January Goals

I have a few simple goals for the month of January.

1) Drink at least 8-10 cups of water DAILY

2) Start tracking my food again with SparkPeople

3) Get my butt back on the exercise train, once my doctor gives me the approval.  My appointment is in the middle of the month, so just a couple more weeks!

Side note in regards to exercise – I tried my hardest to get back on the treadmill January 1st.  I lasted 15 minutes, walking very slowly.  Embarrassing, right?  Ugh.  I began having some pelvic pain and then I noticed before I went to bed and again this morning that my flow picked up.  I don’t want to overdo it so I’m just going to wait these next few weeks out.  Rather than focusing on exercise, I’m going to be focusing on what I’m eating and tracking each and every morsel!

Talk to me…

What are your goals for January and/or the New Year?

Completely Unexpected

As mentioned in my last post, Maisyn was born on Wednesday, December 10.  Prior to having her, my plan was to spend at least two nights in the hospital.  Turns out that my being gone just the one day was pure torture on my little guy, Bode.  He just cried when they came to visit me and meet their little sister.  When it was time for the kids to go home with Grandma, the tears would not stop.  Once they left for the night, I decided that Maisyn and I could go home the next day.

My doctor had come in early Thursday morning and I reminded her that I wanted to go ahead with the postpartum tubal ligation once I was released.  She had her team make the arrangements so I could have the procedure done the next day (Friday).  Once everything was settled, I took a shower so I could get my things packed and ready so Maisyn and I could go home later that day.  After my shower, I ordered lunch while Mr. Chaotic and his mom went to have lunch in the cafeteria.  Bode stayed with me as he wasn’t leaving my side. 

Maisyn’s nurse came to get her so they could do her discharge assessment.  I ate my lunch, finished packing our things, and then went over our discharge papers with my nurse.  After she left, hubby, his mom, Bode, & I waited for Maisyn to come back so we could go home.

Rather than bringing Maisyn back to us, the pediatric hospitalist came to talk to us.  We learned that Maisyn’s oxygen levels were low and they needed to monitor her levels a bit longer and take some blood to check her levels.  She wouldn’t be able to go home that day because she needed to be monitored overnight.  I decided if Maisyn was staying another night, I was too. 

What seemed like an eternity later, the hospitalist lady came back and told us that they would have to admit Maisyn to the NICU for at least three days because her oxygen levels weren't staying where they were supposed to and her infection levels were elevated.  That’s when the tears started for me as I’ve never experienced the NICU before. 

A NICU nurse had come over to the regular nursery to work with Maisyn.  She brought her to my room so we could have a few moments with her before she was carted off to the NICU.  The nurse explained that we could come down to the NICU to visit if we gave her about 15 minutes to get Maisyn admitted.

Through all of my tears I then decided that since Maisyn was going to be spending her time in the NICU and not in my room, I could just go home.  Bode really missed me and wanted me back home.  I was also having my surgery the next day so I thought it would be best. Grandma had went to get the girls from school and brought them back so they helped gather my things while we waited to go to the NICU.  Grandma and the kids hung around in my room while Mr. Chaotic and I went to the NICU to see Maisyn and visit with the nurse.

Upon arriving at the NICU, we realized we had to “scrub in” to get inside.  We had no clue what to do so were lucky when there was a housekeeping lady outside the NICU.  She kindly explained to us that we had to take a special pack that had a scrub brush with soap built in and use that to scrub from fingertips to elbows for three minutes.  When we were done, we were to ring the buzzer and the nurses would let us in. 

…to be continued…

Welcome Maisyn Ariyah!

I was scheduled to be induced on December 10th at 6 a.m.  Not because I was past due, just because my doctor said I could be anytime once I turned 39 weeks.  I know it’s probably frowned upon, however, it was a decision I had discussed and made with Mr. Chaotic.  I was so uncomfortable and just ready to meet my little girl.

I arrived at our hospital at 6 a.m, after hubby made a quick pit stop to McDonald’s for breakfast.  We checked in and were taken up to my delivery room, which I’ve actually delivered in before, twice if I’m not mistaken.  Once in my room I changed into my lovely gown and waited for my nurse to get me hooked up to my IV.  Of course it seemed to take forever, but when she finally did, she explained that there were five or so others that came into deliver as well.  Then there was shift change and a lot more waiting. 

Finally just after 8 a.m. my doctor came in to visit with me and let me know that her nurse practioner would be in to break my water, which happened shortly after 8:30 a.m.  We had decided to break my water before starting pitocin to see if that would help move me along since I had been sitting at 3.5 cm and 75% effaced since 35 weeks.  At first I didn’t feel much water at all and then all of a sudden I felt like I was peeing myself. 

