Lucy's Birth

Our sweet little Lucy blessed our lives by joining us on Wednesday, September 22 at 6:06 pm. It was the best day ever. We were instantly in love.

Tuesday night I went to bed, frustrated that my due date had come and gone. I woke up an hour later to more contractions. I had been having them for a month now and consistently for the past 5 days. I was not happy to spend another sleepless night, having contractions that seemed to be getting me nowhere closer to having my baby. I contracted every five minutes throughout the night. They were stronger than they had ever been but weren't getting stronger throughout the night, or closer together. I thought it was definitely false labor once again. I didn't sleep a wink all night. At 4:30 I just started crying. I was so frustrated, in pain, and was completely exhausted which is a sorry combination for me. I was having quite the pity party for myself. When I was finally able to calm myself down, around 5:45, I felt a little trickle. I stood up out of bed to go to the bathroom, when bam, a gush of amniotic fluid came splashing out. My water had broken! I was shocked and was pleasantly surprised. I immediately woke Josh up. We showered, grabbed our bags, and headed to the hospital.

We got to the hospital just before 7:00 am. We were admitted, I changed into a hospital gown, and was hooked up to an IV. It took them 3 or 4 tries to get the IV in. I have teeny tiny little veins and it is always an issue when I need an IV. Eventually they got it to work, but my arms are still so bruised I look like a drug addict. They are pretty much brown, blue and purple from my wrist to elbow and don't seem to be getting any better. They started pumping me full of saline, and an antibiotic because I tested positive for the strep B bacteria.

I was having contractions and was slightly dilated, the baby was extremely low and I was completely effaced. I stayed like that for a few hours with no progression in the dilation department. The Dr ordered some pitocin to get me to dilate, which I wasn't thrilled about but it did the trick. It took me about 4 hours to go from a 1 to a 3, 2 hours to go from a 3 to a 6 (at which point I got my epidural, hallelujah!), and under an hour to go from a 6 to a 10. I was in shock when they told me it was time to start pushing! Everything suddenly became very real.

I pushed for an hour total. It was a really amazing and fun experience. I had my sister, my mom, my dad and Josh's mom all in the room with me. We were able to joke and laugh and enjoy the entire experience together and it was awesome. Josh and Lindsay each held one of my legs while I pushed. My mom and Bonnie helped support my head and back and my dad was on camera duty above my head. Since I couldn't feel a thing, I had them bring a mirror over a few times throughout the delivery so I could see the progress I was making. It was a fascinating thing to watch and I would recommend it to anyone giving birth. It was really encouraging to see all my work paying off. About 45 minutes into my pushing my doctor came in to check on things. She discovered that Lucy was facing the wrong direction. She quickly flipped her right around. I didn't realize how quickly things would move after she had rotated the baby and didn't know I was on my last push when I was. It was amazing. She said that if she had been facing the right way, I would have only had to push for about 20 minutes. I didn't mind the hour of pushing and actually kind of enjoyed it. With 3 pushes after she was rotated, Lucy was born. It was love at first sight for all of us. She was gorgeous, pink and round with tons of long dark hair.
Our lives changed forever, we were overjoyed.

Just arrived at the hospital

40 weeks 1 day pregnant

Contractions getting a wee bit stronger

The awesome anesthesiologist. After he helped me I was able to fully enjoy the birth of our daughter.

Trying to rest up before the delivery.

Lindsay was my official ice chip feeder.

Josh's mom and my mom

My daddy

Welcome to the world Sweet Lucy.

Our blue little baby. The cord had been wrapped around her neck 2 times.

First contact

I did it!

Our gorgeous little babe.

6 lbs 12 oz

After her birth, Lucy had to have fluid drained from her lungs. She was breathing alright, she was just grunting instead of letting out wailing cries. She had inhaled gunk on her way out, luckily no miconium though, just some goop. While I was being stitched up and taken care of (I had a level 2 tear), they took her to the NICU for about an hour to watch her and make sure everything was perfect before they brought her back to us. She is perfectly healthy and we are so grateful she is so. We missed her so much while she was gone.

So in love.

Our family of 3.

Lucy with Grandma Bonnie.

Grandma Linda

Grandpa Steve

Aunt Lindsay

Cuddling with my precious little babe.

Daddy is already smitten.

With Brooke

Matt and Dr Brock

Aunt Rachel

Tori

Rebecca

Grandpa Steve

Joe

Aunt Becca

Proud Uncle Luke

Brett and Heather

Dusty and Carly

Grandma Linda

Aunt Lindsay

Giving birth was the best experience I've had in my life. I loved every minute of it and can not wait to do it again. I am so thankful I'm a woman and that I have the ability to bare children. It is a true blessing.

We are living in Lala Land right now. We couldn't be happier or more in love with our precious daughter. Words can not possibly describe the joy she has brought to our home. We are so very blessed.

Meet Lucy

Lucy June

September 22, 2010
6 lbs 12 oz
20 inches tall

We are in love.

Baby update, or the lack thereof.

Well, I progressed very little this week...like 1/2 a cm and no effacing. Baby is still sitting right where she has been. I didn't expect any progress this week because, heck, that's the trend I follow. We had to set a temporary induction date (Sept 28) and I really, really hope I don't get that far. The placenta starts to disintegrate approximately 10 days after the date the baby is due, so they really want the baby out around that time. My Dr also said there is a window (7-10 days past due date) that the likelihood of needing a c-section is decreased when being induced, after that point it skyrockets. So that's what we'll aim for if completely necessary.

