Lily Update

Lily is one month old! (Can you believe it?) She's doing great. At the doctor today, she weighed 9 lbs. 15.5 oz and is 22 inches.

This month, we have been doing lots of adjusting -- no big surprise there. I knew having a newborn would be difficult, and even though she's a pretty easy baby, getting to know each other has been trying. Breastfeeding has been a bit of a struggle, but Lily is thriving. She sleeps all night, except when she wakes to feed, though we're working to get her on a nap schedule. The biggest thing we learned this month is how easily she can get thrown out of whack if our schedule gets hairy. After visits from both of my parents, we're working on putting her on sleep schedule.

[ I'm hoping to update this more than once a month, but right now that's determined by when I can get time on the computer. Sleep is a bit more important. But I've been trying to get pictures up on Flickr every other day or so, so check there for how Lily is growing and changing! ]

Special Delivery

No surprise that mommyhood is quite the adjustment. Lily has been what some would call an easy baby so far. She goes to sleep without a lot of fussing, eats heartily, and is generally adorable. But recovering from having a baby is harder than I thought. My body was just totally ravaged by her birth (what mother's isn't), and thankfully my mom was visiting during Lily's first week to help out and give me time to rest and recuperate.

Here is the story of Lily's birth:

Once I went past my due date, my doctor scheduled me for an induction on Wednesday, April 29. I spent the weekend and the first half of the week fretting over being induced and wanting the baby to come on her own. She didn't. I lost my mucous plug over the weekend and was sure that my body was making progress for the birth. So, after much discussion, Adam and I went to the doctor's office on Wednesday planning to refuse the induction. I told my doctor that I wasn't ready and wanted another week. Surprisingly, he didn't push the induction and gave us until Tuesday, May 5 -- two weeks past my due date. Unfortunately, he was going to be out of town through the weekend, so if I had the baby after Friday, another doctor would deliver. Before we left, I asked him to strip my membranes, a procedure I'd read about that could potentially spur on labor.

That night (technically, the next morning), my labor started at 2:30. I spent most of the night laying on the couch trying to rest before waking Adam up at 6:45. I was going a bit stir crazy, so we decided to go grocery shopping. We came home, timed my contractions, and rested. I was contracting every five minutes for 30 seconds to a minute, not enough to warrant going to the hospital. Around noon, a nurse from my doctor's office called. I told her I was in labor, and she asked if I could come in around 1:30. We took the dog to a friend's house, ate lunch, and headed to the doctor. I was 3 cm. dilated when my doctor checked me, and he wanted me to be admitted to the hospital where he would break my water. I was a little upset by this because I wanted to labor at home as long as I could and not be augmented any further, but Adam and I headed to the maternity ward and I was checked in around 3.

At about 4:30, he broke my water, which hurt a lot and made my contractions really intense. At 7, I was only 4 cm. dilated, and my doctor decided to put me on pitocin. I was also in terrible pain, and after a lengthy conversation with a lot of tears, I decided to get an epidural. The epidural was light enough that I could still wiggle my toes, but it took away most of the pain -- I was even able to sleep from 11 to 12:30.

At 1 o'clock Friday morning, my nurse told me that it was getting to be time to push. She called the doctor, and at 1:18 I started pushing. When the baby's head was out, they had to suction her because of some meconium that had seeped into the amniotic fluid. Then the doctor had me laugh to push the rest of her body out (something new he was doing with his deliveries), and with a few hearty laughs, Lily was born at 1:55 a.m. Adam announced that it was a girl, and I started bawling my eyes out.

The nursery nurse cleaned her up, and weighed and measured her while I was stitched up for the tear that occured when Lily came out. We were able to bond and breastfeed within minutes. Then she was given her first bath, and we finally got to bed around 4:30.

So, I didn't get my natural birth. But I wasn't induced either. And my doctor was there for the delivery, not a strange doctor I'd never met. I think back to the whole thing and wish that I had had more time to stay home and labor, but I trust that this was God's plan. Either way, I get to be a mommy to a healthy little girl, a job that's kicking my butt already but is worth its weight in baby gazing.

Presenting Lily Madalyn

Well, she's here!

