Giving Birth.

So I am now officially a mommy. It has been one week since I gave birth to my little guy. One week since I slept for more than 4 hours at a time, and one week since I had some control of my life:) Babies change everything. So here is my birth story-

I went into the hospital around 4pm on Sunday afternoon, the 24th. About an hour later they put this little tampon looing thing called cervidel (sp?) into my you know what. That night I just chilled with Ryan and watched the Oscars and ate Subway. The nurses said they wouldn't be surprised if I would go into labor on my own because I was dialated 3 cm. Well I didn't, and at 5 am in the morning they took the cervidel out and started the pitocin drip shortly after. I was feeling pretty good at that point, I wasn't feeling anything, I was relaxed and I was ready to get this thing started. At around 9am I really started to feel my contractions- they were awful, long, and happened ever 1 1/2 minutes to 2 minutes. I felt like death. So by then almost at 4 cm dialated they gave me my epidural. Now I don't know why anyone would want to have a "natural" labor. They are crazy. The epidural procedure wasn't bad at all and after that I didn't feel a contraction for the rest of my labor. It was awesome. I slept pretty much on and off for the next few hours.

By 12pm I was 8 cm dialated and I was still feeling good and relaxed. By 2 pm I was fully dialated. I was so ready by then to just see my boy. But my Dr. wanted me to wait to push till the pitocin pretty much moved the baby down so it would be easier to push. At around 4:30pm - which by the way was way too long to wait, my nurse told me it was time- YAY! So we sent my parents out of the room and proceeded to push- by the way- my Dr. was still not there- So I pushed. And there he was- 3 contractions laters he was out- and my Dr. ran into the room just as he came out. Who would have known what a good pusher I was:) And by the way- I didn't feel that part too much- just a little pressure. God Bless Epidurals!

I got to hold Finley and Ryan cut the cord. Then it started to go down hill. After about 5 minutes I looked down to see my Dr.'s face become serious , so I asked what w as wrong. She replied that I was bleeding more than she liked. To make a very long 2 hour process short- My uterus wasn't shrinking back to it's original size and I was bleeding - alot. I lost 3/5 of my blood and endured lots of needles, medications and painful massaging of my uterus. I almost had to get a hysterectomy and almost in all reality could have died. But with the help of 2 Dr.'s and numerous nurses they finally stopped the bleeding. By then my blood pressure had almost dropped out, my veins in my arms were blown, and I was too weak to even hold my precious son. My poor husband who almost lost his wife was on baby duty for the first hours, and he did great! Because I was too weak I was unable to breastfeed Finley and because they had to scrape out my uterus I have chosen to bottlefed instead. It wasn't a memory that I will cherish. I am however very thankful that I am still around and that I get to hang out with my family for the next 50 or so years.

Today is the day-

This will be my last post till baby arrives. I can't believe it is here already. So my last thoughts before I become a mommy for the rest of my life- Some advice for all you enjoying your freedom- for now.

Enjoy your sleep
Don't freak out about things and get you blood pressure high
Maybe bedrest isn't such a bad thing
When making a to-do list actually do it
Pay attention to your puppy because if you neglect them- they will hate you
When getting fat- just accept it
Eat what you want because soon you will be on a diet for the rest of your life

I'm sure there is more wise advice that I have to share- but my head hurts today, just as it has for the past month, so I apologize.

So we are off to the hospital in the next few hours- I'm scared, excited, apprehensive and I can't wait to see what he looks like- he is gonna be so cool. So I'm off- remember me tomorrow early in the morning having lovely contractions and probably feeling like I want to die- pray for me.

A quick update for anyone who is still reading my blog:)

We went to the Dr. this afternoon who by the way is this awesome chubby indian lady. I think part of the reason I may be partial to her is that no matter how fat I may get- she will always be fatter. So anyways back to my original train of thought- our Dr. appointment- I went, got felt up-literally- she sticks her hand up my you know what- and told me that our stubborn child has finally decided to come towards the light- I am offically dialated 2 whole cm and he has dropped!! Yeah! Well I was excited.

