Little Alex is just over a week old and I think he's going to eat me out of body and home! I'm nursing, so I have no clue how much he's actually getting, but he eats every 2 hours when he's asleep and every HOUR when he's awake! He lost the customary body weight and was 6lbs 4oz last Friday. We go back tomorrow to see how much of it he's gained back. I swear I wouldn't be surprised if this kid isn't 7lbs by now.
He really is an amazing baby. Words can't express how blessed I feel to have my children.
I think I'm gonna shut this blog down now. It was all about documenting my pregnancy with Alexander, and that pregnancy has ended. I'm going to go back to my original blog, A Buncha Randomness and continue blogging there. I wish I had been into blogging when I was preggers with Gabrielle so she'd have one to look back on someday.
So please feel free to start (or continue) reading my other blog. I'm sure I'll have more crap to say.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Week 38 Update - D(elivery) Day!
This blog post is rated "M" for Mature. It contains subject matter relating to the...well, the birth of my son! It's not gory or anything, but reader discretion is advised.
Since I was still pregnant, we had our 8:00am ultrasound and our 8:50am appointment scheduled. Seeing as how my maternity leave started the day before, I was kind of dreading getting up that early. I figured it was a day like any other, but Kenny was making preparations as if we were having a baby that day. The bag was in the car, a bag was packed for Brie, and all other arrangements were made. Well, except for the two teenage girls we had sleeping on our futon...but that's another story. Besides, they're pretty self-sufficient.
Kenny dropped me off for the ultrasound so he could get Brie squared away at Mie-Mie's. The tech took all of the measurements and said that Baby Alex was measuring at 6lbs 13oz, but the doc would want to talk with me because my amniotic fluid was low. Kenny was back and in the waiting room by them, so I texed him to come back to the ultrasound room.
A few minutes later the doc came in and said "Guess what you're doing today?" to which I replied "Um...having a baby?". I was right on the money. She had already contacted my doctor with the results and they both agreed that I should skip the 8:50 appointment altogether and go right over to the hospital. So, off we went. Good thing my Mom had Brie and her carseat...we were having a baby after all!
We got over to OB Triage and I got all hooked up. I was very comfortable with the whole situation. If you've been keeping track, going into labor freaked me out most of all. I'd never "gone into labor" on my own, so I had no idea what to look for or expect. The one time I thought I was in labor with this little one it stopped after a few hours. I was very familiar with being induced in a hospital so I was well prepared. They checked me out and I was 3.5 cm dilated.
Around 10am I noticed that I was having contractions. At 10:34 I decide to time them, just for the heck of it. Turns out they were 8 minutes apart! They continued and we were taken up to labor and delivery about an hour later, room 10. Brie was born in room 9, so the fact that we were right next door was comforting. I was still having contractions and I asked my nurse Stacey if I was in labor. She said "if your cervix is changing then you're in labor." Dr. Swarup came in to check on me and said that he recommended induction because of my low fluid level, but I still had the final decision. For me it wasn't even an option. I was there to have a baby, so let's have a baby! He checked me out and I was 5cm dilated! He broke my water and said that if I hadn't progressed any further in a couple of hours they'd start the Petocin to progress labor. He also said I could have my epidural at any time. Kenny was off getting my glasses and something to eat, so I wanted to wait for him. The doc then told me that by the time the IV fluid was in me I'd probably want the epidural, so I told him to go ahead and call the anesthesiologist. I then called Kenny and told him he could head back at any time!
By the time Kenny got back the bag of fluid was in and the anesthesiologist was on his way. The contractions were bad at this point and I realized I needed him to get through them. I had a couple while he was away and what focal point did I use? THE CLOCK. BAD IDEA. Contractions last about a minute and they hurt like hell, so the last thing I should've been staring at was a clock.
I got my epidural and was feeling MUCH better. About an hour later Stacey checked me again and I was close to 7cm. Guess I wouldn't need Petocin after all. I hopped on Facebook for a few minutes and waited. I was having some pressure, but no pain. At around 2:15 I got off of the computer so I could take a nap. Kenny reminded me of all of the strength I was about to need.
