Baby Arrival - Tobin's Birth Story

Since I am miserable at updating now that I have barely enough time to upload pictures on Facebook, I thought I would put the little story I typed up for Tobin on here. My hope is to read it to him every birthday until he thinks it's too corny to do so. :)

On the day you were born, Mommy woke up at Midnight because she had to go potty. She noticed that there was a little blood, but sometimes that can happen even a few days before a baby comes. She was having some contractions but she couldn’t time them, so she went back to bed. When she tried to fall asleep again, at 12:20am, there was a sudden GUSH! Mommy’s water broke and you were on your way!

Mommy grabbed a towel to keep everything dry and woke Daddy up to say, “My water broke, we need to go to the hospital!” Daddy got a little scared and kept asking her what he was supposed to do; she told him to just stay calm and get himself and the bags ready to go. Grandma LuAnn drove over to pick them up and it was off to the hospital!

Mommy and Daddy had to go in through the ER entrance because it was so early in the morning. They had to wait and fill out some admission paperwork even though Mommy’s water was broken. As soon as that was done, they brought Mommy a wheelchair and they all went up to the Family Birthing Center floor. Once they were in the triage room, she had to put on a hospital gown, answer lots of annoying questions, and was hooked to different machines. Mommy’s favorite was the one that showed your heartbeat and her contractions. The nurses finished talking and told her that she could be moved to her own delivery room! A Delivery Nurse named Becky was with Mommy and Daddy for your whole birth – she was so very nice and helpful.

Daddy set up a CD player and put in the “Beach Sounds” disc for Mommy to help her stay calm and breathe through the contractions, which were becoming stronger and more painful. There was more paperwork to go over, but Daddy filled it all out because Mommy wasn’t able to concentrate on anything other than staying relaxed. She was dilated to 4.5cm when they got into the new room and she was getting more and more excited that you would be in the world and in her arms soon.

Once it got to the point where Mommy’s contractions were too painful for her to handle anymore, Daddy called Nurse Becky and she gave Mommy some pain medicine. It made her feel a little sleepy and it hurt less. It was a nice break. Within an hour, the contractions were back to being very painful and Mommy’s tummy felt like it was squeezing and trying to push all on it’s own. Daddy called for Nurse Becky again and she checked Mommy. They found out that she was now almost 9cm dilated; this made Mommy very happy because a lot of first babies take so much longer to be born.

Nurse Becky told Mommy that she should be on “A Baby Story” because she was doing such a good job. Daddy was so helpful, too, giving Mommy sips of ice water and letting her squeeze his hand as hard as she needed to. Nurse Becky told Mommy it was finally time to push if she wanted. Once she did, the pain went away and it felt so much better! Many pushes later, Nurse Becky called for Dr. Nash to come in because it was almost time for you to be born. After 1 hour and 7 minutes of pushing, you were born at 6:09am on Friday, November 13^th! Daddy watched the whole thing in amazement; the nurses put you on Mommy’s chest right away and she started crying because she was so happy to see you.

Daddy cut the cord and they took you over to have your first bath and get you swaddled. Mommy quickly ate her breakfast while Daddy took pictures of everything. When she saw Daddy holding you, he looked so proud and she wanted to cry all over again. Mommy had to take a bath and get a new gown on – and then it was time for you to eat. Eventually, we all got to go to our new room, where we would stay until Sunday afternoon.

All of your grandparents got to come and see you. They thought you were so perfect and cute. Mommy couldn’t stop smiling or looking at you and it was hard for her to put you down or share you. It wasn’t until the second night that she even let you go to the nursery for a few hours. The rest of the hospital stay was so busy with nurses and doctors coming In and out…it was nice when we got to go home and settle in as a new family.

Even though Mommy loved you while you were still in her tummy, it was no comparison to the love she felt the moment you were placed in her arms for the first time. Now that you are in the world, she knows that her love for you will keep growing every day. You have taught her what unconditional love truly means. Mommy and Daddy are blessed to have you in their lives and can’t wait to see all of the wonderful ways you will grow and change. XOXO

Almost D-day!

So... sitting at home is pretty nice. I wish it was nice out, though, so I could do some walking. It also doesn't help that I can't fit my puffy feet into my good walking shoes, so when I walk it kinda sucks and hurts my feet. Dave doesn't want to agree to the "fun" option yet. I think he's too freaked out because the due date is so near and he's afraid something bad will happen. The nurses all keep joking with me, though.

I still have a few days left until my due date but it's driving me crazy. Maybe I can call my mom and go do something...walk around some stores...the mall...I dunno. I need to keep busy so I stop thinking so much about when he's going to show up!

Dave said I don't need to take belly pictures anymore. Hahaha. I think he's right and we will just have one taken on the way to the hospital or something dorky like that.

