Baby P's Birth Story

Who doesn't love a birth story? Ok, actually there's probably not as many people scouring the Internet for birthing stories as I think- but can ya blame me for loving to read them - I'm 39 weeks pregnant waiting for my baby girl to make her arrival and of course the subject is on my mind pretty often right now!

I like to read the birth stories where everything turned out painless and perfect- yeah, but I'm having trouble finding those... My birth story with my son wasn't one of them, either. And I realized I have never posted it. 

So, here goes. If you don't care to read birth stories, you're welcome to walk away now. I won't be offended. But if you're 39 weeks pregnant and looking for a distraction and encouragement that eventually you will have a baby in your arms...then read on! If you are leaving now, I will show you a peek at the end of the story via this cute picture of his little self. 

May 22nd 

8:15am water broke at 38 weeks while I was laying in bed telling Peter that my due date would probably be moved to September at my appointment that day. I had not felt good the night before. Around 4pm I got diarrhea and felt off and very hot. The night before I had walked 1 1/2 miles and bounced on my ball for close to an hour. At first it felt like I was peeing but it kept coming in little bursts and when I got up to go to the bathroom my shorts were soaked with clear liquid. It kept coming more and I laid back down so it didn't stop. I soaked a towel and was pretty sure then my water broke. I called mom to give her a heads up to head this way. I had a big gush a few minutes later. I called the dr and he told me to try to be to the hospital by 10, after I showered. Well I wasn't packed at all and I had just washed but not folded the baby's laundry and there was no crib set up and we had to move around all the bedroom furniture. So we didn't leave for the hospital until 11:15, arrived around 11:45. Stephen set up the crib and rachel helped me fold and pack while Peter scurried about. I felt really excited to meet poppy and find out if its a girl/boy and also to miss out on 2-3 weeks of being enormous and uncomfortable. I didn't feel any contractions...I wished I did, but nothing. 

11:45am They just told me all the rooms are full right now so I have to sit here and wait. I'm staaaaarving.  Leaking fluid still. Hoping I've dilated and effaced some. Peter ran to Walgreens and got me some crackers. Did you know saltine makes Unsalted saltine crackers? Why bother! Those were the kind he accidentally grabbed. Who knew?!

2:00pm I'm in my room now. The bad news is I wasn't dilated or effaced at all so they induced me- just now started my pitocin. They also put a catheter in my cervix that is like a balloon to help me efface. That hurt! :P looks like I have a long way to go. Can't walk right now bc of the catheter. :-( 

3:15 contractions are 3-4 minutes apart. Hurting. 

4:00 pm So discouraged. :-( contractions are coming so fast and stuff and my cervix balloon popped and they rechecked me and I'm only 1 cm and still not effaced. 

Grammy got here! (She drove from Rochester to NYC in record time!) 

6:40 The baby's heart rate was not responding well to my contractions so they had to stop my pitocin for now.  Praying things will be able to start back up and the baby will not be distressed. Don't want to end up with a c section. Got put on oxygen. 

7:00pm got rechecked- still only one cm, was up to 12 pitocin. Asked if we wanted to try the pitocin again or opt for a c-section. I'm still very relaxed and calm, the contractions pretty much stopped when they stopped my pitocin. We decided to start up again as they watch the baby's heart rate, they started me at half the pitocin. 

7:20 contracting a lot again but baby's heart rate seems a little goofy. They just stopped the pitocin again bc the baby's heart rate is going down with every contraction. :-( isn't looking good. Come on poppy. Not progressing and not handling contractions well... 

The dr decided by around 7:30 that we were getting a csection. I felt a mixture of relief from not having to keep trying to progress but really disappointed too. They came in to explain the anesthesia to me and I cried when I knew I wouldn't hold baby right away. We moved rooms into the OR and they prepped me. 

8:18pm (Peter writing) they are giving her the anesthesia now --- should be going into surgery in just a few minutes. Even though this isn't want we wanted, we are still so thankful that so far the baby is fine and that we have a good doctor.  So excited to meet poppy!!!! ( the nickname we have the baby)

The needle in my back hurt really bad, and I wish Peter could have been there for that part. My legs felt numb immediately and I started shaking pretty bad and crying a little- nerves and being scared and disappointed that I had to have surgery. Couldn't believe I would know so soon if poppy was a boy or girl. Peter was finally allowed in- I didn't recognize him in the scrubs at first. I felt so much better when I could hold his hand. I could feel quite a bit of tugging when they started pulling the baby out- had to do my Lamaze breathing for probably 3 minutes.

8:39 pmThen they said- it's a boy!!!!! And he cried. Cutest cry I have ever heard. He has a huge mouth! He weighs 6 lbs 5 oz- little peanut!  I wanted to hold him so bad. I'm so glad I could be awake to see him. Peter brought him to me as soon as he could- and we laid with our cheeks together and sang to him and Peter prayed over him and we talked. He seems peaceful. And he's cute. I didn't expect a cute one- but he's a pretty cute bald little baby!!

