The Birth

I went into labor around 3:00pm, on April 17th. I noticed I was having contractions pretty close together, so I started timing them. I wasn't sure if it was the real deal until about two hours later, when the contractions were still consistent and getting much stronger. So I called my mom to come fetch the three kiddos, and finished packing the hospital bag. The kids left at 6:00, and Jared and I walked around at home, until we decided it was time to head into the hospital. We arrived around 7:30, and after six attempts, they got my IV in and started my antibiotics (for GBS) around 9:00p. I climbed into the birth tub, but my labor slowed down considerably, so I got back out and paced the room until 10:45 when I was in intense labor, and dilated to 8cm. We decided it was time to break my water (Which never breaks on its own. I'm not kidding, she finally got it broken on the twelfth try!). I went back into the tub immediately and my labor went from intense to almost unbearable. I only got through it because I had such an awesome God, and amazing birth team on my side, guiding me through each contraction. Then, at 11:55, I felt pushy and out came Gino all in one big, looooong final contraction. He was born at 11:56pm.


Jared rubbed my back during each contraction when we first arrived.

The "before" picture with my amazing hubby

My doula (and one of my best friends since age 10), Abby, me, and my midwife, Liz

Giovanni James arrived at 11:56pm! We just hung out in the tub, cuddling our new baby for the next 15 minutes. It was wonderful.

An I'm-so-glad-it's-over-I-love-you-I-love-our-new-baby-I'm-so-happy kiss

Daddy admiring his new son

Family photo

Within 20 minutes of birth, Giovanni latched on (the first try!!) and nursed like a champ for 45 minutes!!!

Me and Liz "before"

Liz and me "after"

Liz and Giovanni

Me, Gino, and Abs

My INCREDIBLE birth team. I simply could not have done it without these two amazing people. They tag-teamed me through each contraction. Jared holding me, swaying with me, whispering encouragement in my ear, and being tuned in to my every need and desire. Abby massaging my back and hips through every contraction (with the most amazing lavender massage oil), feeding me water and OJ, taking photos and video, and reminding me that I can do this. These two made this birth the best birth experience I have had yet.

Finally around 2:00am, we let them weigh him after he nursed for 45 minutes!

The next morning, my mom brought the other three kids to meet their new baby brother!

Sophia and Jazlyn adored the new baby...

...Brody only cared about his chocolate ice cream.

Giovanni James

Napping with Daddy

Gino checkin out his Daddy!

Giovanni's first outfit

Final family photo before we leave

Ready to go home!

It's official! Our van is full. No room left, I guess we have to be done =)

Ta-da! We are home!

38 Weeks

I'm feeling a little frustrated and discouraged. I really believed I would be holding Bambino right now. I thought for sure, I would go this weekend, because my body has been acting very... weird. I posted last Monday that I felt crampy/contracty, but then the rest of the week my body got... confused. There were two nights this week that I had contractions every 10 mins or so, and started to get excited. But the strange part is, that I only got the contractions when I was laying down. When I got up to move around, they would stop immediately. We even tried several methods to "encourage" labor, but pretty much every attempt would kill any contractions altogether. For example, I would deplete all my energy going on a mile-long power walk, then be frustrated when I didn't get even one contraction. So I'd go take a three hour nap, during which I would get several contractions. Then arise from my nap, and not get another contraction for hours. What the heck?

Obviously baby is not ready to come out yet, which is fine. I just wish it would stop teasing me. I expect baby to make an appearance this week. If I have to write a 39 week update, don't expect it to be a very peachy one.

My current state of being: my low back really hurts (not the low dull ache of labor, more like sharp, shooting pain). My hips are loose and shoot intense pain every time I stand up, causing me to hobble like an 80-year-old. Sleep is... frustrating. There is no comfortable way to sleep on a watermelon every night. (Go head, give it a try.)

I know it's almost over, and we will meet baby soon, and then I will be the happiest woman in the world! My temporary discomforts will be gone (replaced by new ones), but at least I will have the overriding joy of having baby in my arms.

38 weeks

Cherishing the Moment

I just got the kids into bed, and the house is quiet. I sat down to relax and enjoy the quiet, and immediately Bambino started wiggling. Subconsciously, I put my hand on my belly to catch every little movement, and before I knew it, I caught myself smiling and talking to my belly. When I realized what I was doing, I was hit with a mixture of emotions. Joy for the privilege of feeling a healthy, happy baby move in me, and then a little sad as I thought about the limited moments like these I have left. I fully expect that my time is down to days, not weeks. It makes me wistful to think about this being the last few days I (am planning to) ever feel these precious movements inside of me. So while I am really good and miserable in my current state, I am also sad it will all end very soon. I am cherishing these last few days and will...
actually...
um...

miss it

(shh!! don't tell anyone!)