I also bought a pink Snuggie yesterday. It's awesome.

Oh, and fyi, castor oil doesn't work...but I certainly feel less "full" now. O_O

Sheila
39 weeks 3 days

Crazy emotional changes

This past week was my last week working. It kind of came up by surprise - mostly as a result of a conversation with my husband during the week. He said it would be okay if I was done and he was proud of me for making it so long. I'm quite impressed myself. I'm also a little nervous...pesky money. The prospect of being able to relax before I push this baby out is pretty great. Just being able to sleep as much as I wanted today was great all by itself. I might even be lazier tomorrow. I do, however, need to do some grocery shopping. I might pick up a DVD, too.

Dave is gone hunting until Tuesday afternoon, which leaves me a lot of depressing alone time. It sounds weird, I know. I should be getting so much stuff done (nesting, haha) and enjoying some space. Nope. I'm not concerned about going into labor or anything...it's just that I miss him being here. I'm happy he is having fun, though. My first year as a "hunting widow" is definitely weird. Last year I was with him so it wasn't a big deal.

I have my 39 week appointment on Monday. I'm really looking forward to it! I actually feel like things are moving along and I hope to hear that from my nurse midwife as well. I'm still not having time-able contractions or anything, but I'm having a lot of pressure and cramping in my pelvis and lower back.

It sounds weird, but I feel like I need to go and sit in the nursery. There were so many days I was in there and organizing, decorating, thinking, more organizing... I feel like I've been neglecting it as of late. Or that I'm not going to be comfortable in there when the time comes. Or maybe it's just that going in that room makes it too real for me right now...and for the time being I can just keep living my life without a baby. I don't want to be like that, though. It makes me feel too selfish. Maybe it's just that I feel awkward being in there without something to do. I want to see how it functions once I actually need to change a diaper or lay him in the crib or feed him.

I'm just so crazy emotional these days, I don't really have the time to understand each separate feeling as it comes along. Being alone tends to bring more stuff up to the surface.

I think something I will do in the next few days is write a letter to Tobin. I might post it on here...but I'm not sure yet. We'll see what ends up coming out of my brain.

Sheila

38 weeks 5 days

I do not like him, Sam I Am

I had my 37 week appointment today. I was nervous about it to begin with because I've only seen my Doctor one other time; I typically see a Nurse Midwife (and she's awesome). Everything about today was just rushed and I wasn't satisfied with it at all. I'm not trying to say that I don't like him...he's nice and polite...he just goes waaaay too fast. I think my appointment was literally four minutes. He didn't check to see if I was dilated or anything. :( He had asked, but with the same breath he said they don't start checking until 38 weeks. I have a sneaking suspicion that he didn't want to go find the nurse again. Oh well. Next week I'm back to seeing my CNM.

I feel like I sound like a baby, but I really don't want to be working anymore (aside from the money factor). I only work part-time and I go pee, like, 8 times while I'm at work. I'm also REALLY puffy - if I push all of the way down on my shin bone, it goes in about a 1/2 inch. It. Is. SO. CREEPY. Needless to say, I'm getting pretty crabby and psycho mood-swingy feeling.

I'll just keep hanging in there, it's not too much longer! Eeee!

Sheila

37 weeks 2 days

SO BUSY!

I had quite the busy weekend! On Friday night, I had dinner with a friend and came home to watch some scary movies with the hubby. On Saturday, we went to Childbirth Education class from 9 to 5; it was pretty cool, especially the hands-on things that we did. After class we had to rush home, feed the cats, eat some dinner, and then I had to drive to my parents' to feed the doggies. I caught a breath and drove to Kayla's for Steph's bachelorette party. It was a lot of fun, but I wish I would have been up to going to the bars with them. Alas, I was pooped. On Sunday, we had some errand-type things to do...and then I enjoyed a nap while Dave had to help move some stoves, hehe.

Today was my 36 week appointment. It was interesting because it was the Group B Strep test today...and also the first time they check for dilation. I wasn't dilated at all (no surprise there, haha), but she said he was head-down and nice and low. Now my appointments are every week. Next week I see my doctor instead of my nurse midwife - maybe he'll be okay this time since it's a morning appointment.

These days the stretch marks are catching up to me, but I hope they aren't too bad (Dave might be being nice when he says they are fine)....they are kinda too low for me to look at, lol. Underside of the belly is NOT an easy place to see right now. I'm hanging in there but, now that I'm starting my 9th month, I can totally see how people get really anxious and tired of it. I know I'm supposed to be enjoying my time left without baby, but I'm to the point where I'd be okay if it happened now. :D

I'm almost done with shower thank-you notes. Phew! At least I have until Sunday to finish them up. Tracy's bridesmaid dress, on the other hand, needs to be finished PRONTO. She's coming over tomorrow for another shot at it. Haha. I hope it goes well.

