Charlotte: One month

+ Sleeps on average 6 hours straight at night. I am a lucky mama!
+ LOVES the carseat and moving: walking, running errands, etc.
+ Only takes cat naps during the day unless being held
+ Loves to eat
+ Loves the Paci but cannot keep it in her mouth. Cries when she loses it every time.
+ At her 5 week checkup, she weighed 9lbs, 9 oz ( up three pounds from birth weight).

Charlotte's Birth Story: Just Born

I started writing this post 6 weeks ago and just wrapped it up. Clearly having an infant changes how you can spend your time :)

On Friday (9/20) when I left the office, I tried to make sure things were as wrapped up as possible. The state of not knowing was really starting to get to me. I made sure I had a backup for all my scheduled appointments on Monday "just in case".

Friday night, Tim and I went to Bealls to return something. My upper thigh cramps were SO bad because baby girl's head was putting pressure on my femoral artery. I could barely walk around the store. Even though I had wanted to go to 3rd Friday, we decided to come home. I took a bath, something I never do, which did help the pains in my thighs. I fell asleep rather early, maybe 10ish? However, I woke up at 2am with mild cramps. I was up and down with irregular cramping most of the night. Tylenol did nothing to alleviate the pain and I knew this was "prelabor".

Saturday I took it easy. Still irregular cramping. I went to Publix and tried to go about my normal Saturday routine but I was tired. I did wrap up a bunch of work stuff, confident that I would not be at work on Monday. Around 4pm, my pants felt slightly damp but I had been outside walking so I didn't think too much of it. Tim and I had dinner, straightened up the house and packed any last minute things for the hospital, knowing we would be there before morning. I took a shower around 8pm, laid down and when I stood up, I knew I was leaking fluid. We took our time getting ready and made it to the hospital around 10:30pm.

Once we were checked into Labor and Delivery, I was advised to put on a gown so that I could be checked before determining if I would be admitted. I was SO excited that one of my favorite OBs was on call for the weekend. As soon as I put the gown on, my water officially "broke" and the nurse declared that I " wasn't going anywhere". I was disappointed to learn that I was only at 2cm, as I did not want to come to the hospital before I was at a 4.

The Doctor came in and they went over my timeline. Since I hadn't slept much the night before and they suspected my water broke at 4pm, they decided to let me rest and see how I progressed until 3am at which time they would start Pitocin. At 3am I decided to get an epidural. Contractions were pretty regular and I simply could not get comfortable in any position.  The epidural was FABULOUS and Pitocin was pushed off till 6am. Tim slept on a cot beside me and we both got some rest.

Shortly after starting Pitocin, we had the 7am shift change meaning I got a new nurse. Before introductions could even be made, she was rushing into my room throwing my bed back into a flat position and putting oxygen on me. Apparently, baby's heart rate had dropped when they increased the Pitocin. After her heart rate went back up, they reduced my Pitocin back down to the lowest level until the doctor came in. Right before 9am, the doctor was monitoring me, they increased the Pitocin and sent Tim for breakfast. Immediately, I was again flat on my back with oxygen and I even heard the doctor say " We need to get dad back in here". At this time they began talking about a C-section.

I was not ready to give up just yet. I was removed from the Pitocin completely. If I continued to progress on my own and everyones' heart rate remained stable, I could still go for a vaginal birth. If I did not progress or a we had any more dips in the heart rate, I would need to have a C-section. Because my water broke at 4pm Saturday, they wanted baby born by 4pm Sunday as she would be without amniotic fluid too long which increased her chance of infection.

I progressed well on my own. My mom got to the hospital shortly before 12. Baby girls heart rate dropped and I was put on oxygen permanently. The nurse checked me and I was at a 10. My epidural had worn off and they did not want to give me any medications until the doctor came in and it was decided if I would be pushing or having a c-section. I was in A LOT of pain. The contractions felt like they were one on top of the other. The nurse told me to tell her if I felt pressure to push. Baby's heart rate continued to drop on and off. The doctor came in and told me she did not feel comfortable with me pushing due to the unstable heart rate. They began prepping the OR for my C-section.

Waiting for this was THE worst part. Not only was I in pain, but I began feeling the pressure to push...which I was told not to do. I was also SO thirsty and they would not let me drink. There were numerous C-sections going on that day but eventually I got down to the OR. The whole thing is kind of a blur... Tim was taken into another room until they were ready. I remember them prepping my stomach and then someone accidentally touching it and they had to start all over. I remember having a death grip on Tim's hand the whole time. Then we heard the sweet sounds of our baby girl. Turns out her cord was wrapped around her foot, making her like a little bungee jumper every time she decided to come out, hence the drop in heart rate. Despite this, Charlotte Grace was born perfectly healthy on September 22, 2013 at 2:37pm weighing in at 6lbs, 9 oz and 20 inches long.

