2 Weeks

Miss Ruby is 2 weeks old today! Time is flying by. She weighed 9 lbs 7 oz at our midwife appointment yesterday and is doing great. She's so precious, I just stare at her all day :) She's going to be out of newborn clothes very soon.

My mom left on Monday after being such a huge help!! She cooked and cleaned for a week and a half, which let me get lots of rest and spend lots of time with my baby. And she bought lots of groceries for us too. We can't thank you enough, Mom!

Ruby's been sleeping pretty well. She has some fussy time until 10 or 11pm, but then last night she slept for 4 hours straight! That was nice. We also got some photos back from Kristen, so I sent birth announcements out today. They turned out really well.

Andy went back to work all day yesterday and today. I've actually been getting quite a few things done while he's gone, thanks to the swing and my Moby. Ruby loves being wrapped up with me.

Andy's such a great dad! He changes her diaper in the middle of the night and everything... Love...

We went on a nice walk on Saturday.

We got her a new swing on Monday so I can have somewhere to put her when I'm home by myself. I think she likes it.

She likes to sleep with her hands up by her face like her mommy.

Tummy time!
Ruby's cord fell off today. She has the cutest belly button ever.

Ruby Elise's birth story

On Monday the 23rd, two days before my due date, I was having some very mild contractions at work. I started timing them, and they were anywhere from 6-15 minutes apart and pretty sporadic. So I didn't think anything of it and they went away that evening. On Wednesday, my due date, I had a midwife appointment in the morning. Carol checked me while I was there and I was a little less than 2 cm dilated and about 50% effaced. So we didn't think that I would go into labor for the next few days at least. After lunch, I was having the contractions again, but they were a little more regular. I again didn't think anything of it and went on with my work. I felt like I should bring everything home though, just in case I went into labor that night.

I got home and made rice bowls for dinner, then after dinner I had indigestion and didn't feel great. No contractions though. Andy went to youth group and I walked on my treadmill for about a mile. Then I wanted to lay down, so I went to bed early. Andy got home around 9pm and we went to sleep.

At 11:04pm I woke up with a contraction that was pretty strong and bordering on painful, and then I had another one a few minutes later. I woke Andy up after a few of those and we both thought it might be false labor. We got up and I sat on my birth ball for a while, and then I tried to go back to bed. Andy went to sleep and I was in and out of bed for a while. At 1:30am I called my mom to ask if she thought it was real and to give her a heads up in case it was. She didn't know, so I said I'd call her an hour later. My contractions were about 5-8 minutes apart, but they weren't really getting stronger or longer, and I didn't feel them in my back at all (one of the signs of true labor), just in my stomach. It mostly felt like bad cramps in my lower abdomen. I was just breathing through them and was able to talk fine during them at this point. I called my mom again at 2:30 and still wasn't sure if labor was real. So I said I'd call back in an hour if things changed.

I tried to go back to bed, but the contractions were really painful laying down. At 3:40 I was having a contraction, and I spread my knees apart a little bit when I felt a pop and a gush... my water broke. I jumped out of bed (and didn't get anything on the bed, thankfully) and patted Andy on the foot on my way to the bathroom saying, "I'm pretty sure my water just broke." He jumped out of bed and got me some new clothes (the ones I was wearing were pretty wet), and then I called my mom and told her it was the real thing for sure. She and my dad jumped in the car and called my sister, and they were all on their way at 4-ish. I also called Carol and gave her a heads up saying I'd call again later when things picked up.

I took a shower, and Andy went into full cleaning mode. We had made a labor to do list so he just started tackling it one at a time, plus some extra things (like cleaning the microwave, mopping, etc.) I think he was a little nervous :) The first thing on our list was to pray together, which was really special. I labored by myself and the contractions were getting closer together and a little tougher. At 5:30am or so I finally told Andy to stop cleaning and be with me. At 6:00 I called Amy, my doula, and told her to come around 8 or 8:30. I also called Carol and she and Julia started heading over.

At 6:20 the contractions really started picking up, so I called Amy again and said to come now. Kristen came and picked up our dogs, and Andy's mom came at some point in there and grabbed a key to the neighbor's house where she was going to stay. I sat on my glider for a while and contractions were much easier while I was in it, but I felt like I wasn't making as much progress. I was able to fall asleep between a few of the contractions.

Amy, Carol and Julia all got here at 7:30am and started setting everything up. Amy was absolutely incredible. She jumped in and massaged, got me rice packs, had Andy go eat breakfast, cleaned, got snacks, etc. It was so nice having her there... she knew just what I needed. Andy was great about helping me relax during contractions and he held my hand for them. I breathed through them during the whole labor and didn't fight them at all. I did have to be moving my hands, though, and that helped. The pain wasn't ever more than I could take, and I never once wanted an epidural or to go to the hospital or anything. I didn't scream, swear or even moan. It was actually not as bad as I thought it would be.

