Ok, so the last six weeks have flown by (ok well most days have, but there I'd be lying if there had been a few that druuuuggg on). Kaylyn has grown sooo much already. We went for her first month check-up. She now weighs a hefty (haha) 8 pounds 15 ounces. She's still a shorty and probably always will be thanks to her mommy. She's in the 10th percentile for height (she will probably only be about 5 ft. and some odd inches) and she is 40th percentile for weight.
She is holding her head up so much longer now (ok so maybe for 5-10 seconds, but hey that's awesome in my book!). She is starting to track and follow objects now...granted it's not 100% of the time, but it's simply amazing how much she has changed in six short weeks.
We've experienced many blowouts (not so much in public, fingers crossed)! Whoever said you had to watch out when changing a boy's diaper due to projectile pee has never changed my daughter's diaper! I've never had so many bodily fluids all over the place!
Kaylyn is such a great sleeper. We (yes, both of us) are sleeping for about 5 hours at a time at night which is such a blessing! We are still swaddling her at night because she moves her arms so much otherwise and is unable to sleep if we do not swaddle. Since I enjoy sleeping for the 5 hours that I get when we swaddle, that is the way to go!
As she slowly gets into a routine, I am finding it easier to get things done around the house. At the same time, I feel like all I do is laundry and clean and at times, you can't tell that I've done either!
Life has been so much fuller since Kaylyn has joined us. I couldn't ask for a better baby (even when she is screaming at the top of her lungs haha). I can honestly say I have never loved the way I love her. She is simply an amazing gift from God and I am so thankful for her.
More later...
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Here She Is...
Ok, I've been really bad about updating this thing, especially towards the end of my pregnancy. Kaylyn was born April 1, 2010 (I know, an April Fool's Baby) at 10:51 p.m. She weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long.
I must say that I had what I would call an easy pregnancy. Other than my kidney stones, 34 total, the pregnancy progressed as it should. If only delivery were the same. Chris and I went into the hospital March 31, 2010 at 7 p.m. to begin the induction process. I still had not dilated at this point so my doctor gave me Cytotec to try to thin my cervix out and help me dilate. Well after four hours I was only dilated to 1 cm. I was put onto a clear liquid diet from my doctor (but I could have orange jello!) and was also put onto strict bedrest due to my blood pressure continuing to rise. I think this is when my stress began to set in. It was difficult just laying in that bed. That was not how I had pictured my labor at all. Anyway, I was then given another round of Cytotec and then another. Needless to say, 17 hours into labor I was only at 1 1/2 cm. Now my original plan was to go through the birthing process as naturally as possible. Well, after being in labor for that long and not progressing, I saw the loooong road ahead and determined that for my sanity (and Chris', my mom's and sister's), that an epidural was what I needed to do. I was having contractions, however, not enough to really jump start things.
I was then given Pitocin to see what that would do...well it didn't do much. I finally made it to 3 cm but with LOTS of help from my doctor. Pitocin was continued and I was given medicine to help me sleep since I would eventually get to the pushing stage. Well a few hours of sleep led to me being able to relax. I finally made it to 6 cm and then to 8 cm. Ok, great we're almost there....well not exactly. I truthfully do not know how long it took to get to 10 cm (once again, I only made it with serious help from my doctor). I think I really only made it to about 9 1/2 and felt the need to push. That's where my doctor stepped in thank goodness and helped me get to 10 so that I could push.
Now, pushing is hard and it hurts I'm not going to lie. However, it is the light at the end of the tunnel, or it was for me. The only difficult part was that I was exhausted (at this point I had been in labor for 26 hours!) and my epidural had pretty much worn off. My doctor ordered a second round of epidural to help with the pain which was great, except I was then at a point where I couldn't feel a thing and that included knowing whether or not I was pushing like I was supposed to.
