Loving Lilah

Loving Lilah comes as natural as breathing to me. She is the sweetest thing in my life, and I have fallen hard. I spend my days feeding her, playing with her, simply absorbing everything she does.

I'll admit I was worried during my pregnancy. I've never thought of myself as a maternal person. I did well around babies and small children, but I was only around them for short periods of time. I worried that I wouldn't have that instant connection with my little one. Every mommy talks about that moment when thier child is placed in thier arms, they make eye contact and BAM! Instant unconditional love. What if I didn't like being a mommy?

My worries were put to the rest the day after I gave birth to my daughter. I remember while she was eating, looking down at her and just feeling so full of an overpowering, all encompassing love. It was the most intense feeling I've ever experienced and 9 weeks later I'm still feeling it.

Being Lilah's mommy is easy. Not because she's a perfect baby. There's no such thing. But because I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything. I don't feel like I'm missing out if my girlfriends go see a movie. I'd rather be at home with my girl. I do like to get out every now and again, but most times I take her along with me.

There are times where I have a screaming, wiggling infant demanding my attention and I want to pull out my hair, the dishes aren't done, and there's a pile of laundry on the couch in need of folding. In those moments, I'm praying for a break, but later, when the house is quiet and I get a moment to think, I remind myself that she won't always be this little, her cry won't always sound so small, and she won't always want a snuggle from her mommy, so I'd better soak it up now.

Lilah Grace's Arrival

At my last doctor's appointment I was 1 week overdue with no dialation or effacement. I was feeling pretty discouraged since we left that appointment with an induction scheduled for Wednesday the 3rd. I just wasn't thinking that I would have a February baby.

Saturday evening I started having some mild cramping. It wasn't anything to take note of, and the pains weren't regular. I figured they were just braxton hicks because they went away after a while.

The next day Jeff and I went grocery shopping. I bought a bunch of food to make casseroles and dinners I could freeze since I was supposed to be having a baby on Wednesday. Being the procrastinator that I am, I put off actually cooking everything for Monday since Jeff would be at work and I would be home alone with nothing to do. I had some cramping on and off again, but it wasn't any worse than a menstrual cramp and I figured it was my visit to the grocery store that made things uncomfortable.

Around 6:00p.m. my back started hurting. There again, I didn't think anything of it because lower back pain is just another part of being 41 weeks pregnant. I went out to my parent's house and got in the hot tub for a while, hoping to ease my discomfort. On the way home I started cramping again, this time the pains were sharper, but every time I timed them they were 15-20 minutes apart so I figured they were just braxton hicks again.

The rest of the evening went by uneventfully. Jeff made me dinner and we watched some episodes of The Office on Netflix. I went to bed around 10:00 because the pains were still coming, but again, they weren't regular and they weren't enough to make me say 'ow'.

After an hour and a half of laying in bed up to get in the shower. The water seemed to bring me some relief, the only problem was that I would run out of hot water after about 20 minutes. I kept alternating between the shower and taking a bath, all the while I was cramping off and on.

Jeff finally went to bed around 1:00a.m. That's when I got on the computer and went to the contraction master website. I started timing my pains, but they were so sporadic that I thought for sure it couldn't be true labor, even though they were starting to get more intense.

A couple hours later I went to the bathroom and noticed that I was losing my plug. I think at this point I was in denial because I was still telling myself that I wasn't in labor and I would be pregnant until Wednesday! I decided to try to ignore the pains, which were getting so intense I was having a hard time walking through them.

I crawled into bed around 4:15a.m., and at 4:30 Jeff woke up to me curled in a ball whimpering. He asked me if I thought we should go to the hospital, and after another contraction hit, he decided it was time to go.

Jeff gathered our bags while I got dressed and phoned my mom to tell her it might be baby time. As we were driving the 4 minute drive to the hospital, I had another contraction. This one was so intense that the moment I got out of the car I leaned into the door and vomited in the parking lot. After that there was no doubt in my mind that I was in labor.

After we got some paperwork signed we went to Labor and Delivery. I changed into a gown and they hooked me up to the monitors. Lilah was doing fine and my contractions were coming every 4 minutes apart. They weren't registering very high in intensity. They were only peaking at a six or seven, and I've heard of women having contractions that are off the charts. The nurse mentioned that they may send me home depending on my progress, since they had another woman scheduled for an induction that day, and someone else was already in labor in the room next door. I did not want to go home! The last thing I wanted to do was leave that hospital without my baby.

