Sleeping Babies

One Month New

I can’t believe my baby girl is already a month old! I’m not sure I like how quickly time is going by!!

At one month you are…

• Just a little over 7lbs
• You wear NB in diapers.
• Your clothes are NB and some of them are still big on you.  And I was worried that you wouldn’t wear all of them!!
• You sleep much of the day still…but are beginning to stay awake for longer stretches.
• Sometimes you like to have a party at night…but you keep forgetting to send me the invitation ahead of time!!  Your party hours are usually the wee morning hours.
• You love your bottle…typically eating 3oz every 3-4 hours.
• You are very alert when awake and have the brightest blue eyes.
• You love bath time, but despise getting out of the bath!
• You’re definitely going to take after your Mommy and be a girl on the go.  You don’t mind traveling one bit.
• You love to stick your tongue out all the time!

Evening Masterpiece

The Many Faces of Madilyn

The NICU Experience

Miss Madilyn had to spend 2 1/2 days in the NICU following her birth.  She had to receive  IV antibiotics for a possible infection, as well as having a condition in which she had too many red blood cells, and she also became jaundiced.  Her transfer to the NICU was unexpected.

I would not wish for anyone to be separated from their newborn.  It has been by far the hardest time of my life.  To see your newborn attached to monitors and hooked up to an IV is gut wrenching.  And I almost think it is worse because of my medical knowledge.

What I am thankful for is the fact that I have worked beside these nurses during my clinical rotation in the NICU and knew that she was in the hands of some of the best nurses I have met! Madilyn quickly earned the title of “NICU Diva” and had them wrapped around her finger!

While it was hard to see my little angel in there, I was also very thankful that she was not critical as many of the babies in the NICU were.  The night that Madilyn was born another mother delivered twins at an early gestational age.  One of the babies was stabilized and sent to a NICU that can handle infants weighing less than 2lbs.  The other twin grew their angel wings that night.  I cannot imagine the heartache that family went through! I was blessed to have a healthy newborn!!

Here is a sampling of our NICU experience in photos!

Labor Day

My last OB appointment was on Thursday, August 16th.  I was 36 weeks and 5 days.  It was a typical appointment for the most point.  We were concerned with all the swelling.  And by swelling I mean swelling that was pitting!!  Other than that, everything looked great.  A quick check revealed that I was 2cm dilated and 80% effaced.  There were lots of braxton hicks contraction and they were obviously getting my body ready!! Not to mention, she had dropped the week prior.  We set an induction date for September 4th. 

On my way out of the office, my midwife jokingly said that she would be on call all weekend if I should need her.  Little did we know that I really would!!

Thursday night was my most restless night I had experienced during pregnancy.  I couldn’t get comfortable, was up every hour to go to the bathroom and the swelling was not relenting any at all.  Needless to say by morning I was exhausted.  So I got up and started my day.  But I just felt “off”.  I couldn’t put my finger on why though. I just figured it was from the night of no sleep. 

So at 11am, I decided that I would go take a nap.  Finally, a brief stretch of sleep!! I got up at 1pm, thankful for just a short period of sleep.  It wasn’t long after waking up that I had intense pain hit me through my back.  Wow…it totally took me by surprise and took my breath away.  After a minute, it subsided.  And then about 10min later, another hit.  At this point I began to pay attention.  I pulled out my phone and noted the time. 

But could this be labor? I wasn’t sure.  So I just laid across the bed and waited to see if it happened again.  Yes…it did.  So I called and spoke to the nurse, who told me to do what I was already doing.  She confirmed that it sounded like back labor and if it continued for the next hour go to L&D to be checked. 

They continued, so at 2:45 I decided that it was time to go to L&D.  As I am gathering my bag and the baby’s bag, the back pain goes from intermittent to a constant.  This was concerning…and unrelenting! My nurse brain is trying to figure out what is going on!!

After a 45min drive (the longest of my life!!) I arrive at L&D.  At this point I am in tears and the pain has been constant for almost an hour.  I’m checked and I have progressed a little father than I was the previous day.  I’m also contracting, but not even feeling them over this constant pain in my back. 

The on-call Dr comes in and orders labs and a renal ultrasound.  She suspects that I may have a kidney stone.  She also ordered a hefty dose of pain meds!  Well…multiple doses of pain meds don’t touch the back pain. 

