I'm Back!

So I totally fell off the blog-o-sphere, but I promise, I have a really good reason! Mere hours after our lovely post-graduation nap, my water broke at midnight after Nick and I went to bed, and our little munchkin was born at 1:50pm on Friday, April 22nd! It was definitely a Good Friday, ha ha!

Meet Elijah (Eli) Maxwell:

At birth, he weighed in at 6 pounds, 12 ounces and is 19 inches long

Like I said, my water broke at around midnight and we took our time getting to the hospital since we knew we'd be there for awhile. Here we are about to head out:

38 weeks, 2 days

Then, we got checked into the hospital, where we learned that I would be put on pitocin because my contractions were inconsistent and not very strong. It was kind of a bummer because I planned on doing stuff like walking around, using the birthing ball & the tub. But with the pitocin, they had to keep me & Eli (so nice to not have to refer to him as "the baby" anymore!) on a monitor, which meant I was stuck in the bed.

The pitocin definitely did it's job and let's just say I'm not a fan. I pretty much had one contraction on top of another and I had horrible back labor too (I felt most of my contractions in my back). I had originally planned on unmedicated birth, but I definitely reached the point where I really wanted some meds. Unfortunately, I was past the point where they could safely give me them without it affecting Eli.

Thankfully, it was about time to push. Although, they had turned down my pitocin earlier to give me a little break and so I wasn't as effective with my pushing. So, they had to turn it back up, which was not fun. In total, I pushed for about 3.5 hours, but it was all worth it for this:

My favorite picture of Eli & I (so far, of course)

First family photo!

Sleeping with Daddy

It was totally by the grace of God that I got through all that. I did a whole lot of praying, and it was definitely the most painful thing I've ever been through. But I was totally on an endorphin high afterward and I would say that I remember that it was really painful, but not vividly.

Eli has been doing pretty well. We had some feeding issues at first, and he was a little jaundiced and skinny at his first check-up as a result. We got a lot of help with feeding though and we've had a light for him to help with the jaundice. He has another check on Monday, but as of Thursday, had gained back to his discharge weight (he gained 5 ounces in 2 days!) and his jaundice was on the way down.

So, needless to say, my life has been a little bit of a whirlwind for the past week. We are finally settling into a good groove of feeding, sleeping and diaper changes. It also helps that my parents are out to meet the little man. They are expert baby holders and are helping the house get in order as well so we can focus on feeding and eating and sleep.

Graduation!

Today my awesome husband graduated from the Captain's Career Course! He is now officially qualified to lead a company of soldiers. Sweet! We'll be sticking around Georgia for awhile so he can do some other courses, but this was the main reason we came to Georgia in the first place. It's crazy to me that it's already done. It seems like he just started back in November!

Us at graduation

It's a big accomplishment though, and I'm really proud of him. To celebrate his graduation, we took a nap, ha ha. Yep, we're that exciting.

Baby Belly Wednesday-38 Weeks

I am 38 weeks pregnant today! My due date is now only 2 weeks away, whoa! Although I'm very "motivated" to get this labor thing going. I'm not trying to make it terribly negative because it's not sooo bad, but let's just sad I'm glad the end is in sight! Still having a lot of the same discomforts as last week and lots of "false labor"- meaning I've had lots of random contractions without any real pattern or consistency. It kind of just feels like a tease at this point, so I'm getting antsy for the real thing.

I can't really imagine going another 2 weeks, much less any later. I'm trying a bunch of the natural things to induce labor, like walking, evening primrose oil and red raspberry leaf tea. I feel like there's at least some progress with the random contractions, but it would be nice if things became a little more consistent.

I got checked by the midwife today and my fundal height (height from my pubic bone to the top of my uterus) is measuring at 37 centimeters, which is perfect since I'm 38 weeks and it totally depends on the person measuring. The baby is still head down and I feel like I've definitely dropped. So now it's just a waiting game until real labor starts.

I feel like everyone is anticipating me going into labor at any second (which is entirely possible). A girl at youth group tonight said "whoa, you're really pregnant", ha ha. And somebody at the grocery store today told me I shouldn't be on me feet. I really don't feel that huge, but then looking at pictures, I definitely have the same reaction.