This is where things get a little hazy for me. I know that I pushed for about 2 hours. I remember feeling to exhausted and overwhelmed with the idea of not being able to make it through. That's about all I remember. I ended up blacking out and not being able to push towards the end of labor. I'm guessing it was just all of the strain that had been put on my body up to this point. I was told after delievery, the parts that I am unable to remember.
Kaylyn had dropped down quite a bit and her head could be seen. Her head was about 3/4 of the way out when I started having trouble pushing. At this point she had to come out. We could push her back in and do a C-section and the pressure on her tiny body was putting her into a bad situation. I have to thank and give so much credit to all of the nurses, doctor, and family that were in the room. Kaylyn would not be here if not for them. I was in bad shape and they were truly a blessing to have by my side. Anyway, since I was having trouble pushing, I had nurses pushing (or rather body slamming) my stomach to get Kaylyn out. Her head made it out but then her shoulders were stuck. Apparently her shoulders are wider than my pelvis and therefore, made it difficult to get through. Since this was the case, we figured there would be some sort of damage done to her clavicle but thankfully, that is fine. When she came out (as I'm told because I do not remember), Kaylyn had the cord around her neck (but it hadn't been that way for long) and had blue splotches on her body from the lack of oxygen. She was immediately placed in the warmer and taken to the special care nursery. I didn't see her. Chris, Jennifer, and mom did and honestly, it may be a good thing that I hadn't.
My doctor spent the next hour or so putting me back together. I had such bad tears (yes, plural) and was swelling so much that it was making it difficult for her to get it all done. Plus, we had all been at this process for so long already that my doctor was getting tired. The pediatrician on call that night came in to let us know how our little girl was doing. Within a short amount of time he had seen major changes for the good, however, they were still monitoring her closely and she had to be given oxygen. Chris got to go see Kaylyn which made me happy because I wanted to make sure that our little girl was ok. After I was all done, my mom and sister saw Kaylyn. Again, she continued to improve. I was so out of it after all of this all I could think of was drinking my fountain drink (that was supposed to be my reward for having Kaylyn-guess you had to be there to get it) and going to sleep. The nurse that I had was so amazing and wonderful. When I finally felt up to it (which was 2:30 a.m.), she put me in a wheel chair and took me to meet my little girl. Now, I was still out of it but seeing Kaylyn was amazing and heartwrenching at the same time. I was able to look at my little girl, touch her even, but that was it. I couldn't hold her, couldn't feed her. My perfect idea of labor and delivery didn't happen.
At that point I felt as though I had let everyone down since I had needed so much help getting Kaylyn here. Now, I know better. Kaylyn stayed in the special care nursery for almost 48 hours before joining us. Again, I loved going in there to see her, but it was so hard not to be able to hold her. The moment that Chris and I were able to, is a time that I will never forget. I think that was the point that made everything real for us.
Kaylyn is amazing! She has a personality already and we love every second that we have with her. She is such a blessing and I cannot imagine my life without her. I will post pictures of her soon (it's 2 a.m. and it's feeding time!). I just thought it was about time I updated everyone on here!
Until next time...
I must say that I had what I would call an easy pregnancy. Other than my kidney stones, 34 total, the pregnancy progressed as it should. If only delivery were the same. Chris and I went into the hospital March 31, 2010 at 7 p.m. to begin the induction process. I still had not dilated at this point so my doctor gave me Cytotec to try to thin my cervix out and help me dilate. Well after four hours I was only dilated to 1 cm. I was put onto a clear liquid diet from my doctor (but I could have orange jello!) and was also put onto strict bedrest due to my blood pressure continuing to rise. I think this is when my stress began to set in. It was difficult just laying in that bed. That was not how I had pictured my labor at all. Anyway, I was then given another round of Cytotec and then another. Needless to say, 17 hours into labor I was only at 1 1/2 cm. Now my original plan was to go through the birthing process as naturally as possible. Well, after being in labor for that long and not progressing, I saw the loooong road ahead and determined that for my sanity (and Chris', my mom's and sister's), that an epidural was what I needed to do. I was having contractions, however, not enough to really jump start things.
