Double Trouble

 

Well, along with some help from family I have done it. I survived my first week at home as a mother of two! It definitely hasn’t been easy, but we are taking it one day as a time and trying our best.

 Natalie is a super easy going newborn. She only cries when she’s absolutely starving, and at night I have to set my alarm to wake her up to eat every 3 hours because she sleeps so sound. She’s a happy and very content baby, and she breastfeeds like a little champ, which has been amazing for me! (Baylee had latch issues so I ended up having to exclusively pump for her which was exhausting!) I’m blessed to feel super bonded with her already, and I feel like she’s always been meant to be.

Baylee is taking things as well as can be expected. She’s super great with Natalie. She knows to clean her hands before she touches her, and loves to hug her and say “Hi, baby sissy! I love you, baby sissy!” Her listening issues have hit an all time high however, and I often feel like I’m asking the wall to go potty. She completely ignores me or has a full out tantrum when I ask her to do (or not to do) anything. We definitely have a lot of adjustments to make, but I am trying my best to make her feel loved and important even though I have to take care of Natalie so often. I know as the weeks go on, it will get better and all of this will start being Baylee’s “norm”.

It’s safe to say that although exhausted, sore, and outnumbered, I am happy as ever. Having my two girls has been incredible and I’m looking forward to all the fun the future will bring with my little babes! I still can’t believe I have double trouble. :)

Until next time! XoXoXo 

Natalie's Birth Story

My littlest peanut will already be a week old tomorrow, and I’m finally getting around to blogging her birth story! I forgot just how crazy it is to have a newborn. It’s amazing how busy eat, sleep, poop can keep you! ;)

So, as most of you know from my bumpdates I started having early labor right around the 35 week mark. I was having daily contractions and even went into "labor" the day before 36 weeks. My doctor was able to stop the labor so I could let the girl cook a little longer, but I still continued having contractions. Then, four days later, I woke up in the middle of the night to my feet and palms itching so bad that they were on fire. Like it literally felt like I got bit by fire ants or something. I also was feeling reduced fetal movement so I called my mom (she’s a RN for LDRP) and she told me that she thought i had cholestasis and that I should go to L&D just to get checked out. I went to L&D and everything was fine with Natalie, she was just facing a funny way in my uterus so I couldn’t feel her (being breech wasn’t helping either). I was released from triage and my doctor had labs ordered for me to see if I had cholestasis. Two days later, on Thursday the 8th, I had an appointment with my OB. She didn’t have my labs back yet, but she was pretty positive that I in fact had cholestasis. She completely caught me off guard and said, "Because of the risks, we are going to be delivering this baby in the next 24-36 hours." My jaw dropped! I was definitely not expecting to go to this OB appointment and be scheduled for a C-section for the following night! She had me go back to the hospital for a NST and to do all my pre-op labs and paperwork. This was seriously happening.

I didn't have to be at the hospital until 5:00pm on Friday the 9th, so I spent my morning brunching with my mom, sisters, and kiddo. We all got our nails done, and then I had a chance to rest a little while Baylee took a nap. When it was finally time to head out I was so excited but soooo nervous. I had never had a surgery before so I didn't know what to expect!

Brian got off work and met us at the hospital. He was one excited daddy! They took me to a L&D room just to prep me, and I got to relax, pray, and listen to my sweet girl's heartbeat on the monitor for a couple of hours.

 

When it was go-time, Brian and I said "see you later" to my mom and sisters and headed toward the OR. I got to walk myself which I really appreciated.

 

Once we got into the OR, I felt a lot more calm. This was going to happen...I was about to meet my sweet little rainbow IVF baby that I worked so hard to grow! I met the anesthesiologist, and he explained everything about my spinal block. I had gotten an epidural with Baylee so I knew it would be a similar feeling. Once he was done, I immediately felt my legs start to get heavy. They helped me lay down on the operating table, and I tried to relax and breathe while they set everything up on the other side of the curtain. It felt like a thousand years waiting for Brian to come in. When they finally did, I felt more peaceful but also had a hard time taking deep breaths. I was terrified at what I was going to be able to feel. I didn't have any pain at all, just a lot of tugging and pulling sensations. Then, I heard "We have two feet and ten toes!" and I got so excited! My silly little footling breech babe! They delivered her legs and bottom and said "It's a girl!" and a few minutes later at 7:42 P.M. Natalie Louise Faith entered the world. She wasn't crying at first, so I got a little worried, but after some suctioning she finally let out her first wail. Such a wonderful moment! Brian was called over to her warmer to take pictures. She had a little trouble breathing on her own at first, but after getting a little oxygen in her lungs, she was just fine. I couldn't wait for Brian to be able to bring her over to my head so I could finally see her sweet face! When they finally did, I saw that she was completely big sister's twin! My heart was so happy!

 

When they took her away to the nursery, Brian got to go with her. Outside the OR my family was waiting to meet her! Everyone was excited and couldn't believe how tiny she was!