The baby is still doing great- the heart rate was 145 beats/minute today (it's been between 145-155 the whole pregnancy). The baby should be the size of about a leek- could be up to 22 inches long. And the midwife guessed today that the baby is around 7 pounds 2 ounces! She also predicted that if I go past my due date, it'll be over 8 pounds, eek! Ya, definitely praying it'll be sooner rather than later. The only real developmental milestone to report is that the skin has changed from pink to white because there is more fat over the blood vessels. That'll lead to some chubby cheeks!

Here are this week's belly pictures:

Being silly

Look at that 38 week baby belly!

There's a big baby in that belly!

Baby Belly Wednesday- 37 Weeks

I am 37 weeks pregnant today and have officially reached "full term", woohoo! I could go into labor at any time now and the baby would be just fine. Totally a milestone and it feels really good to have gotten here. I wasn't really stressing about it before, but now it's nice to know that contractions are totally fine & good now.

I'm doing fine, but I would be perfectly alright if this baby came sooner rather than later. My right foot in particular has kept up the swelling here and there. No idea why it's only the right one for the most part. Also, my fingers were starting to plump up, so I decided to take off my wedding ring before I can't take it off anymore. My hand definitely feels weird without it, but it's better than potentially having it cut off if my fingers swell more. Oh, and I had the hardest time today trying to find a shirt that fit. I tried on probably about 10 different shirts and I finally gave up when I found one that barely covered the belly. Either it's time to do laundry, or it's time for this baby to come out already, ha ha!

Otherwise, still pretty tired, although the past couple nights I've had some insomnia. Not sure what that's about, but I have a surprising amount of energy considering (maybe my nesting is coming back). I've realized one reason sleep has been difficult is that I get super warm at night and have woken up more than once on top of the sheet & blanket. Pretty amusing. I'm feeling pretty ready for that baby's arrival, although there are still things here and there that I have to take care of.

The baby is still doing awesome. It's getting feisty again. Whenever it pushes it's foot out, I push back & tonight especially, it decided to push even harder back in response. This week, the baby is still about the size of a watermelon (I guess a slightly bigger one?)- potentially close to 7 pounds (let's hope!) and up to 21 inches long. Some development milestones this week:
- Lungs continuing to mature
- Could have hair as long as 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches (although I'm really thinking it's going to be peach fuzz)

Here are this week's belly pictures:

37 weeks- I keep hearing it looks like I'm about ready to pop!

Close-up on the baby belly and my shirt stretching to it's limit

The big 'ol baby belly

Pregnancy Musings

We are almost at the end of this crazy adventure! As of Wednesday, I will be "full term", and my body has definitely been doing it's share of practicing for labor. I'm still hoping for an April baby rather than another 3 weeks of craziness until the due date, but I know that first time babies are usually on time or late.

- It doesn't help that it's starting to get really hot here (um, it's April), which means swollen ankles and feet, lovely. So glad I won't be massively pregnant in the midst of a Southern summer!

- I find it highly amusing that my belly button is still holding strong as an innie (or really, holding on for dear life). I thought, for sure, it would have popped by now! Here is some photographic evidence:

Before (Week 14)


Now

Hold on belly button, we're almost there!

- I am so tired, I could pretty much nap any time of day. I took a 2 hour nap yesterday & it was glorious! Unfortunately, I have noticed that such wonderful naps mean my nighttime sleep is not nearly as good. So, I'm trying to hold out and not nap, so I can enjoy a full night's sleep while I can

- I got an audible "whoa" when somebody saw my baby belly today. Ya, thanks, I could have 3 more weeks, ha ha. I feel like people think I'm about to explode or something

- I thought this baby getting bigger would mean a little bit of a break for me from all the kicking and punching. I had probably a couple of weeks of gentleness, but now, even the pushes are getting stronger. I think this baby wants to come out soon, don't you?

