Ruby

Wow....what a crazy 24 hours! Last night I was admitted to the hospital and given Cervadil at 6PM. It did nothing in the way of contractions, but they wanted to 'prep' my body for 12 hours before they formally induced me. At 8AM, the midwife broke my water and contractions started, about every 3 minutes, but still very manageable. (Sidenote: my midwife was AMAZING and let my preferences override the 'order' for pitocin...she let me try it naturally first and in the end we didn't need the dreaded "P".)

At my appointment yesterday, I was 2cm, and at 8AM this morning I was 3-4cm. Once she broke my water I started doing laps around the hospital, walking, lunging (ish), squatting....you name it. I had to stay hooked up to antibiotics at noon for about an hour....I used that time to rest between contractions because I was worn out from the day's activities already. They were coming stronger, but slowing down between because I chose to lie down and rest a little. I was determined to keep things moving, partly because the awesome midwife and delivery nurse working with me were scheduled to leave at 3PM. We brought the contractions on again strong with some movement and at 1PM they were very intense and close together. That's when the real insane workout began. I was sweating, eyes closed the whole time, and things never really let up. Around 2-2:15PM, I was about out of energy and the midwife offered to check my progress, even though I was already feeling the urge to push, to confirm that it was time. Sure enough, I was at a 9 - go time. Many painful pushes later, Ruby came out and was bigger than we expected.

Baby girl weighed 5lb 15oz (they estimated 5lb 10oz), and was 18 1/4" long. She nursed almost right away - what a champ! We got to keep her with us for about an hour before they took her to the other side of the room to do a little more cleaning and measuring. That lasted about another 30 minutes and then it was time to take her to the nursery for more thorough everything. Unfortunately, Grandma Cathie and the kids missed her by about five minutes. She remained with the nurses for several hours, so the 'big' introduction will have to wait until tomorrow.

All mothers know this, but what an amazing experience and journey....nine months leading up to one of the most intensely emotional introductions possible. She's perfect and amazing and even though she's only been here a few hours, I feel like she's been part of our family forever.

Baby number three - another 'quick' labor, no pain meds, tremendous joy....

Here We Go Again

So I had my 35 week Midwife appointment two weeks ago. My belly was measuring small, so they did a quick ultrasound. Baby girl was fine and weighing 5lb 5oz, but they scheduled another ultrasound for two weeks later (today), to monitor her growth. This morning my belly was still measuring small and the ultrasound showed that she had only gained about 5oz. Sooooo they want me to come in tonight to be induced! This is very reminiscent of what happened when I was pregnant with Maddux, as I had to be induced for being 'small' then too. Grandma Cathie is flying in and will be here at midnight; Aunt Megan came over to stay with Eli and Maddux. Hold on, folks!!!

A Year Ago...

One year ago today. It seems like yesterday. Your dad and I (and Eli) went to the OB's office for a routine 38-week check-up. The midwife measured my belly and noticed that it hadn't budged in the last week, size-wise, so she wanted to do a quick ultrasound. Everything looked great to me: your heart was beating fast, your limbs were still all there, but the tech told us to go wait in the midwife's office so we could talk. Apparently the cord was wrapped around your neck. You were still getting enough of what you needed, but the midwife worried that if I went into labor on my own, you might come too fast and the cord could tighten before I had a chance to get to the hospital. She gave your dad and I the option to come in the following day (July 3rd) or to wait until after the holiday. Daddy and I were in shock...we didn't expect you to join us so soon. After asking a few more questions and hemming and hawing, we opted to wait. After a brief pause the midwife told us she didn't want to wait: we needed to come in first thing the next morning. Less than 24 hours from that moment. A whirlwind of events later, your Grandma Cathie flew in upon a moment's notice to watch Eli, D took the day off work to do the same, and I packed my hospital bag. I remember lying down during Eli's nap, trying to get some rest for the big day ahead of me, but all I could think about was you. With Eli, I had no advance warning like this: he just showed up one morning. This was much different. And you still didn't have a name!! We didn't know if you were a boy or a girl, so we needed two names. The boy name had already been picked out, but we had yet to agree on one for a girl. Due to your size and perfect feet, I assumed you might be a girl, so this really stressed me out. Your daddy left for the airport (Grandma Cathie) around 11:45PM. I remember calling him on his cell phone and saying, "Right now. We HAVE to pick a girl name." After about ten minutes we agreed to call you "Maddux" if you turned out to be pink. I can't believe all of that happened just one year ago today....

