Baby #2 - He's Here! - Part One

You guys, so much has happened since my last post! All of it centered around our sweet little man, Beckett Matthew!

Born June 15 at 4:48pm
8lbs 14oz      21in
(No one can really agree on his length. Every document is different, anywhere from 20 - 21 ¾ in. 
I decided to just split the difference!)

I was scheduled to be induced at 40 weeks + 2 days. Apparently, when you're over a certain age, going full term is no bueno. But, since I was fit and had a healthy pregnancy, (and after seeking out a second opinion from another one of my doctors) I was allowed to go full term. I really didn't want to deal with induction, after hearing a lot of negative stories through the years. And even though so many of you guys shared your positive induction tales, I still was totally freaked out about it. I kinda felt like the kid would come when he was ready. 

The day before my induction, I had an appointment with an ultrasound, a non-stress test, and an exam. The ultrasound showed that baby boy was squished, but in great shape (and weighing in at around 8 ½ lbs), the non-stress test showed that his heart was strong, and my exam showed that although I had been progressing (yay for dilation!), he was in no rush to make his way into the world. But the PA said something during my exam that stuck with me...lots of women tend to go into labor in the 24 hours after an exam. Now, I can't be sure, but I swear she did something to help things along. Because 12 hours later, things got started.

By 1am, I started timing my contractions, and by 4am, I was waking Damon to head to the hospital. My contractions got intense quickly, but were wildly erratic. Some were 20 minutes apart, then I'd have a few that were less than a minute apart, then I'd just have one long continuous cramp. It made me nervous, so I just wanted to get to the hospital. By the time I made it into the birthing room, things were progressing, and the bag of pitocin just sat on the cart. I was in terrible pain, so by mid-morning, they called in the anesthesiologist, who got my epidural going. Although getting the epidural was a painful experience this time (mostly my fault as I was going through one of those extra long contractions at the time and just couldn't relax), I was so happy to have it, I could have kissed that doctor on the lips!
 I have always had pretty low blood pressure, and this time, it posed a tiny problem...After the epidural got going and they had me lay flat, I started feeling sick. I totally thought it was just my reflux, so I asked the nurse if I could sit up. Then I started feeling light headed and my ears were ringing. The nurse asked if I also was seeing stars, which I wasn't, but man, was the room spinning. She pushed some epinephrine into my iv and I instantly felt better. Turns out, the epidural caused my blood pressure to bottom out and I was a second away from completely passing out! The nurse said she'd never seen it happen so quickly! After that excitement, things settled down and were pretty routine. Damon and I spent the day watching HGTV while nurses popped in and out to check me and offer me popsicles. I was starving, by now it was lunchtime and I hadn't eaten since dinner the night before and all I could think about was grilled cheese sandwiches and fries. Not quite the same, but it would have to do...give me all. the. popsicles!!!
By the time Ellen was on at 3, baby boy was showing no signs of dropping, even after my doctor broke my water, so the nurse brought in Mr. Peanut - similar to one of those exercise balls, but peanut shaped...obvi. I had to lay on my side and throw one leg over the peanut. Totally ridiculous and unexpectedly comfortable. Wish I had taken a picture! I'm not sure how, but it worked...by the time the nurse returned to do a test push, I was ready for the real deal. Just like with Zoey, three contractions and pushes later...baby Beck was on my chest, all perfect and gross and covered in goo. Amazing!

Zoey came to meet Beck the next day, and was a little unsure at first. it didn't take long for her to slip into her role as big sis. She's totally smitten!

I wish I could say that we spent our time at the hospital staring at our beautiful boy and being taken care of by the nurses before we all went home together. That's only part truth (the nurses were all amazing!). I did finally get a grilled cheese that I inhaled in about three bites! But because of Beck's "large" size (which is ludicrous in my opinion), he had some issues with his blood sugar. I'll tell you now that he's totally fine, but there's definitely a story there. A story for another post.

Always such a grumpy face!

Baby #2 - 39-40 Weeks

Well, you guys, my due date has come and gone. And with it, most of my brain cells. Can you spot the mistake that took me a whole day to notice? Yep. I misspelled the word forty. I taught spelling and math for 11 years and misspelled forty. And walked past the chalkboard a hundred times (admiring my work each time, btw) before I picked up the mistake at around 9pm. And I'm way too over it to redo the board. So there ya go.

