Let's Compare

I didn't take a lot of baby "pump" pictures, and of course looking back now, I wish I had.  But oh well.  Here's a side by side comparison of growing baby Helena.

30w: 3/8/14

34w: 4/5/14

37w1d: 4/27/14

I gotta say, I sorta miss my baby bump.  It was a comfort to have my daughter with me all the time, to rub on her from the outside in.  But now that she's out, it's a lot of fun seeing her movements and imaging them on the inside.  The whole process is definitely a miracle to watch beginning to end.  To go from a tiny poppy-seed, to the beautiful little being that we've created. 

May 10th

Chris and I barely slept the night of May 9th, anxious about what was about to happen.  I think we woke up around 3am on May 10th, and just laid in bed and talked.  At around 4:30am we finally decided to get ready for the drive to the hospital.  Chris made a quick trip to get some breakfast and we left the house for the last time as a family of two.

My Mom followed us to the hospital and we arrived just before 6am. 

We went in through the ER and walked to the Labor and Delivery unit.  I was immediately turned off as the nurse who showed us our birthing room just basically pointed at us and the room we were going to.  No introduction or "Hi" "Hello".  Once we got in the room she told me to undress and pee in a cup.  Chris inspected the room and asked the nurse when she returned when the last time the bed was cleaned.  The nurse couldn't give us an answer, so we requested to be moved to another room.

Once we got situated in the new room a steady group of nurses and doctors came in and out.  It was no surprise that it took 3 nurses to find a vain for my IV which started my tears.  I'm not a fan of needles and having someone come in to try and poke me was a dose of reality that I was about to go in for surgery.

Before we knew it we were up and walking towards to the operating room.

Going to the operating room

Walking to the operating room

It was scary.  I had a serious case of the shakes throughout the whole thing, which is a common side effect, and Chris and my doula Josie were kept outside of the operating room until right before the surgery was set to start.  I didn't know this would happen, so during my spinal tap and prep I had no idea where they were.  Seeing Chris enter took some of my anxiety away.  It was a surreal feeling knowing I was being cut open and not being able to feel it, but still being wide awake and alert.  Chris kept looking at me and kept me calm, and my doula kept me up to date on what was happening.

Surgery is about to start

Before I knew it they had Chris stand up to announce the arrival of our DAUGHTER at 8:18am!  It was a euphoric moment seeing Chris stand and announce "It's a Girl!"  Our baby girl came out SCREAMING!  I had been warned that most c-section babies don't come out screaming, and it takes a little bit of time to hear that first big breath, but not my baby girl.  She made her presence known right away, which was such a relief for me.  I was frustrated because I couldn't see her where they were wiping her down, but thankfully my doula was taking pictures and showed me a picture of her on the camera.  Plus, the whole time I could here her screaming, and that was a huge comfort.

First picture of Helena Grace

Chris then was able to trim the umbilical cord.  And bring her over to me.

Happy and healthy baby!

My arms weren't in restrains, but my right hand had my IV, and my left had the blood pressure cuff, so I couldn't really move them to actually hold my baby girl.  But she was laid beside me and I feel in love.

Mom and daughter

We are a family of three

Chris then took the baby to our birthing room where my mom was awaiting to hear the word, so she was able meet her Granddaughter right away.

Proud Dad

While they were meeting I was still in the operating room getting stitched up and put back together.  Thankfully Josie stayed with me, and she was a constant support during the whole process.

For the most part the nursing staff was amazing.  Specifically post surgery.  Everyone instantly was in love with Helena and how beautiful she is.  I got up and walking to the bathroom about 24 hours after my surgery, and was able to take a shower on Sunday afternoon, and a walk around the OB unit.

The next day Dr. Jones (my main doctor, and the doctor who did the surgery) came to check on me, and I asked her if she was surprised by her size....considering we really were prepared for a 10 pound baby.  And she said that she was.  Even my doula said that it looked like Dr. Jones questioned if a c-section was the right way to go, since she wasn't even 8 pounds.  I obviously can't change anything about her birth now, and her birth to me will always be exactly that.  A birth, not a surgery.

