Aubri's Birth Story

Our birth story started on Saturday, April 28th.  Since I was having a scheduled c-section, I had to go to the hospital for some blood work and to submit a pee sample.  My doctor, more or less, recommended that I have a c-section due to the fact that my blood pressure had been so high.  I was fine with that.  More than fine with it.  Everyone is entitled to do whatever they want to their body.

We got to the hospital around 9 a.m.  They took my blood and I gave them wanted they wanted.  Then they sent me to the Maternity floor for a tour and to sign some paperwork.

They wheeled me up there in a wheelchair and sent me to a room with a RN who proceeded to explain what was going to happen.  

Things were going good.  "Blah blah be here at 5:45 a.m.  Anesthesia.  Blah blah blah. Private room.  Blah blah blah.  Surgery at 7:15. Blah blah blah"  Obviously I wasn't paying that great attention.  Then she starts to tell me exactly what will happen during the surgery and going into great details.  I was all like, "Whoa there. Thanks for all the details but we are just going to wing it so we don't need to know all the details." 

The nurse didn't seem too shocked.  I'm sure she's heard that before.  She said, "Ok.  Some people want to know everything and some people don't."  I again thanked her for offering the details but that I wasn't too concerned with it.  At that point, all I wanted was my baby.  I didn't care what they did with my intestines or anything like that.

We went and visited my mom and dad who were camping Saturday evening.  I have no idea what we did Sunday but I know that I barely slept.

Monday, April 30th we got to the hospital at 5:45 a.m.  By the time the hairy admitting lady got us checked in and wheeled me to the Maternity floor it was 6:15 or so.   The nurse came in and hooked me up to the monitor to monitor the baby.  I felt her moving.  And for the first time in the 9 months that I was pregnant, I thought for sure everything was going to be okay.

For the next hour or so, Matt and I just chilled in the room.  He got a doctor's outfit and he was sure that he was going to have to help.  A nurse tried telling us what was going to happen.  Again, I told her that we were winging it.  My doctor came in and seemed confident that everything was going to be okay.

Eventually, they wheeled me into the operating room.  That was around 7:30.  They poked me in the back and gave me a shot to numb my back.  It felt like a bee sting or someone pinching me.  Then they gave me a spinal.  I didn't feel it.  By the time they laid me back down, I couldn't feel anything.  Pretty soon my doctor came in the room.  He laid a cloth of some sort over, well over, you know.  

Soon after that Matt was allowed to come in the room.   He sat right by me and held my hand the whole time.  He didn't dare look at my stomach. He did tell me later that when he walked in the room he saw body parts hanging from something and that he wasn't sure if it was for demonstration or if they were mine.

I heard the doctor and nurses talking about doctor and nurse stuff in the background but I didn't feel a thing.  At 7:47, I heard a cry and the doctor pops around from behind the curtain holding our baby girl.  He said, "Here is your baby.  She's beautiful."  I cried.  Matt looked like he was going to cry.

I heard them talking about how she was a "10".  Apparently, there is some kind of scale they use to rate how good of shape babies are in when they are born.  She was a 10.  A nurse later told me that they hardly ever give 10's.

They cleaned her up and let me hold her for a minute while the doctor was stitching me up.  Then Matt went to the nursery with her while the doctor finished with me.  

After the doctor was done, they gave me some morphine.  

Now, if there was one thing I could have changed, I would have turned the morphine down.  I know I told them several times that morning and the Saturday before that I wanted any and all drugs they could give me.  But when I was laying there, I didn't even have a chance to turn it down before they doped me up.  They told me they were giving it to me and the next thing I know, it's in the IV.

Pretty soon after that, they took me to a recovery room.  When Matt came in, I noticed that he'd been crying.  I've only seem Matt cry once or twice before.

We never decided for sure what we were going to name her until the day she was born.  We had narrowed it down to either Kylin Rose or Aubria Rose.  I planned on letting Matt decide.  Before they brought her in the recovery room, Matt said, "She looks like an Aubria."  We decided that's what we would name her.

