The Arrival of...

Carter Shane Darling, 9lbs 3.2oz, 21" long! He's as cute as can be and we are so in love! Everything went well! We came in at 6pm last night and started cervidil, I had contractions all night long and didn't sleep at all. I felt really sick this morning, nauseous and shaky...eventually that subsided. They were worried about my blood pressure - it was all over the place. It calmed down after a while, however they had to take blood and check some things to make sure I was ok. After all that chaos, they started the pitocin and that started working fairly quickly. I decided to try the epidural, after talking with Brian and the nurse and even the amazing anesthesologist who really calmed me down, and it WORKED!!! For the first time I had a great epidural. Brian and I were able to rest for about 2 hours, then things got nuts. The nurse had checked me and I was at a 7, they were going to put in an internal monitor for contractions because the regular monitor wasn't picking anything up, so she went to go talk to the in charge nurse and call the Doc...when she left the room, Carter decided it was time to come out! I had intense pain and had to push...so Brian pushed the nurse button and there was no response, he then hit the emergency button and again no response! At this point he went out into the hallway, saw the nurses standing there - our nurse and the in charge nurse who was talking to our Doc, and he clapped really loud...it was kinda funny. They came running down and the doc was up in our room about 2 minutes later...3 contractions and a lot of hard work and out he came :). He was our runt of the bunch weighing 0.6oz less than Evan. It was a very rapid delivery, but went very well. That's about it :). He is here!!! =) Yay!

We're in the Hospital and we have Internet

Quick update - we're at the hospital. We got here about 6-ish tonight, got monitored for about an hour. Then the nurse put in the cervidil and I had to lay on my side for 2 hours. When we got here I was still on dilated to a 1-2...they won't probably check now until morning - when they take the cervidil out. However, my contractions have picked up some which is good...hopefully these ones are doing something! Bring it on!!! They have to keep me hooked up to the monitors all night, which is kind of a bummer. I'm sure I'll get all tangled up a hundred times ;-). Hopefully in the morning I'll be dilated more than a 1-2, otherwise it's going to be a LONG day tomorrow. We will try to keep updating as much as possible with what's going on. It's really fun to have internet here!

Maybe Baby???

The OB department from L&D called and said they spoke to our Doc. He gave us 2 options...we can come in at 5pm and get the gel and then go home...or we can come in at 6pm, get cervidil, stay overnight and start pitocin in the morning. We're going in at 6pm. Hopefully they won't call back and end up telling us there's no room at the inn! I feel like that'd be our luck right now. I've been still having contractions, and I'm so ready. The contractions actually have been pretty good this morning, and I've been really nauseated, so I think things are definitely getting ready. Mother nature just likes to take her sweet time with me. I'm hoping the cervidil tonight will kick things into high gear and I won't need the pitocin, but who am I kidding?! I can hope right??? Well, let's hope for a successful induction and a safe healthy delivery for our new son! Hopefully we'll be meeting him by tomorrow! We'll do our best to keep everyone posted.

Another Biggin'

Our ultrasound went well this morning. Baby looks good and is approximately 9 lbs give or take 1 lb (yikes). I spoke with the Doctor this morning after the ultrasound, and he said he will call labor and delivery and try to get me in tomorrow to get a 'gel' thing done. So I have to call at 12noon and hope to go in about 1pm. He's hoping the gel treatment will be enough to get things going. Otherwise I'll probably be heading home and trying again another day. I sure hope that's not the case! He seemed pretty confident it'll do the trick, and I really hope he's right. I guess we'll see what happens. Wish us luck!!!

Hmmm....

I called the Doc's office with a little preggo concern - everything is perfectly fine...but...

The Doctor forgot he was going out of town next weekend for the 4th and he wanted to schedule an ultrasound for us to see how big our little guy is - the ultrasound is tomorrow morning. Depending on the verdict of the size, we 'may' be induced this weekend sometime or early next week. Our Doc wants to deliver our baby - that's how he rolls! I'm excited for the ultrasound - I'm taking my Mom with me. Evan has his last t-ball in the morning and we really don't want to miss it - so my Dad is going to go with Brian and the boys to t-ball. That'll be a good 'boy' outing. My Mom seems pretty excited, she's never seen an ultrasound before, except for our pictures. It should be interesting and I guess we'll keep everyone posted...pray for us that we don't have a 12 pounder cookin' in there!

