FINALLY!!!

Well boys and girls... Madeline JANE officially joined our family last night (well, technically this morning) at 12:31 am. She's beautiful, healthy and QUIET. Good grief - I'm not used to a quiet baby. LOL She just eats, sleeps and stares at us - I have yet to hear her cry since they gave her a shot at 1 am this morning... since then she's been the most mellow baby, just cuddly and sweet and adorable.



She's much fairer than Lizzy in that she has blond eyebrows and light brown hair - but she's very pink where Liz had more splotches from being pushed out for so long.



Okay... so what happened you ask? Why didn't I update before I left the house? Well... I didn't think I was in labor. LOL I woke up yesterday at 2 am with a very hard contraction that brought tears to my eyes... I was so frustrated as we'd just gotten home from being checked out at 11 pm... I knew it wasn't the real thing just 3 hours later so I just waited... and struggled through some very hard contractions continually until lunch time. My contractions were about 7-8 minutes apart still... no suprises there, and as of the night before I hadn't dialated ANY since last Friday's induction.



I was so frustrated... finally around 3 I told Jay I had to go in... it was just hurting too bad... call me a ninny but I was in way too much pain for normal contractions - so we pack up Lizzy, drop her off at my mom's and head over to the new hospital. I didn't even bring my bag. I figured I'd beg and plead for some pain meds to help me hold off until my contractions sped up and became regular so that I could be admited. They put me into a room immediately and I had the sweetest nurse EVER. She was a doll. She checked me and then looked up at me and started laughing... she said "Girl you are not going home, you are having this baby - probably in just a couple hours!" You're 6 centimeters and 90%.



Say wha?! Clearly my goal of laboring at home as long as possible had been reached. I just didn't know it. They checked me in immediately and warned that if I dialated too quick I might miss my window for an epidural... uhhhhh, then let's hurry this up shall we? She was such a sweetie - she got 2 liters of IV fluid in me in RECORD time. It was literally pouring into me... it skipped the sensor and went straight from the bag into my arm - in fact, she needed to go call in my antibiotics to the pharmacy and told me to page her as soon as the the IV reached number 8 (it only goes to 9) I looked up and watched a baby commercial... looked back and the bag was empty! CRAP. I paged her and she ran in and shut the IV off with about 2 1/2 feet of fluid left in the cord - otherwise I'd have been getting straight air in my veins. Nice. LOL So when she got back I asked her to check me again - it'd only been 20 minutes but the sporadic contractions were now about 3 minutes apart and were most undoubtedly the worst pain I'd ever been in... she checked me and went "WOAH girl! Slow down! You're 8 centimeters already!" So I was up to 8 centimeters with no epidural or IV drugs... no wonder it was the worst pain I'd ever felt! I had an epi with Liz at 4 centimeters! Anyway, the anisthesiologist came in shortly thereafter and in less than 5 minutes I had my epidural. Bliss I tell you, Pure Bliss. I have to say I'm definately over my fear of needles, I didn't flinch at the IV and barely winced at the Epidural (while my husband stood in front of me staring at the needle - his face was white when he saw how long it was) ;) I was proud of myself - I used to nearly black out at the thought of an IV - now I've had 3 of them in the last 3 weeks, so I'm pretty much over that.



ANYWAYS! The epidural doctor was awesome and I felt very little of the whole process - after having those strong contractions for so long a little epidural felt like mosquito bite. (Okay for the record I typed the above yesterday at the hospital then lost my connection and had a thousand visitors so I'm picking back up today now that we're home. LOL)

