Labor and delivery, just the way I wanted.

Savvy is here! This is how it all happened...

On the day of my 38 week appointment I had an NST (non-stress-test) and an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels...kind of sounds like I'm talking about maintenance on a vehicle :0)
Everything looked pretty good, but the doc wanted to check again in a couple of days. On Friday I was checked again and the fluid levels had gone down to a level doc didn't like...too low. So I was sent to Labor and Delivery for a few hours to have baby monitored.
She looked pretty good, but was having some variables in her heart rate because of the low fluid. Doc suggested we strip my membranes (for those who know what that means...for those who don't...you can look it up :0) ) to get things started a little more naturally...otherwise, we felt induction might be best for baby.
I super didn't want to be induced because I wanted a no medication labor. When you are induced with meds the labor can be way more intense. So we did the membrane strip and I went home to wait.
We had a fun family movie night planned. The kids had been making movie tickets and setting up a concession stand etc. for the last week. Their prayers had been sounding something like this..."please don't let the baby come before the movie night...wait until after...amen". The movie night was great...gotta love Indiana Jones. After it was over, I fell asleep for about 30 minutes. At about 11 pm I woke up. I just couldn't sleep. I was told that using a breast pump could help get contractions going so I gave that a try for about 10 minutes...worked like a charm! I started having contractions every 4 minutes.
I started packing some clothes for the kids, and stuff they would need while they were at our friends house...I just knew this was it. I turned on the T.V. for a little distraction...watched "Star Trek the Next Generation". The contractions were starting to get a little more intense so I decided to take a warm shower to relax...felt great. I planned on staying in there until the hot water was gone, but then I started thinking..."what if I labor really fast and have this baby in the shower? I should wake up hubby." So I got out and went to wake him up. I don't think he was convinced that this was really it at first, but I knew it was.
He took a quick shower and I breathed through a few contractions. I was still going strong and had to concentrate through each one. I felt a little nausea so I was sitting on the bathroom floor. After a few minutes of that I felt my water break! I told hubby and he said "ok. we better go now!" He woke up the kids. Pooka-shell was excited...Bubba-do was just cranky. Hubby was awesome. He got all the bags in the car and remembered a towel for me to sit on so I didn't soak the seat. :0) We headed to our friends to drop off the kids. They were so wonderful to take them for us
As we headed to the hospital the contractions were intense, but I was totally concentrating through each one...visualizing everything gently opening. I wasn't making a sound. Hubby had to ask if I was still having contractions. I was in the zone!
When we got to the hospital I changed into a gown because my p.j.'s were soaked. The contractions were so intense, but I had a minute to breathe and relax between each one. The most comfy position was sitting on the floor (on a clean towel of course) I had hubby rub my lower back. I thought maybe baby was face up, but she wasn't... my muscles were just super fatigued.
There were a couple of moments when I considered asking for pain meds, but as long as I really focused during every contraction I could make it. Finally I was able to stand up. Hubby wanted them to check my cervix to see how dilated I was, but I was like "no-way" When I had bubba-do and they checked me I was sure I was going to be almost there, and I was only 5cm. It discouraged me so much I just had the epidural. Plus, I didn't want to break my concentration. I knew my body would know what to do and when. I leaned on hubby's chest and squeezed his fingers. By about 3 am I started feeling a little urge to push. Pretty soon doc was there and one of the intern residents. I told them I couldn't change positions so I just stayed standing!
The urge to push just came. I didn't have to be told when or how, I just did it. The pushing part felt much better than the dilating part! I could really feel baby moving down. By 4:03 am Savvy was born! We did it!!! Labor was thankfully only 4 hours long start to finish. I only had to push for 10 minutes.
She did well, cried pretty quickly. What a relief to have her here. After the birth I lost a little more blood than they would like, so they worked to get the placenta out quickly...uncomfortable!
When I held Savvy I cried. I had waited so long, we all had. It was beautiful. She is beautiful! 6 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long with plenty of dark hair Yay! So cute. I felt like Wonder Woman.
When sitting on the edge of the bed later, preparing to get into the wheelchair to move to another room...I got dizzy. I told the nurse my ears were ringing. The next thing I knew, I was waking up on the floor with hubby trying to help me up. I had no idea what had happened. I had passed out and hubby jumped over the wheelchair (Superman style ) to catch me before my face hit the floor. The funny thing is..I felt so much better. I was exhausted and as soon as I passed out I immediately started to dream...instant REM sleep. I was actually slightly annoyed that I was being waked...until I realized I was on the floor! Haa aaa so crazy!
This is the labor I was hoping for. The kids prayers were answered..the timing was perfect. I was worried it would happen at a time when the kids were on their way home from school or that my water would break in an embarrassing situation...or a hundred other things would happen. I am recovering. We are all trying to get used to all the changes. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us through this and are still helping.
And that is the story of the doctor's wife who had a baby.....

