July 30, 2008

Introducing Felix Raphael!!!!!!

Ok, short story for now, until I have time to type up the long one...

By the time Jay arrive home Monday night, ctx were 5 minutes apart and painful. Doula arrived by 8:30 and they were 2 minutes apart. As she arrived, they went to 1 minute apart, but were still very short. I was feeling pressure, so we soon left for the hospital... arrived there and got checked at 9:30... 6-7 cm and fully effaced!!!

Early assessment was full and they weren't sure if there would be a birthing room, but they found us one. My dr arrived at 11 and checked me - 9.5cm! She broke my water at 11:15, I started pushing at 11:25 and Boo was born at 11:41.

There was some distress - dr was tickling Boo's head as the heart rate dropped. Boo's head came out ok (holy hell, that ring of fire was horrid!!!) but shoulder's got stuck and they rushed in the neo-natal team. My dr literally pulled Boo's shoulders out. Cord was around the neck twice. I heard one quick wet baby gasp and then silence. Jay didn't get to cut the cord as they rushed Boo off for examination. Everything was fine and I finally heard baby cries a few seconds later.

Boo weighed in at 9 lbs 4 oz and 20.25 inches (same length as Elliot.) I did it 100% med free. I stood for the contractions at the hospital, which made them super intense but short.

The next concern was that my placenta didn't want to be delivered. We reached the half hour point and it still hadn't released. They called in the OB, who said my options were pain meds and an attempt at manual extraction in the room, but it was a one time thing - the next step was an epi and surgery. I flat out refused the epi and asked them if we could try waiting another 10-15 minutes to see if it would release. The OB agreed. He pushed down hard on my abdomen and I pushed and screamed some more and the placenta came out. It was HUGE!!! (everyone commented on the size.) And intact, thankfully.




I am a mom to 2 boys.... so proud!!!!!

Elliot loves his little brother. He keeps talking about Baby Felix and seems to have grasped the idea that it is the baby from my belly - he hasn't even mentioned my belly yet!

Nursing is going well... when I can get him to latch, that is. He latches good on Little Boob (and OW!! I never had pain with Elliot...) but just hangs out and licks Big Boob... so we're working on that. This is Felix. He licks.

Ok, gotta go change a poopy bum. Meconium poops are gone already and we're on to the real thing...

