Avery slept quite a bit yesterday and this morning she's been sleeping. I don't know if it's a growth spurt or if it's because she's a little stuffy with a cough. I am thankful that now she will sit in her vibrating chair and she usually falls asleep. She's been waking up quite a bit in the night the last 2 nights because of her nose but she goes right back to sleep. She had some bad gas last night though. I'm also thankful that that seems to be getting better. She just has some episodes here and there. Might have been the food I ate the night before...
Woohoo! I got skype so now I can keep in touch by video!
I'm loving the snow. I just hate that my windshield wiper motor went out and so we can't drive in the snow. We ordered a new motor, gotta go pick it up today. David finally got me an antenna so hopefully he'll install it and I won't be confined to the bedroom. I'll be so excited to have TV!
Well, there's not much going on and I have nothing else to say.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving Picture
Here is a lovely picture of me from today :0)
This picture is us on Thanksgiving. Avery's first! We had to leave shortly after eating because Avery pretty much cried the whole time. We went for a small drive and she was good but when we got home she cried for hours. It was horrible. Then she woke up every 2.5 hours last night and puked a TON on me around midnight and then screamed while I changed her and stuff. David left the room. Avery's been better today. I think she's a little tempermental though...Well, nothing is going on really. I've been enjoying David being home this holiday. Love it.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Blizzard!
I got to experience my first blizzard today. It was pretty neat :0) Tonight we're staying the night with the Brackin's because David left work early today and his truck broke down. He thinks too much snow got in his engine. He left work at 3 and didn't get home until 5:30. Thankfully when he broke down there was a semi behind him who gave him a ride into Franklin and David called Austin. Then they gave some woman a ride home to Whitney. So, we're staying the night because we have to borrow the Brackin's car because my windshield wipers are broken. David and Austin were worried the cavalier wouldn't make it into the neighborhood so we're just staying here. Avery's first sleep over!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Oh Yeah
I realized that I haven't written about my thoughts on my birth choice. I know I'll forget how I felt so I better type it now.
So, I pretty much decided that I wanted a home birth after watching The Business of Being Born. I had always figured I'd get the epidural in the hospital. That's what everyone does, right? But then my mind wouldn't shut off. I didn't like how birth had become so medicalized. I didn't like how so many people I knew were having C-Sections. Weren't women created to give birth? Weren't women's bodies made equipped to handle it? I started to feel like God didn't create birth to be this way--like a medical problem. I didn't like how it seemed that every woman had a baby in distress during birth. Women have babies that are too big. Women won't progress. It seems that nowadays, something goes wrong in birth. It's to be expected.
Interventions. In my opinion, the reason for most C-Sections. I decided that I wanted to avoid these interventions. Pitocin, epidural, C-Section, baby. That's how birth goes these days. So I decided I was giving birth at home. It became a challenge to myself. I don't have a high pain threshold. In fact, I'm quite the wimp. I'm a complainer. If something hurts, you'll know about it.
If I could make it through child birth, medication free, I thought I would feel empowered. Like I conquered a huge mountain. I'd feel proud of myself. I could join the ranks of millions of women who had done this before me. Strangely, I feel none of this. People always say you don't get an award for having an unmedicated child birth. Which is true. But I thought I'd have this trophy sitting on a shelf in my brain. I don't. It feels like I did the same thing millions of other women did--because I did.
I am proud of myself that I did it. It seems like I surprised most people I know. Most have made comments that I'm not sure how to take but whatever. I can say that the only reason I did it was because I was at home and had no other option. Had I been in the hospital, depending on how strong David was, I would have most likely taken the epidural in a moment of weakness. When I was laboring at home alone, my mind wandered alot. I told myself an epidural would be okay. Even if it led to a C-Section. I could handle the recovery. At that point I knew I had to quit thinking that way. So, I prayed.
