Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Delivery
It was so amazing, and surprisingly painless. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I thought I was going to have hours of excruciating pain and when it was all over I would naturally burst into tears of relief. But that wasn't the case. I was more like in a state of disbelief at how amazingly easy the whole thing was.
As you may well know, Benjamin Preston Graham was born at 6:50pm 1/10/11
He weighed in at 7lbs 7oz and was 20 1/2 inches long.
While everyone was sitting around waiting for something to happen, someone started taking guesses (my mom wrote them all down) as to what he would weigh and how long he would be. Now his daddy said he would be 7lbs and 8oz, and I told him that was too much he would be 7-7 because 7 is perfection and this baby was going to be perfect! Then grandpa Kevin guessed 20 1/2 inches! DEAD ON! and interestingly enough when he said it, I agreed and said that is exactly what I think he will be! Weird huh? I not sure how I guessed correctly as drugged as I was!
Tracy was our amazing Nursery Nurse (she also happens to be a friend, her husband works with me at FatCats). When she stamped Preston's feet she also put the foot print on each of the boy's arm...that was super cool!!!
Labor
Well, I have been meaning to jot down my whole birthing experience and haven't made the time. Sad excuse, I know but I have been so busy with my little man over the last month.
I want to tell you I was admitted to the hospital on Sunday Jan 9th.
We made it a family affair. Ben, my mom and both Garron and Jeremiah all came up to the hospital. (we let the boys play hooky on Monday).
They gave me cervidil to thin my cervix. Then we waited... my mom stayed the night in the hospital with me both the night before and the night after.
Garron walked into the hospital room, suction cupped his toothbrush right to the sink and informed us he wanted to stay the night at the hospital with me. My mom and I asked the nurse if this was allowed and she said it was fine. So mimi ran him a bath and he had a grand ol time in the hospital tub!
Monday morning they started my pitocin and by early afternoon I had my epidural. And I obviously felt good enough to be on the phone! LOL
From then on I was a little spacey... and drowsy. People were in and out of my room. ..
My mom got my sister Daphne and my cousin Angela on conference SKYPE which was AWESOME. I wasn't a super great hostess those as I was napping in between conversations! LOL As it turned out we were able to keep them on through the whole birth, which was amazing. Next best thing to them being able to be there. For some reason both Ben and I had the misconception that there would be a curtain covering my bottom half. While we were under that false assumption we told our boys jeremiah and garron they could Skype in too and then they would feel like they were a part. Unfortunately, we found out there was going to be no inhibitions in this delivery and certainly not one shred of modesty. So, they had to just wait in the waiting room until after Preston was born. :( we felt bad for them, but there wasn't anything we could do.
My husband was MOST AMAZING through the entire process, as was my mom! My sister in law Lisa was in there as well, she handled all the picture taking, and skype functions.
As I was having contractions (that I couldn't feel) the nurse came in. There was a problem... the babies heart rate was dropping. She turned of my pitocin, put an oxygen mask on me and made me lay on my opposite side. The whole time I was thinking, no big deal worst that can happen is an emergency C-section. Not the end of the world. Except then I started to see everyones face. My mom looked worried. Ben look terrified and the nurse (that is was finally made me tear up) looked un-nerved. Angela told me later that it was a good thing I couldn't see her's and Daph's faces cause they looked panicked and teary -eyed as well. That was all over soon enough and really the worst part of the entire thing.
So when I was finally dilated to a 10 the nurse began to have me push (while we waited for my doctor to get there). So much to Ben's surprise, not only was there no sheet to cover all the goings on (let me interject here, he is VERY Squeamish) but then the nurse made him hold my leg! LOL Not only did he not get to choose what he did or didn't see, he was recruited as an active member of the process. Poor thing.
So I pushed for about 30 min. and I know this sounds weird but that just flew by. Keep in mind I have had several months of horror stories about terrible labor, terrible delivery and so far I hadn't experienced any of it. The doc came in, chatted with us. Put on his scrubs and gloves. He told me to give him a really good push, and I did! He was almost surprised I did what he asked...he then told me to give him a gentle push. After those two pushes, just one more was needed and out came Preston!
I want to tell you I was admitted to the hospital on Sunday Jan 9th.