When they finally brought her into the recovery room, Matt and I got to spend some time alone with her.  We told her how much we loved her and how we'd never seen a baby as pretty as her and how she was a 10.

It was a day that neither of us will ever forget.  I didn't think anything could top the feeling of Matt coming home after 15 months in Iraq, but seeing our baby girl for the first time and knowing she was perfect definitely did.

Update and Giveaway - Week 38

I'm going to leave the giveaway open until Wednesday, April 25 at noon.  So, that means you still have time to enter and/or get more chances to win.

The last two Mondays I have had to go to the doctor for my regular check up and then he sends me to the hospital to be monitored because of the diabetes and high blood pressure.  Everything is fine.  We got to see the baby today.  She's cute and she has Matt's lips.

Last week, we scheduled the baby's birthday.  It will be April 30th.  Yes, I'm having a c-section.  No, I don't want any grief about it.  It's a decision that was made between Matt, my doctor, and myself.  It's what we all think is best for the baby and myself.

So here is my last pregnancy update.  Yay!

38 Weeks

Baby is the size of a : baby?

Belly Button : Stretched out more than imaginable but it hasn't popped out.

Wedding rings : I was able to put them on with soap and water for the baby shower.  I haven't worn them since.

Stretch Marks : Only on my boobs.

Maternity Clothes : Yep.  Some I have outgrown.

Weight : I've gained about 35-37 pounds.

Sleep : Excuse me, say what?  You mean that thing that happens between me peeing and whining cause my hips and back hurt?  Very little.

Movement : She still moves like crazy.  I think she wants out.

Food Cravings : Carbs.  All of them.

Anything making you sick or queasy : People that are quick to judge and pass along unwanted advice.

Symptoms : I've had a few contractions.  It's not all that fun.  My hips hurt like a son of a gun.  And my hands hurt.

Well, I'll be back Thursday morning to announce the winner of my giveaway!

Sadness

I have a draft of the nursery saved.  It just doesn't seem like the right time to post it.

Over the weekend, a new blog friend of mine lost her baby.  She was 20 weeks pregnant.  I'm not going to link her and I'm not going to pretend as if I know what happened.  All I know is that my heart hurts for her.

When I lost our little Sprout, I thought that was it.  I thought we'd never have kids and that the world was crashing down around me.  I was 6 or 7 weeks pregnant.  And it hurt bad.  I can't imagine being 20 weeks pregnant and having all your hopes and dreams taken away.  

During my pregnancy I've made a conscious effort not to be an asshole.  I try not to bitch about being pregnant.  (The last month has been a little rough.)  I have never made comments about our life being over when the baby gets here.  I've really tried to be sympathetic to those who have struggled and are struggling to have children.  For me, not being an asshole doesn't come easy.  But, nonetheless, I have tried my best.

At times during my pregnancy, I have even felt guilty about being pregnant.  It's hard to explain.  Even though Matt and I tried for over 2 years to get pregnant, I have felt guilty for my happiness when bad things happen to good people everyday.

So, something like her loss, it hits home.  The only good that comes out of it is now she will have her own special little angel.  

XOXO - Thinking of you

Back to Work

It was nice being home and laying on the couch with the pups for almost a week but I was ready to come back to work.  I was ready to go back by Wednesday afternoon.  Day time TV sucks.  Drew Carey is a horrible Price Is Right host.  I bet Bob Barker himself doesn't even watch the show.

Yesterday, I had a doctor's appointment at 10:00.  Everything was fine.  I'm fine.  Button's fine.  I got to come back to work. I'm supposed to be still taking it somewhat easy though. 

Now, I have to go see the doctor weekly.  As soon as I leave his office, I have to go to the hospital to have the baby monitored because of the diabetes. 

The earliest my doctor wants me to have the baby is at 39 weeks.  That's still 3 weeks away.  Matt usually goes to the doctor with me but he didn't Monday.  When I told him 3 more weeks he said, "You're gonna be pissy for 3 weeks, huh?"  (He can say that because I'll be the first to admit it.) I told him, "Yes, most likely."  He said, "Well at least you and my baby girl are okay." 

