem to miss us at all, as shown by the wave and loud and proud "bah bye" she gave us when SHE decided it was time to go. Christian's mom stopped up again, and took Christian out to eat down the street. My sister Tonia and nephew Tommie stopped up. Other than that, it was just the three of us, spending some nice, quiet time together. It's amazing...when I had my c-section, the nurses and doctors were in and out ALL DAY long, the whole time we were there. It was exhausting. This time, we hardly ever see anybody, it's great!So, that was our day...just hanging out in our current "home". It's so quiet here...I think we'll be in for a rude awakening when we get home! The hospital photographer came to take pictures today, so we even dressed her up in her going home outfit a little early!
Well, it's the big day...the day we've been waiting for, for soooo long! Baby #2 has arrived!
Amelia Grace was born today, via a very successful VBAC at 6:12AM. She was 7lbs3ozs and 20" long. She's perfect as can be and worth every painful moment! I have this overwhelming feeling of pride in myself right now...I can't believe I actually went through with the VBAC! The midwives and nurses at the hospital were all so proud and so happy that we went for it, and that it was a success.
We arrived at the hospital last night just before 5:00PM and checked into triage. After getting all settled in and hooked up, the midwife on call came in to check me. I just knew I was in for "bad" news, I could feel it. And sure enough, just like with Olivia, after everything I was only dilated to 1, BUT, I was significantly effaced and baby was very low. So, that was promising. Shortly after, my urine analysis came back and showed that I was very dehydrated. The nurse said that can cause labor to stall, so they got an IV of fluids going, eventually pumping 2 bags into me. Once those were done, about 2 hours later, they took another sample and called the midwife in again. This sample came back much better, and I had dilated to 3! So, it was official, I was checking in!!
I could not stay in that bed any longer, so Christian and I were off to walk the halls while they got my room ready. Because of my high risk situation (the VBAC), the baby and I had to be monitored constantly. Luckily, my amazing nurse got me hooked up with one of the few suites with wireless monitoring. So, I was able to walk around, go in the bathtub and be much more free. At 9:30PM, we were all set up in the room. Then, it was a few hours of resting, sitting, standing, sitting, bath tub, resting, sitting, etc.
By around 3:00AM everything had gotten much more painful and it seemed like a lot more was going on. They came into check me, and I had only dilated to 4! I couldn't believe it. They went over my pain management options at this point. I was determined to go as far as possible (hopefully all the way) without drugs, so I shot everything down at this point. The midwife broke my water since I made it to 4, in hopes of it moving things along.
A short time later, I just couldn't take the pain anymore...I think breaking my water was starting to move things along a little faster as well. I was really against getting an epidural because I did not want to be tied down to the bed and I did not want it to slow down my labor. They had discussed another option with me, a different shot, that doesn't take away the pain or tie you down, but it was just meant to take the edge off between contractions, so you can rest. They thought the constant pain I was feeling was again stalling things, and assured me this would help move things along. So, we decided to go with that. It definitely helped...the contractions were as painful as ever, but between them I felt like I could actually relax, breathe and forget what was happening.
They came in again to check me around 5:00AM, and I was dilated to 7!! I wanted to cry I was so excited...things really were moving along! It wasn't long after that I started feeling a lot, and I mean A LOT of pressure, and the contractions felt like they were non stop, one after another. I told Christian something was happening and that I needed to push, so he got the nurse, who got the midwife. She checked me and said "Yup, you are about to have a baby!". I was dilated to 10, fully effaced and baby was low, low, low! Everybody got ready and it was time to push. About 20 minutes later, Amelia Grace entered our lives.
I looked at her, and it was just the most amazing feeling. I couldn't believe I did it...I actually did it! All of the fear, all of the hard work, the pain, the worry...it was over. She's here, and it feels absolutely amazing!
My mom arrived shortly after, followed by Christian's parents and Olivia. Olivia did not know what to think about little Amelia, she seemed pretty weirded out by the whole thing. After we were checked into our room, we got a little resting, alone time. Later on, we were blessed with visits from so many of our friends and family members...my mom and Olivia stopped up for another visit, Kari and Andrew, the Madrid's, Melissa and her her mom, Christian's mom stopped up again, my stepmom and niece Angel, my Dad. Everybody was so excited to meet our newest family member, and who could blame them!