I was then given Pitocin to see what that would do...well it didn't do much. I finally made it to 3 cm but with LOTS of help from my doctor. Pitocin was continued and I was given medicine to help me sleep since I would eventually get to the pushing stage. Well a few hours of sleep led to me being able to relax. I finally made it to 6 cm and then to 8 cm. Ok, great we're almost there....well not exactly. I truthfully do not know how long it took to get to 10 cm (once again, I only made it with serious help from my doctor). I think I really only made it to about 9 1/2 and felt the need to push. That's where my doctor stepped in thank goodness and helped me get to 10 so that I could push.
Now, pushing is hard and it hurts I'm not going to lie. However, it is the light at the end of the tunnel, or it was for me. The only difficult part was that I was exhausted (at this point I had been in labor for 26 hours!) and my epidural had pretty much worn off. My doctor ordered a second round of epidural to help with the pain which was great, except I was then at a point where I couldn't feel a thing and that included knowing whether or not I was pushing like I was supposed to.
This is where things get a little hazy for me. I know that I pushed for about 2 hours. I remember feeling to exhausted and overwhelmed with the idea of not being able to make it through. That's about all I remember. I ended up blacking out and not being able to push towards the end of labor. I'm guessing it was just all of the strain that had been put on my body up to this point. I was told after delievery, the parts that I am unable to remember.
Kaylyn had dropped down quite a bit and her head could be seen. Her head was about 3/4 of the way out when I started having trouble pushing. At this point she had to come out. We could push her back in and do a C-section and the pressure on her tiny body was putting her into a bad situation. I have to thank and give so much credit to all of the nurses, doctor, and family that were in the room. Kaylyn would not be here if not for them. I was in bad shape and they were truly a blessing to have by my side. Anyway, since I was having trouble pushing, I had nurses pushing (or rather body slamming) my stomach to get Kaylyn out. Her head made it out but then her shoulders were stuck. Apparently her shoulders are wider than my pelvis and therefore, made it difficult to get through. Since this was the case, we figured there would be some sort of damage done to her clavicle but thankfully, that is fine. When she came out (as I'm told because I do not remember), Kaylyn had the cord around her neck (but it hadn't been that way for long) and had blue splotches on her body from the lack of oxygen. She was immediately placed in the warmer and taken to the special care nursery. I didn't see her. Chris, Jennifer, and mom did and honestly, it may be a good thing that I hadn't.
My doctor spent the next hour or so putting me back together. I had such bad tears (yes, plural) and was swelling so much that it was making it difficult for her to get it all done. Plus, we had all been at this process for so long already that my doctor was getting tired. The pediatrician on call that night came in to let us know how our little girl was doing. Within a short amount of time he had seen major changes for the good, however, they were still monitoring her closely and she had to be given oxygen. Chris got to go see Kaylyn which made me happy because I wanted to make sure that our little girl was ok. After I was all done, my mom and sister saw Kaylyn. Again, she continued to improve. I was so out of it after all of this all I could think of was drinking my fountain drink (that was supposed to be my reward for having Kaylyn-guess you had to be there to get it) and going to sleep. The nurse that I had was so amazing and wonderful. When I finally felt up to it (which was 2:30 a.m.), she put me in a wheel chair and took me to meet my little girl. Now, I was still out of it but seeing Kaylyn was amazing and heartwrenching at the same time. I was able to look at my little girl, touch her even, but that was it. I couldn't hold her, couldn't feed her. My perfect idea of labor and delivery didn't happen.
At that point I felt as though I had let everyone down since I had needed so much help getting Kaylyn here. Now, I know better. Kaylyn stayed in the special care nursery for almost 48 hours before joining us. Again, I loved going in there to see her, but it was so hard not to be able to hold her. The moment that Chris and I were able to, is a time that I will never forget. I think that was the point that made everything real for us.