I've often wondered if the Hypnobabies was worth the time (that I didn't really put into it) and the money. I have decided that yes it was. The closer I got to giving birth the more freaked out I got about having to do it. So I listened to the pregnancy affirmation CD each day. The positive thoughts helped me ALOT! The birthing day affirmations helped me when I was in transition too. Those CD's alone were worth it to me. I think because of those CD's, I was able to stay calm the whole time. Which really amazes me. I tend to have a lot of anxiety and the whole time I was home laboring, I had no anxiety. I literally had no stress or worry. That in itself is amazing.
At one point I did start to feel sorry for myself that I was alone but it was short lived. Then I became happy that I was alone because I could be noisy and do what I wanted without feeling self conscious. I was a little annoyed when David got home because I had called him when he got off work at 2:30 to tell him the midwife was on her way. I asked him where he was and he was taking a co-worker home. This did not make me happy. When he got home I said "next time your wife is in labor at home, don't give anyone rides home!" Now, to his credit, he didn't know that I was actually in labor so I got over it really quick.
So, the hardest part for me was the pushing part. It hurt like a mofo :0). Do I want to do it again? Not any time soon. Am I glad I did it? Yes. Did I like giving birth in the water? Yes!
My homebirth experience was amazing. It was so peaceful and wonderful. I was in the comfort of my own home. I had my baby and went and got in my bed. Not a hospital bed in a hospital gown but in my own room. I had complete trust in God, my body and my midwife. It truly was an awesome thing.
And I have to say that I completely believe that a person's ability to go unmedicated is all mental. If you go into it thinking you "might" get an epidural if needed, you will. Every story I've heard of women going unmedicated, it was some horrible experience. I believe it's because in the majority of the stories told to me, the epidural was wanted and for some reason, they were unable to get it. Mental, people. It's all mental.
The end.
So, I pretty much decided that I wanted a home birth after watching The Business of Being Born. I had always figured I'd get the epidural in the hospital. That's what everyone does, right? But then my mind wouldn't shut off. I didn't like how birth had become so medicalized. I didn't like how so many people I knew were having C-Sections. Weren't women created to give birth? Weren't women's bodies made equipped to handle it? I started to feel like God didn't create birth to be this way--like a medical problem. I didn't like how it seemed that every woman had a baby in distress during birth. Women have babies that are too big. Women won't progress. It seems that nowadays, something goes wrong in birth. It's to be expected.
Interventions. In my opinion, the reason for most C-Sections. I decided that I wanted to avoid these interventions. Pitocin, epidural, C-Section, baby. That's how birth goes these days. So I decided I was giving birth at home. It became a challenge to myself. I don't have a high pain threshold. In fact, I'm quite the wimp. I'm a complainer. If something hurts, you'll know about it.
If I could make it through child birth, medication free, I thought I would feel empowered. Like I conquered a huge mountain. I'd feel proud of myself. I could join the ranks of millions of women who had done this before me. Strangely, I feel none of this. People always say you don't get an award for having an unmedicated child birth. Which is true. But I thought I'd have this trophy sitting on a shelf in my brain. I don't. It feels like I did the same thing millions of other women did--because I did.
I am proud of myself that I did it. It seems like I surprised most people I know. Most have made comments that I'm not sure how to take but whatever. I can say that the only reason I did it was because I was at home and had no other option. Had I been in the hospital, depending on how strong David was, I would have most likely taken the epidural in a moment of weakness. When I was laboring at home alone, my mind wandered alot. I told myself an epidural would be okay. Even if it led to a C-Section. I could handle the recovery. At that point I knew I had to quit thinking that way. So, I prayed.
I've often wondered if the Hypnobabies was worth the time (that I didn't really put into it) and the money. I have decided that yes it was. The closer I got to giving birth the more freaked out I got about having to do it. So I listened to the pregnancy affirmation CD each day. The positive thoughts helped me ALOT! The birthing day affirmations helped me when I was in transition too. Those CD's alone were worth it to me. I think because of those CD's, I was able to stay calm the whole time. Which really amazes me. I tend to have a lot of anxiety and the whole time I was home laboring, I had no anxiety. I literally had no stress or worry. That in itself is amazing.
