Birth Story

Very few things in my life seem to go as I plan them.  This birth was definitely not one of those things.  I looked back at my birth plan that I loosely made while pregnant and it goes something like this:
--all natural delivery (no induction)
--no epidural
--no pitocin
--no IV should be necessary since I wasn't group B + this time
--walk throughout labor
--possibly birth using a squatting bar

I got absolutely none of these.  Actually, I may not have been given pitocin to contract my uterus after the fact.  I don't remember that being mentioned as one of the many things going through my IV.

Yes, I had a C section because Ashlyn's head wouldn't move past my ribcage.  Definitely not natural.  I was given an IV immediately because you can't eat or drink for 8 hours prior because of the risk of surgery.  It took 3 tries to get it in.  I think my fear of needles has officially been squelched.  I still can't watch though.  I was also given an antibiotic (antsa??), reglan, and pepcid through that thing.  Let's not forget the morphine, but that may have been placed with my spinal.  I'm not really sure and I didn't feel the need to ask.  I just enjoyed the following 24 hours that were pain free.  I think it's the first narcotic I've ever been given.  Nothing like going straight to the good stuff. 

The ECV (to turn her) wasn't that bad.  It was mildly uncomfortable while my doctor was doing it and slightly painful when she called in a male doctor to assist.  Shortly thereafter I just surrendered to the surgical option.  But, it was the first time that I actually felt peace about the decision.  I even took a little siesta after the nurse had prepped me, yet we were still waiting for the OR.  I'm still surprised I was actually able to sleep.  The OR is freezing and the warmth in my legs from the spinal was actually a welcome relief.  The anesthesiologist was right and my IV hurt worse than my spinal.  One of the doctors was there simply to add humor to the situation while they got everything ready.  I'm sure he had another job once I was numb, but they could pay him big bucks just for that if it was up to me.

Here's an overload of pictures in her first few days after birth.  I actually don't have any of her coming out because Alex chose the video camera for documentation of the event and I highly doubt you want to see the inside of my uterus...don't worry, I didn't either. 

the last picture of me pregnant

Alex prepped for surgery

while I sleep (I didn't even realize they took a pic!)

Mommy got bored around day 2 of the hospital and started dressing me up...

I'm really glad mommy didn't buy the flower that was about twice this size...

At first, Ben didn't really care one way or another for Ashlyn.  Now he wants to poke her, squeeze her, or hit her.  Not exactly the progress I was hoping for.

New Arrival!

We welcomed Kimberly Ashlyn into our family at 10:39am on Sunday, April 3.  She weighed in at 7 pounds 4.1 ounces and 20 inches long. 

39 weeks

I just got back from my 39 week OB appt.  Our little baby girl is practicing to be a gymnast and has flipped....to a breech position.  She did a quick ultrasound and sure enough, the baby's head is near my ribs.  I have an external version scheduled for sunday morning.  If they can turn her, I'll be induced immediately.  If not, it's off to surgery I go!  So, I'll be holding a little girl in 2 days!!  I just really hope it doesn't come down to a C-section.  I totally broke down in the doctor's office.  Stupid pregnancy hormones.  At least she's healthy!  Another testament that Heavenly Father is in charge.  Hopefully I have the strength to get through it!

10 days!!!!!

I have only 10 days until my due date.  At the beginning, I thought for sure I'd be overdue.  I mean, Ben took his time coming out, why wouldn't this one, too?  Then as the day approached, I began to think that she was going to come earlier.  I was dilated earlier, she felt like she was dropping, and I was totally not ready for her to come.  Perfect scenario for a brand new baby to make her appearance, right?  Well, I am a little more prepared, but have come to terms with the things that just won't be done in time and she's not here.  I think I'm jinxing myself.  Alex is very excited to get things going so he can take time off work.  He took me on 2 walks yesterday and plans to keep that up all week long.  Everyone in my family has their cell phone next to them at work anticipating my frantic call for them to rush me to the hospital.  Have I had a single contraction?  No.  I think I'm one of those people that either don't feel contractions (before they start to hurt, that is) or simply don't notice them.  I'm trying to squat more often to encourage the pelvic pressure. 

Baby girl, please come out.  I really want to meet you and I'm pretty tired of going to work.  If you could come before my next scheduled shift on Thursday night, I would be delighted.  Love, mom.

Ode to my clothesline

It's such a strange thing, but I absolutely LOVE having a clothesline.  Such a simply indulgence, right?  I'm pretty low maintenance.  Most days.  Here are the reasons why I love it so much:

--it saves a costly appliance and makes it last longer (namely, my dryer)
--it saves ENERGY! yay for lower bills!
--I get to be in the sunshine to use it
--clothes are warm and crisp when they're done!  (ok, so I could do without the crispness, but it's a small price to pay)

Just thought I'd put that out there....I got to line dry my clothes today and it makes me oh so happy.

Crunch Time

I have less than 5 weeks until my due date.  At my last OB appt, I was 1cm dilated!  Which, by the way, is 2 weeks earlier than I started dilating with Ben.  I'm trying not to get my hopes up that I won't have to wait 5 more weeks to see this little girl.  But then again, maybe I'll need the 5+ weeks to be ready for her.  My mom threw me a wonderful shower on Saturday and we are now much more prepared than we were, but we still have lots to do.

1.  install car seat bases in cars
2.  sort clothes and figure out what I still need (my project for today)
3.  wash clothes
4.  organize dresser for 2 kids
5.  buy last minute stuff
6.  clean house
7.  clean booster seat (it's looking rather gross)
8.  pack hospital bag
9.  pack larger diaper bag
10.  wash crib sheets

I feel like it's a much more lengthy list than this, but the clean house one's really going to take some time...

Ben is doing AMAZINGLY well in his toddler bed.  He loves the bed and hasn't looked back at the crib for a second.  At first, he would wake up multiple times throughout the night and just need some music played or a back rub, or occasionally a heave-ho push back up on the mattress before he fell asleep again.  Now, even those times are dwindling.  Thank goodness.  I am not ready to be woken up at all hours of the night yet.  I still need my 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep or else you may find me sleeping on the living room floor in the afternoon while my child chews on a pencil and throws random things into the trash.  That may or may not have happened this week...

First Haircut

We finally broke down and took Ben to get his haircut.  We didn't want to buzz it and no one has confidence in my ability to use scissors, so we took him to Cool Cuts 4 kids.  Here is a before picture of his hair...

He did better than I thought he would in the chair.  They have these cute little cars and the stylist even gave him a sucker, but it never made it anywhere near his mouth.  He just sat there very still, almost as if he was scared. 

Here he is with his new do! I think he looks older now and I'm kinda sad to see the hair go, but it looks cute.