6 years ago
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
A few pictures of our growing family
After coming home on Wednesday from my OB appointment (0%, 1cm), I never dreamed that only 24hrs later we would be meeting our daughter for the first time. What a shock!
At 4:20 am on Thursday morning, I awoke to use the bathroom and my waters broke. We grabbed the overnight bag and woke up Russell (who was only too glad to be awake). I called the hospital to let them know we were coming in and we were there by 4:50 am (50%, 3cm). Russell was so excited to finally visit the hospital he'd often asked about.
The nurses started the antibiotics for my GBS+ and then Dan took Russell to our friends' house for the day. Unlike my delivery with Russell my contractions did not start immediately. Finally, six hours later they started (at 10:30 am) but I could barely feel them. I began to get anxious that I'd be in labor for the dreaded '20 hrs' that sometimes happens.
At 1:30 pm, the contractions were only a 2 or 3 on the pain scale and by 3:30 pm, they were at a '5' (80%/ 5 cm). Literally, between one contraction and the next, I couldn't handle the pain and asked for an epidural. If my labor had been so drawn out already, I feared I wouldn't have the strength to push when it came time. At 3:50 pm, I began to feel the need to push (100%, 10 cm) and the nurses started calling for the OB to come. The epidural didn't have time to work but it was nice to know if the labor had been longer, it would have helped. The OB ran into the room at 4pm after the nurses had told me not to push for the last ten minutes- which, is very difficult to do! After two contractions (4 minutes), Camille was born. The cord was wrapped around her neck and the OB quickly undid it. Dan cut the cord and placed the baby in my arms.
I momentarily held Camille and then asked the nurses to take her. I wanted to make sure the bi-lobed placenta would be delivered safely and I would not be at risk for hemorrhaging. By God's complete grace, the placenta came out in one piece and the OB assured me that there was nothing to be afraid of. I think he was as relieved as I was. It was then I started crying in relief and joy over Camille's birth and in sadness for the losses we had experienced and the realization that Camille could have been a 'loss' as well, had it not been for God's infinite plan.
It is surreal to have a little one in our arms again. Two to three years of sorrow are not easily erased and I pray with time, our hearts will heal over the past. For now, we are savoring as much as possible because we know with time, Camille will be an active little girl running through life.
Russell loved the cafeteria once he realized they sold chocolate covered doughnuts!
At 4:20 am on Thursday morning, I awoke to use the bathroom and my waters broke. We grabbed the overnight bag and woke up Russell (who was only too glad to be awake). I called the hospital to let them know we were coming in and we were there by 4:50 am (50%, 3cm). Russell was so excited to finally visit the hospital he'd often asked about.
The nurses started the antibiotics for my GBS+ and then Dan took Russell to our friends' house for the day. Unlike my delivery with Russell my contractions did not start immediately. Finally, six hours later they started (at 10:30 am) but I could barely feel them. I began to get anxious that I'd be in labor for the dreaded '20 hrs' that sometimes happens.
At 1:30 pm, the contractions were only a 2 or 3 on the pain scale and by 3:30 pm, they were at a '5' (80%/ 5 cm). Literally, between one contraction and the next, I couldn't handle the pain and asked for an epidural. If my labor had been so drawn out already, I feared I wouldn't have the strength to push when it came time. At 3:50 pm, I began to feel the need to push (100%, 10 cm) and the nurses started calling for the OB to come. The epidural didn't have time to work but it was nice to know if the labor had been longer, it would have helped. The OB ran into the room at 4pm after the nurses had told me not to push for the last ten minutes- which, is very difficult to do! After two contractions (4 minutes), Camille was born. The cord was wrapped around her neck and the OB quickly undid it. Dan cut the cord and placed the baby in my arms.
I momentarily held Camille and then asked the nurses to take her. I wanted to make sure the bi-lobed placenta would be delivered safely and I would not be at risk for hemorrhaging. By God's complete grace, the placenta came out in one piece and the OB assured me that there was nothing to be afraid of. I think he was as relieved as I was. It was then I started crying in relief and joy over Camille's birth and in sadness for the losses we had experienced and the realization that Camille could have been a 'loss' as well, had it not been for God's infinite plan.
It is surreal to have a little one in our arms again. Two to three years of sorrow are not easily erased and I pray with time, our hearts will heal over the past. For now, we are savoring as much as possible because we know with time, Camille will be an active little girl running through life.
Russell loved the cafeteria once he realized they sold chocolate covered doughnuts!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
She's Here!!
Just the stats for now!
Name: Camille Elizabeth
Date: 10/22/09 @ 4:05pm
Weight: 6 lb 14oz
Tip-to-toe: 18.5 inches
Looks likes: Russell!
Name: Camille Elizabeth
Date: 10/22/09 @ 4:05pm
Weight: 6 lb 14oz
Tip-to-toe: 18.5 inches
Looks likes: Russell!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Still, no signs...
