Triumph…
Hallelujah, Baby Jayden is here!
There is sooo much to share! It is late and he is sleeping so I will share as much as I can without totally making anyone sick. Please note this is an in depth post- for my own memories as well as to share with those who are detail oriented like smidgen and myself.
So… here goes…
Sunday: I had to check in to the hospital at 5:30 p.m. Talk about freakin’ nervous! Of course it was a family affair… my hubby was at work so my sis, Mom,and Dad all went with me. I got a room and they told me the doc would be in to give my Cervadil. Well she called and wanted to make sure that I was going to let her check me (2 fingers- oh the horror!) and place the medicine where it needed to be. So I told her that was fine since I felt there were no other options. It hurt so bad to be checked and THEN I had to have the medicine put up there. It was a small patch- nothing huge and had a string to be easily pulled out. Well after an hour the nurse, Christy, said I was having a bad reaction. My contractions were back to back and the baby’s heartbeat was dropping intermittently. She had to take it out she could no longer wait. So… I cried and she got it out after digging for the string. So I went to sleep and my Mom and sis spent the night too.
Monday: Early at about 4:30/ 5:30 the nurse came in to tell me that I would be seeing the doc soon and that a nurse would come in and start my Pitocin so that I would go ahead and enter induction. I was like ok. Well about 7 a.m. a nurse showed up to check me. I explained how I was really closed and my cervix was wayyyy left and it all just hurt. Well she was not very patient with me so I told her to come back in about 20 minutes to check me and start the meds because I was too tense. Well Dr. T came in and was royally pissed that I was not already on my Pitocin. She called the nurse 10 min. earlier and told her to go ahead and start but that she would check me. My Mom did not appreciate that I was being blamed for the late start being that I saw the nurse 20 min. earlier versus 2 hours earlier and explained that to Dr. T. So… she was ok with me after that I think. Anyways so I got my Pitocin and the Doc told the nurse to go ahead and order my Epidural because I needed to relax regardless of whether or not it would make my labor last longer. The nurse had told me I needed to get to 4 cm first. So the nurse made everyone leave the room and the Dr. W. came in with the epidural. I was nervous but knew it was just a needle and I had been stuck before so you know… I was nervous and he knew it. He dispelled the myths about it wearing off, the likelihood I would be paralyzed and how he had done it at least 1000 times. So the nurse held me and my pillow (standard procedure) and I got my needle- not bad. It felt like a needle in the back and then it was shoved through some tissue. So then all was well. I started to feel tingly but nothing major. So hubby arrived and a couple of hours later the nurse came in to check me. I was tired so I was in and out of sleep. She wanted me to help with my legs. I laughed and told her she was on her own. So she moved my legs and they flew open wide for her to check me. I told her “Dig in, I feel nothing!” So… I was 4 cm dilated already! Whooohooo!!!! Then sis sent a ton of text messages updating people that my labor had officially began. They broke my water AFTER I got my epidural too so that was good. I was suppose to average 1 cm per hour. I was doing 3 every 2 hours. By about 5 p.m. I was 9 cm. At 6:15 I was ready to push. I pushed until 6:58 when my Jayden arrived. He was huge. I felt a pop and they pulled him out. I strained too hard because I had hemorrhoids and the doc sewed me up for an HOUR afterwards so I knew something was not right. She did not know it would be so bad for me and did not want to do a C-section so I had an appeseotomy (sp?) Level 4 is the worst and I had a level 3. I felt nothing though so after all that and everyone holding the baby and Mom cutting the cord- I was able to hold him (all clean!) He weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces AND was 19.75 inches long even though his birth certificate will read 19.25 for some reason. We sent him to the nursery and I had to go to recovery.