I am sure this tornado of emotions is only heightened by all the hormones currently surging through my veins.Just wanted to share my thoughts in these last days.

Oh. And while I am sharing my thoughts, I suppose I cannot honestly conclude without mentioning that I REALLY DON'T WANT TO EXPERIENCE LABOR AGAIN. I'd like to jump to the part where they place my baby in my arms.

So... I am miserable, I love feeling the baby move in me, I want to be done, I am sad that I am almost done, I hate being pregnant, I will miss being pregnant, and I don't want to give birth. Got it?

Ok. Now I have fully expressed my thoughts.

37 Weeks

My body continues to prepare for Baby's arrival! Over the weekend, my body felt pretty calm, energized and normal (which was wonderful for all the Easter mayhem.) But this morning I woke up feeling crampy again. We went to my 37 week check up first thing, and was very encouraged to learn I am dilated to 2cm now! I also found out I am Group B positive again (I was with Jalzyn too), which means I will just need to get some antibiotics during labor, but it will not interfere with my water birth plans. Everything else looks great.

After my appointment, my cramps turned into some contractions painful enough to make me slow my pace and breath deeply. I was hit by a wave of exhaustion by lunchtime, so I laid down for a 3 hour nap. But as soon as I was up and moving around again, the cramp/contractions started right back up. Nothing consistent. I am still a little surprised how early all of this is happening. I really feel like labor could start anytime, and I am only 37 weeks today. But who knows, it could be another two weeks.

Over the weekend, all these changes in my body put me into a bit of a panic mode, trying to remember everything that "should" get done before baby's arrival. Stocking the fridge, cleaning the house (for the 58th time), packing bags for the kids, etc. I got some of that accomplished, but concluded it is difficult to be prepared when I don't know if I will go tomorrow, or in two weeks. So I just have to keep up on all of these things?? Sigh. I'm tired.

37 weeks

36 Weeks

Lots of progress this week! I completely lost my desire to eat. AN.Y.THING. I had to force myself to eat all week, because, in a cruel twist of pregnancy brutality, I still get hungry, but the very thought of eating brings me to tears. Now, the only reason I call this progress is because, in my misery, I went back and read my 36 week pregnancy update with Brody, and it said:

"I have no desire to eat whatsoever. I have realized that it is not so much that I have lost my appetite, because I still get hungry, as it is that eating is just not satisfying. I eat to make the hunger go away. But usually my stomach feels heavy and upset after I eat. But if I don't eat, HEARTBURN. So its a trade off."


On Saturday night, at 10:00pm, I was struck with the urgent need to clean. Nesting. I scoured and scrubbed and wiped and sanitized until midnight. And I only stopped because I needed more cleaning supplies. Then, as soon as I laid down, I had such strong, painful cramps and low back pain that I couldn't fall asleep for an hour and a half. I only slept about 4 hours that night, because my cramps kept waking me up. I have been mildly crampy on and off since then. Another indication that I am right on track in my pregnancy progress. Here is my 35 week update from Brody's pregnancy:

"I woke up several times on Sunday night with strong cramps. I have been feeling crampy ever since. Yesterday my lower back started to ache as well...I looked back at my baby blogs...to find that I started feeling this way about 2 1/2 weeks before Jazlyn was born."

That ended up following true with Brody. I started feeling crampy exactly 2 weeks (+2 days) before he was born. So... that would put me on track to meet this little one in about 2 1/2 weeks! Whoa!

It is really interesting to learn my own personal pregnancy patterns, and how consistent they seem to be!

36 weeks

Mask



brown blotchiness

35 Weeks

Baby and I have been enjoying all of the sunshine this week! So in honor of Sunny March 2012, we took our picture outside this week! We have been spending every day playing outside, eating lunch on the deck, and taking in all the vitamin D we can get! I hope hope hope that it is this nice out when Bambino decides to join us on the outside.

I continue to have LOTS of strong contractions-- about 5-6 per hour or so. We will find out at our next appointment (36 weeks) if all these contractions are making progress for labor. Any head start I can get would be fabulous! At my last appointment (34 weeks), I measured exactly 34. My BP is still excellent, so no snags there for my planned water birth. Baby's heart rate was 140bpm. Starting next week, I will begin weekly appointments, and get checked for dilation/effacement. We are in the home stretch!

The heart burn that plagued me last week has subsided! I am feeling "good" this week compared to last. I am still uncomfortable at night, and feel like my water just might break from all the pressure every time I stand up, but for the most part, I am not feeling too terrible this week.

