Bragging rights! :)

Brady is doing great! He is still in the special care nursery but is doing well. He latched right on and is starting to want to eat! What he has is called pnumothorax--it's a hole in his lung that should heal on its own. As long as it doesn't get bigger, then we are ok! His vitals are great, he is alert and nice and pink!

I talked to my aunt last night who actually had a very similar experience down the fever and pnumothorax. WEIRD.

I saw my doctor last night who told me again (guess she told me but again, i was out of it) that the cord was wrapped loosely around his neck! YIKES!

So, back to those bragging right....here are pics of the new man in my life!

Daddy's hand with his little footprint!

Brady is here! Updates on my little man!

(By the way, if you are going to deliver soon, be warned that what happened to me is not normal!!!)

The past few days have been crazy. I labored for 15 hours, and was making no progress, and hadn't slept all night. Got the epi, and dilated to 2 cm after what seemed like days. The Epi wore OFF around 5, and then I started to spike a fever.

After talking it over with Blake and my nurses, I was wheeled away to the OR for a C-section. My water broke at like 8 on Sunday night and was given antibiotics to prevent infection but something was going on. I was not making any progress, and he had been in there too long without fluid.

He was delivered by C-Section at 6:33 pm, weighing 7lbs and 8 ounces (i can't believe how tiny he is) The EPI wasn't working right, and I was feeling some of it during the C-section, and once the baby was out they gave me pain meds, and I got knocked out. I did get to see Blake see him for the first time, and that was the most amazing thing.

At the time, they thought he inhaled fluid but turns out there are air pockets in his lungs. His is in the special care nursery, and doing good so far. He is on an IV and antibiotics. I was so out of it after the c-section that I didn't really get to see him. I got to hold him around 9, and fell in love. he looks like his daddy, down to his nose! He had a head of dark hair and is the cutest thing I have ever seen!

(I have better pics but I can't reach my camera right now, lol!)

It's kind of hard to see him attached to all those wires, but he is wide eyed and alert! They haven't had to go to any other measures (breathing tube, etc) so that is good but he is not out of the woods yet. I talked to the nurse this morning, and she said he is snoozing away, but that he had a few episodes of the rapid breathing, but again no extreme measures had to be taken, so i guess that is good.

They are going to have me pump since i am bed ridden right now, and my nurse just told me she would take me to see him later. I hate that I can't do anything, and that I can't even move. I can't be there for my baby, and my heart is aching.

I made Blake go home and get a good nights rest since we had a long two days here and to take care of Piper and Lily but once he gets back, he is going to see Brady.


I will tell you that my experience at this hospital (Missouri Baptist) has been awesome down to the wonderful anesthesiologist. Last night, they wheeled my BED into the NICU to see him (well, they call it the Special Care Nursery.) I was shaking like a leaf during the c-section from the meds and they took great care of me.

Anyway, back to Brady! If you could please say a little prayer for him, I would appreciate it!

Yes, I am blogging from labor and delivery!

Last night after making a huge dinner, and two loaves of pumpkin bread (one was still cooking in the oven), I went to lay down to watch tv and relax around 8:00, and I felt a pop! My water broke! It was pouring down raining, and we were here by 9:00.

It is now 8:30......and here I am 12 hours later, and no freaking baby. I am having contractions every 1-5 minutes but there is no real pattern. They are starting to develop one, but hence this morning I was STILL at 1 cm. I looked at the nurse like, WTF? SERIOUSLY? It's going to be a looooong day!

I haven't slept....and I am bored out of my mind. So, I am sitting here bouncing on a ball, blogging!

I sent Blake home around 3:30 to let Lily out, and make sure our house didn't burn down (neither of us could remember if we turned off the oven..luckily, it's still in tact! but damn I was pumped about that damn pumpkin bread! Popsicles just won't cut it!)

I sure hoped to have a baby by now!

Hopefully soon!!!!

Oh, and since it's been over 12 hours since my water broke, I am a lucky recipient of antibiotics to prevent infections. COME ON BRADY---GET OUT!

Winners!

I used random.org to pick two winners for the Yopliat Prize Pack!

Cheryl and Katie, you both won! Congrats!

Please email me so I can get your prize shipped to you before this baby pops out! :)

Random musings of a pregnant woman: Part 2

Nine months is a long time. It's a long time to go without sushi, and wine but it truly is worth it.

You will get to a point where even your maternity clothes are snug on you. Walking around half neked might actually feel more comfortable but not really socially acceptable.

Here is my neked belly. It might be the only one I ever show :)

Here I am at 38 weeks!

You will realize that you are spending more and more on tp due to the fact that you pee 6,694 times in a day.

On that note, you might actually think about moving your office into the bathroom because you are spending so much time in there.

You will think that you lucked out on stretch marks because you made it to the ninth month with only one here or there but you wake up one day to a road map of them.

Your husband will want to take care of you which is sweet but then he will tell you that you are getting so big, that he actually worries about you falling over.

Your feet might swell so much that they resemble fat sausages and drumsticks more than toes and calves. Your wardrobe will have to go with flip flops because that is the only thing those sausages will fit in. You will have dreams of wearing those cute BCBG patent leather pumps once again.....

You will go to some great lengths to paint your toes, and shave you legs. You might even decide it isn't worth it.

You will miss your old wardrobe, and get tired of wearing the same 4 shirts over and over but then again, you might never wear normal pants again. Maternity pants are like dressy sweatpants!

You bring your lunch to work everyday but only end up eating it once or twice. Bread Co, or something like a grilled cheese and bacon sounds much much better!

The first (and if you are lucky like me, part of the 2nd) trimester is in the beginning for a reason. You are still so excited to be pregnant and the whole thing is so new you muster up the energy to go to work even though the thought of rolling out of bed makes you want to hurl. Then you get to the 3rd trimester, and you are so ready for it to be over, rolling out of bed exhausts you!


Your nose might swell so much that you don't even recognize yourself. You are to the point where you just don't care and are lucky you found enough energy to brush you teeth and throw you hair into a ponytail!


Pregnancy was a learning experience for the men too. Little did my husband know that he would learn so much about the female anatomy. I might have heard him tell someone that I was dilated, and that I was having contractions but that didn't mean anything because they were not close together. You might realize that your husband actually listens.....or that he actually might know what he is talking about!

People will tell you that it flies by and the first trimester feels like it will never end. Then, you get to see your little one wiggle on the big screen and fall madly in love. Then, time stops again before it immensely picks up and it's over before you know it! For those of your preggers, enjoy it while you can even though it can have its rough patches, it truly does fly by and before you know it, you will be sitting there wondering if today is the day you meet your baby!

Your body will amaze you. I think once I meet Brady, it will really put in perspective how amazing the whole process is!

Things you don't want to hear (38 weeks!)

I swear my feet and legs are the conversation of everyone I meet. I go to my Dr. appt today and my dr. was out so I saw another one, (who I have seen before and I like.) She comes in and says, 'So i hear you have tree trunks for legs," and I show her and she goes, oh wow! Then she reads me my note from my Dr. and it says, "Edema-very impressive!" So, yes, chuck that up to things you don't want to hear.....but you know I am so used to it! They are pretty bad......and tree-trunk like!

I I have been having some contractions but they are not close together at all. The first one took me by such surprise! I was at lunch with coworkers and I looked around like I had expected them to feel it too!

I have made some progress, still 1 cm dilated, and 90% effaced! YAY! She said that most first time moms will efface first and then dilate, so that is good to know I am making some progress.


I am to the point where I am just uncomfortable...really just miserable, and ready to have him in my arms. I will try anything so if you have something that worked, let me know! I am hereby, evicting this baby!

I have a pic and another post coming tomorrow!

Yoplait Kids Giveaway!

Thanks to myblogSpark and Yoplait, we got to try out this fun prize pack and I get to give away two of them to you guys! I am a Yoplait fan (I am pretty hooked on strawberry banana) and was excited to try the new low sugar from Yopliat Kids.

What is best about this is that it is low in sugar, no artifical sweeteners or flavors, and it is yummy too! I have been eating a lot of yogurt to get some calcium in since I am not a big milk drinker! This would be perfect to give the kiddos, and feel good about it!

