Recently in Make Me Happy Category
Dana's Arrival (Sep 15 2010)
Twelve days ago, Dana Violet was born. Below is the story of her entrance into the world. I'll be posting later about the postpartum period and first couple weeks.
Sept 3 was my 40-week mark. I woke up at 4:00 AM to go to the bathroom, and feeling frustrated after several days of no progress or labor symptoms, I grumpily said to myself "Happy due date" and went back to bed. One hour later, I woke up to my water breaking. (It feels nothing like wetting the bed.) I tapped on Will's shoulder and told him, and we both started laughing.
We both took showers, then Will made me scrambled eggs while I got dressed and finished packing. We checked into the hospital by 6:00. On the drive over, I said to him, "This is our last car ride as a family of two and a half" and he replied, "Today we'll get the other half."
In triage, I gave them my medical history and they tested to confirm that my water was broken - an internal swab, very uncomfortable. They also did an internal exam and told me I was about 1.5 - 2cm dilated, 50% effaced, with -3 station. This was basically no change since my 37 week exam.
By 8:00 I was transferred to my delivery room and introduced to my nurse Heidi. She gave us a lot of information - how the room was set up, what was physically happening in my body, how to read the monitors, my pain relief options, etc. She was extremely upbeat and moved fast, since she was also nurse to another lady in labor down the hall. I was not having regular contractions, and the ones I did have were not severe, so we just hung out for an hour or two. We called our parents around this time, and they started making travel plans. I'm pretty sure my parents left St Louis within the hour.
Heidi came back around 10:30 or so to let us know that one of the doctors (whom I had yet to meet) had prescribed pitocin to get my contractions more regulated. She explained that first-time labor can take a long time, and since my water had broken first, there was a certain timeline we needed to be on to avoid increased risk of infection. Once she started the drip, things really started to happen.
My contractions went from 8 minutes apart with minor discomfort, to really painful contractions about every 2 minutes. I could usually tell when one was coming because the baby's heart rate would increase - it sounded like a dance beat, which I found somewhat comforting, like she was my little cheerleader trying to pump me up. At this point I could not talk through a contraction. During each contraction, all I could do was clutch the side rail of the hospital bed, and try to breathe (though moaning usually felt better). Will tried rubbing my back or doing the counter-pressure thing we had read about, but I was too far in.
Around 11:30 I was ready to talk about pain meds. The 30 minutes which passed between my calling the nurse and the anesthesiologist actually administering the epidural were agony. When we called for the nurse, she was doing something with her other patient, so after a while Will went out in the hall and found a different nurse to talk to us. She asked if I was ready for the epidural or if I wanted an IV with some sort of opiate I can't remember the name of. I told her I was in lots of pain but wanted to wait until I was at least 4 cm dilated to get the epidural, to decrease the risk of labor slowing down and having to undergo a Cesarean.
She did a quick internal and told me I was 6 cm (!!!) along. So that was settled. By noon the epidural was in (not a bad experience AT ALL compared to the contractions), and I was feeling relaxed, warm, and itchy. All the birth stories I read led me to believe that you'd feel some sort of high after getting the epidural, but that was not the case. I just felt like myself again, instead of a tortured wild animal or something. Nevertheless, it was wonderful and I thanked the anesthesiologists profusely. They said the dose would last about an hour or so, and we should let a nurse know if it started to wear off and I needed another.
At 12:30 a doctor came in to check on me, and after doing an internal exam, said I was 10 cm (complete) and ready to push as soon as I felt the urge. I wasn't feeling anything like this. The doc said the baby was doing fine and my blood pressure was OK, so we could give it a little time "laboring down" - basically having me sit up and letting gravity pull the baby into position.
Around 1:00 I started to feel the contractions again (the epidural wearing off) but still no urge to push. I started feeling scared and unsure, so we called for help. Soon there were a number of people in the room, including the doctor who had examined me most recently. This doctor had me try a couple of practice pushes, advising "If you poop all over the bed, you're doing it right." This was reassuring, since that was precisely what I feared. To this day, I'm not sure if I did or not.
At some point in the next 15 minutes, a different doctor took over and I started to push in earnest. I never really felt the overwhelming urge described in the books, just that the contractions were painful and it might be good to do something to get through them. With each contraction, the doctor had me push three times for 10 seconds each. I had heard that some women find pushing very empowering, but I didn't feel like I was accomplishing very much at first and kept asking for reassurance, "Am I doing it right? Is the baby OK?"
It was very hard work and after half an hour I was exhausted. I started to cry and hyperventilate between pushes, so they put a mask on me to make sure the baby was getting enough oxygen. I considered asking if it was too late to turn back and just get a C-section, at least that way I'd get my epidural refilled. It had worn off almost entirely at this point, so I was basically feeling everything when the baby crowned.
