Lovely Landyn

In case you don't already know, we have a new blog for Landyn. Check it out for updates and pictures :)

www.lovelylandyn.blogspot.com

Thanks for following our Baby Bump! It was a beautiful journey and resulted in a miracle!

Baby Landyn's Big Arrival!

Well, she is finally here!

We got the news we wanted around 4:30 on Thursday - they had a room for us!When we arrived at the hospital we were checked in which took quite a while even though I had already pre-registered.We got all settled in and Pitocin was started around 7 pm (I was measuring 3 cm/70%). I was already having contractions every 5-7 minutes, but didn't feel them and when they started my i.v. the contractions quickly become more frequent, between 2-4 minutes apart and little more noticeable. Eventually as they increased the dose, the contractions were much stronger and got very frequent. So frequent, they had to lower the dosage until the doctor came to check me again.At 10 Dr. Thompson came back and checked me - I was only 4 cm! And the pain was getting pretty bad. Dr. Thompson then broke my water which did not have meconium in it (yay!). I asked for my epidural immediately after (best decision ever!!). While I waited for the anesthesiologist (only about 25 minutes) the pain got a bit more severe.

The epidural hurt worse than I was anticipating, but I made it through and i was much more comfortable!I would say around 12:30 a.m. or so the nurse noticed that the contraction monitor wasn't picking up contractions anymore at all. I figured this would go all night. So the nurse went to place an internal contraction monitor in my uterus only to find that I was contracting (she felt them) AND I was already 8 cm/100%! She decided not to place the internal monitor (there wasn't room to get it between the cervix and the baby's head) and repositioned the external monitor which then started picking them up again.

It was about an hour later that I told her I felt a lot of pressure in my bottom and so she checked again - I was fully dilated and ready to push! Kris, my mom and the nurse were the only people with me when the pushing began. They said I did very good because I pushed through about 6 contractions before I was told to stop. The baby's head made it through and the doctor was being called in. Within minutes Dr. Thompson and her team were there getting everything ready. I couldn't even laugh because Landyn was RIGHT there, ready to make her appearance!

Dr. Thompson and all her "ladies" were ready, I pushed through a few more contractions and at 2:34 a.m. there she was! Miss Landyn Juliet Roberts!! The moment we had been waiting for!

The first thing that was spoken by one of the nurses was "Wow, she is a big baby! And look at those cheeks!" We all knew she would have them from previous ultrasounds.They placed her on my chest to get cleaned up a little. It was the most amazing, indescribable feeling I have ever felt, looking at our new baby girl and being able to touch and kiss her!After she was cleaned, they weighed her - 9 pounds, 2 ounces! I was shocked! I knew there was a chance of having a big baby, but dang!

She came out sucking and within 24 hours she is a successful, breastfeeding baby (although my milk hasn't totally come in yet, she is getting what she can (and boy, does it hurt!!).They took her away after an hour to be monitored (standard procedure). They also monitored me and got us set up with a post partum room. After 3 and a half hours, we had our little girl in the room. By this time all of our friends were getting up to go to work and the news spread! Landyn is here!She is a good, beautiful baby!!

Induction Day

Well...today is it! I woke up at 5 to use the RR and couldn't go back to sleep. I went ahead and called L&D to see if they had room for me at 5:15. The nurse said my chances of getting today were...(seemed like the longest sentence in the world) really good! They don't have room for me right away but they will call when they get room and if they haven't called by 10 am to call back! I'm not sure I can wait that long, but I'll call back around 7 since the new nurse shift will be coming on.

Dr. Thompson said she was hoping they could get me in as close to 7 as possible since i guess that's when she gets there too.

So now I'm just up waiting. How can Kris sleep?! He's lucky that he can, but I am just so anxious! I guess his feelings are different than mine even though he is extremely excited - he is smart - he is getting REST! My stomach is already growling, but I can't eat! Well, I can have apple juice, ice and popcicles, so maybe I'll grab some juice to hold me through. An all fruit popcicle may work in a little bit, but the juice sounds good - mmmm... off I go!

Perfect Timimg - NOT!!!

We came home from the doctor's office to find that builders started building 2 new houses right next door to us. We have been hearing the banging and machines since 7:30 this morning (clearing the land) and now all of the hammering, saws and talking. GREAT!!

This is just perfect timing for us! Yes, Landyn will get used to the noise, but what about when we need to catch up on sleep? This is going to be a "testing" experience!

It is now 4:15 and the workers usually don't stop until sundown. They started at sun up so constant noise with a newborn :) Yipeeeee!

