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Friday, January 18, 2013

Brooke's Birth Story: Part Une

I know so many of you follow via Instagram
and I appreciate all of your comments and support!
MrsDelleFave is my username
This experience of giving birth has been such a whirlwind of emotions,
and I finally feel so empowered to write.
I have so much to say,
and so little time to type it all up now!
If you're interested in Brooke's story, continue reading...
If not, I'll be back to 'regular blogging'
{whatever that means to a mommy!}
soon enough.
I am taking each day and enjoying all that life has to offer my beautiful family.
Life is such an amazing gift and this has been the most incredible journey.
It's hard to believe that back in April 2012,
it all began with this:
*****
Fitting that the last post I wrote was prior to our last Dr visit.
Tuesday we went in to see how our baby girl was fairing,
since she was already a few days past due.
We were brought into a room and they hooked me up to a machine
that monitors baby's movements/heart rate and any contractions I may have...
and lo and behold, the 'cramps' I had been feeling early Tuesday morning,
were indeed contractions.
{I had also started losing my mucus plug this morning as well}
After being hooked up  in there,
they had us go into the room to have another ultrasound.
The tech told us baby had plenty of fluid still,
but that she was estimated to be around 9 pounds 5 ounces.
If I were to go too much longer,
baby may grow too big for a vaginal delivery.
I was checked one last time by one of my doctors,
and I was still only dilated at 1cm.
He didn't seem hopeful I'd be delivering any day soon,
and was worried about my induction date of 1.16 being too far off.
After leaving there, my husband and I went on a little ride
and stopped at Taco Bell for one of those "Grillers" 
{better looking in the commercial, than in your mouth, as always}
When we got home I begged him to go on a walk with me,
because all the while I had still been feeling these darn contractions.
I hoped that the walk would get things going and maybe baby would come!
After a little cold weather walk with our dogs,
we settled in for the night...
except my contractions started coming quicker and quicker
and becoming more and more painful.
I decided to stay on the couch,
as I just had weird feelings,
and Joe went up to bed. 
I started texting with my mother as I wasn't sure if this was "it'
and more than anything I didn't want to be "that girl" who thinks she's in labor,
when really it's a false alarm.
When my contractions got to be about 3-5 minutes apart,
I started to think it was the real deal.
They seriously hurt and I couldn't talk or walk through them.
I was deep breathing just to get through each one.
I called the hospital and they told me to come in.
I woke up Joe, he showered, we brought the bags to the truck
and off we went.
We caught every green light, as one would hope at 4 in the morning.
We checked into the hospital and they set me up in triage.
They hooked me up to the monitors again,
checking for contractions and baby's heartbeat.
This not so friendly midwife came in and checked me.
1cm dilated.
Poor Joe, still sick with a sinus infection and so tired, fell asleep in the corner.
I laid there, cold, tired, nervous, and losing faith that it was time,
as my contractions slowed right down.
I barely had any and I felt so stupid.
Had I imagined all the contractions all throughout the night?
I hadn't slept more than a half hour here and there and at this point,
was just over tired.
The midwife checked me again
and I was still at 1 cm.
She said I was not in labor, I should go home and asked if I was hungry.
I said yes, I had a few tummy grumbles in the last hour,
and she said,
"If you're hungry, you're not in labor."
*sidenote--that is a crock of shit.
As I was laboring, I thought the chicken broth and popsicle were the best thing ever.
When I was pushing my daughter out, I was STARVING!!!
I got up and got dressed. 
It was 7:30 in the morning.
I was sad and felt a little like I'd be pregnant forever.
We got home and climbed into bed...
and the contractions started up again.
I felt so bad that Joe hadn't slept at all and he wasn't feeling well,
I went into the guest bedroom.
Again the contractions came, but just one every hour.
I'd sleep about 45 minutes and the pain would wake me.
They calmed down mid-afternoon,
and I got a half an hour of sleep here or there.
My sweet husband didn't know what to do,
as he could tell I was in pain,
but it wasn't typical 'labor signs'.
He went to the store and got me some soup,
as I had no appetite once we got home.
I nibbled on items that fall into the B.R.A.T. diet
and appreciated Gatorade.
We went to sleep around 10,
and by 11 I got out of bed
for fear that I'd keep my husband up with my moaning and breathing in pain.
That night was one of the worst nights of my life.
It's scary in the middle of the dark night,
when everyone else is sleeping.
Your mind begins to taunt you,
and you worry.
I worried my baby girl would be too big and something bad would happen.
I worried that this pain meant something awful was happening to me.
This wasn't how I envisioned "labor" to be.
I began googling,
 while I lay in the guest room,
timing these horrendous contractions.
They came, like clockwork, every ten minutes.
I'd fall asleep for 8-9 minutes and BAM be awakened.
From 12 until 8:31 I wrote down every time on my phone.
It reminded me of the pain I felt when I was 10 and had E.coli and was in the hospital for a week.
Sharp pains that would.not.stop.
What I did come across while searching online was something known as
Prodromal Labor 
Joe heard my in agony at 6:30 and came in and tried to snuggle with me,
as I was starting to get worked up and really upset.
Finally I was texting my mother and my step-mother and
I explained to them, this cannot be normal.
This pain is far too great, I had virtually no sleep since Monday night
and it's now Thursday morning.
They both convinced me to just call the hospital again.
{I was thinking about waiting it out until my Dr. appointment Friday morning???}
When I spoke to the Doctor on call,
she sounded sympathetic and when I told her I had not slept since Monday,
she said, "Oh my God. Come right in, let's see what we can do for you."
I told Joe to get in the shower,
he grabbed my bag yet again,
and I just hoped and prayed that the next time I came back home,
it'd be with my daughter in my arms, not inside me...