- Nick has started nesting. I, on the other hand, have been completely taken over by fatigue, but I feel pretty ready anyway. Nick literally bleached the floor and also hung some pictures in the nursery this past weekend, love it! It looks so pretty and inhabitable now. I will definitely be posting pictures!

- So we realized that "dwarf planet" is actually a pretty accurate description of me right now. Scout, my big shadow, has finally figured out that something is going on (he keeps resting his head on my belly, too cute!), and he is in full orbit. He normally circles (my best friend loves to call him Jaws because he just circles and circles and circles), but he is pretty much attached to me right now, just going around & around. Rufus, on the other hand, is more like a comet that whizzes by and then disappears for awhile. Ya, we're nerds.

Adventures in Babysitting

Last week, I took care of my friend's 2 year old girl and 6 year old boy for the morning. We ate breakfast and walked the 6 year old to school and the 2 year old came to PWOC with me, like she usually does with her mom. They're really good kids, so along with the easy schedule, it was really easy. It was just funny though, Nick and I were both realizing how much of a foreshadowing it was of our future with kiddos. And it was awesome! I think we are ready to start this new adventure, which is good because it is imminent, and it's not like this kid will go back to someone else at the end of the day.

One of the funny highlights though was that the 2 year old little girl was really excited about our little play mat we have set up for the baby. We set it up pretty much right after we got it so that the dogs would get used to it. More than a few times, I found her laying in it and playing with the toys. Too cute! I really wish I would've snapped a picture.

The dogs were a little crazy with the kids here, and were very much in the 2 year old's face when they were out. It was a little frustrating, but I know that they act differently (really excited) with guests and obviously, this baby will be with us 24/7. I'm sure it will realistically take some adjustment, but I think it'll be better, especially because I don't think we'll put them in another room as much, except maybe as a last resort.

So here's to the future!

Baby Belly Wednesday- 36 Weeks/9 Months!

I am 9 months (36 weeks) pregnant this week! CRAZY! At the very most, I could have a little less than 6 weeks left. However, everything would be totally fine with the baby & I if I went into labor NEXT WEEK! My due date is in 4 weeks. We are so close, I can't believe it! I've definitely gotten a few people that look at me as if I'm a time bomb ready to go off...ya, could be another 5 weeks, thanks.

I think as a result of all the excitement, I have been completely out of it the last couple days, although yesterday especially. Somehow, I managed to leave my credit card at the gas station on the pump, and only realized it today. Ya, it caused a pretty major freak out when I realized it was missing. Thankfully, someone turned it in and I'll be able to get it tomorrow, no problem. I also thought I lost a gift card that had about $100 on it, but miraculously I found that too! Let me tell you, I could do without all this excitement.

My feet and ankles also started swelling this weekend, which is always fun times. Thankfully, it's nothing serious, as long as it's not excessive. It's all definitely making me ready to be done sooner rather than later. I'm just physically exhausted and obviously it's having an effect on my brain too. I have my last few appointments scheduled now and all of my pre-admission paperwork is done too, so I'm pretty much good to go. All I need now is my body & the baby to start the process.

It seems as though things are getting busy again too. And I don't know how that happened because it's Spring Break, and a lot of the things we normally do have been canceled. Thankfully, the evenings seem to be much less crazy, but it just seems like there are a ton of little things that need to be done, like taxes and getting my oil changed and getting my hair cut, etc. I guess my nesting has taken on a different form in wanting to get stuff done before the chaos of having a newborn around starts.

The baby is still doing great and apparently we had a bit of a growth spurt this week! The heartbeat is still as consistent as ever (seriously, it's been within like 5 beats per minute this entire pregnancy) and the little one is still doing lots of stretching. I'm getting very antsy to meet this little feisty one! The baby is about the size of a watermelon-could weigh as much as 6.5 pounds and be between 19-22 inches long. Still mostly just growing- all the major systems are good to go. But, here are some interesting facts:
- The baby is continuing to put on about an ounce of weight per day
- The baby's head will, at birth, be the same size circumference as his or her hips, abdomen, and shoulders

And here is this week's belly picture:

36 weeks/9 months pregnant! So close to getting to meet this little one!