Tuesday- Drugs are gone and I feel pain. The nurses need blood. I have to be “trained” to go to the bathroom. So… I have to “pee” (no bowel movements yet- thank God!) then I have to take iodine and water and rinse with an 8 oz. bottle, then disposable washcloth- wipe twice front to back; disposable dry cloth (won’t stick to you), spray with disinfectant, get a tucks pad spray epifoam on it and place directly on hemorrhoids, then take 2-3 tucks pads place them in a pad and wear the pad. If you add the cyst bath (sprays water and soap directly on you while on toilet) then that is another 20 minutes! So… it was an ordeal. I was on all kinds of meds, had to be checked, stomach pressed, blood drawn, etc. No walking on my own… 2 friends from high school visited with my Grandma and that was fun. Due to my traumatic experience I did not have my baby much in the hospital- I could barely sit up…
Wednesday: I was to be released at 7 p.m. but decided to stay until Thursday and check out. Well gave blood and doc came in and checked me. All of a sudden I was told I needed a blood transfusion out of the freakin’ blue…. yep- you guessed it the tears flowed! So 6 hours later I had 2 pints of O positive in me (baby is that too) and I felt better. Hubby had to leave to go to work so it was me and Mom. She is such a saint. She got the baby and tended to him so I could see him since I couldn’t make it to the nursery myself. He was circumcised that morning so by the time we got him he was a bit more calm and cool. It looks rough so I will be glad when that is healed and that umbilical cord tie thing goes away!
Thursday: Time to go home! Whew… they released me and Jayden after giving us shots— I was like “heck” one more poke won’t hurt me I am freakin’ superwoman now. No pill or needle will ever stop me again!
So we had lunch and the nurses and staff loaded me down with stuff I might need later- cyst bath soap, pads, spray, bed pans, etc. The nursery lady came in to help me feed Jayden and all too. She too brought a ton of goodies but was really patient with me because I was scared to hold him. She said I would not hurt him and that he was happy to be here. Hubby said that he loved me automatically because I brought him here. Mom said that since I did all that work to get him here the least my family could do was help to take care of him until I could do it on my own. Oh… talk about needing Mommy!
So.. now a week later I can look back and say yes it was worth it. I am glad that I am stitched up versus him as well. I will have another one in about 3 years. We want a little girl and then I want to be fixed… Jayden and Ashlynne will be it for me!
Sorry for the delay BUT I wanted to get it all in.. so here are the 1st pics…
http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=97991d24-1e22-4a16-874c-12dab41fd473
Monday is the day!
No I have not neglected to inform my loyal readers that I am now a Mommy because my son is still inside me. Yes, that is what I said. I was due Tuesday and the little man has decided that life is better in Mom. As much as I have fought for him to stay in there as long as he wants, the doc and ultrasound tech feel he needs to come on out. The fluid looks ok but the placenta is old. So… he is going to have to be out by Monday.
Yes, I am a little depressed. I feel as though I did something and my son does not want to come out on his own. I am praying I don’t have to have a C-section. I am not happy that I am being set up for cervadil (to soften my cervix) because I HATE to be checked- it is a grueling and just stressful experience for me. I am currently 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced since my doc had not charted any of my progress the last 2 weeks for the nurses to share with me today. I went in strictly for the ultrasound. As far as I can tell- the Cervadil is to be inserted kind of like a tampon AND then it has to be taken out… I am PRAYING that when I am checked I am 100% effaced and that my son is really close to coming out. I am all for the Pitosin in the I.V. and I am ok with the epidural as well. So I go in Sunday at 5:30 p.m. and then sometime on Monday I will go into labor and have a “Jayden”. I am rethinking the whole preggo thing just because of this end part BUT maybe with a vaginal birth I will open up and it will be better next time.
So that is my update. I am double checking my bag and bought some nursing bras today. My newest addition from ebay about 10 minutes ago is the “Itzbeen Baby Care Timer” for $25. I just think it will help even though my Mom thinks I am freakin’ crazy! I got a green one to match the nursery and to be gender neutral since I just associate blue with boy.
