It's amazing

It's been a week already since we've been home! I promised myself that I would write down our story because it just amazes me every time! So, let's begin...

9:10am - January 12th, 2011
"Today I have my doctor's check up. The due date (Friday) is approaching soon! I haven't felt the best the last couple days, but I think it's nerves. Maybe, though,  the doctor will say differently."

10:10am
"Well, so much for that. Doc says nothing at all is going on. I will probably be a week late she says."

12:00pm
"Felt much more relaxed this afternoon. Must've been more tense and nervous than I thought. I went grocery shopping, walking, and now a nice long nap!"

7:00pm
"Church time. Had fun visiting with the ladies. We teased that of all people, I might be the most likely to not even know when I go into labor! ha ha"

9:00pm
"Done with church and getting ready for bed. Ate 2 Tums because a little gasious-maximus."

9:30pm
"Not feeling too well. Shouldn'tve eaten those potatoes for supper I think. Sure wish I could burp."

9:45pm
"Mathew says stop tossing and turning. I will try and hold still. Very sleepy but uncomfortable."

10:00pm
"Boy, these gas pains are really bad. Maybe if I bite the covers while it cramps I will hold still. Oh, here comes another.Ugg. Wish they'd go away so I could sleep."

10:30pm
"Maybe if Iget up and walk around it'll go away. Oh boy.
*M. wakes up - You okay?*
I don't feel very *gasp* good."
"Should we go to the hospital?"
"No, it's *gasp* gas I think. Maybe I'll just walk *ohhh* a bit."
"I think we should go."
"gasp. No, *gasp* well, maybe"
I stand up and move to dresser.

10:40pm
"OH! I'm pretty sure that's my water just broke. Yup, *gasp*we'd better go. "

10:45pm
Called Dad and Mom to let them know.

11:00pm
Checked in to the hospital. Declined wheelchair since I could still walk, just grimaced once and a while.

11:15pm
The nusre checked us into a birthing room.
"Do you think we're in labor?"
"Maybe. We'll give it a bit of time here before we check too much. I see by your chart this is your first and you weren't doing anything this morning."
Put two doplar radars on me, one for muscle contractions, one for baby's heartbeat.

11:35pm
Nurse says she'll check on us every 20 minutes until 2:00 am. Then she'll check for any dialation.

11:55pm
"This is going to be a long night. Ouch."

12:15am - January 13th
Sat on big rubber ball for comfort. Squeezing M's hand. He watched the monitor's and narrarated for me while I kept my eyes shut.

12:40am
Moved to rocking chair. Feel like pushing so rocking vigorously and breathing heavy to control.

12:55am
"I'm not sure how others do this! I don't *gasp* think I can make it very long without medication at this rate! *gasp* Goodness, and this is only the beginning!"

1:00am
Nurse checks up.
"Nurse, how long before I can push do you think?"
"*surprised look* You feel like pushing?!"
"*gasp* yes"
"Maybe we'd better do that check up now instead of 2."

1:10am
I move to the bed for check up.
*surprised voice* "You are 9 cm"
"I am?!"
"She is?!"
"She is. I need to go call the doctor. You're going to have a baby!"

1:20am
"I hope the doctor gets here soon."
My eyes have been closed most of this time. M is doing a good job narrating for me...the nurse is...now she is...etc.

1:30am
"Emily, the doctor is here."
I open my eyes. Relief floods me, we made it! I'm so relieved in fact, that I stop feeing the strong strong urges to push and relax a bit.

1:35am
(Doctor) "Okay, push for 10 counts, 3 times in a row."
(Me) "Uh, push?"
"Yes, now here we go."
"Great, now it's time and I can't!"
"Just push"

1:45am
(Doctor) "Don't holler, use that energy for the push.
(Me, thinking) "I told myself I wouldn't be the kind to holler, but AHH"

2:00am
"Emily, listen, 'I can do alll things through Him who strengthens me.' "
(Me thinking) "Okay, no more hollering, let's concentrate on pushing."

2:06am
*after much unecessary groaning and  a few good pushes later*
"It's a girl!!!"


And that's our story. After an hour of stitching me up (I tore pretty bad I guess...she was a big girl!) we were exhausted but done. We just sat in wonder for a long time I think, going over and over how it actually all worked out and the fact that it was done!

