Hello Cruel World Take 3

 First the birth story...

 I hit 40 weeks on May 29th and Fiona had no signs of coming.  I had Braxton Hicks, but no real contractions.  Sleep was not great so I was not well rested to start with.  I had my appointment at 8:30 am on Monday June 1st (4 days overdue) and my blood pressure was elevated.  Fiona also had a nuchal cord, which is not a huge concern but would have been rough as reduced movement would have had to be checked out, so I would have been more stressed.  My doctor wanted to induce, she said she would have wanted to induce if I were 38 weeks so being overdue, she really wanted it.  But I wanted to avoid pitocin to aid in my natural delivery.  She sent me for observation.  My labs came back fine, but my bp was bouncing a bit, so we compromised to use cervidil.  I actually started contractions before it was inserted at 2 pm.  The last bit of the 2 hours of forced lying down was rough with a full bladder and contractions every 5 minutes.  I was then allowed to walk and Nick and I did laps around Labor and Delivery, but after 12 hours I was still only 2 cm dilated and so pitocin was started at 2 am.  I was borderline on the pitocin protocol since my contractions were coming close together, every 3 minutes and lasting long enough to not allow the required breaks.  So I had to mostly stay in bed to be monitored and the pitocin turned down if needed.  When my doctor came by at 7:30ish, I was 4 cm.  She broke my water and they upped the pitocin.  The pain became a lot more intense.  My doula, Cole, came a bit later and was able to help me get through the extreme pain.  Pitocin contractions are no joke, it basically makes the earlier ones like the normal later ones.  And mine were close together and long lasting.  The pain was radiating from my hips to my back in addition to my belly.  Cole would provide counter pressure and massage which allowed me to get through them.  I tried a lot of positions to labor in, but mostly I labored on a yoga ball.  At about 9:30, I was exhausted and in such pain, that I was not sure I could go much longer.  My OB had guessed noon and I did not have 3 more hours in me, so my doula suggested we get a check and see how far I was and then decide.  If I was still below 7, I could get an IV pain killer that would wear off or if I was closer, I could rally.  When the nurse came in I was 9 cm, 5 centimeters in 2 hours.  I went to the bathroom and when I was washing my hands I was hit with the strong urge to push.  I kind of panicked being in the bathroom and Cole helped support me as Nick ran in and she and Nick got me to the bed.  I actually pushed a little in the bathroom, even though the nurse said to not push yet.  She called to the nurses station and sounded a bit panicked herself as she said, "I need Dr. Taylor, now!"  They kept telling me to not push and I tried but it was impossible and Cole told me if the baby came they would catch her, so push if I wanted.  The nurse closed my legs at point and Cole said I shot her the funniest look and flapped them opened them again.  On my third contraction after the urge to push, my doctor ran in, but her gloves were not ready.  I pushed again and Fiona's head came out.  The doctor had her gloves by then and unwrapped the cord.  I was then told to push, and in two pushes her shoulders came out and she plopped into the word at 9:57 am.  It took her a bit to cry and she had a lot of fluid that they sucked out, but she cried a hearty cry and they gave her right to me for chest to chest.  The doctor waited to cut her cord until past when it stopped pulsing.  The entire pushing was only about two minutes, which is a huge contrast to the exhausting 21 hour long labor.  My placenta would not deattach.  My doctor gave me an hour until she was going to send me to the OR, and Cole suggested a pitocin shot in my leg and accupressure.  I also breastfed right away.  I was finally able to push it out right at the end of my hour.  I was able to breastfed and bond for at least an hour.  Cole examined the placenta and said it was fragile and likely would have started having issues soon, so induction although extremely hard was definitely the right call.  My body knew I needed to get her out, she was just too content. 

It was definitely not the labor I had planned in my birth plan, but in the end I got a healthy, amazing baby.  She was exactly 8 pounds and 21 inches long.  She is my latest (Sam was one day early, Zoey 3 days late and Fiona a forced 4 days late), lightest Sam was 8 lbs 4.3 oz, Zoey was 8 lbs 6 oz), and longest labor (Sam and Zoey were both 13 hours).  So much for third babies being earlier, heavier, and shorter labors. She is also our first to not have jaundice and require lights. 


And now pictures....

Some right after birth.  Peaceful and upset.

She showed off her good lungs during her entire bath.

 

Nick had to hold her after her bath while I was occupied.

 

 

Nick brought me roses.  Such a sweet one.

 

With her cute bow hat.

 I was so exhausted after the long labor, so the girls came the next day after Samantha's award ceremony.  They were so excited to meet their new sister.  

 

Me and my three girls!

 And of course Nana and Papa got turns to hold her. 

