Our First Week



Can I just say how blessed I am with this baby.  She thankfully seems to be mellower like her daddy … thank goodness. I am not sure what I would have done with a mini me. I must say she does let us know when she is hungry and gassy, but that is the only time she fusses. Take the other day for example, my mom helped me take Scarlett to the doctor to check up on her jaundice. The doctor was able to examine her without her making a peep. Then we went to the lab to get blood work done. The tech pricked her foot and held her down and again Scarlett didn’t even cry. The tech said she was the best baby she had ever done. My first proud mommy moment : ).  I told my mom Scarlett was just playing everyone so when I go back to work my mom will watch her without hesitation.



ET baby in her bili blanket to help her jaundice




Sleeps like daddy too





Throughout the week Scarlett met so many friends and family. She told me she loves them all and can’t pick out any favorites yet. : )

Aubri & Scarlett



Saturday Brock and I decided we all needed fresh air (Noel included) so we headed to the new dog park with our friends Jen, Jason, and their Dachshund Harley. Noel showed off her serious hoops …it’s because she is black. Harley and Noel actually seemed to enjoy each other’s company more play dates in the future for them for sure. Unfortunately, we probably won’t be going back to that dog park because Noel was bit by a Golden Retriever which shocked us! My family has had two Goldens and never had any problems. The owners were very rude, drinking beer at the park, and only made excuses as to why there dog acted that way.  NOT COOL!

Noel



HOOPS





Hanging at the park

The best part of the weekend was Amber was in town and got to meet Scarlett. I can’t wait for Brock to be done traveling this spring so the three of us can visit Amber and Spencer in Arizona.



Scarlett Elizabeth

 I was a scheduled induction because the baby was still measuring large (8 lbs 2 oz) and my blood pressure had started to rise so my doctor scheduled me for the induction at 37 weeks and 6 days. We did have an amnio the Tuesday (02/01/11) before the induction to check the lung maturity to make sure she was ready to come.



On our way to the hospital (HUGE)



   Thursday 02-03-11 we check into the hospital at midnight 12:01 AM for an induction. I knew it was going to be a long day after three attempts at starting my IV. My nurse then checked me and said that she thought I was only 2 cm not the 3 cm the doctor said I was Monday. She even had another nurse come check to verify her 2 cm assessment.

1 am Pitocin was started to try and regulate the little contractions I actually was already having.  Between 2 AM and 7 AM the nurses said that I was starting to soften more and efface to like 70% but I only was dilated to 3 cm. My Nurse Liz broke my water to try and bring the baby down more.

 11 AM my contractions were strong and every 2 minutes apart. I was doing okay with the pain but Nurse Liz said that I was between the 3 and 4 cm mark and it was probably a good idea to start my epidural to try and relax my body. Besides Brock almost passing out when I got the epidural it was not painful at all. I think he was surprised by his reaction because a few days before he was fine with the amnio which was a huge needle in my abdomen.  

After my epidural about 130 pm we got a new Nurse Mary Beth because Liz had an emergency with another patient. Mary Beth noticed that my contractions were in couples which usually indicated that the baby is facing the wrong way in the birth canal. She also checked me to discover that I was still only 4 cm 70% effaced and the baby was still very high.



Still feeling good with contractions and my battle wounds (from my IVs)



2 pm Mary Beth comes into the room to ask Brock & I how we felt about a C-section. I told her that we were okay with it and the most important thing was that we have a healthy baby. She told me that was a good answer and the Dr.Feng said we could do the C-section at 4 pm.  There were many reasons why we all chose the C-section the baby was measuring big, my body was not showing promise for dilating, the baby was high in the birth canal which indicated she was not going to fit, and she was positioned the wrong way in the birth canal. 