We made it a family affair. Ben, my mom and both Garron and Jeremiah all came up to the hospital. (we let the boys play hooky on Monday).
They gave me cervidil to thin my cervix. Then we waited... my mom stayed the night in the hospital with me both the night before and the night after.
Garron walked into the hospital room, suction cupped his toothbrush right to the sink and informed us he wanted to stay the night at the hospital with me. My mom and I asked the nurse if this was allowed and she said it was fine. So mimi ran him a bath and he had a grand ol time in the hospital tub!
Monday morning they started my pitocin and by early afternoon I had my epidural. And I obviously felt good enough to be on the phone! LOL
From then on I was a little spacey... and drowsy. People were in and out of my room. ..
My mom got my sister Daphne and my cousin Angela on conference SKYPE which was AWESOME. I wasn't a super great hostess those as I was napping in between conversations! LOL As it turned out we were able to keep them on through the whole birth, which was amazing. Next best thing to them being able to be there. For some reason both Ben and I had the misconception that there would be a curtain covering my bottom half. While we were under that false assumption we told our boys jeremiah and garron they could Skype in too and then they would feel like they were a part. Unfortunately, we found out there was going to be no inhibitions in this delivery and certainly not one shred of modesty. So, they had to just wait in the waiting room until after Preston was born. :( we felt bad for them, but there wasn't anything we could do.
My husband was MOST AMAZING through the entire process, as was my mom! My sister in law Lisa was in there as well, she handled all the picture taking, and skype functions.
As I was having contractions (that I couldn't feel) the nurse came in. There was a problem... the babies heart rate was dropping. She turned of my pitocin, put an oxygen mask on me and made me lay on my opposite side. The whole time I was thinking, no big deal worst that can happen is an emergency C-section. Not the end of the world. Except then I started to see everyones face. My mom looked worried. Ben look terrified and the nurse (that is was finally made me tear up) looked un-nerved. Angela told me later that it was a good thing I couldn't see her's and Daph's faces cause they looked panicked and teary -eyed as well. That was all over soon enough and really the worst part of the entire thing.
So when I was finally dilated to a 10 the nurse began to have me push (while we waited for my doctor to get there). So much to Ben's surprise, not only was there no sheet to cover all the goings on (let me interject here, he is VERY Squeamish) but then the nurse made him hold my leg! LOL Not only did he not get to choose what he did or didn't see, he was recruited as an active member of the process. Poor thing.
So I pushed for about 30 min. and I know this sounds weird but that just flew by. Keep in mind I have had several months of horror stories about terrible labor, terrible delivery and so far I hadn't experienced any of it. The doc came in, chatted with us. Put on his scrubs and gloves. He told me to give him a really good push, and I did! He was almost surprised I did what he asked...he then told me to give him a gentle push. After those two pushes, just one more was needed and out came Preston!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The End is NEAR!
OMG! I can't believe it. Week 40.
So the plan is, if I don't go into natural labor before the weekend, I am scheduled to be induced on Monday January 10th.
Being so close to the end is bitter sweet. Who knew? I think sweet because I will finally get to memorize the face of my new little one, hear him cry and ultimately poor my love on him. Sweet because I know the discomfort and waddling will come to an end! Bitter because I feel like I missed the whole first half of my pregnancy, and part of me isn't ready to "not be pregnant" any more. I don't even feel like I got to take full advantage of being hormonal and unable to "do for myself"! LOL Ah well. Such is life.
This week has been a race against the clock. A race to get everything ready for when my mom gets in (Saturday Jan 8th). A race to finish the nursery before the baby is here. A race to sum everything up at work and pass it off for the next few weeks...it wears me out just thinking about it!
My sleep pattern has been way off this week too! I'm so tired after dinner I fall asleep or go to bed early ...really early like 8 or 8:30 but then I wake up in the middle of the night ...WIDE AWAKE! Then I am tired again about 5:30am when there is really not any time to sleep before having to be up and running. CRAZY!
We will know soon enough if time beats me in this race! I'll keep you posted.
So the plan is, if I don't go into natural labor before the weekend, I am scheduled to be induced on Monday January 10th.
