Max's Hospital Stay

Our hospital stay was amazing. We were so thankful for the nurses. They waited on us hand and foot, and went out of their way to help. We wanted to breastfeed and I was having a lot of trouble. But the nurses would not let me leave the hospital until we got it down and I am so grateful for that. (more on breastfeeding later). Because of the issues with breastfeeding Max had slight jaundice, but went away once we got home and on a regular eating schedule. We even had to take home a BiliBed and a Bili Blanket. He hated it and I cried every second he was in that bed.

We had lots of visitors to come love on Max, a couple of monkeys, and some nice flowers that brightened up the room.Max was so alert from the minute he was born he had his eyes open. I loved spending every second with him, and it was an amazing experience for Kenny and I. The things that we went through together through all of this made us closer than ever. Every time I look at Max I think, we did this, we made this little human being. What a miracle.

Max's Birth Day....Early Morning

Sorry I haven't been on here lately to update, but can ya blame me? I have been a little busy with the cutest baby in my life and I hate spending one second not holding him or just staring at him. But  I thought it was time to sit down and type out his birth day before I get back to work, and before I forget all of the fun details. 

I walked into work Wednesday morning and thought my water had broke, so I headed to the hospital. It turned out that my water had not broke, that I just lost my mucus plug and they sent me home. So I spent all Wednesday day and night cleaning the house, organizing the house, and doing last minutes things I knew I wouldn't want to do once we came home. I had to stop eating at midnight that night so I ate lots of pasta and a huge bowl of ice cream. The next day I regretted not eating more than that haha. I woke up at 6:45 am Thursday morning and stared at the clock until it reached 7. I was instructed to call the nurses station at the hospital to see if they had a room open, and they did. We were told to be at the hospital at 7:45. So I got up and took a shower, and made a craft for Max's room while I waited for Kenny to wake up. 

Here is what I made. 

Kenny could not believe that I spent the time waiting to go to the hospital making a craft instead of laying in bed, but I had to keep my mind busy. I had waited for this day not just for 9 months, but for years. I have always wanted to a mommy, and the day had finally come. 

We hop in the car and head to the hospital and still had not registered that this was really happening. I don't think it really kicked in until my doctor came in later that night. They put us in the room and the waiting began. We waited, and waited, and waited. I think Ken was more uncomfortable than me at this point. Poor guy was getting cabin fever but at least he got to eat. The nurses even teased him for eating in front of me, but hey it was a price that I was willing to pay. I didn't get pitocin until about 11 am, and they increased it every 15 minutes until I had steady contractions. 

Around 6pm the hunger had set in and I started to get a migraine, despite the four cherry popsicles and 20 cups of ice I had eaten. They gave me some medicine for a migraine and boy was I loopy. I couldn't tell you one conversation I had once they gave me that medicine, but I heard it was quite funny. I received an epidural once I got to active labor. This is the part I was most nervous about, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. The IV they put in my hand hurt worse than the epidural. I am so glad I decided to get an epidural, not only did it save me from enduring so much pain, but I actually got to enjoy the birth of my baby without screaming and I loved every second of it. 

Me after receiving the epidural laying with my throw up bag. Once they gave me the epidural my blood sugar went down quickly and I got really nauseous. But my doctor came in and fixed me all up.


The next thing that I knew, the doctor came into the room and said, "Hey? Let's have a baby!" It was after midnight, which meant I was getting my March baby!! 

They got me all prepped up, Kenny to the side of me, and I started pushing. It all happened so quickly. I pushed for about 30 minutes, but it only felt like 5. The nurses kept telling Daddy to watch and to see what was going on, I was a little jealous that he could see and I couldn't, until he explained to me what it looked like, then I was content with my position. I could see him once his head was completely out, and that's when the tears came. I couldn't believe that I was doing this and that Max was finally here. The person who cries when they are sunburned, the person that cries when they hit their pinky toe on the side of the coffee table, the person that hates and can't handle pain was doing this. It was the best feeling in he world, and there are no words to describe it. 

