Friday, July 31, 2015

Things Are Lookin' Up

A lot of times we get wrapped up in what's wrong and forget to be thankful for what's right. Sure, we have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to Miss Charlie, but then we also get caught up by lack of sleep, changing diapers, dirty laundry, etc. and realize that things aren't all rosy when you have a newborn. Like seriously...I don't know how this tiny little thing can create so much laundry. Anywho, there have been some positives this week!

+ After a FULL week of no AC, we now have a brand new unit!

+ Will had his final check ride last night, so he will have the rest of the week off and more importantly, NO MORE NIGHT FLYING. I can't believe that we have two weeks until graduation and we are done...D-O-N-E with flight school.

+ Charlie has grown a FULL inch in four weeks and is in the 90th percentile for height. We had a checkup this week and she's still doing great! I need to take her one month pictures before she changes anymore, and I swear she's one month going on sixteen.


Now if only I could manage to get her to sleep on my schedule...Ha...Ha. Have a great weekend everyone! We are starting ours early.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Birth Story: The Best And Worst Day Of My Life

I still hold our wedding day as the best day of my life, but the day we brought a baby into the world together takes the title for "BEST and WORST Day of my life". Everyone kept telling me that my labor would be so easy, and the doctor even swaggered in thinking that it was going to be a breeze after bragging to my nurse friend that he wished all of his patients were like me. They said this would be a great labor experience with my health and fitness, however, that's not exactly how things turned out...but let's go back a few days.

On June 30th I went in for my last OB appointment a day after our original due date. I was 2 cm, 60% effaced, so we came to the agreement that we would Strip the Membranes {natural way to induce labor}, and if that didn't work, I would be scheduled for an induction. I hadn't wanted to be induced because that's just more drugs, but we also knew that leaving her in there for too long without knowing a true due date was a gamble too. So basically, we scheduled it, gave the family notice to head this way, and we were rarin' to go. My parents and Natalie {Charlie's Godmother} even arrived the night before, so we all had a nice dinner and a very sleepless night. Natalie and I giggled over the fact that we were basically having a sleepover like the old days, only now we were whispering about babies rather than  boys and instead of staying up until 4AM, we were getting up at that time to go to the hospital.


It didn't take long to check in, but emotions were high as we got the process started. Dressing gowns, IV's, Monitors, and going over and over the process filled the time until the doctor arrived, and then the Pitocin drip started about 8AM. Just in time for Will to finish up his academics and meet us at the hospital. {We couldn't have him missing class if we could help it!} Slowly the contractions started, and I realized that the day would not pass as quickly for everyone else as it was for me, so I sent them off to get some rest, which left time for Will and I to rest in between contractions. As you can imagine, we didn't have much success with that, so around 11:30 I was ready for the Epidural. I had been a little apprehensive about it, but I can honestly tell you that the lidocaine they use to numb you is the only thing that I felt. As a matter of fact, I didn't feel anything for the rest of the day and not in a good way. Well, good in that I wasn't feeling any pain, but bad because I didn't have any feeling from the ribs down. I was pretty worried when I touched anywhere below my ribs and I felt like I was touching a corpse. When they would move my legs I would say "What legs? I don't have any legs", and if only they had believed me...



Fast forward to 6:02pm, and the pushing began. I had no reference for how to push, but I listened to every bit of advice to start getting her down the birth canal. In spite of the fact that I had zero feeling, she was moving down and things were looking good up until we realized that she was turned to the side and didn't want to budge past my pelvic bone. After thirty minutes I suggested turning off the epidural, but the doctor seemed apprehensive. Instead, they pulled out extra handlebars, gave me every option known to man about how to push/pull/contort my body, and had Will and Natalie wrangling both my legs. This lead to another thirty minutes of pushing that got us nowhere until I could tell my doctor was getting frustrated. He was telling me to push where I felt his hand, so I told him I would if I could feel where he was pushing. I think it finally clicked that I did not have enough feeling to do what needed to be done and the epidural was then turned off. It would have been nice to take a break until it wore off, but nope...we kept pushing, and they kept telling me I was doing sooo great. I had to be on oxygen, was getting conflicting advice on how to push, and simply emotionally and physically drained, so I snapped back "I don't believe any of you". Luckily, it only took another thirty or so for me to tell that things were coming along, and as Natalie started getting bucked every time I pushed with growing strength in my legs, I at least felt like we were getting somewhere.

It was when I regained feeling in my abs that I knew we were in business. A nurse took over the leg opposite Will, and although I had barely any strength left, it only took one push for the doctor to realize it was time to pull out the safety net and put his delivery gown on. Two more pushes and he threatened mentioned that he may have to open me up to give her more room. Apparently that was just the push I needed to get her out, because he wasn't getting anywhere near me with those scissors. One more push and a tiny little human was placed on my chest. I was exhausted, they were sewing me up from a small tear on the left side, among a few other minor complications, but I could care less. I just was happy to be done with the hardest two hour workout I'd ever had in my life.



While they cleaned her across the room, we marveled at how long she was. We were thinking she would be 6 pounds and change, maybe 19 inches, and instead she was 7.13, 21 inches, and all legs! Actually, not all legs at the time because she had the WORST cone head I'd ever seen. I told Natalie to get her hat ready, because baby girl was not going to meet everyone like that. I know it's normal, but I totally had a "what have I done to my baby?!" moment. Poor thing hung out under my pelvic bone for so long that it was inevitable. I was only thankful that her face was perfect from being turned, and all that really mattered was she was healthy and loved.




Finally, once everybody had gone home, the three of us began our new life together. We clung to the natural instincts we didn't know we had, and hoped that would be enough to get us through the night, and well, the rest of her life.



Friday, July 24, 2015

Why Does The AC Only Go Out In Summer?