At one point I did start to feel sorry for myself that I was alone but it was short lived. Then I became happy that I was alone because I could be noisy and do what I wanted without feeling self conscious. I was a little annoyed when David got home because I had called him when he got off work at 2:30 to tell him the midwife was on her way. I asked him where he was and he was taking a co-worker home. This did not make me happy. When he got home I said "next time your wife is in labor at home, don't give anyone rides home!" Now, to his credit, he didn't know that I was actually in labor so I got over it really quick.
So, the hardest part for me was the pushing part. It hurt like a mofo :0). Do I want to do it again? Not any time soon. Am I glad I did it? Yes. Did I like giving birth in the water? Yes!
My homebirth experience was amazing. It was so peaceful and wonderful. I was in the comfort of my own home. I had my baby and went and got in my bed. Not a hospital bed in a hospital gown but in my own room. I had complete trust in God, my body and my midwife. It truly was an awesome thing.
And I have to say that I completely believe that a person's ability to go unmedicated is all mental. If you go into it thinking you "might" get an epidural if needed, you will. Every story I've heard of women going unmedicated, it was some horrible experience. I believe it's because in the majority of the stories told to me, the epidural was wanted and for some reason, they were unable to get it. Mental, people. It's all mental.
The end.
Well...
I've still got nothin' to say. It's weird. Usually, even when I don't have anything to write about I have something I've been thinking about that I could write about. But lately I don't.
My life is consumed by Avery. She's so beautiful--hairy ears and all. Every day she is more and more beautiful. More and more alert. More and more funny. She makes the cutest little faces. She frowns alot too--not sure if that's funny or disturbing :0) Geez, for an English major, you think I could write proper sentences but whatever.
I still can't get used to the idea that I have a daughter. It's strange to look at her and know that she is mine. She is David's. She is ours. She's the most perfect baby ever. What mother doesn't feel that way about their own child? Plenty I'm sure. How sad.
She's wonderful. I can't get enough of her. David said last night he can't stop kissing her. Neither can I. I do it all day.
I need to get more pictures of her. Pronto.
My life is consumed by Avery. She's so beautiful--hairy ears and all. Every day she is more and more beautiful. More and more alert. More and more funny. She makes the cutest little faces. She frowns alot too--not sure if that's funny or disturbing :0) Geez, for an English major, you think I could write proper sentences but whatever.
I still can't get used to the idea that I have a daughter. It's strange to look at her and know that she is mine. She is David's. She is ours. She's the most perfect baby ever. What mother doesn't feel that way about their own child? Plenty I'm sure. How sad.
She's wonderful. I can't get enough of her. David said last night he can't stop kissing her. Neither can I. I do it all day.
I need to get more pictures of her. Pronto.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sleeping Beauty
Avery loves sleeping on the couch pillows. She's resting before her appointment with the midwife. Also, she had a rough early morning so I guess she's tired now. And now she's waking up.Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sorry, Nothing to Say
Well, you would think that since I just had a baby, I would have something to say. I don't. I have had the laziest 2 weeks of my life.
My days are consumed with nursing and changing poopy diapers. My girl has had a belly ache the last week or so thanks to my antibiotics. She puked up what seemed like a gallon of milk on me this morning...and yesterday morning too. I've washed my bedding more in the last 2 weeks than I ever have before.
We were heathens today. No church for us. Avery was messing around alot this morning and I was tired. So, I slept in after I put her in her bed.
I'm at a loss for words...
My eyes are heavy...
I'm out.
My days are consumed with nursing and changing poopy diapers. My girl has had a belly ache the last week or so thanks to my antibiotics. She puked up what seemed like a gallon of milk on me this morning...and yesterday morning too. I've washed my bedding more in the last 2 weeks than I ever have before.
We were heathens today. No church for us. Avery was messing around alot this morning and I was tired. So, I slept in after I put her in her bed.
I'm at a loss for words...
My eyes are heavy...
