Awaiting Baby's Arrival

On Sunday, February 28th, I arrived at Clovis Community Hospital, not really knowing what was going to happen. Kevin was hoping that all that was going to happen was that the nurses were going to check to see how the baby and I were doing and then be sent home. We didn't really expect to stay. Little did I know, Dr. Swanson had something else in mind for us.

When I checked into the hospital, I was taken to a room and told to put on the standard issue hospital gown, put into bed and hooked up to the fetal monitor machine. A nurse came in and explained to Kevin and I what all was going to happen. Apparently, Dr. Swanson was planning on inducing me the next day as a precaution because of the gestational diabetes.

Despite Kevin's hopes, we were spending the night at the hospital. Well, once I was given the medication that was going to help soften my cervix and was all settled into my room, Kevin went home to grab some things and to also get us something to east as we hadn't eaten since lunch time and I was not on a diet restriction just yet.

First thing the next morning, Dr. Swanson came to check on me. He told me the procedures od induction that was going to happen over the next few hours, which included breaking my water and administering the pitocin and then checking my cervix every couple of hours to see how far I had dilated. While we waited for the mediation to run its course, my mom and Melissa, Kevin's sister, arrived to spend the day with us as we waited for the baby's arrival.

I did pretty well for the first couple of hours after the pitocin took affect and the contractions started. From day one, I told everyone that I did not want to have an epidural done, so I opted for alternative pain medication that was administered through an IV in my hand. By mid-afternoon, the pain from the contractions became to bad for me to endure any longer (to the extent that I was told that at one point I flipped Kevin off for taking pictures of me in pain), so I eventually gave in and had the epidural done.

At around two or three in the afternoon, the nurse came in and checked on me and told us that I was dilated to about a six and that we should have the arrival of a baby sometime before 8 p.m. or so. At around 4:30 or so, Kevin decided that he needed to go home real quick and grab a bote to eat, take a shower as he had been with me all night the night before and bring me some things I wanted from home, and I was fine with that.

A couple of hours later, Dr. Swanson came into check on me and told me that I was still dilated at a five or six and I had not dilated any further since the nurse had come in and checked on me a few hours before. While Kevin was still at home, Dr. Swanson informed me that he was not happy with the progress that I had made and was going to have to deliver the baby by c-section. I had to ask home if could wait until Kevin got back and Melissa had to call her brother and tell him that he needed to get back to the hospital as soon as possible as the doctor wanted to take me in soon.

As soon as Kevin arrived, the nurses quickly prepared me for surgery and rolled me out of my room and into the operating room. At 7:21 p.m., Faith Catherine Westbrook arrived into this world by c-section, weighing in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19.5 inches in length.

Preparing for Baby's Arrival

On Thursday, February 25, I went to see Dr. Swanson for my 38-week check up with Kevin in tow. Dr. Swanson did his usual exam and then checked my cervix to see if I was dialated yet, which, according to him, I was to a one. After he finished his exam, he looked at us and told me that he wanted me to check into the hospital Sunday night at 5 p.m. and he would meet with me at the hospital first thing Monday morning. Not really sure about what is going on, we said okay and went home.

Well, once Kevin and I got home, we realized that there was still quite a bit a things that we needed to do before the baby's arrival, like finish hanging up pictures in the nursery and going to have some maternity pictures taken.

On Sunday morning, Kevin and I went to the mall and had some maternity pictures taken of us before the baby came. This was the first time the two of us had had our pictures taken like that, aside from our wedding, was when we had first started dating, nearly twelve years ago. That task alone nearly took all afternoon. Needless to say, we didn't make it to the hospital on time, but when Kevin is involved, when are we ever on time!

27 weeks and counting

Well, a lot has happened over the last two weeks. Here's a recap:

On December 1, 2009, as I was laying on the couch watching TV while Kevin was getting ready to go to work. While lying down, the baby started to move and kick quite a bit for about 15 to 20 minutes or so. When Kevin came out in to the living room, I told him to come over to me. He looked at me funny and told me that he was getting ready for work. I told him to come over to me again, and he did. I told him to put his hand on the side of my abdomen and hold it there. He then put his hand where I told him to and waited a few seconds. He looked at me and said, I don't feel anything. I told him to have some patience. After a few seconds, he looked at me and had a big grin on his face, the baby had kicked him in the hand pretty hard a couple of time. He was so excited. I don't think I could have given him a better birthday present.