Ok so some of the things I have to go to the hospital:
Nursing bras
Reading material
Robe
Lounge clothes
Nursing pads
Boob creme
slippers
flip flops
hair stuff
perfume
Dove soap
baby oil gel (for after shower)
toothbrush/ toothpaste
snacks
Granny undies (for the huge pads)
For Jayden:
3 outfits (depending on temp in and out of hospital)
2 hats
mittens
receiving blankets
blanket
diapers
petroleum jelly (for his wee wee)
desitin
burp cloths
receiving blankets
wipes
baby lotion
I am sure there is some other stuff I am forgetting at 12 a.m. but you get the idea…
OK so say some prayers that I do as much as possible on my own without the doc’s help. And that if I do have to have stuff that I can relax and it not be painful!
Oh yes quick note for those of you that are thinking I should do some things to cause myself to go into labor or efface naturally. I have tried the following: warm bath, let hot water hit the tummy, hit the web in between the forefinger and thumb, make love, walk, walk briskly, bounce on the exercise ball. I am not eating spicy food, hitting the bumpy roads, or dinking castor oil. The child is not ready to come out and that is the bottom line. I do feel that he has dropped more into position since Tues but the ultrasound tech really could not verify that.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Lady in Waiting…
It is 12:36 a.m. Sunday morning. I am still waiting on my son to make his debut. He is apparently waiting on my doctor to deliver him and she is on call as of today so I am glad he did that. I am very nervous about the whole labor process but I am praying and believing that God will take care of me and him and we will be fine.
I am still waiting to hear from the job opportunities too. I am learning patience. What can I say? I have no choice!
It is just $ right?
I have fallen in love with 2 items on ebay. I am also trying to think if I can get some wonderful family members to pay for them… anyways here are my 2 current fascinations….
We would get it personalized with the last name since this is the only set Mommy plans to purchase as far as baby rooms go anyway. The clock is $15.99 plus $7.00 shipping.
These are the matching wall letters but since I am going to use the letters for him as a toddler too and may get a new set perhaps I should get just a plain color but these letters are $8.50 each and I need 6. YIKES!!!!
Still No Baby…
Yes, that is what I said. I thought he would want to come out but apparently he is really enjoying his time in me. The doctor was having trouble checking me today…. i.e. she was freakin’ hurting me tying to check but said it was about a fingertip. She really does not think he will do anything before next week so… she wants to wait. I was like “WHAT???” Anyways, she is on call next week and if he has not come out by Tuesday then we can probably induce by Thursday! Then I will have a son… sigh…. oh well.
I did ask about the epidural because I want to make sure that is in my birthing plan. I told her that one of the nurses said 6 cm. She just looked at me. I was like I think that is far since one friend had it at 2 and another at 4. This was my argument to get mine as soon as possible. So… she laughed and said that I could have it whenever I wanted it. She did not believe in being in pain if you don’t have to be. I was like Hallelujah!
So we went and ate at Olive Garden and then decided to visit Burke’s outlet which is pretty much Beall’s Outlet. I got another pacifier holder (better safe than sorry) and I got 2 hooded towels (I have plenty of washcloths!) for a total of 4. I will still get a couple more if I find any that are cute enough. I got a terrycloth robe thing since my Mom insisted I have a robe but it will be good for the pool too. I went to Wal-Mart and got some nursing pads and nipple cream too. I also got my Diaper genie 2 compliments of smidgen!!!! I am soooo excited. I have decided to get the crib that I like and pay the extra $50 and hubby will put it together. It looks sharp and I don’t plan on buying another crib. So maybe with #2 being our Ashlynne it can somewhat grow with her. I am also in the process of finding letters for my son’s room. I want some already finished. I would prefer soft letters over wood but I am looking. Ebay is great for finding stuff and I have time before he will be in a separate room so it is cool. All of his stuff won’t be here until July anyway. I also got my 1st Boppy- yeah coincidentally I ordered 2. I am going to keep one in his room and then one in my room to help me nurse him.
Ok well that is all…. there isn’t anymore.