Pooooool

The last few times I've taken Eli to the pool, he has only given a lukewarm response. Most of his time has been spent OUT of the pool, snacking and walking around the edge. Today we met a bunch of friends at another pool and he had a much better time. The whole drive over (about 30 minutes) he repeated "poool. pooool. pooool", and when we got there he walked right in. It was only the 'big' pool (no baby pool), but he did really well wearing water-wings and hanging out around the steps. He even 'jumped in' (Eli doesn't really jump yet - especially not into water.) to two other moms, which was awesome. Of course, his favorite pool activity included throwing and catching (as much as he can catch) a few balls with other kids, moms, whoever. No pictures as I left the camera at home today.

On another front, the whole ride home I had consistent and mildly painful contractions. Luckily they subsided when I returned home.

38-week Midwife Appointment

No news is good news, I guess. The midwife did not check me, so I'm assuming I'm dilated to somewhere between 1-3cm. I had several 'episodes' of mildly painful back pain this week that could not be remedied with ice or massage. Although it was bearable, it was a bit reminiscent of the early stages of back labor I had with Eli, so I'm thinking it was the baby moving down.Lehr surprised me by showing up at the appointment which was much appreciated due to the amount of time we had to wait in one of the smaller waiting rooms (which was, of course, full of expecting women without toddlers). He entertained Eli by walking him around the halls and looking at pictures of other babies posted near the lab.

A few friends from church took me to a 'ladies night out' dinner at my favorite restaurant tonight and supplied great 'me-time' and a few gifts also. Thanks again, Megan and Shannon!!!

Basketball Diaries

Tonight David and Carolyn threw Lehr and I a mini-shower ("mini" at our request - they really wanted to do something bigger). We met for dinner and had a great night which included a few gifts for Eli too. The main one was a toddler's basketball and basketball hoop. Can't get much better than that these days, as far as Eli's concerned. All through dinner he kept pointing to the box and saying, "Huupp??" He was VERY excited to finish the meal and go home to try out the new toy. Dave, Carolyn and Terri (Carolyn's mom) got us a few bags of goodies for the baby, including several gift cards for local restaurants which will come in handy BIG TIME once the baby arrives. The amount of people and noise around us seemed to send Eli into a bit of a 'surly' state though; unfortunately there weren't a whole lot of smiles for Terri, even though he just saw her a month or so ago. He was well-behaved though; when we left David carried Eli out of the restaurant and a table stopped him to comment on how well-behaved his son was. There he goes taking credit for our kid again.....

Thanks again for the great night, "D" and "CC"!!!

37week Midwife Appointment

Today was my first of the weekly appointments with my midwife. Eli and I flew solo for this one, but considering that we were there for a full 90-minutes, Eli did really well behavior-wise. I had my Group B Strep test, blood drawn, and the midwife checked me. I'm dilated 1cm already (which is less than I was dilated at this time with Eli), but we all know that doesn't necessarily mean anything. The bad news is the midwife said the baby's head is still a little high and it feels like s/he may be turned posterior, just like Eli was. Great. More back labor. SOOOO excited about that!

On a related note. This week Eli realized the utility of my ever-growing stomach. While we were sitting in the rocking chair in his room reading a book, he searched for a place to put his 'Mater phone while we read. After looking around for a minute, he reached over and gently set the phone on top of my stomach and then sat back and waited for me to start reading. As if it was the most normal thing in the world to use Mommy's belly as a shelf....

35week Midwife Appointment

As usual, nothing new to report. The baby's heartbeat still sounds great, and it does what it is supposed to when the midwife poked and prodded my belly (went up). The head is still down, which is great news to me because I'd been afraid this week s/he had turned around, given all the strong "kicks" I'd felt below the belt. Turns out this kid was just punching away.Lehr drove over to relieve me of Eli duty during my visit which made it so much easier. The only downside was they didn't make it back to the exam room, so Eli missed out on hearing the baby's heartbeat today. Fear not, Big Brother, we've got four more potential chances! That's right. I made all of my remaining appointments today and since I'm starting to go every week after my next appointment, this baby's days are numbered.

34 Weeks

We all went to the pool this morning and Lehr snapped a few photos. Here I am, larger than life!

