A Very Thankful Birth Story

(I think this is the most excited I have ever been to write a blog post. Please excuse the excessive use of !!! and the length. I have a lot to say.)

I AM A MOM!

and this is how it happened.

Monday November 19th: My doctor and I talked about my options as I approached 41 weeks. It was decided that we would schedule a c-section for Friday November 23rd. I cried afterwards. I was looking forward to a natural birth experience, but having a healthy baby was top priority. 

4:30 am, Tuesday November 20th: I woke up not feeling well. I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for a few months, so it was not unusual to feel this way. This time was different, they were more intense and they did not let up even with various position changes. I cleaned the kitchen, sat on my birth ball for a bit and then decided to head back to bed to try to get more sleep.

6:30 am: I wake my husband up telling him about the contractions. I was nervous that they weren't going away (and excited and reluctant and a whole host of other emotions!!). I had a pre-operation appointment at the hospital at 9:30 this morning so Mike and I decided I would wait until the appointment and then let the nurse know how I was feeling.

I was barely able to eat some granola and yogurt between contractions, which were coming about every 5 minutes. Mike and I tried to watch a little television before he had to leave for school but I was too focused on the contractions to even comprehend the show. 

Mike left for school with the car (yes we have one car) and I was going to walk to the hospital for my appointment. Now I know this sounds crazy, 41 week pregnant lady walking to the hospital, but it is only about a quarter mile away from our place. And so I walked. And Mike went off to school.

9:30 am: As the nurse was interviewing me, I was still having steady contractions. I told her that I was not feeling well and that the contractions had lasted for about 5 hours. She suggested I get checked in to the OB department and get checked just in case it was labor. 

11:00 am: After getting checked in and hooked up on the monitors, I was checked for dilation. Guess what? I HAD DILATED 3-4 CM!!! WHOO!!! 
I was not leaving this hospital without a baby. A BABY!!!
I text my husband, who was still in class, that I was in the hospital and he should come as soon as class was done.

I am not sure of the time table from here on out but it went something like this:
throwing up
contractions getting stronger
husband came
more throwing up
sister-in-law came
made my husband stand by my side as a I squeezed his hand through every contraction
my water was broke artificially
contractions become worse
I moan through every contraction 
My husband tries to tell me some biology fact and I tell him to shut up
I decide I want the spinal block
I get the spinal block and it felt so weird
I apologize to the nurse and doctor for being so loud
contractions get to be about a minute apart 
I feel like I need to push
I cry
I push for 35 minutes 

7:40 pm: Raphael Francis Albano is born, beautiful and perfect.

 

I cannot telly you how thankfully I was to have a mostly natural birth. In fact, I thanked the doctor on call for letting me labor. I thanked my husband for being wonderful through everything. I apologized profusely for being such a hot mess during labor (no one seemed bothered by it!). And I am so glad our little man is healthy.

I truly have so much to be thankful for. 

Going through the labor process is one of the most painful and rewarding things I have ever done in my life. 

I am forever in love with my son. Having children is wonderful. 
I told my husband shortly afterwards that we could do this again.

oh and sleeping for 2 hours at a time seems awful, but you get used to it. I promise.

On Pregnancy: HE IS HERE!

                     Raphael Francis Albano

                     November 20th, 2012

                            8 lbs., 20-1/2"

I don't have too many words to write yet (or rather I have too many, it would be a long post!) about the whole experience. Regardless, having a baby was one of the best days of my life. He is wonderful, beautiful and perfect. 

(I promise there will be some birth story post soon!)


Ok, back to the baby!

Thankful: Pregnancy Edition

This is the post I need to write today. I am get very tired and frustrated. Pregnancy has been wonderful but I am ready to have this baby. And he does not want to be had yet. I need to remember what I am thankful for today.

Although I wrote this days before Thanksgiving (see the reason for doing so here!),  the things I have to be thankful for this year are so numerous I hope this post doesn't go on forever. I apologize in advance.


The things I am thankful for this year (yes, they are almost all pregnancy related!):

1. A loving and understanding husband. Even when hormones are high, he has been wonderful.
2. A healthy me. 
3. A healthy baby, to be born soon! so soon!
4. A pretty "easy" pregnancy. No complications, no issues. (Ok, pregnancy is not that easy but having it go well really makes it seem that much better!)
5. Maternity leave. Thank you work for being so generous in the time you allow mothers to have off.
6. A really great doctor who is kind and understanding.
7. A supportive family and friends. 
8. A safe home to bring our baby home to.
9. Naps. Thank you naps for making me feel better when I couldn't sleep a whole night.
10. Chips and dip. Thank you for tasting so good every day the last 10 months. 

So what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Almost time for decorating the tree!