I'm out.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Busy Day
Today we all went to Smith and Edward's which is the furthest Avery has been. She did so good today. She slept pretty much the whole time while I pushed her around in a stroller. David had to go to work so Bonnie and I went to lunch and of course Avery poops all over her clothes. She HATES getting her clothes changed and her diaper changed. Very rarely will she go through it without screaming about it.
Anywho, she is the most beautiful baby EVER! It's pretty cool to look at her and see what David and I created. I've always wondered what our babies would look like. Now I can't wait to see what she looks like as she grows older. What will she look like when she's a young lady?
I think she's going to get a bath tonight, her hair is greasy :0)
Well, David is at work. Bonnie is watching the Brackin kiddos and Avery and I are on our own. Time for a movie!
Anywho, she is the most beautiful baby EVER! It's pretty cool to look at her and see what David and I created. I've always wondered what our babies would look like. Now I can't wait to see what she looks like as she grows older. What will she look like when she's a young lady?
I think she's going to get a bath tonight, her hair is greasy :0)
Well, David is at work. Bonnie is watching the Brackin kiddos and Avery and I are on our own. Time for a movie!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Ouch
Avery got her PKU test done today and she did surprisingly well. Now, when she was at the doctor's office, that was a different story. She was not happy at all!
The doctor we went to today was soooooo much better than the one I've seen a couple times before. He was totally cool with me having had a homebirth and made the comment that doctors could stand to learn a thing or two from midwives. :0)
Of course, the lab tech who did the PKU test was kind of a butt but whatever. I had already been warned about him.
So, we've got a 2 week appt with the midwife on Tuesday.
My lower abdomen is still a bit sore so I'm not sure that this antibiotic has completely kicked the infection. It's so much better though. We'll see.
The doctor we went to today was soooooo much better than the one I've seen a couple times before. He was totally cool with me having had a homebirth and made the comment that doctors could stand to learn a thing or two from midwives. :0)
Of course, the lab tech who did the PKU test was kind of a butt but whatever. I had already been warned about him.
So, we've got a 2 week appt with the midwife on Tuesday.
My lower abdomen is still a bit sore so I'm not sure that this antibiotic has completely kicked the infection. It's so much better though. We'll see.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
My Sweet Girl
Look at my little Avery!!
This picture was taken yesterday 11-08-10. 11 days old. Poor girl has to go get her PKU test on Thursday. I think that's like 12 pricks to her little heel :( So sad. They'll also tell me what her blood type is.
Edit: I don't think they prick her foot 12 times. They have to get enough blood for 12 circles or something.
Monday, November 8, 2010
It's Snowing :0)
Yay! I love it when it snows!!
I wanted to write down 2 things that I love:
1) I love how Avery knows I'm her mommy. It's sweet how when she cries when someone else is holding her and they give her to me, she stops crying. Not always, but usually.
2) I love how she scoots as close to me as possible when we're in bed. Ok, she does it to David too if she's next to him but it's cute how she wants to be so close to me (or apparently a warm body). I like to think it's me.
I was going to upload some photos but blogger won't let me for some reason.
She's so adorable! I love her!
I wanted to write down 2 things that I love:
1) I love how Avery knows I'm her mommy. It's sweet how when she cries when someone else is holding her and they give her to me, she stops crying. Not always, but usually.
2) I love how she scoots as close to me as possible when we're in bed. Ok, she does it to David too if she's next to him but it's cute how she wants to be so close to me (or apparently a warm body). I like to think it's me.
I was going to upload some photos but blogger won't let me for some reason.
She's so adorable! I love her!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Church
Today was Avery's first day in church. I should have taken a picture of her in her little dress but I didn't. Bad mommy :0)
Well, Avery poops a lot. I guess all newborns do but when Avery poops, it sounds like an adult person who has diarrhea. Ok, so my point with this is: Avery pooped in church. When it was quiet. And it sounded like someone was squirting diarrhea in their pants. Nice.
I'm taking amoxicillin right now and I think it's messing with her belly. That doesn't explain the explosive sounding poo because she already did that before I was on the antibiotic.