After 23.5 hours of labor, Lily Madalyn Crandall was born May 1 at 1:55 a.m. She weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz and was 21 inches long. It's been a whirlwind, but I can't believe how much I love her or how amazing this whole experience has been so far. I will write her birth story soon, when I get a chance to rest and recuperate, and we establish a bit more of a routine.

Check out pictures of our peanut here.

My Due Date

[ 40 weeks ]

Today's the due date, but it doesn't look like the baby will be born today. Adam and I sure are ready, though. We're hoping the baby comes before next Tuesday so I don't have to be induced.

Expect an update as soon as we have news!

Five Days Left (Or So)

[ 39w2d ]

Nope, no baby yet. I'm even not dilated more than a fingertip. I went to the doctor today and ended up getting an ultrasound to check my fluid. Everything is still in tact, and it was neat to see the baby's little face. The ultrasound tech estimated that the baby weighs 8 pounds 4 ounces, but she said that could be off by a pound either way.

So, I'm still happily pregnant. I've been feeling well, not very uncomfortable and able to stay busy. I've been relaxing and napping a lot, getting a few things done around the house and trying to stay on top of laundry, shopping, etc. I've also been spending a lot of time stretching, doing a bit of yoga, and walking. Hopefully that will help during labor.

I'm guessing I'll still be pregnant in a week, but only time will tell.

Two Weeks To Go

We got our maternity photos today and I uploaded them to Flickr, so go take a look. They were taken just shy of 37 weeks.

My doctor's appointment this week was uneventful. No dilation. No weight gain. Still measuring on track. Busy baby. The doctor said he thinks I'll have this baby right around the due date. That's two weeks from tomorrow. Two weeks!

Tonight, I am going to a breastfeeding class at the hospital and tomorrow is an infant CPR class. Wednesday is my last day of work before going on leave, and by then I'm sure I'll be tired. I'm looking forward to having some time to relax before the baby gets here.

Three Weeks To Go

I took a new photograph on Friday that I planned to post here, then Friday evening pushed power on our camera and it won't turn on. We've been having problems with it, which we're hoping are a quick and cheap fix, but we might be in the market for a new camera. And soon! With the baby coming, now is not the time to be camera-less.

We did get maternity photographs taken this weekend. A coworker has a photography business on the side, so she took a few shots of Adam and me yesterday. Hopefully, I'll have those by the end of the week and will post them when I do.

We have found our pediatrician, which I'm so excited about. He is wonderful and warm and answered lots and lots of our questions. With him, we can follow a modified vaccination schedule (a la Dr. Sears), something that was a deal maker/breaker for us. And his office is right next to the hospital where I'm delivering, which is less than five minutes from our house.

I had an appointment on Friday and I'm now in the one appointment a week routine. Everything still looks good, but I haven't started dilating yet.

We installed the car seat this weekend, and I have my hospital bagged "packed" (piled on the dining room table).

I also finally bought a baby carrier this weekend, the Moby Wrap. I opted for a wrap instead of a sling because I figured it would offer better back support, though it's a lot of fabric. I love the idea of wearing the baby, especially when trying to do chores or going to the store. Hopefully, the baby will like being worn too (I've heard that some babies just aren't into it).

If you haven't submitted a guess in our baby pool, what are you waiting for? Click here and let us know what you think.

Five Weeks To Go

[ 34w6d ]

Five weeks left and this little chicken will be ready to hatch!

Adam and I finished both sessions of our natural childbirth class, which was really helpful for us to make a plan for how we'd like to see this baby born. The other day, Adam asked me if I think I can really do this. I told him it's not just me doing it, it's us together, and I'm going to rely on him plenty to help me along. So, I'm making him a list of things to say and do that I think will encourage me.

I also wrote a birth plan that my doctor signed and it is now at Labor and Delivery. It's nothing fancy, just that I want to be mobile, drink clear fluids, not be asked if I want medication, and that the baby will stay with us after the birth. Hopefully, everything will go as planned, though I realize this may not be possible, depending on what happens.

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday. I'm still measuring exactly on track and the baby is still head down.

Sunday brought my first nesting fit. I pulled everything out of the bathroom cupboards to make room for little baby things, then put it all back together. Afterward, I was really tired and sore. I still have a lot to do. Hopefully, I'll get the urge again this weekend.

I also set up an online baby pool. Click here and make your guess about the arrival of Baby C!