So, here we are, officially a family of four! Now the fun really begins!
Well, I'm pretty sure we officially have baby movement going on. I spent the morning and afternoon having pretty regular contractions..and pretty painful! I wanted to tough it out as long as possible, so we tried to get some stuff done around the house. Christian took to the yard and got everything cut and trimmed and taken care of. I did some cleaning around the house, finished putting away the laundry from yesterday and packed my hospital bag. Of course, Christian still has not installed the car seat, so we'll just be taking the whole thing with us and he'll have to install it at the hospital...talk about procrastinator!
I'm sure hoping this is it. This is how everything started with Olivia...contractions all day long, centered in my back. It was horrible and painful, yet, when I got to the hospital, I was only dilated to 1! I couldn't believe it. I'll be devastated if that's the case again! But, it's now 3:30PM...I have called the hospital and they gave me the green light to come in. I think the fact that I am going for a VBAC, they want me in right away, so, we're off!
I'm nervous..I feel like this is my first time, and, in a lot of ways, it is. I don't know what to expect or what is in store for us. I'm still pretty terrified to give birth, but, I'm really praying the VBAC goes as planned and everything goes smoothly! Fingers crossed...here we go! Here's a picture of us on our last day as a family of three!!
Well, a good part of the day was spent on the car. I hate cars, I really hate cars. We all got up, bright and early. Christian was off to the car parts store with the battery. They tested it, and sure enough, it was not in good shape. So, he picked up a new one, came home and got to work. Olivia and I supervised, but I wasn't feeling too hot. I spent the day having random, semi-painful contractions, but nothing too crazy. Everything is pretty centralized in my back, just like with Olivia, so I'm not really looking forward to that again, but I'm happy to see things are moving along!After Christian finished putting the battery in, he and Olivia ran to his parents to do a little more work on it. His dad was able to hook it up to check the alternator, and that was fine. They ended up replacing the fuel filter and buying a spark plug kit...but that hasn't been done yet. While they were away, I was able to finish all of our laundry...SO happy to have that out of the way!Once he got home, we spent the rest of the day hanging around and just relaxing around the house. We have officially picked a name for the baby, and spent the evening painting her name letters for above her crib, but, since we're so close now, we figure we might as well wait to share her name until we have her. Hopefully this weekend!!!
Well, today started off not so hot. I dropped Olivia off at my mom's. There wasn't anywhere to park, so I just pulled up close to some cars and got Olivia out, in the house and settled in. When I went to leave...my car wouldn't start. Ugh...there I was, late for work, car parked in the middle of the street, extremely pregnant and uncomfortable, unable to go anywhere. My mom came out and gave me a jump, thankfully that worked! I went in and officially decided I am having this baby this weekend, so I got everything done and set up as if I was going to be out from this point on. I ended up taking the afternoon off because I was so tired and just needed a little me time. Then, I was off to meet the BFF for dinner...at Khan's of course! I made my food extra, extra spicy, with lots of pineapples, hoping for a little jump start :)After dinner I met up with Christian and Olivia at home, and we took another nice long family walk down to the auto parts store. Christian was thinking my car troubles might be the spark plugs, so we went to check it out. The people at the store had some other ideas and offered to hook the car up to the scanner...but we didn't have the car, so we quickly walked back home to get it. When we got back, they hooked it up and the scanner didn't show any codes, so they are thinking it's either the alternator, or the battery. Low and behold, when we went to leave, the car again wouldn't start. They gave me a jump and we headed home for the night...looks like Christian will be unexpectedly working on the car tomorrow! Oh joy...I didn't get a picture today, so I'll do a flashback! Here is Olivia last July...she's mastered sitting and is cute as can be!