Poppy got greeted by Grammy and grandma and grandpa Montoro.  Everyone agrees he's adorable and soooo cute! 

Tried nursing him around ten and the first time he seemed too sleepy but then ten minutes later he had his mouth wide open and latched right on. Doesn't seem like he gets a ton but he sucks and swallows and then seems content. I love feeding him. It is an amazing feeling! 

While I was waiting to feel my toes again there was a horrible emergency csection going on- a lady hemmorhaging with her 32 week baby and needing blood transfusions, etc due to placenta previa. It made me realize that even though I wouldn't have picked the c section I am so blessed to have a healthy beautiful little boy and no complications- no kidney issues or cysts on brain, etc. God is good to me. Because of the emergency we ended up waiting to come up to our room until midnight. Then poppy had to leave mommy for his long bath and checkup. 

I have been sooo hungry and thirsty. I finally guzzled a Gatorade in about 3 minutes. Then I threw the whole thing up. Guess I shoulda paced myself. Around 1:30 am I graduated from ice chips to apple juice and water. 

Now it's 6:40am, May 23rd and I never fell asleep. Poppy wasn't allowed to stay with me my first night but I couldn't sleep without him. They finally brought him to me hungry around 5:15 after he had his first poopy blowout diaper! And he's had wet ones- so he has been getting my colostrum. Yay. My body is very sore this morning. Wishing I coulda slept a little but I was so hot and sweaty and couldn't relax without my baby. 

A night to remember- Baby Chloe's Baby Shower

 My church here has a really sweet policy- baby shower for your first baby that you have when you're at this church.  So, I thought my baby shower days were long behind me after baby Peter, but I was excited to find out I got another one for Chloe!  Because anyone that knows me knows I really really like presents and the combination of presents, friends, and yummy food makes me super happy.

So fun to have showers when you don't know what you're having, like last time... but it was just as fun to be able to have a shower knowing what we're having and being able to celebrate specifically knowing we are having a girl.  I LOVED all the pink and gray decorations.  My friends went all out and picked stuff they knew I would love, and it meant so much.  Most of the decorations were DIY, and I know it took them lots of time and thought. The shower was so "me."

Most of the decorations I will be able to use again in Chloe's nursery when I get it set up.  

Oh and the food was SO good too- they made pink popcorn, pink oreos, pink pretzels, and pink punch...in addition to all the yummy appetizer foods.  I won't say how many salted caramel cupcakes I ate. It's my shower, I could gorge if I wanted to. Right?

The pretty group of ladies that made it all happen!

Special thanks to Jen and Devin for all the planning and coordinating...and for being awesome friends!

 Theres a really big baby belly hiding behind this cupcake tower!

 So fun to open all the gifts- 

I asked for primarily diapers and wipes but everyone was fun and added less-practical, pretty things also that I am SO excited to put on my little girl.  I am convinced she will be the best-dressed and accessorized little girl in the world...but of course I will be majorly biased.

 A very special, memorable night that made me feel very blessed and "showered" by everyone's care and generosity for us and our upcoming little blessing.  

It also left me with a bunch of leftover desserts, which at 35 weeks pregnant was pretty exciting...

until I stepped on the scale.  

Pregnancy week 26-30

I used to count on January to be the slow month, the uneventful month.  But for some reason this January just seemed to disappear, as well as weeks 26-30 of this pregnancy.  We brought in the New Year with a dreadful stomach bug as we said goodbye to Papa, and I was also met with some strong nesting urges as I recovered from said vicious bug.  I washed every piece of bedding in the house, organized cupboards and closets, and started pulling out some little tiny baby girl clothes to get ready.                         As much as I wanted to make both of our hospital bags to feel "ready," I figured I better pace myself. As fast as these 5 weeks went, I still have a pretty good chunk of time left.

(I added my first pink object this month- Chloe's dresser!

Note perfectly organized closet...for once.) 

I think Chloe's growth spurt was just as epic as my nesting- she grew a TON these past weeks, and from the feel of her strong kicks and wiggles, I can tell she is preparing to meet us, too.  My ribs can testify.

Week 26

(nesting must have ended by this point, note messy counter and unmade bed.)

Thankfully, the carpal tunnel didn't last long and was pretty much totally better by week 28.

Had my glucose test this week and they tested my anemia again.  This started quite the saga, as I resumed taking iron pills and it made my IBS flare up really bad and I felt MISERABLE...so I stopped taking the iron, it just isn't worth it right now.

I turned 28 this week, also!  I celebrated by accidentally highlighting my hair a little blonder than I meant to be...oops!

Got pinkeye this week, and so I had the honor of wearing my nerd glasses for 2 weeks.  Ugh!

We are starting to add to her collection of stuff to prepare for her arrival- some of these little outfits make me DIE to meet her!!  I can't wait.  