“Under the Sea”
This is the new theme for my baby room. The safari stuff is sooooo cute; however I will not subject my child to looking at a monkey all day and night. It just bothers me…. So I found this set at Target and feel it can be spiced up for a boy or girl (I don’t plan to buy another set) so this is it. We are getting everything there is and even a learning toy- this is all compliments of hubby since I paid for the stroller and car seat.
I get quite a few items…. I ordered a Rug, Crib Sheet, Comforter, Bumper Pad, Dust Ruffle, Mobile, 3 pieces of Wall Art, Valance, Night Light, Switch Cover, Hamper, and a Diaper Stacker. I will also be ordering his name in letters that hang on the wall. I think I am going to forego border for now but maybe later.
So without further delay… here are some pics of Tiddliwinks Under the Sea…








38 weeks and counting…
No baby yet…
It is Sunday.. so about a week before I check into the hospital. I want my doc to deliver and getting induced will guarantee that so I will probably choose that route if he does not come before then. I just hope that by the time I go to the hospital I am anywhere over 4 cm dilated- it is possible and that is my prayer!
I am feeling very heavy and last week at the doc I weighed an even 130 pounds. So the baby is supposedly gaining a pound a week. I am very content with a 6 pound and maybe 10 ounce youngin’. I can even go to 7 but I am hoping not too much bigger than that. I think I am having the contractions… my tummy tightens but it is not real pain… just annoying. This means that your cervix is softening and getting ready for baby and as long as he is pushing then I will dilate and that means less labor so I welcome that!
I did get my hair washed yesterday. My poor Mom had to do it while I was standing in the shower since my haidresser works from home & doesn’t have the regular sit back sinks. After she washed it my sister’s godchildren’s Mother came over and braided my hair. She does not like doing it but said that since my sister is so good to her and her kids she wanted to help me out. She is a sweetie. We agreed on $30 but I gave her $40 because she worked around my schedule and was at my house for 3 hours AND had to make concessions for her children. It turned out really good, I think. I am happy. It beat going to Panama City though. Ugh… I was not looking forward to that drive at all… it was nice to be at home and watch what I wanted and have access to my refrigerator too. Plus Mom got to clean while I was getting my hair done.
Ok so here are 2 pics…

The text message…
I am so impersonal… I know… nevertheless here is what it read:
“I am 1 cm dilated, 6 cm until an epidural and 10 cm until I can push. I am at home and still working.”
I thought that was short, sweet, to the point and cleared up confusion! Boy, was I wrong… The next several phone calls were “What???” “Are you in the hospital?” I answered a couple of calls before falling asleep at 9 p.m. but calmly explained that I was dilated and sent home.
So… how do I know I am dilated? I would be thrilled to share that this special machine was pressed against my tummy and it showed them but that was not the case. Unfortunately the dreaded finger had to check.. yes it was one instead of two because I am a complete and total wuss. I am soooo much of a wuss that my doctor told her ARNP that I may or may not allow her to check me and that was okay. I laughed when she told me that. But the ARNP was freaking fantastic! She was slow and moved as I told her it was ok. She told me I was doing good and she could feel the baby’s head and then explained that they would be checking me in the hospital and may not be as patient but that I was doing great and just needed to relax some. I HAVE to get her a thank you card because she really was awesome. So… after I was sooo violated, my child would NOT stop moving. I was like “Dang!” But I figure I would help the dilation some by shopping… he he… ok that was an excuse. But my leg hurt all day long- I am talking 24 dang hours. I don’t know if Jayden is on a nerve or what but I was thinking wheelchair or just cut the durn thing off!
