Two Weeks

It has been two weeks since MA came into this world. Two weeks ago, our lives changed for the better. Two weeks ago, our daily lives became consumed by another living creature. Two weeks ago, I could not imagine loving so much... but two weeks later, I would not change any moment of it.

I am excited to go to the Dr. on Wednesday, because I'm fairly certain MA needs to be either at or well beyond her birth weight. She is eating like a tank and feels heavier to hold. Her naps are becoming shorter and she is eating more. Last night, we had a great night. We woke up at 12:30pm, 4am, 7am and 9:30am to eat. She is able to fall asleep after eating. I do rock with her after she eats, or we walk around the house. Once she's asleep, MA will sleep soundly in the bassonet (most nights) until she is hungry again.

She has quite the personality at such a young age. I think this is the most shocking to me. She is smiling and making goofy faces. They are usually accompanied by a poop, but not always! She loves to cuddle and have "tummy time" on our chests. She picks her head up pretty far and holds it for awhile. She also has been rolling from her back to her side since we brought her home from the hospital.

I have a feeling that she is going to be a real handful - but I wouldn't have it any other way! She's a beautiful little girl, and I can't wait to see what the next two weeks, months, years bring. I just want it to go a little more slowly. Everyday seems to fly by!

MA, two weeks old today.

Slave Driver

MA is my slave driver, haha. Overall, she's a good baby. She is beautiful and loves to cuddle. She also loves to sleep, but has been more awake more often. Unfortunately, it's usually in the middle of the night.

I read somewhere that she is likely to be going through a growth spurt. I believe it. She goes through these moments (that sometimes last hours) where she will just eat everything in sight.

The other night, I nursed her on and off for almost three.hours. Then, she drank two oz. of pumped breastmilk. Finally, she fell asleep into a deep slumber.Breastfeeding is much harder than I anticipated. I knew it would be a struggle and I knew it was a commitment, but sheesh! Each day is getting a little easier though. I am glad she is.eating more - She should be back to her birth weight in no time!

Finally!

Well, as you can probably tell from my lack of posting, MA is finally here! My water broke at 4:00am on 9/12/2011. The look on MJ's face was priceless when I woke him up. He actually had to stand in the hallway for a second and ask me if it was real or if he was dreaming. What no one tells you is that when your water breaks, it never stops coming out! For that, I am grateful that I was walking into the hospital at 4:30am and not in the middle of the day!

When we got to the hospital, I did not have regular contractions. They admitted us and put us in the room to get the contractions going. They had me walking around the hallway to help. Around 10am, they became more prominent and by noon they were painful. The doctors said that my body was doing the labor on its own and they did not think I needed any medication to help, at this point. Around 2:30pm or so, I was finally at 4 cm. dialated. I gave in and got the epidural around 3pm or so. From then on, the contractions just got stronger, but with the medication, I was able to get some rest.

Finally, around 9:00pm, they checked me again and I was 9 cm. They wanted to give some medication to help the contractions along, by MA had other plans. They gave me Pictocin and then decided that they were going to have me do some "practice pushes." Well, halfway through the first push, MA's head started to appear. It only took a few more pushes and at 10:00pm, MA was born.

It was beautiful, shocking, exhausting, energizing and confusing, all at once, but I would not change it for the world. MA is the best baby. She has a great personality already and it is only getting more prominent every single day. She is pretty content, as long as she is fed and changed. She has beautiful black hair and loves to cuddle. We love her more than life itself.

 MA, four days old.

MA, 1 day old, at the hospital.

Breakdown

Yep. I had one yesterday. I think every nine-month pregnant person deserves to have one every now and then. This past month has just been a roller coaster. Two weeks ago we were in the hospital having contractions and sent home because of no dialation. From that day forward, it's all I think about. It consumes my brain and I think yesterday was my breaking point.

From the night that we were in the hospital, I have been having steady contractions. Not very strong, but lots throughout the day. I went to the doctor three days later and was 1cm dialated. Good news, I thought. So, the past week, I've been having the same kind of contractions everyday. Go to doctor again yesterday.... still 1cm. He said the baby's head and shoulders need to drop more and that will put things in motion. So, I was sent home with exercises and told to walk walk walk.

So, that's what I will do. It will give me something to focus on. Which is good, because when I went home, I just lost it. I know she's not due yet. I know it's a little irrational. But, when you have family and friends messaging you throughout the day everyday asking if there is a baby yet, it gets tiring. So, I cried. And I cried. I told MJ I can't do this anymore and I want to quit. To see the look on the poor man's face who knew nothing of what to say. He just held me and I cried it out.

I feel more at peace now, though. She will come when she will come. I will do my exercises and stay distracted throughout the day. We go back to the doctor next Thursday, which would be 2 days after our original due date.

Until then, I will enjoy the time with MJ while he is on vacation. I need to enjoy this time off work and not just wait. This is supposed to be a beautiful experience, not an anxiety-filled craziness. So, whatever it will be, it will be.

I'm just along for the ride.

Labor Day

Well, I must say that I thought that MA would have been here by now. The contractions remain, but aren't strong enough to be labor contractions yet. I refuse to go to the hospital again just to be sent home. It is getting uncomfortable to sleep though. When I am not waking up to pee every half hour, I am waking up with excrutiating leg cramps.

I just wish she was in a rush to be in the outside world, like we are for her.

MJ started his vacation today and we had a pretty productive day at home. It has been raining all day... so we got our new dishwasher installed. I made beef stew in the crockpot, which was pretty good. I love my crockpot. It is definitely telling that fall is just around the corner though.

MJ is now trying to install our new garage door opener. I don't hear any swearing coming from the garage yet, so that must be a good sign. I am enjoying this time with him... but, I also cannot stop thinking about this beautiful little girl inside of my tummy.

I just want her to come out and play already.