40 Week Dr Appt

Well I progressed to 2.5 sm this time! Dr. Thompson stripped the membrane, a little. We are scheduled for an induction tomorrow morning and praying they take us right away! We are on the bottom of the priority list so we will just have to see what happens. With dr. thompson being the one on call, she said she will be trying hard all day to get us in at least some time.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up but I'm very excited to meet our little girl! Thanks for all who have been praying and thinking of us - tomorrow might just me THE day!!

1 Day Passed

So we made it passed our due date :( It's ok though because we know Landyn is going to be fully developed. I actually had my hand on her back (I think) last night and felt her lungs opening and closing! It ws crazy. Like hiccups, but not so strong, more smooth movements and they were making my hand go up and down very quickly. It was so cool!

We have our Dr. appt. today. I woke up several times last night with much stonger contractions, but nothing to send me to the hospital - I'm sure I could have gone but I refuse to go and be sent home! I finally got to sleep past 6 too!! Thank you Lord!!!

Check back for our Dr update today!

The Big Day/40 Weeks

So the day has arrived! We still don't have our baby girl, but I know she is getting close to making her apperance because the contractions are continuing today. I also feel much stronger pains "inside" and a LOT more pressure.

We went on a 2 mile walk today then went to eat lunch with my mom and Aunt Debbie for Debbie's birthday. What a good birthday present that would be for a great aunt, but maybe Landyn is holding out to have her own special day of birth :)

We go to the doctor tomorrow in the morning and we are so ANXIOUS to see what progression or non-progression I've made. I swear, if there is still no progression, I would NEVER want to go through natural childbirth - and I have a very high pain tolerance, but geez!

Kris is being so good, cooking dinner and rubbing my back. He talks to Landyn every day and sings to her, hoping she wants to come meet her daddy. I can't wait for him to hold her for the first time since he hasn't been given the opportunity to feel her and bond with her like I have! He's going to be such a great daddy, just like he is a great husband!

We will update everyone tomorrow after the doctor;s appointment, unless of course, we are having a baby...

Please continue to pray for a safe delivery!!

1 day to go

Well we are 1 day away from our due date - the BIG day we've been waiting for during the last 9 months!

I have been having light contractions today, about 8 an hour - 5-10 minutes apart. Maybe Landyn will decide to come on her actual due date!?

We went for a mile long walk today, ate Hooters HOT wings and walked around Babies R Us. I vacuumed and pulled weeds. Then Kris made pancakes and eggs, which were so yummy! We are still waiting and hoping the contractions get closer together. Because they aren't extremely painful, I'm not thinking much of them, but my tummy does get very tight when they happen so I know my body is getting ready.

We are still praying that labor begins naturally so we will see what happens next...We are very excited and anxious :)

Full Moon

Spicy food, walking, "hubby help", pressure points, even a full moon... Landyn is so content where she is. We are okay with it, but really hope she comes before October 8th on her own so induction is not the way.

We all feel good, just waiting and becoming more anxious. I do have the uncomfortable sharp pains and cramps but nothing regular or too extreme. I think Landyn wanted out around week 36 or so, but now she is just fine :) I keep trying to find things to do around the house, but I've done it all. I organized Landyn's bows by color - ha! I'm not sure I can go another whole week with nothing to do! I guess I could write more lesson plans, make her Halloween tutu (I bought the stuff).

Any other suggestions on how to speed this process up is accepted :)

39 Week Dr Appointment

Kris and I both went today with lots of questions about trying to figure out when Landyn will be here. We practiced asking them to each other on the way because we are so excited to figure out what will happen next!

Dr. Thompson checked me and I'm still only 1 cm dilated. I asked about effacement and she said I'm about 60%. I still have a ways to go. We wanted to ask about induction because I thought she would schedule something but she seemed hesitant. Kris did ask and she has us scheduled for an elective induction for October the 8th (unless Landyn comes before then). That does not mean it's a for sure thing. If we call (at 5:30am) that morning and they don't have room for me, then we are just out of luck and will most likely have to wait until October 13th-ish. We are really hoping and praying Landyn comes without having to be induced at all, but we are just so ready and anxious and feeling all kinds of other emotions!

While we were there I mentioned to Dr. Thompson about Landyn's movements decreasing significantly (I know it's normal at this stage, but there are times I get worried because I don't feel her for a long time). She had me go get an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid and other things that could push us into an early induction. Everything was perfect, a score of 8 out of 8! She passed her first real test!! It's a bitter-sweet feeling. We were able to watch her practice breathing. I knew she had been since she now gets the hiccups at LEAST once a day. But her little lungs her going through the motions and it made us so proud :)

As far as we and the ultrasound tech could tell, Landyn is on her side but she is head down, which is good. She needs to turn over before she can come out nice and easy :)

Please continue to pray for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. We really want to meet her, but only if it's good for her and me. We are very anxious and our emotions are really on the edge lately because of all of the "unknowns". Well, mainly just my emotions - haha!

