New Favorite Thing

I've discovered my new favorite thing as far as baby gear is concerned. Since Evan is so tiny I really didn't feel comfortable putting her in a stroller (especially with all those people and their nasty germs who love babies). So I got online and discovered baby wraps, the Sleepy Wrap to be specific.

Now Evan and I can take walks, go to Target, and do whatever else I want to do without people thinking she's a museum exhibit.

Evan's 1st Bath

Today, Evan had her first real bath. From previous experience with DJ and Cameron I was worried that she would scream and holler, but our little princess actually tried to fall asleep during the bath!

Before



During



After

Weighty Issues

I'm not used to keeping baby weight on after the actual baby is out of my belly and here on Earth. With both DJ and Cameron my stomach returned to normal pre-pregnancy size a few days after delivery. But this time, although my stomach has shrunk considerably, I can see that I'll actually have to EXERCISE to return to my svelte self.

This is causing me great despair!

NONE of my clothes fit correctly and I had to break down and get a girdle! What the f*&^?



Everyone says that I'm overreacting, but when you're used to being one size your entire life it's a bit of a trauma to realize that you may never be that size again.

Another postpartum side affect I seem to have is my inability to drink milk! This is also pretty devastating because I drink milk for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Now, my delicious 2% milk makes my stomach hurt and causes a slight feeling of nausea. What in the world am I going to drink with my chocolate fudge cake?!?



Oh, wait, I probably shouldn't be talking about cake in the same post that I admit I'm going to put on a girdle! LOL!

New Preschool

Today is Cameron's first day at the new pre-school. Last night he was so excited that he didn't want to go to sleep and this morning he popped right out of bed, washed and dressed and was ready to go. He didn't even ask for a chocolate pop tart before we left! I hope he does well.







Yesterday I drove over to Joann Fabrics, bought some tulle and made Evan her first tutu. It's too big and fluffy for my little one, but for my first try I thought it came out pretty well. She can always grow into it.

Waking Evan

We have found that waking a preemie is much more difficult than waking a full-term baby. Yesterday Evan slept all day (again!) so we were forced to wake her to attempt to keep her schedule the same. It didn't work though, she was up all night completely alert and looking for conversation. She seems to be right back on track this morning, but here's what we had to go through yesterday just to get her to eat.

1st Doctor's Appointment

Today we took Evan to her very fist doctor's appointment. She lost 4 ounces, but is expected to regain quickly because she eats soooooooo much! All in all she did well. Evan didn't cry nearly as much as I thought she would and the doctor gave her a clean bill of health. Barring any unforeseen circumstances she will make her next trip when she's 4 weeks old.



After the doctor's appointment Evan conked out and slept all day long, missed her feeding and only ate after I gave her a sponge bath. She's asleep right now so I'm not looking to the middle of the night. Hopefully this won't mess up her schedule too much.

1st Day Home

Yesterday afternoon, after the hospital pediatrician cleared Evan to come home, we all left the hospital as a family of 5!

As we headed home I have to say that I did have some concerns about our new arrival. I was nervous about the dog's reaction, I was concerned that we didn't have a bassinet (we really never used one with the boys before, but Evan just seemed so tiny for her giant crib), and since initially we didn't really see the need for a monitor I was worried that I wouldn't hear her cry in the middle of the night.

Well, all my worries were unnecessary! The dog was surprisingly well behaved. Evan loved her crib and fell asleep immediately, and I heard her little cry just fine (I'm sure it helps that I'm a light sleeper). So far she is turning out to be a really good baby. She only fusses if something is wrong and I can already distinguish her various cries and facial expressions. She is even on a little schedule eating, peeing, pooping, and sleeping like clockwork. I just hope she stays so easy to take care of, it's really helping our family transition run smoothly.

The Birth

Well, since they are holding Evan and I hostage in the hospital until she's checked over one last time by the pediatrician I decided to update the blog with the story of how she arrived. As most of you who have been keeping up with things know, I had been contracting pretty regularly for the past week prior to Evan's arrival.

On Friday my doctor informed me that while he had scheduled an induction for the 29th, there was no way that I was going to make it until then. He was right! On Saturday morning I woke up with strong contractions and decided it was time to head to the hospital. It took a few hours for the doctor to declare that I was in active labor and when he did, that is when the torture began.

I was dehydrated and they couldn't get an IV in me. This wouldn't have been that big a deal, but earlier in the week I tested GBS positive and needed antibiotics before the baby was born. They stuck me about a million and one times and still couldn't find a vein. Then the anesthesiologist said that she needed to run a central line in my neck! Right next to my jugular! Well needless to say that it didn't work, I am now traumatized, and her attempts hurt worse than ANY other pain I've had in my entire life! After all that drama, I took a hot shower and the nice nurse found a vein in my knuckle and ran an iv.




After the medicine they had to wait a few hours to break my water, but once they did things really moved along. I got my epidural, even though the pain wasn't that bad and 1 hour and two pushes later Evan entered the world five weeks early!

Welcome Evan!

She's Here!

Evan Jessica Alison

August 17, 2008

1:34 am

5 pounds 9 ounces

18.5 inches

I will post pictures as soon as DJ and Cameron have the opportunity to meet their little sister. Stay tuned!

Sooner than later- 35 weeks 3 days

Just came from the doctor where my little one failed another NST. It's okay though, because as usual she passed the ultra sound and this time both Cameron and DJ had the chance to see their little sister on the screen.