From Pinterest to Practical

The onset of nesting has brought a few more house projects and de-cluttering attempts in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Thank goodness for Saturday afternoons!

My most recent Pinterest interest has been gallery/collage walls. They are wonderful for displaying various pieces of art, pictures or other pieces of eye candy. I was delighted to find some inspiration and show off what the practical looks like in my home.

First, the inspiration:


 

Source: robesondesign.com via Erika on Pinterest

Source: younghouselove.com via Erika on Pinterest

Source: gardenberger.blogspot.com via Erika on Pinterest

Next, the actual wall in my home:

Alright, ignoring the spaces that don't have photos yet because I am waiting on photos of baby boy (next week some time we should finally get some!!), I think it turned out well!

Here are some of the elements and where I got them:

• I had the large floral fabric from another project. It is simply tacked to an old cork board. This works out perfectly as we don't have a mantle or other great shelving in this room. I can pin cards, decorations or what-not to the board and change the fabric when I feel like it
• I had some of the frames lying around. Others I bought at Wal-Mart for $2-$5 each.
• I had the floral wall stickers in the room before too. I am not sold on those and they might end up someplace else. I bought these particular ones at Hobby Lobby when we moved in.
• The mustache framed artwork is a free printable I also found on Pinterst. I was excited to have one frame dedicated to a different print when the mood strikes me. 
• I decided to go with black and white photos to keep a theme. I noticed that a few of the inspiration walls either had all color or all black and white photos. I think the consistency brings the wall together and makes it look intentional. 

It is not completely aligned or perfect, but I really like the collage look. I makes this once large empty wall really full looking. Since we are renting this townhouse, hooks in the wall are not allowed. I have used the velcro sticky back wall hanging devices, and never had any trouble hanging up to 5-8 lbs.  

I am sure the wall will evolve as time goes on, most of my home decorations do.

In all I spent about 3 hours working on the wall and about $20 in frames and sticky back hangers. Not too bad for a a do it yourself project!

Pregnancy: Weeks 39 & 40

Looking big and incredibly tired. Almost done!

Weight:  203 lbs. (by the end of week 40 I have gained 60 lbs.) (and YES! for not gaining weight each week for the first time in 10 months!)

Weeks to Go: 0. 

What I feel: OH MY GOODNESS. WHY I AM STILL PREGNANT?!?!?! I WANT TO MEET MY BABY BOY!!!

And super whinny. I feel bad for being whinny. I know there are hundreds of women who cannot get pregnant and desperately wish they could. I am not trying to complain or be "one of those women who can never relish in the moment" but I have waited 10 whole months and just want to meet this wonderful bundle of joy!

As of 11/14, I started my maternity leave. By the time I refiled the paperwork, got my doctor to sign off and returned it to my HR department I might (hopefully!) have a newborn. I am enjoying my time off to relax, make some extra dinners, Christmas shop, get things ready for Thanksgiving, etc.. It is quality me time, which could be just the thing I need.  



What I look like:  Not many clothes fit now. I have a limited selection. All the more reason to have this baby!
 
I don't really feel bigger and bigger each day any more. I have maintained my weight the last few weeks as well. The nurse I see each week commented that I have "dropped" significantly, so let's go baby!

Oh Things I didn't know about pregnancy until now: Walking is my new best friend. I know they tell women on the onset of labor to get walking but even to get labor started walking is recommended. I have been thinking of places or things to walk to. Church, the store, the gym (to walk some more), the grocery store, the mall, parking far away in a parking lot; you name it I walk to it!

Timeline happenings: As I write this we have less than one week to have this baby naturally or else.

At my last appointment the doctor talked to me about setting up a cesaren section due to a couple of factors:
1. I have only dilated 1 cm so far. 
2. I am past my due date/
3. Judging from the last ultra sound where the baby was weighting 8 lbs. 7 oz., I might have a baby that is too big for me to delivery naturally. 

I am a little sad about this option. It was not the birthing plan I had wanted but in the end a healthy baby is all that really matters to me. I have been healthy for 10 whole months, so there is no reason to complain about having to change plans. 

We have the c-section planned for November 23rd (Yeah Black Friday baby!). I have a week to get my body to go into labor before then. I really do want to do this thing my myself but I am mentally preparing for the surgery. I know everything will work out the way it is suppose to, it just is a little sad knowing I might not get the whole "let's be in labor for 19 hours experience."

And we have started walking at least an hour a day, plus eating spicy food, plus anything else we can do naturally to get this baby moving!

      

Things for Baby: We have received additional gifts in the last few weeks, which is so very much appreciated!

We also got an early Christmas gift of a new camera so we can catch all the memories when our little on gets here. I can't wait to take a billion pictures of him!

