Abigail Marie Allison

Our sweet Abigail arrived on March 15, 2013 at 12:51pm.  She weighed in at 8lb 2oz and 21" long.

I am currently typing this with her laying on my chest because girl LOVES to be held.  (Can't even lie...Mama loves it.  Although I might be creating a monster.)

I'm going to write out her birth story here- I'll try not to be too detailed...but this is good for me when I finally get to baby books.  :)

We induced labor for sweet Abby.  If you remember, I'm pretty against induction for myself...I just really want things to happen in God's timing not mine..but for the sake of help with Noah, I considered it this time.  :) The doctor had considered inducing us the day before we were due (I think since he was on call that night)  but my body just wasn't ready yet.  So then he said we could wait until Monday...which is when I decided to ask for Friday..and we settled on Thursday night.  I'm so glad we did Thursday night because I am not a quick labor woman and it took until Friday afternoon, and our doctor was able to deliver Abby.  Had we started Friday morning he would have been gone for the day I think.

Anyways, so we were admitted at 10pm on Thursday evening, my due date.  I was so anxious.  I'm not sure why. Silly lady.  I had been having contractions all day so I was pretty hopeful that things would go pretty smoothly and that baby was ready to come along.  When we were admitted the nurse informed us that no orders had been entered into the computer and our doctor wasn't on call.  Oops. :) So she had to call the on call doctor.  The good side was that we were already 3cm...the downside was because of that we had to go straight to pitocin instead of starting with cervidil.  (My day nurse later told me that was really a bummer because I probably would have gone faster with the cervidil- but oh well!)

So finally at midnight we were able to get started on the pitocin.  I was having contractions, but as soon as the pitocin started they went to every 2-3 minutes consistently.  From 12-4:30am I did pretty well.  The pain got pretty intense at 4:30am. I'm pretty sure it was back labor.  My contractions definitely hurt more in the back than the front so I was kinda miserable at 4:30.  I asked if I could have some pain medicine then..so the nurse checked me and I was still only 3 1/2 cm.  Seriously..I would give anything to be one of those women who have quick labors.  FOR REAL.  So she gave me morphine.

I didn't know you could use morphine for labor pain.  But it worked.  So for three hours I did great and could breathe through contractions but I was dreaming of the epidural.  I told the nurse that would be great if I could get it once the doctors came in for the day..she told me it was too early.  BUMMER.

Around 8 am our day shift nurse came in and asked if I wanted an epidural.  MUSIC to my ears.  8 hours of pitocin with the 2-3 minute contractions and no progression (STILL rocking the 3 1/2 cm at this time) was frustrating me.  I began to feel really guilty about inducing and feeling like this was what I got for trying to make things happen on my own time.  I just found myself praying a lot, asking our Lord to keep our sweet baby safe and hopefully to allow me to start moving along.  

Epidural went in at 8:30 and I was feeling good.  The CRNA was laughing at me because I just chatted them up the whole time they placed my epidural.  She said I was the most cheerful patient she had that was at the point of needing an epidural.  I get goofy when I'm happy.  Then finally we started moving along. 

Brad made me try to take a nap since I hadn't slept all night and I finally did.  The next time the nurse checked me I was only 4cm but she said I was much more effaced and that she was very encouraged that we would be ready.  This was around 11ish.  I think.  She said she had talked to our doctor and he was planning to be at the hospital by 2:30.  She said she was so glad I finally showed some progress because my doctor had wanted to send me home (that would have broken my heart) since I wasn't doing anything, but since we had the epidural he let me stay.  (AMEN!) But Kristen said she was sure we could make this happen now.  She thought I'd be ready to push right around when our doctor arrived.  

But then the action really started.  I started feeling like my water had broken, and like we were getting close.  By noon I was 8cm dilated, and literally right after my nurse checked me, Abby flip-flopped and my water broke.  About 5 minutes later Kristen checked me and then I was 10cm and ready to push.  

She called the doctor and told him he better come. That was at 12:25.  I'm not sure how on earth he got to the hospital as fast as he did..seriously he BOOKED it. He walked into my room at 12:40 ready to go.  And then he and the nurse had started cracking jokes together.  They both have very dry sense of humors and I loved it! :)  We started pushing at 12:45 and Abby joined us at 12:51.  

