Two Months!

I have pretty severely neglected my blog - sorry friends! I keep telling myself I'll be better about updating, and then I procrastinate for a couple months and feel even MORE guilty for not updating more!

Anyway, here's what we've been up to lately:

Right after my last post, the three of us joined the other students and instructors here at Kingsley for the annual 173d Ops Group camping trip. With a three-week-old baby, we didn't camp, but we did visit for the day. It was a great time! It rained a little bit, but once it passed, we hung around the fire and enjoyed ourselves. Caleigh did great, she didn't fuss much at all and was happy to be passed around and held.

Caleigh with great-grandma June.

For the long Labor Day weekend, Jeff had arranged a hunting trip with his dad in Eastern Oregon, so Caleigh and I ventured back to Corvallis to visit with friends and family. Caleigh met her great-grandmas, and both were immediately smitten with her. It's a crazy thing to think about your own grandmother holding your daughter, and thinking about how different things will be for each generation. We hung out a bit with some of my friends, and had a nice relaxing weekend at home. We probably won't go back until Christmas, so it was nice to make the trip!

Shelby's 30th Birthday celebration!

In early September, we "celebrated" my thirtieth birthday. Okay, everyone else celebrated, I pouted in a corner, hehe. Jeff planned a great barbecue and invited all of our friends, and even took care of the baby so I could have a beer or two. We had a great time! Caleigh especially. She's pretty happy as long as someone is feeding and snuggling her. Lucky for us (I think?) she's not terribly partial to who it is that is feeding and snuggling her. For the week or so leading up to the party, we started introducing one bottle of breast milk each evening so she'd be able to have bottles during the party. I think Jeff enjoyed getting the chance to feed her, and be even more involved in taking care of our little nugget. Since then we've given her bottle intermittently, when we're out and about and breast feeding her isn't really feasible. She doesn't seem to mind a bit!

The next week after my birthday, I got to visit my doctor for my six-week "post-op" appointment. This is just the check-up to make sure everything looks good and I've recovered well from delivery. She said everything seems just fine and my body has healed well. Good news! Things feel pretty much back to normal, which is incredible considering what your body goes through to grow and then deliver a baby.

As Caleigh approaches her two-month birthday, it feels like we notice her changing every single day. She holds her head up better than ever, and she has great focus on objects and faces. She will turn her head towards familiar noises, like mom or dad's voice or her car seat toy. Just this past weekend, she started deliberately smiling at Jeff and I. It's the sweetest thing to watch this little girl just grin at her daddy. They are the cutest. We have our two-month checkup with the pediatrician on Monday, and I expect her to tell us that Peanut is a happy, healthy baby girl. She's gained great weight, and I won't be surprised if she's 12 or 13 pounds by the time we visit. This appointment is also her first big round of vaccinations, which means lots of pokes for my poor tiny girl. Hopefully she handles it like a champ, otherwise mommy's heart just might break.

I'll try and remember to update more after our doctor's appointment next week. Until then, here are more snap shots of our little bug:

Hanging out at a b-course graduation.
Can't wait for daddy's!

"Milk drunk."

Fashionista!

Sleepy baby girl.

I love bath time!

Snuggles with Grammie.

First bottle! Yum!

Just having some thinks.

Game day! Go Beavs!

All dressed up!

Van Orsow, Party of Three

Apologies for my long hiatus, as you can imagine, I've been a little busy.

First things first...WE HAD A BABY!!!

Peanut is finally here, and Jeff and I are elated. Every single day we look at this little wonder with amazement. We MADE that. This sweet, beautiful, precious thing is here in our arms and we MADE her. It's surreal and crazy and awesome at the same time.

Since I've been gone so long, I obviously have quite a bit to catch you up on. It's been more than three weeks since Caleigh was born (and more than that since I made my last post) and if I tried to write down everything that's happened since then, we'd be here for the next few weeks. So I'll give you the brief overview.