Another Request

I asked before about a 'name' for the baby (Eli was "the hulk" before he was born), and although you all gave great suggestions, we never found one that really fit for us. My next request has to do with the blogs. Lehr strongly recommends I combine the two blogs, so my readership only has to visit one site to get an update. Although I am hesitant to give up 'ele5', he is probably right (every blue moon it happens), so now I'm brainstorming. I need a name for the site (i.e. Confessions of Eli's Mom, And the Family Grows) and I need an address (i.e. ele5.blogspot.com). I've got a few ideas in my head, but nothing that I've loved just yet. Anyone?

Belly

Eli loves pointing to, rubbing, and kissing my belly while saying 'be-be'. Lehr caught a few shots of his interest this morning.

Midwife Appointment

I had my 32-week appointment this morning. The midwife who delivered Eli saw me; another uneventful check-up. (That is a good thing!) She felt my stomach, while Eli watched very intently, and said the baby is head down with his/her back on my left side (I knew that as I can always feel the big kicks just under my right ribs). She also predicted this baby will weigh a little less than Eli at birth if s/he goes to term like he did. There is no cause for low birth weight concern as Eli was 7lb.8oz.: pretty average. All other measurements are falling right in line with those of my pregnancy with Eli at this stage.

31 weeks

and growing...

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Meet the Doula

We met our doula tonight, mainly to 'check-in' before things get too close to the end. The one we used last time around is taking some time off, so we hired her partner this time. The meeting went great and everything is a go. Eli was a little stand-off-ish at first, but given the constant state of change in his life right now, that was to be expected.

Midwife Appointment

Another uneventful one....not that I'm complaining! The baby's heartbeat was strong and at 130 when the midwife first listened today. Then she poked my stomach a little to 'wake' the baby and the heart rate jumped up a bit (as it should). She reminded me to make sure I'm getting enough movement out of the baby each hour (I assured her I was!!!). Eli came along with me and behaved very well considering it was just the two of us. He alternated hiding in the changing closet and getting in the midwife's face while she was in the room (not at all shy today).

Bodyrock

This is part of the reason I'm not getting any sleep (some of this will be hard to see on youtube, I'm sure):

Tae Bo Baby

Eli had some crazy kicks. And jabs. And stretches. This baby might have his/her brother beat, however. I remember the pain those kicks and stretches gave me, but I don't remember them being this intense until the very end when Eli had run out of room to move. Here I am with 2+ months to go and some of the movements I'm feeling cause me to wince and/or cry out!

28-week belly picture:

Midwife Appointment

Today was the big Gestational Diabetes test day. For those who have not had the pleasure, it includes the patient (me) drinking 8-10 oz of a very sugary orange soda-ish liquid and then hanging around for an hour before the lab draws blood to test. Luckily Lehr was able to help me out in the Eli department again, because I'm not sure how keen he would have been on sitting 'quietly' for an hour or more. Besides the test we heard the heart beat again (still strong) and the midwife measured my stomach to make sure I was progressing at a rate comparable to the baby's gestational age. After the next appointment we will go to 2-week visits. YIKES! This pregnancy is going so much faster than last time; we're already at 25 weeks! Also, this baby is giving Eli a run for his money in the kicking department. When s/he decides to stretch his/her legs and arms, look out!

23 Week Belly

"Big" Ultrasound

We had our mid-way ultrasound this morning; Lehr planned to meet Eli and I there to see the ultrasound and then meet with the midwife that delivered Eli. Unfortunately Lehr got there about 10 minutes late and missed the main event. The one time the ob office was right on time, he was a little late! Eli and I were called back right at 11AM and whereas we are usually told to sit in more chairs to wait, this time we were ushered right back into the u/s tech room. This caused me a little stress because that meant that there was no one to watch Eli but he was amazing. Made me so proud! He stood next to a chair and played with the three toys I took out for him during the whole ultrasound.

So I stayed strong and did not find out the gender (though I was tempted, just because it would have been so easy to find out). I asked the tech to look for clubfeet, but lo and behold, as of now they look SOO straight! Totally a shocker for me....I 100% expected to have foot issues again since the probability is so high. (Not that we're out of the woods yet, but this is a good sign.) The heart, skeleton, and organs looked great too, so everything seems to be growing right on schedule. Lehr got there right when we left the u/s room, but he got to meet with the midwife with me. I got to see one yawn, but for the majority of the time, the baby sucked on his/her thumb.