The Birth Story...

My belly at 38 weeks. Getting ready to head to the hospital (WARNING: BARE BELLY BELOW!!) Sunday night (July 25th) we checked in to the hospital at 8 p.m. My parents went with us so they knew where to go the next morning. Jack stayed in the hospital with me.

By 10 p.m. they gave me a sleeping pill and a pill to soften my cervix and I was completely out of it by 10:01. Jack has some funny stories of things I was saying as I was slipping into unconsciousness.

Around 4 a.m. they started the Pitosin to induce labor.
My doctor came in around 7 a.m. and checked me out then broke my water...weirdest feeling. A warm gush of water. After that I started feeling my contractions more and more. The contractions that far were definitely bare-able, but I knew I'd eventually want an epidural. Even though the contractions I was feeling so far just felt like intense menstrual cramps, they were still uncomfortable.
I told the nurse I will definitely want an epidural eventually, but was okay for now. She said there were a ton of c-sections scheduled that day and if I decided I wanted one and the anestegiologist was in surgery, I might have to wait a while. So I decided I'd rather get one now, then wait till it's too late.

The epidural didn't hurt at all. I'm actually amazed at the entire labor process. For me (this time around) it was a breeze!

Long story short, my labor was not progressing as we'd hoped. Doctor came in around 3 p.m. and I was barely at 5 cm...more like 4. And she'd hoped I'd be at least 6 cm by then. And the baby's head hadn't really dropped far at all. So she started talking about my options. I asked her when would the decision to do a c-section be made? What had to happen for that? And she said she would feel comfortable doing a c-section then because it seemed like my labor progression was going backwards. So we decided to go ahead with the c-section thinking it would be a couple of hours before we could get in... well they squeezed us in at the 3:30 slot. My family was in the waiting room and Jack ran out to tell them what was going on. Then the doctor took Jack back to get suited up.

At 4:05 p.m....Sawyer was born!!

Sawyer Marie French 6 pounds 8 ounces 19 1/4 inches. Born on July 26, 2010 at 4:05 p.m.

The experience in surgery was so weird. It's so strange to be awake, and perfectly able to hear everything going on, but be cut wide open on a table with your feet and hands strapped down. Jack was right by my side and we were just talking like normal conversation. And then Dr. Staud said "Jack, do you have your camera ready???" and it was go-time. All I wanted was to hear her cry...and she did. As soon as the doctor pulled her out, she was crying. Best. Moment. Of. My. Life.

We are so grateful for my parents and Lauren that were there to share the experience with us. It was amazing.

I think this is my last post. I am probably not going to have much time now to keep up with this blog. But it was fun and hopefully kept my friends and family in the loop with my pregnancy.

Cheryl and Bob... en-route

Mom and Dad are on their way to Texas! They should be here in an hour or so. This is their first visit to come see us (we've lived here for over 2 years). My mom is staying for 2 weeks and she's so excited because she's NEVER been ANYWHERE for 2 whole weeks! Ha ha ha. They are too funny. Dad leaves Wednesday with Lauren, who gets here Monday. I'm glad my crazy dad has someone to fly with who is not a nervous nelly like him. Neither of my parents like to fly. Aunt Tina will fly home with my mom in 2 weeks.

Mom and Dad at our wedding. October 2008.

Tomorrow night we go to the hospital!! I had my "pre-admission" hospital appointment yesterday to register and sign a ton of papers and get some blood work done. I have to stop eating and drinking tomorrow at 2 p.m.!! That is just WRONG to do to a pregnant girl... we don't go to the hospital till 8 p.m. and then all they give me is ice chips. I should be nice and STARVING by the time we get there. So I'm eating a huge breakfast and lunch.

Thinking tomorrow we will just hang at the pool all day.

My wonderful husband cleaned the entire house today. I had a house cleaner scheduled for Friday, but they cancelled on me last minute. So Jack cleaned his heart out yesterday and today. I am too fat and get way too swollen and contractions start when I am on my feet too long. He is the best!

So excited to take me last prego picture tomorrow! I can't believe it's already here.... I mean, I have been pregnant FOREVER and it felt like forever...but it's now HERE! Our little baby is going to be here. So crazy, scary, exciting, and amazing.

I'm starting to get nervous for labor. Not the pain part... although, I've gone through labor with an 8 week old fetus with my miscarriage and that was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. I think I went in to shock at one point because it hurt so bad my body would throb numbness, if that makes sense. So I can imagine the labor pains with a full-term baby.

One word: EPIDURAL!!!