July 28, 2008

Had regular contractions every 10 minutes before bed last night. Hoped I'd end up in pain and with a baby by now. If they continued, I slept through them.

~~~

5:32pm
Well... semi-painful contractions every 10 minutes again... for the last 5 hours! The closest they've been is 4 minutes, longest was about 20, but the average is 10.

I've been alternating between squatting on the floor playing ball with Elliot, sitting on the ball (right now!), walking around the block with Elliot, and curled up on the couch. I'm soooooo tired. I didn't get my nap this afternoon because the cats were being assholes and the phone kept ringing. Another hour and Jay will be home so I can go rest... might be in for a long night!!!

~~
6:25pm
Now we're alternating between 2-5 minutes. I need Jay home NOW because they hurt and Elliot gets really upset if I even say "ow." I should call my doula...

I also ate a bunch of plums & nectarines today and feel really gassy and the two types of pain really suck.

~~
6:57 pm
Jay's home now... 6 minutes apart, but still only lasting 15-25 seconds. But OW!!!

My doula is checking back in with us within the hour. Jay's dad will be here in 30 minutes or so to take over bedtime routines... my mom is driving up (3 hours away) for the morning and will stay here with Elliot until Thursday.

July 26, 2008

I decided last night that if I haven't gone on my own by Friday, I want to be induced. This is a really hard decision for me, but I think it's the right one. Hopefully it won't come to that... but I'll tell my dr at my appointment on Monday.

I can't sleep due to the carpal tunnel. I can't wear my flip flops anymore because my feet are too puffy. I'm having hot flashes and day/night sweats like crazy. I'm beyond uncomfortable and no longer feel I'm a supportive host for Boo. Not to mention the enormous size Boo is going to be when he/she does finally make an appearance...

July 25, 2008

Poor little dude. Every time he has strawberries now he gets a few small red blotches on his face. The time in which they appear has increased a bit, but that seems to be the only reaction. Is this something that he's likely to grow out of? It's so sad, because in Elliot's words "Boy LOVE strawberries!"

The part that concerns me is that at first, the blotches appeared a full day after he had the strawberries... so the reaction time is increasing. He had 1/2 a strawberry with his breakfast this morning and within 20 minutes, 2 blotches were on his face. Sounds like it's getting worse. I don't know what to expect next... but I should probably pick up some benadryl.



(He HAS grown out of it!!!!)

July 24, 2008

You know, it's really hard to spend quality time with someone who is intent on biting you, the sofa, his toys, the cats, the chair, himself, basically whatever he can get to his mouth, just because he thinks it's fun. I don't want to spend time with someone who insists on running his hands through a poopy diaper and then through his hair. Or someone who tantrums because the cars won't all fit in a line on the couch and therefore must all pay the penalty which includes being subject to a screaming fit, a biting and most certainly a flinging to their fiery death. It's hard to be excited about someone who is also intent on kicking you in the belly (or hubby in the crotch) during diaper changes or bath time, just for fun. Or ripping out hand-fulls of hair... And someone who wakes up for the day 1-2 hours earlier than normal and who won't go down for a nap until an hour later than normal is not high on my 'want to be with' list.

I hate putting my son in time outs all the time. At least he respects them and stays put, but it doesn't stop the behaviour.

I have a special outing planned for us this afternoon. Going to the Discovery Centre this afternoon, hopefully. I think he'll enjoy it... if he doesn't try to kill me first, that is.

July 23, 2008

Still here and still waiting. Today is my due date based on when I'm sure I conceived. (But 5 days overdue based on my doctors calculations.) I went into labour on my due date with Elliot, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for today. I see my chiro this afternoon and plan to do another marathon walk with Elliot, so maybe that will help?

My carpal tunnel is getting really bad and has me in tears today. I'm feeling very discouraged. I was just so certain I'd be holding my baby by now. I know I'm only at my due date, but I was so convinced.

I know that once Boo is here, I'll be kicking myself for being so impatient at the end. I know I should be enjoying my last few days as a mom of one, spending time with Elliot and just enjoying life... but it's just so hard to get into that mindset.

And as much as I hate daily affirmations (I just think they are so stupid) I've found myself chanting empowering things to myself in the mirror. Things about how my body knows what it's doing, how I will be a good mom to two, how things are happening just as they are supposed to.

*sigh* I know there's an end in sight. I just wish I could actually see it.

And the phone calls - I never had that with Elliot. But seriously, people, do you really think I'm going to up and have the baby and not tell anyone? And I can't NOT answer the phone - that's worse. They keep calling because they think no answer means I'm in the hospital. I should just change the message, I know.

July 21, 2008

Had my 40 week check up today. No progress, still 2 cm, not effaced. And I had so much great cramping, too. Oh well, it will happen.

According to her, I'm overdue, so we talked about induction. Typically, if the patient is interested, they induce 1 week past due, which would be the 26th. I told her I wasn't interested, but that if I had effaced at all by my next appointment I would do the stretch & sweep. She's booking me for a planning score, which is a glorified ultrasound to check fluid levels and make sure baby is ok. If baby is fine, they're ok letting me go as long as 43 weeks until they will induce. If something looks off during the planning score, they will induce.

That is all...

July 21, 2008

Elliot slept like crap last night. We were up with him several times. He didn't want Jay - would cry out for 'mommy'... he didn't poop yesterday and seemed gassy last night. We figured that's all it was.

But he started with a runny nose today. I put him down for his nap around 11:15 and I could hear him coughing and sneezing in his sleep. (Or maybe he was awake?) Then he started crying around 12 - when I went in, he was complaining about his nose. I wiped his nose and rocked him and sang to him, but he's up there babbling.

This is the child who regularly naps 2-3 hours. Poor thing looks exhausted. Puffy eyes, dark circles under his eyes, the whole deal. And he probably won't nap again today (I'm going to try around 3 and see what happens)... this means that I don't get to nap today, either.

I've heard of siblings getting sick or plain crazy just before the new one makes their arrival. Hopefully that's the case here and Boo shows up int he next day or so. Of course, with me not being able to catch up on my naps because I'm up with my little sicky, it's gonna be a fun ride!

~~~
Ok. Loading him into the stroller and were going for a walk (in the torrential rain). Hopefully this will knock him out and have the added bonus of prodding Boo along. Plus, if we end up at the mall I can go to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and stock up on Tiger Bombs. Chocolate and caramel and peanut butter - YUMMY!!!

July 19, 2008

We did a belly cast tonight - finally!!! - I'm both pleased and disappointed with the results. The directions said to have me sit reclined, which I questioned because I didn't think it would portray an accurate belly, but did it anyway because that's what they said. This of course resulted in a very w-i-d-e cast. Of course, as Jay pointed out, the very pregnant woman would have to be comfortable for 30+ minutes, and sitting up straight just wouldn't cut it. I wish we'd done it with me sitting on the ball, but oh well... I have my cast and it's beautiful. We watched one of the Lara Croft movies on TV while casting.






(Note: still haven't done anything with it! It's sitting in my closet.)

