Sunday, March 28, 2010
Owen-first few weeks
You have been such a joy to our lives so far! You are 3 1/2 weeks old and time has already flown by way too fast! You are an easy going baby who usually only cries during diaper changes (you hate being undressed) or when you're gassy. You love being held and talked to and this past week you have started talking back by cooing. You are focusing on faces and will turn your head to try and see who is talking. You are starting to smile in your sleep and make the funniest facial expressions. We love you our little Owen Gabriel. You are such a sweetie pie!
Owen Birth Story
On March 3rd, 2010, we had our weekly doctors appointment. Daddy went to almost every appointment with mommy, but couldn't make this one because he had to work. At the appointment, the doctor let mommy know that she was dilated to a 1 and 60% effaced. I was frustrated because I hadn't made any progress since the week before. The doctor had been telling me how low you were, and at this appointment you were still low. So, I left this appointment thinking that I still had a couple of weeks to prepare for you arrival and that I still had time to finish up last minute details.
I got to the hospital at about 3:40 and they wheeled me up to the labor/delivery floor. I got changed into my robe and they went ahead and put me in a labor room, since I didn't need to be examined to make sure I was really in labor because your mommy left a puddle. Then, your daddy showed up and that is when the nurses started hooking you and I up to all of the machines. The nurses were super nice and helpful in getting me situated. After three attempts, the IV finally got put into my arm. The nurse staff told me that I couldn't get an epidural until I had gone through a bag and a half of IV fluid. I asked who the doctor on call was, and guess what, it was Dr. Sorensen, mommy's doctor!!! She informed the nurses to start pitocin on mommy because although my water had broke, I was still not dilated very much. So, at about 4:45, they checked me and I was dilated to a 3. I was starting to feel contractions at this point, and they weren't too bad at this point. Luckily I remembered how to breathe to get through contractions in my labor class. I'm so glad I paid attention! Your daddy kept calling everyone at this point, and mommy was texting her family too! Your maw maw and paw paw, mimi, and aunt janna and uncle justin all headed to the hospital as soon as they heard! At about 6:30, they checked me again and I was at a 5! At this point, I was starting to really feel the contractions and they were about 30 seconds apart. The anesthesiologist got to the hospital at around 7:30 and gave mommy an epidural. I am so glad that they let daddy stay in the room with me because it was so nice to have his support. After the epidural, I was able to relax but my legs got really shaky. The nurses told me that it was a reaction to the drugs and that is normal. I had been having shaky legs and had been cold, but after the epidural it got a lot more intense. I started to take a little nap, because I thought I still had a while until it was time to push. The nurse came to check on me and to see how I was doing at around 9. I asked her if she could check me and she said she would but that it probably wasn't necessary at that point because it hadn't been that long since the last check. She checked me and I was already a 9 1/2! So, that means only 1/2 a centimeter until it was time to push! Your daddy had gone to the waiting room to talk to family and I called him and told him he needed to come back. Everyone was surprised at how far I had progressed and how quickly! At around 9:30, I started pushing. It took several pushed to get you out because when you were finally born, your hand was by your face. You always liked to have that hand in front of your face at your ultrasounds so that didn't surprise me at all. You were born at 10:27pm at 6 pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long. You were amazingly adorable and mommy and daddy loved you instantly. We couldn't believe you were ours.
We stayed at the hospital until Saturday, March 6th. You got shots and blood drawn, and we learned how to feed you and to change your diaper. You were already such a good sleeper, but we had to help you eat. You didn't want to latch on so mommy and daddy were taught by the nurses to put a pacifier in your mouth with a syringe of pumped colostrum. We only pumped the colostrum into your mouth when you would suck on the pacifier. This way, you learned how to suck when you were latched on to the breast. We couldn't wait to bring you home and when we did, it just felt so right to have you here sweet little man!
On March 4th, 2010, I was 36 weeks and 6 days pregnant. I got up to get ready for work just like any other day. I taught all day, doing dances with the students and walking up and down the hallways. At 3:15, I walked out the door on my way to my car and started to feel something dripping out of me. I had just gone to the restroom and thought that I somehow hadn't gotten all of my pee out. I realized when I got outside that I hadn't parked where I usually do because I had gotten sonic for lunch, so I began my trek to walk around the outside of the school to the other parking lot where I had parked. While I was walking, the wetness continued coming out. When I got in my car, I realized that this must be my water breaking! So, I immediately called Grant and let him know. He was just as shocked as I was and I let him know that I was going to call the hospital and to meet me there. I called the hospital and told them that I think my water broke and they told me to come straight there. Your daddy and I then called and texted every family member and close friend to let them know that you were on your way! Everyone was so excited and couldn't believe that you had decided to make your entrance 3 weeks early!!!!