#babybrainisreal #iamanidiot

Anyway, baby brain aside, things have been pretty status quo around here. At my 39 week appointment, the word induction was sprung on me with a crazy urgency due to my age. I've been 40 for about 5 minutes, and this was the first I was hearing about the dangers of delivering after the due date when you are of advanced maternal age. My pregnancy has been pretty healthy and uneventful, with the exception of the diabetes "scare", so when words like "stillborn" and "failing placenta" get thrown around, you start to panic. Which I totally did. Induction was not on my to do list, having heard about horrible experiences from friends, but I was in a panic about what could maybe happen if I didn't let myself get hooked up to the Pitocin ASAP. But after speaking with the Hubs, my mom, and another OB from the practice, I was told it would be fine to wait another week to see if things got rolling on their own. They did not. Obviously. 

So today, I went in for my 40 week check, along with another ultrasound and a non-stress test. Everything with baby boy looks good, about 8lbs 10 oz (give or take), we even got a peek of him sucking his thumb. He certainly looks swished in there, but in no rush to make his way out. I'll spare you the dilation and effacement details, cuz...gross, but I will tell you that things are progressing, just not fast enough for this old broad. So tomorrow morning, we make our way to the hospital to begin the induction. Here's hoping it goes easily and quickly, but not so quickly that I can't get the epidural. Just cuz my body was made for this, doesn't mean I want to feel it. 

I'm definitely excited to meet our little man, but feeling a wee bit nervous for the whole induction process. Fear of the unknown and all that. Focusing on the positive...tomorrow we get to see that sweet face and become a family of four!!

Baby #2 - 37-38 Weeks

You guys, Baby Watch 2016 has officially begun! My mom arrived on Memorial Day to help out with Zoey and we really feel like it could be any day now. Which fills me with equal parts excitement and dread. So super ready to not be pregnant for one more minute, but not so sure I'm ready for life with two kids. Are you ever?

A couple of weeks ago, we had our final ultrasound, to assess the bambino's size. If you've been following along, you might remember that he was forecast to be huge at the time of delivery. I was consistently measuring 2-3 weeks ahead, and he was measuring in the 90th percentile at each ultrasound, estimating his weight to be a pound+ more than the average. There were even discussions of a c-section, which had me totally freaked out, cuz that meant he could weigh over 11 pounds! Holy moly! They even made me go through the diabetes testing again, mostly due to his gargantuan size. Well, at this last ultrasound, he weighed an estimated 6 ½ pounds - right smack in the 50th percentile. I also measured right on time. Not sure how or why, but he graciously slowed his roll, and at my appointment last week, the doctor estimated more like 8½  - 9 pounds. Big by some folks' standards, but tiny when you're fearing a 14 pound baby! We'll just have to wait and see.

How far along: 38 weeks

Maternity clothes: Oh ya! 

Sleep: Terrible lately. Just so uncomfortable these days.  

Best Moment: Finding out that the baby is a more normal size. The Hubs and I got a nice date nite this past week, thanks to Grammy JJ. A great dinner at Tupelo Honey (If you ever go, get the s'mores cake...you won't regret it!) and stroll around Town Center. Zo was sound asleep when we got home. It was perfection! 

Missing anything: Energy, comfort, and exercise. The ship has sailed on all three! 

Cravings: Strawberries, chocolate, peach Izze, fish tacos, strawberry lemonade, fresh strawberry ice cream from the farm stand...it's amazing!

Symptoms: I've lost the rings thanks to my sausage fingers. My feet and hands have been swelling a lot, but that could be due in part to the unseasonable heat here in VB. I'm definitely at the point where there isn't a part of my body that looks like it belongs to me. Also, the baby's watermelon head is putting a ton of pressure on the bottom of my belly. Zero fun. (complain, complain, complain!!!) If I had it to do again, I'd have invested is a support band.
Looking forward to: The next phase of this adventure. Every twinge and tingle I feel seems like it could be the start of things. It hasn't been. The waiting and the unknown are the worst!