Germies

Ha..Yes, since I have had the baby, I add "-ies" to the end of everything... It makes things cuter.  Like the nasty cold virus that has infected my poor, pitiful, baby... When you call it a "germie", it makes it so much easier to wipe that boogie (see? I did it again!) filled nose.

So, I spent the last 5 months, almost exactly to the day, disinfecting every surface and phalange that came into close proximity of my baby.  Lysol, Clorox, and Germ-X are having a particularly good year due to my purchases alone.  In the last few months, I have developed a new method of greeting guests: I smile, hug, invite them in, and then douse their hands with my little bottle of Germ-X, so conveniently placed close to the door.  Hey, at least it is the little bottle, I hide the gallon jug, that I use to refill it with: I figure it may scare the guests away.

I have the strappy doo-hicky that attaches the Bath and Body Works antibacterial to my stroller, I have a mini bottle in the diaper bag, and several hidden in all of our cars.  I have surely outsmarted the germs, right?

WRONG!!!!  The germie snuck in and I am left like Dr.Claw, cackling and saying "I'll get you next time, germie, NEXT TIME!".  If you don't know that Mr. Gadget reference, then you are too young to have a baby and should be in school studying for the SATs.  (Just kidding, I'm a Teen Mom fan....ok, whatever)

After just commenting on a mommy forum about how well my baby sleeps, karma, disguised as a germie, reminded me how lucky I am that I have an "unusually" good lil' sleeper.  From bassinet (Yes, I shove my 5 month old into a bassinet because I have not gotten to the point that I can bare to put her in her own room, but that is a whole other blog post), to our bed, to glider, to standing in front of the air conditioner vent... Nothing would get my stuffy baby to sleep for more than an hour or two.  And since baby and I were awake, one of my dogs wanted to take the opportunity to beg to go to the bathroom.  So, while navigating the dark stairs with baby and dog , I hear, cough cough cough---and feel a warm wetness run down my neck.  Puke... Thanks, germie...

This morning, I was supposed to start a new Bible study.  This germie prevented me from learning about God.  This just confirms my hypothesis: GERMS ARE FROM THE DEVIL! ( the "-ies" was too cute for that statement)

Thankfully, she is feeling better this morning.  I'm sure with a few more days rest, she will be back to her normal, cheery, sound sleepin' self....I hope...

Prayers for a fast recovery please!! xo
God bless you.

Olympics

I know, I still have a lot to catch up on, and I will-- I PROMISE!  But, for now, in honor of the Olympics, that are constantly playing on the TV at my house, I wanted to share this picture of my little Usain Bolt Fan!

                                          She is a Bolt fan, but we strongly support Team USA!

I'm Baaaaack

After a three month maternity leave from all activities (outside of diapers and spit up), I'm baaaack.  I missed you all very much.  I also am overwhelmed with all that I need to catch you up on.

Well, let's start with my labor & delivery.

Week 40 came and went... Baby Addison had made herself comfortable and there was NO sign of her leaving.  Weekly checks showed no change in my cervix and no contractions.  Finally, my doctor said dreaded the word-- "induction".  My plans for a natural childbirth were a little shaken, however, I was still determined to try.
Most people who undergo induction are given pitocin to start contractions. I actually had started contractions  Monday morning.  I, however, had a hard and posterior cervix, in no condition to have a baby, so I had to start with Cytotec, which my doula referred to as "the big gun", in order to prepare my cervix and induce labor.  So, Monday evening, April 16, I checked into the hospital with my husband.  Cytotec was administered every few hours through out the night. At one point, I was bleeding, which having consulted with Dr. Google thoroughly freaked me out because apparently Cytotec increases the chance of uterine rupture. However, after being reassured by the nurses, I was able to catch a few disturbed zzzzs.  By the morning, I was dilated....wait for it... ONE measly centimeter!
So, the next step started at 9:30 the next morning---Pitocin.  Now, Pitocin is what I had been wanting to avoid.  I had heard some nicknames for Pitocin, several were variations of the red guy who lives in eternal fire...Not my idea of fun...
I had heard that a natural childbirth with Pit was much more difficult because Pit contractions are much stronger, intense, and closer together, so I gave myself the goal of getting to at least 5cm with out an epidural.
A little later that morning, my doctor came in to do a cervical check.  He decided to break my water since I was only at 2cm.  There was meconium in the water, indicating fetal distress.  Once the water was broken, the baby's heart rate became erratic, indicating more distress.
I continued to labor.  I was handling the contractions well with out the epidural, however the cervical checks were increasingly painful.  The doctor continued to monitor the baby's heart, which was still beating irregularly and was of concern.  I was given an internal fetal monitor, the most painful experience of the whole day, as well as amnioinfusion to replace the water in the amniotic sack and cushion the distressed baby.  After the pain of the internal fetal monitor, I was ready for the epidural.  I was 6cm and had made it to   my goal of 5cm.  It was now around 4:30pm.
The epidural was like Disney land. I could smile, breathe, sleep, and hold conversations. Just as I was relaxing and basking in my new found comfort, my doctor informed me that the baby was tachycardic (fast heart beat) and was responding to contractions in a concerning manner. He said it was in the best interest of the baby to perform an emergency c-section.  I, of course, said yes right away.  None of my plans for a natural, vaginal delivery mattered to me at all in that moment, the only thing I cared about was my baby.
At 6pm I went in for surgery.  At 6:40pm, I heard the most beautiful cry that brought tears to my eyes.  My healthy, big baby girl was born.  With a full head of hair and alert eyes, my heart melted and I was instantly in LOVE.

