Colette 1 month old

 1 month old and weighing in at 11lbs 8oz...already!  She is a pretty content baby for the most part.  She rarely spits up and likes to make eye contact.  She smiles and coos.  She is in 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers.  She loves her bath time.  I just can't believe how much I love her already and how much I love my girls!  

Amelia is 23 months now and will be 2 in less than a month...ahhh!!!  She is so much fun and quite the little talker.  She knows her abc's and can identify most letters.  She can count to 13 and identify her numbers.  She knows most colors and all of her shapes.  She loves to play with other kids and especially loves her cousin Nataleigh and likes to copy her.   She has been kind-of jealous with sister here and has a few issues with sleep.  She does love to hold sister and help with her though.

I love these girls!!!

Welcome Colette Sophia

Colette Sophia
-7/26/12
-10:55 pm
-8 pounds 7 ounces
-20 1/2 inches long

Amelia and her sister Colette for the first time.  Watching cartoons :)  She loves to hold her sister!

She's here!  She arrived 3 days shy of her due date on July 26, 2012.  I had an appointment early afternoon with the midwife Kelly.  She checked me and said I was 3-4 cm and 50% effaced.  She said that she didn't strip my membranes but that she stirred things up a bit.  After the appointment, I started having some irregular contractions and some bleeding.  She had given her opinion that I might have her later that day or in the next few days.  I went home and tried to do a few things to see if the contractions were real or false labor.  We took a walk, I took a bath, ate dinner and packed our bags.  The contractions were all in my lower back, so I wasn't sure if they were real.  They seemed to have let up when I took a walk, so again not sure if they were real or not.  Around 5 pm, they were getting stronger and closer together and I decided we should call the doctor.  I called and the nurse said that he would call me back in an hour!  So, I decided that we should just head to the hospital, and if it was false labor, I would be sent home.  We arrived at the hospital around 6 pm.  I was checked by a resident and was dilated 5 cm.  I was admitted and moved to a room.  My doctor came in and said he wasn't sure if I really was in labor.  What?!  He came and checked me around 9:30 and said I was in labor and at 6 cm.  My contractions were getting more and more intense, but all in my back still.  I was debating getting an epidural, and decided I would....which was the biggest mistake!  The CRNA tried getting the epideral in my back 3 or 4 times.  I felt sensations in my legs and I got a terrible headache and neckache on her last try.  I was told that it was because I was so tense and how I was sitting.  WRONG...she gave me a spinal headache that I wouldn't know was a spinal headache until 3 days later.  Anyways, she finally put it in place.  They told me to relax and watch some TV.  I had a few contractions and the resident came in to break my water.  He broke my water and said I was at an 8.  As he was walking away, I had the urge to push.  The nurse said that there was no way.  Next contraction, my body took over and just pushed.  She told me to stop pushing and wait for the doctor.  I felt her moving down the birth canal, and really thought she was coming out.  Dr. Minnec rushed in and checked me and said that I was complete and she was on her way out!  Her heart rate dropped...this was really scary for me because I did not know what was going on and could see panic on Dr. Minnec's face.  He ended up using the vacuum and helped get her out.  Total pushing time was 5 minutes and total vacuum time was 1 minutes.  The time from the epidural to having her was only 30 minutes!  What a waste!  Next time, I hope this will be motivation for me to not get an epidural.  Besides the epidural mess-up and the vacuum, I think it was a pretty good labor and delivery.  It was quick and I got my VBAC!!!

We got to go home Saturday night.  I was back at the hospital the next night for my headache.  We decided to go home and do things naturally and not get the recommended blood patch.  I did not want them poking in my back again.  I laid flat and drank Mt. Dew for 3 days and the headache went away.

I love that things are easier this time around with breastfeeding.  She latched right away and nurses like a champ!  I feel more at ease and relaxed with everything this time.  I still can't believe I have 2 daughters!  What a blessing...it's way more than I deserve.  Thank you Lord!!!

38 1/2 weeks

Wow...can't believe it's been so long since I've last posted.  Well, a lot of things have changed.  We moved from Colorado back to Michigan.  We are staying with my parents until Patrick finds a worship leading job at a church (which we hope is closer to home...under 6 hours).  I made the trip back being 32 weeks pregnant.  It was a long drive and we are thankful to be back home.  This past year has been crazy and there has been a ton of change! 

Horrible picture here, but all I got!

How far along?: 38th week...full term...this is the most I've been pregnant, ever!

How big is baby?: Maybe 7 pounds?



Weight Gain?: I have been holding steady at 160..which means 40 pounds total


Maternity Clothes?: yup..some shirts are too short, and a lot of bottoms are too uncomfortable...so been wearing a lot of skirts



Sleep?: Horrible.  Some insomnia, tossing and turning, adjusting pillow between my legs, minor heartburn, up to pee a ton...



Best moment this week?: Finding out baby girl is head down!!!  She had been breech or transverse forever.  I had been seeing a chiropractor and doing exercises and praying a ton and she turned!!!  But, I was wondering this morning is she is breech again...we'll see.  I see the doc tomorrow.



Food Cravings?: sweets



Gender?: Girl...still working on a name :/



Stretch Marks: no



Movement?: yes, but more subtle I would say



What I miss?: Feeling comfortable and having energy.  It's all worth it though.


Belly Button?: flat

Labor Signs?: I actually lost my mucous plug around 33 weeks and was told my cervix was soft, low and ripe.  Well, since I have had BH contrax but that's about it.  I have had an upset stomach since last week and get these weird spells where I feel kinda faint, heart races and out of breath. 



What I'm looking forward to?:  A lot of things...finding out where we are moving to and getting back into our own space again (I do love being around my family though).  Getting this baby out of me :)  and holding her.

Main symptoms this week:  Heartburn, exhaustion, BH contrax, pains and pressure, weird spells


So many people I know are pregnant again.  I love this stage of life!  We are coming up to Liam's third anniversary already.  I am just so thankful to have an opportunity to have more children after losing him.  Praise be to God!

28 weeks

How far along?: 28th week
How big is baby?: 2-3 pounds I'm guessing
Weight Gain?: Lots this time! I think I weigh close to 150 already...
Maternity Clothes?: yup
Sleep?: The start of this past month it was terrible because of heartburn. Thankfully that seems to be better. I seem to be peeing less as well.
 Best moment this week?: Deciding that we are 90% sure we are moving home in a month!
Food Cravings?: Nothing special.
Gender?: Little girl
Stretch Marks: no
Movement?: yes. She was breech at my last appt. I feel like she moves all over though. Praying she is head down in the end!!!
What I miss?: Being able to do more physical activity, especially living in Colorado with all of the hiking trails.
 Belly Button?: still in but more flat Labor Signs?: no...and actually BH have died down too
What I'm looking forward to?: Holding her Main symptoms this week: Minor heartburn, some hip pain, occasional dizziness, fatigue

 Big sister Amelia is almost 20 months old...what??? She is such a joy. Everyone seems to love her. She is affectionate and has the funniest laugh. We picked her up from her church class last week and the lady said, she is so polite and shared really well. I surprised to hear that she shared well, because she is typical for her age with sharing. I can't wait for family back home to get to know her better!

24 weeks

this was late at night and I looks so tired!!

How far along?: actually 25 weeks...little late...oops :)
How big is baby?: 1 1/2 pounds maybe?
Weight Gain?: 20 lbs...eeeeekkkk
Maternity Clothes?: yes
Sleep?: Get up a few times to go pee.
Best moment this week?: Being able to walk around a lot and not get tons and tons of Braxton hicks.
Food Cravings?: sugary stuff, salads...
Gender?: girl
Stretch Marks: None
Movement?: yup!
What I miss?: family back home
Belly Button?: getting more flat
Labor Signs?: still some BH, hoping that's normal.
What I'm looking forward to?: Having this baby girl, full term!
Nursery progress: There is no nursery here in our small apartment! The baby will be in with us :)
Main symptoms this week: Sore hips, minor heartburn, Bh contrax

Still working a name. I just can't wait to meet her and am getting more and more excited!

20th week

How far along?: 20 1/2 weeks
How big is baby?: long as a banana I think
Weight Gain?: 13-15 pounds
Maternity Clothes?: yes
Sleep?: Get up a few times to go pee.
Best moment this week?: Husband finishing his second module of school and having him around a bit more.
Food Cravings?: sugary stuff
Gender?: Girly girl
Stretch Marks: None
Movement?: Yes. Started feeling things in the 16th week for sure. Now it's much stronger and I can feel it 2 places at once. Patrick felt her kick too this past week :)
What I miss?: family back home
Belly Button?: Still in
Labor Signs?: Started getting BH contrax around 18 weeks this time. found that drinking around 70 oz of water a day really helps. This is my third pregnancy this far, and by far I feel the most sore and pressure.
What I'm looking forward to?: Getting further along, viability
Nursery progress: There is no nursery here in our small apartment! The baby will be in with us :)
Main symptoms this week: Heart burn at bedtime, fatigue, pains and pressure, some carpel tunnel feelings in hands

I feel like this pregnancy is flying by and that I'm growing quicker than the last 2. She did measure a week ahead. Hoping to have a full-term baby and no c-section this time!