We hope everyone has a great rest of the week. Maybe we will have updates before next week. Our next Dr. appt. is October 7th (after our due date) and we are praying we don't make it that far!

39 Weeks

One week to go! I have a Dr appt. tomorrow so I'll update you then on medical stuff. I feel good, taking this week off of work was such a great decision! I am getting things done and getting ready for our baby girl to be here. I'm not having many pains anymore, just some contractions here and there. Landyn has definitely slowed down with her spastic movements! It even worries me sometimes. She either really likes to sleep or as Amanda said, "She is getting too big for her luxury torso." I always said she has a luxury suite here with my long, wide torso.

Kris and I are enjoying spending a little time together without being exhausted - just having our last few days alone together. My mind is always thinking about where I'll be, what I'll be doing when Landyn decides it's time. I have a really good feeling that I'll end up being induced, which I really hope doesn't happen. I would love for it to be all God's timing, but I'm not sure she will be able to come out naturally if his timing is too much longer.

Kris and I both have been having several dreams a night about delivery day. We are so anxious!

We hope everyone has a great week! We will keep you updated!!!

38 Week Dr.'s Appointment

I'm dilated to a "full" cm! No other progressions though :( My blood pressure is rising each week, but because I'm not swelling, Dr. Thompson doesn't seem to be concerned. I did ask her about when a good time to stop working is and she said, "The sooner the better." So my last day will be this Friday! My mind and emotions are running wild about leaving my students and closest friends at work. I know I need to focus on beginning our family and so I pray that this is the right decision!

I still feel Landyn move quite a bit each day and it's so amazing! I am so ready to hold her and feel her move in my arms instead of my ribs and other not so comfortable areas :)

Kris and my mom predict she will come around the end of next week. I'm thinking it will be after her due date. Dr. Thompson said we will wait until next doctor's visit to schedule an induction (she does not like to do them because it is a long, drawn out process). Her on call day is October 8th so I'm assuming Landyn will be here on or before then! Crazy!!

I've had so much support from everyone and so we thank you for making this time pleasant and special for all of us!!! We can't wait for Landyn to meet her amazing friends and family :)

38 Weeks

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so more updates will be posted then :)

I've felt better since the false alarm. I've been much more tired in the last 2 weeks so resting has really helped cut down on the contractions. I'm really hoping that I've progressed since Friday and that Landyn is making her way into this world. Whatever happens tomorrow will determine my last day of work 0 which I'm thinking may be this Friday, but we will just have to wait and see!

Kris has been working a lot this week at night and I feel lonely and wish he was here :( At least when Landyn comes we will have time together as a new little family!!!

Keep us in your prayers - expecially for tomorrow!!! :)

False Alarm

I did it! I went in when I knew it wasn't the realt thing. But how was I supposed to know?!

I started feeling really strong cramps around 1 am on Friday morning. I even woke Kris up. They finally went away, I think, when I fell back to sleep at 2. I prayed and prayed to know something, but when I woke up I felt fine. I went to work and started feeling it again and timed them. It seemed like they were about 3-10 minutes apart so I called Dr. Thompson. She had me come in to be monitored.

Kris was sooooo cute! I drove up to the house to get him and our bags. He was in the driveway with our tourist camera around his neck, taking pictures of me driving up. He said he wanted lots of pictures just in case this was the big day! I love him! He had our bags packed and ready to load so we headed up to the hospital.

I was monitored for about 2 hours. I was contracting, but not enough to be considered "active labor". I also haven't dialted past 1 cm and I'm not effacing and Landyn is in a -2 position (she hasn't really dropped).

I was sent home and told to continue monitoring the contractions until they are 3-5 minutes apart.

I've rested A LOT all weekend and the contractions have decreased a bit. I still feel these "feelings" So we will have to see on my next Dr. appt. on Wed.

I will say that we prayed for an October baby. God is great and does answers prayers, even when we don't realize it. I've been praying a lot that Landyn comes early, but God may have other plans. We are blessed to have a healthy pregnancy so far and will continue to be patient. For sure, we will have Landyn in the next 3 weeks!!! YAY! We are so excited and continue to appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers :)

37 Weeks Dr.'s Appoontment

I went in, waited and hour to find that I have not progressed at all. Dr. Thompson doesn't think we will get to a point where induction will be necessary due to going past the due date. I've been feeling more of a contraction feeling in the last week, but more so today. Landyn is happy where she is for today. Good news! My Groups B Strep test came back negative and I'm so thankful I've had no complications and that our baby is growing on target.

