The lowdown on c-sections

Our c-section was scheduled due to Bryson's estimated size on ultrasounds. I felt pretty prepared going into the c-section, as I had researched it on the Internet and read my baby books.
BUT- there are a few things that I wasn't prepared for, and I thought I'd share 'em!

1. Swelling
I had no clue how bad the swelling would be after the c-section. I was told it had something to do with the IV fluids, etc. My feet were swollen for over a week, and it was very painful. It felt like my skin was going to rip open. yuck.
What did I do to help reduce the swelling? We started walking every evening for 30 minutes and I've been drinking a TON of water.

2. Gas
Gross, I know- but my whole belly was filled with gas about 24 hrs after the c-section. I had actually read about this, but I wasn't prepared for it to be that severe. If this happens to you, make sure and tell your nurse sooner rather than later! They have medicine that can help!

3. Feelings
I was talking with my friend Kacey the other day about my 'baby blues'. She made an excellent point- and I thought I'd share it. :)
With a vaginal birth, you go through all this pain, but the pain goes away when your child is born. With a scheduled c-section, you have no pain at the beginning. You lay on an operating table and your child is surgically removed from you. Then, you have intense pain right after the birth of your child.
I had amazing doctors and nurses who managed my pain medication very well- and within 24 hours of the surgery I was feeling pretty good.

4. IV's and catheters
I knew I would be receiving an IV and a catheter, but I didn't realize that the IV would be on my wrist. Yuck. It was difficult to hold Bryson and to push myself up in the hospital bed with the position of the IV. The IV was in place for a little over 24 hours. The catheter was in place overnight since my c-section wasn't til early afternoon. It took a while after the catheter was removed to feel like I could use the restroom 'normally'. Enough said.

Overall, I just wasn't mentally prepared (and I don't know if you ever can be) for the birth of our little one. As soon as I prayed about it and accepted that Bryson's birth and breastfeeding experience was different than what I had expected, things got much better.
It was fine for me to have expectations, but I need to learn how to roll with the punches a little more. So much of Bryson's birth and first week home has exceeded my expectations! I can't wait to see what the future holds.

37 Weeks

I'm offically uncomfortable.

Brandon's birthday is this coming week, so once we complete that celebration, I'm offically ready! :)

Walgreens deals & counting down

I heard about some cheap Huggies wipes at Walgreens, so I decided to check it out while I was in Walgreens picking up milk. Here's how I did:
4 Huggies wipes- $2.99 each
- 4 $2/1 Walgreens store coupons
- $0.50/1 Huggies wipes manf coupon
- $0.75/1 Huggies wipes manf coupon
= $2.71 for 4 packages of wipes

Not too bad, huh? If you remember my diaper stash post from a while back, we're well stocked in the diapers & wipes department, but I figure for that price, I just couldn't pass the deal up!


On the baby front- we made some tough decisions at our Dr's appt this week. Baby Bryson has been measuring ahead on our ultrasounds for almost 10 weeks. He's estimated to be close to/at 8 lbs now! He's a strong, healthy baby- but he's stubborn, just like myself :)
We decided (with prayer and alot of wise counsel) to go ahead and schedule a c-section. Its a little strange to know the exact date that little Bryson will enter the world- but who knows, he could surprise us and come on his own before! Which would ROCK!
But, if he doesn't come before the set date, that's ok too! I know that we're making the best decision for us, and that's all we can do.

So, now I have just a few days left to get the house ready, bake some stuff to keep in the freezer, celebrate Brandon's 27th birthday, see as many friends as possible and wrap up my cases at work. I'm going to try to pre-plan some meals for Brandon to prepare. Several friends have offered to bring food over, so I'm going to attempt to get that organized....I also plan on relaxing as much as I can and just enjoying this 'alone' time with Brandon.

I'm excited, yet trying not to become anxious! For the past few mornings, I've woke up with this Bible verse in my head.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4: 6-7

Baby Shower #4

Brandon's co-workers/unit threw us a baby shower this past Friday! It was nice to meet his co-workers and see Brandon's new office (since they moved to mid-town a few months ago). We got alot of cute outfits and odds/ends that we needed. Here's an OSU diaper cake that another unit in the building gave us- it was just too cute!