MONDAY, JULY 28TH
I was admitted to the hospital on Sunday the 27th in the evening, and given Cervidil, a medication that prepares your cervix for induction/labor. After a restless night of attempting to sleep on a terrible hospital bed, my 5:00 am wake up call came pretty early. I was allowed to shower and have breakfast before we got things stated, which I appreciated. Nice to feel clean and freshly showered since I knew it would be a while. Around 7:15 Monday morning the doctors started Pitocin, a medication that mimics oxytocin, the chemical naturally produced by your brain that starts labor. I started feeling contractions almost immediately, although they were reasonably bearable. Having heard horror stories about how much worse contractions are when you're given Pitocin, I requested an epidural almost immediately after my Pitocin was started. Lesson to the future mommies interested in epidurals: they are administered by an anesthesiologist who may (or may not) be available when requested. In my case, it wasn't until 10:30 that the anesthesiologist arrived, and by then I was beyond ready to not be in pain anymore. After the excruciating process of having my water broken (I don't think it's this bad for everyone, Caleigh was a special case) and the increasing pain of the contractions, I was nearing a breaking point by the time I was given the epidural.

The good news? Once the IV is hooked up, the medication starts and you feel better almost instantly. Huge sigh of relief. As my lower body started to go numb, I relaxed and was able to nod off for little periods of time. Thank goodness.

Fast-forward about eight hours, I'd dilated only three of four centimeters and Caleigh wasn't moving down into the birth canal like she was supposed to. At 7:00 pm, after increasing the amount of Pitocin I was getting, our doctor informed us she'd be back in a half hour to check our progress. If we hadn't made significant change, we'd likely be headed for a cesarean delivery. Our nurses started to scrub down and prepare themselves and me for the surgery. Although I knew this was a possibility, the reality of having major surgery was overwhelming and I cried a bit thinking about it, trying to prepare myself. When the doc came back at 7:30, she checked me again, and despite minimal progress decided they'd increase the Pitocin once more and give me about 30 more minutes, then it was REALLY time for a c-section. This little baby did not seem to want to come out.

When 8:00 finally rolled around and our AMAZING doctor checked us once again, she decided things had moved along enough that we could start pushing. Wait, what? I'd been mentally preparing myself to deliver this baby via c-section, and now I'm being told it's time to start pushing? Wowzer. That threw me for a loop, for sure, although I was glad to be able to at least attempt avoiding the surgery.

So I pushed. And pushed. And pushed. And in a room full of doctors and nurses, a random high school student (don't ask...or do - another time), with the love of my life helping me every step of the way, we managed to bring this beautiful little miracle into the world. It didn't take long to discover why she'd been so shy, poor Caleigh had her umbilical cord wrapped around her little neck THREE times. Active little wiggler had really gotten herself caught up in my tummy!!

The nurses took her to the warmer to check her, under Jeff's watchful eye, while the doc finished up with me. The look on his face was priceless. There is something about dads and their daughters that is innately precious, especially when that man is your husband and that girl is your daughter. My heart was already so full of love for Jeff and the little life that the two of us shared, and it's darn-near exploded with the love I feel for our daughter and this new reality we're growing in to.

Those first couple of days at the hospital were rough, more because someone is ALWAYS in your room checking on mama or baby, so nobody gets much sleep even if they wanted to. Being at home has been easier, and we've been blessed with so much help and support from our families, friends, and even perfect strangers in our squadron. We've got nights of not much sleep, and nights where we feel a little more rested, but every single minute looking at her sweet face is completely worth it.

Here's more good news: she's really cute! I've talked all along about how you were all just going to have to lie to us if she was ugly, because Jeff and I wouldn't know the difference. But, at least as far as we can tell (and unless you're all EXCEPTIONAL liars) she is actually, legitimately adorable. We are so proud.

