Our First Christmas Picture

Here is our first Christmas photo!

Nathan has been home for almost two weeks. I am really loving him being home with us. He didn't get this much time off work for the wedding/honeymoon. Both of us have really enjoyed spending time together as a family. In the 6 years we have been together, we have never had this much time together. His job doesn't normally allow for him to have time off. For our wedding/honeymoon he only had 3 days off. This two weeks has been wonderful. I am getting a bit sad that he has to go back to work on wedsnesday. I don't want this time together to end.

Since Arabella has been born, I feel so much closer to Nathan. I realize how corny that sounds, but it's true. I didn't think it was possible, but I love him so much more now that our little Bella Bug has come along. I am impressed at the ease in which he has adapted to having a little one around. My all time favorite thing at the moment is snuggling with Nathan and Bella on the couch. My second favorite thing is watching him hold her. I love our little family!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone out there! May your day be filled with laughter, love and joy!

This last week has been interesting. Big changes all around. Bella had her first appointment with a pediatrician and has actually gained an ounce. She goes back for her two week check up on Thursday and I go back for mine on Wednesday. Our pediatrician reminds me of Billy Crystal. When he talks, he gestures and everything just like Billy Crystal. He even looks and talks like him. Nathan and I were giggling afterwards about that. Bella had a clean bill of health and is doing great. The doctor said at her next appointment he will teach us to get her to sleep through the night.

Nathan and I have settled into a night time routine with Bella. When she cries, I go to change and comfort her. Nathan goes downstairs to make her a bottle. We both get up and getting her back to bed goes by so much quicker! She gets up every three hours to eat. She sleeps very well. Noise doesn't bother her at all. She can sleep through quite a bit of noise as I found out last night when we did Christmas with my family. We have done three Christmases this year. One of which she got pictures with Santa!

All in all Bella is such a good baby. She sleeps pretty well and isn't fussy at all. She loves being snuggled. She also does well with visitors. She has had so many visitors this last week. I have loved having people come over and visit.

Steve and Ashley threw me a BBQ in which there were copius amounts of alcohol involved. Of course, I had a glass of wine and I tried to drink a Cosmo, but it was too strong for me. I also didn't want to be completely out of it with a new baby. It was nice to just eat and talk with friends. After dinner we sat around and watched The Hangover again. That movie is so awesome and it never gets old. It was a fun party. Ashely took some great pictures of Nathan, the baby and me. I can't wait until she gets them developed.

I can't wait until Bella gets older so I can take her to the duck pond to feed the duckies and get pictures! It's been an amazing week, and sometimes when I look at her, I still can't believe she is here. I'm afraid I will wake up and it will all be a dream and I will still be pregnant. I can't believe how incredibly happy we both are. I am also surprised at how quickly we settled into a a routine with her. It really can't get better than this. I love my little family! <3

Pictures

Arabella's Birthday cake a friend sent to the hospital room!



Ollie snuggled next to Arabella. He loves her. He snuggles next to her every chance he gets!



Arabella at 3 days old



Our first family picture!

Birth Story

On Wednesday a little before 4 pm the doctor and anesthesiologist came in to talk to me about what would happen during the c-section. I felt so much better knowing EXACTLY what was going to happen. I was told I was going to have a spinal block, how it would be done and what to expect during surgery.

At 4:35 they wheeled me into the operating room and gave me the first little dose of anesthesia. It was crazy. The anesthesiologist called it a margarita. It sure felt like a margarita. Within like 30 seconds, I felt like I was drunk. The doctor and anesthesiologist got a kick out of me because it made me giggle for a while. Once my giggles subsided they did the spinal block. It stung just a little and wasn't a big deal at all. The needle they inserted into my arm for the IV hurt far worse. They inserted a catheter and then up went the tent. I am cool with things being done as long as I am told what is going on and when it's going to happen. They made sure to let me know and that made it less stressful for me.

While I was waiting for them to finish setting up they asked if I would like some music on. I said sure. It started off on disco funk and then went to oldies. I was totally loving the whole disco funk thing. Nathan sat to my left and the anesthesiologist sat to the right letting me know what was going on. Thankfully, I felt nothing. I did feel a bunch of tugging on my belly, but other than that, nothing. I was numb from my breasts down. The doctors were laughing and joking with each other which made me feel better. I was super nervous about having a surgery because other than having my tonsils removed when I was 5, I had never had a surgery much less a major surgery. So the light mood in the operating room made me feel less anxious.

Apparently Arabella did not want to come out. They had to use forceps to get her out. Nathan was by my side holding my hand the entire time. As soon as I heard her cry I got a little teary eyed. When she heard my voice and I touched her, she immediately quieted down. I got to give her a kiss and then they whisked her away. I told Nathan to go with her that I didn't want her to be alone those first few minutes. They finished sewing me up and I went into recovery. Nathan came in a while later and showed me pictures of her getting a bath. While we were looking over pictures, the nurse in the recovery room told us that Arabella had had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. The hour in recovery was way too long especially after hearing that piece of news. I didn't get to see Arabella until right before 9 pm. They had a shift change and then the neonatalogist on the new shift had to check on all the babies. Once they were finished I got to see her!