Anyways so Mom and I (oh surely you did not think I went to the doc alone! Duh! I am too far along to do much of anything alone… ok so that is not the total reason Mom went… lol.. I have not been to an appt alone… Mom, hubby, sis- someone has gone and to put it bluntly I liked it that way- I need support and when my Ashlynne has a baby- yes I plan on having an Ashlynne in a few years- then I too will support her!) (back to the story now…) went to eat at Olive Garden- delayed Mother’s Day gift. She was really annoyed because I hadn’t warned her.. no, she was dressed fine but she would have rather starved herself 1st so that she could fully enjoy her meal! I cracked up laughing because that whole “love food” thing was sooooo not passed on to me. If I didn’t have to eat, I would not! Uh…. We went to the mall afterwards and I got a dress from Motherhood to wear home since I “don’t have any just cute after preggo dresses”… yeah I was full of excuses today… and I got some “pee pee tee pees”.. what are those you ask… HA! They are little caps you put on boys little wees wees so that they don’t spray you in the face. Mom said she would make me some more but I got 5 at $2 each. I don’t care though- you can’t put a price tag on missing that “spray in the face” action! Ok so we went to Victoria Secret to get some undies and they sold out of the old kind (the 10 for $25) AND no longer will be making the low rise bikini! I am soooo pissed off with that. I don’t like the regular hip huggers because there is too much material on the side… not to mention NOW there is spandex in the undies! Yeah no more 100% cotton.. hello! What the crap?? 100% cotton is healthy- ask your gyno! UGH!!!! So after that crap, we bought my sister’s birthday present and had our rings cleaned. She is a little stinker because she cleaned me out on this gift but I know she will appreciate it at her new home in July so it is worth it and she is such a good “Aunty” too so… Dad, Mom, Hubby, I, and Jayden will be giving her this gift on July 20th when she will be 24! LOL.. soooo old! I remember when I thought that was just downhill…. nope 25 is!
We went to Baby’s R’ Us after the mall and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. However, I was not too impressed with the few things I thought I needed. I did find out that my Mom used liquid formula (and they were poor!) so I told her I was going to use it too. But… you have to warm the dang stuff cuz it comes out of the fridge and that could be a pain at 2 a.m. so I may be using powder- quick poor mix and shake at room temperature or I might even breastfeed a little longer than a week and go for a month. I guess I could pump too but who knows. I was going to get a monitor but honestly I don’t want him out of my sight the 1st 3 months so he will be in a bassinet in my room and then… we might move him to the other room but then again maybe not… I am not seeing him in the bed with us but definitely at arm’s reach. I am a 1st time Mom- so sue me!
Now at 4 a.m. I am dealing with indigestion still… oh yes, I have had it for 5 days.. I am thinking this child better have a head full of hair! I will be glad when I go back to normal- no morning sickness, a single pop tart, eat whatever, less bathroom breaks, etc.
So now for my hubby’s brilliant line of thinking… I told him that the doc wanted to discuss inducing me because today my leg was bothering me and I was not comfy. So after my next visit at 39 weeks, she will talk about me going in on Sunday and having the baby Monday, June 8th. I am okay with this I think. He is supposedly 6′11 and I think that is too big so.. get him out before he gets too much bigger! Hubby said “Well can you wait until Wednesday- when I am off?” I told him no because they only do surgery on Monday and she wants to guarantee that she gets to be with me over someone else. I am ok with this too as she understands me and my special needs. I think I will have to be in the hospital 3 days… so… he wants to come Sunday after work – 4 hours one way and then leave Monday evening- 4 hours… work Tues and then come back- 4 hours- and stay with me through Thursday. I was like whatever… take vacation time or just take off and be done with it. You knew this would happen! Ugh.. men can be soooo dense sometimes. I will be upset if he is not there the whole time but I have a Mama and she will not make me stay alone so that will be fine too. I have it all planned out… (I am such a planner- yes I know- it makes me happy!)
Week 1- Grandma, me, and Jayden; Week 2- Sis, me, and Jayden; Week 3- Hubby, me, and Jayden…
Yep- they all have to get that leave time ready because they will be needing it. So… week 4 I will be at home with hubby still working from home and surely by then will have it down to a science- changing, feeding, sleeping, bottles, etc.
Well now that I have given the full update and am just tired of typing.. I will leave you all to a blessed day.
That is all… there isn’t anymore…