Birthday gifts from sweet friends of mine- that pink ruffle dress and the chevron blanket.  Sigh.  Ten more weeks!!!

I splurged at Target (famous last words) and got Chloe her coming home from the hospital outfit on the left.  It's so cute and teeny.  She better not bypass the NB size!

Nugget

It was getting close to the BIG ultrasound for our little nugget. We have a strict policy that we don't EVER find out what we are having...well at least that's what we thought was our strict policy. As time got closer to our 18 week appointment I found it harder and harder this time to not find out. Lame, I know! But I couldn't stop thinking pink with how different my pregnancy has been...so if it was blue in my growing bump I really wanted to know. It didn't help that one of my besties was here the week I was second guessing my strict "policy" and she encouraged me to find out. And the husband was pretty easily convinced after the tenth time I begged, too. Haha. 

We decided to keep it a surprise that we were finding out- I thought it would be fun to just announce "it's a ______" so we kept it under our hat the last two weeks. 

Well, yesterday was the big day. I couldn't sleep! I had dreams that my brother ruined my surprise by eating my cupcakes, that the ultrasound lady wouldn't play along with our secret, etc... 

I left for my appointment which is an hour and a half away at 8 am. First was my regular appointment in the morning, then lunch with my newly married sister in law, then go back to the hospital in the afternoon at 2:30 for the ultrasound. 

Well because it was going to be such a long day, the husband and baby couldn't come. 

(Him being super cute at devins house) 

Baby Peter went to my friend Devins house and because my husband couldn't come I didn't want to find out all alone, so I had the ultrasound lady text Devin who is a crazy good baker. Then when I picked baby Peter up I would bring our chocolate cupcakes home and we would cut them open to see if they had blue or pink filling. 

During the ultrasound the little acrobat inside me wasn't cooperating at first. Nugget was curled into a tight ball with feet over head. It was really funny! 

After a while I got up and moved around hoping it would encourage baby to so the same and it worked. When I came back for part 2 I asked Chelsea the ultrasound tech if she knew yet and she said yes. She was perfect and didn't give out any hints. At the right time she had me turn my head and printed out a picture and put it into a sealed envelope and texted Devin and then deleted the text. 

(That profile looks a lot like big brother- big head and forehead!) 

What started next was the longest few hours ever. I had to go pick up a family for our missions conference this week and them start our long journey home. The picture in the envelope was burning a hole in my purse. Ha! It was so fun to have a big secret and surprise to announce soon! When I finally got back home and headed to pick up the baby I asked peter- what do you think, pink or blue? He said pink. I said pink too. 

Then I drove safely and slowly (?) to go pick the baby and the cupcakes up. Right before I got home one of my other besties wrote to me that they were so proud of me for staying strong and not finding out...that it motivated them for next time. Haha. Oops. 

Peter ran out to meet me and grabbed the little guy and I grabbed the cupcard and a present Devin sent home with me to open after the cupcakes. We wasted no time- seeing as it had already taken forever!! 

We cut open our cupcake...and then cut open one more to make sure it wasn't a mistake. 

Pink filling!!!!!! It's a girl!!! 

We can't wait to meet our little Chloe Faith sometime in April! 

We feel so blessed to be given one of each! And I can't wait to get all my little girl clothes ready!! 

(The gift that Devin sent home to open after the cupcakes! Chloe is destined to love chevrons!) 

Pregnancy week by week

I am the world's worst blogger. I admit it. I have soo many things I would like to post on here about, but I never do it. Thus the reason I have 1400 pictures on my iPhone. Because someday I really will blog faithfully. Someday. 

Anyway, I know no one reads this anymore so it's basically a personal journal for me of how this pregnancy is going. Yes, we found out July 28th that baby "nugget" will make an appearance around April 5th. I was going to be traveling quite a bit this summer so I was nervous that I would be super sick again, but I have actually felt great! One night I got sick but it was because I totally overdid it that day. It was fun to be able to tell all of our family in person seeing we were going to be seeing them all. We told my family when I was 6 weeks with baby peter wearing a big brother shirt when he got off the airplane. He grew out of the first shirt so we quick made a new one when daddy joined us in NYC so we could tell all of his family at Sarah's wedding rehearsal when I was close to 8 weeks. 

            You can tell he is *thrilled!!* 

 Today marks the start of my second trimester and with my new skills of being "calorie aware" since trying to lose all my baby peter weight- I have done a lot better this time and gained my first pound this week. It didn't help that I made homemade donuts for the first time this week also. 

We had our first prenatal appointment this past week also and got to meet our nurse midwife at OU and see our little nugget for the first time. She/he was sucking her thumb and kicking around. Sooo sweet! Of course it was love at first sight. 

I can't eat enough cucumbers and dried apricots this time. I guess I am needing potassium! I also love love love potatoes again. Mmmmmm.