So the conclusion- I am checking into the hospital on Sunday night- and that night they are going to "ripen" me up ( that is what the indian actually said) and then Monday morning I am getting drugs to make me go into labor- so the little man is officially coming on Monday, February 25th, 2008- which is Ryan's 32nd birthday! So both my son and my husband will share a birthday- no pressure on me or anything. So wish me luck- I'll try to post one more time before that and make sure to leave an address where you can send me large gifts and flowers- seriously anyone who can push a baby through a rather small opening gets presents in my book.

So I'm getting through this thing. It's easier when you know that at the end of this thing a cute little baby will be here. I have had a headache for 2 1/2 weeks now and I think I've b een given every narcotic possible- I don't know how much more I can handle- I got this pretty cool shot the other night in the hospital that made me feel paralyzed and it actually took my headache away for 4 whole hours! Amazing!

I think I'm just ready. I'm ready to meet my son. I think he is ready to meet me too, with all the kicking and squirming around he does in there- So my appt. is at 1:30 this afternoon so hopefully after that I will know when Finley's birthday is going to be- unless I am in labor for over 24 hours- which by the way is highly likely- oh the joys of bringing a child into the world. So everyone pray for me- hopefully my lovely Indian Dr. will decide I've been through enough and I am officially allergic to my pregnancy and take this baby in the next few days. I'll keep you posted.

I've been in bed for 7 days. I can not believe that. I am now to the point where I think folding laundry is exciting...and sorry to all those who have been calling me and getting me lovely voicemail- I'm depressed and answering my phone puts me on the verge of a daily breakdown. It's like I wonder how wonderful a life of activity is on the other side of the phone line- so no offense.

My stomach is at an all time huge- Every t-shirt I wear is pulled up just enough to cover my big boobs and then I let my enormous belly stretch out. When I do get the chance to waddle around I look lop sided and look like I could fall over at any second. I am currently on sleeping meds to at least give me a fighting chance of sleep- because without them I wake up having to pee every hour on the hour or my stomach won't get out of the way- I wonder if it is because their is a child in there. Probably.

I even got to the point tonight that I couldn't bend over to paint my toes- that is when my ever loving husband found some pretty polish and put his painting skills to the test- he even blow dried my toes between coats- and guess what- to my surprise (sorry ryan) they turned out pretty good.

I apologize if these posts seem negative but that's all try to feel bad for Laci- and remember that you have probably felt the sun shining on you in the past week.

Bedrest is the ultimate boredom. I have been on bedrest for oh let's see- 5 days now..and I can tell you one thing- I am completely bored. I think my dog is beginning to think that I am too boring to hang with. So yesterday I finally got to come home- which in itself was a great relief. I have to go back to the Dr. on Monday morning and get checked again and hopefully I won't have to stay again.

One positive thing about the experience is that we got to see an updated picture of Finley! It was very exciting. He looks like he has hair, and little button nose and some big lips. But who knows he could come out and be completely different- as of Thursday he weighed in at 5 lbs 2 oz- which was big considering he is supposed to be 6 weeks away- So I am officially having this baby early- 37 weeks if we can both hold out that long- Well you may as well expect this blogging to become a daily ritual because now my nesting dreams are over and my bedroom has become a prison for growing a baby. Grow baby grow.

An update on recent developments

ok so for all of you we have kept in suspense over the past few days- AN UPDATE-

I was sent to the hospital after a rountine checkup on Tuesday afternoon. My blood pressure had sky-rocketed probably as I result of my ever stressful job and probably having to do with facing all the stresses of impending mommihood. So here I am- Thursday morning and still at the hospital. Let me tell you- it's been one of the most boringist things I have ever experienced- and I feel so bad for my poor husband who has staying here the entire time- until now- because I have kicked him out to go enjoy life.

So last night they told me that they were going to induce me today and baby Finley was going to join us . Then 45 minutes later after that big news they told us they read the tests wrong and that they would have more news in the morning. So here is the news- I have hypertension aka high blood pressure and that I am on strict bed rest until I get worse or I deliever. I actually think bed-rest is way worse than labor. I would rather just push him on out then sit around for the net three weeks- My Dr. said that I would be delievering in no longer than 3 weeks from today - so plan on him arriving on Feb. 20,21,22,or 23. Unless of course I decide apart from my 10 minutes in the shower and bathroom breaks (that is all I am allowed) to go jogging- he is coming in 3 weeks! Ok so there is my update-boring days are in my future- call me and keep me sane friends.