Carol checked my progression at 8-ish. I told Amy, "If I'm at 2cm, I'm going to be upset." Carol said I was at 6-7cm and 100% effaced, so I was very happy. That gave me tons of confidence to get through the rest of labor. They started filling up the birth tub around 8:30 and I labored on my ball and other places until I could get in. At 9:30 my parents and sister got here, and they jumped in and helped too. I was still able to talk and laugh between contractions at this point. I knew there would be breaks between contractions, but I didn't know they would be that long, so it was a nice relief. I got in the tub at 10-ish, and it was a nice relief. The contractions weren't easier, but I felt weightless. I only got out once to use the bathroom. I went through transition and didn't even know it. I started having more cramping between contractions, so there wasn't really a break anymore. I fell asleep between them for a few contractions. Kristen got here sometime in there and started taking pictures.

I started having a contraction at 11:45-ish, and I suddenly had the urge to push during it. I told Amy and she ran to talk to Carol who said to go ahead and start pushing. I pushed pretty gently for a little less than an hour. At one point I asked Amy how much longer I had left, and she told me less than two hours. I felt like I could do that. Soon after that I felt for the baby's head and it was right there. I thought there might be a lip of cervix, but Carol felt and said it was all the baby's head. Crowning was probably the most painful part, and I think it was the only part where I said "ouch." I pushed the baby's head half way out and then waited for another contraction. It was cool feeling the head with lots of hair. Amy leaned over and said, "I promise it will be less than two hours now." I laughed. Another contraction came and I pushed out my little girl. She opened her eyes under the water and I said, "I knew it was a girl!" Andy was holding my right hand and caught our daughter with his other hand, with Julia's help. Amy was holding my other hand. They brought her right up on my chest an she just stared at me for a little bit and then started to cry. It was such a beautiful moment! Most of the people in the room were crying. Andy announced her name and said, "We're going to call her Ruby Elise." She wanted to latch on about 10 minutes later, so we did that. My mom cut the cord when I was feeling cramps for the placenta. I pushed out the placenta in one or two pushes, and then they gave Ruby to Andy to hold while I got out of the tub.

The midwives checked us both over and Andy and I had a bit of time alone with our daughter, and that was really special. We prayed together. I had to get 3 or 4 stitches and they did Ruby's newborn exam. She was 8lbs 11oz and 21.25 inches long. We are absolutely in love with our girl!

1 Week

Miss Ruby Elise turned one week old today. This last week has been full of new things with her. I'll post her birth story later this week when I have more time. We had a beautiful birth at home in the water, and she has been wonderful to have around ever since. We had a little bit of a Jaundice issue and had to get her levels tested on Monday and Tuesday. That was my worst moment as a mother so far and I cried when I left the lab. It's hard to see your baby in pain. But her levels were going down on Tuesday so we don't have to worry about it anymore.

We took Ruby on a little walk around the block on Tuesday afternoon in her new stroller, and that was fun. Then on Wednesday we went to Salem for a midwife appointment and a little shopping. This mama was tired when we got home though! She hasn't been sleeping super well at night, but hopefully that will change soon.

She had her first bath this morning, and then Kristen came to take newborn pictures of her. That was fun, and hopefully they'll turn out well! We had some fussy issues after a while, but I think we got some good ones.

My mom has been here all week, and that has been such a huge blessing!! She cooks and cleans and I don't have to worry about anything except my baby. It's been wonderful, but I'm nervous for when she has to go home on Monday.

I love this picture of Daddy and baby. Andy's a wonderful father to our little Peach.

My baby is crying, so I need to go feed her and go to bed :)

40 Weeks

1/25/12

Today’s our due date! The baby’s at least 7 ½ pounds, but probably more like 8 or 8 ½ at this point (at least that’s what I think). We’re just in a state of waiting… when is he/she going to show up? Nobody knows except Jesus. We’re getting very excited and can’t wait to meet our baby.

My midwife appointment today was great. The baby is looking good, the head is engaged and it had a nice heartbeat. I’m only a little bit more dilated than I was last week though. It looks like I’ll have to do more walking to get things moving. I’m working until Friday, then starting Maternity Leave, which I’m very much looking forward to. So hopefully it will be born this weekend or early next week. I’ve had periodic times of my contractions being closer together (like 10 minutes apart), but then they go away. I think it’s just my body getting ready for the real thing. Hopefully it’s not too far off!

Andy and I went out to a nice last breakfast without a baby on Saturday. That was fun to do together. Next time it will be with a little baby.

Changes this week: Not too much since last week. Insomnia is not my friend. And I’ve had to pee more often. I guess the baby has dropped a bit and I’ve had a little more pelvic pressure.

Just for kicks, here's a picture of me from behind. Everyone at work says I barely look pregnant from the back, and I guess it's true! Just a little bit of love handles. Hah!

39 Weeks

1/18/12

One week until our baby is due! We’re so excited to finally be in the last little bit. The baby could really come any time in the next 2-3 weeks, so everyone’s on standby waiting to get the phone call from us 

At my midwife appointment today Carol checked me, and I’m still only about 1 cm dilated, but my cervix is thinning out. She said I probably won’t go into labor in the next week, but there’s always a chance. I think I will be a few days late, just like my mom was. The baby is getting big in there, and the heart rate was kind of fast because it was moving around a lot. As far as I know, everything’s still looking good.

