The best Christmas EVER

Marlee came home Christmas Eve!! We are so thrilled to have our baby girl home after 6 days in the NICU. She is healthy and happy. Our first night together went wonderfully. I hope everyone have a blessed Christmas!!!

Marlee's arrival

On Wednesday December 16th, I was sent home on strict bedrest and blood pressure medication due to pre-e. I was super swollen and my blood pressure was incredibly high. I went to my follow up appointment on Friday December 18th, thinking that my doctor would be scheduling my 37 week induction. Instead she told me that I would be having my baby that day at 36 weeks. She did an internal (my first) to see if I had started progressing any, and was dilated to a 3 and 75% effaced.




I was wheeled across to the hospital and they hooked me up to an IV with Pitocin and Magnesium Sulfate, and put in a catheter, as I couldn't walk around with the mag bag. The pitocin was started low. I could feel slight contractions that mostly felt like menstrual cramps, so they would turn it up.



My doctor came in and broke my water and found that I was 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced. They turned up the Pitocin and with in 15 mins the contractions were strong. Not only strong but with in 3 mins of each other. I held out and breathed through each contraction focusing on my focal point (a dot in the ceiling) and would have my FI rub my lower back.



I couldn't take it after a while (I don't know exactly how long b/c my sense of time completely flew out the door) so I asked for an epidural. They were in another room and came over shortly after odering it. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be, definitely a different experience.



After getting the epi I was actually able to function, it was so nice. I was able to talk to people and relax. My nurse came in to check my progress and I was dilated to a 6. They turned off the pitocin b/c the babies heartbeat started dipping during contractions. And after a while I started feeling the contractions in my butt/vaginal area. I tried to just get past it but it started to get really intense. I told my nurse that I felt like I had to poop so she checked me and I was dilated to an 8. It had only been 30 mins!



I figured out that I had control of my epi and started pushing it over and over to get rid of the pressure, but it never seemed to work. I actually had to start breathing through some of the contractions again. Then it felt like I had to push, it was absolutely uncontrollable. I started yelling for the nurse and screaming that I had to push (I've watched so many baby stories where the women start pushing before they were supposed to and I was terrified I would!). Out of no where there were a ton of people in the room, it was litterally a whirlwind.



With in less than 30 mins I had completely dilated and her head was RIGHT THERE. The next thing I knew my legs were being pushed into stirrups and they were telling me what was going to happen and how to push. Even with the epi pushing was so painful and exhausting. I could feel my doctor stretching me out. I cannot imagine not having the epi and feeling all of that full force. I pushed with every contraction and finally out came our sweet princess, Marlee Addisyn.



I thought I would cry at the moment they put her on me, but I was in such awe I had no time to cry. I just felt all over her feet and head, goo, blood and all. She was SOOOO small!!!



The rest is an absolutely blur besides my doctor delivering my placenta and stitching me up. I ended up with a 2nd degree tear (it doesn't matter it was totally worth it). They had to take Marlee to the NICU due to the fact that she was 4 weeks premature and wasn't breathing that well. But they swung her by my bed. She had her eyes open and was looking around, she was absolutely beautiful. It was then that I started crying, that was my baby!!!!



Ultimately I went through 6 hours of labor and pushed for 6 mins. Marlee is still in the NICU on a Cpap, but hopefully not for long. As I type this we're actually waiting for the results of her xray.

35 weeks

Five weeks to go...give or take some. I have to say that I'm DONE haha, very ready to not be pregnant anymore. This has been the most wonderful experience of my life. BUT I'm ready to hold Marlee Addisyn in my arms and kiss every square inch of her face!

We had a little scare on Thursday Dec. 10th. Marlee wasn't moving much, so I put a call in to the doctor. The on-call doctor told me to go to OB triage to be put on monitors to see what exactly was going on. As soon as they were on, she was everywhere. Go figure! But I was glad to know that she was ok. Her heart rate was in the 150s, which is great. My BP was higher than normal, which could have been due to stress of the situation. I've got swelling going on, too. Which is just the icing on the cake! =)

Catch up

Sorry I missed last weeks update, completely slipped my mind!
Had my 34 week appointment yesterday. Scot is now off Tuesdays and Wednesdays so he was able to go to the appointment with me. He now understands when I say every-two-week appointments are pointless lol.