I got to the hospital at about 3:40 and they wheeled me up to the labor/delivery floor. I got changed into my robe and they went ahead and put me in a labor room, since I didn't need to be examined to make sure I was really in labor because your mommy left a puddle. Then, your daddy showed up and that is when the nurses started hooking you and I up to all of the machines. The nurses were super nice and helpful in getting me situated. After three attempts, the IV finally got put into my arm. The nurse staff told me that I couldn't get an epidural until I had gone through a bag and a half of IV fluid. I asked who the doctor on call was, and guess what, it was Dr. Sorensen, mommy's doctor!!! She informed the nurses to start pitocin on mommy because although my water had broke, I was still not dilated very much. So, at about 4:45, they checked me and I was dilated to a 3. I was starting to feel contractions at this point, and they weren't too bad at this point. Luckily I remembered how to breathe to get through contractions in my labor class. I'm so glad I paid attention! Your daddy kept calling everyone at this point, and mommy was texting her family too! Your maw maw and paw paw, mimi, and aunt janna and uncle justin all headed to the hospital as soon as they heard! At about 6:30, they checked me again and I was at a 5! At this point, I was starting to really feel the contractions and they were about 30 seconds apart. The anesthesiologist got to the hospital at around 7:30 and gave mommy an epidural. I am so glad that they let daddy stay in the room with me because it was so nice to have his support. After the epidural, I was able to relax but my legs got really shaky. The nurses told me that it was a reaction to the drugs and that is normal. I had been having shaky legs and had been cold, but after the epidural it got a lot more intense. I started to take a little nap, because I thought I still had a while until it was time to push. The nurse came to check on me and to see how I was doing at around 9. I asked her if she could check me and she said she would but that it probably wasn't necessary at that point because it hadn't been that long since the last check. She checked me and I was already a 9 1/2! So, that means only 1/2 a centimeter until it was time to push! Your daddy had gone to the waiting room to talk to family and I called him and told him he needed to come back. Everyone was surprised at how far I had progressed and how quickly! At around 9:30, I started pushing. It took several pushed to get you out because when you were finally born, your hand was by your face. You always liked to have that hand in front of your face at your ultrasounds so that didn't surprise me at all. You were born at 10:27pm at 6 pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long. You were amazingly adorable and mommy and daddy loved you instantly. We couldn't believe you were ours.
We stayed at the hospital until Saturday, March 6th. You got shots and blood drawn, and we learned how to feed you and to change your diaper. You were already such a good sleeper, but we had to help you eat. You didn't want to latch on so mommy and daddy were taught by the nurses to put a pacifier in your mouth with a syringe of pumped colostrum. We only pumped the colostrum into your mouth when you would suck on the pacifier. This way, you learned how to suck when you were latched on to the breast. We couldn't wait to bring you home and when we did, it just felt so right to have you here sweet little man!
Owen Pregnancy
I fell off the band wagon with updating this blog throughout my pregnancy, so we will do a recap of the whole thing.
During the first trimester, I didn't throw up at all. The only way I knew I was pregnant is because my boobs started hurting and I started to feel more tired than normal. I didn't feel you move inside of me yet baby boy, but I knew you were there. I craved Taco Bell all of the time! I think your daddy got sick of eating this, but he did it for me. We had an ultrasound every four weeks during this trimester to make sure everything was ok, and you were growing great! Every time we saw that screen, we were in total amazement that you were our child growing in there!
The third trimester started, and mommy's calves started hurting really bad. Your maw maw Joanne said she had also had calf pain in her pregnancies, so I think I got that from her. I also had lower back and foot pain. Your daddy was so sweet to massage me as much as I needed so I could feel better. My belly started getting huge and I started to feel like I couldn't wear any pants comfortably anymore. I always wanted reeses peanut butter cups and puffy cheetos. Mmm...
Also during the third trimester, I started getting nervous. Reality started hitting that I was going to be a mommy and I had never done this before. Your daddy was very calm, cool, and collected as usual and this was very helpful to your mommy. We took a breastfeeding, CPR/infant safety, labor/delivery, and newborn classes to prepare for your arrival. We also read books, online articles, spent a lot of time in prayer, and asked a million questions before you were born so we could make sure we could prepare ourselves to be the best parents we could be. We knew we wouldn't know how to do everything, but we wanted to feel as prepared as possible.
I felt so privileged as your mommy to carry you in my belly. I am still in awe that you grew inside of me and we both love you very much!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)