1 month!!

In some ways, I can't believe it's already been a month. In others, it's seemed like decades. Unfortunately, my hopes for a good post partum time were dashed. I'm apparently just one that's gonna have trouble with hormones leveling out. I've been struggling. Finally, I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel....I think. Jacob had hand-foot-mouth disease the second week we were home. Now, this past week, he's battling double ear infections (he hasn't had one in over 1.5 years) and we're having trouble keeping his fever down below 103!! Even with antibiotics. So, obviously, we're just trying to get by.

Jordyn is doing great. She is eating great (ALL THE TIME). And YAY!, I'm still nursing her. At least I was able to do that this time. I made it a full month before giving her a bottle. That was a HUGE milestone for me. She has had 2 bottles of formula (we tried to see if she'd sleep longer, but didn't work....and she'd much prefer momma's milk anyway). She is sleeping 3-4 hour stretches most of the time. Once, she gave me 5, but I'm still looking forward to the day when that is the norm vs. the exception. She is a very needy baby. Much more than Jacob was. If she's awake, she wants to be held or fed. She doesn't like the swing, bouncy seat or a pacifier. So, it's kind of wearing me down, but I'm trying to just soak it all in now cause I know soon enough I'll want to cuddle her and she won't want a thing to do with me. It's hard though when you are running on a month of sleep that consists of 3 hour stretches.

Baby Jordyn Renee is here

I went in to the hospital Tuesday (April 6th) as planned for my c/s. Long story short, I walked to the OR, got on the table, got a spinal that didn't take. Had to get a second spinal. Once I was good and numb, they started. The actual surgery was quick and painless. My previous c/s was with an epidural, and I felt much more pressure and pulling. This time, I really felt nothing (although I could smell her caurterizing some vessels.....ick). Kyle got some good pics of the actual surgery (if anyone wants to see what a uterus looks like, just let me know....lol). Jordyn was born at 7:55am. She came out crying....actually before her body was even out.

Because I had to have 2 spinals, I was numb until 5 pm that day. I had to lay flat that entire time!! Jordyn is doing great. Nursing is going great so far. My recovery is slow and painful, but I'm making progress.

Jordyn had a low blood sugar right after delivery and had to receive some IV fluids and formula, but she bounced back quickly and hasn't had formula since. She is still a bit jaudiced, but nothing of concern. In fact, the pedi didn't even schedule her back for a weekly follow-up, but 10 days instead!! She did fail her hearing test in the right ear, but again, the pedi was not concerned. She said that it's actually pretty common because of the fluid from birth. She'll be tested again in a month. Jacob was not too thrilled by her, but that was nothing we didn't expect.

Here are the final stats:
7 lbs, 7 oz
20 inches long
She's perfect!

38 week appointment

This was a bitter-sweet appt for me. It is my last one. While it marks the end of this discomfort (well, almost...one more week), it also marks the end of the pregnancy. Yes, I whine and complain about how uncomfortable I am, but at the same time, I cherish every minute that God has allowed me to carry this little miracle inside of me. Being a woman, and having the gift of growing life inside of you, is truly amazing. That being said, I'm ready for this lil' one to be on the outside now.

Today, I had to see a different OB because mine was on vacation (how dare she go states away when I'm about to give birth...never mind that it's spring break or something....) My weight was up almost 2# from last week. That puts my total wt gain so far just under 30#, which I'm very pleased with. My tummy measured 38 cm...still right on track. My BP is creeping up, but still not alarmingly high...130/86. With Jacob, it started running high in the last 2 weeks, so this really doesn't surprise me much. During the u/s, the baby's HR was 145 bpm. She had to be poked and proded again to get some movement, but hey, it's getting crowed in there). She again displayed her practice breathing and fabulous heartbeat right away. During the NST, the HR ranged from 110-175 bpm....again, normal. My fluid was again a bit lower this week, but still well within the normal range. I was checked for dilation again. This time I was 1.5cm dilated and 70% effaced. Last week I was not dilated at all and was 50% effaced. What does that mean? Nothing really. Just different. Some ladies can be dilated to 4cm and not have the baby for weeks, while others report being ZERO and having their baby that night. I'm still guessing we're in this for the long haul, which is just fine by me.

Oh, another plus...this different OB said that the baby was still high up. That normally wouldn't be a good thing, but hear me out. When I mentioned that Jacob never would drop, even after 12 hours of labor, she said, "Oh, then I definitely think you're doing the right thing by planning another c/s. More than likely, if Jacob didn't drop, this one won't either". She did, however, say that she thinks this baby will outweigh Jacob. Um, he was 8lbs, 13oz. Can I just add that I'm glad I'm having the c/s too!

So, by this time next week, we will officially be a family of 4. Gulp.

Here's my belly as of today....38 weeks....

37 week--FULL TERM!

Another GREAT appointment....