Next appointment (at 36 weeks) I am getting tested for Strep B and getting my first internal to determine Marlee's position and if my cervix is dilating or I am efacing. I REALLY hope I'm progressing!!

Here is my 34 week bump

We also were able to put Marlee's crib together and get things progressing with the nursery. There are still some things to get before she arrives but we're ready for her to get here!

6 weeks and 5 days to go

or whenever little miss decides to make her grand enterance. I really cannot believe how fast the time has flown. Not only is Thanksgiving over, but christmas is on it's way. And then Marlee is right around the corner...YIKES!!!


here is the 33 week bump

Kristen, Scot's cousin's wife, took some pictures of us on Thanksgiving. She wants to build her portfolio...she has so much talent!! We're going to take more pictures at the Christmas party on the 19th. Hopefully we'll get some good shots. Here are a few more that she took.

Thankful

Every year around this time we give thanks. What about the rest of the year? I am one hundred percent guilty of this. We only think of being thankful during Thanksgiving, and I think it's time to change that!

2009 has brought many surprises to our family. One of the greatest; being blessed with Marlee. I cannot express into words (yes I know that's what I am doing) how thrilled I am to bring this little life into this world. I am already so in love with her that I cannot imagine how much more I will love her once she graces us with her presence. I also cannot wait to see how Scot melts when he first lays eyes on her and holds her in his arms. He's really in for it!! I truly am thankful for this wonderful gift God has given us.

I am also so thankful for the family and friends (new and old) that have supported Scot and I. Scot has such a wonderful family that has accepted me as one of their own. I love them so much!!

I am also thankful for God giving me the determination to finish school! Once I take (and pass) my NRCMA test I am officially a national registered certified medical assistant!!!!

Oh and here is my 32 week bump!

31 weeks!!!!!!!!!

We're really closing in on time!

Saturday was one of my baby showers. I had the best time, but WOW!, they are exhausting. Marlee got a ton of clothes. most of which is already washed a put away, thanks to a very determined daddy. We're waiting for the crib and changing table to arrive so her nursery can feel somewhat complete. We're also going to IKEA to buy a $60 dresser that will match perfectly with her furniture. SO EXCITING!! I'd also like to find some pink/brown baskets for organization in her room

Back to the shower....Kelli made my cake and did a fantastic job. It was beyond what I thought it would be, and it was delicious!!!

Everyone says it could be a wedding cake...and they're right. This would be a gorgeous wedding cake!! She is so very talented!!!

We measured my belly last night.....I grew another 1 1/4 inches in 6 days. Up to a grand total of 54 3/4 inches. She's really growing in there....

30 weeks

I cannot believe I only have 10 weeks (give or take) left!! Time has just flown by, which I didn't think would happen. But I am so glad Marlee is almost in my arms!! I can't wait to meet her and see her precious face. She isn't even here yet and I've never loved anyone like I love her.

Every monday we measure my belly, for obvious reasons. Last week we did it a day early, and my belly had grown 2 inches in 6 days...wow. Marlee is going to be a chunker, I can see it now. I want her to be healthy, but slow it down in there!!

In the past 3 weeks I have already started nesting. I find this to be a really good thing. Scot and I have gotten so much done. We rearranged the bedroom to make it easier to put the bassinet/PnP next to my side of the bed. I like it this way so much better, it uses the space nicely. We also rearranged the living room, cleaned out Marlee's nursey, and cleaned all of the carpets in the house. After the shower Saturday the 14th we'll be able to get everything together!!

While nesting I also felt very creative, so I made a few things for the nursery.

 A bow hanger for all of her bows and letters for the wall above her crib.

ugh

I don't think today could get any worse. I'm waiting for my DR to fax a clearance form for my extern site. Because my hips have been hurting (pretty bad, especially at night) they want to know I can work, I guess it's a liability issue. But I have to finish my hours!!

Aside from that I cannot sleep at night. If I do it's like 2 hrs, and then I'm awake again. I'm just sore all over!! And I'm probably tired of sleeping on my side...I'm a stomach sleeper, so this is hard for me!!

27 weeks, geez.

I cannot believe I've already made it this far. Less than 13 weeks and Marlee will be here in my arms!
Everyday I think about what it's going to be like to be a Mom. Will I do everything right? Will it be instinctual? I guess I won't know until that time comes, but it's nerve wracking!