The nurse checked me, and promptly announced that I wasn't going anywhere because I was dialted to a 5! I was so excited because that meant I was halfway there, and I had labored at home, which is what we wanted. I didn't want to be at the hospital longer than I needed to be. I also told myself I wanted to make it to a 5 before I asked for the epidural. So as soon as she told me how much I had progressed, I asked for the epi. I didn't actually get it until about an hour later because they had to call in the anesthesiologist, and get my IV going with a bag of something to keep me hydrated.

After Joel, the epidural man gave me my medicine, it was smooth sailing. Jeff and I spent our time visiting with our parents and keeping our siblings and friends updated by texting them. Around 10:00 my parents left to go get something to eat. My nurse came in to check me and I was at a 9. I couldn't believe how quickly it had gone by and it was almost time to push! That's when things slowed down. I was checked again around 12:00 and was still stuck at 9 centimeters. Our nurse called the Dr., and suggested Pitocen. I was okay with it since I'd had the epidural, and I didn't want to be stuck at 9 for hours on end. It only took an hour for the medicine to work and it was time to push so they called the Dr., who was next door delivering another baby.

Okay, so this is when I started to freak out. I've seen a baby story and watched women who've had epidurals have their babies without so much as a whimper. That was not the case with me. My epidural had started to wear off, and we were waiting on Joel to come and give me a little bit more to get me through the end. I remember I kept asking for Joel and at one point told Jeff that I didn't want to do it anymore. He offered to grab our bags and we could leave. Funny guy! I could feel the pressure and the contractions and I got to the point where I could feel the contraction coming and I would try to not push because it was so uncomfortable. The nurse was having me push to a count of 10 while she and Jeff held my legs and feet for me. I was able to push four times through each contraction. The first 2 pushes were the most painful, but the last two I couldn't feel and were the most effective. Our Dr. came in and soon after there was my epidural man! I've never been so happy to see someone in my entire life! He gave me a booster, but I could still feel the pressure and the burning when her head started to crown. I started to get a little loud, which I am still embarrassed about, and before I knew it her head was out. The Dr. told me to relax....which is just about impossible by the way..and he suctioned her mouth and nose. Jeff said that she started crying then. I pushed one more time and out she came. They plopped her on my belly and she was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. People are right, the pain is forgotten as soon as you see your baby.

Now, almost a month later I still can't believe that our little girl is here and that I made it through childbirth. Jeff and I are so blessed and even though she makes us work harder than we ever thought we would, she's worth it.

What's This? Two in One Week?!

As my due date is fast approaching I’ve started thinking about the things I’m going to miss. Don’t misunderstand me, I can’t wait to meet this baby and give my bladder some relief, but there are also things about this pregnancy that I have enjoyed so much.

First, the anticipation. It started with what will it be a boy or a girl, and has evolved into daydreams of her first real smile, her first words and her first steps. And for now, it’s just anticipating her arrival. I filled out my FMLA paperwork for work today, and I couldn’t complete all of it because we don’t know her birthday yet!

I’ll miss feeling her inside me. It’s irritating to try to sleep through her hiccups at two in the morning, but I have loved watching my belly roll and twitch while she tries to find a comfy position to get into. Especially those first few times when I was the only one who could tell it was her. It was like we already had a secret between the two of us.

And, as crazy as it sounds, I’ll miss the belly! I know I’ve complained about it getting in the way, but that’s usually only at night when I’m trying to sleep. I’ve enjoyed being able to wear clingy clothes and have them look okay because my belly is supposed to fill it out. And I’ve found lately that it makes for a great shelf when needed. :)

I know it’s silly, starting to become nostalgic even though I’m still pregnant. I just know that my time is almost up and I’m trying to appreciate every moment of it because who knows how many more chances I’ll have to experience this again?

Two Weeks Left...Oh My!

We only have two weeks left until my estimated due date and things are starting to come together. Jeff has been working on putting together all of her furniture. We actually just received her changing table last night, and he spent two hours putting it together. I picked out some curtains, and my mom helped me hem them.

I didn’t set out to do this…but her room is pink as a princess’s. When I initially started looking at nursery themes I couldn’t find anything I liked, but I knew I didn’t want anything too pink. I found some cute bedding with polka dots and touches of pink. So, what did I accent it with? Pink! Her curtains are pink and white, the cover on the changing table is pink…you get the picture. Well, it was nighttime when we hung her curtains, and when I woke up in the morning, I noticed a pink glow coming from her room! Oh well, it’s still cute!

