Introducing...

Abigail Grace

She was born on Friday, February 22 at 8:07 pm weighing in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces and 19 inches long.

I love our birth story so I will share it.

The morning she was born I  had my weekly appointment.  I had been only 1 cm dilated at all of my other appointments so I was happy to learn that I was 3-4 cm.  My doctor said she felt that both Abigail and I were ready!  I also had slightly elevated blood pressure that morning but nothing too concerning however, because of that and the fact that I had gestational diabetes, she didn't want me to go past my due date so we talked about induction.  I really did not want to be induced, I really wanted a natural child birth but at that point, I just wanted to not be pregnant anymore.  The doctor also felt that if she swept my membranes, it might get labor started.  So she did that and scheduled my induction for Monday morning if nothing happened before that.  

I went to work after my appointment and felt fine all morning.  I was starting to think that the sweep wasn't going to do anything.  Around 1:15 I had my first contraction though I wasn't totally sure that's what it was at the time.  Shortly after 2 I started to have more and I made the decision that I needed to leave work early because I was just too uncomfortable and wanted to be at home.  I let Rob know that I was leaving work early but told him he could probably finish work for the day because it would probably still be a while.  He decided to leave anyway.  I made him stop and get food for me because I wasn't sure what would happen that night or if I would get the chance to eat if we went to the hospital and I was hungry.  

After I ate I decided to lay down.  I made it less than 10 minutes.  The whole time I had been timing contractions on my phone with a handy contraction timer app.  My contractions were all over the place in length and how far apart they were.  Sometimes they were close to a minute long but 8-10 minutes apart.  Others were 30 seconds but 3-5 minutes apart.  They were jumping back and forth between the two.  Finally I had a few short ones that were about 2.5 minutes apart and decided to call my doctor.  I was afraid she would tell me that they weren't consistent enough, long enough, or that they hadn't been happening long enough.  To my surprise she told me to head to labor and delivery.  We left shortly after 5, got to the hospital around 5:30 and settled into our room by 6.  

I answered the million questions and they checked me.  I was still at 3-4 cm.  Knowing how long it can take for a first birth, I assumed I would be at it for a while.  I struggled to get comfortable for a while.  Once my bag of fluids was empty they let me get up and move around which was something I thought I wanted.  I got up to use the bathroom and decided that moving around didn't help.  I went back to bed.  I alternated between sitting up leaning forward and laying on my side.  The nurse had to come in several times to adjust the monitor because of the way I was laying but it was the only remotely comfortable position.  At one point I thought about getting an epidural just so I could relax and sleep.  I had been dozing off between contractions while sitting straight up.

When they checked me again I was at 5 cm.  Making progress.  Soon after I called the nurse in because I was feeling pressure that felt like I should push.  I was 7-8 cm.  They told me not to push no matter what.  Within 10 minutes I couldn't help it anymore.  I wasn't pushing but my body was.  Rob kept telling me not to push and I kept saying over and over that I wasn't pushing but I couldn't stop it.  We called the nurse and I was at 10 cm.  We had been there less than two hours and they were calling my doctor.  They said they weren't sure if she was going to make it but assured me that another doctor would be there.  I was a little panicked because I didn't want another doctor.  Luckily she was there within a minute or two.  I pushed through one contraction and then they realized my water hadn't broke so they broke it.  I pushed through two or three more contractions and out she came.  Rob looked even though he swore he wouldn't and said it was amazing and didn't regret it at all.  I got to hold her right away and we waited a few minutes before Rob cut the cord.  

I was (and still am) amazed at how fast it all happened.  If you count from my first contraction until she was born, I was only in labor for less than 7 hours and I wasn't even sure it was real labor for the first few hours. I was only in labor at the hospital for two hours.  I'm also amazed at how it felt to deliver without pain meds. I was on a natural high and I don't think I had time to be scared of how much it would hurt.  It actually hurt more to get stitched up after and I did have pain meds for that.  Luckily I was still on a high from delivery and distracted by everything going on around including my new baby.  It truly was an amazing experience!

Major nesting!