4 pm rolls around the anesthesiologist gets my epidural ready for the C-section (which made me feel like I couldn’t breathe). Dr. Feng came in to make sure we were ready and we were.  Next thing I knew they were moving me onto the OR table and prepping my belly. I felt really sleepy but was fighting it. I knew that in a few minutes I was going to hear and see my baby. Next, thing I knew Dr.Feng yells out she has hair and asks Brock to stand up to see. Then she says something along the lines of “OH NO”.  I guess the incision she made was not big enough and she informs us she is going to cut me larger. Round two of trying to get baby out she asks for the vacuum and then realizes how far up the baby is. The anesthesiologist then has to push hard and firm on my stomach to try and wedge the baby out of my ribs. Finally after every ones hard work we hear a large cry. Apgars of 8 and 9 she was beautiful. I gave her a large kiss then Brock and our precious Scarlett were whisked away to the baby nursery. I am not sure of how long or when I realized it but I was starting to get feeling back in my feet. Then I realized I could feel then touching my stomach. The anesthesiologist then turns to me to inform me that my epidural had slid our when then put me on the table. He said that I should be okay for a while because he gave me a lot of meds before. WRONG!  I felt a lot of what was going on and actually started feeling pain. I was given Fentanly for the pain which took the edge off, but I still was hurting.

In recovery my pain became unbearable. I started crying and shaking until the nurse could give me Morphine. It took like 3 doses but finally I was starting to feel comfortable. Then before I knew it Brock came into recovery with my precious angle all 7 lbs 14 oz of her. I honestly could care less about the fact that I just had felt them sew me up and how much pain I was in.  She was here and as healthy as could be. Everyone always tells you how amazing it is to see your baby. Words cannot describe the amount of joy and awe I feel about this angle baby. I AM IN LOVE!    





minutes old and so alert

chubby baby

love at first sight

It's Been A Long time... Sorry this is so long

         Let's see ….since the last time I blogged my sister gave birth to an amazing little guy... Kasen Charles Odgers born Nov. 27, 2010. We celebrated an amazing Christmas with our families. Then, we rang in the New Year with our best friends. Brock & I both realized that all these Holidays were our last just the two of us.

 As for doctors appointments and babies status it has been a crazy couple of weeks. I have been to the perinatologist many times. Once for a routine 6 week follow up at 33 weeks. The exciting news at this appointment was she was 6 lbs 2 oz and in the 90^th percentile. She is going to chubby baby. At this appointment we did get a little scare. He said that the baby’s pulmonary artery looked enlarged and we had to wait a very hard and stressful week to follow up with a pediatric cardiologist.

Oh wait!  before I get ahead of myself  let me mention after the routine follow up we went out to dinner with Brock’s parents to show them the babies ultra sound pictures and tell them what the doctor may have found with her heart. At dinner I noticed that my usually Braxton Hicks seemed a little stronger than usual. Then I started to stare down at my phone and watch the clock. I was having contractions every 4 to 5 minutes. I timed them for about an hour watching them get a little closer. I finally told Brock what was going on & we decided that I should go home get lots of water and lay down for a little while hoping that would make them stop. After an hour at home & of timing contractions that were not stopping we called the Doctor. She advised we go to the hospital. We both were surprisingly calm. I told Brock that is was to early (33 weeks) to have her and I wouldn’t bring any bags or even the car seat to the hospital. When we got to the hospital they hooked me up to all the fetal monitors and sure enough I was having contractions every 2 to 3 minutes. My doctor ordered Terbutalin a muscle relaxer to stop my uterus from contracting. They could only give me a max of three doses and of course I had to have all three. The only side effect was an increased heart rate, but other than that I was discharged with in three hours with no more contractions.  

With no more scary pre term labor it was just now waiting to make sure our little girls heart was okay. With lots of praying everything checked okay with the cardiologist (34 weeks). He just wants to see her once she is born in the hospital to double check she is okay. I am thankful & feel truly blessed that her heart is okay.

Now we just have to hope that she isn’t too anxious to join our world. I have to go to weekly non-stress test with the perinatologist to make sure that my preterm labor isn’t causing any problems for our little one. Also I am no longer working : ). I was advised at 35 weeks that if I didn’t want a baby in the NICU that I should take it easy until she is at least considered full term at 37 weeks. For the next few weeks I get to sleep in and relax until our little miracle is born & turns our world upside down. I can’t wait!

 I am now 36 weeks which is almost the full term mark. I know that is she was born today that she most likely would be okay. I am put at ease a little more knowing that my mom had all 3 of us on or before 36 weeks with out any complications.

Baby Profile

Face with arm over her pouty lips

Christmas morning with baby Kasen

Belly at 31 weeks

Belly at 34 weeks (yes I am ginormous)

Good Huge News

Like the title I finally got good news when going to the perinatologist. After some worrisome news about my placenta separating for the uterus our doctor confirmed that over the past 6 weeks all troublesome areas have completely healed. Which I didn't think was possible ,but feeling very blessed and thankful for this healing.

