Welcome to the World (part 1)

My parents had come into town back on July 4th and my dad had to leave on Monday night in order to get back for a day of work. He asked me when he thought the baby would be born and I told him not until he got back. He left when I was 40 weeks and 1 day and came back on Wednesday afternoon when I was 40 weeks and 3 days.

It was very important for me to have my dad at my birth. He was there for both Ryann and Cara's birth (my mom was too!) and since I was having this baby at home I really wanted him there.

(Most people who read my blog know that my dad is an OBGYN, but just incase you didn't know, he is... I didn't expect any complications at my birth, but I wanted him there anyway.)

Anyway, he got back to Phoenix around 2pm and then around 3pm I convinced him and my mom to watch the movie, What To Expect When You Are Expecting. It is a silly movie, but I told myself the labor vibes might rub off on me. During that time I bounced on my exercise ball to try and stimulate labor. Towards the end of the movie I started to have a couple contractions. They started to slowly come and they felt a little different which was a good thing. At 5:45 I started to get hopeful and I changed into "labor clothes" that I would feel comfortable in if I went into labor. Now, I had already done this on two other occasions so I didn't say anything because I didn't want to jinx myself.

Then at 630 I started to think that this was really maybe going to be it. I was trying to relax in between contractions but not too much relaxing, because I didn't want them to stop. I then started having to breathe through my contractions. Then at 640 I asked Rich to turn on the "homebirth playlist" on his itunes. This playlist consisted of all piano music, a lot of it which was primary hymns. I even took a picture of the playlist and put it on instagram.

At this time I thought about timing my contractions but the thought of that was annoying and I thought it would be too time consuming. So I didn't. I really had no idea how close they were I just knew that they were starting to command my attention. The only thing I did had time for was to write down the times that things were happening because I wanted to make sure I could remember it all and write my birth story.

At 645 I (or my mom) texted my family to let them know that this might be it. I also had texted my doula and midwife before this so that they could prep their families in order to free themselves up to make it in time for the birth. Also while this was going on my parents, the girls, and Rich were eating dinner downstairs. I didn't really feel like eating corn on the cob and ribs, so I passed on that and hung out upstairs for awhile.

At 725 I wanted to know if there really was anything going on so I checked myself and I was 5 1/2cm dilated. I let my midwife know because she had just been waiting for me to tell her that "this was it" so she could come on over. Rich and my dad were upstairs trying to fill up the birthing tub with water because my plan was to have a waterbirth. There of course was some humor in this becasue Rich decided it would cost too much to buy a brand new hose, so the "faucet extension" he was using was way too short to reach and it was making quite the mess.

My doula came over at 730 and I put her to work immediately. She would push on my back during every contraction and so for the next 20 minutes I was still able to talk and chat in between contractions, even though during the contractions I really had to focus.

At 750 the tub was finally full enough that I could get in it. I jumped in almost immediately and it felt nice to be submerged in the water. 

There were a lot of differences that I was noticing between this birth and Cara's birth. With Cara I had practiced hypnobirthing throughout the pregnancy. I was calm and relaxed and totally focused with Cara. I was really quiet throughout the whole thing. However, I wasn't really "present" with the birth. I didn't know what to do to make my body feel better, I didn't recognize how far along I was or how fast things were progressing with Cara. I really was in a self hypnosis state. It was really neat, really easy, and quick. 

With Mac I was very present throughout the entire thing. I could think in between and even during contractions. I was comparing what I was experiencing now to what I had experienced before and I was even talking about it during the labor. When I first got in the tub I was laughing and joking with my sisters who were both on facetime with us. I was able to tell my doula what things to do to make my contractions feel better. I was aware when I was thirsty and what I wanted to drink. I also was aware of what kind of interventions would make my contractions more tolerable. However, this labor HURT. It was hard and seemed endless even though it was also very fast. I was loud, I moaned, I swayed, I changed positions and I remember myself saying "I can't do this" quite a few times. (even though I knew I could... it is just what sounded right to say.)

After I got in the tub Ryann and Cara made some pictures and cards for me. This was the sweetest thing. The girls were so excited that Baby Mac was coming. Ryann wrote:

Dear Mom, I love you. You gave me a great hug. You gave me a great kiss. I love you where ever we go. I love my baby brother. I love my brother. I hope you feel better soon. I hope baby brother comes soon. I love you. Love Ryann

Curled Hair

Ryann asked me on Sunday if I could curl her hair. She never ever wants me to do her hair so of course I said yes. 

Then she proceeded to take about 30 pictures of her hair. Most had fish faces like this:

They are pretty fun to look through. Hopefully she'll ask me to do it again some day.

Past Due Date

 Waiting waiting waiting isn't very fun. Having your due date come and go also isn't very fun. Being 40+ lbs heavier than normal isn't very fun. Having contractions every night before bed while bouncing on an exercise ball that lead to nothing isn't very fun. Swollen feet and hands aren't fun either... okay I am done complaining for now. Except one more thing... My parents are in town and my dad leaves tonight, which is not exciting because I really wanted him to be here for the birth. 