The nesting bug hit me last night. I was planning to get things done yesterday but I didn't realize just what I was going to accomplish and what time I would finish! I spent the first part of the day working on sewing projects. I finished her second sheet (still need to get a picture of that) and worked on her blanket some more. I learned how to sew mitered corners! I just need to sew the back onto it and it will be done.

When Rob came home from work we went to Ikea to get another small book shelf for the living room to organize his game corner a bit. I think it was his way of nesting. We went out for dinner so I could have some spicy food and then home. That's when the nesting started (around 7 pm). Two loads of laundry, Rob built the bookshelf while I put together the high chair and rock n play. Then I started putting things away, organizing closets, changing out towels, and doing dishes. I still feel like there is more to do but I feel good about what I did get done. Oh and we also put the new mattress protector on the bed.

I'm hoping all this means that she is coming soon. I am 38 weeks today so I know I still have time but it could also be any day now. Part of me is hoping for her to come this week and part of me is hoping she holds off until at least this weekend. I'm looking forward to a last date night with Rob on Thursday for Valentine's day. On Friday the nanny that is taking over while I'm gone is coming to shadow me. I plan to get some more things done this week/weekend and then she can show up! However, I won't complain if she decides to show up before the weekend. We are really excited to meet her!

I'm proud of myself for posting a little more on here now. It makes it easier now that I am posting from my phone. Before I go, I will leave you with a picture I took on Friday. It was the first time I had the kids I nanny in my car with the carseat installed. M was very excited about it and wanted to try it out with her Bitty Baby.



I think she is looking forward to a real baby in that seat!

Another update

I was just reading through my earlier posts and thought I would write a bit more about the other parts of pregnancy. I posted the day I went for my three hour glucose test but never posted the results. They came back high meaning I have gestational diabetes. It sucks but it's not the end of the world. I have to watch the amount of carbs I eat and the times that I eat. I also have to prick my finger to test my blood four times a day. Honestly, not being able to eat what I want when I want is worse than the finger prick (though that is not fun either). All in all, I'm doing okay with the whole thing (except when Rob buys junk food and then leaves it out for me to see). My numbers have been good except when I occasionally overdo it. My fasting numbers were the main concern for a while but I figured out that eating protein before bed helped.

As for everything else health related, my appointments have been good. My weight is good, I even lost some, my blood pressure is good, my belly is measuring right on track and she always has a nice heartbeat between 130 and 150.

For the most part she moves all the time. Last week she slowed down a bit. I know it's normal but I brought it up to the dr. She told me if I'm ever concerned to do a kick count and call for anything under 6 movements in an hour. Yesterday I realized that I hadn't felt movement all day. I didn't have an hour but I laid down for about 30 minutes with some ice water and got next to nothing out of her. I tried again when I had more time and got 4. I called and was told to come in just to be sure. Unfortunately, I had to see the dr I said I would never see again. The nurses hooked me up and everything was good. By that time she was moving a little more and she had a nice heartbeat. When all was done the dr came in and made me feel like shit and hate him even more. He basically told me that if I even felt one movement then she was obviously alive and I didn't need to worry. Everything this man says is opposite of any other dr I have ever heard from. It took a lot for me to not kick him in the balls! What's worse, I have to see him again on Friday. He is the only dr there that day. I've decided that if he is on call when I go into labor, I will just have her at home. At least that way I won't be tempted to ask for drugs.

On the bright side of things, Rob and I were able to figure out how I could take 6 weeks off of work when she comes. I seriously did not think it would be possible and was hoping for at least four weeks. I feel so blessed and am more excited for her to get here now that I don't have to rush back to work! I'm also excited to have my parents flying in from AZ the beginning of March. I'm just hoping that Abigail is here before then. I would actually be perfectly happy of she came anytime after this weekend! I have a busy weekend that I'm looking forward to plus would like to get things clean again. I need to get into some major nesting on Sunday!

Overdue update

I honestly can't remember why my last post was about or how long ago it was. I am now less than three weeks away from Abigail's due date. I'm posting on my phone for the first time (on this blog) and hoping that will help me post more often. I've been wanting to post pictures and because most of them are on my phone anyway, it will be easier this way. So here are a bunch of pictures.