I am nervous that everything will go okay with the baby. I just want what is the safest for her...and if that's a c-section I am completely happy with that and less scared/nervous for a c-section than a vaginal delivery. The weirdest part is going to be awake and feeling the pressure. That totally freaks me out.

I just want her to come out perfect and healthy.

Last day of work!!!

I decided on Monday, that today would be my last day of work. I need a couple "me" days before baby comes. It was also my boss's birthday so we had a pretty easy day. Had breakfast at work and took about a 2 hour lunch. Hard day...haha.
We went to the doctor today and no new news... still 1 cm dilated and not much progress on anything else. Baby hasn't dropped or anything. Still scheduled to go in on Sunday at 8 p.m. and getting induced on Monday morning. The meds they give should help to soften my cervix more. Doctor said if I haven't gotten to about 4 cm by noon or she hasn't dropped, she's probably not fitting. So a c-section will be likely. Either way we'll see.
Tomorrow's agenda: PEDICURE and MASSAGE!!! and sleeping in, as long as I can!

One week from today...

It's hard to believe that this time in exactly one week from now, we will be sitting in the hospital...trying to sleep...waiting for 4 a.m. to come along when they give me Potosin and I start the process of having our baby!!! Everything is ready to go... my parents come in town on Saturday, Lauren comes in on Monday, and hopefully we are all passing around Sawyer by Monday night!
I keep saying to Jack "this is our last weekend as just "us". He doesn't understand why I think about that. It's just been "us" for soooo long (7 1/2 years actually) and now we are going to be a family of 3. So crazy to imagine.
I feel like I have been pregnant for EVER (since Thanksgiving when we found out) but yet, I feel like she's going to be here so soon. Are we really ready and prepared for this? Of course NOT... but we are so excited for this new journey and love in our life. The thought that we are going to have a piece of both of us combined in to this little girl makes me smile so big. I'm so thankful that I can provide this gift to my amazing husband. He deserves it!

Nursery Photos!

The furniture FINALLY arrived on Thursday. I found some pink and brown knobs at Hobby Hobby on sale for $1.50 each! What a steal. It totally changes the look of the changing table. Sooo cute.

I'm going to put something over the crib...I just haven't decided what yet. Maybe a stencilled "S" or her initials. Any ideas? I also was thinking of hanging little picture frames with our family's pictures in them. Still brainstorming. Not gonna happen until AFTER she gets here though. Framed the fabric the crib bedding is made from (if it ever arrives). And painted the frames pink to match the walls. I love the way the stripes turned out.

Doc Appointment Update.

Had a doctor appointment on Thursday. I am 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced. She weighs 6 lbs 10 oz already (but this is right on schedule). Baby's head is still really high. Doesn't seem like it's "dropped" at all. And she's still facing up. There are some positions/exercises that I'm doing to try to get her to turn her little body facing down... really hoping she turns because apparently I can still deliver her, but it's very very painful. And most of the pain is in the back. Tomorrow I will be 37 weeks! I can't believe we made it this far. I'm so proud of my little girl for staying put and so happy my body finally decided to cooperate and accept the fact that I am prego. Ha.
The furniture is finally here and all set up and ready to go. Jack put the crib together last night and it's soooo pretty. I am obsessed with her room. The bedding is supposed to ship on Monday. Nothing like waiting till the last minute Etsy Lady!!!
Will post some pics of the room soon.
Only 1 more week of work left!!! I can't wait for my parents to get here in 1 week from today and Lauren to get here. Lauren's going to do a photo shoot with the baby at the hospital and I bought some super cute fabric and bows to use. It's going to be a crazy, crazy rest of the summer and I CAN'T WAIT!!!

NEWS FLASH!! FURNITURE IS IN THE BUILDING...

Holy mother of Mary....the baby's furniture got delivered TODAY! Nothing like waiting 'till the last minute people. I cannot recommend Buy Buy Baby to anyone...please do not use them. Sweet husband and friend Mark are going to put it together tonight to help calm my nerves. The custom crib bedding I ordered to be made in APRIL (same time I ordered the furniture...so much for being proactive) from Etsy is stilllll not here yet. The lady (CustomStuff2 Etsy name) told me she was working on it and planned to ship it by the end of this week... guess what lady??? It's Thursday! So you have one more day! What sucks about Etsy (and I am ADDICTED to it) is that there is no way to hold these people accountable. Except by giving them a "negative" feedback that gets posted on their Etsy site...which I SOOO WILL be doing as soon as I have the bedding ;)
Will post pictures of the furniture soon.
Doctor appointment today at 3. Been having some cramping. Might be early labor signs??? We will see. But I would really like her to come on the 26th as planned.... I told her this, so I'm sure she will listen to mommy like a little angel. xoxo