Bella's Birth Story Part 1

I wish so badly that I was better with words than I am. I would love to have some really awesome way to share my angel's birth story with you. So I guess I will just tell you how it went...

On Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at around 6 p.m., after Noah had left for school, I started having some contractions. I had been having contractions for several days, so I was not too surprised when they started again. I timed them and they got closer together at about 6 minutes apart. But they had done this same thing before so I waited because I did not want to go to the hospital and get sent home...again.

I sat on our couch, reading my new Max Lucado book that I had bought earlier that day. At about 8 p.m., I realized how strong my contractions were and that I had been having them for over 2 hours now. I was still not convinced that I was in labor. I continued to read. It finally got to the point that I had to stop reading during each contraction and grit my teeth while clenching our couch cushions.

I decided at that point, around 9 p.m. to call my doctor. He, of course, told me to go to the hospital. I could barely walk down our stairs because of the pain of the contractions. Noah was still at school. By the time I got into my Mother In Law's room I was in tears. She got ready in record time and took me to the hospital. I called and texted Noah several times to let him know we were heading to the hospital.

After getting checked in to the hospital, the nurse checked me and I was dilated to 5cm. I then asked if I was going to be admitted...her reply was "oh yes, honey, you are staying." I was scared, relieved, shocked, and excited...all at once.

Teresa (my mother in law) called my mom, dad and step-mom, they headed to the hospital from AR (which is about 3 hours away). I am pretty sure they all made it there in record time. Noah finally arrived and we settled in for a long night. Teresa and Leroy (my in-laws) went home and got some rest while the rest of us rested in my room, which I might add...was HUGE and really nice. The women's and children's pavilion that I delivered in was brand new...it opened in February, 2010.

At about 11 p.m. that night I got my epidural. Best. Decision. Ever. I am so glad I got an epidural because I do not handle pain well.

I didn't sleep much that night. I think I was too anxious knowing that very soon I would be holding my baby girl. It was an unreal feeling.

More later....

No baby yet & Random pictures

Yep, no baby yet. We are still patiently waiting for Miss Isabella to make her arrival. I have been having consistent contractions for almost 2 weeks now and my body is exhausted. I have only been working part time during the day but today was my last day to work until after my maternity leave is over. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. so maybe I will be dilated enough to go to the hospital. I have had 3 episodes of "false labor" now. I only went to the hospital for one and the other two I have waited out and they went away (obviously, ha!) I will be induced on Monday August 2nd at 5 a.m., if she does not make her appearance on her own before then. That is only 5 days away!! I can't believe it. I will update tomorrow (if I am able to) and hopefully we will have a clearer view of what is going to happen over the next few days. Please pray things go well and that our baby girl is healthy and happy!

On July 6th, our little man, Elijah turned 6 years old. We didn't do a big birthday party for him because he went on a vacation with my in-laws to Silver Dollar City. He had a great time. But here are some pictures from the little present opening we did.






Also, a few weekends ago, when Elijah was on his vacation with MeMe and Pawpaw, we took Kirsten to the zoo. We met a high school friend of Noah's there, who has 2 girls right around Kirsten's age, and they had a blast.

Weekly OB Check Up-36 weeks!

Yesterday (07/08) I had my 36 week OB checkup.  It was just the normal pee in a cup, blood pressure, weight, cervical check. My GBS (Group B streptococcus) culture came back positive from my last weeks exam.  My doctor assured me (over and over) that is was not a huge deal.  I will just have to have antibiotics the entire time I am in labor to ensure that I do not pass it on to Isabella.  He is confident that won't happen. 

Here are our most recent stats:

-Gained 38 lbs so far

-Isabella’s heart rate was 140

-My blood pressure was pretty low, but he just said I need to make sure I drink enough water and stay well hydrated

-dilated 2 cm

-effaced 60%

-Lost my mucus plug (is that not the nastiest word?!)

