Elizabeth's Birth Novella

At my 38 week appointment (on a Thursday) my doctor checked me and said I was 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced, and I had been having contractions all week so I was hoping that my water would break that weekend and we could go have our baby! Friday night came along and I was having contractions every 6-10 minutes but they only lasted at most for 30 seconds, but I called the hospital and asked what to do just in case.  They said I should just stay at home because they might continue or they might stop all together...well they stopped all together around one in the morning.  On Monday (39 weeks) I was getting induced and I had so hoped that I could go into labor before that.  Monday morning rolled around and I got a call saying to come in at 7:30 for my induction.  I thought maybe I was already at a 3 because of all the continuous contractions and we were going on 3 walks a day to get the baby to move on down. We decided that it was fine to go in at 7:30, we could put C down to bed and leave my parents with her for the night and the next day hopefully she would get to meet her baby sister. 

 

 I got to the hospital and we got to a room, I got checked to see what method of induction I actually needed, and I was COMPLETELY closed, at a -3 station, and 25% effaced.  I cried because I honestly thought I would be at a 2 still.  So I got my first 12 hour dose of cervadil around 10 pm and hoped my water would break on its own over night.  Around 10 the next morning my water still hadn't broken and I got checked again and NOTHING.  So they decided to give me another 12 hour dose of it...I cried.  I wanted to see Charlotte, I needed to eat, and I just wanted SOMETHING to work.  Around eleven pm that night I got checked again...I was at a 1.  All that work for a 1.  They decided to see if a foley bulb would work, well nope didn't work because my cervix was super closed and it wouldn't go in.  They decided then to start me on pitocin to see if that would help open my cervix more, and to check me in the morning.  At 6 a.m. they checked me and I was still at a 1.  I was beyond upset.  After a few more hours and some morphine later they checked me again and I was at 3!!!! Finally I was getting somewhere. 

I then realized that this baby was coming TODAY finally!! They still had me on pitocin and morphine to see if that would do the trick, I decided to get an epidural around 11 am because the morphine wore off and I decided that the epidural would relax me enough to let me sleep and let my body do its thing.  The doctor broke my water around 2 pm, and I felt the urge to start pushing around 4:30 so they checked me and I was at 6 cm.  They gave me another dose of epidural because I was really feeling the contractions and they hurt so bad.  A half hour later around 5:10 I felt the urge to push again and I literally felt her move down.  They checked me again and I was at a 10!! I officially started pushing at 5:16, and I just remember thinking PLEASE get out of me before 6 pm I really want Charlotte to come visit before bed.  10 minutes later Elizabeth was born! 

After 43 hours of labor, thank goodness it only took her 10 minutes to make her way out.

 

 Charlotte LOVES her little sister and tells me daily "Mommy this is my little sister" and she helps change her diaper, hold her, and always wants to give her kisses and hugs.  We are all so in love with this little girl.

She's Here!

Elizabeth Grace 

7 lbs 1 oz 

19 inches long

8/13/14 at 5:26 pm 

We are all so in love with this little girl

Birth story to come!

Come on baby

38 weeks 5 day bump

I had a doctors appointment yesterday and I am 2 cm dialated, and 80% effaced.  My doctor said she wouldn't be surprised if it happened before Monday...but I am not getting my hopes up just in case this little lady is stubborn.  I have been having contractions and been completely exhausted all week, so I am hoping she decides to come out SOON.  I have dreams about her all the time, and C is just beside herself with excitement and asks all the time if she is done growing yet.  She also asked me if the baby would have a real butt...not sure where that came from buttttt whatever.  

Come on baby Elizabeth we are beyond ready for your arrival, and can't wait to snuggle you!!!

37.5 week update

37.5 Weeks

Soooo this baby is still cooking.  I feel pretty good just huge, and uncomfortable but I am enjoying my last few weeks with one child, before I never get sleep again! I have been sleeping pretty great actually and only wake up about once or twice a night to go to the bathroom or roll over...my heartburn is still awful and my back and hips are SO SORE.  I had a doctors appointment today and I am 80% effaced, Blood pressure is normal, baby is measuring 37 weeks, and she is about 6 lbs 1 oz.  She is healthy, I am healthy, we are just counting down the days until she decides to make her grand entrance.

Still pregnant

 baby at 36 weeks

I want this baby OUTTTTT!!!! I am so sick of feeling like a whale, and waddling, having 6 things to wear, and not being able to run after C.  Also though I am trying my hardest to just enjoy these last weeks with C as our only child.  I know everything is going to change SO much and it scares me, but also I just think C will be the best big sister, and that it will just make our family feel complete to have this last piece of the puzzle added.  Baby E we cannot wait until you get here!!

I only want ice chips recently for cravings, and if I don't have protein during the day I get super woozy its weird.  I have a doctors appointment tomorrow to have an ultrasound to check if Baby is head down (pretty positive she is I can SEE her toes a lot poking out by my ribs...) and to check if I am dialated at all...praying I am at least 1-3 cm so mayyyybe she will want to come sooner then August 11! I have been cleaning like crazy, and her room is just too cute.  We got the baby Ergo today and we have frozen a bunch of meals, the hospital bag is packed, clothes are all washed, bathroom is clean, all that is left really is for me to shave my legs (which will take a long time with this big belly of mine).  I don't mean to complain because really I cannot wait to experience life with two kids and I am so incredibly happy to be having another baby, but honestly these last weeks being pregnant just are so uncomfortable.  

Hopefully next time I post this baby will be born!! (prob not but here is to hoping!)

In my brain

 35.5 week belly

-I am so itchy. like all the time.  I need lotion on me constantly it is getting rediculous.  I thought my water broke in the shower today, but it was just pee.  I sneeze and pee just comes right out...also rediculous.  I was up until 4 am last night with the worst heartburn ever in life.  I still had it ALL DAY today too.  The last 3.5 weeks of pregnancy really stink.  I am not a person who enjoys pregnancy, the good news is that this one is going by super fast so I don't have a ton of time to dwell on it.  

-Russ is working all. the. time. I miss him.  I know it will be worth it when the baby comes because he can take some time off but still I miss him.  He got accepted at two universities since Friday so we kind of have an idea where we are moving!! Just kind of.  We haven't made the final decision and probably won't for a little bit, he has to research a bit more and talk to his potential future bosses....but it makes me happy it is a step in the right direction.  I don't feel as stressed out!

-I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and I am hoping everything looks good, but I am also hoping that little miss comes a bit early I am so anxious for her to get here! The only things I still want to get are nursing tanks from Target and that is IT! We are so prepared this time around.  It is so nice to already kind of know what we will need this time, and we made a bunch of meals and froze them the other night.

-GAP is having the best sale ever.  I got a ton of ruffle bloomers for the baby for like 3$ each.  Not even kidding.   It ends tonight so get on it!

Emma's Newborn Session

 I did baby Emma's newborn shoot the other evening, and she was such a great sport.  Emma was 10 days old when I took these pictures, look how much hair she has! Her parents are some of my good friends and I am so excited as they begin on this journey of parenthood.  They love her so much, and she is just the sweetest baby.