She's here!!!

Charlotte Grace has finally arrived.   Born all natural at 4:28am 7lbs 8oz and 21"long.  (bigger than her brother)

I lost my mucus plug Friday morning and was having random contractions all day Friday and Saturday.  I was so sure she was coming Saturday.  When the day had passed and it was time to go to bed I was feeling a bit discouraged.  I was getting frustrated with the painful contractions not leading any where.  A little after midnight I started having more painful contractions, not at all following a pattern.  And then I felt the need to sit on the toilet and go to the bathroom, when I realized I didn't want to go to the bathroom, I wanted to push out a baby!  I called the on call nurse to get her opinion and see if maybe they recommended coming in and potentially have pit to regulate the contractions.  Even though I knew I wanted a natural birth.   When I said I wasnt having regular contractions but that I wanted to push she immediately said I had to call 911 and get an ambulance to the hospital.  Well I decided that was not necessary and I still had not woken my husband.  The on call nurse told me to wake him up and get to the hospital ASAP.  I woke up DH and DS and took DS to the neighbor's.  We drove as fast as legally possible to the hospital and my contractions started coming every three minutes.  We get in the hospital and checked in at 3:25.  I called Jackie and the photographer and let them know I was admitted and to come to the hospital (neither of them made it for the birth as it happened so fast). I was 5cm.  At 3:45 my water broke.  I was 7cm.  I told the nurse I needed to push.  I worked through contractions that came one after another and cried for a break.  I followed what my body was telling me and started pushing.  After a couple pushes they made me get on the bed so the baby wouldnt fall on the floor.  My husband saw the head and kinda panicked because the nurses were not ready.  Two pushes later the midwife was telling me to reach down and grab my baby, she was here.  She came so fast the midwife didn't even have the chance to put gloves on.  

Everything is going well.  We are back at home.   Charlotte is nursing like a champ.  I feel amazing.  I do not even feel like I just gave birth, minus some cramps when I nurse, but nothing worse than a moderate period.  DS is so excited   that his sister is finally here.  We could not be happier!

Still waiting

We have passed our due date.  As of my check up on Wednesday there was not much progress and there were no signs of labor being eminent.  However, I don't want to jynx myself, but I feel as though labor is soon.   I have had an increase in pressure as baby has dropped a bit.  However, no regular contractions.  :(  Which is okay, today and tomorrow are not necessarily the most convenient days for baby's arrival.  I still have a bit of school work to do, my friend wouldn't be able to make it to the birth today, and the photographer wont be able to make it tomorrow.  While waiting I did get some more decorating done in Charlotte's nursery.

Still no baby

I am eight days away from my due date and honestly my body feels more like the due date is a month away.  I had my 39 week check up today and not much going on.  As I had thought.  The midwife thinks it still might be another two weeks.  Obviously there is no real way to know when she will come, but I don't see it happening before my due date. In the mean time I am getting school work completed and focusing on Owen.   We are in no rush to see baby, she can come when she is good and ready.  <3


While we wait, here are some photos from our maternity shoot.   Enjoy.  :)

38 Weeks

We made it to 38 weeks!  I am getting so excited to meet this baby already.  Owen is also.  He has asked why she is in my belly and when he can hold her.  He talks to my belly and tells his sister he loves her.  He talks about his baby sister constantly.  I know he is going to be a great big brother and I am so excited to see how they interact together.

At my appointment with my midwife yesterday Charlotte's heartbeat was 142 bpm.  I did not have my midwife check my cervix for several reasons.  One, I do not want to introduce bacteria or anything into my body if it is not necessary.  Secondly, I do not feel like my body is ready for labor.  I do not feel like labor is coming any time soon.  Also, even if she did check me, it is not an indication whether or not labor is eminent or not.  With Owen I was dilated for three weeks before going into labor.   I still have two weeks until my due date, and four weeks before she gets her official eviction notice.   While I am so ready to meet my daughter and see the interaction between her and Owen, I want her to come in her own time.  I am not going to rush her.  Although doing some yoga, walking the stairs, chiropractic care, and bouncing on the yoga ball wont hurt, right?

