11-20-2011

*Warning, long post!*

What an awesome birthday right? So this post is more so for me so I don't forget but would love to share Mary's birth story especially since I have a sister who lives back east and wasn't here to be part of the day. (Love ya B!! miss you tons!)

So Friday evening the 19th I wasn't in the greatest of moods, I was 4 days past my due date. I had enjoyed pregnancy but was ready to meet my sweet girl. We made plans to go visit some friends who just moved in to a new apartment. As we were leaving I seriously thought I had just had an 'accident' which made me even more grumpier and even more anxious to be done with pregnancy so I could regain my bladder control. After changing clothes we were on our way, only to have another ''accident'' while walking to their apartment at about 9:30 pm. I stopped in the parking lot thinking are you kidding me? here? now?! is this real or am I seriously peeing my pants..
So we went inside and than I really knew that it wasn't me, my water had finally broken! woo hoo no induction needed! It was officially baby time.

Since I wasn't having any contractions we took our sweet time getting our things together, double checking our list so we wouldn't forget anything. About an hour later we arrived at the hospital, They had me on an IV to soften my cervix since my water broke and was only dilated to a 2. I can't remember the name but they had me put a pill in my cheek to help my body prepare for labor as well. And it certainly worked! I was having major contractions, people were not lieing when they say that labor truely is labor. I had fixed my hair and make up before we left and it was pointless because I was one hot mess. I didn't want an epidural yet since it was barely morning and they said I wouldn't have this baby till noon. But it finally came to the point at almost 5 am I was in pain I never knew before, making noises I didn't recognize coming out of my mouth. Ryan held my hand telling me to breath and saying how much he loved me that I could do this. I wonder how many times he lost feeling in that hand I held so tightly to. I knew I needed sleep and rest before the time came to push so I finally gave in and called my nurse to bring in the man that every pregnant woman loves. I am so grateful I asked when I did because an hour later at 6 am when they were planning on putting me on pitocin they said I was fully dilated and ready to go! Btw ladies, don't be afraid of getting an epidural. I literally did not feel a thing and it works quickly thank heavens!  *mental note just get the epidural right away!! I told Ryan he had better hurry and call our parents to let them know she would be coming now and not in the afternoon. They made it just in time before I started pushing.

After getting things set up and ready for the delivery, getting a hold of my doctor since 7 am is when the shift changes occurred, I was finally ready to bring this little one here.
Pushing wasn't what I thought it would be (granted I had an epidural, oh yes so worth it!) It wasn't so much hard/painful but just tiring I remember with all of the breathing, holding my breath. Overall I pushed for maybe 45 minutes to an hour? I don't know how women push for hours. I was exhausted! MJ's heart rate wasn't where they wanted it to be so they had me on some oxygen to help her out.
It's true that there are no words when you hear those sweet first cries. She was absolutely beautiful, so perfect in every way. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. As soon as they brought her over and lay her on me she stopped crying and just stared at me calm as could be. Best feeling in the world, I love my beautiful little family.

Meeting her aunt and cousins

We had lots of visitors come meet Mary! 

Meeting her aunt and and some cousins for the first time!

Meeting the Carroll family after their
trip back home from Mesquite

Aunt Rachel and Mary

Grandpa George and Mary

     To see pictures from her big day click HERE.
Missy Allen did a beautiful job we will cherish these photos

Mary's first Thanksgiving

After being home for two days, getting no sleep, having frustrations of not being able to feed my own baby, and some tears along the way, we went to our first appointment on Wednesday to see how our little MJ was doing. We ended the appointment with being on our way to the emergency room at Primary Children's Hospital to treat her jaundice and being dehydrated. The next 30 hours were the hardest I have ever been through. Nothing breaks your heart more than seeing your sweet innocent baby poked with needles and hearing her cries. Thank heavens for a strong husband who held my hand saying everything would be fine and to not worry.
Watching her lay in 'the cage' as we called it, I felt so helpless and kept blaming myself thinking I should have known there was something wrong, what could I have done to prevent this all? I felt like the worst mother ever, till finally listening to Ryan, the nurses and doctors saying unfortunately this is common and I'm not at fault at all. A phone call from my sister helped ease my feelings who went through much worse with her first child and knew how I was feeling. Lack of sleep for the last 5 days and hormones do not mix well.