The first night we were going to try to keep her overnight with us in the room. It was pure hell, but not for reasons most might think. She was having trouble tolerating the formula. It was switched three times before we left the hospital. Now she is actually doing well on keeping all her food down. I am so amazed by her and so overwhelmed by how much I love her. I am so happy to finally have met her and now have her in my life. I am truly blessed.

Failed Induction

Tuesday was supposed to be my appointment for 38 weeks. I was having such severe pelvic floor pain, I decided to move my appointment to Monday because I couldn't stand the pain. I was barely able to walk to just the bathroom. It was extremely painful and uncomfortable. My doctor was able to fit me in later that afternoon. My blood pressure was really high and so they waited an hour and re did it. It went down very little. Dr. Groff came in to see if I was dialated. I was already 2 cm dialated. He hospitalized me for observation again. He told me there was a possibility we could be having the baby tomorrow (Tuesday). I was required to do a 12 hour urine test, all necessary blood work, Sono, another biophysical profile and of course be hooked up to contraction and fetal monitors. He wanted to observe me. He checked on me that night and I was still dialated at 2 cm. He told me he would check me again in the morning and we would have to make some decisions. I was no longer able to eat or drink anything just in case they decided it was necessary to induce.

The doctor checked me in the morning and I was still dialated at the 1-2 cm mark. He told me that he wanted to induce me and attempt a natural birth. At this point, I really start freaking out because my entire pregnancy, he told me that there was no way I could deliver vaginally. I mean, I had no birth plan because this had never even been on the table. He tells me they are going to have to try and clear it with the insurance company. The insurance company didn't want to pay for it at all since it was before 39 weeks! Of course I start freaking out because there is no way in hell I can deal with this pain for a whole week more. He leaves and comes back and says everything is cool with the insurance company and he will start me on Pitocin.

At Tuesday at 11 am I was started on Pitocin with my dosage to be increased every 15 minutes. By the end of the day the doctor was hoping that I would be dialated more and we could continue with a vaginal delivery. He came and checked me throughout the day and dialation was still the same. At the end of the day, there was no progress at all despite being on higher than normal doses of pitocin. I was taken off Pitocin at around 6 or 7 pm and finally allowed to eat something. I hadn't eaten in 24 hours. I was starving. Nathan went and got me a pizza because that's all I wanted. I was allowed to take a shower, eat, and sit up a bit more. I felt so much better after a shower and something to eat.

My doctor came in to discuss options. I had four options to choose from. They were:

1. Go home and wait a week more and come back for another try.
2. Attempt another Induction on Wednesday
3. Schedule a C-section
4. Wait until my due date

I told him immediately one and four were off the table. Two was also off the table since we had already tried on induction and it had failed. I told him my choice was to have a c-section as regularly planned. We had tried his way and I was more comfortable with the plan that we had had all along. He told me he had an available slot for 5 pm or for later on in the week. I said that 5 pm sounded awesome.

So today is the day that we get to meet Arabella Finally. 5 o'clock can't come fast enough. She's going to be our little early christmas present.

One Week of Bed Rest Down!

Monday, we went to the doctor for my 37 week check up and when I asked if I needed to pee in a cup, they told me no. I thought it was odd but whatevs. The nurse asked why I went to the ER this weekend. I told her I went to L&D last week for Pre-E. Another nurse comes in and tells me they do indeed need a urine sample. This was told me to right after I went to the bathroom. The first nurse comes back in and asks me why I went to the ER this past weekend. Again, I correct her and explain everything. Second nurse comes in and gives me a glass of water to drink while I wait for the doctor to come in. I finally am able to pee and the doctor comes in. He does the usual measuring and checking of her heartbeat. Everything is good and even my blood pressure was down. After that my doctor threatened me with horrible things if he saw me christmas shopping, and told me I would need to get a biophysical profile done on Tuesday at 8:30.

Tuesday I go to my appointment. Mom picks me up and we go get breakfast at the taqueria right next to my place. Then we go to get my biophysical profile done. I got to see her practicing her breathing again. I even got new pictures of her. She looked so cute. I then waited at my OBGYN's office to get the results. Everything looked great and she is not in any kind of distress. I asked about drugs to dry me out since I'm not breastfeeding, and the doctor tells me the drug is no longer on the market.

We also still don't have a due date which is pissing me off. He wants to make it to 39 weeks. I am currently 37 weeks and we have not scheduled the c-section. WTF? I realize that with Pre-E things are unpredictable, but why not schedule me and if she comes early, then she comes early? I love my doctor, but he is driving me insane! Grr...give me a damn date already! I realize that I will be in the hospital the week of Christmas, I would just like to know when for crying out loud!