Went a little overboard buying her clothes :)



Hair clips that I made for her.



Her finished dresser.



One of the diapers I bought for her! Love it!



Her crib



Cloth diaper stash



Nursery pictures



Her first piece of mail and what was inside!



A few maternity pictures.



The changing pad cover that I made.



Baby gear!



Boppy cover made by me.



Bedding made by me.



Her swing all set up and waiting. Also, love that it sits right next to my desk so I can sew while she swings/sleeps!






Her corner of the bedroom.



Bags packed and waiting to go to the hospital!



And lastly, the tag blanket that I made for her.

I think that was the majority of the pictures that I have taken of the getting ready process. I can't believe we will be meeting her in just a few short weeks. I feel prepared and unprepared all at the same time. There are still things I want to get done before she arrives but it is okay if they don't get totally finished before she comes. The most important things are done, crib with bedding, diapers prepped, carseat installed (still need to get a picture of that), and bags packed! I would like to finish a few sewing projects and I should type up a birth plan. There is also some cleaning that I would like done but that seems never ending and is proving to be impossible to keep up with at this point.

I feel better now that I've posted once more before she comes. I can't promise another post before then but I'm hoping to post very soon after. I would like to have at least one picture of her a day to post. Most likely it will be one post with many pictures but hopefully a picture for everyday of her first year (and beyond if I keep up with it).

I'm bad at this...

Did I mention in either of my other posts that I'm horrible at keeping up with blog writing?  Well, I am.

Anyway, Abigail is still growing and we will be 30 weeks on Monday.  Wow, 10 weeks have gone by!

Updates since then:
We had our 20 week ultrasound.  I have heard that this is a long ultrasound as they need to check all the organs and measure everything.  Weeeelllll, the whole appointment (from the time we got there until the time we left) was long but the ultrasound was maybe 10 minutes long.  To say I was disappointed is an understatement.  He quickly looked at the major organs and then measured each femur and her head.  The femurs were measuring right on track but the head was measuring a week and a half behind.  He didn't seem concerned so we didn't either.  Then he checked the gender (we didn't tell him we had an elective ultrasound and already knew).  He told us he thought she was a girl but he wanted me to have a follow-up ultrasound the next month.  To me it sounded like he just wanted them to take a peek again at the gender.  After we left I started to realize how short the entire appointment was and started to get mad.  I don't mind waiting, I don't mind if they are running late, it happens and I get that.  What I do mind is that he rushed us through the appointment because we were the last patients for the night and it was going on 7.  Later, I realized we didn't even listen to the heartbeat.  What the hell!  So I was happy that we were having another ultrasound because I didn't feel he did a thorough job.  It was then that I decided that I would not see him again.  There are 4 doctors in the practice and I really like the other three.  I will be sticking with them.

At the 24 week appointment I made sure to let my doctor know how unhappy I was about the last ultrasound.  She told me that the other doctor was the only one who actually does the full anatomy scans but she would be able to take measurements for me.  She then mentioned that she would be checking the femur size since it was measuring smaller than the head.  I quickly corrected her thinking she just mixed the two up after reading my chart.  Nope.  She went back and checked and the doctor from before put the measurements down wrong.  So she did the measurements and again found the femurs to be on track and the head to be a little behind.  Well, since her findings didn't match his recorded findings I was told I would need to see the specialist over at the hospital.  Cue pregnant woman freak out!