We stayed in the hospital till Saurday. Things I am thankful for:

• The doctor who delivered Sunita
• All the wonderful nurses
• The fun visits and jokes we had with the nurses
• The surprised look on my doctor's face when she checked in on me the next day
• The huge and yummy hospital meals :)
• Our healthy daughter
• For M. being there the whole time
• For ice packs
• For visitors
• For answered prayers!

Amd so now the next adventure begins!

What I Can Do...

We are nearing the end....the 9 months have flown by! Here, in this last week, are some things I can still do...

• Walk
• Count on waking up at 2am every morning
• Waddle with the best of them
• Enjoy chocolate cupcakes
• Feel my feet and fingers swell a bit
• Dream about summer plans
• Fit through our shower door....barely
• Cry at the drop of a pin
• Belly laugh
• Cut my own fingernails (but not my toenails)
• Enjoy sitting on an exercise ball
• Wear dresses
• Relax in our rocking chair
• Be curious

It's a wintry weekend, that's for sure! Temperatures have dropped, snow is being blown hither and yon, you can hear the trees and wind moan outside the windows.

But it's warm inside!

I've enjoyed more than a couple things these past few days:

• Hot chocolate with toast
• A new and VERY comfortable rocking chair
• A big ball to sit and roll around on
• Good books to read
• Meals with family and friends
• Hearing the baby's hearbeat at a steady 140 beats per minute
• Still feeling the kid kick around (which is comforting at this point)
• Drinking grapefruit juice
• Having some extra time with M.
• Eating some really good Indian breakfasts
• Getting a load of newborn clothes and blankets washed and organized
• Having a few spurts of lovely heartburn
• Being thankful for our warm house and cozy carpets (and handy bathroom too!)
• Looking forward to a friend's baby shower
• Just enjoying the season

May you enjoy the year end and the new year beginning too!

Week 18...

I had the first ultrasound last week. That was nice, but not as cool as hearing the heartbeat the first time. :) The kiddo is still pretty relaxed in there, and I haven't felt alot of movement yet.

Things from this week....

• Rice Bags are wonderful for head colds
• Colds are not so fun to have at this time of year
• Mint Ice Cream is certainly delicious
• Sun sensitivity is in high gear
• Part time hours are wonderful
• That keeping active is definitely something I almost have to "schedule"
• That resting is also something I have to practice (as in, not writing, reading, but actually sleeping)
• That there really is something to this "emotional hormone" thing, though I'm still skeptical
• I realize that in order to use this season and enjoy it to it's full extent, I really need to be purposeful! And that's harder done than said.
• That I have a new "to-read" book list
• That it's nice to have vaccuumed floors and a clean table :)

And for some reason, the description of "How big is baby" for this week just struck me as funny: "Your baby's ears are now sticking out from the head."

hahaha :) Sure paints a funny picture doesn't it? (I know what they mean, but STILL! ha)

Happenings this week...

At 15 weeks (3 months) I....

• Have caught up on a lot of sleep
• Am not taking evening naps anymore
• Am slowly getting hungrier and hungrier
• Still haven't gained any weight
• Have grown out about an inch or two I suppose (just looks like I'm "pouchy" now)
• Still haven't heard the heartbeat
• But I think I can start to feel it move
• Haven't read any books this week
• But have bookmarked a couple helpful blog posts
• Sometimes get anxious
• Need to drink more water
• Have started making more lists
• Went for a bike ride and didn't fall off

So there you have it. :)

My one dissapointment is I still can't find a heartbeat. My co-worker lent me her stethascope, and we were all excited to hear the heartbeat at home. But, it's been a week now and I still can't find it. I guess it's about as big as an apple now, you'd think I'd be able to locate it! Ah well....I guess I'm still too well "padded." :)

The other kind of fun thing is I think I felt it move today for the first time. Well, I just feel a bit funny while sitting at work, with like burbles & water bubbles doing weird things. Whatever it is, I decided that's what I'll pretend it is at least :)

What I've Learned so Far

• There are alot of books to read
• I shouldn't read all of them
• That I should take one week at a time
• Napping is wonderful
• One hour lunch breaks work well for 45 minute naps
• Orange juice is delicious
• So are blueberry waffles
• Evening naps are nice
• That a baby's hearbeat is 153 beats per minute
• There is a lot to be thankful for
• Have I mentioned that I am tired? :)
• That I need to eat even if I'm sleepy
• That I need to eat snacks
• That processed food snacks make me feel worse
• Cooking is unimaginative right now
• Indian dishes are very satisfying
• Walking is good
• I can survive doctor's appointments
• Not all people enjoying talking about pregnancy
• That it is God's gift