Let me just tell you 6 minutes of pushing..that's a WHOLE lot easier than 2 hours.  My goodness!  

A few moments of fear after she was born..she didn't cry right away and she was a little blue.  The nurse in me was SCREAMING but I think I barely whispered at the doctor "Why isn't she crying???"  He said she just needed suctioned and he was right.  She cried right away after that.  He said she was just bruised from coming down so fast which is why she was blue.  And he was so calm while saying so that it really kept me calm.  He later very casually mentioned the cord being around Abby's neck..which I replied with WHAT?! He said "yeah that's why I told you to push slow"  I definitely didn't hear him say to push slow. So glad I was blissfully unaware of the cord situation. 

 How THANKFUL I am that God protected our sweet Abby!  I'm so so grateful for how delivery went, and for how great our doctor turend out to be!  He was so much friendlier and sweeter than I anticipated since he was always so quiet in our appointments.  Turns out he's pretty funny.  I'm so glad we picked him.  Our nurses were phenomenal...especially our delivery nurse.  They just did such a great job!  

And now we have a sweet baby girl..who is SO loved by her big brother.  It's amazing to me. We are so in love with these two kiddos.  I just can't even believe how my heart has grown.  I look at them and I am just in wonder.  I'm so grateful for the blessing of being their mama.  Oh it's just awesome.  

That's it for now.  I'll write more soon...I'm finally feeling like I have energy again..so hopefully we'll be back on track.  

P.S. Google reader is going away.  I am so sad.  

Plan Plan Plan!!!

We have a plan....sort of.  

Went to the doctor today and we're a centimeter dilated - WOOOO!!!  So I was pumped that this might happen this week! He then said he wanted to see me back on Wednesday.  Which I thought was a little strange since I'm not even due until Thursday, but hey I'm easy going. 

Then, I asked the doctor about induction.  I really don't want to be induced - I just hate the idea of that - but also I want to be out of the hospital when my mama is going to be able to be here to help us out for a few days.  (Because there is just something about having your mama there when you have a baby) So Brad and I had decided we would ask him to induce on Friday if nothing happens by Thursday.  

Well I asked the doctor about Friday and he said he would have to check his schedule, but that was why he wanted me back Wednesday because they may induce me then.  

WHAT! 

And yay! 

Surprisingly, I feel totally at peace about that. Despite the fact that I don't like the idea of being induced.  I think what gives me the most peace is at least if we get induced on Wednesday then I have a much better chance that our doctor will be the one to deliver.  

YAY!!  

So as of Wednesday...we could be parents of two.  Getting real!  

Noah and I had a special day today and went to the inflatable playground together.  Let me just tell you that I looked like a whale climbing up into those inflatable things to play with Noah, but I was determined to have a special day with him.  It was fabulous. 

ALSO...he now says oh my goodness.  It's maybe the most adorable thing ever.  I'm in love.  He just started it.  I must say it a lot to him.  So stinking cute.  

That's it! Finishing up a few things and having some quiet moments tonight while we can.  Have a great week! Hopefully our next update will be of Baby Duey and his/her entrance into the world!

1 week.

Most likely, this time next week we'll have two little ones.  Crazy. It feels like I've been pregnant for so long this time. I think because we found out so early, then moved.  It feels like so much time has passed. But I sure will miss these sweet kicks.  

So excited!!

In other news...Noah asked to go poopy twice today. And did it! He also peed only a third time.  This is exciting because we aren't potty training. So I'm really pumped that he's excited about it on his own.  I do think the reason for the sudden interest is because he transitioned to the two year old class at school and they potty train in there, so I think he's seeing his buddies go. I'm all about doing it now that it will be consistent for him even on the two days he's at school.  Yay! Nights will be our hardest though because that boy wakes up soaked every morning. 

The baby is sitting funny in there. There is something about the way we're positioned this time. It cracks me up because every once in awhile the baby kicks and it will almost knock me over from what feels like a Charlie horse in my thigh.  I mean for real my leg almost gives out. It doesn't hurt, but it is shocking every time. And it makes me laugh :) must be a nerve or something. 

That's it. Bedtime!! :)

Nesting!

That's right. 

It kicked in. 

YAY!!  