So here are some things I have been doing in my last few days.  I bought a big hat to distract everyone from my big belly... does it help?

 I have also put some of the finishing touches on my "labor space" with my birth affirmations, pregnancy photos, and pictures from the girls. 

I am also spending time imagining myself giving birth in this labor/ birth tub... when the actual event takes place there sure won't be stuffed horses and unicorns, but for now the girls think it is their place to play. 

Labor Blessings

I have been wearing these beads around for the past week. They are from my blessing way. Everyone who came was able to give me a one word "wish" for my birth. Things like Peace, calm, smooth, fast, etc. that was associated with each bead. So I have worn this around to remind me of all the people who are hoping that I have an amazing birth.  

 I also ordered a couple little clay hearts to give to my birth team. They have a special little message on the back of them. The lady who I ordered them from made an extra one for me and that is also sitting in my birth space at home waiting for me. 

This pregnancy has been a lot of fun but I am sure excited to see it come to an end so I can meet our sweet baby boy.

Fireworks

~~~I don't plan on blogging the day I have the baby, so I am pre-blogging to have new stuff come out each day since I don't plan on having much time once Baby comes. ~~~

This is as far as we got to watching fireworks this year. I am sure glad I didn't buy a 4th of July onesie for Baby Mac. 

Thanks daddy for being in charge of the flames. 

 Grandma and Cara had fun watching. 

Ryann's favorite one was the "snow sparkler" or something like that. That is the one that she got to help daddy light. 

 I thought the rainbow ones would have made her more excited, but playing with fire does have a certain appeal. 

 After about 30 minutes we were done, the girls went to have baths and it was off to bed. Sorry Arizona, next year I will do everything in my power to NOT be in Arizona for the 4th of July. 

Getting Closer

I still haven't finished the room, but slow and steady progress right?  I need a crib skirt and I made these felt monsters to sew on to the curtains? I think. I still haven't decided.

 The changing pad cover is in the mail, and everything is washed and ready to go. 

 Now we just twiddle our thumbs until Baby Mac comes I guess. 

Or I could finish up these projects... hmmm... or watch Hart of Dixie on Netflix. 

So far today Hart of Dixie has won out. 

Artists

My little artists. Cara painted and colored some pictures of her and her cousins and then one for her dad.

 Ryann was especially proud of her pictures.

 My favorite was a picture of Ryann and Ethan getting married.

They aren't blood so that should be okay right?

 And no day of pictures would be complete without Ryann riding on a unicorn with a rainbow. 

Maternity Leave

I am on partial maternity leave now. So strange because I never went on leave before my girls were born. 

Ryann I worked Sunday night to Monday morning and I had her Tuesday.

Cara I always had Wednesdays off from work and I had her on a Wednesday. 

This time around I have anywhere between 30 and 40 patients scheduled a day, and that is a LOT of patients to have to reschedule, so my office manager requested that I stop working in the office this week to save the hassle of rescheduling everyone.

I was more than happy to do this, however, I still have some simple office procedures scheduled for today and I was on call yesterday and will be on call today.

 (I delivered a cute little boy yesterdat morning named Blake! and I just found out a friend has a Blake with a birthday yesterday too! He is 11 though)

So on my "day off" of maternity leave yesterday I spent some time with the girls. Cara and I went to her tumbling class, we took naps together, then we went to Yoasis (without daddy!) because in all reality they will be doing lots of daddy daughter dates coming up and I will have to miss out on some of those. We also went swimming. 

If I am preggo much longer I foresee some pedicures, trips to the mall, baking cookies, more swimming, trips to sonic, and especially time with Grandma and Grandpa!!  Yahoo!

Bowling

The day I delivered Cara I went bowling. 

Not so much happened with Baby Mac. But it was still fun to go bowling.

 Baby Hazel enjoyed it. 

 Cara loved the air vent. 

 Auntie Devyn loved it. 

 Hazel even got to throw a few down the lane.

 Rich won the game of course. I blame it on the bumpers. 

Here is a classic bowling ball picture with another one under my shirt... right?

 My sweet Ryry

 Sisters. 

 One more picture with the bowling ball for good measure. 

Stitches... NAH!

Cara had her first swimming injury. She loves swimming now that she has goggles. She is a little fish, but not super safe because she doesn't ever really come up for air. 

She swims with all her might to the edge of the pool and when she gets there is when she takes a breath.

We are working on that little safety issue.

There is another one though we didn't think about. When she jumps into the pool she jumps close to the side. Usually we watch her really closely, but this time she jumped and hit her chin on the side of the pool. 

 I brought her home to give her some stiches but I realized I was out of lidocaine. I looked at it a little closer and decided it would be just fine with steri strips and a Cinderella band-aid. 

 It isn't bleeding anymore, and it closed up nicely, but I guess we will see how it heals when I check on it in the morning. 

A trip to urgent care just didn't sound fun.

I hope it doesn't scar you for life Cara.