Wt was up not even a full 1# from last week. That puts my total wt gain so far at ~28#. My tummy measured 37cm...right on track. My BP was just a bit higher than usual, but still good at...130/68! During the u/s, the baby's HR was 143 bpm. She was very active this time, thankfully (it didn't take near as long...and no buzzer was involved...haha). She again displayed her practice breathing and fabulous heartbeat right away (I never get tired of that wonderful sound!). During the NST, the HR ranged from 110-161 bpm....again, normal. My fluid was just a bit lower this week, but still well within the normal range. And today was another weight estimate. She is estimated to be 7 lbs right now. So, that puts me right on target for an 8 lb baby at 39 weeks (when we have the c/s planned). I was also checked for any dilation, which was a big fat ZERO. I'm guessing we're in this for the long haul, which is just fine by me. I'm in pain and ready to have my body back, but I want the very best for my baby, and that means growing until she is ready! However, since she checked me for dilation, I've been having pains (contractions??). Who knows? I guess only the baby...LOL.

I've still been battling this stupid cold. I woke up Sunday feeling pretty lousy and by Monday, I was 99.9% sure that I had a full blown sinus infection (as evidenced by my swollen, sore face and hurting teeth). I had been asking for antibiotics for the past 2 weeks, but my OB wasn't sure if it was just allergies or if it was the normal stuffiness that can result from pregnancy. I guess it finally took a painful face and teeth to convince her. I got my antibiotics yesterday and am already feeling better. And thankfully, I can still take Sudafed and Benadryll which offer additional relief.

The baby's room is almost complete. The clothes are washed and put away, the diapers and changing table are waiting. The crib is ready. The recliner is ready. All that is left is just a few wall hangings to hang. Now, the REAL question....am I ready?

36 week appointment

Getting SO close!

Another GREAT appointment....

Wt was up 1# from last week. That puts my total wt gain so far at 27#. My tummy measured 36cm...right on track. My BP was still fantastic...120/70! During the u/s, the baby's HR was 146 bpm (that's the highest it's been during the u/s...but still perfectly within the normal range). She tried to sleep through the entire u/s again, but with a little poking and "buzzing" (they actually put a buzzer to your belly to wake up and startle the baby), she stirred for us. She again displayed her practice breathing and fabulous heartbeat right away (I never get tired of that wonderful sound!). During the NST, the HR ranged from 110-179 bpm....again, normal. My fluid was still on target.

I'm battling yet another cold. This has pretty much be going on for the past 8 weeks. It gets better, then worse. I'm still not sure if it's due to the pregnancy (they say you can be stuffy and congested due to the hormones), if it's allergies (apparently everyone with known allergies is complaining about how bad they are right now) or if it's an actual cold. I'm guessing the cold because Jacob and all of the kiddos at his daycare are coughing like crazy and have stuffy noses. Leave it to them to share. Thanksfully, I can take Sudafed and Benadryll which offer some relief. But when you add a stuffy nose to an already short-of-breath pregnant lady, it makes for some "fun" times.

35 week appointment

Another GREAT appointment....

So, here's the details....
Wt was up 3# this week (which is overall still down 2# from the lovely stomach bug). That puts my total wt gain so far at 26#. My tummy measured 35cm...right on track. My BP was still fantastic...122/78! During the u/s, the baby's HR was 132 bpm. She decided to make a liar out of me at this appointment. I told the u/s tech that she moves ALL THE TIME, and what does she do....she sleeps through the entire u/s. Lil' stinker. I think I have stubborn lil' girl on my hands!! Even with poking, proding and turning onto my side, she would barely budge. But, she displayed her practice breathing and fabulous heartbeat right away, so no worries...she was just napping. During the NST, the HR ranged from 110-160 bpm. My fluid was still on target.

Oh, and I was registering contractions on the NST monitor. I didn't feel them, but they were there. However, this morning, I'm feeling some sporadic ones! Hmmm......

34 week appointment

Well, I guess this is going to be boring, but this is a GOOD thing....it means I keep getting the same report....which is "PERFECT".

I was especially worried this week because after a serious stomach bug over the weekend, I had dropped 8 lbs (in one day!) and was really, really weak. Not to worry though, my lil' lady bug is a strong one. She wasn't phased by all the puking I was doing. In fact, she was partly to blame....lol....(belly movement while nauseous is not fun, lemme tell ya!)

So, here's the details....
Wt was down 5# this week thanks to that lovely stomach bug (so I've gained back 3 of the 8 I lost). That puts my total wt gain so far at 23#. My tummy measured 34cm...back on track. My BP was still fantastic...117/78! During the u/s the baby's HR was 126 bpm. During the NST, the HR ranged from 110-160 bpm. She was moving like CRAZY!!! My fluid was still on target.

Again, another fantastic appointment. I am so blessed!!

In other news, we had one of our baby showers last weekend (I don't think I mentioned this last week). We got so much cute stuff. I can't believe how well dressed this baby is gonna be! I just love all of the pink, ruffley, frilly stuff and bows! I can't wait to see her in all of this!! I have another shower at work planned this Friday and another shower Saturday at my sisters (for family). I'm so excited.