As the time draws near to meet sweet babe, I find myself getting ever more excited, but also a titch nervous (which took me by surprise!). I am not generally the type to feel nervous about my upcoming birth, but this time I am a little, for unbeknownst reasons. Because this pregnancy has seemed to last FOR.EV.ER, I am surprised to feel a flutter in my stomach when I realize I may be holding our sweet little one in my ARMS in 3 weeks. That's coming up fast! But the excitement of that thought is winning out over the nerves.

Until next week, dear readers! Adieu!

35 weeks

35 weeks, full profile

34 Weeks

Okay... what can I say? I am having "issues" now that I didn't experience until week 38 before. Example, this baby is suddenly so big and heavy that it is already forcing me to run for the bathroom at least every 45 minutes. This is very anti-productive, Folks. And very annoying. Example #2: The sudden heaviness has also caused constant back pain. Example #3: I have shin splints today from... living. Just the normal walking around the house. WHAT? What is happening to me? Example #4: I end most days by slumping onto the couch (or bed) and feeling so much relief from the uncomfortable pain that I cry. Tears of frustration and relief mingled.

This morning, while getting dressed for church, I broke my dress trying to pull it over my huge, weird body. So I did what any normal pregnant woman would do... I sat down on the floor of my closet and cried for awhile. Then I sewed my dress, because I really didn't have many other suitable options. I ran into that problem a lot this week. I would dig through my drawers, be delighted to find that "roomy" shirt that I know is comfortable and covers everything, only to find when I slip it over my head that it is no longer roomy, and no longer comfortable. I must have had a growth spurt. I had approximately 5 people tell me TODAY that I suddenly look huge.

I am feeling so close to the end in so many ways (and I am) but still have a ways to go in reality. I have a good 4-6 weeks left, which sounds like an awfully long time to go on like this...

I haven't mentioned my appetite lately. It has been a little lower than normal this week, due to the hot weather I believe. I don't ever feel as hungry when I am hot. The things I have been really enjoying this week: cold oranges, sugar snap pea pods, strawberries and chips with my mom's homemade salsa. I have also been craving a vanilla milkshake, which is odd because for the most part ice cream is not appealing. Along with appetite, I should mention that Midnight gives me heartburn. No joke. I get severe heartburn almost every night now. At midnight.

Speaking of the weather... we have been having 80 degree weather this week in MARCH! It is like a dream come true. I LOVE the sunshine. I am one of those people who should live in Florida. But I married a man who should live in Alaska. So we compromise with the upper midwest. I hope with all my heart that the weather is like this when I go into labor. With the sun shining down on me, a certain euphoria takes over and I feel like I could do anything. That would be a reeeally great feeling to have during labor.

34 weeks

33 Weeks

This week has been a little rougher than the past couple. I haven't been sleeping quite as well. I have had a definitive increase in trips to the bathroom. I get contractions CON.STANT.LY. When I eat until I am full, there is so much pressure in my belly that I need to lean back just to catch my breath. Oy.

One day this week I was experiencing some semi-intense cramping. So my Prince Charming (who was at work) arranged childcare for the kids and sent me to bed with water. So I spent the rest of the day in bed sleeping and watching shows. I feel much better now and have not had any more issues. (Thank you, Love!)

I have been extra emotional this week as well. I keep ping-ponging between the desire to be done-- have my body to myself and meet our sweet baby, and wanting the pregnancy to last longer knowing this is probably the last time I will feel a baby moving inside of me. I lay in bed every night with my hand resting on my tummy, relishing every little movement.

Saturday was Flynn's due date, as I mentioned in my previous post. I received such an outpouring of love this weekend. I want to thank all of you who showed your support through a kind word, a note, or flowers. I cannot begin to tell you how deeply that touched my heart. It moved this mama to tears several times to know that I am not the only one who remembers and honors Flynn's life. So thank you.

33 weeks

32 Weeks

Remember how I said that 30 weeks is a big milestone for me? Well, 30 is really exciting, but then every week after 30 goes sooooooo stinkin' slooooooooooow. Especially when close friends of yours give birth around now ;  ) (Congrats Aaron and Sarah!) I have been paying much closer attention to each passing day. Bad idea. It really makes time crawl. I try to distract my mind with my life apart from baby, but I think it is inevitable. The whole "nesting" thing has taken over my brain and I can't seem to regain control. So.... we wait.

I have been so grateful for deep, peaceful sleep up until now. I am starting to notice that changing this week. I have not been sleeping as well. I toss and turn frequently from discomfort, and have to get up several times to go to the bathroom throughout the night. I take comfort in knowing that each uncomfortable night, is one night closer to meeting sweet Bambino.