I'm glad y'all have appreciated all the pictures this week! It's funny, they make it look like we've got our act together, but just so you know...that's impossible with a newborn. In fact, on the day we took the newborn photos I was so engorged that I told the photographer I didn't want my chesticles anywhere in sight, and even worse- we forgot to refasten Charlie's diaper all the way on the way home and as you can imagine, we had to take apart and clean the whole car seat. See what you future parents have to look forward to!?

As if life with a newborn isn't difficult enough, we woke up to hot air blowing out of the AC unit on Wednesday. I called and let our rental company know that we had a newborn in an 85 degree house which got us moved to the top of the list, but then we found out that the whole unit may need to be replaced, which doesn't happen in one day. We now have two window units working full force, and I don't mind running errands so much right now.

All in all, things are going as good as can be expected, though. We are still working on our breastfeeding, but she's still alive and growing and I have proof. I took a meal to another brand new mommy this week, and was blown away by the difference between the two babies. Christian was born at the exact same stats as Charlie (7.13 pounds, 21 inches), and yet she's grown SO much in the two weeks before he was born. Crazy right?!


And in non-baby related news, I braved Target while out and about with Charlie and finally found my favorite calendar/planner! For whatever reason, my brain only functions with a calendar that is set up horizontally, and Blue Sky is the only company that makes one. These buggers are hard to find in stores other than online or Target. but they are still worth the hunt. Forget those expensive calendars that all bloggers are addicted to {you know which one I'm talking about}, because these are where it's at and the price tag is way better!



Now it's time for us to get out of this hot @$$ house, and head home for our final baby shower/reveal with the family. I've been stressed about driving Miss Charlie all the way to Pensacola by myself, but maybe the AC going out was meant to make me want to leave. Not that I want to leave Will and I feel bad that he'll be stuck here in the heat, but he knows he could come with us if he wanted {I'm only slightly trying to make him feel guilty}. Unfortunately, he's got studying to do to get ready for his FINAL check ride, and he doesn't think he'll be able to study as much with the fam. Either way, his girls will miss him terribly. He's been the only thing keeping me sane, so we shall see how this goes without him. Wish us luck!


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Charlie's Newborn Photos!

Soooo I was going to hold out on these, but that would be pure torture for me. I drove all the way to Dothan with baby in tow on Monday just to get them, and I'll have you know I cried the whole way through the gallery Charlotte put together for us. I couldn't believe how incredibly beautiful they turned out with the two beings I love the most as the focus, and mostly...I was blown away by how much she has changed in her two {almost three} weeks of life.















Things are hard when you have a newborn, but having moments like these to look back on will make it all worthwhile. People constantly ask how things are with our little bundle of joy, and I reply "Hard, but we are lucky she's so darn cute, so I don't mind!" We love you Charlie bug! Even if you do keep us up all night.


Monday, July 20, 2015

Love Comes First

Hi. My name is Janna, and I've been deliciously lost in the eyes of my newborn. I mean there's also breastfeeding, diapers, loss of sleep, and allowing myself to heal, but mostly we are just enjoying our new doll baby. I have started the birth story, but I'm takin' my time while trying to find appropriate words for the...um... 'intimate' parts let's say. I also figured that before we get to that I should probably share the maternity photos first, because I don't ever want to forget the special moments where we were just 'us'. I look back at these, and it's amazing that I really do love him even more now that we have charlie, and I can only hope that this love continues to grow. Love is where it all started after all.

















I can't believe that two months ago we were footloose and fancy free on that beach, unaware of how much would change, and now it is bittersweet as I come to the realization that life will never be this simple again. I worry about the changes a baby can cause in a relationship, but I know that we both have the desire to become even stronger for her. First comes Love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage...

Monday, July 6, 2015

World Meet Charlie, Charlie Meet World!


On July 2nd, Charleston Quinn finally made her appearance! She was born at 7:55PM, weighing 7.13 lbs, and 21 inches long. As of now she has dark blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. I wish I had time to share more, but there's a little one that needs me a whole lot at the moment. Thanks for all the Instagram love, and we will update you soon!


Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Pregnancy Bucketlist

Now that this pregnancy is coming to an end, I can share how we ended up making the most of this experience. I wish I could tell you that we have a baby already, but she's STILL hanging in there. In fact, I think she has grabbed onto my ribs and is hanging on for dear life, because that's what it feels like. However, don't be surprised if you see something popping up via other social media in the next day or two. I think the stork may be a'comin!

When I asked everyone what were our must do's during the pregnancy, everyone agreed on date nights, movies, and stocking up on sleep. I figured these were some good tips, but it wasn't enough for me. I'm not one of those people that thinks our life will be over when we have a baby, but I am embracing the fact that our priorities will change. Luckily, even before we knew we were pregnant we soaked up every minute of fun and will always savor the memories.


Throw a party {or three}.
Try new things.
Bike ride while you still have balance.
Whip up a labor intensive recipe that you won't be able to enjoy with a newborn.
Dance even if it's superdeeduper awkward with a belly.
Run {or walk} a 5K.
Wear a bikini while no one can judge you.
Go on at LEAST one adventure.
Volunteer in some capacity.
Visit any theater...movies, musical, comedy, and/or thespian.
Get a tattoo...j/k, but I did do this by accident. Whoops.
Date nights, both on the town and cuddled on the couch.
Enjoy fun in the sun and water whenever you can.
Travel until your doctor grounds you.

It's strange to think that a year ago I was sending Will off to Survival Training and a month apart. So much has changed in that year, and I can't believe the memories that we've made. Some of the best times of our marriage have actually happened while we've been pregnant, and still I know even better memories are to come. Once Charlie gets here, it's like we get to experience life with her all over again, and I can't wait.


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