Here is my 27 week bump!

holy hiccups

I wondered when I'd feel this. Yesterday while at work I was sitting, chatting with one of the nurses, when I felt a twitch/thump from the inside repeatedly. It finally dawned on me that they were hiccups. Poor thing had them for 5 mins!!

26 weeks

Scot finally felt the baby kick! It was such a great moment. I can lay on my side, with my arm across my belly and she kicks my arm. I LOVE IT!!!

I cannot believe I have less than 14 weeks until she's here! Time seems to be speeding up. And I'm growing everyday (not such a great thing!!)

We've got to start getting her room set up!! Time is running out and we still have so much to do!!

Day at home

alone! I have nothing planned, nothing that I want to do, and I'm going to enjoy it! I feel like I'm always on the go, so this will be a nice break.

I cannot believe friday I will be 25 weeks! I feel like I just found out. I kind of wish time would slow down! I'd like to enjoy these last months of pregnancy. I have a feeling I'm going to miss this, especially since Scot and I don't plan on having anymore children.

My answered Prayer

I feel so blessed right now. I honestly felt I would never be a mom. I prayed and prayed to God that he would send me a child when the time was right, and I could handle it.

Each month I would secretly hope that this was the month that it would happen. And each time I would be disappointed. Part of me was so sad, and another was glad that I could still be selfish and only worry about myself and Scot. But I wanted so badly to love a little part of me and Scot.

All of my friends would encourage me that God would give me a baby when I was ready, and I really took that to heart. They were right, if I stopped thinking about it, worrying about it, it would happen. Thankfully the stress of school and life took my mind off of it.

The month of April my period was late. I didn't think anything of it, mainly because I didn't want to be disappointed. But I started a week later, with my full 7 days (awful, I know). Although I had started, I was nauseous. But I wrote it off as being in my head.

I started my period May 9th, which is on time. The only problem was it only lasted a day and a half. This concerned me. Not only that, my breats were INCREDIBLY sore. This wasn't usual at all, so I had made up my mind to take a pregnancy test.

I went and tanned yesterday, and while laying in the tanning bed I decided to pray. I prayed: "God if I am pregnant, please let Scot find a great job so that we can provide for this baby, and give it a better life than Scot and I had. I will cherish this baby. Amen."

After tanning I went to babysit at Kristin's. Scot called me and told me he got a job!!! I was estatic. On the way home I bought a Clear Blue Easy digital pregnancy test and went straight home.

I took the test and while waiting, Scot went over to check on it. I asked if it was still blinking, and he said yes, and for me to look at it. So I got up, and it read: PREGNANT. I could not believe it. It must be wrong. I was jumping up and down, and then I bawled.

I still cannot wrap my mind around it. It doesn't not feel real at all. But I am so excited to see what the future holds!!

photos

Weekend

This weekend was wonderful! Scot and I went to Waco to pick calob up from his Juju's. Saturday we went to Logan's birthday. Cat's new apartment is BEAUTIFUL! I would love to live there, beside the fact that it's in Richardson!!! It was really good getting to see all of my friends and Cat's family as well. Oh and Hannah is just adorable. I really really want to have a baby!! I know it's not the perfect time, but I can't helpt it. It's all I've ever wanted!

Today I made breakfast for the boys. We had left over biscuits so we took Calob to the park to feed the ducks. I think they are tired of bread though haha. Only a few of them were interested. After that we walked and played on the playground. It was an all-around great day.

I somehow hurt my back, though. It's actually pretty painful. Hopefully it will go away by tomorrow. I don't know how long I can deal with this!

I decided to start using my camera more. Kelli wants me to do pictures at her wedding in May, and I've been slacking on my practice!! Hopefully I can learn a few new things so I can take good pictures for her!

Pictures

Just thought I would post some photograpy

First blog

I took my first exam in Ms. Tobi's A&P class last night. Of course I aced it. It helps that I've learned all of this in a nutrition class at TCC. The last half was open book, but let me assure you, I didn't need it. LOL



Since I'm on the subject of school, THERE IS SO MUCH DRAMA. I don't care what age you are, some people can't get away from it. Every day it's something else. Last night people were offended by something someone said, and it escelated from there. Can't we all just get along?