On a more serious note, I am approaching this week with a sad heart, remembering that I was due with Flynn on March 10th, which is this Saturday. And since I always go early, I am sure he would have been in my arms by now. It is a strange thing to mourn the loss of one child, while preparing to greet another. But somehow, thankfully, my mind has completely separated the two. Separate people, separate feelings. This is something I never would have understood, if I had not been in this place. If I had not had a miscarriage. I feel the pain from losing Flynn still and will never stop missing him, and yet still rejoice at this life within me knowing that s/he is not a replacement, but rather a sibling.

32 weeks

31 Weeks

It feels like my body is changing and preparing for labor this week. I have countless (strong) contractions every day. As in, every time I change positions, or bend over, or breath, I have a contraction. Nothing painful ever, but strong nonetheless. I also had a run of two days straight where I had the sensation that blood was pooling in my head and feet. Similar to the feeling of when you hang your head upside-down. I am not sure what that was all about. Hormones maybe?

31 weeks

Maybe more than my body, my mindset has shifted. I am in full-throttle baby mode. I have been listing the things that need to be done before baby's arrival, and getting to work to accomplish them:
-I washed and packed the two "going home" outfits
- I packed the diaper bag.
-We have our baby names decided with the exception of a girl's middle name. So last night we narrowed down the list to four possibilities. We will try to make a final decision on that this week.
-I started working on a labor playlist, gathering songs that I believe will "distract" me and encourage me during the pains of labor.
-This morning, I revised and printed our birth plan to hand in at our appointment next week.
-I did extensive research this week about breastfeeding, and preparing myself for the best possible success

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Along those lines, Jared and I have decided that since breastfeeding is so important to us and I have had such ill-success in the past, and because the first 48 hours are extremely crucial in the overall success of bf, we will not be accepting visitors while we are at the hospital (with the exception of family). However, we would welcome and love visitors after we arrive home! Please just understand that breastfeeding is my top priority, and visits will revolve around feedings. I need to do this right this time!
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Baby has been on my mind so much that last night I had a dream...

I was laying on the couch watching the kids while Jared was out running errands, and was turning over when I had one strong contraction and the sudden urge to push. So I gave birth (in one push, and no mess!) and held our new baby boy with joy. I texted Jared that the baby had been born, and he arrived home about 20 minutes later. I then spent the next two hours chasing the kids around the house breaking up fights and doing my motherly deeds, all the while passing the baby back and forth with Jared. I was growing ever more distraught as the time passed because I wanted to breastfeed the baby right away, and didn't have the chance. Finally I broke down in tears and told Jared I had not even had the chance to sit down and breastfeed yet, so he quickly assured me he would take over with the kids and handed me our precious baby girl. I looked into her beautiful round face, surrounded by various shades of pink blankie and hat, and fell in love.
The dream was so vivid and seemed long and very detailed. I woke up feeling sad and disappointed that I did not in fact have my babe that I fell in love with in my dream, even though it was gender-shifting AND because I did not experience a no-pain, one push, no mess delivery. :-)

Baby Love

My sister, Anna, came over and did a prgnancy photo shoot with me today.

AREN'T THESE INCREDIBLE!?

Click on over to her blog, Etc to check out some more of her work.

30 Weeks

This has always been a big week for me. I am finally in the 30's. I give birth in the 30's. The end is close!

I am still sleeping really, really well at night, which is a huge relief. The kids have been waking up at night a lot lately, which has been a good reminder of the brutal schedule that my future holds. I am one that relishes (and needs) her sleep. So for now, I am rejoicing in the Lord for granting me such deep, peaceful sleep.

I am having so much fun gathering baby things and preparing for this little one. We got an AWESOME bassinet this week from the Youngmans. I am not kidding, this thing is like the Rolls Royce of bassinets. Jared and I set it up yesterday, and it is stinkin' awesome! It even came with a remote control to operate the mobile, music and vibration settings. No joke.

I also spent every night this week online searching the latest and greatest in the baby world. I feel a little out of the loop already! The best discovery of this week was Comotomo bottles. I thoroughly researched bottles of every kind and decided on these. They are made of a squeezable silicone and have multiple holes (just like breastfeeding) depending on the flow you want (four levels). These have also been dubbed the only true "slow flow" on the market. They got the best ratings of all the bottles, specifically from mothers who mostly breastfeed but need a bottle as similar to breastfeeding as possible. Several people even said that using this bottle helped their baby learn the proper latch when they were having trouble at the breast. Anyways, I ordered two today and am very excited to put them to use!

5oz and 8oz

Choice of pink or green

Squeezable silicone to mimic letdown