Being so close to the end is bitter sweet. Who knew? I think sweet because I will finally get to memorize the face of my new little one, hear him cry and ultimately poor my love on him. Sweet because I know the discomfort and waddling will come to an end! Bitter because I feel like I missed the whole first half of my pregnancy, and part of me isn't ready to "not be pregnant" any more. I don't even feel like I got to take full advantage of being hormonal and unable to "do for myself"! LOL Ah well. Such is life.
This week has been a race against the clock. A race to get everything ready for when my mom gets in (Saturday Jan 8th). A race to finish the nursery before the baby is here. A race to sum everything up at work and pass it off for the next few weeks...it wears me out just thinking about it!
My sleep pattern has been way off this week too! I'm so tired after dinner I fall asleep or go to bed early ...really early like 8 or 8:30 but then I wake up in the middle of the night ...WIDE AWAKE! Then I am tired again about 5:30am when there is really not any time to sleep before having to be up and running. CRAZY!
We will know soon enough if time beats me in this race! I'll keep you posted.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Waddling on Sunshine...Oh Oh...
Well I feel like the waddle is in full swing... breathing is a little harder, movement is A LOT more, and we are 11 days and counting!!!
Well on our way to a new little addition.
We had a great Christmas...in Texas! What a fabulous time!!! I alway know how much my family means to me, but it seems like I appreciate them a whole lot more when it is months and months between being able to see them, and spend time with them.
My sister(s) threw me a surprise baby shower when I arrived...how cool is that?? What a treat!
We were able to shop, chill, play games (even though the men in our family cheat like DOGS!) and even had time to do family photos! I love being able to spend time reflecting on how our family has grown over the years. To see where we started, remembering those who have already gone on, and relishing the additions that have come our way!
This Ponder Christmas the sisters had Keith (the oldest grandchild) say a few words about family members that have gone on before while candles were lit in their memories. Since there is no other way for me to know my grandfather and for my kid's to know their grandfather...this was greatly appreciated!
We are home again and now that the new year is here we are dashing to finish the nursery! My husband has been SO wonderful to rip out carpet, lay flooring and paint! I can't wait to finish it up! I feel like I am in a scramble for a deadline that could be at any time. But I have to admit, that is part of the fun.
Of course while we were home with family they had their fingers crossed that Preston would come early and have the privilege of being Texas born. As it turns out...he is nestled snuggly in my rib cage and seems to be content there. Ben is getting so excited and is really ready to meet him. As a matter of fact all last night he asked if it was time! LOL No, not time. I reminded him my mom doesn't fly in until the 8th so I am happy for Preston to stay put at least until we pick her up from the airport!
I will sign off by saying this, I am truly BLESSED. I feel grateful everyday for all I have been given.
Well on our way to a new little addition.
We had a great Christmas...in Texas! What a fabulous time!!! I alway know how much my family means to me, but it seems like I appreciate them a whole lot more when it is months and months between being able to see them, and spend time with them.
My sister(s) threw me a surprise baby shower when I arrived...how cool is that?? What a treat!
We were able to shop, chill, play games (even though the men in our family cheat like DOGS!) and even had time to do family photos! I love being able to spend time reflecting on how our family has grown over the years. To see where we started, remembering those who have already gone on, and relishing the additions that have come our way!
This Ponder Christmas the sisters had Keith (the oldest grandchild) say a few words about family members that have gone on before while candles were lit in their memories. Since there is no other way for me to know my grandfather and for my kid's to know their grandfather...this was greatly appreciated!
We are home again and now that the new year is here we are dashing to finish the nursery! My husband has been SO wonderful to rip out carpet, lay flooring and paint! I can't wait to finish it up! I feel like I am in a scramble for a deadline that could be at any time. But I have to admit, that is part of the fun.
Of course while we were home with family they had their fingers crossed that Preston would come early and have the privilege of being Texas born. As it turns out...he is nestled snuggly in my rib cage and seems to be content there. Ben is getting so excited and is really ready to meet him. As a matter of fact all last night he asked if it was time! LOL No, not time. I reminded him my mom doesn't fly in until the 8th so I am happy for Preston to stay put at least until we pick her up from the airport!
I will sign off by saying this, I am truly BLESSED. I feel grateful everyday for all I have been given.
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