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Happy Tuesday

Just waiting around for my husband to get home,
so we can go see our little girl on the Ultrasound
and get some testing done to see how she's doing in there!
I really felt sick all day yesterday and didn't do much other than lay on the couch.
I'm feeling much better today--
I have to laugh at myself.
All of my clothes were dirty.
As in, all 2 pairs of pants, and my two pairs of leggings that fit
{since the other pair is designated for "the hospital bag"}
I would have had NO pants to wear to the doctor's appointment!!
#overduepregnantprobz
Luckily I had time to do the laundry really quick.
I'm over this limited wardrobe,
and besides,
Miss Brooke Lynn--
your wardrobe is killing me hanging there all cute and pretty
and not being worn!!
And some fun quotes...

google images

Happy Tuesday loves!

Monday, January 7, 2013

What I'm Watching

Since I'm still killing time
{and trying not to focus all on baby...
it's like watching a pot of water boil}
I'm not usually a huge TV person;
I love the Food Network and The Cooking Channel.
That's what I mostly watch/have on the TV.
But, since there's not a whole lot else I can do besides
play online,
read books,
and patiently wait...
Here's a few shows that have caught my eye.
I'll start with a few that I am oddly excited about watching:
I really only love Jillian Michaels.
I'm also interested to see how they tackle the whole overweight children concept.
I feel strongly about good health and I love JM's passion.
{And her kick-ass workouts I cannot wait to get back into!}
You can see some of my favorite workouts posted here...
I know it will motivate me, once I get the clear to workout hardcore again!!
 I always enjoy the first few episodes...
hubs and I may or may not make inappropriate commentary as the 
"young classy ladies" exit the limo and meet their potential future husband.
I love the dresses and some of the cattiness. 
No lie.
 I'm happy that Revenge starts back up!
We definitely get into her twisted plot of avenging her father's death.
"Our Show"
is definitely Modern Family.
Gloria is having her baby Wednesday
#maybeiwillhaveminetoo
We just love all the characters and laugh so hard every episode.
Our other "new" show is How I Met Your Mother
We ordered Netflix through our PS3
and had never seen this show.
I don't even know which season we are on,
but we are completely addicted and love love love this show!
I love Ted's quirkiness and my husband finds Barney hysterical.
Awesome show.
  Guilty Pleasures:
Pretty Little Liars
 Since having Netflix,
we can now stream it through our phones/ipads...
Sweet!
I jumped on this cheesy chic drama bandwagon.
It's pretty ridiculous but something to pass the time.
 I still keep up with my Real Housewives...
I'm not really loving any of the women or episodes,
but I do like all their fancy bling,
over-sized homes,
fancy cars,
crazy lifestyles...
And the train-wreck that is Miami
Joanna is super pretty,
but man is she a drunken mess!
I feel like these women just get more and more fake...
I liked that they got away for a bit to the Bahamas,
but I find myself questioning why I'm even watching this garbage??
Again, I blame the pretty outfits, fun hair, and lavish lifestyles.
I DVR Dr. Oz
and find that I do learn quite a bit from him.
I take it all with a grain of salt; 
if you took a vitamin or ate everything he talks about on the show,
you can drive yourself insane.
I do try to take most of it and apply it to our lives,
and it helps to watch a show like this from time to time to educate myself.
In other viewing news...
Hubs and I went to a movie on Saturday.
I was really anxious to get out of the house,
and get out of my mind!!
I appreciate anything that will distract me these days.
So, I chose the movie
This is 40.
My husband said it was the scariest movie he's ever seen,
and I have to agree;
it was not that funny!
It was actually quite sad...
and taught us all about how we don't want to parent our children,
how we don't want to treat one another,
and how messed up families can really be!
Not saying we are perfect,
because we aren't,
but we are genuinely happy people and that movie was just a crock.
We laughed a few times, but not worthy of a theater ticket...
I don't know, I just expected really funny and it disappointed.
I was happy to get out of the house though!
And probably most importantly this week will be
Saturday at 8pm:
The playoffs.
Joe's already coaching Brooke that she better come before
or after this big game!!
We'll see what she has in store.
Anything else out there I should be watching?
Hopefully I won't have much time soon,
but for now...

