Ansley's Arrival!

Welcome Ansley Sue Golden!
Born April 21, 2010
6.14 lbs and 19 1/4 inches

Beware this is a long post, but journal of the days events!

I started timing contractions around 2:30 in the afternoon, following my blog post! :) They were 8-10 minutes apart, but only lasted about 30 secs. Grant and Addison got home around 4, and the contractions were getting closer. By 5, contractions were 6-8 minutes apart, but still lasting 30-35 secs and tolerable. I called Dr. B's cell phone, but he didn't answer. I waited a few minutes, then called Medical Exchange. A few minutes later, my nurse Sheila called back. She said Dr. B was at the hospital delivering, and the dr on call had her call me. She said to give it a couple of hours, if I could tolerate the pain, but if the contractions got stronger to go on in. She said the contractions could be from the stripping and not true labor. I still wasn't really hurting. I decided to take a bath and see if that would calm things down. It didn't. Dr. B called me back around 5:20. I had a contraction on the phone with him. By this time, the contractions were 3-4 minutes apart and I couldn't talk through them -still, only lasting 30-35 secs! Dr. B said to lay down for 20 minutes and drink lots of water. If the contractions continued then go on to the hospital and have them call him. Contractions continued so we decided to go on in! My friend Holly came over to stay with Addison until my mom got there. We had already called her and she was on her way. Holly got there around 6 and we headed out. As we were walking into the labor and delivery area, Dr. B called my cell phone to check on me. I told him I was there, and again he said for them to call him and we would see how things were progressing and see if he would be able to come. My contractions were occurring about every 3 minutes at this point, and definitely stronger! I got changed, hooked up to the monitors, and finally checked around 7:30. I was at 4-5 cm. The nurse called Dr. B and he said to give it another hour to an hour and half and make sure I continued to progress and then they would admit me. Grant assured the nurse he would not be taking me home, and she agreed! Dr. B had ordered pain meds, but I couldn't get an epidural unless they new for sure I would be admitted. So I continued to have contractions every 3 minutes for the next hour. They begin lasting for about a minute and I was in pain. I think I tolerated it well. I didn't want to take the pain meds because I didn't want to feel loopy! They checked me again at 8:30 and I was 5-6 cm dilated! Thank goodness! She went to call Dr. B! The phone in the room began ringing. The nurse came in and told us to answer it because it was Dr. B. He asked how I was and then said well I guess this is it! He then said he was going to call Dr. S, and turn me over to him. I was disappointed to say the least, but I understood, and thought it was very nice of him to call and tell me himself. He was on call the next day, which I didn't realize. So after a few tears, I accepted it and decided I was ready for some pain meds, and told the nurse to order the epidural- Hallelujah! After 2 sticks, and one blown vein, the nurse had to call someone else in to get the IV started. I finally got some relief and waited on the epi! Around 10, I was 6-7 cm. I finally received the epidural shortly after! After the epidural, Ansley decided to move around a lot, and they couldn't keep her on the monitor. They were constantly trying to "find" her. So for over an hour it was a game of chase the baby. My water broke at 10:30, and my mom arrived shortly after. I started feeling a lot of pressure around 11:15. At 11:30 they decided to check again, and low and behold **10**!! It was go time, except for the fact that Grant had gone to the car to get our stuff! Ansley's heart rate started dropping around this time following the contractions so it got a little scary for a little while. They also realized she was sideways, so they put me on my side with oxygen and had me "labor down" for a little while. Next time they started to check, the nurse said "Hi baby!" She could see her head! They had called the doctor, and they got everything ready. Dr. S arrived at 12:01 and after one push, Ansley arrived at 12:04. Her apgar scores were 9 and 9! She was perfect! After they wiped her down, I asked them not to bundle her because I wanted to do skin to skin. She was hungry, and after being in this world for only 30 minutes she began to nurse! It was all a great experience!


Put me back!

Exactly 1 lb bigger than my sister was!




Hello Mommy!

My First Bath!

Nana

Aunt Anna

Daddy Dick

Cousin Kane with his girl cousins!

Uncle Shug

Grammy with her grand kids

Ready to go home!

Sweet Feet

First Bath at home

Weekend Visitors

Aunt Susan

G Dad

Ansley and Luke duking it out!

I didn't get pictures of Uncle Buddy and Aunt Karen, or Aunt Gigi who came on Sunday. Aunt Anna, Kane, Nana, and Grammy were all there on Sunday, too.

38th week Appointment

Lots of progress since last week- I'm almost 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced! We scheduled an induction for Monday morning, my birthday, but Dr. B really doesn't think I will make it until then. He stripped my membranes today, so we will see if that has any effect. I went back to work for about an hour, but starting cramping pretty bad and having some stronger contractions so I came on home. Both are to be expected after the stripping. So now, I am going to rest! Dr. B is on call this weekend starting Friday morning at 7:00 so I'm just hoping she comes before or after Thursday night. Since he will be on call this weekend, he probably won't be able to come Thursday night because he will be resting up for the weekend! Grant and Addison have tickets to Disney on Ice Saturday at 3:00. We will see how that works, too! I'll probably go into labor while they are there!

