More Pictures!!

Introducing...Olivia!!!

I know it has been a LONG time since I blogged, or since Brad blogged for me. Let me catch you up! Olivia was born Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 5:31 pm. She weighed in at 7 pounds and 8 ounces, measuring 19 3/4 inches. It was a pretty easy birth. I think I only pushed for 30-40 minutes and she was here! Brad and I are now the proud parents of a happy and healthy little girl!

Overall, she has been a great baby! We had a little trouble breastfeeding, and she screamed off an on all day Friday and into the night. Brad and I didn't know what to do, we were both worried that she was starving to death. So, I called the pediatrician and she told us to supplement with formula until my milk came in. By the time my milk did come in, she was hooked onto the bottle. (Which is fine with me, I wanted to pump from the beginning anyways, so that I would know how much she is taking in.)

So, I have been trying to figure out my pumping schedule, cleaning bottles, doing laundry, cleaning, and trying to rest. That is why I haven't blogged since she was born.

And now, without any further ado, I present to you...Olivia Kate!

Catching You Up

(This is way overdue, but I started this post when we got home from the hospital so I might as well finish it and post it.)

So the last you heard from us, Katy had just received her epidural and was settling down. The longer the afternoon went on, the crazier things got. Katy's blood pressure fluctuated in response to the epidural. Due to that, she got to sport an oxygen mask the rest of the afternoon. We laid around the delivery room from 1:30 until 4:00 at 7 cm. I decided it was time to eat so I sent my parents out for food. While they were gone, we progressed to 8 cm. I figured I still had time to eat, so when they got back, I met them in the lobby for dinner. As a took my last bite, I saw Katy's mom and aunt come out from the room. They looked a little excited. Once they found me, they told me that dinner was over and it was time to push. Things went pretty quickly after that. The next thing I knew I was holding Olivia while they got everything ready for her initial assessment.

I planned on writing this blog once we got settled into our postpartum room. However, between visitors and figuring out our little one, this got pushed to the back of the priority list. Then I planned on writing it once we got home. That didn't happen either. Now that I finally have a few minutes, I'll finish it up.

Things at home have changed drastically, but we can't complain. We are still trying to figure her out. We are learning what it's like to eat a cold dinner, to get up repeatedly during a movie, and to go for days and days on very little sleep. It's been three weeks since we brought Olivia home and it seems like each week has gotten a little easier. We are anxious to get her on a schedule so things will become a little more stable around the house.

Polo has been great with her. He's interested, but not too interested. There have been times when we've had to keep him from getting too close to her, but there haven't been any close calls or anything like that. He doesn't mind plopping down in our lap while we are holding her so we know he's doesn't resent her. As long as he's the one sleeping in our bed and not her, I think he'll be just fine.

Katy has posted quite a few pictures since I started this post. I'll look back and try to find a few that she hasn't already posted to leave you with.

Hopefully The Worst Is Over

As of 11:30 she was 6 cm dilated. Around that time she decided it was time for the epidural. I don't think she'll mind me saying that she was absolutely terrified of the idea of an epidural. You know, kinda like she was terrified about parasailing for the first time.

She made it known during childbirth classes that she did not like any of her childbirth options. Over time, she decided that an epidural was the way to go. However, because of her back pain, she's weirded out about her back so having it numbed and then having a catheter put in didn't sound too appealing. She handled it like a champ though. It's now 1:10, and Katy and baby are settling down from the epidural and she's at 7 cm now. The doctor says everything is great. I'll keep you posted.

Baby Time!

Brad is going to blog for me today so everyone can keep up.

She had a pretty intense contraction this morning about 1:30 am. We tried to time it, but it was one continuous contraction that lasted until about 1:55 am. She had me call the hospital. They said they wanted her to come in so they could monitor her. We laid around from 2:30 to 4:00 without much change. They paged her doctor at 4:00 and we finally heard back close to 5:00. They decided to keep her for another two hours because they thought she might be in slow labor. When they checked her again at 7:00, she had progressed, so here we are. She was far enough along for them to keep her. They just started her pitocin drip and broke her water. She's just laying here now talking to her family while I monitor her contractions and the baby's heart rate...like I know what I'm looking at. That's where we stand now. I will post again once there's a change.

38 Week Belly Shot

Here is a picture of my ever growing belly at 38 weeks pregnant. Brad and I went to the doctor Wednesday and I was dilated almost 3 cm. Everything looked great. The doctor said to go on and make an appointment for next week but that she didn't think we would need it. She said she suspected that I would give birth within the week. That got both of our hopes up, not to mention our families. So now here we are, still waiting. Every little ache or pain I have, I think that I'm going into labor. However, so far, it hasn't been the case. I have been having more contractions that have been coming a little more regularly, and getting a little more intense. I've been walking and walking and walking, trying to help the situation along.

Today, Brad and I went to Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby, Target, and Babies R Us just picking up some last minute items that we either need, or have been wanting to get. I feel like we walked all over the Memphis area. Although I was worn out by the end of it, it was a fun day! Hopefully the next post will be brought to you from the hospital! :)

Playing the Waiting Game

Well, here we are at 37 (almost 38) weeks pregnant! Olivia's arrival is just around the corner. Brad and I are super excited, although right now I am a little more apprehensive about the whole labor ordeal. I wasn't really thinking too much about labor (pushed it to the back of my mind) until I went to the doctor Wednesday for my weekly checkup. I was 1 centimeter dilated and 80% effaced. What really got me was when the doctor said, "I'll see you next week, unless you go on into labor." Whoaaaa!!! That really hit home. I went home that day and Brad and I pack the hospital bag, and have everything ready to go. I've been feeling a lot more contractions that are lasting longer and are stronger. However, they are not coming at regular intervals.

That's really all for now. I will keep you posted if anything changes! When we do end up going to the hospital, Brad will probably post updates on here and on Facebook.