I think I'll leave it at that for today's update, but I'll try and be back more often with other random updates and tidbits. Not to leave you wanting, here are some sweet pics of our cute girl:

Caleigh Marie

Monday, July 28th, 2014

9:33 pm

6 pounds 7.5 ounces

19.5 inches long

Absolutely perfect

38 Weeks: Last Bump Pic?

Greetings friends and family!!!!

Mostly I'm just here to update with the 38-week bump pic, likely my last one of this pregnancy (barring any crazy, unforeseen circumstances). I started taking weekly pics in my 8th week, and except for the two I missed due to travel, I've kept it up for 30 weeks straight. When's the last time I did anything voluntarily for 30 weeks straight? (Never?? Haha...)

So here it is. The final baby bump pic for Peanut and I, 38 weeks in:

 

Ironically, this shirt has been featured a few times in my bump photos, I'll have to line them all up and compare. 

Everyone keeps asking how I'm feeling, and I'm actually still pretty good. Of course I'm getting increasingly uncomfortable as this behethmoth of a baby continues to grow, but its really only an issue at night. I'm a little awkward getting in and out of the car, and rolling over in bed is pretty tough, but I really don't have much to complain about. I'm walking without a waddle and haven't really had to change my behavior much over the past couple months. 

I think that's about all I have for an update tonight-short and sweet!! We're still planning on checking into the hospital tomorrow and inducing Monday morning. Potentially only two more sleeps until we finally meet our Peanut girl. 

Can't wait!!!!

No News Is No News

Hi there, friends!

I'm writing today mostly to check in, since I'm sure more than a few of you are wondering if my lack of posting means something exciting has happened.

It hasn't.

I've been feeling extra lazy (and super duper un-cute) the past few days, so I've neglected my weekly bump photo. I managed to do the actual chalkboard last night, so I'm pretty much just waiting for Jeff to come home today and take my picture. Hopefully I can post that tonight (unlikely) or tomorrow (more likely).

I did visit with the doctor again this week, and discovered I have made some progress toward natural labor, but she still asked that I check into the hospital Sunday night. So right now, that's our plan. We'll check in to the birthing center on Sunday evening and they'll assess my progress and decide whether or not I need the medication to prepare my body for induction. If I do, they'll give it to me then, but if not, we'll just spend the night in the hospital and be there and ready for the induction Monday morning. The doctor said it's more likely since this is my first baby (and my body doesn't quite have the hang of labor yet) I will be given meds Sunday night. BUT we'll see for sure when we get there. Again, I'll try and do as much as I can to keep you updated, but I can't make any promises.

I do think I'd rather post periodic updates here instead of on Facebook, because I know a majority of my Facebook friends don't care about my labor and Peanut's delivery, but those of you who follow my blog really do! I'm considering a new Twitter account with a widget, so I can post little updates without actually having to create new posts, but I haven't decided on that for sure. You might notice that I've added a little space on the right side called "InstaPeanut" that just has a big blank space below it. That's right - Peanut has her own Instagram account! Once she's here, she'll start posting pics and they should show up in that space. If you have an Instagram account and want to follow her, her name is @thepeanutgirl. If I happen to make her a Twitter account (sounding more and more likely every minute...) I assume her handle there will be the same.

So here we are, Friday night, getting ready for our last weekend as two-person family. We don't have any major plans for this weekend, although we do have quite a few errands to do tomorrow. We may go see a movie (not that anything good is playing...) just because we won't be able to do that for some time. Other than that, our plans include lots of sleep and delicious meals.

I think that's about all the updating I have for today - have a great weekend folks!!

37 Week Bump Pic

You guys are in for a treat! I managed to get my chalkboard done this afternoon and take my bump photo for this week! Since I've already posted this week's update below, I'll just leave you with the photo. 

Enjoy!

