Braylea's debut!

I know I said that I would get pics posted ASAP but my life has definitely changed and trying to adjust..all I want to do is hold my baby girl and could care less about anything else. She's pretty content right now in her little Boppy chair so I thought I'd give this a shot.

Here is my story from start to finish on labor, delivery, and home life:

We went to the hospital Sunday night around 8:30pm. They inserted the Cervadil right away and I got to spend the rest of the time in bed. They did give me a sleeping pill so I slept pretty good. They woke me up around 6ish and started the Pitocin. I was still only a fingertip dilated and now 50% softened. Late morning Dr Taylor came in to check me and I was now a full 1 sonometer but 80% softened. She decided to break my water to see if that would speed the process up. Well it definitely sped up the contractions. The next time I was checked I was a 2 with 100% softened and I was definitely feeling the contractions pretty well then. I don't know if I'm just a weeny or what but it wasn't comfortable. I was having them in my back mostly so that didn't seemed to help. I believe around 5ish I was at a 3 so they gave me my epidural. It really didn't hurt as bad as I expected, so that made me feel better. After that seemed to be smooth sailing. They propped me up to a sitting position to see if gravity would come into effect and move her down more. It was amusing to my family to watch the machine that showed when I had a contraction and how strong they were because I would just sit there like nothing was going on...I loved the drugs! :) The epidural didn't slow my process down much because from there on I seemed to progress 1 sonometer each hour. The doctor came in a little before 9 to check me and I was at a 8/9 so she decided that it was good enough to start pushing. That was definitely when it all became real to me. The family came in and told me good luck and "patiently" waited outside to listen for crying. I pushed for about 40 mins and out came Braylea. All I could do was bawl...

Here are some pics that led up to this moment and then Braylea getting cleaned up:

I'm at a 2 here and uncomfortable!

At a 3 and ready for the epidural!

Enjoying life with drugs! :)

My big girl!

Getting all cleaned up..

She hates her feet getting touched.

All sprawled out..

I'm worn out and look it too! lol

About an hour after delivery I was able to start feeding Braylea. It was going pretty good except I wasn't feeling right. So I told the nurse I was feeling a little nauseas so she took Braylea and everything went downhill from there. I did end up getting sick. They told me that I needed to get up to go to the restroom so I could get cleaned up and empty my bladder. Well, thank God that Bryson ended up going with me and the nurses. I knew I didn't feel right but didn't know how extreme. I was able to say that I felt faint and I guess I passed out with Bryson catching me and when I came to I was in a wheelchair and Bryson yelling at me to wake up. I was out of it. Bryson was literally freaking out. They got me back to bed and started me with fluids in my IV. All I wanted to do at this point was sleep. I had no energy..I couldn't even see my newborn baby and that is what really killed me.

The next morning I called the nurse around 7ish and told them to bring me my baby because I felt like I had already missed out on so much. I have definitely made up for it from then on.

My precious baby girl..pretty in pink

Very content..

Ready to go home!

She loves her carseat!

The first night was rough but we think it was because I wasn't providing enough for her to eat because when we went today to get her weighed she lost some more weight. We did have to start a formula supplement until my milk comes in..I hope that is soon. Other than that, she eats and sleeps! Bryson and I couldn't be happier.

Here comes Braylea!!

Glad to finally get to post a happy post..We went to the doctor today and found out that from Tuesday to Friday I finally started to dilate! Sooooo..Sunday night we plan on heading to Chanute to start on the Cervadil overnight and then the Pitocin early Monday morning. We finally get to meet our daughter!! That sounds so crazy..

I am planning on taking my computer and camera, so I will try to post what's going on as soon as I get a chance..

Nothing was right..