The Perfect Date

So my friend Tanya just posted about her idea of the perfect date. She was joining Amanda's party for Friend Makin Monday. I thought since I am about to pop, this would be fun to think/dream about! I decided to dream BIG!


So, my idea of a perfect date would involve traveling! Grant and I LOVE to travel, and since our traveling has changed from going to Paris to planning a trip to Disney, a perfect date would involve somewhere not too kid friendly. So the date would start with us giving Addison and Ansley (of course I couldn't go anywhere further than 30 minutes from Baptist hospital at this point, so pretend Ansley is here, and probably a year old, since we won't be able to leave her before then!) lots of hugs and kisses and probably putting them in their car seats either with my mom or Grant's mom because I'm psycho when it comes to car seat safety! HA! We would send them on their way and then we would drive to the airport. We would board a flight to...Vegas! Now Grant and I don't gamble, but we went to Vegas before Addison and loved the architecture and the dining! We would arrive in Vegas and check in at maybe the Bellagio. We would spend the day at the spa getting massages, pedicures, manicures, and maybe me a facial. We would then get dressed, me in a "little" (yes, I can dream one day I will be back in a little cocktail dress :)) black dress, and Grant in dress pants, for dinner at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. We would sit at a window table overlooking the fountains. After dinner, we would go to some Cirque Du Soleil show. When we got back to our hotel room, there would be a dozen roses on the table with various chocolate desserts and maybe some champagne, since we obviously would be celebrating something big to get this perfect date!

Weekend Moments

We had a great weekend! We are counting down the days until our family becomes a family of 4!


Addison loving the tummy!



On Saturday, Addison and I went and got donuts and strawberry milk...



and then went and had our nails and toenails done. Addison really enjoyed her first pedi and mani! I'm afraid we truly have a little diva on our hands! She could get use to this kind of treatment!

Pretty nails!

Saturday afternoon, we went to a birthday party. It was a Luau theme, and was really cute! They started off by getting tattoos and making hats.

Here is the party crowd!

They played several games. Here is Addison popping a balloon!

Addison and her daddy! I love this outfit! Addison's Grammy gave this to her at our baby shower. After church today, we went and ate at Cracker Barrel, ran in Babies R Us for a few last minute things, and then went to the mall to go to Build a Bear.

Addison and her mommy!

Addison made a bear for Ansley. She did the voice recorder and said "I love you Ansley. I made you a bear!" It was sweet. I got real emotional!

Rubbing the heart against her heart...

And last- giving Ansley Bear a bath. I didn't get a picture of the final product, but she was cute. Overall, we had a fantastic weekend! Now... we are ready for Ansley!

37th Week Appointment

I had a dr.'s appointment today. I am 37 weeks 4 days. I have officially been pregnant now 4 days longer than with Addison! Everything was good, and I had not really changed much from last week. I told Dr. B I was hoping for a little change, and his nurse asked for a specific number. I told them I didn't care, just a little change! So he said I was now 2.2 cm! He is such a mess! So a little progress, but looks like Ansley is going to grow a little more before making her arrival. Now that we are past the 37th week mark, we are a little less anxious and are glad she is growing and everything is healthy. We will schedule an induction when I go in next Tuesday morning. Dr. B is having surgery this Friday, so I really hope she doesn't decide to come this weekend while he is out of commission! He is the dr. on call the next weekend! I am going to see if he will induce next Friday since he will be on call, and I will be 39 weeks on Saturday. I am assuming he won't, since they don't like to induce before the 39th week, but I will see! I decided my last work day will be next Wednesday! I think I will take next Thursday for a little me time! I don't want to take time away from Addison's and my Fridays, so I thought on Thursday I could take her to school, her preschool day, and go get a mani and pedi, and still pick her up early! I can't wait!

Yee Haw!

Addison had a birthday party this past weekend at a Riding Academy. Grant volunteered to go with us "just in case!" Addison had a lot of fun! It made me miss riding horses. I didn't ride a whole lot growing up, but always loved it when I did!


Our little cowgirl!


They even went on a hay ride. At first, I wasn't going to go, but then I thought- Oh well! 37 weeks pregnant on a hay ride wasn't too bad!




They stopped the hay ride at a creek, and the children had a blast skipping/throwing rocks!

The party ended with horse rides! Addison loved it!

My mom came up Saturday after the party and Grant and I went on a date! We really enjoyed ourselves and had forgotten how much we missed just being out together! We had a great dinner and then went to see Date Night! It was great!