I am very very uncomfortable at this point. Sleep eludes me and makes me even more grumpy. I am so uncomfy and hot that I can't sleep at night despite that my AC is set at like 65 degrees and I have two fans going in our bedroom. Sleeping on my side is very uncomfortable and sleeping sitting up doesn't work. Arabella has also taken to sticking her foot in my ribs. Not good at all. I also can't fully empty my bladder anymore. The Pre-E does that. I mean I'm sure pregnancy does that in general but when I was doing my 24 hour urine test, the nurse looked at the amount of urine and said "that's it"? Not good.

If one more person tells me that I should get used to the lack of sleep now because I won't get any when the baby comes, I will knock them the eff out! Truly I will. I realize what it's going to be like. Really I do. I helped with my little cousins during late night feedings. I know what it's like to get what you need done only when the baby sleeps. I know I will be delirious from lack of sleep for a while. I know it's different when you have your own baby, but I'm not a total idiot. I realize it's going to be difficult and my whole world is going to change. At this point in my pregnancy, I am willing to kill for two hours of sleep at a time. At least the baby will sleep for a couple of hours at a time allowing me to sleep. I think I have slept about 3 hours in the last 2 days.

I have been doing a few things here and there despite the fact that I'm supposed to be on bed rest. I don't tire myself out. I also don't push myself. I don't do things to the point where I cramp up anymore. I take things slow. If I start to feel tired, I sit down for a spell and when I feel better I get up again. I did clean out my car and install the car seat. My car looks so different. The car seat is so adoreable. It has little owls on it. When we go somewhere and I get in the car, I get so excited. Pretty soon, Arabella will be in the car seat behind us!

I am so ready to have this baby. I want to meet her and tell her how much I love her. I can't wait to snuggle with her on the couch. I can't wait to see Nathan asleep with her on the couch. I hope her furry brothers and sister love her as much as we do. Every night I sit in her room and just think about what it would be like to have her home. God, I can't wait!

Pre Eclampsia and Bed rest

Yesterday I went in for my normal 36 week appointment. I figured we would be in and out and everything would be cool. I've been really fortunate to not have had too too many issues. In first Tri I did have the cardiology issues, but second Tri showed vast improvements. I go in and my blood pressure is high. Not too high, but about 20 points up from where it used to be. Normally I have 120/80. Two weeks ago it was high, and yesterday it was high again. He checked to see if I was dialated and then said he would be back to redo the blood pressure. About 30 minutes go by and they check again and it is still high. Dr. Groff comes in and tells me that I need to go down to L&D. I ask if I have time to pack a bag, and he says no I am going now. While we were waiting he was getting the paperwork ready.

He tells me I have the symptoms of pre eclampsia. Oddly enough, I gained 6 pounds in two weeks. This was alarming to me because my whole preganancy until this appointment, I had only gained 10 pounds. 16 pounds so far during a pregnancy doesn't seem bad, but 6 pounds in two weeks when my eating habits haven't changed is alarming. I have high blood pressure and protein in my urine. The headaches and cramping that sent me to L&D last week are also symptoms. I was told I needed to be observed for 24 hours.

My blood pressure looks great now. The baby's heartbeat, my hearbeat and my BP are all normal. The only thing they are waiting on is to test my urine for protein. When I go home, I will be on strict bedrest. I can't do anything. No cooking, no cleaning, NOTHING except sitting around with my feet up. This is going to kill me. He says with the way things are going, I won't make it until my due date. I figured as much. I just want one more week to get her nursery finished. I am going to need all the help I can get since I can't do anything. Her head is pressing on both my cervix and my bladder. Hopefully the tests show I don't have too much protein in my urine. Dr. Groff told me that if I had over 200 mg or something like that, we would have to take her ASAP as it would be a sign of sever pre eclampsia.

Last night was the most hellsih night ever! Nathan stayed with me and didn't end up going into work today so he could stay with me. It was so nice of him to be able to be here. All last night for the first 3-4 hours I tried to sleep, they came in every 20-30 minutes to readjust the fetal monitor. Arabella would move or kick the monitors. She was not a happy camper, and quite frankly neither was I. I got very little sleep and Nathan got even less. Every time I got up to go pee, he would ask if I needed anything or if I needed help. I felt so bad for him. I know he was every bit as uncomfortable as I was, but he refused to leave me here despite the fact that mom said she would stay so he could go home and sleep in our bed. He wouldn't leave me because he knew I wouldn't leave him and because neither of us can sleep without the other.

I will be getting out the of hospital around 7 pm if all goes well. . I have to say, I can't wait. Dr. Groff came in this morning and told me that if I didn't follow his orders I would just end up right back here. Needless to say, I don't want that.

Right now i am listening to Arie's heartbeat and she has the hiccups. It's super cute. My belly moves and I can hear it on the monitor. Poor thing. Hopefully we will be out of here soon enough.