Addison Sarah Emily 4/17/12 6:40pm
8 lbs 5 oz
20 1/2 inches

We ordered a stork for our front yard

Going home

10 days old

My most perfect gift from God.  Love her!

Miracle Baby

I will write more later. Just wanted to share the news that our little girl was born 4/17/12 at 6:40pm.  She is safe, sound, healthy, and beautiful.  My life has taken a turn that I never could have imagined.  My heart beats a whole new beautiful, miraculous, song.  Life is sweeter with this little girl in my life. Praise be to God.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.1 Samuel 1:27

Plans

                                      "One way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans"

Not sure when I heard this saying, but I always remembered it.  It is a good lesson in control, or lack there of.  It is a reminder that no matter what we do to prepare, we are not in charge here.  It can be unnerving to some, especially those who like to be in charge (or appear to be).  Those who worry or are insecure, may cringe at the idea that they honestly have NO control over anything that happens in their life.  I have felt this.  I have worried over things I have no control over.  It is the equivalent of running repeatedly into a wall, it does not change anything and eventually you will end up with a headache!

So, as many  of you know, I have desired to have a natural childbirth.  Many of you who have already experienced this, have warned me against making plans.  I, however, chose to prepare myself, yet have been open to the idea that it will go how it is supposed to go. So, as my due date has come and gone, I am now 5 days over due and my original plan is close to having to be scrapped.  I have till Tuesday essentially for natural/ spontaneous labor to ensue before my doctor has decided to induce me.  I have been praying that the spontaneous labor takes place in the next 2-3 days, because I still would like to avoid Pitocin and other interventions. However, I am in acceptance that it may not be this way.  I may end up going in Monday night and taking the cervical softeners, to be followed by Pitocin Tuesday morning as my doctor plans.  

And... I'm at peace with it.  God is in control.  He knows what is best.  I trust him fully.  I feel that I have done my part in preparing myself to have the natural childbirth, but if that is not his will-- it's ok.  God knows better than I do and how lucky am I to have the creator of the universe carving out a plan/path for me?  He's turned my life around and blessed me in ways I could not have even imagined, so I would be foolish to fret and not trust him now.  He sees a way bigger picture than my eyes can see. 

I am going to keep up with the natural induction methods (and prayers) until the last minute, but all I ultimately desire is a safe and healthy labor and delivery for Addison and me!

I am packing my hospital bag today. :)  Any day now long awaited, miracle baby, Addison Sarah Emily will be here with us! Praise God~

Nursery Slideshow

We finally finished the nursery!  Check it out at this link: Nursery Slideshow

Now we are all set, all that is left is the baby!!  No change at my last doctor's appointment.  Addison is still cooking, I guess!

I have a few last minute things to do, like pack my hospital bag, install the car seat, and return a few things. I ordered a Lawn Stork today!

I am so ready for her to be here!  I packed a few outfits for her to wear in the hospital-- that was fun.  I am obsessed with baby girl clothes!  As you can tell by the very full closet in the slide show!  :)

One week till my due date!  I will keep you posted.

Every good and perfect gift comes from above. James 1:17

My latest Pinterest inspiration

I saw this wonderful guest book idea on Pinterest and decided to make my own for my baby showers:

So, I bought a canvas from Michael's Craft Store and drew the tree.  I then painted the trunk:

I took the canvas to my showers and asked all the guests to put a green fingerprint anywhere on the branches as a leaf.  I then wrote their name beside their fingerprint.

Below is the end result, which we are going to hang up in the nursery as a keep sake.

Fingerprint leaves of all the shower guests

Our little bundle of joy!

So, that is my latest prego project!   It will be a nice keepsake, a  way to remember all the love shared at the baby showers, and a great way to honor our friends and family who will be an important part of Addison's life, as they are in ours.

11 DAYS TO GO!!
God bless~