Now, we offically have everything we need for Bryson- he can come anytime! (hopefully sooner rather than later!)

36 weeks

Maternity clothes? Most of my maternity shirts don't completely cover my belly!
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep: Not bad- I feel so tired though....
Best moment this week: going to the chiropractor and my right leg/sciatic nerve is starting to heal
Movement: all over, but there just doesn't seem to be much room left in there!
Food cravings: summer fruits
Gender: for sure, still a boy
Belly Button in or out? In, but it doesn't look as deep...
What I miss: everything!
What I am looking forward to: meeting our little guy!
Milestones: Bryson is now only measuring 2 weeks ahead- Dr. S says he probably weighs 7 lbs.

34 Weeks

Here's my 34 week photo. I'm starting to slack a little- I took this on Saturday before Kristen's bridal shower that I hosted here at our house.

Maternity clothes? Most of my maternity shirts don't completely cover my belly!

Stretch marks? Nope! But, I this last weekend, I burned my belly on a cookie sheet. So, I'm sporting a nice burn mark under my belly button

Sleep: Great, once I get to sleep!

Best moment this week: going to the chiropractor and my right leg/sciatic nerve is starting to heal

Movement: all on my right side- he's pushing hard!

Food cravings: summer fruits

Gender: for sure, still a boy

Belly Button in or out? In, but it doesn't look as deep...

What I miss: sleeping on my tummy, walking without my R leg hurting, being able to 'keep up'

What I am looking forward to: our weekly appt's start at 35 weeks. Figuring out our birth plan

Milestones: Bryson is still measuring 3 weeks ahead, so making it to full-term is the milestone I'm most looking forward to.

Puppy-wearing at 31 weeks!

My friend Kacey and I have been chatting about slings and baby-wearing.
I was given this hand-me-down sling (http://www.hotslings.com/baby_slings/everyday_collection) by another friend, and I really wanted to try it out. Thus, Leia became our test subject:Surprisingly enough, she didn't hate it....too much!
Leia weighs about 8 lbs, and it was really easy to get her in and out of the sling, and it was really comfortable while she was in there. Brandon insisted on a photo, because it was just too cute!

Here's my 31 week belly shot- I'm feeling rather 'out-there'.....

It's becoming more difficult to find a comfortable position when sitting/laying down, and I can tell that my energy level is dropping. Overall though, I feel really good.

Back on the baby sling/baby-wearing topic, did you use a sling?

If so, which one?

I also have the Eddie Bauer one from Target- so I'm starting off with 2 options.......

28 weeks

Just for jollies, here's a little comparison...

13 weeks- look at that little bump! I was really excited about it :)

Compared to now, 28 weeks:

98 days to go!

26 weeks- 98 days left!

I have my 1 hour glucose test and another ultrasound this week- I'm not too excited about the test, but it'll be nice to get it out of the way.

School ends on Thursday- I'm excited for some time off! It'll be a busy week.

22 & 23 Weeks

22 Weeks:

Maternity clothes? Yes

Stretch marks? Nope

Best moment this week: Our 1st baby shower

Movement: yep- he doesn't move much though while I'm at work

Belly Button in or out? In, but it doesn't look as deep...

What I miss: sleeping on my stomach, my cute spring clothing

What I am looking forward to: end of the school year! I only have 12 more days of therapy with the kiddos....

23 Weeks:

20 weeks

My camera has returned!! I snapped a quick photo Sunday morning on our way out the door to the early church service. (my momma bought me my Easter dress- isn't it pretty?) Leia was also very concerned about what I was doing taking a photo so early in the morning :)

19 weeks

I miss my camera. :(

But, good news- I got a voice recording from Geek Squad, and my G9 is headed my direction, and should be delivered this week. I can't wait. I hope it's all fixed and ready to go. I also hope that they sent me a note saying what was wrong with it.

All of that to say, when my camera comes back, I'll post my 19 week picture.