Week 36

We are now at 36 weeks!!!   This past Sunday I started having contractions.  This was a huge wake up call for me.  I have her clothes and diapers washed and ready, but I didn't even pull out the equipment.  So, over the past few days I pulled out the pack and play, the car seat, and swing.  I washed it all and have it all set up, and the car seat installed into the car.  I have my birth plan printed up and my hospital bag just about ready to go.

At my midwife appointment yesterday I had the Group B Strep Test and I also asked for an internal exam.   Things are starting to progress!  I know that it doesn't mean a thing, with Owen I was 3cm for a couple weeks, but it is a step in the right direction.   In addition to going to the chiropractor, I have also been doing some yoga in hopes that it will help my body when it comes time for labor.

Last week I was supposed to have maternity photos done but got rained out.  Hopefully we can get them done this weekend (although it is calling for rain, again).  We are so close to seeing our baby girl, less than a month!  Cannot wait to meet her.  In the mean time I have been trying to get in some good quality time with Owen before she arrives.  His birthday is also quickly approaching so we have been looking for ideas for presents.  We are just going to get a couple cupcakes and have a private family celebration.

Where is my baby boy??

Owen is almost 3!?!?  In one month and ten days, Owen will be three.  I cannot believe that it has been three  years.  This time three years ago I was rocking in his nursery thinking about what he would be like, who he would look like, and how much I could not wait to see him.  I now find myself thinking the same about this baby.  The past week Martin was home and Owen wanted to spend most of his time with him.  The only time Owen needed me was to change diapers and kiss his booboos.  But this gave me the chance to sit back and just observe him.  I am amazed at how well he is learning.  He can sing his abc's and count as well as recognize numbers.  He knows many colors and is doing great with shapes.  Besides still wearing diapers, all of the baby is gone.  It makes me sad, but it also makes me proud to see how smart he is.  He is becoming more and more independent and wants to do everything on his own.  He insists on picking his own clothes out, choosing what color diaper to wear.  He sits at the table in his own chair and eats with the regular utensils.  Our first swimming trip this season he did amazing.  He is completely fearless in the water.  

Week 33

The last couple of weeks I have been having horrible pain in my hips and lower back.  One day I was laying down and tried lifting my right leg, it was so painful it brought tears to my eyes.  Not a good sign.  I have had problems with my neck and lower back for almost eight years now.  I do not remember what brought it on, but I started seeing a chiropractor in 2008.  I stopped going after a while because it was getting expensive and I was feeling better.  After I had Owen I started having problems with my hips.  I have read that seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy is beneficial and can actually help with labor and delivery, not to mention ease back pain in the last few weeks.  I asked around a bit and found a chiropractor.  Best part is, they accept my insurance and what I have to pay out of pocket is super cheap!   My first appointment the doctor noticed swelling in my lower back.  My range of motion in my legs were not as much as they should be, my legs were not straight.  I also had almost no reaction from my Achilles tendon when he checked my reflexes.  Things were worse than I thought.  But I have been going for two weeks now and already feel so much better.  In addition, my frank breech baby is now head down!  She also is not hanging out under my ribs.  After the second appointment at the chiropractor I felt a difference in her movements.  I knew she had flipped.  I am wondering if the misalignment of my spine and hips were what caused her to be up so high and head up.  No medical evidence to support this, but hey it is possible.  I am so glad to not be in so much pain and hope going to the chiropractor really will help with labor and delivery.

I had another check-up with the midwife today.  Baby Girl's heartbeat is at 140 and my fundal height is measuring 33 weeks (although I really do not think the measurements are an accurate way to determine growth).   I am still under my pre-pregnancy weight, only gaining two pounds since my last check up.  I have another check up at 36 weeks, at which point I will have my group B strep test done.  After that I will be going weekly.  Some days I am amazed how fast this pregnancy is going, and then others I feel like this pregnancy will never be over.   I am pretty sure my "morning" sickness is back, as the last four days I have been sick.

I am slowly getting Charlotte's room ready for her.  Last week I organized all of her clothes, filled the dresser, and straightened up her closet.  Yesterday I bought bins for her changing table and got all of the cloth diapers and accessories organized.  I still want to paint her room and I need to pull out the car seat, swing, and the pack and play.  In under nine weeks I will have a baby girl!!!   It is so close.