Kaylyn is amazing! She has a personality already and we love every second that we have with her. She is such a blessing and I cannot imagine my life without her. I will post pictures of her soon (it's 2 a.m. and it's feeding time!). I just thought it was about time I updated everyone on here!
Until next time...
Sunday, March 28, 2010
In the homestretch!
So, we are THIS CLOSE to having our little girl on the outside world with us! Here's an update of the past week:
Chris and I went on Thursday for our weekly appointment. We started out with the normal weight check (ugh), urine sample, blood pressure check, and non stress test. Let's just say the non stress test may have been where everything began to get a little crazy. The medical assistant had a hard time finding the baby's heartbeat with the non stress test machine thing (I'm pretty sure I could've found it quicker than her). Then she finally found the heartbeat but couldn't get the monitor to stop sliding off of my belly (again I think I could've done a better job).
Anyway, we finally began the non stress test. The medical assistant came in to tell us that the doctor I was supposed to be seeing (my doctor was on vacation) was called to deliver a baby. She asked if I was ok to see another doctor...ok sure fine whatever was my reaction. So, again, I am hooked up to the non stress test when the medical assistant comes in AGAIN, and looks at t he non stress test results. She says she isn't real sure what to think of them (the baby wasn't moving as much as she should've of however, I was also hungry and thirsty and it was at a time of day that she is always less active). She decides she needs another MA's opinion. After the second MA comes in, it is decided that not enough activity has been shown so they "buzz" Kaylyn which let me tell youo did not make her a happy camper. She did begin to move though. MA leaves then comes in a few minutes later and this time informs me that the new doctor I am supposed to see was called to help the first doctor deliver because 3 people were in labor. So basically I had to stay strapped up to the test until a doctor came back to check everything out.
WELL, the second doctor finally comes back to the office and comes in to check the results of the non stress test. He decides that the test looks ok to him, however, he is not happy with my blood pressure and the swelling that I have in my feet, ankles, and legs. SO, we take my blood pressure again. This time, it is even higher than the first time. Doctor comes in and decides to do the old school method and puts the cuff on my arm and uses the hand held pump to find my blood pressure...again it is higher. HELLO, I've been in the office for an hour and a half at least, you've come in how many times to let me know that I am not seeing the doctor I thought I was, that the next doctor is also out of the office, and I have been strapped to a test which becomes more uncomfortable by the second and you wonder why my blood pressure is elevated????
Doctor decides that I need to head over to labor and delivery so they can continue to monitor the baby with the non stress test and to keep an eye on my blood pressure. Chris and I head over to Labor and Delivery and are taken into the Triage room. Thankfully when we got in there, my blood pressure went back to normal and the non stress test showed plenty of movement from Kaylyn. After being monitored for about another hour, Chris and I were finally allowed to go home. THANK GOODNESS!!!!!
So now here we are...tomorrow is another doctor's appointment (thankfully this time with my regular doctor!). As of this second, Chris and I will head back to Labor and Delivery on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. to start the induction process. Kaylyn should arrive at some point on April 1st (yes, I know it's April Fool's Day). We absolutely cannot wait to meet our little girl. She has been such a blessing already and I just cannot wait to hold her finally.
Again, another appointment tomorrow. More later, until then....
Chris and I went on Thursday for our weekly appointment. We started out with the normal weight check (ugh), urine sample, blood pressure check, and non stress test. Let's just say the non stress test may have been where everything began to get a little crazy. The medical assistant had a hard time finding the baby's heartbeat with the non stress test machine thing (I'm pretty sure I could've found it quicker than her). Then she finally found the heartbeat but couldn't get the monitor to stop sliding off of my belly (again I think I could've done a better job).
