Rachel's birth

I know some of you are likely curious what happened with Rachel's birth.  Rachel was at least 10 days past her due date by the time I went to the hospital on Sunday.  I was not in labor, showed no signs of going into labor anytime in the near future, but it seemed like it was past time to get her out.  I really thought she would come out before the agreed upon induction date, but what do I know, apparently.  If you don't what to hear about Rachel's birth in detail, I would stop reading now. I have not included any pictures, so you don't have to feel obligated to continue on this post.  
Our induction time was 11am Sunday, so we went to Church, went to the hospital and checked in.  They started me on the IV antibiotic and told me I would need 2 doses before I started anything and those doses needed to be 4ish hours apart.  Can I make an aside here, penicillin IV BURNS!  Just an FYI!  So they started the first IV at 12ish, when it was done we started walking the hospital, had some lunch and did some birthing exercises (squats, lunges, stomping) until dose 2 at 3:30.  At 4 they tried to break my water, that did not work, they could not get a place to break.  Rachel was still high and I wasn't much dilated.  My only option was pitocin.  Those that know me know that I wrestled with this for some time.  I wanted nothing to do with pit, but it was truly my only option, so we had some dinner and I got some pit, probably around 6.  The cool thing about the teaching hospital was they have all the latest things (well, I don't know that for sure), but they had wireless waterproof monitors, so I could walk around the floor while they monitored the baby remotely.  COOL!  They continued to monitor and increase the pit until I was at a good contraction level.  The thing I noticed is while I was doing the aforementioned exercises I could feel no pain, but as soon as I finished I would get another one.  The Dr checked me around 8 and broke my water.  Rachel had moved down a smidge and they started to decrease the pit to see if I would continue laboring without the pit. The pit was turned off completely around 10 and the midwife checked me at around 11, still no more progress, so we had no choice but to go back on the pit again.  I laid down in bed to rest and they started the pit at 12ish, I was at 4cm.  By 12:30 I was in real labor, at about 1:30 Eric suggested the shower.  The nurse came in, informed me I finally looked like I was in labor and started to get the room ready.  At 2ish the nurse checked me, I was at 7.  About 10 minutes later I declared it was time to push.  They moved me to the bed and said I was at 9, but NOT TO PUSH.  At this point I was over their suggestions and told them I was pushing.  They kindly informed me that my cervix wasn't all out of the way yet, I didn't really care.  Finally my cervix was clear, but the midwife still told me I couldn't push because I would tear, I told her I couldn't help it I had to push.  She told me to breathe and look at her, I made it through most of the way through the contraction without pushing, but the last 10 sec or so.  And EVERYONE was yelling at me not to push.  I maybe was a little cranky!  Finally, she said I could push and I did, but apparently not good enough because they were fussing at me again.  But, I finally got the head out and the shoulders (which BTW when you have a baby with a 14.25 head circumference, you really don't notice the shoulders!) and they laid Rachel on me.  It was 2:21am.  Apparently now they do a delayed placenta cutting if possible, so they didn't cut the cord until 2:26!  This apparently allows the stem cells to flow into the baby after birth, seemed like a good idea, before birth, during birth, I realized I was still having contractions and although Rachel was on me, it felt like an eternity.  

So as not to repeat myself

Today we had our final Dr's appointment before the baby makes its grand entrance.  As those of you who have been with us through all 3 pregnancies, you'll know that our babies are late.  Eric and I were both late, why wouldn't our babies be.  Today I am 40 weeks, 5 days or some such nonsense. Hardly dilated but I think the baby has moved down a tad.  Conditions are "favorable" for birth, she just has to move down and she is taking her own sweet time.  The Dr said I looked well rested, and not near as exhausted as I did the previous week, which can be attributed to the visit from my Aunt, who basically took over all responsibility while I just rested.  Thank you Auntie! 

Tomorrow I will be having a stress test-basically they hook us up to monitors and check the baby's heartbeat over 20-30 minutes and make sure she is comfortable and not in duress.  We have an induction scheduled for Sunday, just in case the baby doesn't come over the rest of the week.  I asked for as late of an induction as possible to give this girl a chance to make her exit naturally.  We are hopeful that she be here soon!

So there you have it, yes I am still pregnant and I am ok with that, thank you for asking.  I would like her to finish her business and come out before Sunday though, I'll even let her pick the day!   Now off to get ready for Grandma who arrives soon!  

3pm

I don't know what it is about 3-4pm but I am so exhausted this time around.  It could be that I am running Gwen back and forth to school, getting up and walking in the morning, or I am just at the end of this pregnancy and am caring a lot of extra weight!  It could be that I am very busy with school finishing and things happening where we aren't home that much.  Fortunately I don't have any swelling, but my legs are tired and that affects everything.  I think I am going to have to rethink dinner. 

more interested in teeter-totter than strawberries

Other than that, everything is good with this pregnancy. I am very fortunate that I don't have serious complications when it comes to pregnancy and that I don't have any other complaints that tired.  I might start going to bed super early because these days so I can recover.  Part of the problem is that I have been go-go-go and I had to do some volunteering yesterday that usually requires 2-3 people and it was only me.  The person that usually volunteers that day is late so it was a while in before I realized that it was going to be just me.  I got fussed at for not calling anyone, but really it takes time to call people and who had time to think of that!   