Long story short she was put on fluids first to see if her bili level count would go down, if not than she would need to go under the fluorescent lights. Frustration grew as she would not nurse from me, her screams made me want to cry with her. They had a lactation specialist work with us, MJ would either nurse for a second or two than fall asleep or cry and get frustrated because milk wasn't coming fast enough for her. She takes to a bottle just fine so we tried switching between the two, it was exhausting physically and emotionally. We were hoping to leave yesterday morning with a healthy happy baby but found out her sodium levels were high from dehydration so we had to stay. Her bili levels had gone down thankfully now it was just waiting for the sodium levels to go down. Finally after more tests and good news we were discharged about 5:00 pm, in time to rush home shower and visit family to enjoy the remaining of Thanksgiving day. I am so grateful for modern medicine, doctors, a wonderful husband who has been the best daddy and a great support. We are so blessed to have had my mom come help the first couple of days being home, cleaning, doing laundry, bringing us food. Amazing friends, our wonderful ward. I can't express how much love I have for everyone we have in our lives. Thank you all for your kind words, support, in helping us every way shape and form.

Using warm packs on her arms to find a vein

Enjoying laying under the heater!

"The Cage"

A gift basket given by a sweet family

Their letter to those in the hospital

Welcome to the world Mary!

11-20-2011

7:38 am

7 pounds

6 ounces

18 1/2 inches

 Mary Jean has finally arrived! We are so in love with this girl, we can't keep our eyes off of her.

Due date

    Well today is my official due date! 

and... no baby.

So I went to work as usual today, got my hair done, went to Ikea to walk around and purchased some picture frames for MJ's room, went to the mall to do more walking and check out the newly remodeled look and H&M. Tomorrow I'm off to go back to work for a few hours and hoping to continue working so I don't have to take maternity leave till she arrives.

On the bright side I'm getting everything done that I can while I'm able to. I got my hair done today, had a pedi over the weekend, getting laundry caught up, going to be organizing and go through a few more boxes that I haven't had time for till now.

I blame Ryan and say she is definitely her fathers daughter being late. He says she is all me and will come make her grand entrance whenever she so chooses (or is forced come next Tuesday on induction day!)

Although for my own selfish reasons I really hope she comes tomorrow or waits till Monday.
1) Friday afternoon I have a girls day out with my mom and oldest sister to go see Twilight. Yes truly that is one of my reasons. I know, I'm hanging my head in shame now.
2) My 2nd oldest sister is leaving out of town come Thursday till Sunday.

I had to laugh months ago when I had a dream that we went to go see Twilight and during the middle of it, my water broke. I'm beginning to not think that dream is not so funny any more..

But as everyone is saying, when she's ready she'll come out and I'm trying to enjoy the time I have, a long with sleep ect ect ect. But gosh dangit I'm so anxious for her to arrive! :D

coming down to the wire!

7 days.
SEVEN days till I will be a MOM. There are way too many emotions and thoughts going on. I mean really, I'm old enough to take care of this little human?!  Ryan asked the other day "So what do we do when we get home from the hospital?" my response.. "Keep her alive"
We are both past excited and have moved to the state of being anxious to finally see her and hold her in our arms.

I have moved on to the waddling stage, it's pretty sexy as I strut my stuff to and from the car.
All I day dream about is wearing pretty shoes and clothes again. I look at my sad shoe collection and lovingly tell them they will be worn again soon enough. And to my sandals that I've worn every single day for months, muahaha you will be going to the garbage soon enough.

Yesterday I had what I hope is my last visit, although I still had to make an appointment for next week in case she doesn't come. (She had better listen to her mama and come out by then!) All is well we're both healthy and doing great and now just playing the waiting game. Tick tock tick tock!

Hope my next post is of our cute little munchkin!