Around 9:15 a.m. I started feeling some slight cramping. 

9:35 a.m. My nurse started pitocin since there didn’t seem to be much progress.  Still just mild cramping.

10:15 a.m. Really big contraction, but didn’t seem like anything major.  Was able to just grin and breathe through it.

10:40 a.m. Nurse came in to see how things were going.  I told her about the one contraction, otherwise just mild cramping.  She asked if I was ready for my epidural.  I told her to give me like 20 minutes since I was just having mild cramping.

11:00 a.m. Nurse came back to tell me that the anesthesiologist was on his way.

11:30 a.m.  Anesthesiologist finished my epidural and told me to take a nap.

11:44 a.m.  Baby girl arrives!!!

Honestly, the time between my epidural and baby’s arrival went so fast I don’t exactly know the details.  I just know that shortly after 11:30, I asked the nurse about my catheter because I really had to go pee.  She got the catheter in me and literally in seconds I started to feel so much pressure.  I told her I really had the feeling I had to poop, which means baby girl was ready to make her way into this world.  They had to call my doctor, who was in surgery just down the hall, to get to my room in time to deliver the baby.

You’d think after having three previous kids I’d be a pro at delivery, but I’m pretty sure it seemed like I was a first time mom.  I just know that all the times before, the nurses would tell me when to breathe or to bear down and give it all I got.  This time though, it didn’t seem like they were giving any assistance in regards to my breathing and pushing.  I was just in so much pain because my epidural didn’t have time to kick in that I forgot the proper technique.  In the end though, I got my baby girl through the birth canal.  I may or may not have screamed out so loudly the entire floor could hear me.

Our daughter, Maisyn Ariyah was born December 10, 2014.  She weighed 9 pounds, 6 oz and was 21.5” long. 

I’ll be back soon with an update on our first two weeks with a newborn.

Until then, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!!

Bumpdate: Almost 39 Weeks

Last I left off, I was not quite 38 weeks.  I had my next weekly appointment on December 8 and baby girl was being quite active.  As my doctor listened to baby’s heartbeat, her rate was in the 210s!  At my previous two appointments, her rate was in the 190s but would drop back to the 160s within a couple minutes.  This time, however, baby girl was not returning to normal.  They hooked me up to the baby monitors to monitor me to make sure she came back down to normal.  They were afraid if she didn’t, she may have an infection and would have to induce me that day, rather than in two days.  It took just over an hour, but baby girl’s heart rate finally dropped back down to the 140s. Phew!  Other than that, everything was good…my weight had mostly stayed the same over the past few weeks as well, which was amazing.  Down a pound, up a pound basically.  My total weight gain for this pregnancy is 29 pounds.  Which in my books is pretty dang good!  However, it was the pre-pregnancy weight gain that caused me some issues so I have lots of work to do once my doctor gives me the all clear.

Bumpdate: Almost 38 Weeks

Don’t laugh!  I’ve been telling you how huge I am, well here’s proof!  I went to my weekly appointment today and I’ll be 38 weeks on Wednesday.  My doctor checked my cervix again today and told me I’m dilated to 3 1/2, almost 4 cm.  She didn’t give me my percent effaced or the baby’s head station.  Or maybe she did but I was in so much pain I wasn’t paying attention.  We went ahead and set up my induction date for next week, just in case I don’t have this little thing between now & then.  I have hubby’s Aunt on stand-by and Talyn helped me get her bedding washed so Aunt Sandy can stay in her room.  

Since I came home from the doctor around noon today, the cramp-iness has gotten horrible.  Like I should be taking Motrin, even though it’s not allowed when pregnant.  The lower back pain is becoming unbearable also.

We’ve been attempting to get our Christmas tree up since Friday.  It was not cooperating though.  I noticed when I plugged it in that 1/2 the lights didn’t turn on.  It sucked because we have a pre-lit tree so it’s not like I could just get a new strand of lights.  Though I was tempted.  We did end up buying new lights and then just taking them off the strand and putting them onto our tree.  I think there were at least 35 or so lights that had burned out.  Talk about frustrating!  Oh well, at least it’s up and the lights are on.  As you can see in the picture above, I decided I’m only doing the bare minimum with my tree this year.  Beaded garland, a few penguin Hallmark ornaments, and the kids’ first Christmas ornaments.  I still need to get the bulbs on and hang our stockings. 

The Elf on the Shelf has arrived at our house!  I was on the ball this year and made myself a list of things I’d like our elf, Mister Elf, to do for the kids.  I have printed a calendar, but am not going to fill it out too far until we have the baby.  I’m just gonna wing it nightly with my list and save the easiest things for hubby or his Aunt to take care of while I’m in the hospital.  When we come home with baby girl, I’ll go ahead and fill in the rest of the calendar with Mister Elf’s antics.  Here he was today on his arrival:

Talk to me:

*Does Elf on the Shelf visit your home?
*Your Christmas tree – real or fake? Pre-lit or not?