The staff were great about taking lots of pictures for us. They called Tim away to cut the cord while they began "putting me back together". I felt A LOT, not sure if that is normal. The whole time I kept saying "ow, ow". The anesthesiologist stayed by holding my other hand the entire time. Because my pain was not under control, they opted for staples at my incision site in order to get me into recovery faster.

At this point, I was handed my little baby girl. I remember feeling drowsy and having to concentrate to hold onto the baby as they took me back upstairs. Once I was back in the room, I threw up but immediately felt better and was ready for skin-to-skin with my little one. My parents and Tim's parents both were invited back one by one for a quick visit. The nurse then suggested no more visitors until the next day which was a blessing as it gave us lots of time to bond as a family of three and get to know our sweet Charlotte.

We were moved to a "mom and baby" room and we were lucky enough to get a water view room. I was still not allowed to eat or drink as they didn't want me to get sick again. It wasn't till after midnight on Monday that they FINALLY let me have juice and ice pops... my first "food" since Saturday. It was phenomenal! :)

I was pretty much bed bound so I just spent lots of time snuggling my baby girl. At 4 in the morning, I was finally allowed up. It was painful but not unbearable. I was still hooked up to all sorts of wires which made it more difficult but those got removed later that day. I really pushed myself because I wanted nothing more than to go home with my baby. Monday was full of lots of visitors and doctors. I was told I was one of "the best C-section patients" by my nurses, so much so that we got to go home a day early! The next few days were filled with lots of "firsts" and it has been such an amazing adventure so far. I LOVE being this little girls mom!

Since I love having the weekly updates from my pregnancy, I am going to being photographing baby girl monthly and writing up a post to document her growth. Here is the first photo, taken the day we got home from the hospital.

I hope to get her one month post up this weekend so I will be all caught up going forward :)

Week 39

+ I was rather disappointed at my 39 week check-up to find out I was still not dilated. I was told that should things remain the same at 40 weeks, my induction would be scheduled for 10/3. The doctor tried to reassure me saying " I don't think you will go into labor in the next two hours but things can change fast so that doesn't mean you can't go into labor in the next two days".

+ The upper thigh cramps came back full force, stopping me in my tracks. Tim and I wanted to walk around third Friday in Downtown Safety Harbor but when I couldn't walk around Bealls, we decided it was best for me to come home.

+ Work was becoming increasingly difficult because I didn't know how to plan from day-to-day, not knowing when baby would come.

+ At 39 week, 3 days (9/22/13) Charlotte decided to make her debut. We are completely in love...

Week 38

+ Week 38 has been a bit of a challenge. It is hard to get comfortable and when I do, I have to go to the bathroom every 1.5-2 hours! I also feel puffy so I am sure I must look it.

+ I know pregnant women always complain about the comments they receive. Some women get comments like " Are you sure there is only one in there"? I on the other hand receive the comment  " There is no way you are due in two weeks, you are too small". This isn't just once or twice either. Its pretty much every single time I go out in public. Some people have no filter.

+ In other news, I was checked this week at my 38 week appointment. While I am "not dilated", baby girl's head is supposedly " right there" and my cervix is thin. She anticipates that I will still pregnant this Thursday at my 39 week check and I am starting to agree with her. However, she said if I am not dilated this week we will need to discuss our options. I have a feeling they will try to get me to go ahead and schedule my induction for 41 weeks, regardless.

+ Its been really hard to plan for work. I always said I would " work until the end" assuming I felt fine. And since I really haven't had too many complaints this pregnancy this hasn't been an issue. But I am finding that now I am in this weird limbo. I hate to schedule appointments outside the office or make promises to outside providers who don't know I am pregnant, for fear of not being able to keep the commitment. For example, I am scheduled with one provider for a meeting Thursday.... in Bradenton... I have major anxiety about being that far away while we are in single digits till baby's due date. I have asked for them to allow me to conference in so we will see...

+ Tim and I put out the sleeper and the swing this weekend in an attempt to get the dogs use to things. Lola is afraid of the sleep and tries to tip-toe quietly past it. I am so curious to see how my pups are going to adapt to having a little one in the house!

+ I hope in my week 39 post I can say " Charlotte was born"... Wishful thinking! :)

Week 37

+ Had my doctor's appointment last Thursday. We officially have a full term, in position baby!

+ I thought it would be fun to mix things up this week! 