Moving on... The epidural kicked in and slowed my labor - which was a good thing as I need my 4 hours of antibiotics... not that it happened - but they tried. lol At 8:30 my water broke on it's own, and I was ready to start pushing at 10 - but they kept telling me to hold off... hold off... let's try to wait until midnight so you can finish up your antibiotics... so I ignored the pressure and urge to push - and finally around 11:55 the nurse said "give me one push just to see how long this is going to take..." She decided I was ready to start pushing but figured I'd take awhile since Liz took so long and got a little stuck... fast forward 15 minutes and she said "STOP! I have to get the doctor in here! Do Not Push or she's going to come out before he makes it!" Dr. Martin was working with another patient so it took him 10 minutes to get there - in which Madeline patiently waited just mere inches from arriving... doctor walks in - sits down and she's out in 3 pushes. Head. Shoulders. Body. lol Cord was wrapped around her neck twice but it was no biggie... same thing happened to Liz... Madeline was officially born on February 29th, 2008 at 12:31 am. She was the very first leap year baby at the hospital. She weighed 7 lbs 13 oz - 20 1/2 inches long. The laid her on the warmer and then cleaned up the delivery area and she just rolled on her side and watched us... no tears - no crying, just opened her beautiful blue eyes and stared at us while the doctor was finishing up. The nurse kept commenting that she hadn't found her voice... but as it turns out - 2 days later, she's just a very quiet natured baby. (Who in the world does she get this from?! Not me!)

I had no tearing, no episiotomy, nothing. I was so happy about that... and still am - it's made healing SO much easier. Other than feeling swollen I was on my feet 2 hours later and walked around.

We had to share a room that first night as they were slammed. We didn't realize that and had asked the nursery to keep Madeline until 8 am (this was at 3:30 - I had to stay in the delivery room until the epi wore off) but the other couple in the room had their baby with them and when we walked in she was screaming... eventually she did go to sleep but between the nurses checking my vitals every hour, and the other mom's vitals every hour, the other baby's vitals every hour- and none of these at the same time - our room had the lights on all night and I got NO sleep whatsoever. Jay however laid down and knocked out for 3 hours- the other girls husband was snoring too, while she and I were just laying there... I almost had them bring Maddy back in but figured it would probably get worse as the babies would just play off each other and holler every time the other one woke up.

Madeline arrived in our room at 8 am and the nurse said she'd been the sweetest baby all night long - just laying there watching the nurses, she'd catnap and then wake up and look around - they didn't feed her until 5:30 am (I'd nursed her at 1:30) and only fed her then because it was "time" not because she was crying or showing any signs of being hungry! And that has continued on until now... this baby is SO mellow! About every 2 1/2 hours she'll start rooting - but she doesn't cry, so I've been holding her off and feeding her every 3 - 3 1/2 hours instead to start getting her on a schedule - this also helps as she'll stay awake for each feeding and get a whole feeding in, instead of nodding off as soon as she get's a little in her tummy.

We were discharged this morning and both Madeline and I received a clean bill of health! All in all I got the birth experience I could only hope for... it was so smooth and the doctors and nurses were So sweet. I'm thrilled that we switched hospitals - Trident was fantastic and I really truly loved being there. I'm on the mend and have very little swelling now - enough to keep me from running around, but you'd never know it by how I walk or anything. I still look about 4-5 months pregnant - yuck. But I'll lose it eventually...

On to her name... we named her Madeline Jane as Jane was the middle name of my grandmother (daddy's mom) - my induction date two Fridays ago was my grandma's birthday (she passed away a few years ago) and we had decided then to switch the name in honor of my grandma... well even though she didn't make it on that day - we liked the idea of Maddy having a family tribute name like Liz, so we decided to stick with Jane. My grandma was a very special woman so this will be a great reminder of her.

For now, my peanut is sitting her all snuggled next to me, I'm going to try and start a new dropshots page soon so I can upload all her pics... for now - here's a couple of Madeline Jane.

An Ode to Jess

I just wanted to post this in my blog. This is the first page of my wedding album and makes me laugh/smile and think back to a different day every time I read it - so I thought I'd post it here...

2 of my Bridesmaids in my wedding wrote this for me while driving down from Ohio to share in that special day with Jay and I. It's priceless and reminds me of them continually so here you go,
They took turns writing so I'll post it as they wrote it...

An Ode to Jess

On the coast of Charleston
Far Far Away

Lived a girl Named Jess
At least, that's what they say.

No other had found
Had not yet discovered.