Last night we went into Salem with some friends and played Bingo. It was very interesting. There were a lot of people there that were hard core and looked like they go all the time. I think it’s probably addictive. It was stressful for us at first because they were calling numbers pretty fast and we had 12 bingo cards to scan for the numbers, but we eventually got the hang of it. It ended up being fun, but I doubt that we’ll ever go again. None of us won anything anyway.

My dreams have always been strange, but I’ve had some funny baby dreams through the pregnancy. At around 20 weeks I dreamt that there was a hole in my uterus that the baby crawled through. Then it was just underneath my skin and crawling around my belly. I also dreamt that I was trying all of our cloth diapers on it. Andy has dreamt that it was a boy, and I have dreamt both genders. I’m thinking it may be a girl, but really, who knows. Either way, we’ll be happy!

Changes this week: My legs have been swelling in the evenings a little bit. Nothing terrible though. I think the baby’s dropped a little more, but probably still has more to go. I’m going to start walking and sitting on my exercise ball more to try to get it to drop. I’ve been super tired and feeling huge the last week or so. I think I’m definitely ready for this baby to be out.

38 Weeks

1/11/12

The baby’s getting big and we’re pretty much ready for it to come out  Now we just have to wait until it’s done being in there. I think it’s about 7 pounds and 18-19 inches long. We can’t wait to meet our little one.

At my midwife appointment on December 30^th they took a culture to test for Group B strep, but the lab lost it, or they didn’t come pick it up or something. So we had to re-test on Friday and Carol called me on Sunday night to say that the test was negative. So I’m glad we don’t have to worry about that.

My dad built us this beautiful dresser and brought it up on Monday night! We love it. It’s so nice to have lots of drawer space to put baby things. The rest of our cloth diapers came yesterday, so I’ve been prepping them. I think we have everything ready for our baby to come! I’ve been trying to get loose ends wrapped up at work so they will be fine while I’m gone. It’s kind of hard not knowing when I’ll go into labor for planning purposes. I’m going to work until the 27^th unless I go into labor before that. Then maternity leave! I’m very excited.

The comments I get from people are funny. Some people think I look small for being almost due, and other people think I look big (mostly family members). I think I’m just right and that the baby will be average size probably. At my midwife appointment today I measured 34 cm. Last time it was 36 cm. That means the baby has dropped into my pelvis! I'm feeling more pressure down there and my belly feels heavier. Our appointments now consist of checking my urine and my vitals, listening to the heartbeat, and answering any questions. Since I go every week, I don't have too many questions each time. We're all getting excited for this baby to be born!

Changes this week: I never know if I’m going to sleep well or not. Some nights I sleep okay and only get up 2 or 3 times, other nights I’m up 6-7 times and am awake for an hour or two in the middle of the night. It’s frustrating and then I’m tired all day. Well, I’m tired all day anyway  I’d like to at least be rested for the labor/birth, because I know I won’t be rested with a newborn.

I took a top down photo of myself yesterday to give you a perspective of what I see when I look down :)

37 Weeks

1/4/12

The baby is officially full term today  That means if it was born, it’s lungs would most likely be mature enough to breathe on their own. That’s exciting! It’s getting ready to come out. I’ve been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions.

We had our midwife appointments on Friday and today. On Friday they checked my dilation (because they were doing the Group B Strep test) and I was at 1 ½ cm and soft. I’d say that’s a good start! It really doesn’t predict when labor will start though. It could be this week, or it could be in 4 weeks. We’ll just have to wait and see. Everything else is looking great though! The baby is in the optimal birthing position and has been that way for a few weeks, not really moving out of it too much except for the daily squirming and wiggling it likes to do. Last night Andy put his ear right where the baby’s back is and he heard the heartbeat. It was pretty cool.

We finished out our Staycation on Monday. It was so nice to get lots of things checked off my to do list. We made lots of meals and put them in our freezer for after the birth, we bought the rest of our diapers and other things we still needed (carseat, breast pump, etc.). We’re mostly ready for this baby to come! I still have some things to do, but not nearly as much. I do need to finish the play mat quilt I’m making. All I have left is the binding. I knitted a cute little green hat on Monday night while we watched E.T.

Changes this week: My stomach feels like the skin is about stretched to the max this week. I think I’m starting to get some stretch marks around my belly button  Oh well. It’s all for the baby. Other than that I’m doing good. I think the baby has started to drop a little bit, I have to pee more frequently and there’s more pressure on my bladder. Hiccups feel lower as well. It’s in launch position!

Cravings this week: Milk! I can’t get enough of it. On Monday I was craving biscuits, so I made some yummy Biscuits Supreme like my mom always makes from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. They were delicious.

Only three more weeks until our due date! We’re counting down the days now. I should make a paper chain…