So yesterday was the first time I felt like a mom. It was a very strange, deep in my gut kind of feeling. First of all let me start by saying that this alien in my tummy never stays still so I am constantly feeling him moving around and burrowing in my rib cage. Annoying as it is-yesterday the moving was at an all time low. I remember feeling him move in the morning after breakfast but then no movement for over 8 hours. I freaked out- almost to the point of tears. My poor husband sat by me and tapped on my tummy trying to convince our little Finn to move- no moving. I think I was starting to hyperventilate- and that's when I got my first momish feeling. Momish- weird- I am going to be a "mama". Then around 8:30 the little bogger started to squirm again. He's already got an attitude problem, but what can I say..so does his mama.

So currently bundle of joy supposedly weighs 5 pounds and is over 18 inches long- but knowing my kid he's probably going to come out a toddler and have firey red hair and an attitude to match. Someone help? All I have to offer is a spare room and my friendship. So if that's good enough then I'll see you in March.

I think this is becoming a Thursday morning ritual. I should have more time to keep this blog updated with all the sitting around and doing nothing that I've been doing lately. Yesterday my poor husband even made a comment about how it seemed like I had more energy than usual- I must have been smiling more than normal or something.

So I am starting to see the finish line at work- only one more full week and then I think I may just work one or two days a week till I pop. That is exciting. My weeks will soon be full of TLC "Baby Story" "Wedding Story" Bringing Home Baby" etc. I suppose you are getting my drift. I may also get through my "nesting" list of things I need to do before my little bundle of joy arrives.

Good News- I lost 2 pounds this week- after gaining a basketball in my stomach and some lard in my butt I can happily say that the gaining weight part of pregnancy has come to a halt. Well for now at least. So I have officially gained a whopping 28 pounds- and I still have just a few weeks so who knows all my vegging out in the next weeks may raise my total pounds to 30plus.

By the way- if your feeling sorry for me yet- some suggestions for you-
1. Call me and let me know that you haven't forgotten about me or my blob
2. Overnight some Ben & Jerry's Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream to me
3. Show up at my doorstep with presents for me and not for baby
4. Make my husband some dinner- He will appreciate it I promise:)

Ok so- maybe sooner than later I will write again. Till then.

There's something about Thursdays

So seriously there is something about Thursdays. Thursdays in my world are Fridays. Each and every week I force myself to roll out of bed or "shift" out of bed making sure my stomach doesn't hit anything on the way to the bathroom. The bathroom has become my home away from home in the past months- I have this ritual where at the end of the night say 7pm- I get ready for bed and lay down- now as soon as I lay down in bed my bladder decides to become overactive and I can't get to sleep for the next hour because I can't stop thinking about peeing.

It's horrible. Horrible. And to top it off my son decides that because Mom wants to go to sleep, it is time to wake up and try to push out of my stomach. The weirdest thing is laying in bed and watching legs, hands, and the occasional head try to push through my skin- it's freaky. Believe me.

So we are nearing the end and planning on going to Denver this weekend to stock up on anything we have forgot to get in the past months. Then I will go into hibernation until I have this child. Hibernation in my world includes- sleeping, eating, walking, and nesting. Maybe I'll even learn how to cook during this time- I'll keep you all posted. So wish my luck, I think I may be nearing the end of working- hallelujah. Don't tell my boss though- I think I'll be springing that on him in the next week. Ha. Until next time.

Approximately 60 days till "push day"

Ok. So here I am. Nearing the end of this thing called pregnancy. You would never have known but pregnancy in the first 6 months flys by- then you hit this wall. It's like every day drags on then you start to realize that you can no longer bend over..see your feet..or shave "parts" of your body that once were easily visible. And that is where I am right now. 31 1/2 weeks of pregnancy. I think people that say that they loved being pregnant are all liars..seriously who enjoys the constant kicking into your ribs..indigestion and constant constipation..it's a dream come true!!

Now don't get me wrong- I can't wait to meet my son. He's going to be awesome. And I can't wait to try to figure out how to be a good mom. It's going to be an adventure. But let me just say that once my firstborn son comes into this world- another pregnancy will be on hold...for a long long time.

So with all that said in my first official blog- I will try to continue writing and giving you all an update on this ever so fun thing we call pregnancy. Until then- remember to be grateful for your skinny bodies and for the fact that you can still see your toes.