His life does suck right now.  I toss and turn all night long.  I moan and whine about my hands, back, hips, and feet hurting.  I get up to pee about 5-15 times a night.   He doesn't really complain though.  He puts lotion on my feet, ties my shirts in the back for me (for some reason most maternity shirts tie in the back?), ties my shoes, if I wear tennis shoes, helps out with stuff around the house, and listens to me bitch.  Don't tell him but I wouldn't trade him for anything.

So, unless something crazy happens it will be at least 3 weeks before little Button gets here.

In the meantime you can look forward to:

Maternity photos

Nursery Reveal

And a super awesome GIVEAWAY!

Week 32

I have a sonogram this afternoon and I'm super excited about that.  I thought that I wouldn't be having anymore.  

How far along? 32.57 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Around 30 pounds.  I'm okay with that.

How big is the baby? 16 Inches and 4 pounds according to my app on my phone.  We'll see what they say today though.

Maternity clothes? Yes. I've even outgrown a couple shirts.  I didn't go too crazy with buying maternity clothes and I'm glad.  I've got enough to get me by.

Sleep: Yeah, uhh... I roll around like a beached whale all night and when I'm not rolling around or standing up because I have a Charlie horse in my calf, I'm peeing.  I've kind of gotten used to not getting any sleep.  At least the pups like to cuddle with me.

Best moment this week: That will probably be this afternoon.  We get to see our baby girl.

Movement:  Yes, she moves all the time.  She likes to keep a foot in my ribs.

Food cravings:  Everything I can't have.

Gender:  Girl.  Daddy's girl to be more specific. 

Labor Signs: Don't want to think about that.

Belly Button in or out? In but Matt calls it a quarter slot because it's starting to stretch out.

Stretch marks?  On my boobs.

What I miss: Being comfortable, cookies, being able to tie my shoe, muffins

What I am looking forward to: Today's sonogram, baby shower in two weeks, and little Button making her entrance into the world.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't sweat the petty stuff.

Current Annoyance:  I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and not let things annoy me.  I've been trying to remember that no matter what at the end of this we are going to have our very own baby girl and it will all be worth it.

And for your viewing pleasure...... my big belly.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

I miss cookies.

I met with a dietitian on Friday afternoon. My mom went with me.  

I have to start counting my carbs.  I'm only allowed so many for breakfast, lunch and dinner and my two snacks.  Yeah, I have to have a snack now.  Like I'm 5 or something.

I have never been one to count calories, carbs, or anything like that.  So, to have to do it while I'm pregnant seems a bit backwards to me.

I know that Button is #1 and she is worth it.  I've been doing what I am supposed to do.  I just can't wait until our baby girl gets here.  10 weeks. 10 weeks.  I can do it.

I have to check my blood sugar when I first wake up and one hour after every meal.  Sometimes it is too low now.  So, I'll talk to the doctor when I go back Friday.  Maybe he will just say, "Whoops, we made a mistake.  Here are some Oreos."  But probably not.

Sometimes I think, this gestational diabetes thing isn't so bad.  And then five minutes later I think, this sucks, I'm starving, how is my baby ever supposed to grow.

The good news is I can have all the meat, cheese, and eggs I want.  I love string cheese.  When I get hungry, I just eat some string cheese.  Yesterday, I pigged out on bacon and eggs.  It was amazing.  

I can have most of the things I had before, just not as much.

Hope you are all having a great week!  And for the love of God, stop posting pictures of muffins and brownies.

Now I'm really falling apart

I found out this morning I have gestational diabetes.  

I have to go see a nutritionist this afternoon.  I'm making my mom take me because I'm sure this is all somehow her fault.  

No more cookies for me.  :(  

I'll keep you posted.

Falling Apart

The first 6 months of this pregnancy have been a breeze.  I was not sick one time.  Yeah, my boobs hurt a little and rolling over got a little harder each day.  But, for the most part, things were good.

The last week I've started falling apart.  