Please keep your fingers crossed, and say a prayer or two, that Baby will come on her own before the induction date. I hope she is obedient and listens to what her mama wants.

It's Official

I look like I'm about to pop.

38 Weeks Pregnant and despite my expression I am happy about life, just not thrilled to be taking a picture looking the way I do.

So apparently that nurse who said there was NO way I was going to make it to my due date was wrong. I'm 9 days out and think I still have 2 weeks to go. I feel no different than I did 2 months ago and have not progressed even the tiniest bit. We are anxious to meet this little lady who is growing inside of me- she's all we can think about!

Some fun new pregnancy facts:

• Good sleep has become a thing of the past. It has just recently become uncomfortable for me. I can't find a good position and I wake up all the time. Oh well, I definitely enjoyed it while it lasted, the first 24 years of my life. Maybe one day I'll be able to do it again, maybe I won't.
• I go into Baby's nursery every morning when I wake up and just stare at everything. I don't ever get bored of it either. We plan on having her in her own room from night one.
• I have contractions throughout the day almost every day these days. Some are stronger than others. One night last week we thought I could possibly be in the beginning stages of labor. My contractions were strong and coming on every 3-5 minutes for 3.5 hours. I just didn't think it was something to worry about so we didn't go to the hospital. Turns out I was right. They just decided to stop and I was really sad about it.
• Baby has dropped quite a bit and the bottom of my belly hangs out of my shirts now. Yes, I have belly cleavage. It's so white trash but I can't do anything about it.
• I have gained 17.5 lbs over the past 9 months, and still don't have any stretch marks or swelling, hallelujah! I use Mother's Special Blend oil on my tummy, hips and butt 1-2 times a day. I love the stuff. I'm not sure if it has actually helped, or if I am just genetically blessed in the skin department, but I will use it with every pregnancy from here on out!
  
• I still exercise lightly, but get contractions throughout my work out. My work outs consist of incline walking, stairs and light weights. I'm excited to run again and to be able to really push myself.
• We have completed our birthing and breast feeding classes. I feel good about both things but am more nervous about breast feeding. I feel it's a very important thing to do and I'm worried that for some reason or another we'll struggle with it. I guess if we do, we do and it will all work out eventually.
• I'm also pretty set on having Baby on a schedule. I know people have varying opinions on this but I think it can only bring security and happiness to the baby in the long run. I know it will take some time to figure out and that we will have to be flexible but it's something I really want to achieve asap. Good sleeping and eating patterns make everyone happy, don't they?
• I won't be induced until she is at least 10 days past her due date. I personally am not a fan of induction, even though I've obviously never been through one. I think that babies come when they're good and ready and that any artificial drug isn't good for mom or baby so it's best to limit the use of them. I also think it's best to avoid risking a c-section where you can and inducement only adds to the likelihood of having to have one. If I get desperate, I'll try other natural options before I get induced. If they don't work we'll re-evaluate our situation at that point. I'm hoping she just comes on time, on her own, like a good little girl.
• My sister is as anxious as Josh and I. I get a text, voice mail, or Facebook message every day from her requesting I force my baby out. She's getting very frustrated with us.
  

Well I guess that's it for now. I am trying to stay busy with house chores and such until she arrives. I hope she comes sooner than later. She consumes my every thought. We are ready for you nameless little baby! Come join our family. We're a fun bunch, I promise!

Baby Showers Galore!

I have had 3 baby showers in Utah in the past month. We are so spoiled and so lucky to have such excited, generous and loving friends and family. Here's a recap of the three.

Brooke threw a double shower for me and Tori. It was really fun because Tori and I have known each other since we were 3 years old. She is due with a boy 3 weeks after I'm due. The shower was so beautiful, the food was incredible, and all our darling friends showed up to support us. It was amazing.

The brunch spread consisted of fresh fruit, yogurt and Carly's homemade granola, it was delicious.

Brooke's homemade cinnamon rolls, which are the best I've ever had in my life-seriously.

And Kim's savory quiche. Every bite of this food left my taste buds thrilled.

We got so many great gifts and are so lucky.

Me and Brookey

Me and Tori

Will, the little boy I watch, his mom Kate, and me

Some of our cute girl friends

The girls at my salon threw me such a fun shower. Again, the food was amazing. I know some great cooks. Nicole hosted the shower and went above and beyond. She is wonder woman. She has a 6 week old newborn and a 2 year old and she still managed to pull this all of with grace and looked gorgeous while doing it. She even made home made rolls and cupcakes for the event. I didn't get many pictures of all the decor, food, or girls. She has better ones than I do on her blog so pay a visit to see everything.

The cupcakes she made, so cute!

Me and Kristi who is due with a girl, Journee, in December.

Cassi, who is having a boy the 15 of this month, Bree, Ally, and Holly. I love these girls!

Josh's mom and sisters threw me a shower with all of the extended family. It was great to see everyone. The food, again, was delicious. I wish I had snapped some better pictures. On the menu we had peanut chicken kabobs, berry salad, homemade rolls, fresh fruit and lots of treats. It was seriously amazing. They had the house decorated so cute and I loved every detail.

Isn't this cradle amazing?

Me with all my R Spiker girl cousins.

Josh's sisters Rebecca, Rachel and his mom Bonnie

Thank you to everyone who put time and energy into my showers, and to everyone who came to them. I loved being with each of you. We feel so lucky and blessed to know so many great people. We are all spoiled and our baby isn't even here yet. Our daughter has more clothes than we know what to do with, I don't know that she'll ever repeat an outfit!