Also, he wants me to be induced on August 2nd if she does make her appearance before then.  He has several reasons to wanting this, one being the GBS and some other personal medical problems I have.  (not going to discuss those here though) So I am going to be doing a lot of walking to get her to come on her own before I have to be induced.  After talking with some of the great ladies in the MckMama forum and the Single Infertile Female forum I really decided that letting her come on her own was the best idea.  I guess my doctor has other plans…but I just have to trust him.  So at the very latest, we will be meeting our baby girl in 3 weeks and 3 days!! I can’t believe it is this close :)

Here is my 36 week belly update:

 

Getting BIG! ha!

Please pray that Miss Isabella decides to come on her own before August 2nd, so that I don’t have to be induced :) Thanks! Hope you have a great weekend.  I am going to the Zoo to walk, walk, walk :)

Dr Appt-35 weeks!

Yesterday (07/01) I had my weekly doctor’s appointment.  I had to do my Strep B culture, which was by no means fun, but not really that bad.  My doctor’s appointments are really brief…I am usually in and out in about 20 minutes.  It is really nice. 

Here are the most recent stats:

-Dilated 1 cm

-40% effaced

-Isabella’s heartrate is slowing down now..It was 136!

-Blood pressure perfect

-I weigh 158 (which is a total weight gain of 38 lbs)

 

Dr. said it would be “soon” or about 2.5-3 weeks is his guess! I am so excited and can’t believe things are getting “serious” in the baby having department. ha!

And here is my 35 week belly shot!

  

I could not be happier! I am just waiting patiently for her to make her debut!

Belly Update

34 weeks :)

I go back to the doctor next week! Can't wait! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Dr Appt-33 weeks!

Yesterday (06/17) I had my 33 week OB appointment. Which also happened to be my first cervical check (TMI? Sorry but this is my blog..lol) The doctor said my cervix was thinning but no dilation yet which is great! Here are the stats from yesterdays appointment:

-Miss Isabella weighs approximately 4 lbs 11 oz. and my Dr. does not think she will be more than 7 lbs. But we shall see :)

-Her heartrate is dropping now, which he said it does at the end of the pregnancy, it was 140.

-I have gained a whopping 32 lbs so far! Oh my!

-My blood pressure was perfect!

My doctor does not think that I will go full term though. He is thinking between weeks 37-38, but you never know he says! ha.

I am feeling pretty pregnant these days. I see a change in my belly almost daily, it is so strange that she is getting so big now. I can't believe that I only have 7 weeks until my due date. That is insane to me. I was (almost) 7 weeks pregnant when I heard her heartbeat for the first time!

So here is another belly update:



I am wearing a lot of dresses these days even though at the beginning of my pregnancy I swore I would be wearing pants still. ha ha!

I am now on weekly appointments so get ready for some major Baby Isabella updates coming your way :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend...Mine is going to be GREAT because my mommy is coming to town and we have a FULL weekend planned! yay! :)

God Bless :)

Thank You Very Much-Pregnancy Version

It has been a while since I linked up with Kmama over at The Daily Dribbles for her Thank You Very Much Thursday but today seemed like a good day to do it..so here is my Thank You's-Pregnancy Version!

-To my awful pregnancy hormones, I do not enjoy crying about everything I see on TV or in person. I really honestly do not find that Progressive commercial to be sad in any way, so Thank You Very Much!

-To the braxton hicks contractions that have been plaguing me every 45 minutes for 2 days now and therefore causing me to not have much sleep...Thank You Very Much!

-To the heartburn that causes me much uncomfortableness...Thank You Very Much!

*On a side note-I am thankful that I am pregnant and that God has allowed me to have this special time with my daughter..but I do not like the other things that come with it :)

Maternity Pictures

First off, I want to say that I had an amazing “get away” weekend in AR visiting my family.   We visited with a lot of family and just had a blast.  But this post is not about our weekend.  It is to show you all my maternity pictures that my sister in law, Kristen, took of me on Sunday (while we were supposed to be at a family reunion, but that is a different story).  So here are my top favorites:

 

 

 

 

I haven’t decided which one to blow up to put above Isabella’s bed yet.  Can you help me and tell me which one YOU like best?