  

We left the hospital Thursday and she was down to 7 pounds 5 ounces, but on Friday (with a diaper) she was just one ounce shy of birth weight at 7 lbs 15 ounces.  She is a champion feeder.  She loves to cluster feed, especially at night.  I am struggling with getting her to sleep in the bassinet.  Sleep is a rare commodity.  Nick and my Mom did cover the first night during non feed times to help me catch up after the lack of sleep at the hospital, that was amazing.  And Nick tries to help now, but she often just wants to feed so much that he cannot even take her.  Hopefully she will adjust soon.

 

  

We are excited that she was not born in the middle of a horrible flu season, but we are still mostly staying at home.  We have taken a few stroller rides down to Nana and Papa's.

 

 

And here are a couple from today, her one week birthday.  She has grayish blue eyes, so they will probably change.  She also has dark hair, so maybe she will have more of Nick's features.

 

Her full name is Fiona Dillon.  Fiona because we like it and I covered that some in a previous post.  We chose middle names that are more meaningful.  We knew this would be our last and I really wanted to honor my brother.  We had a plan for a middle name for a boy, but not a girl.  We went through a lot of options, but as his name was Reezin Napoleon Swilley, Jr.; we were somewhat limited.  So we had to think outside the box.  I tried Napoleon's family tree, variations on meanings, etc.  Napoleon means Lion of Naples.  Dillon means faithful, but it also means loyal and like a lion.  And it is Irish like Fiona.  So the meaning fit well to honor Chip and we liked it.  We debated spelling for a bit.  Nick did not really like Dylan as much, but we were not sure about Dillan/Dillon.  In the end, we decided Dillon was more like lion. 

Water Day and "Summer" Fun

Not much has happened with our construction.  Rain and a water shed report are stalling us.  There is the start of framing for the foundation.  We are hoping to finalize the permit Tuesday and then find a dry window for them to pour this week.  It would be nice to really get going.

Nick and I finished our semesters.  We are still dealing with the students surprised at their grades.   We both caught a plagiarism case.  My student was planning to fight it, which would have meant a mid June trial, but luckily the Dean of Students convinced her that matching websites (wikipedia, aboutpsychology and alley dog) word for word was a cut and dry case.

Zoey had her last day of preschool.  They celebrated with a water day.  They usually have big inflatables, but the diocese increased insurance requirements a few days before, so those could not be worked out.  But they had a lot of fun things and Zoey had a blast.

She did not want to pose for a picture with her teacher.  She did give her a big hug.  And in the car on the way home, she started to cry asking why she could not go back to Mrs. Smith.  It was so sad.  But I know she will love her new teacher in the fall.  She has grown and learned so much this year.  What a treat it has been watching her change.  We were so blessed that she had this teacher and this experience.

Here I am at 39 weeks, officially full term under the new more limited definition.  It is so against every aspect of my being to have so much up in the air and having to say maybe to so many things we set up.  But we have managed to squeeze in a lot of fun.  I even went to a free opera event at an outdoor theater with friends.  It was wonderful.  One of my friends did say, "Not to be a pessimist, but if things move quickly" what is the game plan.  But petunia seems content and I made it through the show.

Yesterday was a lovely, albeit warm, day, so we squeezed in some outdoor fun, which is a good thing since it is pouring today.  It is hard to remember that it is not quite summer break and Sam still have 8 days of school.   We did some bike riding training yesterday.  With all the craziness of life, neither girl has learned to really ride a bike.  Sam was hesitant (big understatement) at first, but did really well and will be pedaling around soon.  Zoey also did great for her first time with no training wheels.

And after bike riding and lunch, we hit the pool at my parents' house.  We are so lucky that they are so close.  They are such a blessing to move to be close to us and help us out.  We cannot thank them enough for all they have sacrificed.  They are still getting settled, but we will invade them soon when construction really gets going.  The girls love being able to drop in and see them and Nana and Papa have been treating the girls to lots of play time and taking them out to eat.  We have also been trying to help Nana and Papa get settled and spending some time in the pool Nick and Papa worked so hard to get in shape.

And tomorrow, Nick and I celebrate 13 years of marriage.  It seems like yesterday and forever ago.  We never dreamed what life had in store for us, but we have been blessed with 2 amazing girls.  And hopefully, the third will make her debut soon.  We have lived in 4 states and done 8 moves.  Last year, we celebrated by coming here to look at houses.  The year between has been full of challenges and blessings.  This year we may just be at the hospital celebrating becoming a family of 5, but only time will tell. She certainly is looking to expand her space.  I know that I am lucky to have an amazing man like Nick in my life.  He is an outstanding partner and an awesometastic father.  I look forward to what the future holds for us, but am hopeful that it unfolds here.  No more moves please!