This picture is out of order: This is right after Helena's birth when I couldn't yet see her.  Chris was such a strong comfort during the whole procedure.

Sometimes I still can't believe that I have this little precious life that God has trusted me with.  I've always wanted to become a Mother and now that I am, I almost can't believe it.  I pray that God will guide me to be the best Mom that I can be.

Pregnancy Week 35 - 38

4/27/14: 37w1d

Last night at Dance Jam: 5/8/14: 38w5d

Week 35: 4/13 - 4/19 (coconut)
Took our Breastfeeding class this week, and got the house prepped by getting the vents and carpet cleaned.  Worked out twice, which felt great.  Found out at the doctor's office that baby's official eviction will be set for 5/13, when I'll check in at the hospital that night. 

Week 36: 4/20 - 4/26 (honeydew)
Celebrated Easter, and feel so blessed.  Had my last growth ultrasound, and baby is nearing the 9 pound mark, and still has 3 weeks to cook.  The doctor has given us the option to do a scheduled c-section.  I honestly have no idea what to do.  I feel like this is my first big "mother" decision to make, and I'm already clueless.

 

Week 37: 4/27 - 5/3 (winter melon)

We met with our doula this week, and she gave us some good options if we decide to go the c-section route.  I'm doing lots and lots of praying that baby will come on its own sometime before 5/10.  It's crazy to think that my life is about to drastically change for forever.  We've made a decision, and baby will be here no later than 5/10.  One more week!  Chris planned a fabulous last "date" on Saturday.  We had the most fantastic brunch and massage!

 

Week 38: 5/4 - 5/10 (pumpkin)

We have days left, and this pregnancy will be coming to an end.  I feel bittersweet and am trying to enjoy each moment as i know these moments will soon be replaced by other beautiful moments.  I'm loving peoples reactions to me: "Wow, you are really pregnant."  I'm growing more and more anxious, in addition to the actual growing part.  My belly has started to itch, and I don't like it!

Please Welcome...

Our little GIRL to the world!

Helena Grace

Born Saturday May 10th @ 8:18am

7 pounds 15 ounces

20 inches

We are at home, happy, healthy, blessed and oh so in love!

More to come.

Maternity Photos

Back in April, when I was 35 weeks pregnant, Chris and I met Bryndi for a Maternity Photo-shoot.  Bryn was referred to me by my friend Andrea, and I love her maternity and newborn work!  Simple and classic, and she moves super quick!  We had a great time downtown, and super soon she'll be shooting our little star!  We got a great package deal, and I'm thrilled that Bryndi will be documenting our child through its first year of life!

 

If you need a photographer I highly recommended  Bryndi!

Overwhelmed

I've been trying to think of a word to describe this whole pregnancy experience now that my pregnant days are in the single digits.  From spending 8 months trying to conceive, and questioning if I could even get pregnant, to taking my first home pregnancy test, or hearing the baby's heart beat for the first time at my first ultrasound in October, or having to prick myself to check my blood sugars, or to first feeling baby move over Christmas, or to going on insulin, to feeling like I have a baby bump, to picking my doctor, all the way to now about to have a baby, and everything in-between.

The single word I can think of is overwhelmed.

Right now I'm every emotion imaginable.  I'm home alone putting away laundry, cooking dinner, and then cleaning up the kitchen.  It's a weird mix of feelings going about every day normal life, knowing that soon, extremely soon that life is about to change forever.  I'm overwhelmed.