Saturday, January 5, 2013

40 Week Bumpdate

How far along:
 40 Weeks and 1 day
Black is slimming, no?
Baby is the size of:
an extra large watermelon??
She's huge.
I don't know.
Labor Signs:
 At my Dr's appointment I am still 1cm dilated
70% effaced
Mucus plug is gone
Lots of cramping
We are scheduled to go in for an ultrasound Tuesday
We have our induction date of January 16th 
{you go in at night, have the baby the next day}
I'm hoping she comes on her own before then!!
Symptoms:
I feel like I have to pee every 5 minutes now.
It's insane.
Every time I stand, I feel like I gotta go.
Still emotional.
I may or may not yell out loud to my husband:
I want this baby out now!!
From time to time.
My hips hurt so bad they woke me up this morning.
I have to sit-up and not lay
Mood:
I'm happy and frustrated.
 Trying to stay positive.
I really want to have her on my own, without being induced.
I feel like everyone has had her baby in blogland
except me!!
{Those who were due around this time, that is}
I anxiously await anything that remotely feels like a contraction.
Clothes:
I have like 3 outfits that sort of fit, but I change right into comfy pants and t-shirt,
belly hanging out as soon as I am home.
I live in my robe.
Miss Anything:
I want to hold my baby.
Cravings:
I could go for a NYC Pizza and it's only 10am.
Rings:
Still off.
Still miss them.
Stretch Marks:
I do believe, in the last few days...
I have a few small ones popping up under the belly.
How sad.
:(
She needs to come out NOW!!!
Weight:
Just gained a pound last week.
Best Moment of the Week:
My husband is home all weekend,
so we walked the mall after the doctors yesterday.
Put away all Christmas decor/bins etc.
I'm just enjoying our 'quiet time' together.
Looking forward to:
Seeing our baby girl on the ultrasound on Tuesday.
{Although I'd rather her appear before then, in real life!}
Contractions.
Never thought I'd be hoping for bad bad pain!!
I may also do some acupressure/acupuncture within the next week...
Overall thoughts/concerns: 
I've come to terms that she'll come when she's ready;
and if she's not ready, we'll help her out.
Knowing that I can't go any further than January 16 is somewhat comforting,
but at the same time, seems like forever and a day away.
I am glad they are giving us time to allow her to come on her own.
I really don't want to go through induction,
as so many end up in C-sections, and I wanted a vaginal birth.
I know the end result:
a healthy baby in my arms,
will happen either way,
so what will be, will be.
And just for kicks,
here's a picture of my mom pregnant with me in her last month
and obviously a picture of me in the last month.
My mom is only 5'4 and she had me, an 8 lb 12 oz baby!!
So I really wonder what my 5'8 self and 6'3 husband will create.
Hope my next bump post is a picture of my baby!!!!!!!!!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Holiday Re-cap 2012

Since I keep thinking baby will be here any minute...
I sort of neglected to mention my holidays.
Woops.
I figured since today is my due date, 
I may as well stop focusing on her and not forget all the other happenings in my life.
I wanted to document them simply because I love looking back at 
all that we've done and I don't want to leave things like this out!
So here's a little peek into our Christmas.
I finished opening all of my lovely 
25 days of gifts from my friend Alison:
She stopped by with a tin full of cookies.
They were SO delicious,
I barely shared any.
The molasses dipped in something frosting were awesome!!
Sorry I never took a picture.
 A fun little scented candle!
 Hello, soy lattes!!
 She made homemade body scrub--
smells amazing.
 O.M.G.
These little devils are to die for!!
I heart Trader Joe's.
{and I successfully hid these form the hubs til yesterday!}
 And for her final gift,
how freakin awesome?!
 It was such a fun way to get through December.
I cannot imagine how much time it took to pick out thoughtful
and meaningful gifts for this mama to be;
Al, I am so so so grateful!!
Love you girl!! :)
As for our Christmas celebrations...
on the Sunday before Christmas my family came over.
Lots of presents under the tree!
 Festive dining room
 My sister and her friend were "Santa's elves" and passed out gifts
Mimosas in hand.
Obvi.
 
We snapped what we hoped would be 
"One last prego picture"
My husband, myself, my step-mom Tricia and my dad
 That brings us to Christmas Day.
Hubs and I exchanged gifts and took it easy.
He got Brooke her first gift from daddy:
So soft and cuddly!
 And after we opened all the gifts,
I went up to take a shower.
In the shower, there was one last wrapped gift.
How awesome?!
 We hadn't gotten one, and he decided to give it to me for
Christmas. I feel so much better knowing we'll have a little video
to watch her on now!!
His parents stopped by for a bit and we exchanged with them.
Here I am...still prego!
For dinner it was just the two of us
and I've been really good not eating a ton of seafood,
but I scored a deal on 16oz lobster tails
2/$40
I figured I'm so close, a little lobster won't be awful.
They were so delicious.
He mixes:
White Wine
Lemon Juice
Butter
Chopped Garlic
and drizzles it over
and bakes them in the oven.

 We made a yummy salad and lemon risotto.
I spent the rest of the day being comfy.
 And cuddling with Holly.
He was still recovering from being sick,
so it was nice to not have to run around this year.
I appreciated it as well,
since well, I don't 'run around' very easily.
:)
It was probably our last quiet and relaxing holiday,
for many many years to come.
Oh,
and for New Years?
Couch position. 
As quiet as our 2012 holidays were,
I cannot wait to share them with our baby in 2013.