The legend of Jess
Remained sadly uncovered.
But one day she called,
Her voice full of glee;

"Hey How ya been?
"Good"
"I'm getting married!"

Jess' story was passed
To Fort Wayne and L.A.

And the legend of Jess
Is now here to stay.
So now the two bridesmaids
Are well on their way.

To rejoicing with Jess
On her special day.
Oh the bells will be ringing
There's love in the air.

And everyone's happy
For the newlywed pair.
Someday we'll all have
Spouses and Kids

Ugh the diapers and crying
And food crusted bibs...
But for now let's relax
And feel nothing but joy!

For Jess Lewis
Has a real nifty boy!

~Kelly
&
~Maura


LOL Anyway, fun times... Maura is heading towards her second baby soon - so this is all the more special to me right now. :) I love those girls...

SO. I'm headed out today to walk walk walk at the Citadel for a little while - hopefully this baby arrives SOON!

Still Here...

I think I've had that title about 30 times but what else is there to say? LOL We went to the Charleston Home Show today and I walked and walked until I felt like my feet were going to fall off - the contractions picked up and were marvelous for about an hour -get in the car to come home and they go right away. Figures. lol Anyway... still waiting for my peanut to arrive. Jay spoiled me with Chili's today! SOOOO YUMMY! I love that place. I'm able to eat a bit more now so that's good! Just waiting for the whole process to move along naturally... my suitcase is still packed and waiting.

Jay's putting in our new kitchen sink as I write - I can't wait to see it all finished it's beautiful! (White coated cast iron) I'm super excited to get rid of our stainless - it was junky looking. Anyway, we got the matching Mohler faucet, sprayer and soap dispenser to go with it so it's all a matter of getting it hooked up and I'll have a sink again! (We took the old one out over a month ago so I've been washing dishes in the m/bath sink. Soooo over that. LOL)

Anyway, I bought the girls their Easter dresses today! They match! SOOO Cute!

It's kind of hard to see but they're pink gingham with a smocked rose bud front and tiny rose buds on the colar. I'm going to look for a cute white sweater to go over it since Easter is early this year and it'll probably be chilly... Of course - this is assuming that Madeline arrives BEFORE Easter. :P Good Lord she better. LOL


My mom bought these shoes for Liz the other day - I'd seen them in Stride Rite and loved them but didn't want to pay $40 for toddler shoes! Mom found them at the Stride Rite Outlet for half that! WOOT!
Soooo now I just have to find some cute frilly'ish socks (I'm not big on major frills, just something sweet - perhaps a scallop?) Anyways... cute socks for the girls and then make their bows - Liz will probably have a head band, not sure what I'll do with Maddy's hair - depends on if she has any! We may just do a fitted headband on her.

It was so fun getting them matching outfits! Gosh I am so going to be *that* mom. LOL The one with the matching little girls. And who can help it? Girls clothes are SO cute these days! So there's my little update... can't wait to meet Madeline - sure hope Pink's her color! ;)

Nothing New

Well for the simple purposes of updating and having something too look back at and hold over Maddy's head when she's 16 and I can say "See what I went through to get you here kid?!" Here goes my update from my day yesterday...

3:30 am. I get a phone call to say "We're over full - don't come in, call back around 9 and we'll see about possibly getting you in late afternoon for the induction." Great... well who's going back to sleep after that? Not I... or Jay... and poor Linda who decided to stay at her house and come over early got up at 4 - I sent her a text but she never got it... then just in case I called her at 5:30 - good thing I did, she was about to head over. I called back at 6 am (impatient woman that I am) and just asked how things were going - they said call back late morning and they'll update me. Fun. 10 minutes later I get a call back from my doctor saying, "I go off duty here soon so go ahead and shower and come on in, I'll have a room ready for you in an hour." Woot! That made me smile... phone call back to Linda and I jumped in the shower, trying to take my time. All that moving around got my contractions going again and they were about 7 minutes apart. My thinking is this is going to be pretty smooth since I'm already in mild labor!