Not much to report this week:

• I can feel him moving around more
• I'm starting to sleep better on my sides & my arms aren't going to sleep as often
• my pj pants are all too tight in the waist
• my students keep asking me when the baby is coming, and they all freak out when I say 'end of August'- its humorous!
• We registered at Target and Babies R Us over the weekend

weekly photo

17 weeks:
Last Sunday, OSU played Pitt in the NCAA tournament, so our course something OSU had to be in the photo :) 18 week picture:
Maternity clothes? All the time now
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: I've started waking up at least 1 or 2 times a night to turn over or because my arms asleep
Best moment this week: purchasing a crib and a jogging stroller
Movement: yes!! Just little flutters when I'm sitting or standing still
Food cravings: still stuck on the donuts
Gender: we'll confirm the gender at our appt this week!
Belly Button in or out? In, but it doesn't look as deep...
What I miss: sleeping on my tummy and sleeping all night
What I am looking forward to: our big appointment this week- they'll check the major organs, take a good look at the heart and confirm the gender
Milestones: purchasing some big items; starting to feel pregnant, not just like I'm gaining weight

15 weeks

Maternity clothes? I bought 2 maternity tops this week, and hung up all my 'new' (borrowed) tops in my closet....I also wore a maternity dress to church
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Better now that I'm over my cold
Best moment this week: Feeling like I actually have a bump :)
Movement: I can't really tell if it's the baby or not
Food cravings: fresh fruit & veggies
Gender: 99% sure it's a boy!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? In, but it doesn't look as deep...
What I miss: sleeping on my tummy
What I am looking forward to: the weekend and spring break!
Milestones: getting back to exercising/walking outside with Leia!


I realized as I was uploading my photos that my bathroom mirror needs to be cleaned...yikes.....

Another doctors appt.....

We had an exciting doctors visit yesterday! Baby K looked great- he's grown SO much! I couldn't believe how big his arms/legs are. He would not stop moving around, I can't believe he moves that much. Heart rate was great- in the 140's and his little spine looked wonderful.

We also found out that Baby K is most likely a 'HE'! We'll confirm at the next appt in April, but Dr. S was pretty confident. He put an arrow in the 3rd slide to help us remember the identifying marker! :) ha!
It's kinda hard to believe- its starting to seem like it's happening fast. I'm always amazing by the baby's growth between appointments. We are blessed to have a Dr that does ultrasounds at every visit.

Week 14

I think I'm going to try and start adding some stats with my weekly posts. I have a nasty cold today and took the morning off work to just rest. I'll take a photo tomorrow and add it.

14 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Not wearing maternity tops yet, just pants.
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: I offically can't sleep on my stomach anymore, it's just uncomfortable
Best moment this week: Buying a moses basket and rocking stand for it at the JBF sale
Movement: nothing yet :(
Food cravings: donuts for breakfast
Gender: Maybe we'll find out Wed. at our appt!!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Enjoying cooked chicken, eating a full meal
What I am looking forward to: finding out the gender, getting over this cold
Milestones: I'm offically out of the 1st trimester & our next doctors appt

3/3/09: ETA my 14 week photo (although I swear I look the same as last week)- you can tell I have a cold- my eyes look terrible!

13 weeks

I never feel like having my photo taken after work/when Brandon gets home, so I took my own 13 week photo this morning.......
Today is the 1st day that I went the ENTIRE school day without feeling queasy! What a blessing!

Updates

I just added a ticker- I think it'll be a fun way to keep track! This week, Baby K is the size of a plum, as shown below :)
I've been trying to take photos of myself every couple weeks to chart my 'growth.' I had Brandon take my picture over the weekend- he's me a day or two shy of 12 weeks (we were on our way to our date at the Melting Pot- yum):
And here's my picture the day after we got the positive home test (December 23rd):

It's a bit of a change, don't you think?

Just this week, I've started to not feel as sick to my stomach and I'm feeling some energy return. I actually stirred out tonight and got a new pair of pants at JC Penney's. It was a nice change of pace.

In other news, my sister passed her exam and is officially an RN! We are really proud of her. My kids are doing an amazing job at school- I'm working my tail off trying to get kiddos dismissed before the end of the school year.

Lastly, on the 'frugal' front, my friend Jeannette loaned me a rubbermaid tub FULL of summer maternity clothing, and a co-worker, Amy loaned me 2 HUGE bags full of maternity clothes. Between the 2 gals, I have over 25 shirts, 3-4 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of capris, 1 dress and 1 pair of shorts! It's such a blessing to be able to borrow clothing and save our money for the baby and my maternity leave.