Today was a tough day. I have all of these pains, and I have no idea what they are. With Olivia, I had a lot of Braxton Hicks, then my "contractions" were all felt in my back. I get all of these pains on the top and sides of my tummy, which I assume are contractions, but they are not what I expected them to be. Ugh, I don't know. I hate to say it, absolutely hate to say it, but I'm just so ready to be done. I was brought to tears multiple times today and I just can't take much more of that. Hopefully this weekend something will move along!!After work, Christian and Olivia went with his mom to dinner, so I did get plenty of resting time this evening. That was much needed. After they got home, we took a family walk up to Dairy Queen! YUM YUM. It was a nice long walk...exhausting, but hopefully it helps things along! And, Olivia had her first Ice Cream Cone! YUM...I have the baby's stuff ready to pack for the hospital, I started gathering Olivia's stuff for when we drop her off at my mom's. Now, this weekend we just need to get my stuff together and get the car seat in. Thank goodness, we're almost ready!
Well, apparently 38 is not my lucky week after all!! Here I am, 39 weeks, and very much still pregnant! Oh well, what can you do! Hopefully everything going on lately is my body getting ready to go. As I mentioned a few days ago, this is the first week I've really felt miserable. The weather, the HEAVY baby in my belly, and life in general is just catching up to me now. I officially cannot sleep at night. It's not even a matter of getting comfortable, I just cannot sleep. It's horrible. But, I just have to remember, it's all going to be over VERY soon, and while I can't wait to see our little girl, it's going to be strange to not be pregnant, just like last time. It took me a long time to adjust after I had Olivia...losing that "piece" of you is hard!
Today was pretty low key. Work has been going great, they've been keeping me the right amount of busy, working at home has been a god's send and I think we're basically ready for me to go at any point. I've been getting really, REALLY tired in the late afternoons, so today, like the past few days, I took a little cat nap after I finished working, until Christian and Olivia got home. That's been nice, especially since I haven't really been sleeping at night! After dinner we relaxed for the evening, just thinking how crazy life is going to get any day now!
Chuy has been doing GREAT! We only had one accident, in his kennel, in the last couple of weeks. He's been sleeping great at night, going to the bathroom outside, eating well and I think the cats are finally adjusting to having him around. They still hate him with a passion, but I think they are beginning to accept that he isn't going anywhere. I think Olivia is still a little too much for him, but man she loves him to death! She couldn't care less who is around, as long as "puppy" is there!
Well, I had my "39 Week" appointment today. Ann tried cheering me up by telling me how great and fabulous I look...I think Ann took her crazy pills this morning! But, a few compliments never hurt anybody...especially an almost 10 month pregnant anybody! My weight was great, again, no gain. I am so excited and proud of myself when it comes to weight gain this time!! Go me! My blood pressure was higher than the last couple of weeks, but still in the "normal" range, so that was great. She checked baby's heartbeat and measured me...I'm still measuring 37 weeks, and baby's heartbeat was back up in the 150's (still normal), so that was all good. She said, from feeling around my belly, she is pretty sure baby has dropped a bit. With all of the pressure I've been feeling lately, I'm sure she is right. I did not request an exam this week because I didn't want to feel the worry and disappointment I felt last week. Like I've said, it's not a matter of "I want her here NOW", it's the ticking clock I'm on that makes me worry. So, I figure, it's better that I just wait it and wonder rather than think about the actual stats this week.She did say that because of the baby's size, that she is on the smaller/average size, they will let me go a little past 41 weeks if I want to. So, I told her I'd like to give it a couple more days. So, if it comes down to it, I will most likely have my c-section on 8/6/10. But, every limb crossed, hopefully she will decide to come before that! Next week my appointment is with the OB that will handle the c-section if I need it, so we'll see how that goes.Other than that, it was a Tuesday as usual! Work, home to work, little nap, little play time outside, cleaning up a little bit. I got some chalk boards and a dry erase board from the Relay for Life garage sale we had, so we finally hung those up tonight in the play area. They are so cute, I love it! Of course I had to color all over them first :) Now, it's off to bed. For Christian, to sleep, for me, to lay there and wish I was asleep! Oh, the joys!