I am absolutely in love with all of the pictures! :)

*I will post all about our wonderful weekend in my next post(s). 

Dr. Appt 30 weeks!

Yesterday (5/27) I had an OB check up. Just a routine check. Everything was great!

Stats on Me and baby Isabella:

Gained 22 lbs so far
Bella weighs approximately 3 lbs 1 oz.
Her heartbeat was 156.
My blood pressure was perfect

I have been having a lot of swelling & water retention lately but my doctor said that since my blood pressure is perfect that he is not worried about it. I am now on every 3 week visits instead of 4. Starting my next appointment I will be on every 2 week visits. I can't believe it is getting so close to time to meet my precious little girl!

I have a few more things to check off my to do list:

Finally bought a breast pump
Bought a crib mattress
Found an inhome daycare provider for Isabella.

I feel like there is still so much to do though. I think I am really getting into the nesting stage. I hope to be able to put her crib together soon :)

On a different note:
We are taking my last trip to AR this weekend to see my family before Bella makes her arrival. My doctor doesn't want me traveling after 34-35 weeks so sadly this will be my last trip :( Oh well they will just have to come see me! ha.

I can't wait for all the family fun this weekend!! I am sure I will have lots of fun things and pictures to post!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend. Don't forget to it is Memorial Day...Honor your veterans and active military!

God Bless :)

Who Wants to Guess?

Ok so I totally stole this idea from Danielle over at Letting Go and Letting God. But I thought it was so cute and fun and wanted to play too!

So just go here and guess when you think Isabella will be born, how much she will weigh, etc! I think it will be fun to see everyone's guesses!!

Thanks :)

The Start of Something New...

My 3rd trimester!!! I can't believe it! I am only (approximately of course) 11 weeks away from meeting my precious daughter!! This experience has been so surreal to me. I still can't believe sometimes that I am having a baby. But of course there are the other times when she has a foot in my ribcage or an elbow in my bladder that I realize that yes, in fact, I am having a baby! ha! I am now 28 weeks and 2 days pregnant!

See?



Wowswers, Look at that belly!! :) I am so excited..can you tell?

Isabella’s Quilt

I just wanted to show you all Isabella’s quilt that her GG, my paternal grandpa’s wife (not my grandma though…kind of odd I know) made her! I absolutely love it! In fact, I love it so much that I asked GG to make the bumper pads and crib skirt for Bella’s crib too!  I was ecstatic when she said she would.  Not only does it save us money but it is something Bella can hold on to for forever and have it as a family heirloom.  I love handmade with love things.  So here it is :)

Here are some close ups of the different squares:

Isn’t it precious? I love all the details.  The crib skirt and bumper pad will just be one solid pattern and will really work nicely with all the details in the quilt!! I could not be more excited about Bella’s nursery now. 

Thanks GG for all your hard work and the love you put into this quilt (and accessories)! Isabella is so blessed to have you as her GG :)

Baby Shower

Saturday, May 1st, I had my first baby shower! I was so worried on Friday night that things weren't going to go right because of all the nasty weather we were having here in the South :)

We drove down to my parents house in AR on Saturday morning, in some really nasty rain and storms for half of the way. We arrived RIGHT when it was supposed to start and when guests were arriving so I had no time to freshen up after my 3 hour car ride..ugh!

Here are some pictures from the shower:




















The outfit I am holding in picture #3 is Isabella's coming home outfit! I just adore it!

It was a great turnout and Isabella really was spoiled. I am so thankful for all the great friends and family that came out to show their love for me and Isabella!

Just wanted to say an extra special THANKS to my sister, Ashley, step-mom Dana, and mom, Brenda for hosting and throwing this beautiful shower! I feel so loved!

Ms. Isabella is pretty set now and we will have little to buy when she gets here!

God is so mighty and we are so blessed!

26 weeks!

Just a quick post before I get ready and head out on my Birthday/Baby Shower adventure in AR.