Well, went to the doctor Tuesday morning and still nothing going on. I'm starting to really believe this girl does not want to come meet her parents! I hate trying to be patient. So, I give up..I'm hoping that the time I stop thinking about it, she will decide to surprise us, even though I hate surprises..this one would be acceptable! This pregnancy has gone by so fast it feels like, but this past month when I see a light at the end of the tunnel has just made it all drag out..frustrating I tell ya!
On the upside of things that I can say about this whole situation is that I've had a smooth pregnancy so far. Braylea has grown in the 50th percentile on every measurement, my weight gain has stayed where it should (even though I don't really think so!), my blood pressure has always been good, swelling has been minimal, and Braylea's heartbeat has stayed perfect. I'm just hoping the labor goes as smooth as the pregnancy..I hate the unknown. You can't control it even if you try!

Here goes nothing..

Well, thinking about tomorrow kinda gives me a lil anxiety. We have our very important doctor's appointment that could tell us a lot. IF I'm dilated at all, then we get to schedule an induction for hopefully Thursday of this week, and IF not, then we get to travel home knowing we will probably have to wait yet another week to find out when we get to meet our little girl. I know, I know..many people never had the opportunity to induce or just don't believe that it is right..buuuut I do have the opportunity and we feel that the doctor would tell us if it wasn't a good idea. Could it be longer labor?? Yes, but if I would go into labor myself, labor could be just as long..depends on the person. Could it be more painful?? Yes, it is known that contractions could be worse than if not induce..but that pain is only for so long, then I will be able to forget about all of it to be able to SEE my lil girl I have carried for 9 months. For me, the planner (too much like my father, I know), induction would be great! I would have time to make sure I have everything ready to go to the hospital, make sure that everything is done at work before leaving, be able to take a shower and look half way decent going(too much like mom on this one), won't have to worry if Bryson will be at work and be all greasy and need cleaned up before rushing to the hospital, it will give the grandparents notice to take off work to be there so they won't miss anything...see, it is perfect! Now, will it happen this way??? We will know tomorrow...

Week 38 Appt

Well, this week's appointment seemed to be a duplicate of last week. No change..nothing at all. It is pretty frustrating. People say she will come when she wants to but I don't like those terms..I want them on my terms!! Plus, this week has definitely hit me hard. I reached the miserable stage, especially trying to sleep. I'm definitely ready to have my body back and meet Miss Braylea..I hope this happens soon.
The only good thing that I see with not having Braylea yet is that I've been fighting another cold so I couldn't give her all my kisses I've been saving up!

Saying Goodbye..

Bryson and I got some bad news Thursday morning..Bryson's Great-Gma Lola passed away. She was 87 years old and her weak heart just couldn't keep up anymore. She was an amazing woman that will be missed by many. The sad part is since March, when we found out we were pregnant, she has be wanting to meet Miss Braylea and asked constantly if she was here yet. I wanted so badly to be able to grant her wish, but was a few weeks off. RIP Gma Lola!
Grandparents are a big thing to me since I have lost all of mine. I have been so lucky to have been welcomed into Bryson's family with 2 great-grandmothers and both sets of grandparents. I just pray that Braylea gets the same opportunity that Bryson has.

Update on baby girl..my doctor's appointment Wednesday was a little disappointing, I'm not going to lie. All that happened from the week before is that I thinned out a little more but hadn't started dilating yet. I know, I know..this is totally normal but I want more progress! I have noticed this weekend that I've started to have harder contractions but they are spuratic so not concerned, but uncomfortable. I'm just hoping this next appointment will be better news!

New Pics!!

I received my password today to review my maternity proofs. I think they turned out real good except for a few with my face in them...I look like a big swollen blimp! I honestly don't feel like my face looks like that in a mirror but I guess I may just be in denial..I'm just ready to get this baby girl out! Anyways click on the following link, click on client, and the password is 102608; I'm 35 wks and 2 days in these pics:

http://www.roxiehowardphotography.com/

I also have an updated belly pic at 36 weeks and 2 days:

Here is a pic Braylea's changing table/dresser made by her amazing Great-Gpa Schoenhofer: