Monday, January 30, 2006
Welcome, Lucy Elizabeth!
Lucy Elizabeth, named so because we liked the name Lucy, especially because of C.S. Lewis' Lucy Pevinsie, and Elizabeth because that was my given middle name, came into the world at 4:19 p.m. on Friday, January 27th. I went in on the 26th for a routine NST (non-stess test) to make sure she had enough amniotic fluid. For the first time, my fluid levels were not within the normal level. Either I had broken my water and didn't notice because of all the extra fluid intake I'd had lately, or it was just low. My water had most certainly broken on its own after they checked my progress, which was 2.5 cm dialated and 80% effaced. I was admitted, completely freaked out of course, at about 4:00 that day, and was started on pitocin by 5:00. Contractions began but were pretty do-able. I was able to doze a tiny bit through them, but they got to a more active pitch in the middle of the night. By 5:00 I still had only gained half a centimeter (so 12 hours later), so I opted for the epidural. Best decision ever! I was able to doze through about another hour.
Both of my parents had arrived the night before. We had sent them home to our house to sleep and told them we'd call them when there was more active labor. They came back in the morning, and sat with us during the greater part of the morning. Later in the morning I started really feeling contractions very low down which couldn't be blocked by the epidural (this is normal). The three of them helped me breathe through them. I don't know what I would have done without them! By about 3:30 we had made some good progress, and it was about time to start pushing. They all seemed to have their roles in helping me, and it was a really great experience, strangely enough. I pushed for about 45 minutes, and then the head came out. The nurse midwife worked the head out, and then my dad got to deliver the baby. It was an incredible, definitely indescribable moment!
I was completely amazed by the labor and delivery staff. They were just wonderful. The nurse that started out with me the night before came up to my room later and told me that she'd gotten the scoop from one of my delivery nurses. Apparently they were all so amazed at how the four of us worked together so well, and how this was one of the best deliveries she'd ever been a part of. She was teary when she said this. Wow, what an awesome compliment!
So that's the labor story. New motherhood is a completely other story, and still one being learned. I'm generally doing well, though could use your prayers. For example, the baby is sleeping and I should be sleeping, but I can't fall asleep, I think for hormonal reasons. But really, she is a beatiful little girl, and I am so blessed that she is here.
Both of my parents had arrived the night before. We had sent them home to our house to sleep and told them we'd call them when there was more active labor. They came back in the morning, and sat with us during the greater part of the morning. Later in the morning I started really feeling contractions very low down which couldn't be blocked by the epidural (this is normal). The three of them helped me breathe through them. I don't know what I would have done without them! By about 3:30 we had made some good progress, and it was about time to start pushing. They all seemed to have their roles in helping me, and it was a really great experience, strangely enough. I pushed for about 45 minutes, and then the head came out. The nurse midwife worked the head out, and then my dad got to deliver the baby. It was an incredible, definitely indescribable moment!
I was completely amazed by the labor and delivery staff. They were just wonderful. The nurse that started out with me the night before came up to my room later and told me that she'd gotten the scoop from one of my delivery nurses. Apparently they were all so amazed at how the four of us worked together so well, and how this was one of the best deliveries she'd ever been a part of. She was teary when she said this. Wow, what an awesome compliment!
So that's the labor story. New motherhood is a completely other story, and still one being learned. I'm generally doing well, though could use your prayers. For example, the baby is sleeping and I should be sleeping, but I can't fall asleep, I think for hormonal reasons. But really, she is a beatiful little girl, and I am so blessed that she is here.
Welcome, Lucy Elizabeth!
Lucy Elizabeth, named so because we liked the name Lucy, especially because of C.S. Lewis' Lucy Pevinsie, and Elizabeth because that was my given middle name, came into the world at 4:19 p.m. on Friday, January 27th. I went in on the 26th for a routine NST (non-stess test) to make sure she had enough amniotic fluid. For the first time, my fluid levels were not within the normal level. Either I had broken my water and didn't notice because of all the extra fluid intake I'd had lately, or it was just low. My water had most certainly broken on its own after they checked my progress, which was 2.5 cm dialated and 80% effaced. I was admitted, completely freaked out of course, at about 4:00 that day, and was started on pitocin by 5:00. Contractions began but were pretty do-able. I was able to doze a tiny bit through them, but they got to a more active pitch in the middle of the night. By 5:00 I still had only gained half a centimeter (so 12 hours later), so I opted for the epidural. Best decision ever! I was able to doze through about another hour.
