Avery is here!!!!

Welcome little Avery...

Newborn

This was the very 1st time I held Avery


And here as well...


Thanksgiving '09, about to leave the hospital

In the recovery room...

Proud daddy...

My precious newborn...

I went in to be induced at 5am on Tuesday, 11/24/09. I was scared to death about the entire birthing process!! I changed into my gown, answered a whole bunch of questions from the nurse, got my IV (what a pain), and then they took about 5 vials of blood (not kidding). They checked to see how my dilation and effacement were going, I was at a 3 and about 70% effaced at that time. They also asked me if I was having contractions and I told them no...turns out once the monitors went on, I was having contractions. They started the pitocin around 6:30am, my doctor came in at 7:30am to check me again and to break my water. I will have to get all of my notes from my sister (she was an excellent labor partner, along with Chris who I told not to speak). Once my water broke, the contractions were really strong, and the pressure was really scary, so I decided to start with Demerol (nothing like falling asleep in between each contraction), and it did nothing to help with the pain of the contractions. So, I went ahead with the epidural at 9:30am(hands down, the worst part of giving birth, BY FAR). When you are huge, have a blood pressure monitor squeezing your arm every few minutes, and having painful contractions, sitting indian style and pushing your back towards a nurse for an epidural is NOT FUN! She had to stick me several times because I kept jumping away from the needle. Once the epidural was finally in (after what felt like an eternity), it was pure heaven. I didn't feel numb like people describe it, I just didn't feel any pain after that, like I said...pure heaven! I was progressing really fast and once I hit 10cm and 100% effaced, the nurse had me try practice pushes (a little hard to feel when you feel nothing). The practice pushes went really well because Avery moved down and the nurse could pull her hair out into the delivery room. My doctor came in and after 20 minutes of pushing, Avery came into the world at 11:57am...screaming. It was really neat because I didn't feel pain, BUT I could feel her come out. The birth went FAR better than I ever could have imagined or expected. I did have to have an episiotomy, but thankfully with the epidural, I didn't feel it. Avery was 7 pounds 14 ounces, 20 1/2" long, a 9 on the Apgar scale and has a beautiful head full of dark hair. She is such a huge blessing, so it only makes sense that she was brought home on Thanksgiving afternoon. She is so beautiful, but definitely has a stubborn and might I say LOUD personality. She has some lungs on her!!! The dogs are acting like concerned older siblings already:) Tonight is our 1st night at home and of course, while Chris was home she was a perfect sleeping angel. As soon as Chris left for work (yes, his boss actually made him work tonight...but he does have a little over a week off after tonight), the screaming began. It breaks my heart to hear her cute little "La" cries turn into angry, screaming cries. My sister helped me this evening after Chris went to work, now my mom is here and I would have died without her! The hospital wrote a pain medication prescription, but guess what? The pharmacy is closed on Thanksgiving day. So I have had to use whatever we have around the house...NOT cool! I am in a lot of pain which is not helping the whole new mom adjusting to a completely new lifestyle thing. My parents gave me something they had around their house for pain meds and it is working much better right now AND once we swaddled Avery in her Swaddle-Me blanket, she miraculously stopped crying AND is actually sleeping in her crib right now! SO, to sum up this novel, I would say that I had a great pregnancy despite having to be induced. I ended up being thankful for that little bit of control over contractions, my water breaking, etc. Chris and I have a beautiful daughter and we feel so blessed and lucky! Her birth was SO much better than I ever thought it would/could be. I absolutely love holding her, looking into her blue eyes, watching her breast feed, seeing her funny facial expressions, and even hearing her toot. I am anxious about being a mom, but I am incredibly lucky to have amazing people around me to help me through this life changing event!
We are so blessed!

40 weeks + 2 days

I saw my doctor again today and everything looks good (now that I am 2 days past my due date). The really good news is that I actually progressed this time! I am dilated between a 2 and 3! I am still 50% effaced, and Avery is still at -3 station. Her birth is scheduled for tomorrow, 11/24, at 5am. Chris and I will be headed to the hospital at 4:30am, we will check in, get some lab work, the IV, and then they will start the pitocin. My doctor said he will show up around 7:30am to break my water. It's incredibly hard to believe (despite the long wait), but little Avery will be in our arms very soon:) Updates and pictures to come!

39-week appointment

Had my 39-week doctor's appointment today. Everything with Avery looks good. I have had no change in dilation, effacement or station at all. Our due date is 3-days away. My next doctor's appointment is Monday afternoon. Our doctor is going to check on Avery at that point just to make sure inducing is the way to go (I think if my doctor plans on delivering another baby in the future, it's the way to go!). Right now we have scheduled the induction for 5am on Tuesday, 11/24/09. It is scheduled, but our doctor could change his mind on Monday (but I don't think that will be happening!!!)...unless of course, she decides to come on her own between now and then. Not holding my breath...

39-completed weeks

As of 11/14, I am 39-completed weeks. I have no pictures this week because our house is under construction (great timing, I know). We are having flooring put in the study and living room instead of carpet. I have been almost living with my parents this weekend while Chris and his brother take care of the flooring. We are now 6 days away from our due date! I have DEFINITELY noticed changes this week. Contractions are happening daily now. I am having a surge in the number of Braxton Hicks contractions, but I have also experienced (what I believe to be) real contractions. I could not sleep at all last night because the contractions were so bad and because my "bed", aka the couch, was in the kitchen (due to our flooring work). I timed the contractions and they were irregular, then turned into Braxton Hicks, then stopped. We will see how the rest of today turns out and how I feel tonight. I might be calling my doctor tomorrow if this continues, even though my next appointment is Wednesday. Could really be any day now! I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy has gone by and how soon I will really be a mom! Stay posted!

38-week check up

I had my 38-week doctor's appointment this morning. I actually lost weight for the 1st time this entire pregnancy...yahoo! My BP is still good, Avery's heartrate today was 160! That is super fast for her. She is normally in the 140's, maybe she's excited about the short time left:) I got my H1N1 shot, so now we are both protected...FINALLY!! I love, btw, how the nurse says, "you'll feel a pinch", as she stabs me. Was that really necessary? As for little Avery, she is still head down and -3 station. I am 2 cm. dilated now, and am 50% effaced!
AND last night, I felt Avery have the hiccups for the 1st time ever...SO cute:)
10 days until my due date!!

38-completed weeks

I am officially 38-completed weeks as of today. 14 days until my due date! I am feeling really good. I am enjoying these last few days of solitude and spending selfish time with my dogs and husband. I love surprises, so I cannot wait to see where/when Avery makes her appearance.

37-week appointment

Today was an exciting appointment! Everything looks good, my BP is good, weight isn't bad, and no sugar in my system...YEA! Her heartrate was 140, as usual. She sounded like a galloping horse this time:) I am 1cm dilated, 40% effaced, her head is -3 station, she is head down and her estimated delivery weight is between 7 1/2-8 pounds! The most exciting part was hearing my doctor say that for a first time mom at 37 weeks, my exam was better than average! Yahoo!!! AND it's crazy to know that she's not just sitting on a nerve, but those crazy sensations are her head pushing down! We will see what happens. I have heard every story known to woman-kind now and know that you can be dilated and still deliver late AND you can make no progress and then a couple of hours later, BOOM, you're in labor. The good part is that I have decided to just let God and Avery decide her due date. I am going to enjoy the last few days/weeks of being pregnant and feeling her move inside me. In a few weeks, our lives will change forever. So, I am going to enjoy this solitude with my dogs and Chris before I never get peace and quiet again:)