 While they were sewing me up, I got a little tachycardia and felt like I was going to pass out, but the anesthesiologist helped me breathe and gave me a little something to relax me, so after that I was better. They transferred me to a new bed and took me down to recovery. I didn't feel any pain but I was sooo thirsty. It was driving me crazy. I was able to have some ice chips, and then Brian was finally able to bring Natalie to me. We did our skin to skin and our first breastfeeding session. She latched on like a champ and I was so happy! After an hour or so, they finally wheeled me up to my room, and we were all able to finally get some rest and stare at her little perfect self. :) 

 

The next morning, my sisters brought Baylee to the hospital to meet her baby sis. She was so excited and completely fell in love with her! It felt so amazing to have my family of four all together for the first time. (Even though I was super drugged up and kept falling asleep mid-conversation with everyone!)

 

 

Everything was going very well with my recovery in the hospital (I was just super sore and tired), but we noticed on Saturday that Natalie started looking a little yellow. They started to run labs for her every 12 hours, and on Sunday night her pediatrician decided that her bilirubin level was too high so we had to do 12 hours of phototherapy. It's never fun seeing your little nugget in the incubator, but I knew it was a good call. By Monday afternoon her levels were down, and we finally got discharged!  

 

Life has been a crazy whirlwind since then, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Welcome to the world, Baby Natalie! You were always meant to be!

 

Until next time! XoXoXo

 

 

 

 

 

Thirty Six Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks 5 days

Weight gain: 30 lbs

Stretch marks: Nope...but I seriously don't know how my skin can stretch any further!

Sleep: Not so great, insomnia, trouble finding a comfortable position, and getting up to pee often

Best moment this week: Seeing little girl on a couple of ultrasounds during my NSTs. Her breech presentation has her in a funny position where I can't feel her very often so it was nice reassurance that she's active and doing great!

Worst moment this week: Two trips to triage for "false alarms". I am having steady contractions (they're calling it "uterine irritability") but they're not strong enough to make me dilate past 2cm yet. Also, I have had super itchy hands and feet so I'm now being tested for cholestasis. It's all been a little crazy lately!

Miss anything: Not being 9 months pregnant lol this is seriously the hardest part of the journey.

Movement: Not a whole lot, I feel her hiccups and a leg move every so often but she's facing my back so it's few and far between.

Cravings: Donuts, fish tacos (and Mexican food in general), avocado, and bananas

Anything make you queasy or sick: Nope

Looking forward to: "Birth" day! Hopefully we will have a little bundle by next week!

Until next time! XoXoXo

Dear Baylee (A Letter to My Firstborn)

Baby girl is trying desperately to make an early appearance (I'll have more about that on my next bumpdate), so things are starting to get real around here. Every time I look at Baylee, I can't help but feel a little sad and guilty that her world is about to be completely flipped and she has no idea. I know she will be absolutely fine, and that I have enough love in my heart for both my girls, but she's been my little bestie for the past 3.5 years and had me all to herself. I know it's going to be a big adjustment no matter what! I decided to write a little letter to my girl as she becomes a Big Sis. I know she won't read it until she's older, but I want her to know where my heart was at during this time in both our lives. :)

My Dearest Baylee,

   Any day now, you are going to become a big sister, and it's so hard to believe that we have finally reached this point. Although I have tried my best, I know there is nothing I can say or do that can remotely even begin to prepare you for this big change. I have two little sisters myself, so I know what a big job you have ahead of you. My daily prayer is that you and Natalie will grow up to be best friends just like I am with your Mimi and Gigi. I hope you always find it in your heart to love her, protect her, and set a good example for her. She is going to watch you and look up to you always, and even though you will fight, your sister bond will always outshine any disagreement. 

She is not even here yet, and I am already so proud of the way you love her. You are always asking me if you can kiss baby sissy and you give my belly big smooches. You can't wait to meet her, and ask me almost every day if she is coming yet. I know you are going to be an amazing big sister, and that she is going to think you hung the moon! 

Having you as my firstborn has been the greatest blessing. I completely adore the little girl you are becoming, and even though you challenge me to no end, I am so proud of your strong and persistent attitude that you have already. You are compassionate, loving, and not afraid to fight for what you think is fair and right. You're going to move mountains, my girl, and I feel honored that I get to watch you do it. My love for you is endless, unconditional, and unwavering. No matter how old you get, I will always be your Mommy. As long as I am living, I promise I will be there for you whenever you need me, and that you will never have to be lonely. Since July 15th, 2014 you have had my heart and there is nothing in this world that could ever change that. When I count my blessings, I count you twice. I love you, I love you, I love you.

Love,

 Your Mommy     

 

Until next time! XoXoXo

 

Thirty Five Weeks

 

How far along: 35 weeks 5 days

Weight gain: 29 pounds

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Insomnia is really bad and I'm getting up multiple times a night. So yeah sleep is terrible. lol

Best moment this week: I was able to squeeze in appointments to get my hair done and a pedicure and it was refreshing and relaxing.

Worst moment this week: Still having constant contractions and pressure, but it's not enough to be "real labor" yet. I'm just a little sick of being in pain all the time. :(

Miss anything: I miss walking instead of waddling. :)

Movement: I feel her legs and feet move and she gets the hiccups a couple times a day.

Cravings: Chipotle (guacamole especially), fish tacos, and donuts

Anything make you queasy or sick: Nope

Looking forward to: Meeting my sweet girl and finding out her birthday!

Until next time! XoXoXo