Both of my parents had arrived the night before. We had sent them home to our house to sleep and told them we'd call them when there was more active labor. They came back in the morning, and sat with us during the greater part of the morning. Later in the morning I started really feeling contractions very low down which couldn't be blocked by the epidural (this is normal). The three of them helped me breathe through them. I don't know what I would have done without them! By about 3:30 we had made some good progress, and it was about time to start pushing. They all seemed to have their roles in helping me, and it was a really great experience, strangely enough. I pushed for about 45 minutes, and then the head came out. The nurse midwife worked the head out, and then my dad got to deliver the baby. It was an incredible, definitely indescribable moment!
I was completely amazed by the labor and delivery staff. They were just wonderful. The nurse that started out with me the night before came up to my room later and told me that she'd gotten the scoop from one of my delivery nurses. Apparently they were all so amazed at how the four of us worked together so well, and how this was one of the best deliveries she'd ever been a part of. She was teary when she said this. Wow, what an awesome compliment!
So that's the labor story. New motherhood is a completely other story, and still one being learned. I'm generally doing well, though could use your prayers. For example, the baby is sleeping and I should be sleeping, but I can't fall asleep, I think for hormonal reasons. But really, she is a beatiful little girl, and I am so blessed that she is here.
Both of my parents had arrived the night before. We had sent them home to our house to sleep and told them we'd call them when there was more active labor. They came back in the morning, and sat with us during the greater part of the morning. Later in the morning I started really feeling contractions very low down which couldn't be blocked by the epidural (this is normal). The three of them helped me breathe through them. I don't know what I would have done without them! By about 3:30 we had made some good progress, and it was about time to start pushing. They all seemed to have their roles in helping me, and it was a really great experience, strangely enough. I pushed for about 45 minutes, and then the head came out. The nurse midwife worked the head out, and then my dad got to deliver the baby. It was an incredible, definitely indescribable moment!
I was completely amazed by the labor and delivery staff. They were just wonderful. The nurse that started out with me the night before came up to my room later and told me that she'd gotten the scoop from one of my delivery nurses. Apparently they were all so amazed at how the four of us worked together so well, and how this was one of the best deliveries she'd ever been a part of. She was teary when she said this. Wow, what an awesome compliment!
So that's the labor story. New motherhood is a completely other story, and still one being learned. I'm generally doing well, though could use your prayers. For example, the baby is sleeping and I should be sleeping, but I can't fall asleep, I think for hormonal reasons. But really, she is a beatiful little girl, and I am so blessed that she is here.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Things I'll miss
Couldn't help it... one more list... Things I'll miss about being pregnant:
1.) The baby kicking.
2.) Sleep
3.) I'm being honest... the attention
4.) People lying and saying, "Wow, you look great!"
5.) Having excuses to let people pamper me
6.) Having excuses to forget things
7.) Not having to change diapers
8.) Feeding the baby through an auto-tube
9.) Being able get up and go whenever I feel like it.
10.) Being the only ones that know my baby's name.
1.) The baby kicking.
2.) Sleep
3.) I'm being honest... the attention
4.) People lying and saying, "Wow, you look great!"
5.) Having excuses to let people pamper me
6.) Having excuses to forget things
7.) Not having to change diapers
8.) Feeding the baby through an auto-tube
9.) Being able get up and go whenever I feel like it.
10.) Being the only ones that know my baby's name.
Things to remind myself of later
Since I finished my job, I've been all about lists. Mostly lists of stuff to do, stuff to pack, stuff to buy, stuff to take back. I'm still not quite ready to give birth, so thought I should make a list of all the things that I will not miss after I have the baby... just to remind myself of good things when I'm sleep deprived.
Not necessarily in order:
1.) Having only about 15% of nasal capacity at all times.
2.) Blowing my nose EVERY time I go to the bathroom.
3.) Going to the bathroom about once an hour, sometimes less, only to dribble about a teaspoon.
4.) Drinking 96 oz. of fluids a day.
5.) Not being able to get to my toes.
6.) Bumping into things with my belly, especially the oven door (thankfully no burns yet).
7.) Being out of breath all the time.
8.) HEARTBURN!
9.) Having people say, "You're carrying so low!" "You're carrying so high!"
10.) Swollen fingers.
11.) Swollen ankles
12.) Not being able to sleep on my stomach.
13.) Carrying around an extra 40 pounds.