Yes, Baby Girl has decided to tuck herself in for the long run.
I noticed the Christmas items at Target this week, jammed in behind the current Halloween display. It occurred to me that Mary, Jesus' mother, rode on a donkey for 60+ miles before arriving in Bethlehem and delivering Jesus later that night in the stable.
Hmm, anyone have a donkey?
I noticed the Christmas items at Target this week, jammed in behind the current Halloween display. It occurred to me that Mary, Jesus' mother, rode on a donkey for 60+ miles before arriving in Bethlehem and delivering Jesus later that night in the stable.
Hmm, anyone have a donkey?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Week 38 and counting
According to the doctor's exam this morning, Baby Girl has no intention of coming any time soon. A little discouraged? Yes. With Russell, my body had prepped itself for two weeks before I went into spontaneous labor. This time? With only two weeks left before the official due date, I'm guessing this one will want to be overdue. I don't know if I can handle another full two weeks. I'm already getting short and impatient with Russell and some moments of the day I can barely walk because my pelvis hurts so much. Ugh. I haven't complained much during this pregnancy but I feel like I can (a little) right now.
In other news, we all continue to be healthy, yeah! Russell's gotten used to washing his hands immediately when we come home from shopping, etc. Nice not to have to fight him on that one. We had 2-3" of rain yesterday from the storm left over from Japan. It's 72F today so everything is drying out quickly. Russell was excited to use our umbrella- you can tell he's a Cali kid;-)
In other news, we all continue to be healthy, yeah! Russell's gotten used to washing his hands immediately when we come home from shopping, etc. Nice not to have to fight him on that one. We had 2-3" of rain yesterday from the storm left over from Japan. It's 72F today so everything is drying out quickly. Russell was excited to use our umbrella- you can tell he's a Cali kid;-)
Thursday, October 01, 2009
October... already??
It's difficult to believe that our first RE (fertility specialist) appointment was last September, thirteen months ago. We were scheduled for an October appointment but a cancellation allowed us to be seen in September. We had two more losses after seeing the specialist, and then January came around. Now, here we are, very pregnant and yes, very nervous about the next chapter of our story as a family.
I saw my OB yesterday and according to the check-up, baby will not be here for a little while yet. We discussed how the birth would proceed ideally, and then discussed options if anything went awry. Trust me, it's easier to discuss options when you're not contracting and in intense pain! I remember having to sign papers during my labor with Russell, and I remember thinking, "are you kidding me? Now?" I could have signed away anything at that time and I wouldn't have cared.
My pregnancy and delivery with Russell was ideal in many ways. We'd never had a loss and I never considered anything would go wrong. This time, I've read too much and 'met' too many women online that have had deep sorrow in their lives. We treasure each and every prayer for us during the remainder of the pregnancy and especially, the delivery.
Other than that, life has been quiet here. After seeking high and low for canned pumpkin, my friend Elizabeth (THANK-YOU!), dropped by and delivered two cans which she found at another store I had not yet checked. I've been told by stores that canned pumpkin is a 'seasonal item' and won't be stocked until later in October. After all this time of living in the USA, I still am not used to Thanksgiving in late November, only four weeks before Christmas. Totally wrong. I wish they'd bump it into October like the Canadians did. All that to be said, Russell and I made pumpkin spice bread with maple cream cheese frosting. Mmm. At this point in the pregnancy, I don't eat as much anymore since my organs are jammed into my lungs, but it sure is nice to have a tasty treat in the house when hunger does happen:-)
That's all for now, I suppose. Thanks for checking in with us!
I saw my OB yesterday and according to the check-up, baby will not be here for a little while yet. We discussed how the birth would proceed ideally, and then discussed options if anything went awry. Trust me, it's easier to discuss options when you're not contracting and in intense pain! I remember having to sign papers during my labor with Russell, and I remember thinking, "are you kidding me? Now?" I could have signed away anything at that time and I wouldn't have cared.
My pregnancy and delivery with Russell was ideal in many ways. We'd never had a loss and I never considered anything would go wrong. This time, I've read too much and 'met' too many women online that have had deep sorrow in their lives. We treasure each and every prayer for us during the remainder of the pregnancy and especially, the delivery.
Other than that, life has been quiet here. After seeking high and low for canned pumpkin, my friend Elizabeth (THANK-YOU!), dropped by and delivered two cans which she found at another store I had not yet checked. I've been told by stores that canned pumpkin is a 'seasonal item' and won't be stocked until later in October. After all this time of living in the USA, I still am not used to Thanksgiving in late November, only four weeks before Christmas. Totally wrong. I wish they'd bump it into October like the Canadians did. All that to be said, Russell and I made pumpkin spice bread with maple cream cheese frosting. Mmm. At this point in the pregnancy, I don't eat as much anymore since my organs are jammed into my lungs, but it sure is nice to have a tasty treat in the house when hunger does happen:-)
That's all for now, I suppose. Thanks for checking in with us!
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