Aiden's Birth Story

Over three months late, but lets just say it's been a crazy ride with two! I have loved every minute of being a mama to these kids, but time is precious and flies by faster than ever before. Here goes!

 

I woke up around 3:30 the morning after my due date with 10 minute apart contractions. I decided to see if I could sleep through them, which I could. I woke up, took Charlotte to day care, and logged on to my work computer. I answered 4 "no baby yet?" messages and my boss said to call it a day. 

I cleaned our hardwood floors, dusted our bedroom and cleaned the bathroom hoping the activity would set things into action. I headed to see my cousin and her 8 day old baby, and went on a brief walk with my aunt and the baby, then headed home around 2:30. I decided to clean the inside of my car before going on another walk. As I was cleaning, I noticed the contractions started back up again. I timed them from 3:15- 4 pm, and they were about 6 minutes apart, 45 seconds-1 minute in length. I was able to breath through them, but called my OB to see what they wanted to do as they had concerns about how fast I'd go.

They suggested I wait out the full hour and then head to the hospital if they continued. I picked Charlotte up from day care and dropped her off to my mom around 4:30. Hubs met me at home, we grabbed our bags and headed to triage. We got to the hospital around 5:30 and got into a room at 6. At this point, the contractions started coming every 2-3 minutes, but weren't increasing in intensity.

At 6:30 I was checked and was at 3 cm. My favorite OB was on call that night, so he suggested I stay and start Pitocin and break my water to get things moving. Watching the monitor, my contractions were very inconsistent so I was worried I'd be in labor forever.

We finally got moved to a labor & delivery room at 8:15 and Pitocin was started at 8:30. At 9:30 I was 4 cm and they wanted to break my water. I asked for the epidural prior to them breaking it, since I was afraid I'd go straight to 10 once they did.

 

The epidural kicked in at 10:30 and they broke my water at 10:45. At 11:45 I felt some pressure and because it was getting so late, I asked them to check me (mostly because my sister wanted to go home if it'd be a lot longer!) Much to my surprise I was at a 10.

 

They prepped the room and got things ready. I pushed through one contractions and he was here by 11:55 pm! We were able to do skin to skin right away, which was amazing. I wasn't able to do it with Charlotte because there was meconium in my amniotic fluid.  

 

He latched right away and nursed for about 25 minutes! Since it was so late, everyone quickly said hello and goodbye, and Hubs and I soaked up our time with our little guy. We finally got moved to recovery around 3 am, grabbed a quick sandwich before passing out.

 

Introducing Aiden Andrew!

Long long overdue but time has gotten away from me and soaking up the newborn phase (along with our now two year old!) has been my priority. 

6 lbs, 15 oz 20 inches long 

We welcome Aiden into our family on April 28 at 11:55 pm. A nice and quick labor that was pain free due to that magical epidural. 

He has settled into our family perfectly, a perfect mixture of sleepy, calm and a bit of sweetness all in one. 

I'm amazed that we've made it 5 weeks so far, I never seem to get used to how fast time truly does fly by! 

I'll hopefully get up to writing his birth story, but in the meantime it's snuggles, diapers (and more and more diapers!) and lots of nursing! 

40 Weeks

Ah 40 weeks, we meet again. Apparently my uterus makes for a comfortable home! I delivered Charlotte at 40 weeks 1 day. Today marks that day and unless I start active labor in the next few hours, it's doubtful that I'll be having him on the same day.

 

I was really upset when my due date hit with Charlotte, but yesterday came and went and I was unphased. I enjoyed what I assume will be my last Monday off with just my little girl, and was generally comfortable so I think that played a part in it. I also know that this transition is going to be a big one for our family, so we are just playing the waiting game and soaking up the last of current normal routine!

 

I have my 40 week appointment tonight and am scheduled for induction tomorrow morning. Depending on my progress, we may cancel if I'm not comfortable with the plan.

 

 

 

How far along?: 40 weeks

Weight gained?: 27 pounds
Showing yet?: Yep

Clothes?: Maternity

Cravings?: Candy!

Aversions?: Nothing

Sleep?: Terrible lately. Lots of insomina, contractions, mind racing, etc.