Specialist appointment

We met with the specialist this past week and has the level 2 ultrasound done. Baby girl looks great! They did see that she has a couple of choroid plexus cysts, which they reassured us is not a big deal and will go away in a couple of weeks. I've started feeling some Braxton hicks contractions this past week already :/. Ughhh...did not miss those one bit and just pray that my cervix is not affected by them.

16 week pic...a little late

Appointment with the specialist is scheduled for Feb. 29! Can't wait to see our little GIRL again. :)

16 weeks and 16 months

I am 16 weeks into this new pregnancy. I had an appt. this past week and all seems OK so far. Heartrate was in the 140's. We talked about future appointments and the appointment with the MFM doc. I have an ultrasound set for this Tuesday to check my cervical length and he said they'll take a peak and see if we can see 4 chambers of the heart...and maybe see the sex too :)

How far along?: 16 weeks
How big is baby?: no clue and too lazy to look it up
Weight Gain?: 10ish pounds.
Maternity Clothes?: Pants and some tops
Sleep?: I've had insomnia and hate it! Just toss and turn.
Best moment this week?: Amelia NOT getting chicken pox!
Food Cravings?: Not really craving anything.
Gender?: I had one pregnancy dream and I had a boy in it..he was the size of a six month old and was wearing black glasses. In the beginning of the pregnancy, all I could think about was having another girl...now all I think about is having a boy...we'll see!
Stretch Marks: None
Movement?: maybe little things, but nothing definite. Wondering if the placenta is anterior again.
What I miss?: Having energy and getting a break
Belly Button?: Still in
Labor Signs?: none
What I'm looking forward to?: Finding out the health of this baby
Nursery progress: There is no nursery here in our small apartment! The baby will be in with us :)
Main symptoms this week: Fatigue, blah feeling, food doesn't taste right, emotional, round ligament pain

I wanted to do a little update of Amelia too. She had a check-up this past week. Her height, weight and head circumference all are in the 30-40th percentile. The doctor said she is very proportional. For some reason she seems bigger than that to me, but she is just below the average I guess. And the biggest news, today is day 1 of weaning her. It's surprising how sad I have been today about this. It's a stage coming to a close, I will miss my time with her. Thankfully she still likes to rock and cuddle, but again, this is a time I will never get back with her. Pat said, well you'll be nursing another baby in July...yeah, that's true, but not Amelia. My milk had pretty much dried it and it was really painful. The doctor said it would probably take 4 days of cold turkey for her at her age. Today she actually did rather well. I think thought that I may kinda have cramps from not nursing, not really sure. Never thought I would've made it 6 months...we had a such a rough start and the first few months were bad. We made it almost 17 months though! God answered a lot of prayers and we persevered. It was worth all of the struggles!

Just a quick update

14 1/2 weeks...this was last night. I have gained 10 pounds already! I have an appt. a week from today, yay!

12 week survey

I guess we'll stick with this blog for now for baby updates :)


How far along?: 12 weeks
How big is baby?: maybe 2 inches long?
Weight Gain?: Not sure if I weighed 120 or 125 to start. But I weighed 129 last week. So either 4 or 9 pounds.
Maternity Clothes?: Pants for sure now! They are so much more comfortable.
Sleep?: Depends on how Amelia does and how much I drank before bed.
Best moment this week?: Taking Amelia to play in the park. The weather here has been pretty mild for January.
Food Cravings?: Sugary things. Food just sounds blah though in general.
Gender?: No clue. I want both a boy and a girl :) I will be thrilled with either. It would be fun for Amelia to have a sister close in age, and it would be neat to experience raising a boy (especially since we have to miss out on Liam.)
Stretch Marks: None
Movement?: none
What I miss?: Not having a sick feeling most of the day.
Belly Button?: Still in
Labor Signs?: none
What I'm looking forward to?: Finding out the gender and seeing if this babe is healthy and heart healthy. Hoping we see specialist in 6 weeks.
Nursery progress: There is no nursery here in our small apartment! The baby will be in with us :)
Main symptoms this week: Fatigue, nausea, bloating... Hoping to ween Amelia soon. I think my milk supply completely tanked, so she is basically nursing for comfort. She finally likes cow's milk and drinks it a few times a day.

New Year, New Blog

Hello!

We kind-of started a new blog because of so many new things happening. First, we live in Colorado now. Second, we are expecting another little baby in July. Anyways, there are so many updates and things to talk about. The other blog is private for now, but I will post a link to it when it goes public.