A fair princess and our castle

Life has been especially crazy.  We are finishing finals week and our house construction has started.  Construction has not changed our lives too much, other than the fact that we no longer have a full fence, so we have to walk the dogs every time they need to go out.  We have been squeezing in fun and celebration as well.  Today was a mini-shower/celebration lunch with the UHCL psychology faculty.  It was also the first grade mother's day concert.

First, the construction update.  This huge dumpster is now full in our driveway.

This is the before picture, notice the nice two level deck, the trees and the brick...

Because those are all gone now.   Well, some of the bricks are still there, but they should be gone early next week.  The foundation should be poured next week once the ground is leveled.

Next some random fun.  Zoey and I went to a splash park, but our friends cancelled and she was not a huge fan by herself in the end, so we left quickly.  We will go back when it is warmer and Sam or other friends can join for sure. 

And a pregnancy update.  I am 37 weeks today. 

I had an ultrasound at almost 33 weeks and she was still breech, which would have possibly forced a C-section.  My doctor was willing to send me for an external cephalic version if she did not turn, but luckily the home remedies worked and she turned head down.

Here is the confirmation of head down ultrasound at 35 weeks.  Zoey turned a bit late too, so I was not too worried, but they did say my fluid levels were within range, but a bit high so she could flip back.  It was suggested I cut sugar, carbs, and even high sugar fruits to lower the fluid levels.  Boo!  I was also diagnosed as a group B strep carrier.  The main issue with this diagnosis is that I need antibiotics at least 4 hours before birth to transfer, which means I have to go to the hospital if my (her?) water breaks or if contractions are 5 minutes apart, which means I cannot labor at home as long as I want.  And my labors have had some twists.  With Sam, my contractions started 2 minutes apart and it was 13 hours later that she was finally born.  That was with an epidural and her trying to come out with her elbow by her head.  With Zoey, my water did not break, but I went in thinking I was going kind of early and was 8.5 cm when I got there and she was born about 2.5 hours later.  She was high risk and needed to be monitored for the dual vessel cord.  My OB was on C-section duty and sped me up by breaking water and forcing me to push before I was fully effaced, but I really wanted him to deliver because of the high risk.  So, all that is to say it may be hard to get in when they want without going in super early and that makes interventions more likely.  But once my current OB is back in town, I may be able to work out a solution to allow me to labor at home long enough to have the natural birth I want.

Here I am at 36 weeks.  I feel huge, but a lot of people say I do not seem as far along as I am. 

And it is hard to tell much with the different shots, but here I am at 36 weeks with Sam, Zoey and Fiona. 

Yep, I let her name slip.  She will be named Fiona, which is an Irish/Scottish name meaning fair, which she should be in all versions of meaning of that word.  We will also call her Fi, Fifi, and Fin(n) I am sure.  Fin fits as well because it is end in French and she shall be our last :)

Only time will tell if she will come early or late.  Sam was 1 day early and Zoey was 3 days late.  Maybe she shall come on her due date.  I still have some grading, so it would be good if she waits at least a week or so.

Easter, WITS, and a lost tooth

The night before Easter, Sam had a super loose tooth.  Although she recently moved passed the event being truly magical, she wanted it to happen on the same night as Easter.  So she was very brave and let Nick pull it out.  He had a hard time grabbing the tiny tooth, but finally there was success.  And since it was her first, she got $5.

Zoey has spanish at school and we had to send in empty eggs to make Cascaron.  She was so excited about breaking them.  She picked Nick and Sam to be covered with confetti.

For Easter itself, we went over to a friends' house.  Martin was Nick's roommate senior year and we love hanging out with him and his family.  Sarah made a huge feast and the kids played really well.  There was even some swimming.  What an enjoyable, relaxing day.


We tried to get a picture of the 4 kids.

Sarah put on a great egg hunt.

Nick played a little basketball.

There were more confetti eggs.  We tried to get a picture of all the kids jumping, but it never worked.  Sam, Seb, and sometimes Luciana would jump on time.

And then Zoey would follow.

We told them to throw it up in the air.

I bought a small trampoline off a mom site.  The girls have really enjoyed it.

Sam was selected as one of very few kids at her school to read her writing at a special event.  Her school takes part in a program called Writers in the School (WITS) in which writers come in to inspire and guide the kids in writing.  We are so proud of our creative girl.

Her poem is entitled Ballerinas.

 I could not get a good angle of her reading.

Nick filmed it but the lady in front of us kept getting in the way.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Spring.  We are staying super busy.  The semester ends soon, so there is a pile of work related to that.  And we are working to get our house ready for the renovations, which may start next week.  And of course, I am now under 5 weeks until my due date.  Yikes!  At times I think we are crazy to take on all this, but if we make it through 2014 and 2015, we will be strong people indeed.