Happy 3rd Birthday Maya

Maya turned three on February 22. She was happy to have us home. And she was so excited about her birthday. She ran around telling everyone happy birthday this morning. Since we escaped the hospital a day early, we were home but Nora had a  pediatrician appointment in the morning to check weight and for jaundice. Her weight was 7 lbs and 2.3 oz so not too bad. Maya stayed home with my mom and we told her we'd bring her home a birthday surprise. The doctor sent her a sticker and lollipop. Then we picked her up three balloons. The store just happened to be beside a doughnut shop so we picked up half a dozen doughnuts. My mom, Maya, and I made a Minnie mouse cake. We had Minnie mouse cups, napkins and "party trumpets but not the kind that make noise" along with cupcake hats and plates. After Maya's nap, we had a virtual party with Derek's parents and brother and two of my brothers. Maya got a ton of presents including books, a quilt with matching baby quilt and cushions for her rocking chair, a changing table for her dolls, a bike and helmet, pretend pizza, and a recorder (jury's still out on if I regret that last one). 

Happy Birthday Eleanor

Wednesday Feb 19th, I had my 40 week appointment at 40 weeks 3 days. Maya insisted on coming to the appointment with me. She pretty much refused to nap so that she wouldn't miss it. She loves to hear the heartbeat and the Dr. gives her a lollipop. My Dr. commented that most girls aren't so happy to see the OB/GYN. I told him he should give out more lollipops. I was dilated to 3ish but #2 was still really high as she had been for weeks. The Dr. was concerned that she was not coming on her own soon. We discussed induction and decided that it would happen Sunday Feb 23rd if she didn't come before then. He mentioned he was on call the following day Thursday the 20th. As I left he offered me a lollipop. I declined but told him I hoped to see him tomorrow.

After my appointment Maya, my mom and I went to the park for a snack picnic and to play, then home for supper. While eating I noticed my contractions were happening more frequently than normal. I started timing them and they were frequent but not really regular at anywhere from 4 to 11 minutes apart. I went about my usual evening routine: got Maya in bed, watched some Olympics then went to bed around midnight. As I was falling asleep I thought "hmm, these contractions seem more frequent and stronger, maybe I should get up and time them." Then I fell asleep. The contractions woke me up Thursday morning at 3am. I started timing them and they were less than 5 min apart. Derek woke up at 3:30 and I called the Dr's office at 4. The on-call Dr. called me back sounding sleepy and told me to head on in to the hospital. We packed a few last minute things and got there at about 5. We got checked in and the nurse checked me. I was 5 cm and fully effaced but #2 was still really high and ballotable [MEANING WHAT? WAS SHE RUNNING FOR OFFICE?]. My blood pressure was up a little. The nurse said "you are probably staying at the hospital". At around 6:30 the on-call Dr. came in. She checked and agreed with the nurse about my progress. They weren't sure #2 was head down so she brought in the ultrasound machine for a peek. She was. The Dr. commented that if she was lower she would break my water. I replied "yeah I guess we don't want to risk a cord prolapse". She was surprised and asked if I was a Dr. Derek told her I was medically inclined. The Dr. walked out and minutes later my water broke. I really don't remember so much fluid with Maya. Maybe it's because I had a small leak with her prior to the rupture? We called my mom and Derek's parents to let them know it was time.

Around this time the nurses and Drs were changing shifts. My initial nurse asked if I'd had an epidural with my first, which I did, and then said "I'll mark yes for one this time then." My new nurse asked about my first and then asked about this time. I replied, "maybe, I'd like to wait and see but for now I'm fine". The nurse tried was prepping for my IV. I shared the IV horror story from Maya's birth. She looked at my hands, agreed I didn't have good veins, and have me a poke. She was taking forever and muttering to herself. Never a good sign. She then called in anesthesia and they got it in the first poke.

My Dr. came in to check on me when he came on shift at 7.

The times are all a little fuzzy. I tried lying on my left side for a while with a big inflatable peanut between my knees at the nurse's recommendation. Then I tried sitting with my knees spread to let gravity to help get the baby to drop. They checked my blood pressure intermittently. We watched some hockey. Contractions were quite manageable until I reached 6-7 cm and her head was nice and low. I tried to get up and move around some but could not really get comfortable. Things got pretty intense. I was hot and nauseated. They brought in a fan. At some point I was saying "I can't do this." My nurse suggested I sit on the toilet, that the position tends to help dilate the last little bit. She said she thought I only had about 10 contractions left before it was time to push. I didn't make it to the bathroom; probably a good thing. I again said I couldn't do to it, I needed something; I got a dose of fentanyl. If I'd realized how little labor I really had left I would have skipped it. I started feeling the need to push. My nurse checked and I had just a little lip left. I kept saying "sorry I'm pushing accidentally." The Dr. came in. My nurse said to listen to my Dr. He said "it's OK you can push."  A single contraction and push later her head was out then her shoulders and the rest of her. Birth time of 11:03 am. No stitches needed. My Drx said it was his easiest delivery of the day so far. They immediately plopped her on my chest and rubbed her down to get her mad. She was nice and pink. Derek got to cut the cord.