The next day was his birthday. With him being so hard to shop for because he never asks for anything, I decided to get him a "Family" photo frame and put a couple of pictures in it. I put one of the two of us together, a picture of my growing belly that he took and a picture of the last ultrasound that was done. We went out to dinner with him mom, step dad and sister that night. After dinner, I presented Kevin with his present.

Needless to say, Kevin loved the present. So did everyone else.

Also on December 2, 2009, I had to go to the lab to have my glucose test done to see if I have gestational diabetes. (I'm told that every pregnant woman has to do this test.) it is a test where they make you fast overnight and go in first thing in the morning, drink a really sugary flat orange soda tasting drink and then wait an hour before they draw your blood. Well, I go the test results back yesterday and was told that I have to go back and take the three-hour test because my glucose level was elevated. I was also told that my iron count was low, but all I had to do to fix that problem is take an iron supplement at night. I will be going back to the lab on Monday to have the long test done.

Yesterday, I also had my 27 week checkup with Dr. Swanson. Other than the glucose issue, my pregnancy is going great. The baby does not like the doppler that the doctor/nurses use to check the baby's heartbeat as it just moved around every time the doctor tried to get a reading. i go in and see him again on December 28th, then in January I start seeing him every two weeks and then in February its every one week until the baby's born.

Only 13 more weeks or so!

25 weeks.....

As of today, I am 25 weeks along in the pregnancy. That leaves me with 15 more weeks, give or take a few days, to go until our little bundle of joy arrives.

Yesterday, I went and had a maternity massage at Zena's Island Day Spa. It felt soooo good. I would love to have one of those pillow things they have that has a whole in the middle so you can lay on your tummy and not put any pressure on the baby. I think that it might help me sleep a little better at night as I have always been a tummy sleeper. I only had the 30 minute massage, but am thinking that if I go again, I will do the hour long one next time.

The baby has been moving quite a bit the last few days. I can feel it as it swims about. I can only imagine how big it is by now as it's movements are getting stronger everyday. My only concern about the baby moving this much at this point is it wrapping the umbilical chord around it's neck. I guess it's something that I can talk to my doctor about at our next visit.

Baby movements....

A few nights ago, Kevin and I were laying in bed watching TV when the baby started moving/kicking me pretty hard in my tummy. Kevin looked at me as I winced a little in pain as the movement had caught me off guard. I told him that the baby was moving and was kicking pretty hard.

He placed in hand on my belly and looked a me and said, "I don't feel anything." I told him to give it some time and he might feel something. After a few seconds, he looked at me again and smiled, "I still don't feel anything." I told him, give it some time.

After a few minutes, I felt the baby move and Kevin looked at me with a confused yet excited look on his face and asked me, "Was that the baby move? Did I just feel the baby? Did you feel it?"

I looked at him and just laughed and told him that that was in fact the baby moving. He thought it was the neatest thing to finally feel the baby.

Baby news!

Well, I guess the news is out to everyone...and I'm a little slow for posting on here. I'm pregnant with our first child! Kevin and I are so excited. Our little one is due March 5, give or take a few days.

Our little bundle of joy at 19 weeks, 3 days

Me at 23 weeks, 5 days - Starting to show....

The experience so far has been great. I never really had any morning sickness with the exception of the occasional bout of nauseousness. I started feeling the baby move at about 20 weeks or so and that alone has been entertaining. I have had a few nights where the baby would not let me get comfortable enough to fall asleep because it was moving so much. One of those times, Kevin laid down next to me and started talking to the baby and humming a lullaby. Amazingly it worked and the baby calmed down enough for me to get some rest that night. Recently, the baby has discovered how to push and bruise my ribs. I have never felt anything so painful in my life, but then again, I guess paybacks a bitch!

I'll continue to post more as we get closer to the due date with more pictures and funny stories should they arise. Until then...enjoy!

Never Forget September 11, 2001

These are some of the pictures that Kevin and I took at Ground Zero last year on September 12, 2008 while we were vacationing in New York City. We avoided Ground Zero on the actual day because of all of the attention is was getting and because both presidential candidates were there.

We actually arrived by train from Boston to New York on September 11th to find the whole city in a very somber mood. It was still full of the hustle and bustle you see on TV, but it was very quite for NYC. Kevin and I will always remember what it was like to be in NYC on this day.

Ground Zero - the rebuilding process: 7 years later

Ground Zero - a wreath standing along the Memorial alley

Ground Zero - Another wreath along the Memorial alley

A plaque we found on a wall outside a Firehouse in Manhattan

To the 343 men and women who gave their lives to save thousands of others, you will never be forgotten! Thank you and God Bless you and your families.