* My back hurts constantly.

* I wake up with leg cramps.

* I can't breath that well.

* I found a stretch mark. 

* Heartburn (It's easily defeated with Tums though.  So, not too annoying.)

* My feet hurt.

And last but not least,

* I have to go back for round 2 of glucose testing tomorrow. My blood sugar was high. 

If I have to give up cookies and cereal, things will go down hill quick.

But it will all be worth it when we get to hold our sweet baby girl.

24 weeks!

I saw this survey on Southern Roots & Combat Boots.  It is different so thought I'd give it a shot.

Is this your first pregnancy?  Well, no.  I lost our little Sprout in July.

When did you find out you were pregnant? Around the beginning of October.  I'm thinking maybe the 6th.

Was it planned? Yes and no.  We had been trying to getting pregnant for about two years.  I lost Sprout about three weeks before I got pregnant.  I wasn't expecting it to happen so quickly.

What was your first reaction? To tell Matt and keep our mouths shut till we knew everything was good.

Who was with you when you found out? Matt was in his bathroom.  I told him and he was like, "How did that happen?"

Who was the first person you told? Matt

How did your parents react? They were happy but I made my mom keep it a secret for almost 3 weeks.  That almost drove her to drink.

How far along are you? 24 weeks today.

What was your first symptom? My boobs hurt.

What is your due date? May 7, 2012

Do you know the sex of the baby? It's a girl.  Bring on the pink!

Have you picked out names? There is one that we have agreed on.  Not sure if that will be her name for sure.  But we are going to keep it a secret. 

How much weight have you gained? I found out Friday I have gained 18 pounds.  The doctor didn't say it was too much so that's a good thing.  I did mention that I've grabbed a cookie on my way back to bed a couple of times in the middle of the night and he said try not to get into a habit of doing that. 

Do you have stretch marks? Only on my boobs.  I've used about a gallon of cocoa butter so far.
 
Have you felt the baby move? All the time.  She moves a lot during the day and when I lay down to go to bed.  Twice she has woken up and decided it was time to party in the middle of the night.

Have you heard the heartbeat? Yes, several times.  Matt has too.

Home or hospital birth? Hospital for sure.

Natural or medicated birth? MEDICATED.  I made sure to tell the doctor at my last appointment that I will want all the drugs he can give me.  He said, "That's what we have them for."  Whoo who!

Who will be in the delivery room with you? Only my husband, if he can behave.  Anyone else will be escorted out by security.

Will you breastfeed? Oh gawd!  I don't know.  If it works out then it does.  If it doesn't, then I'm not going to force it.

Do you think you'll need a c-section? I have no idea. 

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time? I have no idea. Most likely.

What's the first thing you might say to her? Who knows?

Would you let someone videotape the birth? Hell no!  Anyone with a camera will also be escorted out by security.  I don't even want any pictures of my child until she is cleaned up and wearing clothes.

Are you excited about the birth, or scared? Mostly scared to death.  I'll be excited once it is over. 

Best moment this week? Going to the doctor and hearing her heart beating.  Last night, she was kicking me so Matt put his hand on my stomach.  Then she was still.  As soon as he took his had off, she kicked me hard, twice.  She never kicks when his hand is on my stomach.

Hope you all have a great week!

And Button is a...........

We found out today that our little Baby Button is perfect.  Button's heart, brain, fingers, toes, spine, head, and belly are all perfect.  Button is quite the little wiggle worm already.

But there is a 90% chance that our little Button is a
GIRL!

I knew it.  I can't wait to buy her some Christmas presents.

Hope you all have a Great Christmas!  Our present came early this year.

For your viewing pleasure

Matt and I went to the doctor Friday afternoon.  We got to hear the heart beating.  It's such a relief every time I hear it.  The sonogram is set to happen Thursday.  

You can still do the poll thingamajigger over there. ---->

There have been several people that have been slightly obsessed with seeing pictures of my belly. There is not now, nor will there ever be, pictures of me, pregnant or not, with my bear stomach showing.  Sorry. 