The Yoplait Less Sugar, More Fun Prize Pack includes:

• 1 coupon for a free 6-pack of Yoplait Kids Yogurt
• Travel Cooler
• Fuzzy Tangle Puzzle
• Spoons that changes color in warm water
• Reusable Placemat

Leave me a comment telling me what you favorite flavor of yogurt is, and enter by 10/22! I will announce the two winners on 10/23 pending I am not in labor!

This coupon offer for a free six pack of Yoplait Kids yogurt is not valid in Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee and if you live in those states you can still get the prize pack but not redeem the coupon! No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a yoplait less sugar, more fun prize pack to review, and the opionions are my own!

Progress baby! 37 weeks!

Today was a good dr visit! I didn't gain any weight, wahoooo!

I am dilated 1 cm, and 50% effaced! Yay for progress! His head is nice and low (um, I know!) She also doesn't want to send me right to a c-section (whew!) and wants me to go through labor as she thinks there is a great chance he could fit. (double whew!) but only at that time will we know!

I was also told that I need to get my wedding ring off ASAP. I am supposed to elevate my hand and then try to get it off but seriously have tried everything--soap, lotion, oil, and soaking my hand in ice. I might have to get it cut off and it might make me weepy but that isn't anything weird because everything seems to do that to me lately. I mean I got emotional the other day because something Blake which had no emotional connotation whatsoever....or because i dropped something!

My nose looks like it grew in place of gaining weight this week. Seriously....

My feet look like fat snausages, and my back is killing me but I am so close to meeting my little man, it's crazy. I think I might have a little mini panic attack over that thought....breathe, Amy, breathe!

I'm ready!

My goal this weekend was to get all the stuff I needed to get done and have it checked off my list! I overdid it, and blake put me on bed rest today (though I didn't mind spending my day off doing nothing!)

My bag is packed! Though, someone wants to go with me!

Too bad I can't take her with me.....

I bought the rest of the stuff we needed, though I am sure I'll think of 459 more things.
I finished a project for his room! I was worried how it would turn out and I think I like it! :)
I washed and hung all his clothes, blankets, bibs...etc!
I finished part of his alphabet wall. I don't really have the time or energy to do it the way I had wanted, but I kinda of improvised and like how it turned out. I am just waiting on getting the fabric sewn, pick up one more thing, and then I will share pictures!

I feel ready. Brady, you may come out and play now! Wow...this is real isn't it?

36 weeks....

I had my appointment this morning following up on my ultrasound from yesterday and my normal weekly appt. She was not concerned with his weight right now, which is good but I am, lol! She said that he weighed 6 pounds 10 oz! The u/s tech mentioned he was almost 7 pounds. My ob did say that these u/s can be off under or over, so at the same time, who knows how big he is!

Good thing is he is still head down and in position. She could feel his head (and mentioned it was right on my bladder but I could have already told you that!) Another good thing was that his fluid was good! It was under 10 but still at a good amount! YAY!

That was the good news, but I left really confused. I asked questions but once I left I had 799 more. Basically, she said that the baby might not fit through the birth canal. I am right on the cusp and the only way to know if he will fit is when I am in labor. This worries me for several reasons. The first one is obvious--the whole possibility of a c-section. Then, what if I go through 20 hours of labor to find out that the baby is in distress or doesn't fit and now I need an emergency c-section. Maybe none of this will be needed and I plan to talk to her more in-depth about it next week, but I am uneasy not knowing the final outcome. I am too much of a planner to not know but IF I HAVE to have a c-section, I have to mentally prepare myself for that. I did not feel like she steered me towards either but I am sure it depends on his size as well. If he is going to be 8+ pounds, it's going to be more difficult than if he was 7, which we already know he is near. It is a wait and see kind of thing, and I am just not happy about that. I can't change what my body can and cannot do, and I have to accept that. I also have to accept that I can't plan everything!

The whole surgery while I am awake freaks me out. Granted women do it everyday, but at the same time there are other things that can come into play. Plus, this was not part of my plan. I guess it really goes to show you how much you try to plan, things can always change. First lesson in being a parent, lol!

So, here I am again, waiting. :) What I do need to focus on is that I get to meet my baby soon!

On the nursery front, I am ALMOST done (talk about cutting it close!) I finally ordered the fabric and it should be here any day. I ordered something else too and one these two things are up and ready to go, his room will be done!

Today marks less than 27 days till my due date! Yipeeeee!