33 Weeks on the Dot

[ 32w6d ]

My due date is seven weeks from today. My last day of work before "maternity leave" is five weeks from tomorrow. The weeks are flyin' by!

Friday, I had a doctor's appointment. He said I was measuring right on target, and we had a long talk about natural childbirth and epidurals. His perspective is, why go through all that pain if you don't have to, but he's okay with me trying the natural childbirth route. Honestly, it left me a little uneasy.

Then Adam and I went to the childbirth class on Saturday afternoon, and I was reassured. I found out all sorts of things I can put in my birth plan to help me labor, like a rocking chair or a birth ball. As long as my doctor and I agree on the birth plan (which he said he would as long as it wasn't too off the wall), Labor and Delivery will accommodate.

The woman who taught the class was great, and I was the annoying student with all the questions. But I left feeling like this hospital is a good choice for us to have our child. Adam and I also signed up for a natural childbirth class with the same teacher, which starts on Sunday.

Saturday, we also set up all the baby stuff in the baby's room (it's not perfect, but the "nursery" is still going to be a bit of a catch-all room). I was happy to see everything put together and to play with the jogging stroller. Now, we just need to get a sling/wrap and install the carseat, and we're pretty much set.

Next Friday is my next appointment. We'll also be meeting with a pediatrician that day -- and hoping he agrees with our philosophies, particularly on breastfeeding and vaccinations.

Sweep the Leg, Baby

[31w4d]

This week, I definitely hit a new phase in the pregnancy. In combination with the baby's punch/jab/ninja routine, it has started pushing out against my stomach, sometime sweeping its body along my insides. It usually catches me off guard and often it tickles. It's strange that putting my hand where the baby is moving, I can feel whatever is pushing out. Then, I usually start feeling around -- where it's hard, it's baby and where it's not, it's just fluid. I like touching it, though, since it's about as close as I can get to actually touching it before it comes out.

I also have been really tired, which I expected since everything I've been told or read has said the third trimester can be as tiring as the first. Sleeping is just flat out annoying with all the flipping back and forth all night and pillow readjusting. Thankfully, it's only for another couple of weeks.

I went back to the gym this week for the first time in a month. My body felt so good afterward, so I'm planning on returning as frequently as I can.

Back to the doc on Friday and birthing class on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to both.

30 Weeks

[30w2d]

Okay. Don't look directly at the double chin in this picture. I swear my face doesn't really look like that -- it's just that I'm turned and looking down. This is what happens when I take a self-portrait instead of waiting for a time Adam is around. But look at that belly! It's funny to me that in the day to day it doesn't seem to change a whole lot, but some weeks it grows a bunch.

Today was another doctor's appointment. Adam went with me, though we didn't have too many questions. It's good for both of us to hear the heartbeat (my favorite part) and chat with the doctor. Dr. Ives said I'm healthy and everything looks good. My fundal height is right on track and my weight gain is a little high, but he's not worried. So far, I've gained 28 pounds, but he said since I was thin to begin with, I can stand a bit of extra cushioning. Also, he reminded us that we need to find a pediatrician soon.

While I was eating lunch today, the baby was quite literally partying in my belly and Adam could see it moving from across the room. I guess it still has a decent amount of wiggle room in there, even though it now weighs about three pounds. Still, there's two and a half months to go and a lot of growing left to do. Also, it's head down right now, and we're hoping it stays that way.

I often find myself wondering if it's a boy or a girl. Honestly, I have no clue and haven't had any feelings one way or the other. I had a dream two nights ago that it was a girl, but that could just be my subconscious playing tricks on me. I also wonder a lot about who this kid is, what his/her personality will be like. It's strange to be so close to someone, know virtually nothing about them, and still care so much for them. Then again, this whole process is weird. But we'll meet this little goober soon enough.

29 Weeks

[29w]

Between being out of town for a week and then being exhaustingly sick for the past five days, I haven't had a chance to update here. But here it is -- sickly me and my belly at 29 weeks. If you look closely at the closeup, you can see my belly button poking out. It hasn't turned inside out yet, but a lot of what used to be the inside has become part of my belly or a small protrusion. I guess it's cute.