As far as how I’m feeling…I’m feeling good. I know I keep saying it, but really I don’t have much to complain about. I get up to use the bathroom a lot, and there are times where I feel very tired, and my hands and feet have started to swell. I still haven’t even felt any kicks to the ribs, which I’m surprised about because I have such a short torso. I guess she’s just a shorty one like her mommy.

My last day of work is the 15th, and our coworkers have decided to throw us a baby shower. I’m looking forward to it, because it’s always fun to get stuff for the baby, and there’ll be cake! I’m a little nervous about leaving work for so long, but I’m mostly excited. I can’t wait to spend that time at home getting my nest ready, and then spending time with the baby once she gets here.

So, that’s it for now. My next doctor appointment is Monday, and we’ll see if I’ve made any progress. I’m thinking that she’ll be late, simply because I don’t feel anywhere close to labor. But, hopefully, my next entry will be all about her birth story!

30 Days to Go!

I can't believe it! 30 days, give or take and this baby will be done cookin'!

I'm anxious and excited and feeling very unprepared. I haven't spent much time around newborns, not since Jesse and Sarah were little, and even then I didn't have much to do with midnight feedings and dirty diapers.

Everyone seems to love telling me to soak up the sleep now....and I keep wondering to myself 'what sleep?' Between the thoughts circling in my head at night, the 6-7 trips to the bathroom, the hip pain, and the fight I'm losing with my belly, when am I getting sleep? I don't mean to be a whiner, but jeez I am starting to get uncomfortable. I'm okay during the day. For the most part, things are quiet, I do make several trips to the bathroom, but it's the night time that I have started to dread. I can't seem to catch my breath because baby is pushing on my lungs, and I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like there's an elephant sitting on my chest because I'm lying on my back!

Christmas shopping this weekend was quite an adventure as well. Never mind the 8 million people that were driving crazy, or pushing through the crowds. I had to overcome bathroom trips, swift kicks or punches to my cervix, and that overall heavy feeling I get lately. I haven't gained much weight, but the way I'm caring, I feel like I've gained 50 lbs. I would walk past two or three stores at the mall and start to get winded. I keep telling Jeff that I don't know how the morbidly obese handle it. I can't wait to get this weight off of me or should I say out of me....just so I can function again.

And now for the good stuff....Jeff finished painting the nursery! It took a month, but it's finally done. We haven't put anything in there yet. I'm waiting until after the holidays to do that. I still want to steam clean the carpet, and that will take a little time for it to dry since it's too cold to open windows. This next pay day is dedicated to ordering curtains and other little odds and ends that will make her room complete. I'm looking forward to having it done, but since we got the bassinet put together, I don't feel like I'm totally unprepared. She won't be sleeping in her room for the first few weeks anyway, so even if I went into labor next week, it wouldn't be a big deal if her room isn't done.

And..we went to our birth class. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was long...and didn't really offer much more new information. It promoted 'natural' childbirth. I was disappointed that they didn't go into more detail about emergency c-sections or different pain relievers. I know that the whole point for the class is to teach you to cope without those things, but the reality is, not everyone will be able to handle the pain. I guess I just felt like they shouldn't push one idea and should at least try to cover the other 'what if's.'

So, now I'm just working on getting through Christmas. I know that sounds bad, but really it's just another milestone for me on my way to babyland. I really couldn't have cared less if we put the tree up or exchanged gifts. It sounds horrible, and my mom likes to tell me I wish my life away, but I just want to meet my little girl already! I'm done waiting!

7 Weeks and Counting....

Okay, I guess at 33 weeks, the time has come. I am definitely feeling pregnant these days. It’s still not as bad as all of the horror stories I’ve heard, but if I had a nickel for every time I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, I could retire at 25!

Last night has been the worst so far. I didn’t actually keep count, but I went to bed around 10:00p.m., and needed to visit the bathroom every 1-1.5 hours after that. Then while I’m stumbling to the bathroom with no lights on, I realize that I’m thirsty. So I get a drink of water, and before I know it, I’m rolling out of bed to do my business again. And to top it all off, the dog woke me up last night so I let her out, and she didn’t even go potty. She just stood there and ate grass. Needless to say, I was not in a stellar mood this morning and actually hit the snooze button instead of getting up at my regular time. Of course, that’s after I went to the bathroom when the alarm went off the first time….