Random musings of a (crabby yet happy) pregnant lady...

As my due date inches closer, and meeting my son becomes more real, emotions are running wild.

I look back and cannot believe how fast my pregnancy flew by. I think of all the aches, pains and weird symptoms yet I still manage to look down at my belly and smile. Pregnancy is not easy, and those that say it is are either lying or in denial, lol, but in all reality, the process truly is amazing.

My belly grew.............

.....................and with each inch so did my heart.

In the greatest retrospect, I really cannot believe we will be meeting our baby boy so soon. I remember (and it really does feel like just yesterday) when we found out I was pregnant, we were both nervous and overwhelmed. 36 weeks later, those emotions are still there but coupled with excitement, curiosity, and overwhelming joy and love.

I do not expect the few few weeks, or hell, the first year to be easy but I do like to think that as he grows, we will too. There is no book that truly prepares you to bring a baby home, and no manual to read but we will look to our hearts, and beg for help from those who have been there :)

I won't miss those aches and pains, but I will miss having him to myself. I will miss the kicks, and flips, and even those nudges in the ribs. I will not be able to protect him from scraping his knees when he takes his first step, or the first time he gets his heartbroken, but he will forever be a part of me, and I will forever be changed.

We have a NAME!

As you know this has been really hard for us. Blake has been the one who had more issues with names than I did. The more and more it gets closer, I just told him to pick as long as it wasn't Blake Jr. lol.

We looked and searched for names....but we just couldn't agree! Then somehow we came up with this name, and the more and more we thought about it, it grew on us.

So, I can now announce, our baby boy has a name!

Brady Robert B!

The double B is Blake's favorite part of it! :) I am trying to call him by his name rather than baby but I'm afraid we might change our minds when he comes out and we see him!

Speaking of seeing him, I am excited, anxious, nervous, and 6,593 other emotions about seeing him tomorrow on the ultrasound! I really cannot believe we are this close--it's almost scary!

I'm a bit behind (weeks 34-35)

The past few weeks I have been a bit out of it. I was sick, and Blake is home sick now (if i were a mean wife I would post the pic of him from urgent care where they put a mask on him as he presented with flu like symptoms, lol!)

Whew. I swear this kid is keeping me on my toes! Last weeks appointment didn't solve much in my mind but I am scheduled for another ultrasound to check fluid and growth on Tuesday. He is gonna be a Sasquatch (hairy and ginormous) I swear. I measured at 37.5....and I was only 34 weeks (which has been the trend for quite some time!) Well, I know where those two pounds that I gained went to....the baby!

I can't wait for the ultrasound (and hopefully he cooperates and I get to see his chubby face), just to feel reassured. I am sure he is fine but it's hard not to worry! :)

I am almost sure this baby has dropped!!!!! He will occasionally crawl back up but he has dropped. Coworkers have commented that he has dropped so it's not in my head! He hasn't dropped a lot and I am hoping it's not because he is too ginormous to fit.

The other day I was at schnucks and the lady asks, 'how much longer do you have?', I tell her and her face expression pretty much sums up the looks that i have been getting. I GET IT, I AM HUGE! I am having the next WORLDS GIGANTIC BABY OK!

I have been having braxton hicks a lot, and even some 'contraction like happenings in my back. The back ones are awful and from what I hear back labor is not fun at all so I hope I don't get to experience that. I don't know if the weight of this baby is affecting this or not but being on my feet for too long is becoming difficult (aka=painful) on my hips and my back. Hell, just sitting here at work for a full day is starting to get really difficult. If this baby doesn't come in a few weeks, I might have to take my maternity leave a bit earlier. I am exhausted...and it seems like this week is lasting for years!

His room is slowly coming along. I FINALLY found some fabric since the one I was in love with was the wrong color! Hopefully, I can have it done before he comes! I have my last shower this weekend, and then we have to shop for the rest of the stuff we need! So, hopefully I can be all finished soon! I still have a ton of letters to get, I put that on the back burner with me not feeling good and I am basically worthless when I get home from work! So, that is my goal for the next few weeks!

I really cannot believe it's October already! I can now say he is due next month!

I will have to post a new belly pic, and a before and after of him since he dropped. It's funny because some days my belly is shaped a little different depending on how he is laying!