So a few days later I go see the specialist.  He finds the same thing and assures me it is nothing to be worried about.  It is when the head is measuring large that they start to worry.  Plus, it is growing along with the rest of her body.  This ultrasound was much better.  I had an awesome tech who literally measured everything, told me what she was measuring and even turned on the 3D and gave me a nice 3D shot of her face.  I also got several profile pictures of her as well.  I will have to post them later as I'm running out of time.  Earlier this week I had my follow up appointment with the MFM and he cleared me to just see my regular doctors again.  She is growing just fine she is just on the smaller side.  Fine by me :)

I also had my 1 hour glucose test at my last appointment.  Unfortunately I failed that one.  Blood work also showed that I am slightly anemic and now have to take an iron supplement.  Oh, and another reason I am mad at the one doctor, I asked for my thyroid to be checked.  I was told it would get checked once each trimester.  He told me to wait until the glucose test since they were taking blood then anyway.  Well, that was scheduled for 28 weeks which is technically 3rd trimester meaning I wouldn't get it done during the 2nd trimester.  Normally it wouldn't bother me but I had been having a hard time taking my thyroid meds and skipping a lot and had a bad feeling that my levels were too high.  So at the next appointment I asked the other doctor about it and she suggested I get it done.  Sure enough, it was high and they had to increase my dose.  They checked it again with my glucose test and the good news was that the new dose had brought it back down to normal only 3 weeks later.  At least one good thing came out of those results.  As for the failed glucose test, that meant I had to take the three hour test.  I went this morning.  It wasn't horrible but I was really dreading that one!  I'm glad it's over and I'm crossing my fingers that Monday or Tuesday I don't get bad news.  Christmas is going to SUCK if I have GD and can't eat sugar.

Well, that is about all I can update for now.  I will come back to post ultrasound pictures as well as some pictures from our maternity photo shoot.  I also need to post about the baby shower and share some pictures of that as well as some pictures of the room now that all the furniture is set up.  I will do my best not to take another 10 weeks for the next post!

20 Weeks- Half Baked!

We are 20 weeks today!

Or half baked!

Don't mind my pointy belly.  Not sure why it looks so pointy, must be the angle.

Rob and I had a nice day off together.  That doesn't happen much since his days off usually fall during the week when I work.  It was also a productive day.  I actually went to the gym this morning for a 5:45 class even though I could have slept in!  We had a quiet (or not so quiet with the construction going on downstairs) morning before heading out for the afternoon.  We started with lunch at Panera (YUM) and then went to register at Buy Buy Baby.  I have to say, I like that store the best!  They were so much nicer (despite being busy) than when I registered at Babies R Us and Target on Saturday.  It was fun to register with Rob as well.  It helped that he enjoyed it.  He got to play with the gun and add a bunch of random things.  I am proud that he didn't go completely crazy and scan everything he saw!  

After that we went to Ikea to get a dresser for Abigail.  I'm hoping we will put it together tomorrow morning before Rob goes to work (I have tomorrow off too!!).  Even though I still have time, I'm ready to set up her stuff.  I seriously wish we had all of the stuff that we put on the registry so I can set it all up now!  I guess I will just have to distract myself with some sewing tomorrow instead.  I can't wait to get working on her crib bedding and show off those pictures!!

Meet Abigail!

Okay, well you can't really meet her just yet.  She is due to make an appearance at the end of February.  February 25th.  She will be our first child and we are beyond excited for her arrival!  

For now, enjoy our first pictures of her!  These were from 8 weeks.

We also got to see her at 16 and 17 weeks when we decided to have an elective ultrasound to find out if she was Abigail or Benjamin.  We got to see her two weeks in a row because the first time she was sleeping and did not want to be bothered!  I did see her hand wave past the doppler but I'm assuming it was her trying to tell us to leave her alone.  The next week she was much more awake and the tech was able to determine that she was a girl right away.  The cute thing is is that she was laying back with her hands behind her head in a very laid back, relaxed way.  Rob said that she was already taking after him.  The tech and I looked over at him and he was sitting the exact same way!  

Next week we will get to see her again at our anatomy scan.  I should get some more good pictures of her then.  The ones we got from the elective ultrasounds were pretty dark.  You can see the outline of her but that's about it.  I can't wait to see her again!  For now I am enjoying all of the kicks I am feeling in my belly.  Rob is patiently waiting to feel her kick.  I really think she is kicking hard enough to feel on the outside but she is such a stinker and stops every time one of us puts a hand on my belly.  She won't kick again until the hand is gone.  She may be stubborn but she sure is strong!