The Christmas rat race started for us Saturday.  We went to my Grandparent's Saturday and Matt's Grandparents Sunday.

The first picture comes to you from my Grandpa and Grandma's house.  I had thought that my belly was finally bigger than Matt's.  But looking at this picture, it's hard to say for sure.  I'm pretty sure we were both pushing our belly's out.

 

And here is a more, somewhat normal picture.

Today, I am 20 weeks pregnant and Baby Button is celebrating by doing flip flops in my tummy. 

I absolutely can not wait to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl.  I haven't bought a thing because I wanted to wait until we found out.  Seriously.

Hope you are all having a great week!

Button, School, ect.

I took my last final last night.  I have to have about a 75 on it to get an A in the class.  Hopefully I was able to pull that off.  

I'm still undecided on what to do next semester. I really don't want to have to take an evening class.  The class I signed up for in the evenings is about 30 minutes from where I work and 45 minutes from where I live.  I'm due May 7th which is probably about the week of finals.  What if I have little Button in class?  

I have a doctor's appointment this Friday.  Hopefully, all will go well.  I still worry all the time.  I'm 99% sure that I feel Button move though.  

I only had to call our insurance (Tri-Care) around 37 times to get my first sonogram covered.  As long as the doctor will say that I'm having my next sonogram for a reason that Tri-Care will cover, I will have one on the 22nd.  If not, I'm not doing it.  The first one would have cost around $1400.  No thanks.

I put up a poll on the right sidebar of this page for you to vote if you think Button is a boy or a girl.  

My mom had her first craft show this past weekend.  It was a pretty good time.  We did a lot of people watching, sold some stuff, and ate some movie theater popcorn.  You can click here to visit her Facebook page.  My goal is to have her an etsy website made before school starts back up.

I also need to get around to showing you all a picture of my big belly. I eat cookies everyday.  It's amazing to be able to get away with it.
 

This weekend our holiday family togethernessism begins.  No one better touch my stomach.

Hope you are all having a great week!

Pregnancy: 18 weeks

How far along? 18 weeks today!

Total weight gain/loss: Who knows?  I gained probably more than average the first two months because I quit my weekend job and took up laying on the couch.  I would say altogether, I've gained about 15 pounds. 

How big is the baby?  According to my phone Button is approximately 5 inches long and weighs about 5.3 ounces.

Maternity clothes?  Oh gawd.  I think maternity clothes are a big waste of money.  I bought two pairs of jeans after I found out I was pregnant that are a size bigger than normal.  They still fit without my belly band (for now).  Although sometimes I unbutton them when I'm sitting at my desk.  Especially right after lunch.  I've bought a couple of shirts.  I bought a couple pairs of yoga pants.  A girl at work gave me a couple pairs of pants and a couple shirts. I can pretty much wear whatever to work, so I am going to.

Sleep: Well, I think I'm over the being exhausted all of the time.  But at night, I wake up many times to pee.  The dogs look at me like I'm nuts.

Best moment this week: Saturday afternoon nap.

Movement: I feel little flutters every now and then.  It mostly happens while I am at work so I'm guessing Button doesn't like it here either.

Food cravings:  In no particular order and not mixed together: hash brown casserole, Kit Kats, pickles, cookies, any sweets.

Gender:  Don't know.  Should find out the 22nd but I think it's a girl.

Labor Signs: Oh good gawd no.

Belly Button in or out? In, gross.

Stretch marks?  On my boobaculs. 

What I miss: Cigarettes and booze.

What I am looking forward to: My next doctors appointment and finding out if Button is a girl or boy.

Weekly Wisdom: Hmmm, I only feel dumber lately, not smarter.

Milestones:  I wore a maternity shirt (and pants) for the first time to Matt's Christmas party on Saturday.

Current Annoyance:  People that think it is cool to touch my stomach.  I've snapped twice about that.  (Told ya I would).  Also, people who put their two cents in on stuff that's none of their business.  For example, drugs vs. no drugs during labor and breastfeeding vs. formula.

Hope you all have a lovely week.