Savvy's nursery is finished...finally

Savvy's room is finished. I have had these images in my mind for over nine months. Now they are finally tangible. I feel so relieved to be ready..now we just need the baby to come. 2 more weeks. This is the blanket I crocheted for her. The theme of the nursery is Giraffes. It took a long while but I am really happy with how it turned out.

Here is her bedroom door...welcome sign and all.

I had no luck finding changing pad covers in the color I wanted so I made a couple of these out of towels!

I have decorated a lamp for each of my kiddos....here is my take on giraffes

I found this pic at goodwill of all places...and I fell in love with it.

I also have painted name letters for each of the kids rooms. I love these ribbons.

These car seat canopies are so smart and popular now...I designed and made this too. :0)

The outside of the canopy/car seat cover. So much better than a blanket that always slips off right?

I nice shelf I installed...another awesome bargain find.

Her pretty little dresser/changing table...Yay...it is perfect!

Full room view. The curtains are also made by me with fabric I found at good will...I know, I am an awesome bargain hunter. :0)

The blankie is ready...

See you soon Savvy!

Pooka Shell turned 7!

Partee-Zone Friends

Her special cake

Brother is proud of the present he got her...a video game :0) Look at those pretty earrings!

She was very brave.

So grown up.

Happy 7th birthday!

I can't be old enough to have a child turning 7 years old...Nevertheless, the calendar says I am. Our sweet pooka-shell had a simple birthday party with a few girlfriends. We took them to an indoor "Partee-zone" place and then back home for cake and presents. I wish I had the energy and that we had the resources to make a bigger deal of her birthday...turning 7 is momentous. But, she did get the one thing she wanted most...her ears pierced. She asked me every day leading up to it if it was going to hurt and for how long. She was so brave. Thankfully they did both ears at the same time. She looks adorable. And little brother gave her something they can both enjoy...lego Indiana Jones! I love you Pooka. You have taught me so much these last 7 years. You are an amazing little girl and a fabulous person with so much potential...you amaze me.

Blizzard of 2011

View from our front window One of the medium sized drifts..on the back deck

You can really see the depth here..thank you to our sweet neighbor for helping!

View from the front door.

Back deck

So this storm was pretty impressive. The winds blew strong for the entire night and into the next day...making drifts many feet deep. Our lovely neighbor helped us out with his snowblower and we stayed inside for a few days not going anywhere...the kids even got a school free snow day out of it. Gotta love the Midwest.

Even grateful people have crappy days

Warning: This is a vent...I am going to relate all the dumb things that ticked me off today. I can blame it on pregnancy hormones and the fact that at 36 weeks I am now in almost constant discomfort/pain....that doesn't help ones patience levels. I am very very grateful for the reason behind my pain and hormones...nevertheless

It started this morning. I was brushing my teeth. When I am preggo I have a very sensitive gag reflex so I am careful usually. For some reason I could not handle it today! I could not stop gaging/heaving for about 5 minutes straight...sheesh. I don't even get morning sickness really so this was weird.

I got all dressed and felt I looked pretty cute. Found clothing that was comfy enough and actually fit (no small task) I put this cute cute flower in my hair that I just got and got the kids to school. I was all set to head to the mall and use a couple of gift cards to get some things for the baby...did the store I need open at 9...noooooo, how about 10...nope. The lady was in there taking her sweet time getting ready to open. So I took a walk around the mall (also no small task, as my pelvic bones feel like they are going to crack apart at any time) That is when I noticed the flower in my hair was gone. I re-traced my steps waddling all the way...no luck. The store finally opened about 10:15 and I found something cute, but by now I am totally exhausted. Being in pain for extended periods is tiring!

Oh yeah, and I couldn't get to sleep last night...I love to sleep. I am always up for a good nap...I never have insomnia. What the heck?!

I hoped I would find the flower in my car or at home...no luck. I am so ticked I lost that! Gah! Now I was planning on taking a nap after picking up bubba-do from preschool. He is allowed to play video games every other day so that would have been a good time. Did I get to? Nooooo. As I am turning on the tv/game system for him I realize the universal remote needs new batteries. I am all the way down stairs already and the batteries are upstairs. I send the 4 year old to find them and after 10 minutes I realize I will have to do it myself. He is holding the package of them in his hands!!! Don't ask me why he didn't just bring them to me like I asked. Oh yeah, and the cat peed on the floor just outside the litter box... Why????? Coming up the stairs was difficult enough, now I am all worked up and mad at the world.