She had crazy hair for church today. Next time, I don't think I'll wash it the morning of church.
We went to lunch and she slept the whole time and now we're at home relaxing.
Well, Avery poops a lot. I guess all newborns do but when Avery poops, it sounds like an adult person who has diarrhea. Ok, so my point with this is: Avery pooped in church. When it was quiet. And it sounded like someone was squirting diarrhea in their pants. Nice.
I'm taking amoxicillin right now and I think it's messing with her belly. That doesn't explain the explosive sounding poo because she already did that before I was on the antibiotic.
She had crazy hair for church today. Next time, I don't think I'll wash it the morning of church.
We went to lunch and she slept the whole time and now we're at home relaxing.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Going to the Doctor
I have to go to the doctor this afternoon. My lower abdomen is hurting so bad. I can hardly move. It's ridiculous. When I get up I'm light headed and I had a temp of 101.6. I called my midwife and she thinks it's probably the UTI that I had before I had Avery. I wasn't sure if it's uterine or bladder or what. But when I got my antibiotic last week the instructions said do not use past 38 weeks, which I was, and do not use while breastfeeding. So I never took anything for the infection. So I'm going to go back and see what he thinks it is and if he'll give me a different antibiotic.
I am so tired. Avery's been doing really well at night so that's a blessing. She was a little more fussier last night but not too bad. No screaming :0)
Well, I'm going to eat some lunch and try to rest.
I am so tired. Avery's been doing really well at night so that's a blessing. She was a little more fussier last night but not too bad. No screaming :0)
Well, I'm going to eat some lunch and try to rest.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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I Love My Girl
I could sit and stare at this girl all day long. She is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen! She is so precious. I could go on and on. I love my girl. She gets cuter every time I look at her! It's so amazing!
David spent last night in Salt Lake City for work. He had to attend some safety seminars. I missed him and am very glad he's coming home tonight!
David spent last night in Salt Lake City for work. He had to attend some safety seminars. I missed him and am very glad he's coming home tonight!My lower abdomen has been really sore today. It hurt when I stand up and sit down and just aches. I thought it was my uterus but now I'm wondering if it's my bladder. I had that infection before Avery was born but I never did anything about it. I think I'll start the cranberry pills and see if that helps. It sure is hurting. I can't fall apart the first week after having a baby :0)
Avery is one week old today. She had her first outing today. We went to Cafe Sabor. Avery slept the entire time and it was so loud in there. Oh gosh, I just love her!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Pictures!
This is Robin, the assistant. Probably one of the sweetest, most gentle women I've ever met.
This is Chris, my midwife. She is absolutely wonderful. I am so thankful I found her (and chose her over the others!). 40 years and 3000+ babies!
My little Avery, the night one day old...I think.
They don't call it labor for nothing!
Guess It's About Time!
So I've pretty much been a lazy bum this week. I'm entitled right? I just had a baby! A BEAUTIFUL baby girl. I seriously think she's the cutest little newborn I have ever seen! I may be partial but I just call it like I see it!
I guess I will include a birth story here!
Thursday morning I woke up just before 3 AM and got out of bed because my lower right side was hurting. I noticed after a little while that although it would ache constantly, the pain would peak every so often. So, I started timing these pains. They were sporadic, coming 5-10 minutes apart. I started looking online and on my birth board to see if you could have contractions only on one side. Never came to any conclusion from that other than from my own experience that says "yes, you can have contractions only on one side."
I called my midwife around 4:15 and she said to take a bath and see how I feel afterwards. After the bath I still felt the same so I called her back at 7 AM and told her that. She said we'd just wait and see. My contractions could stop or go on for a while she said. So, I waited.
David went to work that morning. So I labored all day by myself. It didn't bother me really, that he went to work because I didn't think I was going to be having Avery that day. And no point in him wasting a day for nothing. Plus, I could be as noisy as I wanted without him there! So by the end I was glad I was alone. I don't think my midwife thought I was doing much really because she made the comment that most women in hard labor don't want to be left alone.