Finally, the results from the ultrasound arrive.  And it was in fact kidney related.  It seemed as though my little princess was squishing my right kidney, blocking the flow of urine and causing my kidney to become enlarged and spongy.  A condition known as hydronephrosis.  The decision was made to admit me, try to get pain under control and monitor the contractions.

Contractions?!?!?! I still didn’t even notice them other than feeling my stomach tighten!!

Fast forward to Saturday morning…

Pain relief was still not in sight.  So we take it a step further and they decide to start me on a pain pump.  I was hopeful that this would be the relief I needed.  But much to my dismay, it wasn’t!!

So at 2pm, I am at the end of my rope! My contractions had subsided (I know this from watching the monitor). But I felt like progress had occurred.  So when my midwife came in at 2pm, I asked her to check me.  And I was right.  I was dilated 4cm!! She then asked me if I wanted her to break my water and have a baby today.  I didn’t have to think twice on that one! I knew that the only way to improve the kidney issue was delivering. 

Labor progressed quickly and smoothly.  At 10:13pm, Miss Madilyn made her grand entrance!!

Birth Stats:

Length of Labor: 8hrs

Pain Medication: Epidural

Weight: 6lb 9oz

Length: 19 1/2in

Apgar Score: 8/10

 

Up Next: The NICU Experience

She’s Here!

Wow…so much has changed over the last month :)

Miss Madilyn Kate decided that she would make an early appearance on August 18th! And I can promise there will be many pics to come! But it’s getting late, so I will tease you with one for tonight!

During my ultrasound at 32 weeks, Maddie decided to stick her tongue out at us.  Well…she has continued to do so! She is full of personality and I’m sure she will keep me on my toes as she gets older!!

Maternity Photos and More

Oh my…where have the last 34 weeks gone? I cannot believe I am so close to holding my baby girl!!!

On Saturday I had my maternity portraits made.  They have been scheduled since I hit 20 week…and it seemed at the time that the day was so far off! But time has really gone by so fast.  We started off with sunrise at the beach, then dodged a nasty thunderstorm, moved on to an area of town to get a few and finally finished in the studio.  We had the best time and I can’t wait to see all of them!!

So for now, here is a little sneak peek and a much overdue bump-date!!

How far along: 34 weeks and 3 days today!

How big is the baby: Based upon my ultrasound 2 weeks ago, she should be around 5 1/2 lbs right now. 

Total weight gain: I’m choosing to ignore the scale! 

Sleep: Well, it’s minimal! Someone likes to party at night and wake her mommy up! 

Maternity Clothes: One day I may see my old clothes again!   

Food cravings: Fruit…with it being so hot that is one of the few things that I want! 

Food aversions: No real aversions. 

Symptoms:

• Multiple bathroom trips! 
• Sciatica! 
• Hot Flashes!
• Swelling!
• Exhaustion!

Movement: She is still rolling and trying to her best to make her cramped living space larger!! 

Gender: Girl! Confirmed once again at my last ultrasound!!

Appointment: Next appointment is August 9th. Then I start going weekly until she is here!

Bump Shot:

Madilyn's Nook

Baby girl will be sharing a room with me. This meant I got to completely redecorate the bedroom :). I am currently in a one bedroom, so this meant we would need to share the space. But honestly, even if I had a second bedroom I would want her close to me for a while.

So after a long work week, I decided to relax today by putting the finishing touches to her little nook of the bedroom. I am not one to do a lot of crafty projects, but I couldn't find decor that I liked in the stores. So I went to Pinterest and scored so great ideas!!

The owl and name were print outs on card stock that I adhered the fabric to. Then I bought embroidery hoops and bought coordinating fabric to fill them. The crib bumper I bought.

I have another small area that I need to add a few finishing touches to and the room will be complete. And most importantly...its not overly baby so I don't feel like the bedroom has been taken over.

Counting Down

I cannot believe that I am so close to holding baby girl in my arms. Friday marks 33 weeks!

Today was my 4D ultrasound. It was amazing to see how much she has grown and changed since my last ultrasound! And I must say she has quite the personality!! She will be keeping us on our toes no doubt.

Cheap Entertainment

Who says you have to buy expensive dog toys?!?!?!

Yard Find

These little guys have popped up everywhere!

At The Tarpon Docks