Boy or Girl?: Little mister

Movement?: I think his movement has slowed down but he's also dropped so my ribs aren't the center of his squirms anymore!

Symptoms?: Allergies or a cold have welcomed their way into my sinuses. UGH!

Labor signs?: Lots of contractions, lost my mucus plug, spotting, etc. I've got a lot of symptoms but no active labor yet!

Looking forward to?: THE BIG DAY!

39 Weeks

For the past 2 months I've predicted that little man would arrive in my 39th week. Here we are, and the contractions I've been experiencing make me feel somewhat hopeful that that might just happen.

 

Shoe shopping at 39 weeks= a major workout!! 

 

I cannot wrap my head around the fact that he'll be here any day now. I think I'm too focused on trying to keep life as normal as possible for Charlotte to realize that it's so close!

 

I have my 39 week appointment tonight, so we'll see if these contractions are helping things progress or not.

 

I'm looking forward to meeting our babe but I will miss this bump.

 

 

How far along?: 39 weeks

Weight gained?: 26 pounds
Showing yet?: Yep

Clothes?: Maternity

Cravings?: Ice cream, toast, PB&J

Aversions?: Nothing

Sleep?: Pretty good now that we took our flannel sheets off of the bed. I can't complain much!

Boy or Girl?: Little mister

Movement?: Very active again, a lot of elbows and feet pushing on the sides of my stomach. I love it!

Symptoms?: Stuffiness is mostly gone now that the furnace is off, back pain comes and goes but otherwise feeling great.

Labor signs?: Lots of contractions since yesterday afternoon, just waiting for my appointment tonight to see if they've done anything!

Looking forward to?: THE BIG DAY!

38 Weeks

I'm officially in the "it could happen at any time" mind frame. Constantly worrying about every little symptom and thinking that maybe those gas bubbles are in fact my water breaking. Again.

 

I'm super excited about meeting our baby boy, but am really trying to soak up these last few weeks of just Charlotte. It will randomly hit me that her world is going to be rocked very soon, and it makes me both happy and sad. She's going to be an awesome big sister, but I know we'll have a serious transition period at the same time. She's a major mommys girl, and I worry she'll struggle with the time he'll need from me.

 

I keep telling myself we'll cross that bridge when we get there, but it is hard to minimize the concerns!

 

I head to my 38 week appointment tonight, and will get a check to see if I'm made any progress. To be honest, I don't think I'm dilated at all, and that's fine. I've been hesitant about my OB's plan to induce at 39 weeks, given my check at 38 weeks put me in a favorable induction category, so if I am not favorable, it's not up for discussion.

 

How far along?: 38 weeks

Weight gained?: 26 pounds
Showing yet?: Yes

Clothes?: Maternity

Cravings?: Having the opposite problem in that nothing sounds good!

Aversions?: Nothing

Sleep?: Pretty good! Every few nights I wake up to pee and can't fall back asleep right away, but otherwise no major complaints.

Boy or Girl?: Boy

Movement?: Slowed down a bit this weekend, I think he's running out of space ;)

Symptoms?: Back pain/twinges, cramping

Labor signs?: Pelvic pressure, RLP, cramping

Looking forward to?: Going into labor and meeting/naming little guy!

Nursery Reveal!

I am so excited with how baby boys nursery turned out! I wanted a calm and serene feel, which I think we nailed.

 

First, I love this paint color. It's very calming and goes perfectly with the gray dressers and crib.

 

I can't wait to bring him home, even if it means spending hours in this room nursing the day away!

 

 

 

Mobile- Restoration Hardware
Crib- Delta for Walmart
Animal Pictures- Coco & James Etsy
Bookshelves- Ikea
Blue Monkey- Home Goods
White Elephant- TJ Maxx
Giraffe- Home Goods

 

37 Weeks

Full term, baby! I think I'm in denial that baby boy will be here soon. I guess I also expect him to arrive at 40 weeks like his sister, but I need to keep in mind he can come at any time. We wrapped up the nursery this weekend and I'm in the process of washing the last of his laundry.