37 Weeks: Swollen Hands, Swollen Feet

Alright, I have to warn you. I don't have a 37-week bump pic ready yet. So if that's all you came for, you might as well leave now. I'm working on my chalkboard today and hope to take my pic tonight, but I still have no idea when I'll get around to posting it. Pregnancy has made me pretty lazy these days. I did manage to vacuum today though, which I'll consider an accomplishment. =)

But I do have other updates!

At 37 weeks, we should be about three weeks away from meeting our Peanut. But we're not. We're actually quite a bit closer. I had another visit with the doctor this week, and she'd like to go ahead with the plan to induce labor on Monday, July 28th. So sometime in the next ten or eleven days, Jeff and I will be proud parents to a sweet baby girl.

I have to admit, I've warmed up a bit to the idea of the induction, but that could be because I know I really don't have a choice. The doc believes that this is what's best, so I'm trying to be as on-board as I can. I'm a little worried, because at this point my body is showing zero signs of being ready to let this baby go, and I think we could be in for a challenge getting it to give Peanut up. Not that I blame it, she's sweet and adorable, who would want to let her go?

If nothing should change in the next week or so, by my next appointment, I'll likely be admitted Sunday evening, the 27th and given chemicals to start to prepare my body for an induction. Sometimes labor is induced even though the body has already started the process on its own, and sometimes you have to start completely from scratch, so to speak. I'll try to save you the gritty details and keep this as G-rated as possible.

They'll need to get my body started Sunday night so it's at least a little bit ready when labor is actually, technically induced sometime on Monday. From there, it's just a matter of how quickly my body responds to the drugs, and how agreeable Peanut is to arriving a little early. I'm (obviously) hoping for a smooth labor with minimal complications. The book is very clear that labor inductions have a higher chance than natural labor for any type of assisted delivery, including use of forceps or a vacuum, and cesarean section. I'm hoping Peanut isn't quite as stubborn as her mom and just goes along with what's happening, but you never know for sure. So I'm hoping and praying for the best.

This has been a particularly rough week for me, and although I don't feel comfortable elaborating more here, I'm happy to discuss privately what's been happening, should your curiosity get the best of you. Don't worry - Peanut and I are fine - we're just feeling strongly for people we love that have faced very challenging days this past week. You know who you are, and you know that we love you very much.

So as the reality sets in that we're just over a week away from meeting our little one, I've been trying to line up the last few details of our lives so that we're ready for Peanut's arrival. After a couple hefty Amazon and Target orders, and with the exception of one last package arriving on Monday, I think we've got everything we need to care for our baby. Now we just need the baby herself. It's surreal to think "at this time in two weeks, we'll have our baby" or "next time we do this it will be with a baby." Even after almost ten months of carrying our Peanut girl, knowing about her, and dreaming about her, it still seems surreal that she'll be an actual baby girl, laying in our arms in just over a week. I think Jeff and I both have done a good job of side-stepping the panic and anxiety that first-time parents sometimes face (as much as we can), and are focusing on our excitement to meet our daughter.

My plan right now is to do another post with my week 37 pic tomorrow or Sunday, and then update again after my doctor's appointment next week, along with my 38-week bump pic. After that, you may not hear from me again for a bit, as we head to the hospital and then bring home the Peanut girl. I know you're all dying to hear what we've decided to name her, and you've only got another few days to wait, so hang in there! Just don't expect me to stop calling her Peanut, I think we've stuck her with a lifelong nickname there.

That's about it for today, I'll try and post the week 37 picture as soon as I can! Happy Friday everyone!

The Misnomer of the Nine-Month Pregnancy

Here's the thing: society, pop culture, and the media have been perpetuating this idea that pregnancy is a nine-month process. And yes, while it occurs over roughly nine months, ten months is a more accurate timeline. Look at it this way: you know there are usually four weeks in a month, and that there are 40 weeks in a pregnancy. Do the math here, folks. Forty weeks is ten months. I became pregnant in November, I will have my baby in August (or late July...). November --> August is ten months.