It's kind of interesting how things took a a little turn!

Ugh

I seriously can't handle this anymore. These contractions are driving me crazy. The kids are driving me crazy. The pain I'm in is driving me crazy. How much longer do I have to go through this?! I know it'll be soon and happen before we know it...but I'm getting worried. I'm freaking out about the size of him, I'm freaking out that last night he was moving for 3 HOURS and wouldn't stop and it was so unbelievably painful, and I felt him 'shake' weird. I'm worried he's stressed in there and my body's not responding. I'm worried about his health. I just have this 'feeling' he needs to come out NOW, and I'm honestly not just saying that. This is killing me, but nobody will do anything. WHY!?!?! ARGH!!! I just want to cry. I have never been more frustrated in my entire life.

To try...or not to try...that is the question.

Castor oil. Do I do it? Do I not do it? Hmmm.... I am starting to get very desperate. I am afraid of my hormones...and the sake of my family ;-). I just almost took out the hose and sprinkler in the backyard. How tight does it really have to be?! And why was the hose on?! Can you imagine my fury when I couldn't get the hose untightened from the sprinkler and I got sprayed like crazy?! I was throwing around f'enheimers like they were going out of style! Seriously, I'm going to lose it. I really think I am. Ok, I won't. But honestly, these retarded contractions are getting on my last nerve. Especially when I know they're not doing anything except bugging me. I'm getting pushed to the max over here...and I can't do it anymore! ARGH!!! Maybe I should lay down.

Ya know, I've been reading all my complaints in the past couple days...and I am sorry to anyone who is actually reading these. I'm such a whiner. And what's funny is that VERY SOON I'll be looking back on these blogs and I'll have a baby in my arms and 2 toddlers running around! I know it'll be here soon and yadda yadda yadda...but oofta, it's hard right now! What's it going to be like with a 4 1/2 year old, a 2 year old and a newborn??? Hmmm...maybe I shouldn't be in such a hurry for delivery...even though I'm miserable :).

I'm really starting to freak out about baby's size. About a month ago, I had an ultrasound that said he was 6-7 lbs already. I'm measuring right on, but that doesn't really mean a lot, does it?! This is nuts. Can you tell my hormones are psycho?!?

Doc appt update

We went to the doc this morning, and unfortunately...THE BABY IS STILL IN THERE! Ugh. He felt really bad about our experience last night, but said to 'hang in there'. Yeah yeah. He said there's risks with inducing when it's not necessary and obviously we don't want to take any risks that are unnecessary. So it's the waiting game. I'm still having contractions and I feel really icky. The doc said he really thinks I'm in early labor and it's just taking it's jolly sweet time. Yipee freakin' yay. Anywho, the baby sounds wonderful which is great and very reassuring, I'm still dilated to a 1...maybe 2-ish. However, I think the doc just said that to keep me sane :). He stripped my membranes, so hopefully that'll help with some progress. He did mention that for me, it may be really hard to tell if I'm in active labor or not, since I was induced with both boys. He said we did the right thing by going in, and that it may happen again but to not get discouraged. This baby will eventually come out! It's just so hard to take care of the boys and everything else. Plus the pain is getting to a point of being almost excruciating. Ugh!!! Oh well. I feel really stupid too, I started bawling in the doc's office today...stupid hormones. I need a drink...or 7.

Only 1

I am so pissed right now. I've been having contractions since 4:45pm Tuesday. We went into labor and delivery and sure enough, baby is good and contractions are good. I was only dilated to a 1, so the nurse had me walk the halls and take a tubby. After an hour of that, still only a 1. So the nurse talked to the 'in-charge' nurse and the doctor who was on call for my doctor, and they frickin' sent me home. Still contracting and completely miserable. I see my doc at 11:15...later today...and boy is he going to get an ear full. It's 3:02am, and I'm still having strong contractions and all that other crap that goes along with labor. I know for a fact that if they spoke with MY doctor, he would have kept me and started induction. GRRR!!!! Ugh, whatever. They gave me some stupid ass visterol or something to relax me so I can 'sleep'. Right. This sucks. My poor parents came down and were going to stay, my Dad was asleep already and he has to go to work at 4am. Nice. I feel horrible. I could just rip someone's head off. Well, I suppose I should try to go to sleep or something. ARGH!!!

