6 weeks ago... part 2

After the initial shock wore off, we both started to laugh. I mean seriously, it is pretty awkward I'm not gonna lie. I quickly got dressed (as quickly as a 9 month pregnant lady in labor can) while Kurt gathered our things. We made sure we had everything before heading out the door to the hospital.

On the way we called our families who were pretty excited even though it was 10:30 at night. Kurt also called the hospital to let them know we were on our way.

The entire way to the hospital I had one contraction. It didn't even hurt but just felt like a Braxton Hicks contraction. Which made me a little nervous. I thought "oh great I am not even in labor they are gonna send me home." I even old Kurt that I was not in that much pain and they would probably send me home. He told me that we had to go in because my water broke. I agreed, but still thought I was not going to be admitted.

When we got to the hospital, we had to go through the ER entrance. I got some interesting looks as I waddled through the room. We made it to Labor and Delivery, which is rather a long walk from the ER. I was put in a room and told to undress.

A nurse came in to check me.. which by the way is one of the most painful things. I all but squirmed right off that bed.

She told me I was 4cm dilated, but my water didn't break. "oh great so I just have no control over my bladder." was my thought. Kurt and I were even joking about that on the way. Real funny.

We laughed and told the nurse that, but she said that come people have a forebag on the outside of their amniotic sac, which was probably what broke.

We are going to go with that... forebag NOT incontinence.. got it? good.

SO she left the room to talk to the dr. Again I told Kurt I thought we were going to be sent home. I have no idea why I was so convinced I was not in labor, maybe because the contractions really didn't hurt all that bad.

The nurse came back in with an armful of supplies. things to start an iv and such. I laughed nervously and she said.. "you're being admitted."

It was about 11pm now She asked me lots of different questions about my background and was joking that she was disappointed about how boring I was. She even said "ever had chlamydia? that would make you a party girl!" again, disappointment. She was so funny and I really liked her. It made me so much less nervous and anxious.

I told her that I might want an epidural but we were going to see how things went. She started my IV because to get an epidural you have to have fluids. I have never had so many things attached to my body in my life. monitors and IVs and a blood pressure cuff. It made going to the bathroom an interesting task. Since my water had not broken yet, they asked me if I wanted them to break it. I said no and wanted to wait a little longer to see what happened.

So we waited around and I was having regular contractions that were getting more intense, but nothing that I couldn't handle with a little breathing. My mom took a nap and Kurt tried to take a nap, but he was sitting in the chair next to me and I would squeeze his hand every couple of minutes. I can imagine that would make it hard to sleep.

They came in to check me again at around 3AM. I was 5 cm dilated. They again asked me if I would like them to break my water. I asked them if it would change my progression at all if they did. The dr said I would probably continue to progress the same. I figured why not.He broke my water at about 3:30- 3:45 AM. Very interesting experience.

The next contraction I had was the worst contraction ever. There was no more cushion to protect from the pain. I think I only made it through 2 maybe 3 contractions before I was telling Kurt I wanted an epidural and couldn't handle it anymore. He asked if I was sure, at the same time a very hard contractions hit. I was sure.

He called the nurse, who said she would be back to check on me at around 5:30 or 6. OR sooner if I needed anything. We told her I wanted an epidural and she said it would be 45 minute before I could get one. She offered me a general pain killer while I waited for the second bag of fluids to be pumped into me. I accepted the pain killer, fentinol. She said it would just take the edge off and that it would still hurt. All I could think was that anything was better than what I was feeling.

The nurse was nice and even put a pressure bag on the iv bag to make it go faster. The fentinol didn't' help much, but I guess I wouldn't know if it would have been worse without it. She came in every 5 minutes or so to pump more air into the pressure bag around the fluids.

About 20 minutes passed and she started to wheel in the equipment. I could feel the relief set in... that is until I felt something else.

I looked at the nurse setting up the machine and said, "I feel like I have to push!"

6 weeks ago...

I was in labor. wow

but before I go there, lets back-track a little further shall we?

Friday April 10th, I had a doctors appointment in which they told me some exciting news. This came as quite a shock considering I was only 37 weeks and 5 days along. But of course we were soooo excited to hear it. I had only had some minor cramping the day before and a few contractions.

I was still having contractions on Saturday and was starting to get excited and nervous. We packed our bags for the hospital and made sure everything was ready.

Sunday was Easter. We got up and went to sunrise service, which was amazing and beautiful. I was still feeling some cramping that morning, but was fine to go to church. I had contractions on and off all day on Sunday. It was very hard to hide it from my family. I didn't want anyone to make a big deal out of it just in case it was a false alarm. I mean after all, I was 2 weeks early. That just doesn't happen often for first pregnancies.

My contractions were coming every five minutes apart and lasting about 30 seconds. But I would only have them for about 30 minutes and then they would stop for a few hours. This happened all day and all night for the most part. VERY frustrating.

I had a few more contractions on Monday the 13th, but by the afternoon, they had almost completely stopped. I was mostly just uncomfortable all day.