Around 2:30 I started to feel pain in my left butt cheek. It wasn't pressure, but pain. I had a little blue button I could press if I wanted more epidural drugs, so I pressed it. The pain was not only happening with the contractions, but lingering after. I felt like a baby calling the nurse, but Kenny said to do it anyway. Stacey came in to check me and just started to laugh. She pressed to the left and said "Is that where your pain is?" to which I replied yes. She said "that's 'cause that's baby's head. You're complete. It's showtime."
WHAT!?! SHOWTIME?!?!? What are you talking about? It's 2:30! I've only been in this room for three hours!! It's isn't time yet?? Is it time? OMG, IT'S TIME!!
Stacey proceeds to break down the bed and call the doc. She said that she wanted to do a 'test push' to see where I was. Kenny and I told her about my last birth and how when the nurse asked for a 'test push' she yelled for me to stop because otherwise the doc would miss the delivery! She then decided against the test push.
The doc came in and I was moved into position. To me it felt like everyone around me was moving in slow motion, so finally I said "Um, I'm not actually doing anything, but I feel like he's coming out on his own...what's going on?" Sure enough, he was doing just that. The doc told me to push. I pushed for one contraction and my little Alexander was brought into this world. I cried, Kenny was excited and Alex wailed on cue. It was the third happiest day of my life.
The best part? The nurse calling from my doctor's office to find out why I'd missed that morning's appointment! LOL.
Since I was still pregnant, we had our 8:00am ultrasound and our 8:50am appointment scheduled. Seeing as how my maternity leave started the day before, I was kind of dreading getting up that early. I figured it was a day like any other, but Kenny was making preparations as if we were having a baby that day. The bag was in the car, a bag was packed for Brie, and all other arrangements were made. Well, except for the two teenage girls we had sleeping on our futon...but that's another story. Besides, they're pretty self-sufficient.
Kenny dropped me off for the ultrasound so he could get Brie squared away at Mie-Mie's. The tech took all of the measurements and said that Baby Alex was measuring at 6lbs 13oz, but the doc would want to talk with me because my amniotic fluid was low. Kenny was back and in the waiting room by them, so I texed him to come back to the ultrasound room.
A few minutes later the doc came in and said "Guess what you're doing today?" to which I replied "Um...having a baby?". I was right on the money. She had already contacted my doctor with the results and they both agreed that I should skip the 8:50 appointment altogether and go right over to the hospital. So, off we went. Good thing my Mom had Brie and her carseat...we were having a baby after all!
We got over to OB Triage and I got all hooked up. I was very comfortable with the whole situation. If you've been keeping track, going into labor freaked me out most of all. I'd never "gone into labor" on my own, so I had no idea what to look for or expect. The one time I thought I was in labor with this little one it stopped after a few hours. I was very familiar with being induced in a hospital so I was well prepared. They checked me out and I was 3.5 cm dilated.
Around 10am I noticed that I was having contractions. At 10:34 I decide to time them, just for the heck of it. Turns out they were 8 minutes apart! They continued and we were taken up to labor and delivery about an hour later, room 10. Brie was born in room 9, so the fact that we were right next door was comforting. I was still having contractions and I asked my nurse Stacey if I was in labor. She said "if your cervix is changing then you're in labor." Dr. Swarup came in to check on me and said that he recommended induction because of my low fluid level, but I still had the final decision. For me it wasn't even an option. I was there to have a baby, so let's have a baby! He checked me out and I was 5cm dilated! He broke my water and said that if I hadn't progressed any further in a couple of hours they'd start the Petocin to progress labor. He also said I could have my epidural at any time. Kenny was off getting my glasses and something to eat, so I wanted to wait for him. The doc then told me that by the time the IV fluid was in me I'd probably want the epidural, so I told him to go ahead and call the anesthesiologist. I then called Kenny and told him he could head back at any time!
By the time Kenny got back the bag of fluid was in and the anesthesiologist was on his way. The contractions were bad at this point and I realized I needed him to get through them. I had a couple while he was away and what focal point did I use? THE CLOCK. BAD IDEA. Contractions last about a minute and they hurt like hell, so the last thing I should've been staring at was a clock.
