2 Days Old

Lettie had her first pediatric appointment today. She has now lost 9 oz since birth which is completely normally especially for a breastfed baby because my milk hasn't come in yet. Our first night at home was a little rough, as everyone says, which it's no wonder because she is hungry and I'm only producing colostrum right now. 

Her measurements:

Height: 20 in = 76th percentile

Weight: 6 lb 13 oz = 33rd percentile

Head Circumference: 13 in = 19th percentile

Lettie Charlotte Taylor

The moment I saw her, I was instantly in love and I still am thanking God for giving her to me! She is just perfect in every way!  Here are a few pictures from the hospital...

We were actually discharged a little over 24 hours after delivery and it was wonderful! We are so excited to go home with our family of three!!! :) 

Labor

I was a Cytotec induction. Cytotec is a medication that is used prior to Pitocin and it ripens the cervix, or prepares it for labor by softening it. The plan was to do 3 doses of Cytotec every four hours and then after that Pitocin would be started.  Every once in a while medications like Cytotec will put someone into labor and that is exactly what it did to me. I only got two doses of the Cytotec because my contractions were every two to three minutes apart, I was making cervical change and I was getting uncomfortable with my contractions. 

I did one dose of IV pain medication and got up on the birthing ball to try to get through the contractions but it was around 3:30 am that I went ahead and got an epidural. Isaac was amazing while I was so uncomfortable and did a great job in coaching me and keeping me calm during my contractions, he even massaged my back while I was on the birthing ball! The epidural actually had to get replaced because I only got relief on my right side but the anesthesiologist was amazing and quick so it really wasn't a bad experience and once he replaced it, I got complete relief and even got some sleep!

It was then 6:00 am and I was 4 cm so we went ahead and texted the family to give them an update. Shortly after that Dr. Dameron came in to check my cervix and my water broke as she was doing the exam and I was 6-7cm. Shortly after that I started feeling intense pressure and asked to be checked again and I was complete, 10 cm! My epidural got dosed, giving me some relief because at this point I had the urge to push and we were waiting on Dr. Dameron. I started pushing at 9:15 and Miss Lettie Charlotte Taylor was born at 9:33 am. Weighing 7 lb 6 oz and 21 in long!

I still can't believe the labor that I had and I am so happy I was able to experience it. I know that a lot of people may not understand that but all I wanted was to get the chance to experience contractions and get the opportunity to push. I just wanted my body to respond appropriately and have a vaginal delivery!

The Face Says It All

Well I am 41 weeks :/ and still only dilated to a fingertip. Although lil miss is still looking great so I am very thankful for that! I am definitely ready to get this show on the road! 

Little did I know a couple hours after I took this picture I would wake up around midnight with the flu :( At first I was thinking "oh great" I'm going to be one of those women who's labor starts with flu symptoms (I'll spare you the details) but after 7 hours of running to the bathroom and not keeping anything down and no painful contractions I came to the conclusion that it was indeed just the flu. My nephew Clayton had been sick on Christmas so I am assuming I got a lil bug from him. 

So on to the hospital I went, about 12 hours prior to my scheduled induction. I was feeling pretty miserable at this point and was getting concerned about how dehydrated I was getting. So they started an IV to get me hydrated and also gave me Zofran, which is an antiemetic. I did start feeling much better after that, thank goodness! They went ahead and moved me into a labor room and I just hung out all day until 6pm, when my induction was scheduled to start. My doctor had been out of town and her flight actually got delayed from the day before so we couldn't start it any earlier and honestly I was feeling so crummy the rest and hydration I got prior to the induction was much needed! 

40 weeks 4 days

Well, I'm still hanging in there but these last four days have definitely been long and tiresome! I went to the doctor again and no news to report. I also got a NST, which means non-stress test. Since I am over 40 weeks they automatically do one to make sure there is no indications to induce. Baby girls heart rate looked great and had all the criteria she needed to come off the monitor after 20 minutes. 

So the new plan... Induction at 41 weeks 1 day. At that point I will be considered a medical induction due to my gestation. Come Sunday Lil Miss will have gotten all the time she needs to grow and develop and she will get her eviction notice! 

40 Weeks

Today is my due date! Where has the time gone? I have been in the mindset that I would go over my due date and that reality is here! 

Yes, I am uncomfortable. Yes, I am ready to meet my daughter. Yes, I am huge! 

Even though I feel all of these things, I will let her cook a little longer and give her some time to come on her own! 

No change in my cervix again this week but I did get a sono to check for position and fluid and make sure there is no reason to induce prior to 41 weeks and sure enough everything looked great! My placenta is starting to calcify (showing its getting old) but that is to be expected at my gestation. 

Isaac was able to go with me today so that made the appointment that much more fun, plus we were able to get a pretty good look at her chubby little face! It looks like she has some big ole cheeks and some nice big kissable lips (aka Brand lips)! 

39 Weeks

Another week, another doctors appointment and no change! Baby girl is comfy in there so there she will stay! 

Change

It goes without saying that our weekends have changed since becoming pregnant and honestly I have been loving it. I have always wanted to be a mom. I was that weird kid who always loved babies and not just holding them but truly interested in what they were doing and why they were doing it. I am just so grateful that I have now been given the opportunity to be a mom and I just pray for a safe and healthy delivery!  

The days are definitely numbered of us being a family of two and I am trying to enjoy these days because as so many people have kindly reminded me, "my world is about to change forever!" This weekend Isaac and I did a lot of laying around, cooking, putting together the last couple baby things we had in boxes and truly just enjoying each others company! Even though Isaac is gone traveling for work 4-5 days a week, he does such a good job of truly being at home when he gets his home time. Sometimes I feel like we are the couple that is never apart, but our lives are so different from other peoples. I only get to see my husband on the weekends so that is our time together and I am just thankful that I have a husband who puts that effort in to make our crazy world work. New challenges are only coming our way but I am so excited to be in it with him! :) 

37 Weeks 6 Days

Another doctors appointment today, baby girls heart rate is coming down into the 130's which is to be expected and my belly is measuring back on track. The unfortunate news is that I am still only dilated to a fingertip. I was hoping I would be more because I have been feeling some contractions this week but apparently baby T is pretty comfy in there! :) Dr Dameron assured me she would be seeing me next week at my appointment!

Isaac and I went out to dinner to Medici's with Brooke & Blake to night. It was delicious as usual and so nice to have a night with them before the baby comes! I have been told my entire pregnancy that I am not very big, but it must be told that when going to dinner tonite we were sat in a booth and I had to switch sides because my belly was hitting the table! Epic pregnancy fail! :/