Anyway, we finally began the non stress test. The medical assistant came in to tell us that the doctor I was supposed to be seeing (my doctor was on vacation) was called to deliver a baby. She asked if I was ok to see another doctor...ok sure fine whatever was my reaction. So, again, I am hooked up to the non stress test when the medical assistant comes in AGAIN, and looks at t he non stress test results. She says she isn't real sure what to think of them (the baby wasn't moving as much as she should've of however, I was also hungry and thirsty and it was at a time of day that she is always less active). She decides she needs another MA's opinion. After the second MA comes in, it is decided that not enough activity has been shown so they "buzz" Kaylyn which let me tell youo did not make her a happy camper. She did begin to move though. MA leaves then comes in a few minutes later and this time informs me that the new doctor I am supposed to see was called to help the first doctor deliver because 3 people were in labor. So basically I had to stay strapped up to the test until a doctor came back to check everything out.
WELL, the second doctor finally comes back to the office and comes in to check the results of the non stress test. He decides that the test looks ok to him, however, he is not happy with my blood pressure and the swelling that I have in my feet, ankles, and legs. SO, we take my blood pressure again. This time, it is even higher than the first time. Doctor comes in and decides to do the old school method and puts the cuff on my arm and uses the hand held pump to find my blood pressure...again it is higher. HELLO, I've been in the office for an hour and a half at least, you've come in how many times to let me know that I am not seeing the doctor I thought I was, that the next doctor is also out of the office, and I have been strapped to a test which becomes more uncomfortable by the second and you wonder why my blood pressure is elevated????
Doctor decides that I need to head over to labor and delivery so they can continue to monitor the baby with the non stress test and to keep an eye on my blood pressure. Chris and I head over to Labor and Delivery and are taken into the Triage room. Thankfully when we got in there, my blood pressure went back to normal and the non stress test showed plenty of movement from Kaylyn. After being monitored for about another hour, Chris and I were finally allowed to go home. THANK GOODNESS!!!!!
So now here we are...tomorrow is another doctor's appointment (thankfully this time with my regular doctor!). As of this second, Chris and I will head back to Labor and Delivery on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. to start the induction process. Kaylyn should arrive at some point on April 1st (yes, I know it's April Fool's Day). We absolutely cannot wait to meet our little girl. She has been such a blessing already and I just cannot wait to hold her finally.
Again, another appointment tomorrow. More later, until then....
Monday, March 15, 2010
What will this week hold???
Well as of Thursday, I will be full-term at 37 weeks. This week Chris and I have our final ultrasound on Wednesday morning. We will get to see Miss Kaylyn again which I always love! Plus, we will find out how much she weighs again. We are very excited to see her, although it would be even better if we could see and hold her!
On Thursday afternoon, we meet with the doctor again. She will check to see if I have started to dilate. If I have then there is a chance that she will break my water. If I haven't then we will continue with weekly appointments. Who really knows though what is going to happen. I've accepted that it isn't up to me and that I don't have any control over the situation. If Kaylyn is ready, then she'll come. If she isn't, then we'll have to wait patiently for her arrival.
Kaylyn's room is all ready...at least as ready as it is going to get. We are ready for her....again as ready as we will get. It's crazy to imagine what it will be like not having her growing inside of me, however, I am so excited about having her here and in my arms. I love our little girl more than I ever thought I could and I haven't even truely met her.
Ok, enough with the mushy stuff. I will update when there is more. Until then...
On Thursday afternoon, we meet with the doctor again. She will check to see if I have started to dilate. If I have then there is a chance that she will break my water. If I haven't then we will continue with weekly appointments. Who really knows though what is going to happen. I've accepted that it isn't up to me and that I don't have any control over the situation. If Kaylyn is ready, then she'll come. If she isn't, then we'll have to wait patiently for her arrival.
Kaylyn's room is all ready...at least as ready as it is going to get. We are ready for her....again as ready as we will get. It's crazy to imagine what it will be like not having her growing inside of me, however, I am so excited about having her here and in my arms. I love our little girl more than I ever thought I could and I haven't even truely met her.