July 13, 2008

Operation Eviction is in full swing. What I'm currently shakin' to, trying to dance the baby out:



Come With Me - Puffy, feat. Jimmy Page
When Wherever - Shakira
Mortal Kombat - Utah Saints
Mr. Brightside - The Killers
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C+C Music Factory
I Like the Way You Move - Bodyrockers
Rasputin - Boney M
Brimful Of Asha - Cornershop/Fatboy Slim
You Spin Me Right Round - Dead Or Alive
Bootylicious - Destiny's Child
4 Minutes - (feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland) Madonna
Hung Up - Madonna
Wake Up Call - Maroon 5
Southside - Moby and Gwen Stefani
Trouble - Pink
Shake Ya Tailfeather - Nelly P Diddy and Murphy Lee
Cotton Eye Joe - Rednex
I - Dubstar
I Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters

July 11, 2008

Elliot peed!! On the potty!!!!!

He sat himself on it after his bath and started playing with himself as Jay read a book. Then it went off - but mostly pointed down, thankfully! He looked rather alarmed, but Jay and I whooped and clapped and congratulated him and I went and dug out the star stickers that came with his potty book and he got to put it on the chart. He was so pleased!

No idea if/when he'll do it again, but I'm so proud of him!!!!

July 10, 2008

I've been waking up several times per night with numb hands and fingers for the last couple of weeks. I figured I was just laying on them wrong when I slept. This morning, the numbness keeps coming back, no matter what position I'm in, and I've been out of bed for a while. I looked it up, and yep - carpal tunnel. I've heard so many pregos complain about it but never gave it much thought for myself.

Bah, this is annoying!! And my poor ankles, feet and toes. They feel so stiff and achy! So swollen, all around. Damn humidity!!!

Ahhh well, not long left now, I suppose.

*waves white flag*

July 9, 2008

I started crying while listening to the weather report this morning.

It's going to go up to 30 again today (that's 86 F) and this is before the humidex sets in. (There's been 94% humidity lately, which makes it feel at least 5 degrees hotter.) It MIGHT rain tomorrow, then it's hot sun until next week.

Sounds lovely, right? I normally LOVE the heat, the hotter the better. I made it all the way through the summer prego with Elliot and LOVED it. But this time around it's kicking my butt. I hate it. I can't get enough air. I have fans pointed at me that do nothing.

Maybe I'll pack Elliot up and we'll head to the mall for air conditioned goodness all day today - think he'll nap in the cribs at Sears? Only good thing about today - I see my chiro again this afternoon - YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plus, My leg really started to hurt in the middle of the night. When I looked at it this morning, it's either a huge knotty varicose vein or possibly a blood clot. Blech.

July 7, 2008

The little stinker!

We have Tot Loks on our drawers and cupboards - a magnetic lock "designed to make it virtually impossible for children to break into cabinets and drawers containing unsafe items. "...

Well, doesn't Elliot know how to work them!! I used the magnetic key to open a drawer. Elliot came running over because he likes to put it back on the fridge for me, then he waits for me to move it back "up high, mommy". But this time, he put it on the fridge then reconsidered, took it down, walked over to the cupboard, put it in the exact spot it needed to be in, heard the "click" and opened the drawer!!!

This is frightening! He did this once before, but it really was a fluke thing. This time is was completely deliberate! Eeeep! I know we're fine as long as he can't reach the key, and the magic spot is much easier to find on the drawers compared to the cupboards, but wow!

July 2, 2008

I saw my chiro this afternoon. I feel a million percent better right now!!!

She has a belly cushion, so normally I lay on my stomach for part of the adjustment (such a treat!) but she took one look at my belly today and said I was too big.

She also asked if I wanted to wait until next week to do the adjustment, in case it started labour. I said no, because I was in too much pain, and besides, I'm ready if Boo is!

But, when I laid on my side for her to do some adjusting, she said it was too tight and I needed to be on my belly - so we added an extra pillow to raise up the belly pillow and I got to lay down. (YAY!) She said she didn't even have to palpate to feel where the tightness was - she could literally see the twist in my pelvis. She did a fantastic adjustment on my pelvis, then some minor ones on my upper back and neck.

Elliot was so good during my treatment. He played on the floor with cars and would come over to 'help' now and then. Everytime she would drop the table or use the toggle board (both make loud bangs), Elliot would announce "hear a NOISE!" It was cute.

Then we walked to the playground a block from her office, then walked to the coffee shop 2 blocks from that and I got a fizzy lemonade (yum!) and then we popped across the street to my old office, but it was pretty empty due to the heat/humidity today.

I have another appointment next week, providing I'm not in labour or holding Boo by then...

Another interesting thing - as soon as my chiro came in the room, she said "It's a girl!" ... and she's usually right about these things. Time will tell, I guess!