Thus, at 36 weeks pregnant, I am officially nine months, with another month to go still. Not feeling terrible, but good gracious I woke up this morning to painfully swollen hands! I think they'll loosen up as I go on about my day and get my circulation moving (maybe typing this post will help?), but yikes!

Right on time, here's my 36-week pic:

My book says my belly is just about as big as it will get, as Peanut is pretty much at her birth weight and length. As I mentioned last week, my belly already feels huge, and rolling side-to-side in the bed is getting increasingly difficult. I'm also experiencing pain in my hips if I lay on one for too long, which means lots of switching sides (and did I mention how difficult that is??). It doesn't make for a seamless process or uninterrupted sleep. Luckily, I have no problem laying down for a daytime nap here and there. ;D

Little girl is still very active, even though she's running out of room. Her hiccups are killing me these days, as I find the sensation irritating, especially in the middle of the night! Besides hiccups she does lots of rolls and stretches, still exploring her ever-shrinking space.

At this point, the book believes she is roughly 19 inches and weighs about six pounds. Obviously at this stage, there is no way to know for sure, since all babies grow differently in the later stage of pregnancy. Any day now, she should begin to move down into my pelvis, hopefully making breathing easier and relieve some of the heartburn I experience sometimes. It's still surreal that we're going to meet our baby girl SOON!

This is "the book" I'm always referring to.
I highly recommend it if you're also pregnant!!!

I had my 36-week visit with the doctor yesterday, and while she said all is relatively normal and baby is growing as she should, Doc still believes she might come a little early. However, if Peanut doesn't show up in the next two weeks,  the doc wants to induce labor between weeks 38 and 39 due to my increasingly high blood pressure. The risks to baby and to myself increase should we continue the pregnancy beyond 39 weeks, and at that point Peanut should be developed enough to survive just fine on her own. We'll find out more about the induction at my appointment next week.

Am I super stoked about this news? No, not really. Labor is supposed to be a natural process that starts on it's own when baby is ready, and I have mixed feelings about forcing my body to begin labor. Some women also say that induction of labor is more painful than when labor begins naturally, which nobody wants to hear anyway. Of course I don't want to put Peanut in any kind of danger and I completely trust my doctor and her advice. If she thinks delivering Peanut between 38 and 39 weeks is the very best thing for her, then that is what we'll do, whether I'm thrilled with it or not. Jeff and I have always had the attitude that we'd cross each bridge as we came to it, not worrying too much about what will or won't happen. We're trying to be as laid-back as we can about the process so that neither of us stresses out too much if things don't go "as planned."

We want our daughter healthy and happy, no matter how that happens.

I told Jeff last night I was hesitant to share this news with you, since (like baby names) everyone has an opinion on what should or shouldn't happen during labor and delivery, and (like all other pregnancy-related situations) everyone is more than willing to share their own unsolicited stories, opinions, and medical advice from their own doctor. How did so many of my friends and family go to medical school when I wasn't looking? My point is, Jeff and I will decide what is best for our daughter and the labor and delivery process, and would appreciate nothing more than your unwavering support and encouragement. It's scary to think that you might be putting your child at risk before she's even born, and we can definitely use, and will immensely appreciate, your cheers and prayers.

So given this news, it sounds like July 28th may be induction day if Peanut doesn't show up sooner on her own. Don't hold your breath! Things can always change, and the 28th still may not end up being Peanut's actual birthday. Little girl may also decide she doesn't like to be scheduled and just show up on her own. However, July 28th is a heck of a lot closer (relatively speaking) than August 6th. It's pretty much two and a half weeks away. Luckily, with the exception of a few more things to throw into our hospital bag, we are READY! Now we just wait and see how things go and hope for smooth sailing from here on out!

That's probably enough updates for this week! Since I'm visiting the doctor weekly now, I'll have more news to share after next week's appointment, and perhaps more information regarding the possibility of inducing labor.

Have a great weekend everybody!