Pregnancy, Birth, and talking about the little one.
Guess who turned one month old on Friday? I can’t believe how fast that went by.
This past month, I was born, gained about 2lbs, and have started to become more alert and love to “talk” to my toy puppy, Spot. I am a good eater and sleeper, waking up only once or twice a night. I love to take baths and snuggle with mommy and daddy. I can’t wait to see what the second month will bring.
I’m happy to say that I’m complete out of all of my maternity clothes. Woot! I actually am out of most of my pre-pregnancy clothes as well. I need to get some new things and I am craving some good fitting khakis, more striped shirts (you can never have enough, right?) and some comfy new Tretorns for the season. Notice my new accessory, the Bugaboo Cameleon? Hands down the best stroller ever. Now I just have to get the hubby to babysit so I can go clothes shopping.
I started working on this quilt soon after we found out that we were having a boy. I had been saving Shawn’s old shirts to use for a sewing project and I thought that this was the perfect one to use them for. I had eight shirts that I broke down into 6.5” squares of fabric. I then used those along with some white Kona cotton to make half-square triangles (HSTs) There are a lot of good tutorials out there for HSTs, like here and here. They are a great basic block that you can make a ton of different designs from. After making a TON of HSTs, I pieced the quilt top together. I sandwiched the quilt using Warm & Natural batting and some plain white flannel (both from Joann’s) and made the binding with some gray Kona Cotton from my fabric stash. I quilted it by outlining the squares as well as following the diagonals. I also embroidered a tag to go on the back with Joseph’s birth date, height and weight.
I can’t even tell you how happy I am with how this quilt turned out. It was the most labor-intensive quilt I’ve made to this point and I was truly a work of love. I hope that Joseph will enjoy it for years to come.
To see more photos, go to the full post.
I touched on this a little bit when I posted about Joseph’s birth, but I felt that I wanted to say a little bit more. I went into this thinking that I would breastfeed. I mean with these boobs, I thought that I would be the blue ribbon milker at the county fair. Unfortunately, things turned out differently.
The breastfeeding thing was hard. I was really wanting to do it and was pretty upset at first that it wasn’t happening. He latched on great at the hospital, but when I was home and got sick, my milk wouldn’t come out. I mean it was definitely in, I was swollen beyond belief. I was pumping with every feeding trying to get it to come out and nothing. My body was not letting me give up any fluids. I have to admit that I was really hard on myself about this, I was upset and felt that there was something wrong with me that I couldn’t do this for my child.
Well, it ended up that there actually WAS something wrong with me. I went to the hospital and was treated for the postpartum preeclampsia. This led to my milk drying up along with all the other fluids leaving my body. After some discussion with my doctors and with Shawn, I decided then that I did all I could to try to breastfeed, but I wasn’t willing to go on more medication to try to get my milk back. I just went through hell trying to get my body to regulate and get back to “normal” and I didn’t want to have a relapse or any other health issues so I could take care of my baby. He seemed to be happy and healthy on the formula and that is what mattered most to me.
Now, I must admit that I haven’t had too many bad comments from anyone yet, but I feel a lot of guilt about bottle feeding and also the need to explain WHY I’m not doing it. It’s a messed up thing. Society pushes the “breast is best” idea pretty hard and I understand the merits of breastfeeding, but for those who cannot -for whatever reason- do so, there is a great stigma there. I have some friends who were bullied by other moms about their choice and I truly feel for them. It is an emotional time and you are already wracked with guilt and anxiety over doing the right thing. It’s horrible to think that others would play on those feelings to make you doubt yourself and what you are doing for your child.
I am not saying either way which is better, I am only sharing what happened in my situation and how I am dealing with it. Bottom line: Joseph is thriving and that is all that matters to us.
Well it has been two weeks since the arrival of my little man and I thought that I’d share how things went for the delivery and what we’ve been up to for the past couple of weeks.
Everything started early on Tuesday morning, March 13th, Shawn and I went to the hospital at 7am to be admitted in order to be induced. I was started on pitocin around 8:30am and had my water broken around 10:30 or so. I decided to get an epidural around noon. This was pretty painful since it took them three or four tries to get in. Getting a needle put into your spine while contracting is NOT FUN.
I had a fairly rough time for most of the afternoon in active labor. They had to re-dose me several times with the epiand give me Nubain because it was wearing off quickly. I also was vomiting a lot as a side effect. Puking while contracting, also NOT FUN.
I was at the point where I was ready to start pushing at 7pm. I pushed until he arrived at 8:06pm. The nurses and doctor were fairly surprised at how quickly I got him out. There was a point which they wanted me to stop pushing (This was the most agonizing thing I have ever been asked to do. Insane. . . . ) because the doctor was on his way to the hospital and they wanted me to wait until he got there. I guess that I told them that this is a hospital and to go find another doctor. I have to say that this hour of pushing was the longest hour of my life and I could not imagine pushing for longer. It amazes me that some women push for 4,6, or 8 hours. I would have given up.