Bumpdate: 36 Weeks

Eek!  Four weeks remaining this pregnancy, less if I’m lucky!  Seriously though, where has the time gone?  I know I’ve been complaining the whole time due to how uncomfortable I am, however, I will truly miss being pregnant!  I’ve always enjoyed my pregnancies, but as I’ve gotten older and the more babies I have,  it just keeps getting harder on my body.  Obviously, it doesn’t help that I haven’t exactly been health-kind to my body this time around.  Alrighty, onto the fun stuff:

Total Weight Gained:  Last time I was at 22 lbs from week 8 until then, this time, I’m pretty sure I gained 5 lbs, making my pregnancy weight gain 27 lbs. 

Sleep:  I’m surprisingly getting up less to pee at night, however, I am finding myself with more leg & foot cramps, which I’m super annoyed with. 

Symptoms:  Constantly peeing; leg cramps; and constipation.

Food Cravings:   Peanut M&Ms and I totally blame hubby.

Aversions:  No new aversions from my last update.

Workouts:  Zilch. 

Milestones:  I got the crib raised up to the top notch, sheets & waterproof pads alternated, the bumper put on, and the mobile attached.  I then covered the sheets with the blanket so it doesn’t get all dusty between now & the time she actually uses it.  I also think by far my biggest milestone is that I actually packed my hospital bag! 

Baby Items Purchased:  Bottles, baby memory book, and the cute little owl booties from Amazon.  Seriously so cute!  I wouldn’t go so far as to say we’re doing an “owl theme” necessarily, it’s just that ever since Kinley started preschool we’ve been kind of obsessed with owls!
 

Appointment Update:  Well, at my appointment on Monday my blood pressure was normal again.  I think it helped that the nurse waited to take it until after I had been sitting for a bit and we went through her round of questions.  Yay for normal blood pressure at their office!  Also, she checked me this time and I found out that I am 3 cm dilated and 60% effaced.  People hear this and freak out that I’ll be having this girl any day now, but I’m not worried.  I was dilated the same this early while pregnant with Bode.  Now, we just sit tight and wait patiently. 

The kids are having a hard time waiting patiently.  Every time I finish something for this baby (like the crib), Bode asks “your baby coming out today, Mom?”  Then there’s Kinley.  She is beyond excited for this new little girl to be born.  I was in the process of making soft-soled shoes and Kinley wanted me to hurry up and finish them already.  She even set my machine in place and got everything ready for me to complete the shoes.

Bumpdate: 34 Weeks

Total Weight Gained:  I had my most recent appointment on Monday, November 3 and my weight stayed the same, keeping my total weight at 22 pounds from my 8-week appointment.

Sleep:  I find myself waking up 1-4 times a night to deal with foot or leg cramping, as well as peeing while I’m already up & moving around.  Oh well, I’m pretty much used to it by now.

Symptoms:  Constantly peeing (like literally 5-minutes after each time);  leg cramps;  pelvic pain that feels like I’ve been bruised permanently; and yet again, high blood pressure (but only when I go to my doctor’s appointment.

Food Cravings:  We took the kids trick-or-treating last week and I discovered Snickers-Peanut Butter Squared.  OMG!  So Good!

Aversions:  No new aversions from my last update.

Workouts:  Since I can barely move without wincing, I am pretty immobile.  I did, however, help with yard work on Sunday-as in I mowed the entire thing, and racked up the steps with my FitBit (11,400+).

Milestones:  Most of the baby stuff has been washed and put away, the bassinet has been tucked into the corner of my bedroom, and the car seat is ready to be installed.  I’ve even started sewing the burp cloths.  Three done, three to go!  Go Me!!

Baby Items Purchased:  None.  I do have an ongoing Amazon shopping cart full of bottles, booties, & a memory book waiting for me to just click purchase. 

So, at my most recent appointment, my blood pressure was extremely high – 158/96.  It’s so bizarre because I’ve been taking it every other day at home with a borrowed blood pressure cuff & it’s been completely normal.  My doctor isn’t sure what to think & doesn’t want to miss something that could be going on so had me do another round of blood tests, an in-office urine test, plus another lovely 24-hour urine.  I just got the call this afternoon that all my tests came back normal.  They told me to not overdo it at home and to take my blood pressure daily until my next appointment in two weeks.  I also was told that I was measuring a bit big – 38 weeks instead of 33w5d.  So in 3 weeks they will do an ultrasound to check the size of this little girl.

That’s all from me for this week!