14.) Everyone knowing I'm carrying around an extra 40 pounds.
15.) Having to scoot to the edge of any chair and then having to use my fists against the chair to launch myself out of the chair, and feeling like an old person.
16.) Being especially clutzy
17.) Being forgetful.
Enough for now.
Not necessarily in order:
1.) Having only about 15% of nasal capacity at all times.
2.) Blowing my nose EVERY time I go to the bathroom.
3.) Going to the bathroom about once an hour, sometimes less, only to dribble about a teaspoon.
4.) Drinking 96 oz. of fluids a day.
5.) Not being able to get to my toes.
6.) Bumping into things with my belly, especially the oven door (thankfully no burns yet).
7.) Being out of breath all the time.
8.) HEARTBURN!
9.) Having people say, "You're carrying so low!" "You're carrying so high!"
10.) Swollen fingers.
11.) Swollen ankles
12.) Not being able to sleep on my stomach.
13.) Carrying around an extra 40 pounds.
14.) Everyone knowing I'm carrying around an extra 40 pounds.
15.) Having to scoot to the edge of any chair and then having to use my fists against the chair to launch myself out of the chair, and feeling like an old person.
16.) Being especially clutzy
17.) Being forgetful.
Enough for now.
The worst dream
I had the most real, awful dream last night, and I woke up in a sweat. I dreamt it was my last semester of college and I was taking a class from a tough professor. For some reason I'd missed the first class. During the 2nd class, I had to get up to go to the bathroom, but it took me a long time to find the bathroom, so when I got back I'd missed most of the quiz. The prof decided to make an example of me and wouldn't let me re-take the quiz, and she just kept publically berating me until I was crying. Finally I just kind of blurted out, "But I'm pregnant!" Then she assumed it was an unwed pregnancy, so I said I was married. Then she started calling it a shotgun wedding. I'm telling you, I have no idea why it was such a bad dream, but YIKES!
On tap today: put together changing table, pack my hospital bag, get my hair cut, take a nap, and some other smaller items. I love being at home! I'm still in my bathrobe!
On tap today: put together changing table, pack my hospital bag, get my hair cut, take a nap, and some other smaller items. I love being at home! I'm still in my bathrobe!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Found this fun pic from Christmas. This is at my in-laws' house, and my nephew was looking at pictures with me.
In other musings...
I HATE having to go through an actual REAL season of 24 like regular people! No watching 4 episodes at once, crocheting my heart out at all the scary parts. By the way, does anyone know what the story is with the blonde girl at CTU headquarters? Did she and Jack have a thing going on?
Found these at IKEA and thought they would be fun to put up in the baby's room. Pictures of the nursery coming soon, once I finish painting and putting together the changing table.
In other musings...
I HATE having to go through an actual REAL season of 24 like regular people! No watching 4 episodes at once, crocheting my heart out at all the scary parts. By the way, does anyone know what the story is with the blonde girl at CTU headquarters? Did she and Jack have a thing going on?
Found these at IKEA and thought they would be fun to put up in the baby's room. Pictures of the nursery coming soon, once I finish painting and putting together the changing table.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Progress!
Home improvement, while sometimes agonizing, is so satisfying sometimes.
Here you see the beginnings of getting the nursery together. It's coming along. I'll get a picture in there once the mobile is up, the dust ruffle comes in, and the curtains are up. This is just the sorting out of the myriad of clothes this little girl has been given and handed down from her cousins and the Stuck twins. She won't ever wear the same thing twice!
Here is our "study" so far. It's not quite put back together as we have base boards to work on, but still quite an improvement. I am juxtaposing it with what the house looked like before we bought it.
Ah,the satisfaction.
Monday, January 16, 2006
I have the greatest friends!
This was the weekend of my last shower. Thank goodness, I'm getting too big to be in pictures anymore. =) It was such a lovely shower. I love that all the girls in my bible study pitched in and did different things to make it beautiful. I loved having all my worlds together. These are just great people! I wish Sarah Stuck, Kristin Bohreer and my sister could have been there... it would have made it complete. Big thank yous to all of my dear, dear girls!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Going away coffin
So this was it. The last day. I'm officially a "house wife." (Someone PLEASE help me come up with a better title!) It was a weird day. Didn't want to be there, didn't want to leave. 7 1/2 years is a long time to be in the same place, and I've grown from child to woman in that job. My boss, bless his heart, gave me the 3rd hug he's ever given me. =) The first was when I'd been gone for 3 weeks on vacation and he was so relieved I was back he jumped up and gave me a big bear hug. The second was when I got engaged. So I think he must be pretty sad that I'm going. It is hard to see my office going to someone else... it's been mine for so long, it's hard to think of it being someone else's. Still processing it all.