Max was born at 1:57 am. When they laid him on my chest, time stopped. Nothing else in the world mattered but this little guy. I looked at Kenny who was looking at Max with amazement and thought to my self this is it. This is exactly what we were meant to do. We are a family. The nurses took him to clean him up and weigh him, and I felt like it lasted forever. I wanted him back now, how dare you take my baby from me. I cried more. Kenny was taking pictures that the nurses told him to take, thank God, otherwise we wouldn't have any pictures. It's quite funny actually. You plan and plan for this day to come, and you think how wonderful it would be to have all these pictures. But when it actually happens, you could care less. I don't need a picture of the clock, or a picture of the nurse cleaning him up. I just wanted to hold my baby. And I did, for the next four weeks.

This is our little guy getting all cleaned up. He was 21 inches and weighed 8 pounds and 7 ounces. He was absolutely perfect!

Maybe it's the hormones??

I apologize in advance for this post, but this has been driving me crazy!! I had a doctors appointment and the doctor went ahead and scheduled an induction. She did this because I've been having contractions for a while now with no change, there's little liquid in there, I have a favorable cervix, and I'm now 75% effaced. The induction is scheduled 4 days before my due date. She said I was measuring on schedule, the baby's heart beat sounded great, and he was measuring good. If my doctor suggested it, then I trust her. I'm ok with this process. Apparently some people are not ok with this. This is what I have to say to you, I didn't tell you how to have your baby please don't tell me how to have mine. The last thing I need is somebody telling me what I should be doing and what the "best" thing to do is. What I need now more than ever is love, support, and encouragement. I don't mean to come across as knowing what I am talking about, because yes I know I have never been pregnant before.  But please let me do what I want to do without being judged. If you disagree with my decision, thats fine with me but that dorsnt make my decision wrong. I am exhausted as it is, I don't have the energy to keep defending my decision without hurting somebody's feelings. If this a glimpse into the future on what is to come advice wise, I'm looking forward to it....(insert sarcasm here).

Nursery Before and After

Doctor's Appointment

I had a doctor's appointment today that went really well. I am just about 2 cm dilated, and 50% effaced. I am so excited! My doctor said that she thought I would have the baby by 40 weeks, and if not we will schedule an induction for 41-42 weeks. I have had contractions here and there. My stomach gets really tight, and I have some cramping/pinching. Nothing to painful for me to have to go into the hospital. 

Kenny has a friend at work who's due date was March 8th, and they had their baby yesterday, how exciting!!

It's hard to believe that Max can be here anytime now. We are so excited to meet him!

38 weeks

How far along? 38 weeks

Due Date: March 5, 2013

Total weight gain: 14 lbs

Baby is the size of a: pumpkin

Maternity clothes? sweats and tshirts are my choices, but if I have to go somewhere nice I put maternity clothes on
Stretch marks? none that I didn't have before

Sleep: sometimes, but its so uncomfortable  

Miss Anything? coffee!!
Best moment of the week: learning that I'm 2cm dilated

Movement:  yep 

Diet: I snack all day long, no big meals.

Food cravings: salty stuff

 Anything making you queasy or sick: depends, not a lot lately though.

Gender: baby boy!

Labor Signs: having contractions here and there, cramping and my belly is getting really hard.

 Symptoms: swollen

Belly Button in or out? it's out there and sensitive

Wedding rings on or off? on real tight

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy!

Looking forward to: finally meeting out little guy!!!

Update

I've been feeling pretty good lately, and alot of that stems from the excitement of meeting our little Max.  I am a little swollen and I can't get my rings off my fingers, hopefully that's not a problem later. I pee every time I stand up, and the joints in my fingers hurt so much so to bend them most of the time takes a great amount of effort. I cant even open my jar of pickles by myself anymore. I have been a little sick here and there, mainly exhausted, but mostly I have become accustomed to not being able to breath out of my nose, and snot running down the back of my throat. TMI probably, but here is the truth. I'm pretty lucky that this is the worse of my problems while being pregnant and I will take it. I have been blessed with a pregnancy that makes me consider wanting to have more children. They say God only gives you what you can handle, I am so happy he took my very low tolerance of pain into consideration. I hope that this carries over into labor and delivery.

37 weeks

How far along? 37 weeks

Due Date: March 5, 2013

Total weight gain: 13 lbs

Baby is the size of a: leek (whatever that is)

Maternity clothes? just shirts, wearing mostly kenny's clothes and if I am home I am in pajamas!
Stretch marks? not yet

Sleep: I am getting some sleep but waking up to pee or to roll over because I am uncomfortable.  