I wish that I could say we are in the clear and have no troubling news. While at the perinatologist they realized that our little bundle of joy is HUGE. Okay maybe not huge but measuring larger than she should. She is a whopping 2 lbs 15 oz  and in the 66% tile (that is almost 3 lbs) at almost 28 weeks.... for those that don't know how this baby thing works. 40 weeks is full term and babies toward the end can gain a pound a week. I have 12 weeks still! The concern about her being big is gestational diabetes... while all my blood test are coming back normal they are going to now watch her and me very closely to make sure I don't have diabetes. Let's just say my doctor walked into the appointment asking me if I could stop causing so much trouble : )      

 Brock was out of town for work so my mom came with me to the appointment. It isn't clear in these pictures ,but my mom & I agreed that we think she looks like Brock. We will just have to wait and see if this is true.  Unfortunately, the sonographer wasn't the most personable person and we didn't get the best ultra sound pictures.



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face

 As for the way I am looking these days. I don't feel as massive as I look and I swear I am not waddling ...yet! I am really okay with all the changes though. I know that in end all I care about is having a healthy beautiful baby in my arms. 

Update 21 weeks

      After many unknowns and putting lots of puzzle pieces together by my doctors.... they have agreed that for the next couple of weeks I take it easy. Meaning light duty at work and bed rest after that at home. I am thankful that they are allowing me to still work since I am only 21 weeks and 5 days along ,but bed rest at home is probably going to drive me nuts..... no heavy cooking ,cleaning, shopping ,or laundry. On the up side I will have tons of time to due my needed baby research on breast pumps, bottles, car seats, strollers, ect. My poor husband is going have a lot on his plate from working 7 days a week 10 hour days then having to come home and help with all the house work. I am blessed that he has already stepped up and done everything around here with no complaints and believe it or not limited nagging for me. I married an amazing man!

    Our happy news of the day was that we did get a good look at our little gril. Thankfully everything with her is looking GREAT! She is already 1 lb 1 oz and this time she was moving like crazy. My idea of having some orange juice right before we went back for the ultra sound worked.

    We both are just hoping that this is a slight bump in the road and we will continue to see a normal healthy development in our baby. We are praying for her to be born at a viable age where she will have no complications. Lots of praying and hoping for our little miracle will be done over the next few weeks until I go back to the doctor.


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sucking her thumb



18 weeks

Today we went to the perinatologist for a second trimester level II ultrasound. Our OB/GYN likes to have this done so she can double check on the babies development. She was also a little concerned because my trend in weight gain was low over the past 4 weeks ,so just to make sure everything was okay we had the ultrasound.

The ultrasound went well excpet for the fact that our little princess didn't cooperate for the tech. Brock wasn't surprised by this telling the tech that she is just like her mom stubborn.Pretty much the entire time she was curled up in a ball taking a nap. We didn't even get a good profile picture. The tech and the doctor did say that from everything they saw she looked healthy. She is a bigger than she should be too... weighting in at 9 oz (the average weight at 18 weeks is 7 oz). I am bummed that they didn't see everything ,but happy at the same time because now we have to go back in 6 weeks which means I will now have a perinatologist watching over her growth and development.


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We did get a picture of this : )

 

It's A Girl!

Last weekend Brock and I went to find out the gender of our baby. From day one since we found out we were pregnant Brock said we were going to have a boy. Surprise to us all "It's a Girl!". She looks perfect! She has all ten fingers and toes. She has Brocks toes. Her second toes on her feet are longer than her first toes which Brock has and I don't. To our surprise she was moving a lot. Even the ultra sound tech said she so. I think it was because of the Mucho Mango drink I had before... lots of sugar! Brock and I even got to see her suck her thumb... which was wasn't a surprise beause we both did. Her weight right now is 5 oz.  It was a special moment that we were happy to share with our Moms' and Sisters'.

After the ultra sound Brock and I went shopping to look at all the little girl clothes and things since for the past weeks we had only looked at boy things. It was overwhelming walking into the first store knowing that we actually are having a little girl. I think that it finally had hit me and my eyes started to to get all teary. Thankfully my amazing husband was there to comfort me and hold me tight. We had a fun day and I wouldn't change it for anything!

Sucking her thumb

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Brock's Toes

It's A Girl!