I was so discouraged and disappointed. Which was silly because, again I was 2 weeks early.

When Kurt got home from work, I was tired so tired. I was sad because I was not in labor, feeling a little silly because I thought I WOULD be in labor at only 38 weeks, and tired because I didn't sleep the night before and was to uncomfortable to take a nap during the day.

At about 8:30, I started having contractions again. We were timing them and again, they were every 5 minutes apart and lasting the same as they had before.

This time, they were getting stronger and I was having to breathe through them a little. But they were not HORRIBLE like people described. So we timed and and hour went by.

I was still having them... I thought this might be it. If any case we could at least go to the hospital and get checked to see if I WAS in labor. But we decided to wait it out a little longer.

I had previously decided that I wanted to labor at home and be comfortable as long as possible. So we went for a little walk around the neighborhood. After the walk, I decided I wanted to take a shower because my back was hurting.

It was about 10pm when I got out of the shower, I was about the get dressed when it happened...

My water broke.. a slow little trickle.

Oh crap.. this is it! was all I could think.. Kurt and I stood there staring at each other for a second.

Nothing better...

There is nothing better in the world than this. This was after her first doctor's appointment when she was just a few days old.

Now my baby is fast approaching one month and it just seems like she was born yesterday (although it no longer feels like it. Thank God!)


I promise I am working on her birth story because well.. if this amazing gal can do it just days after having her baby.. I can do it within the month. ;)

Big Sister

Zoe has the best sig sister ever.

Daisy.

She has claimed Zoe as her own and always makes sure she is ok and will watch her.
When we come home. Daisy is right there waiting to sniff her baby just to make sure.

The other night, Kurt's parents and aunt were over. Zoe was hungry and as I was feeding her, Daisy had to make sure I was doing it right. She after all is a professional. She had 4 puppies almost 2 years ago.

Then when it was grandpa's (or crap-pa as Aubrey so affectionately calls him. ;) ) turn to hold Zoe, Daisy had to make sure he was doing it properly. She loves her baby and has to be certain she is being well taken care of.

Finally Aunt Patti got her turn for some baby snuggling. And who do you think was there supervising.

Now she is not aggressive or mean in any way. She just likes to observe to see what you are doing to HER baby. When Zoe cries, Daisy is right there to look at her and see what is going on. It is so cute. Daisy sleeps in our bed, and the bassinet/Pack N Play is pushed up next to our bed. During the first few days, everytime Zoe would cry or make a peep, Daisy would get up and peek into the bassinet to see what was wrong.

She loves her little sister and is the best supervisor.

Just know that if you come over and want to hold her baby.. you will be watched and possibly judged.. who knows. :)

Happy Due Date!

Today was my due date. It seems surreal that I was still supposed to be pregnant. I know that I am so lucky and truly blessed that my sweet baby girl came early.

We have been loving every minute of this squishy little face. She is just so sweet.

This was taken last week when she wasn't feeling great because of jaundice.

This makes my heart melt. Kurt has been the best daddy. He has been waiting on me and at my beckon call ever since we got home. He gets up and changes diapers in the middle of the night because I was not able to get up and down very well.

This is my sweet little baby girl right now. This is who she is and what she does all day and pretty much all night. She sleeps at least one four hour stretch at night. Praise God! She gets a little fussy when she is hungry or needs to be changed. She loves to be swaddled, but also loves her hands by her face and on her head. We are truly blessed with such a good, sweet baby. We love her so much already. It is amazing hoe much you can love someone so much that you did not know two weeks ago even two hours ago. I was in love with her sweet face from the moment I saw her. Those lips and cheeks are edible!

Last but not least.. a belly pic! What would a due date post be without one right? There still is a little belly there, so this still qualifies... right?

My oh my...

What a week this has been. It is so hard to believe that my little baby is almost a week old. We have been so busy and are still trying to adjust. This week has been a whirlwind of visitors, doctor visits, a fight with jaundice, blood tests and trying to get enough sleep to function during the day. :) I will fillyou all in very soon.

Zoe is the best little baby in the world. She is so sweet and loves to cuddle.. which is nice because so does her mommy.

I still have so much to catch up on. I have school work that I was planning on getting ahead in before she came but that did not get done and now I am behind. She was a little earlier than I expected, but I am so happy she is here and am loving every minute of it. (even the late night feedings)

I have so many pictures and things that I want to post and fill you in on.. but I am still adjusting and trying to catch up but still rest and recover.

I am still here and check in sometimes.. but I will post lots when I find the time and have all my schoolwork caught up.

Zoe Adalyn Thompson

made her debut at 4:56am. She was 7 lbs even and 19 1/2 inches. Alisha was AMAZING and had a natural birth! WOW! I'll let her share all the details, but in the meantime I'll give you what you've all been waiting for....PICTURES!

She's pretty much the sweetest little thing around! This Auntie is already smitten and can't wait to go shopping!