Emma Jean's birth story

Well, last night I blogged all about how I couldn't sleep and tonight i have the best reason for no sleep!! She is here!!

Last night, I was timing contractions until they stopped near bedtime. I decided to sleep on the couch and not interupt Chris's sleep in the bed. At 5:00 am, I was awoken with a killer contraction it took my breath away and made me wonder if this was it! I tried to go back to sleep, but Jesse was stirring at 5:30am and then we were up at 6am.

The contractions continued through breakfast so I called the OBs office. They had me come in for a labor check and found I was still only a 1.5 like 2 weeks ago. Feeling very uncomfortable at this point and annoyed with the contractions that might not be "active" labor I was sent home.  I had my Monday's csection pre-op scheduled for that afternoon so my OB wanted to check me again at the hospital if the contractions continued.  

I left the OBs office at 10am and headed home to rest and make the boys lunch before school pick up. Contractions seemed to get worse the more I rested and relaxed, but I was on the go between dr office, play school and home. By this point I was starving, but had been instructed not to eat "just in case" we would have our baby via csection that afternoon. I just knew I was going to fast for a no-go csection and not have a baby!  

At Noon, I picked up my little men and all their valentines from their parties! We headed home to wait for I-me to come babysit. I ran out the door no bags or car seat and said "feed the boys whatever if we end up having the baby today".

1:30: I was sitting in the pre-op paperwork office and mentioned i might be in labor and my OB wanted to check me.  They rounded up my OB, admitted me (all I could think about was money).  Finally, I was called back and she checked me and so I could be checked and I was at a 3 a THREE!! 

It was then go time and man they started hustling. First call to daddy to come join me then to family members that were out of town so they could get on their way!! It was a crazy mad house! My mom didn't answer the phone so I texted her "come!"

Nurses in and out, anasteologist (sp?), blood work drawn, OB was in and out and all the while i was hoping Chris would make it on time!  One nurse poked me 3 times to get the IV in where she wanted it and to work properly it wasn't in place in time so the lab tech had to just draw from the inner elbow I began to feel like a pin cushion. I signed a lot of papers and loved hearing her heartbeat the whole time knowing she was being monitored and was healthy inside still!

Off to the OR we went several hospital staff kept asking where daddy was and i said on his way. 

Quick selfie for the nervous mommy!

Then they made me actually wal into the OR and they sat me on the table. A wonderful nurse distracted me from the spinal block and all of a sudden I was on my back and waiting for Chris.   

Finally, Chris joined me and we were having a baby!!! It was a surreal experience 5 years and one day from Owen's csection we were having our last baby with the same doctor and in the same operating room! 

Next, was a blur it seemed to take forever. I heard them tell me that they were sucking out her sack of water and then a lot of wiggling and she was out.  Time stood still till she cried and then she didn't stop crying! 

They let me see her and then took her and daddy to the next room to clean her up and get a quick weight check! 9 pounds 2.7 ounces 20.5 inches(I think!).  

Much quicker than with Owen my baby was back to me. She looked just like the boys to me, but so different. She looked like one of my babies! The nurses helped us do skin to skin and while I held her head daddy held her back and we stare at the screaming crying baby we made!

I was sad when my neck began to hurt and I couldnt keep looking at her and decided to let them swaddle her and daddy got some snuggles. She had the funniest tin foil hat on her head (to keep the warmth in). 

I remembered to ask that they tie my tubes and a nurse walked over with a folded clothe with my tubes on it...do you want to see it? Ummm no thanks because my abdomin is wide open!! 

Finally!! Off to recovery and my arms were filled with our new bundle of joy. 

I had a great nurse that even though it took 3 tries moved my IV from my wrist where it was poking me to a less annoying location. 

Friends and family were anxiously awaiting to hear an update but we were not allowed to use our phones except to take a few photos. 

Recovery was much like i remembered except that Chris and my new baby were with me the whole time! I began to get itchy and later my face peeled from the scratching! 

I was allowed to hold her as they finally took us up to our room for the next two nights. 