While I was on the NST machine I had some pretty rough contractions and the doc decided to check me just to make sure everything was ok. Well, I am now 3 centimeters and have made a significant change. There is an extremely high possibility that this baby will be born in the next few days. I will keep everyone updated as things progress. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

The end is in sight- 35 weeks

I had my weekly office visit today and even though my HG is still going strong the visit went well. She passed the NST, and while I'm still contracting they are more spaced out. This appointment marked the beginning of the end for this pregnancy and there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. My doctor scheduled my amnio and induction for the 29th! If all goes according to plan our little girl will be born in two weeks(if she doesn't decide to come early).

In an effort to make these next couple of weeks fly by I've decided to return to work. I'm going to attempt to do every other day next week and then the 26th-27th (parent nights). After that I'm done. I'm so excited and having everything scheduled makes it really real.

Labor and Delivery- 34 weeks 5 days

Yesterday was pretty rough. I woke up feeling strange and as the day went on I didn't feel any better. I had contractions all day long, although they were sporadic and not too uncomfortable. At about 9:30pm, however, I decided that I needed to stop trying to ignore the train that was heading toward me and called the on-call doctor. She immediately told me to come in and started talking about the NICU and pre-mature babies. Needless to say she freaked me out! Anyway we packed all the bags in the car, just in case, and headed for the hospital where my parents picked up the boys.

I was quickly taken up to L&D triage and put on the monitors. Much to my surprise I was contracting every two minutes on the dot, and my blood pressure was high. It's never been high before. My doctor (I'm so glad he was there) came in and checked me. I was 2 cm and 50% effaced. The nurse took some blood to check for pre-eclamsia and I continued on the monitor. After about an hour my doctor checked me again and while I hadn't made any progress, I was still contracting every 2 minutes. They gave me an IV, some fluids, a sleeping pill and admitted me to a room.

This morning, though I was still contracting, they were more spaced out and my blood pressure was a lot better. My cervix still hadn't made any change so I was allowed to go home. I'm pretty much on modified bed rest and neither I, Damon, or my doctor think I will even make it to the 37 week induction date. My doctor said if I can make it another week or even two that would be ideal.

I'm just trying to make it to my next hair appointment. I'm looking pretty rough! Lol!

While I was at the hospital I enacted my new blog feature...Twitter. It allows me to update the blog through text message. It's super easy and I was planning on using it to update everyone after I went into labor, so last night was a good dress rehearsal. You can find the updates at the top of the blog in the left hand corner.

Contractions!!!- 34 weeks 3 days

So I've been having contractions. A lot of contractions. I'm beginning to think that I may not even make it to the end of the month. Damon says that he thinks my body has reached its limit, and I'm beginning to think the same thing.

Because of these contractions I decided to get prepared and pack the hospital bag. Actually it's hospital bags as I have to pack for me, the baby, DJ and Cameron (Damon is grown so he's on his own). I stayed up til midnight last night folding clothes and packing bags. Even though there are still a few necessities I need to pick up today I feel much better knowing that if something pops off I am prepared (pops off? Sounds like I'm getting ready for a street fight, lol!).




There has also been a bit of drama these last few days about my possible induction date. It's amazing to me that people who #1-don't have a medical degree and #2-had absolutely no role in creating this baby think they get a say in when she would be born. The idea that I really care about when it is most convenient for anyone else other than Damon and I is hilarious!!!

Anywho I have another NST this morning, hoping she'll pass, but history isn't on my side.

Update- 34 weeks part 2

Just got back from my Tuesday NST and I failed AGAIN! I even tried to eat a snickers while I waited in the lobby, but she was still a little lazy baby. It's not her fault, she's just hungry...

Before being ushered in for the required ultrasound I had the nurse check my weight and found out that I've lost 2 pounds. I told the DR and asked for an amnio at 36 weeks. He promptly said OK (if my cervix is soft and/or dilated) and pulled out his calendar to discuss a date! I didn't need to scream or cry or anything. What a relief. So as far as the amnio is concerned we're looking at the 20th or 21st. If her lungs are mature he will induce me the following week! I'm praying that everything goes in my favor so that I can finally have some relief.

Everything is happening so fast and I've got a lot to do to prepare. After my appointment I stopped by work to let my principal know what is going on. I got the dates for professional development and he found people to set up my classroom for me. I hope the next couple of weeks just speed by.

Announcement-34 weeks

I've been trying to keep myself from going insane so I took 2 days and taught myself to use Photoshop. I created a couple of mock-up birth announcements. I downloaded a stock image of an adorable newborn and got to work. What do you think?

Example #1 5x7- I'm not sure why blogger keeps cutting off the end of this. It may be too long for the page. The original is perfect though.



Example #2 4x9



I'm bored so if you know anyone interested in getting one made let me know. I'm getting pretty good.

DONE!- 33 weeks 5 days

Yes, I'm DONE in sooooo many ways.

#1- I'm done with preparing for baby. We now have her car seat (Chicco Key Fit) and stroller (Combi) and put her name on the wall finally. If she came tomorrow we would be completely prepared with the exception of having our bags packed.





#2- I'm also DONE with being pregnant. I can't pretend anymore...I'm DONE! I see my Dr on Tuesday and we're going to have a serious discussion about me getting an amnio to check for lung maturity at the end of 36 weeks. If I don't deliver by the end of the month I WILL loose my mind. I hope this little girl is ready by then, I don't know how much more I can take.

#3-The boys are done with their sibling class. I'm happy to report that they had a great time. They watched a video about having a new baby at home, made crafts, and had a snack. It also gave them an opportunity to discuss their feelings about having a little sister. Hopefully, this will help make their transition easier.



Anyway, we'll see what Tuesday brings. I hope that it's what I want to hear or heads will roll and tears will fall. I am not above hysterics.