I got my epidural and was feeling MUCH better. About an hour later Stacey checked me again and I was close to 7cm. Guess I wouldn't need Petocin after all. I hopped on Facebook for a few minutes and waited. I was having some pressure, but no pain. At around 2:15 I got off of the computer so I could take a nap. Kenny reminded me of all of the strength I was about to need.
Around 2:30 I started to feel pain in my left butt cheek. It wasn't pressure, but pain. I had a little blue button I could press if I wanted more epidural drugs, so I pressed it. The pain was not only happening with the contractions, but lingering after. I felt like a baby calling the nurse, but Kenny said to do it anyway. Stacey came in to check me and just started to laugh. She pressed to the left and said "Is that where your pain is?" to which I replied yes. She said "that's 'cause that's baby's head. You're complete. It's showtime."
WHAT!?! SHOWTIME?!?!? What are you talking about? It's 2:30! I've only been in this room for three hours!! It's isn't time yet?? Is it time? OMG, IT'S TIME!!
Stacey proceeds to break down the bed and call the doc. She said that she wanted to do a 'test push' to see where I was. Kenny and I told her about my last birth and how when the nurse asked for a 'test push' she yelled for me to stop because otherwise the doc would miss the delivery! She then decided against the test push.
The doc came in and I was moved into position. To me it felt like everyone around me was moving in slow motion, so finally I said "Um, I'm not actually doing anything, but I feel like he's coming out on his own...what's going on?" Sure enough, he was doing just that. The doc told me to push. I pushed for one contraction and my little Alexander was brought into this world. I cried, Kenny was excited and Alex wailed on cue. It was the third happiest day of my life.
The best part? The nurse calling from my doctor's office to find out why I'd missed that morning's appointment! LOL.
Alexander Kenneth Jordan
April 20, 2010
2:55pm
6lbs, 13oz. 18.5in.
Happy Birthday Little Man! We love you.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Week 37 Update: Movin' and Shakin'...or maybe not
We went to our weekly appointment and the nurse asked the customary "feeling baby move?" question. I had to think for a second to realize that I hadn't felt him move yet that morning, so I said "not yet". I had been drinking ice water since 8:00, so he should've done something...
The doc checked my cervix and said I was 3cm...up from the 2cm of last week. He wanted to put me on the monitor to check baby's movement. They hooked me up and told me to press the button every time I felt him move. After 10 minutes I became VERY aware that I hadn't had to hit the button yet and started to cry. I don't know why, really...we were doing the EXACT SAME THING with Brie at 37w 2d. I was induced and she's perfectly wonderful.
The came in and gave me a Capri Sun for some sugar to help wake him up. Pacific Cooler flavor is NO JOKE. Damn is it sweet! I drank about half of it and in another ten minutes he had only moved twice. So off to OB Triage I'm sent to monitor and assess the situation. Kenny threw the hospital bag in the car for such an occasion. At Brie's appointment we were caught totally off guard and he had to rush home (aka do 90mph) to get the bag and come back. I think from here on out we'll just throw it in the car for every appointment. We can't just leave it in there...this is Arizona. All of the toiletries will melt.
So we get to OB Triage and they hook me up to monitors and tell me they want to do an ultrasound for a BPP assessment (biophysical profile, if I remember correctly). It's basically to see if he's moving, breathing, has good muscle tone and to measure the amniotic fluid around him. Ultrasound got tied up so long story short we were there for about 5 hours.
He scored 8/8 on his BPP and after they gave me juice and graham crackers (he went CRAZY when Kenny crinkled the bag to open it...don't ask) he started moving like his normal self. With everything looking good they sent me home to rest.
I'm 37w 3d as I type this. This is the longest I've ever been pregnant. We're having our family and friends over tomorrow for a barbeque to help celebrate Alex's sooner-rather-than-later arrival, so I'm glad I'm still pregnant. He can come any time after everyone leaves. :)
Next week I have an ultrasound before the doctor's appointment to check his size. They might have something to say about going to get him if he's small like Brie was. I guess I'll just wait and see...if I make it that long.
The doc checked my cervix and said I was 3cm...up from the 2cm of last week. He wanted to put me on the monitor to check baby's movement. They hooked me up and told me to press the button every time I felt him move. After 10 minutes I became VERY aware that I hadn't had to hit the button yet and started to cry. I don't know why, really...we were doing the EXACT SAME THING with Brie at 37w 2d. I was induced and she's perfectly wonderful.