Chris and I have been so blessed, and been given so much throughout this experience.  A couple of weeks ago my work group threw Andrea and I a surprise baby shower.  It was so nice to see such a large group come together for the both of us.  We got beautiful flowers, cake, and very generous gift cards.  Then last night Chris comes home from work with a ton of diapers and wipes, a swing, and a play saucer thing from his work.  All of this generosity just brings tears to my eyes.  I feel very undeserving.  I'm overwhelmed.

the spread at my work baby shower

yummy cake for Andrea and I

Andrea and I

Andrea had her baby yesterday.  And honestly I'm trying not to think about it, because I will just cry.  To know that she is now a mom taking care of a sweat baby boy.  Plus just going through this whole experience with her, I'm just overwhelmed.  And to now know that we'll be new mom's together, it's almost too much.

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Chris planned a super sweet date for us this past Saturday.  We went to brunch at Lola, and we both seriously had the best breakfast.  It really was what you want a nice dining out experience to be.  Then we went and got a couples massage at Eden Spa.  I was nervous about this, because I got a massage back when my mom was here at the end of March, and it wasn't a good experience.  But this massage was possibly the best massage experience I've ever had.  I asked her to focus on my neck and lower back as I think I strained them in Dance Jam, and she made me feel like brand new.  It was truly fantastic.  Seeing Chris put up with me throughout this whole pregnancy, and to see the love out of all of my crazy moments, makes me realize how blessed I am to be sharing my life with him.  I'm overwhelmed.
Starting tomorrow we'll have guests over.  My mom arrives, then my dad arrives next week.  By the time they leave we'll have some alone time as a family of 3 before my in-laws arrive for Memorial Day weekend.  I'm excited to see them all, and to see all parents become grand-parents.  Along with my sister-in-law become an Aunt, and Grandma become a great-Grandma (even though she is already one).  I can't help but think that I'll see each person grow to a new level of love, and to think that my baby produced that love, is so overwhelming.
Even more overwhelming is knowing that I haven't even met my baby yet, and knowing that's when the true emotion will begin.   

Our Book

 4/27/14: 37w1d baby bump (more like a mountain, but whatever)

A decision has been made with Baby Sweat and when he or she may make their arrival.  I have no desire or need to share the decision, as I know that this decision could easily go out the window, as I know Baby Sweat will come when he or she is happy and ready.  It was basically a simple process of elimination, lots of praying, reading advice, and going with my gut.  I know it’s the best choice for me and my baby, while at the same time knowing that there isn’t really such a thing as a “planned” birth.  Regardless of when the end date comes, its soon, and I know once it is here I’ll look back at this time and not second guess myself, because I’ll be looking at a beautiful little being that my husband and I created out of pure love.

When Chris and I left the doctor’s office on Thursday and told our doctor what we decided, Chris was expressing his excitement over how soon the baby will be here.  He mentioned our journey and how each year seems to top the next.  How he’s super excited for this chapter of becoming parents.  He then asked me what I would title our book, and I immediately said “Sweatin’ It Out” and that one of things he has taught me and one of things I love about him, is to just let it go, and to go with the flow. He’s always been confident that we would get pregnant, and that it would happen when it was suppose to.  Chris rarely worries, as he just knows things will work out as they should.  This is something that I’ve always needed to work on, and having Chris in my life has definitely helped.  I do still worry, and question things, but I think I’m more aware of it now, and just try to breath and know that everything will be as it should regardless of my worrying or not. 

Then I asked what Chris would title his book, and he appropriately responded with “No Sweat”.  His laid back approach simply put into two words.  We’ve been on a crazy ride, and things are about to get crazier. 

This pregnancy journey is coming to an end, and it feels surreal.  I’m part of a “May 2014 Moms” group online, and a lot of mom’s have already had their babies (25 to be exact, out of how many, I have no idea) and they post these pictures of these little babies, and I find it extremely hard to comprehend that that little baby was just inside that mother’s womb.  I try to picture my little baby inside of me, and I.Just.Can’t.  I know that once I see my baby I’ll wonder how in the world that it came from inside of me.  I suppose that’s why life is such a miracle.  You know it happens, you see it happen, but you still question its possibility.  To know that God had a special hand in making every single cell, fiber, wrinkle, and little hair on my baby assures me that everything is going to be ok.