Speaking of billions of pictures...I am not going to spend all my blogging time bragging about out little one (only about 60% of my time, maybe). I set up a website to share photos with family and friends who might not view the blog as often. If you want more pictures and updates head on over here.

And the Husband says:  We should walk more.

Pregnancy: Weeks 37 & 38

Weight:  202 lbs. (by the end of week 36 I have gained 59 lbs.)

Weeks to Go: 2. Really, 15 days until my estimated due date.

What I feel: Anxious, still. And tired. And big.

A lot of people at work keeping saying "you are still here?". Why yes, I am. Although I am wishing I was at home snuggling with a newborn. I can't say my coworkers aren't nice about it, they just sound really surprised when I am in the office each morning.
I am working from home in the afternoon which allows me to at least put on p.j.'s and put my feet up. Thank goodness!



We are just waiting now. And I am so excited I think I am terribly impatient. I have caught up with Downton Abbey so now there is really nothing to look forward to until he gets here!

Oh, also, does everyone at my work get sick this time of year? I have seriously cleaned my desk area every day to stop the infections I know are flying around. One of my co-workers has a nasty habit of taking pieces of paper into the bathroom on his way to the copier. Yikes! I am a germ-a-phob at this point and this does not help. I am hesitant to mention it to him as it might be a awkward conversation, but icky!


What I look like:  Very round! I think I have "rounded" out in the last few weeks. As a result of a still growing fetus, I am also still growing. Out mainly. But around the hip areas as well.

Oh, and I have a few stretch marks. Not pretty. I broke down and bought some coconut butter cream to reduce the appearance. I am hoping with some tough workouts and long runs in the future they will be reduced any further. Oh the joys of motherhood!

Oh Things I didn't know about pregnancy until now: Braxton Hicks contractions feel like real ones. Only difference is they go away after a while. And they go away if you lay down versus sitting up. What fun! Fake contractions!

I had a recent doctor's visit where they monitored the baby and found he is very active (yes, my bladder knows that too) and I have pretty steady contractions sometimes. Still just getting ready the nurse said. Oh boo. No October for us.

Timeline happenings: We have now reached full term! YA! 
Which means this little guy can come any day now. And I mean ANY DAY.

Things for Baby: We had a lovely shower at my work the other day and received a fun play mat toy for the baby. I am excited to have play time with him and use this cute play mat. It even has 20 minutes of music! 

And the Husband says: "Go ahead and lie down. I will make dinner."-Thank you. Those are some of the sweetest words known to a mother-to-be.

"Next year we can use our Zoo coupons!" -We buy a local coupon book every year from one of the kids around the neighborhood and it always includes several buy one get one free coupons for the zoo for kids under 12. Finally we can use it next year!

On Pregnancy: Nesting

This is serious. Nesting is real and virtually uncontrollable for me.

For the last few weeks I have been unstoppable. Ok, not really unstoppable because I get tired and then want to take a 2 hour nap and then I need to eat...but almost.

Every minute of every day could be filled with things around the house I need to do.

Here is just a sampling of all the house things I have done in the last few weeks:

clean the kitchen. everyday.
organized our baby's clothing. several times. i even bought more hangers.
packed and repacked my hospital bag.
vacuumed. several more times than usual.
refused to wash the pots and pans in the dishwasher so i do it by hand.
do laundry like no one's business.
clean out my closet. several times.
cleaned out the basement storage.
spent hours last night cleaning up my computer of old files.
redecorated our living room with a gallery wall. thank you pinterest.
and probably drove my husband nuts in the whole process.
oh and I currently want to clean the fridge. that will happen tonight i am sure.

I feel like everything must be emmaculate before the baby arrives. As if he will even know the space between the stove and the counter isn't clean?!

I think I am ready for this baby. I might drive everyone around me nuts if this continues for 3 whole weeks.

Oh baby.

at least my fridge is clean. 
 

(oh and thanks for dealing with my random background changes. the other background loaded so slowly! It needed "nesting" help too!)

Pregnancy: Weeks 35 & 36

And a baby will make three!

Weight:  198 lbs. (by the end of week 36 I have gained 55 lbs.)

Weeks to Go: 4 (A MONTH!!!)

What I feel: Big. Tired. Cranky.
Pregnancy, in all it's glowing and beauty, is starting to wear me down. I am still working 40 hours a week and by the time 5 pm rolls around I am done. Very often in these last few weeks I have been coming home, eating, sleeping, waking up for a few hours, eating again and going back to bed. I am exhausted. Next week I am going to work half a day in the office and half the day at home, where I least I can work in my p.j.'s AND put my feet up. They are killing me.

Phew. Are we done yet?




What I look like:  Bigger. I swear there is no more room to go but he keeps growing. I cannot see my feet any longer.