I immediately asked my OB when we could go home and every nurse shift spoke with them to request we could leave ASAP. 

I hate I waited 3 weeks to finish this post as I have forgotten so much already.  But the first night was filled with tons of nurse visits, pain Meds, weight checks for Emma Jean and blood pressure/vital checks for me. The second night was much more calm. I had requested the catheter removed, my IV was removed so was feeling much more human without all the cords attached to me! We even got a little sleep. It was a special even just the 3 of us. Daddy and mommy getting to know their new little girl. 

But we were ready to go home and be with our family of 5!! 

Sleeping

The age old advice: sleep before the baby gets here. All well and great if you dont have to pee every twenty minutes or can find a comfortable position. 

For the record, so I don't forget this miserable time this has been my new sleeping routine.  Try and go to sleep in my own bed. One of 2 things happens. 1 like tonight I pass out for 30min to an hour before waking up from an incredible nap could be complete with drool on my pillow! Then usually I am hungry and have to pee. 2 is I toss and turn till I decide the couch sounds more appealing and give up. 

Then comes the recent midnight-2am snack and quiet reflection time. Ops i mean eat a bowl of Cheerios and read a vampire book or play on Facebook. 

Finally, when I feel sleepy again i remove all the back pillows and then pile pillows in front of me and try and sleep.  Couch sleeping wouldn't be so bad except the rolling over isn't rolling but sitting up moving all the pillows to the other side so that my back can stay against the back of the couch. Usually, a trip to pee and a contraction happens when i sit up this last month. 

Dont forget that we usually throw in a good 20 minutes of my legs having restlessness and can't be still.  That my right shoulder blade burns, tingles, itches and down right hurts if I am not laying on it correctly with the right amount of support or if my arm isn't supported if I am laying on my left side. 

I am thankful that the couple week period of time where laying on my right side made the whole right side of my thigh go numb. At least that part is over. 

Tomorrow my 4 year old turns 5 and as he would say "4 more sleeps till" Emma Jean's birthday and scheduled csection!! I can do this 4 more nights....right? 

Emma Jean: 37 weeks

Ok. So I guess you are not taking after your brothers and coming a week earlier aka today.  Owen was 39 weeks and Jesse was 38 weeks on the dot from their due dates....Dang! Though I do think you need to cook a little longer. 

We had Owen's 5th birthday party yesterday, yes a couple weeks early, but I wanted to be there and not anymore uncomfortable.  

I. Am. Huge!

Emma Jean: 36 weeks

We have been sick, Jesse's nose is running and he has a drainage cough, Owen got a random 12 hour fever and then mommy and daddy both got a sinus infection that is still lingering around in our noses and chests 6 days later. Then the weather decided to snow us in!  Actually, being that we all were kinda sick it hasn't been bad. Chris looked at me and asked if it was weird that he didn't have cabin fever! Nope! I love being home with my family! Plus we have done a ton of stuff around the house! 

My list of 42 items to do before our sweet girl arrives is down to 11!

The nursery! So close! 90% done! Still need to print pictures for frames, steam curtains, rewire lamps, switch out can light bulbs and the switch and a few other little things! 

Hospital bags have been started!! Emma Jean's diaper bag is ready to go! I am currently washing all my nursing stuff so that I can pack those items into the suitcase! Restocked my toiletry bag and I have a list of last minute items to grab-just need to print it out in case Chris is the one doing the grabbing!

Worked on my closet today. After several pregnancies, I can guess what maternity clothes I do and do not like after giving birth. So, I began packing those up for hopefully a sister or two at some point!! I plan to store a lot at my mom's farm in the guest house! There is even a bin of boy clothes! 

I really need to work on the stuff that is sitting all around the house. I cleaned out the 2 kids rooms (weird to not say "boys rooms") and there is random stuff that needs to go to a bunch of different places. 

The built in is COVERED in junk-Work stuff, kid stuff, just stuff. I need less in my life right now! 

Emma Jean: 35 weeks.