We stayed in L&D for two hours while they checked out me and #2, we breastfed, got cleaned up. We then got sent to the mother-baby overflow unit in the main hospital rather than the primary unit in the women's hospital. The nurse tried to convince them to let me take a wheelchair to my room, but hospital policy is to use a gurney. The gurney was supposed to be self-powered but it didn't work. The nurse finally put it in neutral but then needed someone else to help steer. It was a bumpy ride. I was just happy to have a private room. Apparently, they aren't all private. It wasn't until we were settled in our room that #2 got a name. Eleanor Naomi. (We may call her Nora.) We then made the calls to everyone.

Because of the flu season, kids were banned from visiting the hospital. Derek went home to eat with Maya (special trip to her favorite Panera Bread) and do the usual bedtime routine. Then he came back to stay with Nora and me.

Day 2, Feb 21
It's impossible to sleep at the hospital. We are hoping to get out of here today, a day earlier than they usually do. That made for a busy day.

They weighed Eleanor some time in the night. She was down to 7 lbs 3.6 oz.

My Dr came in pretty early. I was cleared to go home. He said he delivered 7 babies yesterday and mine was the easiest delivery. He then asked if we are having a third. He said he had to encourage the good people to have more because he had grandkids to think about and wanted good people around them. Thanks, I think.

The pediatrician making rounds came in. Said Eleanor looks perfect and that if she passes her exams we are well home to go home early.

The hospital lifted the flu ban and Maya and my mom got to visit. They were doing the hearing test then the newborn screening when they arrived. Maya was really shy. She kept asking "is that my baby sister?" Maya got to hold her. We had the professional picture people come in around noon and got photos of Eleanor and all of us. Then Derek, Maya and my mom grabbed lunch in the hospital cafeteria while I had lunch. They then went home so Maya could take a nap. She cried because she wanted mom and baby sister to come home with her.

Derek came back. Eleanor had her pulse oximetry screening. We talked to the notary about birth certificates. We waited for results from everything. Finally we were cleared to go. We get Eleanor dressed. Then she filled her diaper. We get her cleaned up, dressed again and then repeated the whole thing again. The volunteer came in to push me down. It's kind of weird to be wheeled out by an elderly lady when I felt fine to walk. Hospital policy. We got to the curb to wait for Derek and she filled her diaper again.

We left the hospital at about 3:30 pm.

The last few weeks of pregnancy

38 weeks
With Maya my water broke at 38 weeks and 2 days and she was born two days later. I am hoping that #2 would at least wait until my mom got in town.

39 weeks 3 days
My mom arrived today. At my appointment last week the baby was still really high and my doctor didn't think labor was happening any time soon. I don't really feel any different now so I'm thinking my appointment tomorrow will have the same result. The doctor has prepped me for a "big" baby. He said he thinks she will be over 8 lbs but "not the biggest born in the month of February." He also said I might be measuring artificially large because this kid will not drop.

40 weeks
Happy due date. Everyone at church was like "you're still here?" Yes I am and I'd love if you'd make "clever" remarks about my hugely pregnant self and how impatient you are. A random stranger said "someone is having a baby, like today." I replied well today is my due date but I doubt she's coming today.

40 weeks 2 days

We went to a birthday party for Maya's friend P. It was fun but for the last week or so when I stand too much I feel like the muscles are ripping apart and uterus/baby are going to fall about. Also since I saw a lot of people I haven't seen in a while I got a lot of the "so when are you due?" Also had more random strangers making weird comments and giving strange looks when we were shopping for a gift. My last OB appointment is tomorrow. Eviction date is Sunday (the day after Maya's birthday) if she doesn't come out before then.

She who was finally named #2

#2 is finally here 4 days past her due date. Born Feb 20th at 11:03 A.M. She was 7 lbs 6 oz and 19 in long. She got her name (Eleanor Naomi) even later than Maya did.

#2, 37 Weeks

We'll just pretend for now that I haven't been mia for weeks. I'll try to catch up on Christmas and all that later.

How far along? 37 weeks as of Sunday
Best moment this week? Had an appointment on today. Everything looked good. My blood pressure is still normal. I was concerned for a while because it seemed to be creeping up but the last few times it has been normal. Also, I don't seem to be measuring ahead any more. Last week I was measuring right at 36 weeks. I forgot to ask today.
Movement? She's pretty active, especially compared to what Maya was.
Food cravings? Carbs.
What I love? Watching what I think is a bottom lump move around my stomach.

What I miss? Not having heartburn. I think I had it twice with Maya. This time I've had it more times than I can count. It's especially bad if I eat anything sweet or high in fat.
What I'm looking forward to? I'm to that point where I'm almost done being pregnant but not quite ready to have a newborn.
Milestones? I guess I'm "full" term now. Not quite ready for her to come out though. We did get the bassinet set up and her clothes washed. We have diapers, wipes and most other essentials. My mom gets here in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping #2 holds out for that. With Maya my water broke at 38 weeks and 2 days. That's a week from now. I've been nesting recently. Doing things like scrubbing the floors, cleaning blinds, recaulking the tub. All those things I'm sure a newborn cares about. I'm still in denial that we will be having a newborn anytime soon. I thought that I would be more prepared this time. I'm not sure that's really the case.

# 2, 30 weeks

Comparing bellies.

We were trying to get pictures for Christmas cards. She wouldn't look at the camera. I told her no one wanted a picture of her bottom on the card. She replied yes they do, it's cute since I'm wearing a skirt. We will work on this before the teen years.

Introducing our newest family member...

No name but it's huge