Sleeping has become somewhat of a challenge. My hips hurt a lot during the night, requiring a lot of flipping from one side to the other and a ton of pillows. Thankfully, none of my bedmates seem to mind much, but I can't wait to be able to sleep on my back and stomach again.

I had a nice trip to Rochester and was blessed with many a baby gift -- outfits, board books, bath stuff, and (especially) blankets. We have most of the essentials, I think, and some spending money to buy what we still need (like a breast pump and a diaper bag). And we have our cloth diapers, which I am still so excited about.

My next doctor's appointment is next Friday, then I start seeing him every other week. Also, Adam and I are signed up to take a birthing class at the end of the month, and I'll be going to a breastfeeding class and infant CPR in early April.

Only 11 short weeks to go!

The Last Days of the Second Trimester

[26w5d]

Depending on who you ask, today is my last day in the second trimester. Some say I have another week. At this point, it really doesn't matter. We're in the home stretch. I have three months and two days until my due date.

Three months still feels like a long way off. I know it isn't, but when I consider how much hip pain I have (especially on my left side) and how hard the baby kicks, I can't imagine what the third trimester will bring. Also, last night was the first time I'd slept well in a week, due mostly to our kitten who spends her nights either sleeping directly on me (the other night I woke up and she was on my neck -- what the?) or is running around the house, playing with the blinds, or batting around the antenna on my clock radio. She doesn't understand that pregnant ladies need their sleep.

I had another appointment this past Friday and took the glucose test. My blood test had to be less than 135 and I'm proud to say it was a measly 97. Thankfully, sugar and me can remain friends. I also now have gained 22 pounds, teetering just under 170. Yikes. Pregnancy is beautiful but, frankly, the scale sucks. I don't understand, though, how the standard weight gain can be the same for some petite little 100 pounder and me, who is pretty solid and has always looked like I weigh less than I do. I keep telling Adam that I think I'll end up gaining somewhere around 40 pounds (5ish pounds more than recommended), and I'm okay with that. I eat when I'm hungry, I exercise a lot, and I like chocolate.

Lucky me, I will see many of my favorite people this coming week. Living so far away makes going home such a treat. Rochester, here I come.

Less Than 100 Days

[25w5d]

This past Sunday marked 100 days to go before Baby C's estimated arrival! And while I'm in New York next week, I'll make the switch to the third trimester!

It's been an uneventful week, babywise. My mom sent down a few gifts from our registry, so we have a few things for the baby, though still not much. It feels like we still have lots of time to get things together. I hope that's true.

Adam started classes again this week, and I have my evenings to myself. That should give me lots of time to get organized, if I'm ever not tired at the end of the day or what I want to do doesn't involve moving things. I'm not too worried. What more could a newborn need than a place to sleep, a dry diaper, and a pair of boobs?

I have a doctor's appointment on Friday and have to take the one-hour glucose test to find out if it's possible I have gestational diabetes. I desperately hope I don't. Chocolate has become a staple in my pregnancy diet.

Then, I'm bundling up and heading north on Wednesday. Thank goodness I'm not too big yet, or I might need a new wardrobe to handle the below freezing temperatures. Cold or not, I'm definitely looking forward to it!

25 Weeks

[24w5d]

In this picture, I'm fighting a cold. We fought all weekend, mostly on the couch with my eyes closed. Today, I feel better.

Adam said he though my belly grew this week, and it looks like he's right. It's hard to believe how big my belly might (and probably will get) in the next few months. Right now, it's a great size -- just big enough to be noticeable but not getting in the way of things. And I can still button my winter coat, which will be handy when I'm in New York in two weeks.

Friday morning, I had a bit of a scare that sent me to the doctor that afternoon. Everything is okay, though. Adam and I heard the baby's heartbeat and the doctor found an infection that I'm now treating with antibiotics. Then, I spent the weekend with this darned cold. Otherwise, I've been feeling great.

All I know is that being pregnant is hard. People see pregnant ladies and think they're all cute and full of life, which is true, but everything is changing and so fast -- it's hard to adjust. My body is different, I can't believe how much I weigh, when I lay on my back I get nauseous, I can't eat feta cheese or a turkey sandwich without feeling like the worst mother ever. But I keep reminding myself that I get to have a baby after all of this. A real baby.

I'm still flabbergasted.