Well, girlie it's the home stretch! Daddy looked at me this week and told me to start packing the hospital bag and today volunteered to pick up groceries and encouraged me to focus on some freezer meals for after your arrival! 

I already have 5 in the freezer, but plan to make a bunch more this week!! I am currently browning some beef and chicken is in the crock pot for shredding later! 

Your nursery is a mess and yet it's so close to being done! I finished sewing my list of items yesterday and then ordered a few things we needed and they will be delivered tomorrow!

I am waiting on some IKEA crib parts in the mail, they better be here this week! Daddy is picking up nails, screws, anchors and lamp parts so we can hang the wall items and curtains.  He is, also, going to rewire my antique lamps from when I was a girl.  

The new shades are purchased and if only we had more time in the days it would be done! 

Daddy found the baby bathtub from the mess we call the basement! I need to wash it so it will be clean for your first bath! I am still needing some of your brothers things and I think they are in one of the buildings out back. Hopefully, this week if it dries out a little we will walk back there and find them. Then, I need to wash everything and put it back and I can officially call it that we are ready for you to come!  

But, no worries little sweetie if you come now we are ready enough!

 

The bassinet and car seat are freshly washed and waiting for you!! Your brothers helped try them out and we are good to go! 

Your Ime (grandmommy on daddy's side) has your coming home outfit ready too!  

35 weeks makes me wonder if you will be here in 3 weeks like your middle brother or in 4 like your oldest or will you continue the trend and come even earlier!! 

No belly picture today I am in Jammies and no make up.  

33 weeks: Emma Jean

Well, time for another brain dump. I mean update! 

Nursery: this is the top priority in my mind right now. Chris is working soooo hard to make it happen.  This week and weekend he with a little help has: added can lights, mudded and sanded the ceiling twice and walls once, primed the ceiling and walls, painted all the trim and doors white again, painted the ceiling twice and 2 coats of PINK paint on the walls.  

Picture dump: 

Lots of furniture to move out!

Love my handy husband!

And helper Boy!

This one just wanted to play on the ladder....

Lots of spots needed attention...overkill? Maybe not for his baby girl!!

Paint color was selected and purchased in hopes of pink on the walls. 

Primed ceiling and walls. 

A happy and tired man starting pink. 

First coat done!

Second coat done! 

Don't ask how I am feeling because I am going to open up the flood gates. There are more complaints than anything these days.  Please skip this paragraph because this is just for my reference: she feels so low I think she (and my insides) may fall out, constantly need to pee (7 times last night), it's hard to roll over, my lower back slipped out of place for 2 days and thankfully was able to twist it back into place and feel better after a day, my right shoulder gets tingling and sore, I have Braxton hicks all through the day and a lot at night-they sometimes take my breath away and they send a pressure feeling to my head, my feet are swelling and my rings are starting to get tight. The past few days have been very rainy and I am hoping it is the pressure, but I am having borderline migraine  headaches. Ok I will stop whining because this precious baby girl is kicking my cervix again and though it hurts it means she is growing and hopefully we are 5 weeks till we meet her!  

As my husband said...I am huge. 33 weeks. 

Emma Jean: 28 weeks

This is a new view for me.

Exercise in the 3rd trimester!! Yes I said it. Exercise and we have entered the home stretch. 10-12 weeks still seems so far away and she better not plan on coming after 40 weeks or be prepared to be cut out! Thankfully, my OB seems very on board for letting us decide what we need near the end. Pending the next ultrasounds results. We have an ultrasound on the 15th to check my placenta and baby girls size. Placenta needs to be out of the way completely and since I have gestational diabetes I don't want to push out a huge baby and we all remember my boys were big!

28 weeks: 

Belly button has popped, Jesse tells me daily how big my belly is, Owen is so ready for sissy and wants her here NOW, I am with him! If she could be here now and healthy I am ready! Ok, nursery and stuff isn't ready, but it could be quickly if needed. I am up 25 pounds and holding steady with my new diet. Low carb no sugar. This will be fun over the holidays....but totally worth it for a healthy baby!