Pregnancy Memories

Just a few memories I don't want to forget:

So here is what I did last weekend. I had two loads of laundry on the couch that needed to be folded, but I had some organizing that HAD to be done. I bought this handy label maker, and I LOVE IT! Here are some pantry shots...

The pictures don't really show it justice. It has always been organized, but just straightening it made me feel better!

I also organized out media/Addison's craft stuff closet. I bought a shoe organizer and put all kinds of things in it! Then of course, I labeled each pocket!

Now, I go through organizing spurts not pregnant so I'm not sure if this was pregnancy induced or not. I also cleaned out and organized the junk drawer- so much better now!

So other pregnancy memories:

I haven't really craved anything crazy, but like with Addison, I have wanted meat! I have to tell this story...During the first trimester, I really wanted meat. It was critical. Grant went to the grocery store one day, and I had planned on cooking beef stroganof for dinner. He got home, but there was no hamburger meat! It was on the receipt, thank God or I would've killed him for forgetting it, but somehow he didn't make it home with it! I CRIED! Yes, I did. I cried over meat. Then I cried because Grant didn't understand! Then yes, several hours later I laughed and realized how silly it was! The next day, Grant came home with the biggest thing of hamburger meat I had ever seen! Bless his heart!

Addison's take on the pregnancy:

"let's play cheerleader! Daddy, you be a boy cheerleader and hold me up!"

Me: "Addison, who can I be?"

"You can be BIG red!"

Me: "Thanks!"

Addison: "Mommy, I never want boobies like yours! They are too big!"

Me: "That is what happens when you have a baby in your belly. That is their way of preparing to feed the baby."

Addison: "But are they going to grow all the way to the sky?"

Grant: Sweetly pats my belly and says, "Aww Big belly!"

Addison: Cuts her eyes towards me and says "Whoa, that IS a BIG BELLY!"

So what are some of your memories of your pregnancy!

36 Weeks Pregnant

Today I had my 36th week checkup. Everything was good- weight, blood pressure, and urine! Nothing had really changed from last week. I was still 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I was relieved! I really want her to wait until the 38th week to come! I feel really blessed to have had such a great pregnancy! Now, it has definitely been odd, but in general, it has been a very healthy pregnancy. I had another odd thing happen a couple of weeks ago, that I didn't blog about. So add to the puss pockets on my tonsils, no heart beat after hearing it 4 weeks prior, inactive bladder and 4 days of a cathetar... a blood clot! Well, sounds scarier than what it was really. It was a superficial clot in a vein in my foot. I went to my PCP for it, and he went ahead and sent me for an ultrasound of my leg to make sure there weren't any DVTs or actual blood clots in the larger veins in my leg. All was clear, and everyone said it would dissolve on its own. It pretty much is gone now. I can still feel it, but it doesn't hurt anymore. Since these weird things have happened (Dr. B had never had a pt's bladder stop working for no major reason, and Dr. M had not seen a superficial clot in at least 5 years) I kinda expect the labor to be unexpected! I thnk the thing that will shock most will be if I have to induced! We will induce probably on April 27th if Ansley does not decide to come sooner. We will see! For now, I continue to pray for her development and for our family's preparation!

Easter Weekend!

Saturday morning we went to the church Easter Party/Egg hunt. Even the Easter bunny was there. Addison did fine in line, but the anxiety set in when it was her turn! Thankfully, I talked her into standing beside him for a picture!




There were craft tables set up as well as cookies and lemonade!




Addison enjoyed the hunt! The eggs were empty, but they traded the eggs in for prizes!

After the Easter Party, we went to Target, and I bought a lot of organizing things including a label maker. LOVE IT! But they may be another post! We then went and ate at Burger King. Addison got "stuck" in the tunnels and got scared. I was able to talk her back to the stairs, but then she was uneasy coming down the stairs because her feet couldn't reach. I was beginning to wonder how at 9 months pregnant I was going the squeeze up the stairs and get her! A teenage girl came to our rescue and got Addison down! After eating we came home and dyed Easter Eggs and made/decorated sugar cookies!

Sunday morning, I was in the bathroom and I heard Addison saying, "Daddy, wake up! The Easter Bunny came!" She came and found me, and we went to see what the bunny brought! There were sunglasses, a Belle princess cup, Egg sidewalk chalk, T-shirt, swimsuits, DVD, bracelet, chocolate bunny, flip flops, and a gardening set (I bought this a year ago for $3 :))

The best part of Easter this year was that Addison could begin to understand the meaning. She can tell the Easter story in her own 3 year old way! It was amazing! We read several books on the true meaning of Easter, and they talked about it at school!


After church we went to Mimi's Cafe and met Gigi, Michael, and baby Luke for lunch!

Not the best picture because the sun was in our eyes, but we had to have a family picture!

Look at this sweet family! Luke is only 2 weeks old! He was perfect during lunch! He is such a beautiful baby! Happy 1st Easter Luke!