We get to the hospital at 7:30 - check in, everything's going well... they saved a room for me (waiting room already had 2 overflow patients) but my doctor wanted to get me started so they booked me in, hooked up my IV and I was on pitocin and antibiotics by 8.

The contractions picked up immediately... which I was fine with... within 30 minutes they were about a minute apart and lasting a little over a minute each. OUCH but it was worth it. They offerred me an epidural pretty quickly since I was laboring so hard but warned that it might slow down my progress so I held off. I continued breathing through the contractions for the next 4 hours while we waited for my body to start dialating more... didn't happen. By 12:30 my doctor came in and started on the whole c section thing - I told her plainly that 4 hours of labor wasn't even close to enough and that I wasn't going to a c section until I reached 10 centimeters and at least TRIED to push her out. She seemed a little annoyed but went along with my decision - then 10 minutes later her attending came in and the hell started. Her attending tried her best to scare the crap out of Jay and I telling us that there was a 15% chance that Madeline was going to have a limp arm from the shoulder distocia... making us sign a waiver saying we wouldn't sue the hospital and that we'd been counseled on choosing a C section and declined it. I was so annoyed... I asked her WHY she thought I had a shoulder distocia? I never have gotten a clear answer - Lizzy was a dream pregnancy and dream delivery- sure she got stuck for an hour and I had to push for 2 1/2 hours straight - but so what? Isn't that normal for first time babies? Nooooo getting stuck for an hour is too long - and blah blah - I asked her to show me the medical records from Lizzy's hospital b/c I just wasn't buying it. And I was tired of people making us feel like bad parents for wanting to go natural. She said she'd go get them... came back and said they didn't have them. Uh... what?! Why not? I signed the paperwork WAY back in the begining of all this weeks and weeks ago saying you had permission to get my records. They just never did. They based the whole entire shoulder distocia off of my verbal recollection of labor back on my first visit. Apparently when I said she got stuck that set of red flags... then when I told them a nurse had to help push on my stomach/pelvic bone to help transition Lizzy that sealed the deal. Instant shoulder distocia. (Said my RESIDENT doctor... not attending - she assumed. Same girl that shouldn't have ordered the amnio 10 days ago.) Not bothring to check the actual records, all this time we've been scared and worried about the baby getting stuck again and having all these horrid problems that the doctors made us feel like would definately happen should we go natural.

Anyways. I told her to call the hospital immediately and get my records. I was having none of this - if I had truly had a SD then that's fine, we'll go from there - but I just had a very strong feeling that my doctor had goofed up again. And I was right. An hour later when the paper work came back saying I had a very smooth delivery, the baby had gotten stuck but with a few different positions they were able to work her out with no problems... it listed that she'd swallowed meconium and had the cord around her neck twice - but that her apgars came back high and that it didn't cause anything to worry about and she went home 24 hours exactly after delivery, a very healthy baby.

So all these weeks of worrying - and it was for no reason... SO now they're mad that they induced me. Great. Without the worry of a high risk pregnancy they were ready to wash their hands of me... didn't matter that I was sitting there in active labor contracting like crazy - nope. They asked me immediately to go home. I refused... it was only 5 - I didn't see any reason why I needed to put my body through the hell of stopping labor early (or at least reducing it without the pitocin) just because I was no longer high risk. I'm due tomorrow for pete's sake! Give me a freaking break. No, I'll stay thanks. Well that just pissed off the doctors plenty... they said fine and left me alone - but immediately ordered the nurse to reduce the pitocin... which caused me to stop dialating, and in turn slowed down my labor.

Here's the kicker, had I taken the epidural when they offered they never would have sent me home... but no, I try to stay strong and tough it out so my labor keeps progressing - and I get the boot. Lovely. By this time it's getting close to 7 pm and a new attending comes on call... no sooner had they let me know I was changing doctors than he comes waltzing in with the worst attitude I've ever seen in a doctor. He took one look at me and said "I want you to go home. I'm taking you off the pitocin completely so theres nothing you can say or do about it. There are patients out there in labor that are futher dialated and they're higher priority than you... I want your room for them and you're being selfish to want to stay when other people need the room." Jerk. Guess what buddy? I've put in my time... I've been the one stuffed in the oxygen closet for 8 hours with no pillow, no private bathroom, stuck with another patient and no privacy... the one with no designated nurse b/c that's not considered a real room - yeah. I've been there. I'm over it. If I leave now, you're telling me there's a strong chance I'll go into labor tonight and I"ll have to come back and sit in the waiting room or oxygen room in labor? Uh. Thanks jerk.

