Just call me Mom

LABOR


Maybe I'm a wuss after all. I thought I had a really high pain tolerance...


So it all started with Pitocin and for 7.5 hours nothing happened! I was rocking out on a birthing ball and just waiting and waiting...one centimeter. So finally they decide to break my water. Ok, I heard in the past that it felt "a little uncomfortable". Rrrrrright. KILLED!


But soon after the contractions came on STRONG. Ok, so my sister was in labor at the same time and she was a four and not feeling anything. I got to a three and WANTED TO DIE! Am I pathetic or was it the extra strong contractions from Pitocin? They actually turned it down TWICE because they said my contractions were off the charts. Lovely. Thanks guys.


So I was in agony for a few hours and then the epidural came. Sweet nectar of the Gods. That's all I have to say about that :)


As for pushing...the nurse kept telling me to push harder and not from my head (which was turning purple). Well, guess what? I was pushing so hard I was ALSO throwing up. Imagine the fun. So I'd push and then turn my head to the side and throw up. I can't imagine pushing any harder than I was. I mean, seriously.


They had a mirror up so I could see everything which was actually incredible. They thought it would help motivate me. Well, so much for that nurse...I pushed a 9 pounder 1 ouncer out in 45 minutes. Then it was all over. I'm a little sad that I couldn't quite grasp the intensity of the final moments because I was so nauseated but at the same time, I'll never forget it. Kris had a camera in one hand and a video camera in the other. Hahaha. So I have those first moments captured forever. I used to think those alien-squished hospital pics were gross but seeing my son's very first breath of life captured forever? Majestic.


When he opened his big, beautiful eyes it seriously took my breath away.

P.S. The past few days have been...how can I even describe this? Some moments so tender and sacred they are for my journal and my husband only. Some moments so frustrating and scary and overwhelming it seems like every day is an eternity. One week ago today, it all began. I'm just trying to take in a day at a time.

P.P.S. LOVE my son and LOVE my husband...more than ever.

He's OUT! Look how proud dad is...

Go to www.Burntexposureblog.com to see Kris' pictures

End in Sight

Hahaha. It's just funny. My fashionably late little darling still doesn't want to come out so we're going to have to negotiate a little more strongly.

Looks like we'll have an induction Monday (possibly tomorrow but not likely). Hopefully he'll decide to just come out of his own volition in the next few days.

In the meantime, my cute mom is here to help with the baby and since no baby we've been having fun! Kris, Mom, and I have been reupholstering a rocking chair, making a valence for the baby's room, making pillows, quilts, homemade apple pie, tarts, painting furniture, going for walks - etc etc etc. It's been really fun.

We've also been trying all sorts of natural inducers. How much pineapple can a person eat???

The end is in sight. But since I'm not dialted, inducing might lead to a c section. Ah life. So if you get a chance, say a little prayer for us :)

P.S. And how could I forget? Spying on the neighbors. Yes, I admit - so our little house is across the street from the ex-wfe of the drummer of Korn. Her new boyfriend is pro surfer, Josh Mohr (who is also making a debut album? http://www.joshmohr.com/).

Yesterday they were having a photoshoot in front of their house with their beach cruisers (bikes) and we watched...shamelessly...with binoculars... We should probably be decent neighbors and go introduce ourselves. I'm sure we will after the baby comes.

She's stunning really.

Another week

Dr. appointment a few minutes ago. He said we could induce this week. We are hesitating.

Soooo we made another Dr. appointment for next Tuesday and in the meantime I go to "fetal diagnostics" twice a week to make sure everything is good in there. Next one is in half an hour.

So, it looks like it might be another week unless we feel compelled to push forward then it could be any day we want really. We will letcha know!!

Oh, and ZERO dilation still. The thought is that the due date was off. I have nothing witty, funny, or interesting to say. Just trucking along.

I knew it

It was an alien after all.



Ok, ok :) So I went in for all the tests. Apparently he's happy as a clam in there, has plenty of space, is getting chubby, and could stay there just like this for another week. Lovely.

Tuesday the Dr. will talk to me about inducing if there still isn't a baby. I figure he'll come when he comes. Many first time moms who induce, Dr says, end up with a c-section. So, I'm just being chill for now. We'll see how it goes on Tuesday.

As I had no idea I was pregnant for about 2.5 months, I think there's a good chance the due date was a bit off :) Ah well. The monitor showed me having regular contractions so that's good. I just don't feel any of them yet - also good :)

P.S. Oh and they say they can't tell how large he is but say my stomach is too small right now to fit a huge baby - whatever.

The Plan

Nope, no baby.

I've been reading up and apparently 50% of new babies are late. So whaddya know? I get to be one of the lucky ones :) I guess it's good in a way, makes us more and more excited.

So the plan is...today I go to the hospital for stress tests and amniotic fluid tests. I think I get an ultrasound for this which is nice because I'd love to know how large this child is. My sisters have had REALLY big babies - yes, 9,10, and 11 pounders so...

All in all, besides intermittent but major grumpiness, I'm doing well. Having the baby today on Friday the 13th or tomorrow on Valentine's Day would be...interesting. I guess if today, we will name him Freddie. If tomorrow, we will name him Casanova.

Negotiation

So Kris has been trying to negotiate with the baby, being that we are now 1 day past our due date.

Apparently the baby has no interest in extravagant gifts.

Campin'

Well, tomorrow is my "official" due date. Seems like this cute little guy is just campin' out. No progress. No dilation, nothing :) Ah well, he likes to camp like his Dad, I guess. Not a bad little tent he has and I've been eating all kinds of fun things so I hope he's enjoying it in there :)

As for me, I am surviving. Kris is fun and I can tell he's getting anxious. Yesterday he came home early from work and suprised me with clues hidden around the house and park. A little scavenger hunt that ended with two huge boxes of diapers for the baby and him hiding in the closet. It was hilarious and scared the crap out of me.

And even though I'm starting to get puffy now - oh yes, ankles and face and everything, he still manages to make me feel beautiful. Amazing, considering my state.

In those rare moments when he "messes up" I am quick to remind him of the beauty of my fatness, crankiness and puffiness :)

P.S. Who says you can't have fun at the VERY bitter end? Haha. This is me, warming up for my next shot. Ping pong and yea, he killed me. All four games.

Cathy Scores a Point! Click Here

MOVED

So, I have a good excuse for the lack of posting. Last Sunday we decided around 10 pm to move. Ha! I won't bore you with details but let's just say we have been praying for so long to figure out the whole housing thing and an amazing opp fell in our laps. So now instead of being in a TINY TINY one bedroom apartment three blocks from the beach, we are in an ADORABLE HOUSE with a yard and tons of windows all around it across the street from a park only FIVE blocks from the beach. I keep pinching myself. Ah prayers... :)

The negative: Moving when you are a week away from your due date. Let me tell you, bending down to pick ANYTHING up at this stage is NOT fun. Try doing it like 500 times every day for a week while you are getting your house in order. AWESOME.

The positive: Too many things to list. I'm in heaven. So I will just tell you one thing. A DISHWASHER. After washing dishes by hand for the past year (and I DESPISE it) you can't imagine my joy. You just can't.

I am happy.

P.S. As far as baby stuff? Well, I have another dr appointment tomorrow but so far ZERO dilation and no contractions or anything. I'm guessing a Feb 9th full moon baby. Any other guesses?