The short and sweet (as well as not so sweet) version is:
- On July 23, 2011, we found out that I was 2.5 weeks pregnant
- I spent the rest of that weekend in the hospital because I'd gotten my lap band filled too tightly and couldn't eat or drink anything.
- Our wonderful little Puck died of Parvo over Labor Day weekend 2011. The vet said it was an awful tragedy because dogs his age who'd been vaccinated usually survived. The vaccine company reimbursed us for his medical expenses and will reimburse us for the cost of another dog when we decide to buy one.
- About 7 weeks into my pregnancy, I developed severe sciatica and began seeing a chiropractor.
- On January 17, 2012, Hubs and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary by doing absolutely nothing. I was sick (as I was for the majority of my pregnancy), and he was asleep.
- On February 24, 2012, my favorite supervisor had a heart attack at work and died. He had just announced his retirement and spent over an hour the previous day telling me about his plans for retirement. He is still missed greatly.
- On February 27, 2012, my OBGYN took me off work early because my blood pressure was through the roof, despite the medication I was taking.
- On April 3, 2012 (my due date), Hubs and I took Belle, Mel, Chloe, and a niece and nephew to C.A.L.M. and for a picnic at Hart Park. I walked several miles, which did not increase the contractions I'd been having intermittently for the past 2 days.
- On April 4, 2012, I made my way to the hospital to be induced.
- I was induced around 3:00 PM. I was 1-2 cm dilated and 98% effaced.
- My water was broken at 4:00 PM.
- At 9:30 PM, I was not dilating past 5 cm, and my blood pressure was shooting up to 225/170. My nurse told me that I should consider an epidural (my original birth plan was to have as little medical intervention as possible) because I was not relaxing enough between contractions to allow my body to dilate, and if my BP continued to rise, I'd probably be looking at a caesarean.
- At 10:00 PM, I got my first epidural. It didn't work.
- At 10:30, I got my second epidural, which worked marvelously. I couldn't sleep, but I was able to relax enough to have a really nice conversation with my mom while Hubs slept on the couch.
- At 1:30 AM, I started pushing.
- At 3:30 AM, the baby's head crowned. She was sunny side up, and the cord was around her neck. There was only one nurse in the room. The nurse stuck her head out the door and hollered for assistance while also telling me to stop pushing.
- I started crying because I COULD NOT stop pushing. My body was telling me to push, and the epidural had completely stopped working at the moment that baby's head crowned.
- The second nurse who ran into the room had barely enough time to throw on some gloves before baby turned herself and came sliding out.
- Alanna was born on April 5, 2012 at 3:32 AM with wide open eyes, red hair, and the most perfect little body I'd ever seen. I fell instantly in love.
- I was very disappointed that Hubs (who didn't find out about Belle's existence until about 6 hours after her birth) didn't get to cut the cord. Because there was meconium in the fluid when they broke my water, the NICU nurses cut the cord immediately and began suctioning fluid from Alanna's mouth and nose.
- She latched on like a pro the very first time.
- We were able to go home from the hospital the next afternoon.
- She is very attached to her daddy and her big sissy.
This is Alanna at a few hours old
Her first bonding experience with daddy
- On July 2, 2012, I quit my hated, stressful job (to be honest, I loved my job, I just hated working for a department that treated people like garbage) so I could stay home with the girls.
- Alanna was 20 weeks old yesterday. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time and enjoy her at this age when she's so precious and innocent.
She's all boobie baby (6 weeks old)
She still loves spending time with daddy (and trying to crawl)
She's quite the little mischievous one already (18 weeks)
She's mommy's little angel (20 weeks)
I am enjoying every moment I have with my special little blessing. Hubs has been working so hard (lots of overtime) to ensure that our needs are met without my income. I am so thankful to have a husband who works so hard to support his family (even if his motivation around the house leaves much to be desired). While he is working to support us, I'm working on a little side project that will hopefully provide a little extra income.