I passed my glucose test at the doctor's office on Thursday! Relief :) And I have not been having any dizzy spells/headaches since the doctor gave me my restrictions. So those are two big positives.

Here I am at 26 weeks pregnant with our precious baby girl, Isabella!






Isn't it truly amazing how you love someone so much and you have not even met them yet? Isabella gets more active everyday and I absolutely love it!!

I have still only gained 16 lbs and I am pretty proud of that. I hope my weight gain stays under control the entire time I am pregnant. :)

Well it is off for a fun-filled day for me. Lots of cute pictures and posts to come about my baby shower and birthday :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Dr Appointment & Glucose Test

I had my glucose tolerance test done this morning at my doctor's office...no results yet until tomorrow. I will update when I know the results but I am pretty sure they will be fine as I have no family history of diabetes and/or gestational diabetes.

He talked to me again about vaginal birth vs. c-section. He is basically giving me the choice. If I choose vaginal birth, he will induce me between 36-38 weeks depending on how big Isabella is at that point. If I choose to go into labor naturally, I could end up having an emergency c-section because he thinks my body will not be able to handle a full term baby birth. I am not completely sure what all that means but he doesn't want any organs/bones messed up while I give birth. I want a vaginal birth so I will let him induce me when he thinks the time is right. He has been a doctor for a long time and he is also the Chief of Staff at the hospital I am delivering at. I have full confidence in him.

My blood pressure has been consistently low since being pregnant. Today it was 99/62. He is concerned this may cause problems so he gave me some restrictions to follow: eat a snack every 2 hours and once during the night, do not remain on my feet either standing or walking for longer than 30 minutes without resting. My blood pressure is not high enough to circulate the blood back to my heart and other organs and this can cause not enough blood to get to Isabella, which of course would not be good.

So a lot of news this morning...not all that I wanted to hear but nothing too major. Her heartbeat was great, 152! She is such a squirmer..the nurse has to follow her around my belly to get a good reading. ha ha!

I can't wait to meet my baby girl!!

On a different note: Saturday is my birthday (I will be 24) and it is also my first baby shower thrown by my family in AR. :) I can not wait. Some of my friends from high school (who I have not seen in years, but keep up with through Facebook) will be there and I am definitely excited!

I will post the results of my glucose test tomorrow...along with some updated belly pics :)

Comparison!!

Pre-Baby



12-13 weeks



19-20 weeks



22 weeks



24-25 weeks (taken today)



I would say a lot has changed over these past 6 months! But I would not change it for the world!!

Doctor's Appointment

I saw my doctor again today for my routine ob visit. All was well (mostly)...Bella's heartrate was normal 148, my blood pressure was great, I have gained 13 lbs and everything looks good.

He changed me to every 3 week appointments instead of 4 because he thinks my hips are not spreading like they should be and he is afraid I may be too little to give natural birth. He wants to keep a close eye on it because if they do not spread he will want to do a c-section by 36 weeks. I really really don't want this to happen but I am trusting in HIM and I know that what HE decides will be fine. My doctor said to not worry that they still have plenty of time to spread and I could still have a vaginal birth. So that is what I am doing...leaving it to HIM.

At my next appointment I have to do my glucose diabetes test. I am not looking forward to it but it is kind of exciting that I am already to that point in my pregnancy! I can't believe that in 17 short weeks (or sooner) I will be meeting my precious daughter!!

The nurse had a hard time finding Isabella's heartbeat at first because she was moving around so much! ha ha. She is already an active little girl!

I can't wait to meet this precious (active) angel inside of me :)

22 weeks...

There really is nothing special at 22 weeks pregnant..except that you are still going strong and baby is doing great :) I really just wanted to share a belly pic with you (and for my journal of this pregnancy) I really see a difference between now and 2 weeks ago...it is really crazy how fast I/Bella grow(s). I am enjoying my pregnancy so much!




I hope you all have had a great Good Friday and have a Wonderful Easter!

It is truly amazing that HE died for ME (and YOU!) What an amazing gift!!