Tonight as I was getting a little compulsive in getting things cleaned up, and unpacking newborn diapers to set up a changing station in the living room, and pulling out supplies to make headbands (for the first time in my life) - Brad looked at me and said "You're nesting, hardcore." (Or something along those lines.)

He is not joking. 

I am so excited!  

I have part of tomorrow and Wednesday to nest a little bit more while Noah is at school.  I finished two headbands tonight..getting ready to do at least one more and then hit the hay.  I don't have any pink headbands yet and the mom in me feels like maybe I need a pink headband for the hospital just in case. And, of course I need one for her going home outfit if Duey is a little lady.  Going to go through my supplies and see what I have available. :) 

We had our 39ish week appointment today.  I'm not 39 weeks until Thursday.  No changes.  Not really that unexpected for us.  Brad met the doctor for the first time today...he is a man of few words.  But I'm glad that at least Brad has met him now.  It will be different this time...but that's ok!  I'm just so excited to meet this sweet baby! 

P.S. I saw the movie by myself on Sunday.  Brad gave me alone time on Saturday and Sunday, plus Anish was in town so we had such a great weekend! Anyways...I totally recommend seeing a movie by yourself.  It's amazing.  At least as a mama of a super active toddler.  It was 2 full hours of no responsibility and quiet that is ok.  I LOVED it.  Definitely going to do that again.  

Anyways, that's it for now.  11:20 pm.  Need to not be exhausted tomorrow it's my last day at work, (only 4 hours thank goodness) but I'm a little worried I'll get stuck there because of the snow storm we're supposed to be getting.  I'm praying they don't tell us we have to stay.  Sometimes that can happen in crazy weather and they won't let you leave...I so so so hope that's not the case tomorrow.  

It's official. I'm tired.

And on the verge of a breakdown.

I sent a text to Brad earlier today begging him for some alone time on Sunday.  I told him I'm on the edge of losing it.  I actually asked if I could go and see a movie by myself.  Which I have never done...but in my irrational state right now, it feels like it would be the most relaxing thing ever. I feel like it is perfect, because I would be out of the house and responsibility free, and I wouldn't be trying to shop or something.  Not sure, I might change my mind...but currently that is getting me through this day. 

This day has been tough. 

I am so very thankful for God's grace to us.  I'm so thankful he sees every tear. He knows my every thought. Every single thought and tear.  Today, I have lost my patience more times than I can count. I've had to discipline Noah more than I ever want to, and have found my temper running short.  It's been probably the hardest day we have had in two years of parenting. 

I lost it at lunch.  I put Noah in his crib for time out, and I sat on the kitchen floor and sobbed.  I know it's harder because I'm two weeks away from Baby Duey's arrival, Noah is 2 years old and right in the throws of that, and it's snowing and we didn't get out today, and little man is sick so he is SUPER emotional today, Brad has to work next weekend so I'm staring down 12 days of him being gone during the day, and then a baby's arrival.  I can rationally look at each of these details and know that this will get better.  Additionally...I know that I will sleep again when the baby comes.  (Don't get me wrong I'm not crazy...I know I won't sleep a lot- but I will sleep easier.  Hopefully) I slept like a rock after Noah was born.  It's like the previous of 9 months of not sleeping hit me all at once and I slept like a baby.  Which made the days not seem so terrible..because even when Noah was up at night..I knew I would be able to go back to sleep easily once he was back to sleep.  I know it might be different.  Duey might not sleep well like Noah did (that will be a tragedy), or (s)he might need more feedings through the night..we'll just see.  For now..that is the light at the end of my tunnel.  

All that to say.  Our God is so good.  After our breakdown I went and got Noah out of timeout and we prayed before lunch.  While we were praying...which was another sob fest on Mama's part..we prayed for obedience for Noah and patience for Mama....sweet Noah leaned over and rested his head on me.  Gave his mama some love.  After that it was like a whole new day for both of us.  That is God's grace.  He heard our prayer.  He knows my heart. He knows that I need Him so very badly every minute of my every day.  I am so thankful for a God who knows the details of my life.  Who loves me more than I can imagine or even begin to deserve, and forgives me in my frequent failings.  Praise Him.

That's it for now..going to try to close my eyes for a few during nap time here..and then little man has to head to the doctor for his nasty cough.  Have a great week.