Yesterday they took me to lunch and gave me my going away gift. It is a jewelry box, engraved with "To Jennifer for your service to the MOL" (or something like that. I thought it was really sweet, and then I saw the lovely jewelry inside. And THEN I took another look and realized that it looks like a coffin. What is THAT supposed to tell me?? =)
So farewell, MOL. Farewell working world, farewell career (for now). Farewell dear work friends. Farewell paycheck! Farewell commute (all 4 minutes of it). Farewell work clothes!! Farewell cubes and office chairs and steelcase and mailboxes and files and whiny students and wonderful students and politics and meetings and memos. Farewell to the home of my 20's.
Yesterday they took me to lunch and gave me my going away gift. It is a jewelry box, engraved with "To Jennifer for your service to the MOL" (or something like that. I thought it was really sweet, and then I saw the lovely jewelry inside. And THEN I took another look and realized that it looks like a coffin. What is THAT supposed to tell me?? =)
So farewell, MOL. Farewell working world, farewell career (for now). Farewell dear work friends. Farewell paycheck! Farewell commute (all 4 minutes of it). Farewell work clothes!! Farewell cubes and office chairs and steelcase and mailboxes and files and whiny students and wonderful students and politics and meetings and memos. Farewell to the home of my 20's.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
My fantastic husband
So I come home and Steve's dad (who is here helping with a flooring project this week) says, "Jenny, I"m sorry to tell you, your fridge is dying." All the stuff was in coolers and the magnets were off the fridge. I was just heartbroken. Not so much because I like my fridge, I am ready for it to go away. I will admit I got a little, preggy-hysterical. About 30 min. later, I see a big truck outside, and I think it's the flooring being delivered. Steve says, "Hey, that looks like the fridge I got you!" I burst into tears and started apologizing and rejoicing at the same time. I went from 17 cubic feet to 25 cubic feet. HOO-YAH!!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Lamaze
I think that after two full days of Lamaze class, I should walk up to every mother I've ever met and say, "You are an amazing woman!" YIKES! Even those who had c-sections have still had a huge amount of pain and deserve a medal.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
My first January
Most of you who would read this will notice that I've processed some of my thoughts with you already. I went in yesterday to my office to clean out (and clean off) my old desk and move to the smaller one that my replacement has been using. I'm working only 1/2 days for the next two weeks, and then I'm done. It's hard to believe, but it's been easier than I would have guessed. It was a little difficult... I was sitting at that desk when Steve asked me out the first time, I was sitting there when my mom called to tell me I had a new niece, and I was sitting there when my sister asked me to come down and take care of Emma when Abby was born. I've cried at that desk more times than I can remember, and I've had some great moments there. It was strange starting to say goodbye. But I got home and started putting things away in my home desk, and it started to feel right. Like, this was my new job, this is where I work now. I will miss things about my job, but I'm feeling good about the closing of this chapter.
One thing I look forward to is actually enjoying January. I love Southern California in January. There is usually a mix of cool and warm weather, and lots of days where you can see the gorgeous San Bernadino mountains covered with snow (though they can't compare to the Sierras). This is the first time I will ever have really been able to enjoy January without going out of my head crazy dealing with Interterm classes, Orientation, new students, returning students and general problem students. It's usually the worst month of the year at work, and this year I'm free!
However, I would appreciate any new ways to describe my new focus in life besides "stay-at-home mom" and "homemaker." I did think of one possibility... the field of mid-wifery is pronounced with a short i, like in "wiffleball." I think I should call my new career "house-wifery."
One thing I look forward to is actually enjoying January. I love Southern California in January. There is usually a mix of cool and warm weather, and lots of days where you can see the gorgeous San Bernadino mountains covered with snow (though they can't compare to the Sierras). This is the first time I will ever have really been able to enjoy January without going out of my head crazy dealing with Interterm classes, Orientation, new students, returning students and general problem students. It's usually the worst month of the year at work, and this year I'm free!
However, I would appreciate any new ways to describe my new focus in life besides "stay-at-home mom" and "homemaker." I did think of one possibility... the field of mid-wifery is pronounced with a short i, like in "wiffleball." I think I should call my new career "house-wifery."
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