Immediately after delivery, they put him on my stomach while Shawn cut the cord. They then took him to get cleaned, up while I delivered the placenta and got some stitches. After we were all taken care of, we were moved into a private room where we spent our first night together.
We were discharged Thursday afternoon and made our way home. Over the next few days, I was having no success in breastfeeding, my milk came in but would not come out, so we had to start him on formula. I was pumping every time I fed him, but nothing was working. I also was having problems with swelling of my feet and ankles and started to have some shortness of breath. Fast forward to Monday night and I was wheezing and sounding like I had a rattle in my lungs. I was scared I had pneumonia, so Shawn took me to the ER Tuesday morning. I ended up having to be admitted since they were concerned I might have postpartum cardio myopathy, but after a chest xray, a CAT scan, and an EKG, it was found that I was retaining an unusual level of fluids. This was making my heart and lungs weaken, so I was given medications for high blood pressure and to eliminate the fluids. This helped a lot and I was able to come back home on Thursday afternoon. I still have to take the meds for the next 30 days, but I have to say that I am feeling MUCH better and I’m so happy to be home.
I have to take a moment to say how amazing my husband has been during these past couple of weeks. He has already proven himself an amazing father. Changing diapers, making bottles, and doing laundry around the clock. He has taken care of me and Joseph without a word of complaint. Whenever I see him holding our little boy, it brings tears to my eyes. I know with you we can get through anything. I so look forward to enjoying our son and watching him grow together.
After all this time, he’s finally here.
Joseph William Colley was born on March 13, 2012 at 8:06pm. Measuring in at 9lbs 7oz and 20.5 inches long, he is my big little guy.
Our world has changed, and only for the better.
I went to the doctor last week and he decided that I would be induced tomorrow if I didn’t have the baby over the weekend. Well, the weekend has come and gone without his appearance, so Shawn and I will be heading to Riverside Hospital tomorrow morning to have my induction started and get this little guy into the world. Sorry little one, your eviction notice has been served. Time to join the world.
One year ago today, my beautiful tiny twins came into the world. They were with us for such a brief amount of time, yet they will continue to be a large part of our lives forever. I think about you both often. Mary, you were so tiny and perfect with your little cupid’s bow lips, long slender fingers and your father’s feet. Christopher you were bigger than your sister, long legs and arms, the Torto nose and your father’s distinctive 4×4 head.
I pray for you every day and I know that you are together, which comforts me. I know that you are with me always.
You both have touched this pregnancy. Your little brother that will be here soon. Every moment has brought me closer to you . . . and him. I hope that you will both look after him once he has made his way into this world.
**************************************************************
Shawn and I have decided to once again join the March of Dimes’ March for Babies walk in celebration of the twins, as well as their little brother, this year. The date of this year’s walk in Columbus will be Sunday, April 29th. We invite you to join us for the walk if you can, or perhaps you can find it in you to make a donation to this amazing cause. Our team page is located here.
We’d like to thank you all for the amazing love and support that you’ve given us this past year. We have gone through some of our highest highs and lowest lows and wouldn’t have been able to get through any of them without you. We love you all more than words can say.
Today I am 38 weeks and 4 days into this pregnancy. Only 10 days left until my due date. I have a countdown clock in my head and that is all I can think about. Along with repeatedly telling the little guy that “It’s time to come out now.” I’m hoping that he starts listening to me soon. Otherwise he’s grounded.
Well, yesterday I clocked in at 37 weeks. That means that I have three weeks or less until the little guy makes his world debut. I have to admit that I have my fingers crossed that this happens sooner rather than later. My body is pretty much at it’s limit, not to mention my sanity. Let’s get this show on the road little one!
I didn’t mention it earlier but I went to Labor & Delivery (LD) two weeks ago because I was having some contractions and a “pulling” feeling down there. I called the doctor’s office and they said just go to LD at the hospital just to be safe. When we got there, they checked my cervix and I was dilated to 1.5cm and 50% effaced. So, they decided to take out my cerclage a week early. Painful is an understatement. I will not get into the details, but let me say that this was not something I would wish on any woman. Ever. But, the good news is that it is out and I am “ready to go.” Meaning that if I continue to progress with labor they will not stop it.
The nursery is pretty much complete, we have the crib ready, shelving and storage are in place, the dresser/changing table arrived on Wednesday. I have a few decorative things on the walls, etc. but still working on that. I decided that I want to really take my time and find the perfect things for in there instead of rushing. Clothes and bedding are all washed and put away. All we need now is the occupant.
Widdershins 