Of course, I didn't say that... I just started crying. My nurse got really ticked at the doctor for being so rude - the whole time we were there she was very supportive of having a natural birth... every time they'd suggest a c section and I'd turn them down, she'd stay in the room and say she was rooting for me and would do whatever she could to help me go naturally. Bless her heart she was the only reason I didn't fall apart any earlier than I did.

Anyway. He took me off the pitocin, my labor slowed down and we got sent home. It was an awful day - 12 hours of HARD contractions... no epidural, just working my way through the contractions. Our nurse would come in and sit with me during the late afternoon - she'd hold my hand while I was breathing hard and always offer me ice after the contractions so I could keep my energy up. She was precious. So to nurse Arlene, I say thank you. Were it not for you I think I would have gone crazy yesterday.

To the rest of the screwball doctors to you I say... screw you. I'm going to another hospital. And I am. I called Trident this morning and had my paperwork transferred there... technically I wasn't supposed to go there as we still owe some money for Lizzy's delivery when we were self pay but the nurse was really sweet when I explained everything to her - she said by law we can't kick you out and we have to take your insurance - so while we can't register you - you will receive no less than 100% good care while you're here.

That made me feel SO much better... I had a great experience with Lizzy's birth - and at this point since every single report says Madeline is healthy - I'm not worried about her being born at a hospital with a NICU (Trident has a level two nursery but they have to transfer sick babies to MUSC for NICU care.) And since I'm no longer worried about the shoulder distocia I'm much more comfortable letting her come naturally. Turns out they said I shouldn't have a problem delivering her even if she's a large baby. Soooo unless something goes horribly wrong - I'll be having the natural birth I want - even if she doesn't arrive until 41 weeks... which if she's anything like Lizzy -that's probably exactly what'll happen.

So be it. While I was looking forward to having her yesterday... more than I can say, and I'll admit last night I didn't sleep a wink I was so angry and frustrated... I sat on the sofa for several hours in the middle of the night just thinking and wondering, asking God why??? But... today, after some rest - my uterus is slowly going back to normal... I'm having trouble still b/c my body thinks it's in labor but my contractions are sporadic and not nearly as hard as yesterday - however I'm having a hard time eating anything as it all makes me sick, so I'm just drinking water waiting for my body to realize the pitocin was only temporary... and that I'm not really in labor right now. My arm is bruised from the IV - and I'm not looking forward to getting another one of those in a few days... but I figure even if she doesn't arrive for another 10 days - I'll live. It sucks, and she'll be huge - they're thinking she's over 8 lbs right now - but... she's healthy. And she'll be here before I know it. So I'm holding on... trying not to think about yesterday too much... if I'd agreed to a c section or epidural I'd be holding my baby right now - but I stayed strong - and I'm paying for it today with no baby. That's the worst part of all this for me.

Anyway... that's my update. Yesterday was probably hardest on me mentally - though my body took (and is still taking) a beating - mentally dealing with multiple doctors who didn't support me was exhausting... dealing with a jerk doctor at the end of a long hard day only made it worse... but knowing that I won't have to see him again makes things a lot easier on my mind.

So Madeline... little girl... you have caused your mommy so much stress and anxiety the last few weeks - I know you'll be worth every minute of it when you arrive, but sweetie, please please please do your mommy a favor and make your way south soon. Please? I'm pretty much over all this pregnancy stuff kiddo - if you never have a younger sibling - don't blame me. You are one major slow poke.

Internet...

Okay, MUSC apparently DOES have wi-fi in the recovery rooms - just not the labor and delivery rooms SO if I'm feeling up to it after she get's here, I'll be able to post pics on my blog of baby girl when she's just hours old! YAY!