Mini-Meltdown

I worry about Button, a lot.  Everyday.

Last night I had a bad dream.  I won't go into details.  I woke up crying.  Matt asked me if something hurt.  I told him no that I had a bad dream.  That was around 5:30.  I don't think I really went back to sleep.

This morning I had a mini-meltdown.  It had been 4 weeks since I had been to my doctor.  And I wasn't supposed to go back until next Friday.  I called there and talked to the nurse.  Told her what my problem was.  Cried a little.  She said to come in.

They found a heartbeat.  Every thing's fine.  Little Button was moving around a lot according to the doctor.  I cried some more.

I told the doctor I thought I felt Button move sometimes.  He said I probably did.

I also told him about Vinnie.  Vinnie likes to lay his head on my stomach when I'm sitting on the couch.  And lay on my stomach in bed.  I told him he only weighs 7 pounds.  The doctor said that it's fine for him to lay on me and he probably knows what's going on.  I thought that was cute.

I asked the nurse if I was the biggest drama queen that they have ever had to deal with.  She said, "No, far from it."  So, I guess that's good.

The doctor says that my hormones should be easier to manage soon.  It's horrible.  If I'm not crying, I'm pissed about something or someone is annoying me.  Usually Matt.  And that's not good.  I don't want to be aggravated or annoyed all the time.

Maybe that's why I haven't been posting as much.  Cause I've been a mess.  This shit is no joke.

But, most importantly Button is fine.  My next appointment is in 3.5 weeks.  Then I have a sonogram a week after that and we should be able to find out if it is a boy or a girl. 

I'm going to try really hard not to worry.  I really am.  I'm guessing it's not good for me or Button.

I'm linking up with Implusive Addict and Shawn for Talk to us Tuesday again.  Yay!

Hope you all have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving!

On pregnancy, so far.

Thanks for all your well wishes and congrats on my last post!

A lot of people have asked me how I've felt.  Well, the truth is I've felt fine.  I haven't been sick at all.  I have been tired and somewhat grouchy.  But I think I haven't been as tired this week.  This week is week 12.  "They" say around this time I should start feeling better/having more energy.  

I've been eating a lot.  I don't really think it's because I'm hungry either.  I think it's more or less just something to do.  I figure that when you are pregnant, it's okay to look pregnant.  And don't tell me that I'm going to have to lose all the weight I gain either.  Because honestly, I don't care about that right now.  When the baby comes, I'll probably be too busy to eat anyway.

People have been getting on my nerves a lot.  For example, a lady I work with has a step-daughter that has a kid with one guy and is pregnant by another.  She doesn't work or go to school.  I think she's 21, barely.  First of all, her being pregnant and me being pregnant are not the same, in my opinion.  

Well anyway, this lady asked me something about being pregnant.  I answered.  And then she proceeds to tell me how huge her step-daughter as gotten.   I told her if anyone called me huge, I'd snap.  Then she asks me about my jeans fitting. I kinda lost it a little.  I said that no, most of them don't fit anymore.  Then I started crying, went back to my office, and shut the door.  People are dumb.  Is it really anyone's business if my jeans fit or not?  I didn't say to her when she quit smoking, "Hey, you sure are turning into a lardass."  In retrospect, maybe I should have.  Maybe I'm just being an emotional drama queen but really, are people dumb or what?

I now suffer from Can't Remember Shit Syndrome.

I've also decided that if anyone decides it's cool for them to touch my stomach, I'll snap. And I mean it.

According to my phone, (I'm Expecting app) Baby Button is about 2.5 inches.   How cute!

My doctor's appointment was cancelled last week because the doctor was delivering a baby.  So I had to reschedule this Friday.  I have a list of questions.

Last but not least, my mom got her new venture set up.  Here is a link to her facebook page.  She will be specializing in handmade baby items.  We need to get her a etsy shop or something set up still.  She already got invited to be a part of a craft fair here.  So she's been super busy trying to get stuff ready for that.  She seems super excited and I'm happy for her.

Hope you all have a great week!