Ok, enough with the mushy stuff. I will update when there is more. Until then...
Monday, March 1, 2010
Final Countdown
I had another doctor's appointment today. She checked to see if I had started to dilate, which I haven't. I am about 25% effaced but that's about it. I go in about two weeks to have another ultrasound and meet with the doctor again.
I was a little bummed when I found out we haven't had much progress, however, I'm ok with Kaylyn staying in the oven a little longer. Now, I'm hoping we can make it until the doctor gets back from vacation. Either way, I just hope for a healthy baby.
Kidney stones count: 28-hopefully we're done with them!
More later, until then...
I was a little bummed when I found out we haven't had much progress, however, I'm ok with Kaylyn staying in the oven a little longer. Now, I'm hoping we can make it until the doctor gets back from vacation. Either way, I just hope for a healthy baby.
Kidney stones count: 28-hopefully we're done with them!
More later, until then...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Busy Weeks Ahead
Today was an exciting day. We had maternity pictures taken this morning at our house. It actually was quite a bit of fun, however, I was not able to get my wedding band and engagement ring off afterwards. Hopefully they'll come off in the morning.
As the days go by I keep thinking that Kaylyn will be making her appearance in March rather than in April. As long as she is healthy and ready to come out I'm ok with it. Chris and I met with a pediatrician on Friday and really liked her so that is who we will be taking Kaylyn to. I have my first baby shower next weekend which is with family and some of my friends. Then the following weekend, I'll have another shower with all of my friends from work. I'm very excited to see what Kaylyn gets at both showers. With those two parties approaching, it is really starting to sink in that she will be here in no time. Between the showers, teaching, doctor's appointments, and tutoring, I will be very busy almost up until the point that we finally get to meet our little girl.
I have really started to swell quite a bit on my feet, ankles, and hands (hence my rings not coming off). My feet have probably been the worst. There have been times where I have been so uncomfortable that there isn't much I can do but try not to think about it.
More later, until then...
As the days go by I keep thinking that Kaylyn will be making her appearance in March rather than in April. As long as she is healthy and ready to come out I'm ok with it. Chris and I met with a pediatrician on Friday and really liked her so that is who we will be taking Kaylyn to. I have my first baby shower next weekend which is with family and some of my friends. Then the following weekend, I'll have another shower with all of my friends from work. I'm very excited to see what Kaylyn gets at both showers. With those two parties approaching, it is really starting to sink in that she will be here in no time. Between the showers, teaching, doctor's appointments, and tutoring, I will be very busy almost up until the point that we finally get to meet our little girl.
I have really started to swell quite a bit on my feet, ankles, and hands (hence my rings not coming off). My feet have probably been the worst. There have been times where I have been so uncomfortable that there isn't much I can do but try not to think about it.
More later, until then...
Monday, February 15, 2010
What a Big Day!
So we had our ultrasound today to take a look at how big Kaylyn is and to see if we were off on our due date. My mom and sister came with me to the ultrasound (mom had been one time before and this was Jennifer's first time) which was awesome. Chris had to work but Jennifer made sure she texted him a picture of what his daughter looks like. Right now she is weighing in at 4 pounds 7 ounces. She has HUGE cheeks and looks so amazing and peaceful in each picture that we have! she is in the head down position and just looks so perfect (not that I am biased by any means!) It was a breathtaking experience. She really looks like a baby now and not like an alien! :) I am so in love!
I am still measuring about 2 1/2 weeks early. I will go in for another check up with the doctor on March 1st. After we do the typical weigh in, measuring, and blood pressure, she is going to check to see if I have started dilating...if I have, then baby Kaylyn may be here before we know it!
More later, until then...
I am still measuring about 2 1/2 weeks early. I will go in for another check up with the doctor on March 1st. After we do the typical weigh in, measuring, and blood pressure, she is going to check to see if I have started dilating...if I have, then baby Kaylyn may be here before we know it!
More later, until then...
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