Update

Went to my 38 week appointment today. Nothing too exciting. I am measuring right on, which is really weird for me. With my history with the boys I was always measuring really big. I'm also about 1-2 cm dialated. So at least there's a 'little' progress, but I sure wish there was more. I'm in SO much pain, it's ridiculous. I can hardly walk today. Needless to say, the Doc said 'see ya in a week'. Ugh, I don't know if I can handle another week if I feel like this!

Tomorrow we are headed to the chiropractor to get some acupressure massage and possibly acupuncture to help jumpstart labor a bit. I'm at least hoping for some good contractions to get a bit more progress going. I'm happy that this pregnancy has been 'normal', because I've never had one of those...but at the same time, it's kind of hard because with the boys I was induced early, so the anticipation is crazy. What will happen? Will I all of a sudden be measuring gigantic? Will I go into natural labor? The Doc said the baby is definitely engaged and ready...so that was really good news. Oh well, hopefully my pain will at least subside for a while so I can get through! Taking care of the boys has never been so difficult.

That's about it, otherwise same old. We're still adjusting to hubby's new 'diet'. It seems to be going pretty well. Yep.

Until next time...

The nerve...

The baby found a new nerve a couple weeks ago, and it has been putting me in so much pain :(. Every time he moves he hits it and if I'm standing it almost makes me fall right to the floor. Yesterday was a very painful day...my lower back hurt so much I could hardly walk. This little guy can make his appearance ANY TIME! I think I'm definitely getting to the point of being 'ready'. My next appointment is Wednesday, hopefully I'll have some progress this time. We had a very busy weekend and took a handful of good walks. I just finished an entire fresh pineapple...maybe I should move onto spicy foods :). I even considered castor oil this morning, but I certainly don't think I want to tackle that. Ish!

I'm starting to get really excited to meet our new little man, but I'm also nervous about who's going to be helping with our other little men! I don't know why I worry so much...I just worry about their safety and health so much. Plus with all the responsibility, and our dog and the cats, the house...I feel guilty asking for help. I know I shouldn't feel guilty, but I do. This has gotta be stupid hormones...right?! Ugh. Well, I'm going to lay down now. I'm too tired to think anymore.

Good News and blah news

Brian had his appointment today with the Dr. who practices homeopathy and it went really well! It was our next step in trying to conquer the headache. He has a huge list of food sensitivities and other things to do. He said the appointment was weird but he sounds confident it'll help. I wish I could have been there! He had to touch a vile with his left hand, and he had his right hand raised in the air. He was supposed to 'stop' the doctor from pushing his arm down when he touched each vile. She was barely pushing on him, and when he would touch certain viles, his arm would fall. Those viles were the viles where he has food sensitivity. Crazy. So we will see...

Then I had my 37 week appointment today, and nothing has changed. The baby is low, which is great. His heartbeat is around 140/150 and I'm measuring 38.5 weeks. So I am much smaller this time around than I was with the boys! My next appointment is next Wednesday...so we will see what happens then. If I'm starting to measure really big we will then talk about induction. Other than that we're just playing it all by ear right now, which is actually kind of nice! Who know's what'll happen and I'm kind of liking that. It could be any day, or it could be 2 weeks! We shall see... :) My only major bummer is that my cervix hasn't done anything yet...I'm still a finger-tip dialated and it's still way up there. With the boys, I was usually effaced almost completely by now and at least 2 centimeters...although I know at this point that doesn't mean much! But I at least like a little progress! Oh well.

Until next time...

Spoiled =)

My hubby spoils me so much. He surprised me by taking me to The Calla Lily in Afton on Friday night. It was incredible!!! It's a spa and retreat place...wow, we got spoiled! Grammy came down to watch the boys and we headed out about 2:00 to our destination - that I had no idea about! We got there and I was shocked...and super excited! We both had treatments done in our private 'apartment' and it was so great! I had a mini-facial (I've never had one, and I'm sure I could become addicted), an aromatherapy scalp massage and a reflexology foot massage. Hubby had a gentleman's package that he really enjoyed...although he absolutely LOVED the aromatherapy scalp massage, it really helped his headache. Then we had a couples massage that evening and it was so wonderful. I honestly don't think I've seen Brian that relaxed since high school. When our massage was done, we headed out to dinner and then to Ruby Begonia's Lounge in Stillwater. It was such a wonderful night away, and I wish so much we could do stuff like that more often!