Sheila

36 weeks

Broken washing machine is a pain in the fingers

I am currently waiting for a second repairman for our washing machine. The first one couldn't do anything. :( I actually wish I was at work right now - it keeps my mind busy. I feel like staying at home will just drive me nuts OR make me very lazy.

I'm having a crazy new symptom; I have major joint pain in my fingers and toes. I thought I had been doing something weird with my hands at work, but it's been getting progressively worse over the weekend. Crazy! I, of course, went on an internet search and found that it was common in the third trimester. I just wish I could get rid of this stuffiness - I hate sleeping with my mouth open. I've also been nesting like crazy. I got panicky yesterday and had to do a bunch of stuff to feel like I was on track: vacuuming, packing hospital stuff, making sure all baby items had batteries, cleaning out the car, etc.

It's snowing again. I don't like it.

I need to find something good to watch while I sit here waiting for the repairman.

Sheila

35 weeks

34 Weeks and 6 to go!

So I had a church baby shower and it was awesome. On Monday, I had my 34 week appointment; my blood pressure is still nice and low, I'm measuring right on, and everything seems to be pretty normal otherwise. I'm definitely starting to be puffy and tired. I can understand how people stop working at a certain point in their pregnancy. I don't ever want to get up out of bed, and once I'm at work I wish I was home, lol.

That's not to make it sound like I'm miserable. I still love being pregnant. But I *am* to the point where I'm getting very anxious to meet the little guy. I have my hospital bag mostly packed and the car seat is installed! I'm very pumped.

Anyway, I was planning on highlighting my hair so it looks good for pictures...but I might just sit in the tub and relax. I know that sounds lazy, but I want to make sure I don't fall asleep when I'm half finished pulling my hair through the stupid highlighting cap. Haha.

Sheila

34 weeks 4 days

I had my first pregnant fall today. I was leaving the apartment and stepped off of the curb and fell. Luckily, I hit my knee the most and did some kind of weird turtle roll onto my back. The weird thing was, I don't think anyone saw me...and if they did, they are jerks because no one came to see if I was okay. Oh well. I didn't have any cramping or other bad signs and he's still moving around a bunch, so I'm good.

I know I've said it before, but today I came to grips with the fact that I am going to feel severely pooped out for the rest of this pregnancy.

My hubby is playing a game on the Wii that is making him irritable. It's kinda funny.

Sheila

33 weeks

Beautiful, Wonderful, Boring Weekend!

We finally had a weekend in which we didn't have any commitments, with the exception of me going to a bridal shower, and it was so awesome. It felt wonderful to just sit and relax. I played a lot of Wii (ended up beating LostWinds). Dave and I were going to go to a movie but there isn't anything too pressing that we need to see.

I still have some hours left before bed tonight and might actually work on the nursery, hahaha. It's not hard - it's just putting the vinyl animals up...but I feel so sore and lazy! I suppose I better do it because I'm not going to get any LESS sore and lazy. :D I'm just happy that the pregnancy is going well. Nothing to really complain about other than what anyone else would expect from a typical pregnancy.

My plan is to take relaxing baths, rest as much as possible, and maintain a good diet!

Also, I'm SO jealous that some of my friends from back-in-the-day (VA Beach) had a Snuggie Sleepover. It sounds like so much fun. :) Maybe Dave will do one with me soon. I don't have many female buddies that live close to me.

Sheila

32 weeks 6 days

New experiences and some fears

First of all, yesterday was me and Dave's 2nd Anniversary. :) I made crab cakes and green beans and we watched Star Trek all night. We had a wonderful weekend at the RenFest and MN Zoo...and staying in a hotel is always fun.

Last week marked the official beginning of rib-getting for the little guy; this week, he has been getting hiccups! The past two nights now he has been getting them for a few minutes a night. I haven't noticed any during the day, though. It's pretty funny because I mostly feel them down towards my butt. :D They were strong enough that Dave could feel them last night, so that was fun.

These days it's getting hard to get out of bed...and feeling motivated for work. I want to keep working because I absolutely need the money, but I could easily go without it if I had to, haha. I keep praying that money will be fine while I am on maternity leave since I am part-time and don't get any paid time off. It's the only scary thing about having a baby - otherwise I'm pretty good. I hope we qualify for WIC and that will save us some money while I'm at home.

Tonight, I plan to finish the nursery walls and tomorrow I think I will go visit my mom while she is bowling with her friends during league. I haven't seen any of them since I was 8 weeks pregnant...so they will probably get a good laugh out of my giant soccer ball belly.

Sheila

32 weeks 2 days