The came in and gave me a Capri Sun for some sugar to help wake him up. Pacific Cooler flavor is NO JOKE. Damn is it sweet! I drank about half of it and in another ten minutes he had only moved twice. So off to OB Triage I'm sent to monitor and assess the situation. Kenny threw the hospital bag in the car for such an occasion. At Brie's appointment we were caught totally off guard and he had to rush home (aka do 90mph) to get the bag and come back. I think from here on out we'll just throw it in the car for every appointment. We can't just leave it in there...this is Arizona. All of the toiletries will melt.
So we get to OB Triage and they hook me up to monitors and tell me they want to do an ultrasound for a BPP assessment (biophysical profile, if I remember correctly). It's basically to see if he's moving, breathing, has good muscle tone and to measure the amniotic fluid around him. Ultrasound got tied up so long story short we were there for about 5 hours.
He scored 8/8 on his BPP and after they gave me juice and graham crackers (he went CRAZY when Kenny crinkled the bag to open it...don't ask) he started moving like his normal self. With everything looking good they sent me home to rest.
I'm 37w 3d as I type this. This is the longest I've ever been pregnant. We're having our family and friends over tomorrow for a barbeque to help celebrate Alex's sooner-rather-than-later arrival, so I'm glad I'm still pregnant. He can come any time after everyone leaves. :)
Next week I have an ultrasound before the doctor's appointment to check his size. They might have something to say about going to get him if he's small like Brie was. I guess I'll just wait and see...if I make it that long.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Week 36 Update - The Home Stretch
I had my appointment this week and everything seems to be moving along according to plan. I'm already 2cm dilated and 80% effaced (I think that's what he said) and Alex doesn't seem to be much bigger than Brie was. The doctor said IF I'm still pregnant at 38 weeks (IF?!?!?!?!) he will want to do another ultrasound to check Alex's size. No one seems to think I'll make it that long...
I've been going to physical therapy for the past few weeks to try and manage some of the back and hip pain. It's going all right, I guess. I just figure if I weren't going I might feel a hell of a lot worse, so why not? My last appointment is Thursday, so I'll need to decide then if I want to go for another week or so.
It hurts to sit, stand, walk and lie down. Um...what's left? I'm ready physically, but not mentally. Kenny put the crib together yesterday (it's gorgeous!) and the dresser was delivered today. I have to go add more items to the hospital bag since we'll be needing it sooner rather than later. I have to make sure everything is squared away at work. There's still so much to do! I know that when it happens, it happens...and I'll be as ready as I'll ever be.
If I'm not induced, I'm a little freaked out about the prospect of going into labor. With Brie it was drug induced and (relatively) fast. I have no idea what it's like to labor at home and have to figure out when it's time to go to the hospital. I'm sure Kenny will be at work and it'll be up to me to decide when it's time and call him. Knowing me, I'll try to wait as long as I can. Knowing him, that will piss him off.
We're definitely in the home stretch now. The train is speeding down the hill...I'm just along for the ride.
I've been going to physical therapy for the past few weeks to try and manage some of the back and hip pain. It's going all right, I guess. I just figure if I weren't going I might feel a hell of a lot worse, so why not? My last appointment is Thursday, so I'll need to decide then if I want to go for another week or so.
It hurts to sit, stand, walk and lie down. Um...what's left? I'm ready physically, but not mentally. Kenny put the crib together yesterday (it's gorgeous!) and the dresser was delivered today. I have to go add more items to the hospital bag since we'll be needing it sooner rather than later. I have to make sure everything is squared away at work. There's still so much to do! I know that when it happens, it happens...and I'll be as ready as I'll ever be.
If I'm not induced, I'm a little freaked out about the prospect of going into labor. With Brie it was drug induced and (relatively) fast. I have no idea what it's like to labor at home and have to figure out when it's time to go to the hospital. I'm sure Kenny will be at work and it'll be up to me to decide when it's time and call him. Knowing me, I'll try to wait as long as I can. Knowing him, that will piss him off.
We're definitely in the home stretch now. The train is speeding down the hill...I'm just along for the ride.
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