Then reality came back to us - we had to wake up early in the morning, get ready and head back home to take Evan to his first t-ball practice! It was fun though, but man, when reality strikes back, it's brutal! Oh well, we sure enjoyed our night away and hope to do it again some day!

Doc appointment update

I had my 36 week today, and my 37 week is scheduled for next Wednesday. Ugh. This last month is rough. Anywhoobie, I'm measuring 37 to 38 weeks - so that's good, the baby sounds great, and I'm a 'finger-tip' dialated. Nothing too exciting going on...which kind of blows my mind considering all the cramping and contractions I've been having. Oh well. Next week we'll be discussing 'induction'. Ugh. I am still hoping and praying that I go into labor on my own. Even the Doc is bummed about having to get me induced - I guess the staff in labor and delivery are not cooperative with elective inductions. So he said he'll have to fight for me and get some other docs to back him up because of my history. He said it really makes him mad. I feel bad, that sucks. But he doesn't want me delivering a 10lb + baby...he's worried it wouldn't 'fit'. Which obviously, if I go full term, this guy will be at least 10lbs! I'm sure I could handle it, but there's other risks he doesn't to take, and I'm on the same boat. Early induction is best for me...I guess. It just sucks. Let's hope something 'exciting' will start happening and I won't have to be induced!!! Any tips and/or suggestions are welcome...

Nesting?!

Typically every morning, I have so much energy, especially lately. Which I find very odd considering I don't sleep well at all and I have this huge bowling ball in my stomach! It seems though, that mornings are my time to get things done...which is great. There's still so much to do before baby comes, I wish my energy could last all day so I could actually get some of the things done.

I ran to Target this morning with the hoodlums and they were so good. Then I bravely took them to Applebee's where they also did well, except we waited about 15 minutes for the waitress to run our card and we were all getting a bit impatient! It's not like I was in a big hurry, but when you have a rowdy 2 year old and 4 1/2 year old that wants to go, it tests my patience!

We had a very busy and fun weekend, and as lame as I am, I'm kind of glad it's Monday to get back into the swing of routine.

On the baby front - I'm hoping that he will 'drop' soon! He is still high. My next check up is Wednesday and the Doc will be checking me...ick. I've also tested group B strep positive, which totally sucks. I was tested twice when I was in labor and delivery being monitored for other issues, which was around 25 and 28 weeks. I wonder if he'll test again...I'm kind of worried about it. I never had it with either of the boys, and I've been reading stuff about if it's found in urine, you need to take an antibiotic during the last few weeks of pregnancy (which at one point, they did find it in my urine). If the baby gets it it can be fatal...and blah blah blah. It freaks me out. I really should just not worry, huh?! I know it's very common and many women have had it, but this pregnancy has had it's weird quirks and that's definitely not another extra thing I want to have to deal with.

This weekend should be fun - Brian is 'surprising' me on Friday with an overnight! I have no idea what's going on or what we're doing, but apparently we have to be somewhere on Friday at 3pm and then we'll be spending the night somewhere. I'm confused and nervous, but also very excited to get a night away! Then Evan starts t-ball on Saturday morning!!! I'm super excited for that, he'll have a blast. Then we have another grad party and a birthday party Saturday evening, and something going on Sunday too...but of course I cannot remember.

All this June stuff is crazy...our anniversary is also coming up on the 15th, which unfortunately is Father's Day...didn't quite put that one together when we were planning the wedding! But that day will be all about Daddy, he deserves it after all he's been through! The same weekend is Strawberry Fest here in ye ole' Cottage Grove - which we're excited about. The parade is so much fun and Cottage Grove does a really great job with everything. The kids will be so excited for the parade, I can't wait to see their faces again this year light up with all the excitement. Then the baby's arrival...who know's when that'll be!!! Hopefully sooner than later...but give me enough time to get things done :)

Ok, that's enough mumble jumble...until next time...