I can't take a nap now... And my son informs me that the kitchen smells like dog poop so I figure I better do the dishes and take out the garbage. I seriously can't stand bad smells. I slammed things around and cleaned up the kitty mess. I felt only slightly better. The day isn't over. I have to drag my kids to my doctor's appointment and keep them occupied while the doc checks to see if I am dialated at all. Then all the books have to go back to the library (very heavy!!) Oh, and did I mention hubby is working nights so he is not able to be of any help with anything until the weekends? Great timing... a month of nights the final weeks before we have this baby.

And now I'm hungry.... how has your day been?

Series of both fortunate and unfortunate events

Yesterday we had a plan. You see, at my last OB appointment our little baby girl was breech. I was pretty concerned and was doing all the little tricks to encourage her to turn head down.....You haven't seen funny until you see a woman 8 months pregnant trying to hang upside down.
Our doctor said she has had patients have success turning breech babies by doing handstands in a swimming pool...pooka-shell had a friends birthday party at a rec center pool... I was ready to give it a shot. (I tried on my swimsuit... an interesting fashion statement) For good measure I asked hubby if we could stop by the hospital and do a quick ultrasound to see baby's position. Low and behold, that hard bump I had been feeling near my ribs was a bottom not a head!!! She had turned!! My eyes filled with tears. I am so grateful. It is really important to me to have this delivery go the way I wish and a breech birth wasn't it. I have said many thank you prayers.

So it was a great day. I felt energized and planned to wash dry and put away every bit of laundry I had been putting off. Fast forward a few hours and a few loads....the washer started making horrible sounds and stopped spinning. We googled washer repair, asked knowledgeable friends and family, and hubby took a look to see what he could do. We couldn't quite figure out what part was broken, and we can't afford a repairman, let alone a new washer. Normally this would cause a lot of frustration and generally tense feelings around here, but because of the great news about baby turning, we were in pretty good spirits.

We could have called a repair person on Sunday (since it broke on Saturday night) but thought we could use all the blessings possible so decided to keep the Sabbath day holy, and worry about it later. We did however ask around at church to see if anyone knew a lot about repairing washers or by some miracle had a spare....faith.

Here is how the conversation at church went. "A family in the ward just had their washing machine break down and we are looking for anyone who could possibly help repair it or has a washer they are no longer in need of. 'Oh we have and extra one in our basement because the condo we live in supplied us with one', 'Us too..they can just have it.' 'We have one too.' " That is right, 3 people offered us a washer. It felt like a miracle because I was preparing myself to transport tons of dirty clothes to a friends house for the next year and a half, or buy an old fashioned wash board and never see the light of day again... washing for a family of 5 by hand .

We are truly blessed, people are generous and kind. Doing what you know is right brings blessings in many forms. And we will have a working washer tomorrow. Hallelujah!

So close

8 more weeks...that is it. In 8 weeks or less we will go from being a family of 4 to a family of 5. Our little Savanna is due March 7th....My 33rd birthday of all days. There is nothing like children to show the years passing. Our oldest is going to be 7 in a few weeks. Life is good, but I feel rather unprepared for the arrival of baby #3. We still need some vital things, and cash is practically non-existent. Here is the run down. Thankfully Grandma generously gave us a gift card that helped buy a crib...we had gotten rid of the old one we used for the other two kids and all the dropside versions have been recalled, so I felt we should stick with a new one. And we have a carseat and boxes of baby girl clothes (as of yet...unwashed because we have no dresser to put them in.) The dresser. Maybe I am being picky, but what I want is simple. We need a dresser that doubles as a changing table because the nursery is a pretty small room. I would like a black one to match the pretty little crib we got. Here is what I was thinking. This is at Walmart and would do the trick nicely. A place to change baby and a place to put the clothes. I also really want to have somewhere to put a lamp. I guess we could change her on the floor and keep her clothes in boxes...but I don't wanna! I know...pretty selfishI have almost finished crocheting a blanket and I decorated a lamp. I will be painting name letters for her wall soon....but what to do about the dresser?

That aside...I should be mentally preparing myself for labor. I have always wanted to have an un-medicated birth...but the first two didn't turn out that way. I have to find a way to make myself dig deep and do it the way I want. How does one do that? I should pack a hospital bag in the near future, and make sure I have someone to watch our older kids whilst I am laboring.....but all I can think about is finishing the nursery and that darn dresser.