• How far along: 37 weeks, 5 days.
• Total Weight Gain/Loss: I officially hit the 20 pound mark at my last appointment :( 
• Maternity clothes: To work yes! Home it is yoga pants with the band up and regular work out t-shirts ( just in a larger size). 
• Stretch marks: None yet! I am hoping this doesn't change in the next few weeks. No linea nigra either!  
• Sleep: In between bathrooms breaks :) 
• Best moment this week: Hearing my OB say " See you Thursday or before" after last weeks' appointment. 
• Movement: TONS! I often have a baby butt or foot visible from my left side. 
• Food cravings: Baby girl LOVES watermelon and it always gets her moving! 
• Gender: GIRL! 
• Labor signs: Tired, feeling baby much lower, being able to breath and contractions although not consistent. Yesterday I felt really off and Tim was convinced it was THE day. 
• Belly button - in or out? In- again hoping this doesn't change! 
• What I miss: Having energy, being able to sleep on my stomach, and exercise. 
• What I am looking forward to: Baby girls arrival ( although nerve wracking at the same time) 
• Wedding Ring: Some days on, some days off. 
• Milestones: Baby is full term!! 

+ Tim and I also spent some time looking at our old baby photos. We laughed a lot. Well, I laughed a lot. I always make fun of Tim's " fivehead" which I assumed was due to his receding hairline. Nope, it was present at birth! Here is a side by side of us around the same age complete with the same 1980's background. 

Meghan ( L) & Tim ( R) 

Week 36

+ I went to the Doctor on Friday and am now on weekly checks. I was up 2 lbs from two weeks ago. I met the last OB doctor in the practice ( there are 8 doctors in the practice, 6 of which do OB). They want you to meet all 6 over the course of your pregnancy because they obviously can't predict who will be on call when you go into labor. I LOVED her: she was very patient with me while I asked 100 questions. Charlotte has switched sides ( she is now on my lower right) with her head "down and low". The doctor was very happy with her position.

+ I have continued to have Braxton Hicks. Nothing unbareable just tightness. I am getting shooting pains in my upper thighs when I walk. The doctor said it is completely normal and due to increased blood flow: one of our body's ways of preparing for baby.

+ I think my nesting has kicked in. I want to clean everything and be prepared. Tim installed the car seat the other night. However, I still want to get in inspected. On my agenda? Packing a hospital bag.

+ Oh and my employer threw me a surprise baby shower the other day. It was incredibly sweet and unexpected!

A fully functioning guest bathroom...finally!

Two and half months ago, I purchased a new shower fixture for the guest bathroom. I mentioned it here but didn't really get into details. Basically, I wanted to swap out the shower fixture for something detachable: both for the dogs and for the baby. Detachable shower fixtures are not cheap, especially when you factor in the Oil Rubbed Bronze. Back in June, Save-A- Lot had a promotion of Home Depot gift cards where you got a $25 gift card for $15. When the promotion ran, they didn't have a limit so Tim and I bought a bunch of them with the intent of purchasing a new shower fixture.

 I came across this Glacier Bay fixture on the Home Depot website. While Glacier Bay isn't the best brand, it was virtually the only one that matched our current set up and would cover the pre-drilled holes in our tile. We went to one of the local Home Depot's and they had NO detachable Oil Rubbed Bronze Shower Fixtures. We walked the store as we had a few other items to get. I randomly stopped at the clearance section near the shop vacs and found one of the Glacier Bay fixtures, box still sealed marked down to $84. SOLD!

The next day we took everything apart. Turns out we had to replace the ENTIRE shower valve to make the unit work. Since that is beyond the scope of our knowledge, we had to call my dad. He of course knows how to do this with his eyes closed but we have both seen so busy that my shower has looked like this for the past 2.5 months.

In my own defense, we don't use the shower in there much. Mainly for washing the dogs but I also have a slop sink in the garage so we weren't in any huge rush. But with my due date in approximately 24 days, we decided it would be best to get it done now. Saturday, my dad come over and we went to remove the access panel inside my linen closet. Turns out what we thought was a wooden " panel" was really two layers of drywall.

All we did Saturday was to open up the wall, check the connectors and make sure we had everything we needed to switch out the valve on Sunday. Since I am HUGE and not very helpful at this point, Tim and my dad worked on this project. First we had to cut the boards to have access to the valve. We later reattached them. The whole process went fairly well. We did end up have to cut out a small piece of tile which made me extremely nervous! This is how things were looking about half way through...

Aside from the whole drywall incident, we only had one small glitch. After we were all installed, we had no hot water. First we checked that we flipped the breaker back on and we did. The new shower valve has a anti- scald feature that comes enabled. It was an easy fix once we realized the cause.After that we switched out the drain (the one item we had to purchase separately). And here is the new fixture all installed.

While we are on bathroom upgrades, we made one more minor addition to this bathroom as well. If you remember I painted the bathroom ceiling a few months back. I still love the color but always felt like something was missing. After completing our Kitchen Tray Ceiling, I realized what it was... moulding! So we picked up a couple of pieces of mini crown moulding and installed it where the gray paint met the ceiling in the guest bath.

So much better! It really is amazing to me what a difference it can make! I think that officially wraps up the list of " To Do" items for this room! :)

Oh this morning, I tested out the new fixture by giving the dogs a bath after their walk. It was so much faster than rinsing them with a cup ( the way I used to). Lola however was not amused!

" What is this thing"?