Friday night we were surprised with a family sprinkle to celebrate and spoil baby boy. We got a lot of diapers, which are obviously MUCH appreciated, a lot of fun summer clothes, Aden & Anais swaddle blankets, shoes and a stash of PeePee TeePees. These things are hilarious!

Charlotte came down with strep throat, so we got her started on antibiotics on Saturday morning and by Easter Sunday, she was back to her normal self. The warm weather also puts everyone in a good mood, and we had an awesome day.

I go in this afternoon for my 37 week appointment. I don't think they'll do an internal exam, but I have a feeling that he's dropped. I no longer feel his little bum in my ribs, and I'm definitely feeling more pressure and stretching.

How far along?: 37 weeks

Weight gained?: 26 pounds
Showing yet?: Yes :)

Clothes?: Maternity

Cravings?: Sweets! Thanks Easter Bunny :)

Aversions?: Nothing

Sleep?: Better this weekend now that the furnace has stopped running so much at night.

Boy or Girl?: Boy!

Movement?: Very active lately! I'm soaking it all up!

Symptoms?: Back pain/twinges

Labor signs?: Pelvic pressure, RLP, some minor contractions/cramping

Looking forward to?: Going into labor and finally meeting this little guy!

To- Do List

Pick up pump (it's not in yet)

Have baby

Name baby!

36 Weeks

Last day of March and I think I will be jinxing myself if I said April is baby month, considering how close my due date is to May, but I am tempted!

 

We are SO close to being done with the nursery, we just have to hang one piece of art that I made. I am so excited with how it turned out, and I know little man will love it. Now if only I could get Charlotte to let go of her rocking chair so I can put it in his room....

 

Our to-do list is shrinking and I'm really excited about it. Other than some nesting and cleaning, I don't think there is much to do to prepare for his arrival!

 

I had my 36 week appointment yesterday and ott the Group B Strep Test. They did an internal exam- no progress aside from my cervix being soft. I didn't have much progress with Charlotte until the morning my water broke, so I'm okay with this :)
 

 

 

How far along?: 36 weeks

Weight gained?: 24 pounds
Showing yet?: No denying it

Clothes?: Maternity

Cravings?: Nothing really

Aversions?: Having a hard time finding things that sound good to eat.

Sleep?: Terrible the past few nights. A lot of waking up on my back and trying to get comfortable. Also waking up HOT!

Boy or Girl?: Boy!

Movement?: He's been much more active lately. My momma heart swelled up yesterday when Charlotte was sitting on my lap talking and he went nuts!

Symptoms?: I get some random twinges in my butt when he squirms on my left side.

Labor signs?: Some mild cramping but I associate that with dehydration.

Looking forward to?: Meeting and naming this baby boy!

To- Do List
Hang picture

Online childbirth class

Pick up pump

Pack Hospital Bag (only things left are last minute items!)

35 Weeks

We had a nice productive weekend getting the rest of the baby things from the attic and finally getting the nursery situated. We hung the bookshelves, mobile and floating shelf, and took down Charlotte's chandelier to replace with a fan. Once that's up, we just have one last piece of art to hang on the wall!

 

5 weeks seems like a long time, but with my doctor's wanting to induce at 39, delivery seems scarily close. I am getting so excited to meet this little guy, I can't believe we'll bringing him home soon!

 

Charlotte has been fighting sleep ever since we put up the baby's crib. I think she's too aware of what's going on and it's starting to worry her. We've tried cutting back on how much we talk about the baby, but between my growing belly and his things taking over the house, it's hard!

 

How far along?: 35 weeks

Weight gained?: 25 pounds
Showing yet?: Yep!

Clothes?: Maternity

Cravings?: Anything crunchy!

Aversions?: Nada

Sleep?: Mostly pretty good now that the furnace has stopped running 24/7.

Boy or Girl?: Boy!

Movement?: Very active this past week, I think he's running out of space.

Symptoms?: Some random back spasms, otherwise just a little tired.

Looking forward to?: Finishing up the nursery and meeting/naming our little man!

To- Do List

Hang Fan

Hang picture

Online Childbirth class

Set up baby things in living room

Pack Hospital Bag (started but not finished yet)