I told Jeff last night that I’m starting to feel like a rollie pollie. I can’t actually sit up to get out of bed, I sort of do this half roll thing and grab onto the fitted sheet to pull myself up. Then, there’s trying to get off our couch. For some reason, my usual seat is the hardest one for me to wiggle out of. I’ve taken to sitting in the middle of the couch because I don’t feel so sunk in, which means less work trying to get up. Even then, I have to scoot to the edge of the seat and push up with my fists just to get up to…you guessed it….go pee!

Really though, I haven’t had much pain yet. I do feel like my ribs are starting to spread. They’re just sore most of the time. And this little girl seems to enjoy stretching, so it feels like she’s pushing on my bladder and making it impossible to breathe all at the same time. And, depending on how the baby sits, my right thigh has started going numb. It’s not painful, just a weird sensation. It doesn’t last long, especially if she shifts, but she must be pressing on something in there. I’m just glad it’s numb and not sciatica pain, which I’ve had before when I wasn’t pregnant and that’s no fun. I can’t imagine dealing with that on top of every other symptom pregnancy throws at you.

So, all in all I know I must me making progress and she must be getting bigger because I feel like there’s not much more room in there for her. We only have 7 weeks left until the estimated D-Day, and part of me feels like we’re no where close to being ready, while the other part of me just wants to get her out so I can cuddle her…and breathe again.

Time for an Update!

Sorry for the lack of updates, I’ve been super busy at work, and our computer at home has been taken down so we can work on the baby’s room. If you’ve been reading Jeff’s blog at all, you know that we’ve been traveling like crazy and having a great time. I guess we’re trying to get it all done before parenthood takes over and we find it difficult to do even the most mundane tasks.

Everything is going well in babyland. I’ll be 32 weeks tomorrow and I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was waving my positive pregnancy test in Jeff’s face and yelling “I’m pregnant!” I remember thinking at the time when I was just a measly 5 weeks along that January 20th was so far away. Now I’m in the single digit countdown and I’m starting to get both excited and anxious. I’ve found it hard to focus at work and I lose my train of thought a lot because I am so preoccupied with this little one. I’ve been starting to wonder if she’ll have a lot of hair like Jeff did when he was born, will she be dark like me, or have green eyes like her daddy? Will she be an easy going baby or will we be pacing the hallway with her the first few months? And the most important ones…will I be a good mommy? Will I be able to handle the pain of labor and delivery? All these things are floating around in my head and they seem to consume me at the most inopportune times, like when my boss asks me a question, or Jeff’s telling me a story about something that happened at work!

My shower was a little under two weeks ago and it was great. Sarah is a great party planner/thrower and it all turned out perfect. There were about 30-40 people there and tons of good food. The theme: pink and brown polka dots! The cake: from a little bakery in Chico called The Upper Crust. I was actually sad when I finished the last piece. But, it’s probably a good thing we can’t get cake like that in Susanville. I’d be as big as a barn by now!

The baby and I were showered with tons of gifts that day and now I’m just focusing on the little things that we need to stock up on. I haven’t even begun to go through everything because I still have nowhere to put it! It’s mostly my fault. I picked a paint color that I thought I would love, and it turns out I don’t like it so much. So we’re going with a clean white and now the hard part is just getting the both of us motivated to work on it. Jeff won’t let me help paint, so I’m feeling pretty helpless. I have to say though, I’m feeling the pressure. I’m just itching to get it all done so it’s one more thing I can mark off my list. My nightmares these days have been that I go into early labor and I don’t have a single thing washed or packed. I know it’s ridiculous, but I suppose it a first time mommy thing.

And there’s something that I’d like to address right here, on my blog. A comment was made, I don’t know by whom, because I didn’t personally hear it, but it was said and feelings were hurt. Admist all the gift giving, the impression that some people got was that my mom didn’t get us anything because they didn't see a wrapped gift from her. That’s a very wrong assumption. The entire time I was opening presents I was sitting in a rocker/glider that she bought for the nursery. Draped on the side of it was a baby blanket that she quilted for the baby, as well as a huge stuffed bunny that works as a pillow and an overnight bag. She’s also crocheting something that she won’t let me see, which is driving me crazy!

But, that day was not about who got the baby the most gifts. It was about celebrating a new little life. Jeff and I are thankful whenever someone thinks about our daughter and decides to give her a gift. It doesn't matter to us who got her what, because we aren't keeping score. We're just glad that our baby girl is lucky enough to have so many people who love her and are excited to meet her.