What says Welcome from FL than a pink flamingo, placed by Gwen

I think the kids are enjoyed my lay on the couch in the late afternoon because I give them my undivided attention, as long as they stay by the couch.  They are playing more piano.  Gwen would like to take lessons this summer, and I have started giving her rudimentary instruction on the piano, she can find middle C and name all the white notes.  She knows how to hold her hands and sit up straight.  We can't afford to give her formal training and I think she might be a little too young to start with formal lessons, only because I am not sure we can handle the fights over everyday practicing yet. 

Nate wanted to be right in the action

Gwen has her big school play tonight.  I have heard she has come a long way.  She can be so timid that she doesn't say her lines very loud, so we have been working with her on it.  I have heard from her teachers that today during the "dress rehearsal" in front of the school she did a great job.  She is pretty excited about it.  The only problem is Nate didn't nap today, so I hope that he isn't a terror during the performance, since they start right at bedtime.  Maybe he will be mesmerized and fall asleep, a girl can dream! 

Shh!  Don't tell Gwen where Nate plays when she's gone

I started this post last week and still haven't finished it.  I just haven't been in the mood.  I am reaching the last weeks of this pregnancy.  I had a doctor's appointment yesterday.  Everything still seems to be going well, no indication that I am going to be having the baby any time soon.  Although Eric seems to be worrying I will be going early.  I am hoping to hold out until AFTER school finishes.  I still have stuff that needs to be done that I don't want to having looming over with a newborn in tow!  

trap or strawberry patch protector?

I seemed to have developed some sort of allergy/cold.  I have started to take something for it, since I don't really want to be worn out and trying to get birth.  The doctor has asked me to take it easy, so I have removed all the toys on the floor of my kid's room.  Apparently they can't see the hamper or find trash cans, so I'm just helping them out.  They just can't seem to keep stuff off the floor and cleaned up.  I get tired of repeating myself and I just can't clean up their room anymore, so as they keep their room clean and put back stuff where it is supposed to be they will be able to get 1 item back.  It took Nate about 1 hour this morning to realize I was serious and he just got some cars back for FINALLY putting away his shoes and hanging up his jacket.  Their birthday's are coming up and so we need to clear some stuff out, especially now we will have a new baby who has stuff also.  Hopefully Gwen won't freak out too much! 

"Look I trapped a butterfly!"

We are in the home stretch around here, we have clothes washed and hung, toys pulled out, which is a good thing, since I am now down to weeks instead of months.  We are in good shape for this baby, the benefit of #3 is that we still have barely used stuff from #1 & #2 from these first months.  We all are looking forward to meeting the new baby and gearing up for summer! 

Teddy bear

I have been working on a little something for the baby.  I found the pattern in a book and have been trying to figure out how to put it together and it hasn't been easy.  These are the body and the head. 

The book doesn't really give any ideas about how to put the things together it just says seam, but I haven't been real sure how to do that, but I bumbled through the process, I think. 

This is what the teddy looks like, with all the pieces.  I have since seamed and stuffed all the parts.

I just have to figure out how to attach. It says use the ladder stitch, and use strong thread.  Does that mean use the knitting thread or some other type of thread?  How do I know it is strong?  I don't know, I'd like to finish the project up, but I am nervous about attaching, I didn't think this would be nerve wracking for me. 

"New" car

As a part of preparing for baby, we determined we likely needed a new car, I had sedan and it had bucket seats in the back. So while we could find cheap and slim booster seats to fit in the back, I didn't think it was the safest route to go. For weeks we went looking for cars on Saturdays, the family was not pleased. They were tired of looking at vans and we really couldn't find a used van that was priced right, so we changed plans and decided to look at SUVs.  We found one that weekend and through skillful negotiation we purchased a used SUV. So, since we occasionally pick people up from the airport, I thought it would be helpful if we posted some pictures, so they would know what car to look for. 

front view!

the view you'd see at the airport.  ;)

I adore the new car, I thought I would miss the Sedan, especially since this is my first automatic car.  But I don't miss it at all.  I have only tried to take the keys out of the car once without putting it in park, and I hardly ever reach for the shifter, trying to shift into a different gear, I haven't tried to use the clutch.  We spent this weekend programing in the garage door code, fun stuff.  Very convenient!  Today my love for the vehicle was confirmed when Gwen was determined to go on a bike ride, but our neighborhood was quite hilly and curvy and Nate said didn't want to go.  So, I asked if they wanted to drive over to the American Tobacco Trail for a walk/bike ride.  

The kids had a great time, I had a great walk, but couldn't really keep up with them.  Nate kept asking if "Mrs. Olarte was going to meet us" because he knows this is where I exercise with my friend in the morning.

We went up to Suton Station where they played for a little while and then we went on back home.  If only I was still capable of running, it would have been a good training run for me! 

In honor

Today my friend had her baby, so I suppose today is a good day to post pictures from her shower.  I made her present.  My first complete set of bonnet and booties.  

We had a nice time at the shower.  It was nice to see my oldest friend and her family.  Gwen stayed at the shower with me and disappeared with the other little girls.  Eric and Nate hung out around town. 

This is the first time we've been pregnant together, so it has been nice to chat with her over the pregnancy woes.  She is the first of the "pack" of friends that I have that has gone in to labor, now starts baby season for us.  I have 2 more friends before me and then at least 1 after.  Still a couple months to go!  Congrats Jess on your beautiful tiny baby!  I hope we can meet her soon!