Day 1 & 2

The first day was a little surreal.  My family came to visit along with a few friends from work.  I was super sore and the epidural took a while to wear off, so I wasn't able to get out of bed until late in the afternoon.  It hurt to sit, walk, lay, move, anything.  I tore so I had stitches and it just made it that much worse...luckily they make these awesome pads that when  you "break" them they turn to ice packs! I highly, HIGHLY recommend them to everyone that delivers vaginally!!  They are super super cold at first, but the cold ends up feeling great and relieving the swelling and pain.  The first night we sent him to the nursery to stay so we could get some sleep and they brought him back for nursing.  I slept pretty good, and it was nice to know in the back of my mind I didn't have to 'worry' about him...I mean I still worried, but I knew someone else had their eyes on him for the next couple hours.  The lady that handled him that night was so sweet, so I happy he was with her. 

Day 2 was relatively boring and uneventful, so it was great haha!  First thing in the morning the pediatrician came in and said he would do the circumcision at lunch and that he would release him if everything went good.  My DR came in a little after and asked how I was and how delivery went.  I told him all went great and that other then pain I was doing good.  He asked if we wanted to be released today before lunch and I told him I would like to wait until after the circumcision to make sure everything went good.  He said that was ok and he would come back around 5 to do rounds after work at the clinic and we would go from there.  Kyle got a little bored so he went out to eat and ran to the store to get out for a little while.  I laid around, coo-ed over the baby, nursed, and watched TV most of the day.  I got bored and walked around a bit just trying to stretch out.  The circumcision went great so the pediatrician released Colton and when my dr came back they officially released me.  After all the paper work packing up, we were on the road at 6pm.  We had to stop and pick up some of my meds, but we got home around 7pm.  We were officially home!!

It was crazy to walk in Sunday morning and walk out Monday evening with a baby!  I am so thankful everything went so smoothly, and I can't wait to get a routine down and get to our new life :)

Introducing Colton!!

Saturday night we were in bed about midnight and were watching TV.  We turned off the TV around 1am to go to sleep.  I got up to go to the restroom and felt a trickle.  I went to the restroom and more came out when I sat down...I was in a bit of disbelief or denial at first.  Then when I got up and walked a couple steps more and more came out.  I told Kyle we needed to go to the hospital and he got up, got dressed and go everything together.  I called the on call DR and she said to come in.  We got to the hospital and in the room by 2:15am and they checked me; I was 1.5cm and 90%.  Luckily, the nurse that did our birthing class was on call that night, and she requested to be my nurse!  So it was nice to see a familiar face and to feel like I could actually talk to her and ask questions when I got worried.  At 2:45am I got IV fluids and they started pitocin.  The contractions started getting worse and worse once the pit kicked in, but I was only 2cm at 4:30am.  The contractions then went from a 3 or 4 on a scale to 10 up to a 8 or 9 in less then 5 or 10 minutes.  The monitor I was hooked up to tracking my contractions went from them being around 4 to 8-10 from one contraction to the next one...that sucked!  My body was shaking uncontrollably from the pain when a contraction would start and tears were uncontrollably flowing down my face.  I wasn't sobbing, but the tears were just streaming down from the pain.  When my nurse came in I told her they got worse out of nowhere and she said that was the pit kicking in...it makes your contractions way worse to speed up the dilation process.  She asked if I wanted an epidural and I said yeah.  It took my saving angel (Dennis) a little bit to get it all together, but at 5am they gave me an epidural and at 5:30am I was a 3.  Once my epidural kicked in it was awesome!!  I didn't really care for not being able to control my legs, but I was able to actually rest and sleep so it was great.  At 6:20 they came in and gave me oxygen because Colton's heart rate dropped and they wanted to get his heart rate back up; I was on oxygen for about 25 minutes.  At 7:15 I was a 4 and at 7:30 I was a 5.  They checked me again so soon because his heart rate dropped again, and they wanted to insert a monitor directly into him and a catheter into my uterus to better track contractions.  I don't remember them coming in after that, but Kyle said they did...I was knocked out so I'm not sure either way.  Next thing I remember is them coming in around 9:30 and saying I was a 10 and 100% effaced, and asked if I was ready to have a baby!!  I was still half asleep and Kyle was laying on the couch from sleeping.  He got up, they broke the bed down and the pushing started.  The entire pushing process was nothing like I had imagined...it was actually way better.  I couldn't feel what I was doing, but just pushed like they told me to and they said I was doing great and was a great pusher! Who knew?!?  I guess my body knows what to do even if my mind thinks it doesn't.  Throughout the pushing process the dr and nurses were talking with us...actually laughing with us!  It was crazy!!  I would push during a contraction, then we would talk until the next one started, when it started I'd push, then the conversation would pick back up!  It was such a great experience, and I am so thankful we had the nurses and doctor that we had.  After a little bit of pushing, Colton made his was into the world at 10:18am!!  He was 7lb 14oz and 20.25 inches long :)  He had 10 fingers, 10 toes, and the cutest little nose!  I love him in a way that I cannot describe or express.  He is my everything...

Bump-Date: Week 38

Baby Size: 19.5"
Baby Weight: 6.8 lb
*********************
 Today was my 38 week appointment, and I am still at the same as I was last week; 90% effaced and dilated 1cm.  It really sucked to go in and not have any progress since last week.  Even if I would have gone to 2cm that would have been some type of progress.  So the DR told me he'd see me next Friday unless I surprise him and come earlier this week...but he didn't see like that was very promising.  I'm guessing he was off a little by saying it would be a May baby and that it would be within 2 weeks.  Again, a little bummed, but I guess it is better the longer he stays in there baking!  Like my sister said, I just need to enjoy the me time, time alone with Kyle, not changing diapers, and only having to wipe my own butt!!  Haha!!

I am still pretty miserable this week, but that's to be expected...just ready for him to be here!

Bump-Date: Week 37

Friday was a rather busy day.  I went to my little brothers high school graduation breakfast, shopping with my mom, to my mom's doctors appointment, then to my 37 week appointment.  At this appointment I found out that I'm 90% thinned and 1 cm dilated.  I was secretly hoping to be further along, but I can't rush my body I guess...not matter how much I try.  My mom and sister ask after each appointment if the dr said how big Colton is, and as always I forget...BUT since mom was there with me she remembered to ask.  He said that he thinks he's about 7-7.5 lbs right now...which assuming I carry to 40 weeks that puts him around 8.5lbs when we deliver...give or take a little.

So how am I feeling...miserable!  The novelty has long worn off and been replaced with swelling, sleepless nights, cramps, braxton hicks, and annoying questions from everyone and their dog!  When I was first pregnant the questions didn't bother me, but now I get the same questions every day and it's rather annoying.  Want to know the kicker?!?  I tell them it annoys me and they still keep asking!!  For whatever reason it doesn't bother me when certain people ask questions, but there are some people that it just irritates the hell out of me!!  Then they make some comment about being grumpy, in a bad mood, hormonal...something....and it makes me want to smack them haha!  I mean I understand people have questions and wonder, but geez asking me every 5 minutes how I feel doesn't do anything but irritate me even more.  I guess if they would actually listen when I say quit asking that would be one thing, but when they totally ignore it that's another...

One thing I know for sure...I'm ready for Colton to make his appearance...so baby c'mon!!! :)

Just saw this and LOVE it!!

Fears...

So as the week progresses I keep thinking about what my doctor said at my appointment last week and wonder where I will be at my appointment on Friday.  I'm going to be highly disappointed if I go in Friday and there are no changes, but hey, it's possible!  It's also possible that just because my dr thinks I'm going to have him early that I may have him late...just my luck!

The more days that pass I have more fears that keep coming up.   I have this fear that I'll be in labor and just not know for some reason.  Or that I'll be taking a shower when my water breaks and I won't know it broke or something crazy like that.  I know it's all stupid fears, but oh well!!  I also worry that I won't know what a real contraction is.  I've googled and read about them, but reading about them versus really having them are two different things.  PLUS there are so many different things that can be considered 'contractions' or 'labor.'  Contractions don't have to hurt, and they don't have to be just in your uterus...I read a few minutes ago you can have contractions in your lower back.  UGH!  So confusing.  Then when you ask someone all they say is 'you'll know.'  How the hell am I suppose to 'know' when I don't know what to even watch for?!?  They seriously need a pre-labor/labor for dummies book!  It could tell you all the things to look for, and hell, I don't know, give you a comparison on what it feels like so you'll know!  I know I'm freaking out...I know...half of the battle is admitting you have a problem...now the other half is making it to the hospital without having my baby at home or in Walmart...

Oh heaven help Colton :)

36 Week Appointment

Baby Size: 18.5"
Baby Weight: 6 lb
*********************
I had my 36 week appointment today and the doctor said Colton has dropped!  Not only has he dropped, but my cervix has dropped and is starting to thin.  The doctor said that based on what he 'typically' sees he doesn't see me making it 2 more weeks much less make it to my due date!  A little scary, freaky, exciting, and anxious all at the same time.  I still have so much to do!  I'm going to pack my hospital bag and Colton's stuff tonight.  Then finish getting his room ready tomorrow :)  Super excited!!!!!

Baby Shower #2

May 1st my awesome co-workers did a baby shower at work! There was a great turn out and we got lots of goodies and gift cards :)  I <3 gift cards!!!

The tractor diaper cake was too cute!

The picture matched the bedding set from the nursery :)

All my loot!!

Baby Shower #1

My sister and best friend planned a great baby shower for me on April 1st :)  I just now got the pictures from my mom and sister, so I am just getting to post the pictures.

The shower was great and I got a lot of great goodies for Colton :) I am so thankful for everything and everyone's well wishes!  It makes it so much easier and reassuring to know that we have support from friends and family.

Loved this!!!

Thought this was so neat...my sister did a towel cake for my wedding shower,
so it is made it even more special to me :)

Little did we know this would be her last belly picture :)
She delivered 2 days later!

My dad got the boys their first bb guns :)

35 Weeks today!

Baby Size: 18.25"
Baby Weight: 5.25 lb
*********************

35 weeks!

Only 5 weeks left...

Bump-Date: Week 33 & 34

Week 33
Baby Size: 17"
Baby Weight: 4 lb

Week 34
Baby Size: 18"
Baby Weight: 4.75 lb
*********************
Goodness I have been slacking on my blogging!  I have been super tired and busy the last couple weeks.  Everything is starting to make me anxious and I feel like I am running out of time to get everything finished before Colton gets here in a few weeks.  I have furiously been working on the nursery getting things unpacked, washed, arranged, and put there I think I want them to go...some of that will probably change once he's here and we find better places for things :)  I'm scared, anxious, and excited all at one time!!

I have been complaining for the past few weeks about swelling and I am saddened to report that has not gotten any better...if anything it is worse!  Some laugh because my ankles disappear some days, but it's all part of the game I guess :)  Braxton hicks are few an far between, but the cramping is daily.  It feels like period cramping, but instead of it lasting all day, it lasts for a few minutes to a few hours then goes away, and comes back.  My doctor said that's just everything getting geared up for delivery so it isn't anything to be concerned with unless they get regular or unbearable.

Speaking of the doctor, I talked with him at my appointment last week about the results from my last ultrasound...I know it's been over a month since I got it done, but he was out having shoulder surgery so we haven't had a chance to talk about it.  Anyway, my placenta is 2cm away from the cervical opening, and that is apparently far enough that he is confident we will not need to schedule a c-section!!  I understand things can go wrong/unplanned during delivery that can cause a c-section, but for now it appears like the placenta shouldn't be the issue!  He said they will monitor is more closely during delivery since it is low lying to ensure it isn't causing any issues for my or the baby, but other than that all should be good :)  Woohoo!!!!

We have officially finished our child birthing classes!  I don't feel like there was a lot that I took away from the class because most of what we went over I knew from family or from experience with others babies :) I also took a breastfeeding class that really has me excited to try breastfeeding!  I was always one to say heck no to breastfeeding because I was worried about personal reasons rather than health reasons for Colton, but as it gets closer I realize that it is the best thing for him; especially at first!  I'm not sure that I will be able to do it long term just based on the amount my mom and sister were able to produce, but I am going to give it a shot.  The class really taught me a lot that I didn't know...which was practically nothing about breastfeeding...and like I said got me excited to try!!