Oh and clothes. Don't. Fit. 
Tops are too short, pants don't cover my belly. Some days I think I look like a hot mess.

Oh Things I didn't know about pregnancy until now: We had an ultrasound at week 34 and found out the baby was 5 lbs. 1 oz.. Go team Albano for making a strong little guy!

And then the nurse told me he could gain up to a pound a week. 

A what? A pound a week? 

Now I know they said up to, so he could gain half a pound for all I know. But seriously? That doesn't alarm anyone? The nurse told me he will be strong and healthy. Like heck he will, he'll be a freaking body builder if he gets to 11 lbs (6 weeks left at that time x 1 lb. per week = 6 lbs. + already 5 lbs. = 11 lbs.). Say it with me now, my goodness!!

I am praying for a healthy baby no matter what, but 11 lbs. sounds outrageous. 
Oh. My.

Timeline happenings: I think I am driving myself nuts with trying to figure out when this bundle of joy will be in my arms. I keep trying to estimated, calculate and analyze when I think he will be here.

He will come when he is ready. I have to deal with that.
 

Things for Baby: We now have a bouncy seat, a pack n' play, stroller and car seat sitting in our living room waiting for baby. And this ends the having fragile things in our living room phase for a long time.

And the Husband says: One day I was experiencing some contractions (most likely the Braxton-Hicks kind) and I e-mailed my husband telling him I felt a few faint ones. He stopped by my work on his way home to make sure I was ok. He rushed in, probably thinking the worst, like my water had also broken in the time I e-mailed him and the time he got there. Nope, just little contractions getting me ready for the big day.

 I think he is getting pretty excited (and a little nervous). 

Pregnancy: Weeks 33 & 34

Weight:  192 lbs. (by the end of week 32 I have gained 49 lbs.)

Weeks to Go: 6 (STILL A SINGLE DIGIT!!)

What I feel: HEARTBURN. Like no one's business. Once this week I was napping on the couch, woke up, started coughing because of the heartburn and then threw up. Yes. The beauty of pregnancy. Oh my goodness it felt like my throat was on fire. Worst kind of sick I have been in a while. I had to sleep sitting up for a few nights. Not a fun part of pregnancy.

This last month and a half seems to be crawling by. Perhaps it is because I am so excited and very anxious. Or maybe it's because every where I look I see babies. Oh due date, come a little faster!




What I look like:  Big, blonde and beautiful. Kind of. Not blonde. But big and beautiful for sure! I have gained a good amount of weight this last trimester but I still feel really good. I am running out of clothes as each days passes but I only need to hold out a while longer (right baby?) !!

Oh Things I didn't know about pregnancy until now: Apparently talking to a pregnant woman means you can tell her your entire life's story including the scary and sad baby stories. I have heard stories about hard deliveries, early deliveries, missed due dates, over due babies, why some people can't get pregnant, baby throw up, how to calm babies, why some women hire babysitters and don't go to daycare, freak accidents where babies are dropped (thankfully into the couch or a laundry bin), how hot their summer pregnancy was, the amount of time spent in labor, divorce and babies, and random stories about how birth order affects children. 

Now I don't mind hearing stories, or listening to people's advice, it was just a surprise to me that people would be so open to sharing all their intimate baby moments with me even though some times they barely know me. It must be some sort of therapy for them. The least I can do is listen.

Timeline happenings: Getting so close. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! 
We have picked out a baby name by the end of this 34th week and yes, it is still a secret that no one knows. It will be a great surprise. (Hint: I LOVE the name and it was a mutual decision between my husband and I).
 
I have also been being "pinning" a lot of baby things on Pinterest. Go ahead and check it out. Say awe a few times. Feel like having babies.

We got another ultrasound at week 34. I am now the proud soon-to-be-mother of a baby with five fingers on at least one of this hands. All he would do was make fist or wave to us so the only ultra sound picture I have is of his hands. He is head down, feet up during this ultrasound. The technician mentioned that at this point he probably won't flip around anymore because he is running out of room. Yes, my bladder thanks you for that baby.

 

Things for Baby: I think we might have enough stuff now. Although you never know...we are still debating on a bassinet. That might be a 10 pm Target purchase in our future. 

I also have a guilty pleasure. BABY CLOTHES! They are so darn cute. I know it is probably silly hang them up but they look so cute there! One of my favorite outfits says "Mommy's Little Monster". Perfect.

And the Husband says: "Your house is still getting bigger" --referring to my rather larger than life belly which seems to be expanding at an exponential rate! 

Lately we have been trying to spend as much time as possible doing us things. Eating ice cream, watching Downton Abbey and comedy shows. It has been nice to soak up some couple time before the baby makes 3.