Miss Anything? my energy level....I am exhausted!
Best moment of the week: spending Valentine's Day with my two favorite men!

Movement:   yes and lots of it. He loves my ribs especially. 

Diet: I snack all day long, no big meals.

Food cravings: chocolate which is weird because I normally do not eat a lot of chocolate. Good thing Valentines Day candy will be on sale starting tomorrow! (Or bad thing)

 Anything making you queasy or sick: depends, not alot lately thoug.

Gender: baby boy!

Labor Signs: cramping and my stomach gets tight alot at night. I don't know if it is labor signs or caused by stress. Either way I wouldn't mind a few labor signs. I am ready to have this sucker!

 Symptoms: swollen

Belly Button in or out? way out there

Wedding rings on or off? on and cutting my circulation off

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy!

Looking forward to: finally meeting out little guy!!!

Maternity Photos

We had maternity pictures taken a couple of weeks ago and it was so much fun. An awesome photographer Gretchen Gilkey took them (You should look her up on Facebook! Gretchen Gilkey Photos. If I wasn't technically challenged I would post a link, I'm sorry). Here are some of my favorites. She is also coming to take newborn pictures for us, can't wait for those! We are so thankful!

Update

I had a doctor's appointment today. My B Strep test was negative and I am not dilated at all. It was kind of a disappointment about the dilation, I would have liked to been at least one or two, but what can you do. He is just not ready yet. 

I have been super exhausted lately, even a trip to the next room can be tiring sometimes. Sometimes I get burst of energy, but I think it's usually because I know I have to get something done. All in all, I would be much happier if I didn't have to work and I could take my sweet time all day. I am not so lucky. 

I don't know what I am looking forward to the most. Meeting Max myself, or to watch Kenny meet Max for the first time. I am really excited to see how Kenny react.

THREE WEEKS TO GO!!!! WHOOHOO!!!

(I am actually expecting waiting a little longer but, three is keeping me happy right now.)

36 weeks

How far along? 36 weeks

Due Date: March 5, 2013

Total weight gain: 12 lbs

Baby is the size of a: coconut

Maternity clothes? have I mentioned that I hate maternity clothes?
Stretch marks? not yet

Sleep: I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! 

Miss Anything? I miss not having to pee every time I stand up. 
Best moment of the week:getting our little man's nursery finished

Movement:  lots of moovin and groovin

Diet: I've actually had less of an appetite, I am not sure why. 

Food cravings: chewing on ice still

 Anything making you queasy or sick: changes daily 

Gender: baby boy!

Labor Signs: I've had lots of cramping lately, and little thunderstorms.

 Symptoms: swollen, and head aches 

Belly Button in or out? way out there

Wedding rings on or off? on and cutting my circulation off

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy!

Looking forward to: spending Valentine's Day with my two favorite men

35 weeks

How far along? 35 weeks

Due Date: March 5, 2013

Total weight gain: 12 lbs

Baby is the size of a: Honeydew Melon

Maternity clothes? maternity shirts, but mainly wearing Kenny's clothes
Stretch marks? not yet

Sleep: here and there

Miss Anything? being able to stand up and walk without being tired
Best moment of the week: taking maternity pictures

Movement: he is kicking the crap out of me and he has a great time shoving his butt up into my ribs

Diet: whatever I can manage to eat.

Food cravings: oreos, ice, and french fries. 

 Anything making you queasy or sick: anything that I cook makes me sick. 

Gender: baby boy!

Labor Signs: none really.

 Symptoms: swollen, back aches, and exhausted

Belly Button in or out? outtie

Wedding rings on or off?on, but wish I would have taken them off, they are stuck and hurting my finger...boo! :(

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy!

Looking forward to:  putting in the carseat!

Amshoff/Kron/Bischoff Shower

Kim, Jordan, Rachel, Pam and Cayla (among others) gave us a wonderful shower. Everything was amazing and so creative. They had papers for everybody to write a sweet letter to Max, and instead of a card everybody brought a book signed by them. My cousin Rachel made me play a game were I tried baby food and everybody had to guess whether I would get it right or wrong. Let's just say I am glad I had the baby shower before hers, because revenge is sweet ;) The food was delicious, the games were so much fun, and the presents were awesome. It was an awesome day, I love spending time with family.