I was disappointed that things aren't progressing, but trying to leave it to the Man upstairs!

37 Weeks

FULL TERM!!

Landyn is still moving a lot and I'm not quite sure how in the world she is not poking holes in the amniotic sack!

This week is my first week of school with just 20 students, instead of 24. It has been so much easier on my body and mind! I'm actually getting things done and prepared for the sub. I also found out that the lady I recruited for my long term sub took a position as the library aide and so she won't be able to teach my class for me :( She was very nice about it and got my approval first, but we are happy to have her anywhere in the school :)

My feet hurt and my back is still killing me, but I'm staying strong and hanging in there until it's impossible. My mind and energy are still pretty alive so it's hard to feel this body dragging me down. I feel like an old lady sometimes.

I go for my weekly check up tomorrow afternoon. Stay tuned for updates!

36 Weeks

I'm finally in the "miserable" stage! Not that I want to be here, but my friend, Melissa, kept asking if I'm miserable yet and now I can actually, honestly, say YES! Landyn loves to cuddle right up to my back and stay on my siatic nerve, which has gotten unbearable. I'm not too sure how I will last another 4 weeks - maybe I won't!

I came down with a virus last weekend wehre I went to the emergency room because my throat was hurting so bad! The strep test came back negative, so they sent me home. I've been alternating between Sudafed and Tylenol and constantly spraying my throat with cloroseptic spray to help ease the pain. In addition I'm totally congested, so this week really is a miserable one!I went to the doctor today and they did the Strep Group B test. If it comes back positive, I'll be on antibiotics during delivery. I'll get the results in a week on that.

Marleen also checked me and said I'm about a cm dialated and she could feel Landyn's head! Hopefully she will jiggle down and get ready to come in a couple of weeks. After next week, I'll be totally ready since she will be considered full term!

Here are some pictures that we took today along with some that my Mom took a couple of days ago in her backyard. How can I get any bigger??!!

35 Weeks

Everything has gone pretty smoothly this last week. I had my first Monday at school and I'm already exhausted this week! I love my class so far and hope they are good for the sub. I'm still stressing about getting my lesson plans ready, but I'm usually good under pressure so hopefully I can get those finished up within the next week.

As far as how I feel - my back is really letting me down in the evenings, but a warm back and back stretches are my saviors!

I had an AWESOME baby shower on Sunday where we recieved a lot of great gifts that we need! There are a few things we still need to get, but for the most part, we are getting clsoer to being ready.

We are definitely excited to meet baby Landyn!!

34 Weeks

Not only did I surpass another weekly milestone, I had my first day of class today! I am exhausted, needless to say, but not as bad as I was anticipating. Our principal gave us each an aide to help out all day so it was wonderful! Of course, I have my funny stories to share, but overall it was a good day and I believe this class will be great!

I had to go to the doctor last week for some strange feelings I was having. She checked me and said everything is good ("Long, thick and closed"). So Landyn is still happy where she is for now :) I acutally had a doctor's appointment today and missed it due to bad timing, so I'll have to reschedule for sometime next week.

Everyone keeps saying it looks like I'm carrying lower than usual, so Landyn is starting to get ready, I guess. I'm starting to feel a little more caught up on work so hopefully she will hold out as long as possible so I can finish things up at school.

I'll keep you posted on the next doctor appointment and try to get some picts up soon. Kris has been working and so it leaves little time for photography :) He has been a wonderful husband to me and so loving towards Landyn. I am so blessed to have him take care of us.

We hope everyone has a great week!!

33 Weeks

A lot has occurred in the past week. I have my first baby shower and received a lot of wonderful gifts for Landyn including the most clothes ever!! We also got a lot of books from everyone because they brought books instead of cards with each gift.

I also started having contractions. Whether they are Braxton hicks or not, I don't know. The doctor didn't say anything about which kind they were, but they sure gave me a scare and now I'm so overwhelmed about getting lesson plans done for school before Landyn comes. One day I had about 2 an hour which was crazy! I put my feet up and drank lots of water, which was what the doctor ordered. It really helped! I haven't had many since then.

I went back to work today and feel ready. I know that the next 7 (or less) weeks will go by so fast! I'm anxious to meet our little girl, but want her to be developed and ready when she does decide to come. I'll try to post some pictures of the shower and belly shots. If not this week, maybe next :)