So, I'll send out a text when she get's here - and then either Jay or I will upload and post some pics hopefully by Friday night! :D

Thought you'd like to know girls. ;)

Two new pics.

Okay so I just realized I never uploaded Lizzy's Valentine's day Pics...


I got ONE shot of her smiling all day. *bangshead* She was laughing and playing the whole day but every time I'd turn the camera on her she'd get serious. LOL Soo here is my one single shot (and not even a great one) of my stinker with her Valentine's day lips she got in preschool... wearing her "Queen of Hearts" hat and her cute heart shirt. :)
And the second one is my 39 week shot... probably the last being that I'll be delivering in 2 days! LOL It finally hit me in the face - so here's me - chunky monkey that I am these days with a girlfriend of mine who's due in a few weeks, Heather. :)

That's all the pictures for now! Nothing new on the pregnancy front - still contracting like crazy but the darn things won't speed up so I doubt she'll make her entrance before Friday. :)

GAH! Doctors!!!

Well good grief, so my doctor called me yesterday... she said I'd been on her mind all weekend so she went straight to her attending (she's a resident) yesterday morning and showed her all Madeline's charts, her monitor reports, amnio results, etc and said the attending was not happy that she gave me an amnio 7 days after I was diagnosed with the flu... Nice. The Attending Doctor told her she should have waited until Monday to test as Maddy didn't stand a chance of testing in the high range just 7 days after I'd been so sick - they usually count on 14-21 days minimum for babies in utero to overcome sickness... HOWEVER. She said that her testing as high as she did (even though it wasn't quite high enough to induce) is a very good sign that she is a healthy baby. She said after looking at her monitor reports her heart was doing everything it should, she's using her lungs like she should, and she weighs a very healthy amount. All in all the attending doctor said she feels that Madeline is a very healthy little girl and had we tested her Monday instead of Friday she would have tested MUCH higher as she was already out of the sick range on Friday...

SOOOOOO. My doctor was very sweet - I know she's still learning and though I hate being the guiney pig - I know she's doing her very best and wanted to do what was best for me... the attending doctor told her to have me come in on Friday morning at 6:30 am - they're going to go ahead and induce me! My doctor said she told the attending how much I did NOT want a c section if I could avoid it... the attending replied "Well let's give her a fair shot then, tell her to come in on Friday and I'll oversee the delivery." YAY!

So, wow. I was stressed, frustrated, grateful and completely excited all in one phone call. haha. Anyway, if she doesn't arrive sooner (which she just might as I'm bustin at the seams right now - I've had contractions for the last 24 hours about 7-10 minutes apart but they won't speed up or get stronger... similar to how Lizzy's birth went - 3 days of contractions before they finally sped up into the real deal) so we shall see... If nothing in the next 2 days - she'll be here on Friday! :D

It's so hard to believe that I'll be holding my baby by this weekend! WOW. That really puts things into reality! I'm sitting her staring at the cradle, all ready with a soft sheet and blanket just waiting for Madeline to arrive and I can picture her laying there all sweet and soft, cuddled up sleeping peacefully. (*giggle* Yeah I know, that's a nice picture but not much in the way of reality. LOL) But that's okay - she's almost here!!!!

Lizzy woke up from her nap and was in a cuddly mood - I was holding her close and she put her hands on my tummy and looked up at me and smiled... I melt every time she does that... it's like she knows, but yet has no clue. She's going to be such a great big sister... she's so loving. I'm sure she'll have her moments where she'll be wishing Maddy was back in mommy's tummy - but over all I can see her being such a wonderful sibling to Madeline. She loves to point to my belly and tell me her sister is in there... and she'll look over at my sis and say "baby Jack!" It's so precious.

Okay, so FINALLY... a VERY good news update! I've been waiting and hoping to post one soon! So there you go! Madeline's on her way, Elizabeth is excited about her baby sister! Jay and I are sort of fumbling through these feelings but can't wait to meet our new daughter very soon!!!