At 12:30 I was sitting in the tub...hurting! I was watching The Proposal on my laptop, when I realized my mucous plug came out! Well, part of it anyway. It continued to come out for the next 2 hours. By 2:30 I called my midwife and asked her how close my contractions needed to be before she came over and she said 2-5 minutes apart and I told her mine were 4 to 5. She said she'd send her assistant over and head on over. So I called David and told him the midwife was coming which meant: get home now please.
David got home a little after 3. Time gets fuzzy here because by the time he got home I was laboring on the toilet and was in the transition stage already. Not long after he got home, the assistant, Robin, got here. David got the tub in the kitchen prepared and ready to fill and the assistant encouraged me, so did David, that I was doing great.
My midwife showed up (I have no idea when) but I was beginning to wonder if she was going to be too late. When she showed up, she listend to Avery's heart and it sounded great. Then she checked me and said "you're ready to have a baby". Wow.
So I waddled to the kitchen and got in the tub and David says it was probably 45 minutes later that Avery Lynn Irving was born! I know I could have gotten her out sooner but dang, pushing hurt!
David and I absolutely could not be happier with our choice of homebirth. It was so amazing. I was never stressed. I wasn't worried that I was going to end up with a C-Section and Avery was born with no drugs working her little liver. No one was coming in and out of my room. No one bothered me at all. It was something natural and not medical.
Never in my life did I think I'd be a woman who gave birth to a child with no drugs. Never! I'm glad I did though.
I love my baby girl!
I guess I will include a birth story here!
Thursday morning I woke up just before 3 AM and got out of bed because my lower right side was hurting. I noticed after a little while that although it would ache constantly, the pain would peak every so often. So, I started timing these pains. They were sporadic, coming 5-10 minutes apart. I started looking online and on my birth board to see if you could have contractions only on one side. Never came to any conclusion from that other than from my own experience that says "yes, you can have contractions only on one side."
I called my midwife around 4:15 and she said to take a bath and see how I feel afterwards. After the bath I still felt the same so I called her back at 7 AM and told her that. She said we'd just wait and see. My contractions could stop or go on for a while she said. So, I waited.
David went to work that morning. So I labored all day by myself. It didn't bother me really, that he went to work because I didn't think I was going to be having Avery that day. And no point in him wasting a day for nothing. Plus, I could be as noisy as I wanted without him there! So by the end I was glad I was alone. I don't think my midwife thought I was doing much really because she made the comment that most women in hard labor don't want to be left alone.
At 12:30 I was sitting in the tub...hurting! I was watching The Proposal on my laptop, when I realized my mucous plug came out! Well, part of it anyway. It continued to come out for the next 2 hours. By 2:30 I called my midwife and asked her how close my contractions needed to be before she came over and she said 2-5 minutes apart and I told her mine were 4 to 5. She said she'd send her assistant over and head on over. So I called David and told him the midwife was coming which meant: get home now please.
David got home a little after 3. Time gets fuzzy here because by the time he got home I was laboring on the toilet and was in the transition stage already. Not long after he got home, the assistant, Robin, got here. David got the tub in the kitchen prepared and ready to fill and the assistant encouraged me, so did David, that I was doing great.
My midwife showed up (I have no idea when) but I was beginning to wonder if she was going to be too late. When she showed up, she listend to Avery's heart and it sounded great. Then she checked me and said "you're ready to have a baby". Wow.
So I waddled to the kitchen and got in the tub and David says it was probably 45 minutes later that Avery Lynn Irving was born! I know I could have gotten her out sooner but dang, pushing hurt!
David and I absolutely could not be happier with our choice of homebirth. It was so amazing. I was never stressed. I wasn't worried that I was going to end up with a C-Section and Avery was born with no drugs working her little liver. No one was coming in and out of my room. No one bothered me at all. It was something natural and not medical.
Never in my life did I think I'd be a woman who gave birth to a child with no drugs. Never! I'm glad I did though.
I love my baby girl!
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