Suddenly there were 20 people in the room, but no one at the foot of my bed - they were all scurrying around getting masks and stuff on. Someone said to hold on, not to push, just to breathe for a minute. I was huffing and puffing and sobbing and moaning and looking around desperately for someone to come back and help me get this baby the rest of the way out. Then the doctors came back and said it was OK to push now, so I tried. I am not sure how long it took - could have been 2 minutes, could have been 20. At 2:33 PM, I saw Dana Violet's face for the first time.
She was very pink and started crying right away, before her feet were even out! All the doctors were exclaiming how big she was. I had been crying too but now it was from overwhelming joy and relief. I said, "Hello beautiful!" and touched her head before a pediatric nurse took her over to a different part of the room to get cleaned off and checked out. While the doctor and resident were giving me some stitches, the pediatric nurse announced her weight: 8 lbs, 13.4 oz. Overall, my labor lasted 9.5 hours, and then I got to hold her. We tried breastfeeding and she latched on right away. She is the most beautiful and brilliant baby, and I'm so glad I am her mom and will get to know her as she grows up.
Posted by Rebecca at 09:40 | Comments (0)
Very Accomplished (Aug 27 2010)
In addition to working a half day today, I did a lot of work on this website. It's been a while since I played with Movable Type enough to actually make it work for me, but I figured it out! Links to archives and individual entries work, and you can now post comments. Whew!
Also, we had the changing table delivered yesterday, and Will got it all set up (including a safety wall anchor that will keep it from being tipped over). Now that the last element of the nursery is in place, I thought I'd post some photos.
View of the nursery from the entrance door.
View of the futon, shelving, and window plants.
We received this baby blanket, cross-stitched by my aunt Linda. Thanks Linda - it's beautiful!
Pooh and Rabbit on one of the shelves over the futon, along with children's books.
End table in the corner near the window. Olivia bought us the Golden Gate photo from BlurboMat.
The other corner, with Ikea chair and nursing pillow.
That's catnip growing in the planter on the window sill.
Corner chair with changing table and bear prints from ZukZuk.
Lastly, changing table and crib, with Dana's baby quilt hanging up.
So we're all ready to go - Calapitter's back up to snuff and the nursery's done! Now all we need is the baby.
Posted by Rebecca at 06:37 | Comments (0)
Funny Baby (Jul 20 2010)
Yesterday Dana had the three separate episodes of hiccups. I guess we know whose daughter she is. :)
Posted by Rebecca at 10:36 | Comments (0)
First Trimester Ultrasound (Feb 20 2010)
Yesterday we had our first trimester ultrasound. Will and I had told our parents, closest friends, and a few other family members, but we were waiting to actually see the baby before we shouted the news from the mountain top (i.e., posted the news on Facebook).
We had been looking forward to the appointment for two long weeks, since the initial prenatal visit. I had gone into the prenatal visit with high expectations, hoping to receive an ultrasound that same day, but it didn't happen -- Dr. M said it was too early (at 10 weeks) to see or hear much. I was very disappointed, but this new ultrasound appointment gave me one more thing to look forward to.
To avoid being disappointed again, I guess I had lowered my expectations for this visit. Despite having memorized the "What to Expect" chapter related to the third month and the illustration of a tiny, person-shaped baby, I still expected to see on the screen an indeterminate blob-shape with a fluttering heartbeat. What we got was so much better!
As soon as the image came up on the screen, I could immediately recognize the shape of a tiny person! This came as quite a shock, but I was immediately filled with happiness. We laughed as the baby squirmed around and wiggled its legs. We got a look at that baby from all angles. I loved every minute. Ultrasound technology has come a long way from what you see in the movies -- the images are much clearer, and they even warm the jelly before they put it on your belly.
In the month that we've known about the pregnancy, up until yesterday, there was always a small element of worry in my mind that the baby wouldn't be healthy. However, when I heard the baby's heartbeat and saw those baby dance moves, I just knew this baby was OK, and that I was in love.
Posted by Rebecca at 10:43 | Comments (2)
Big News (Feb 20 2010)
Will and I are excited to announce that we are going to be parents. :) I'm about 11 or 12 weeks pregnant. The baby is due around the first week of September.
Overall I'm feeling well -- not much trouble with morning sickness. My main complaint (besides having to give up bacon: nitrates = bad for baby) is just feeling tired all of the time, but the books say that will go away in a couple weeks.
Will is very happy and supportive and helpful. I'm very thankful he's such a good husband, and I know he will be a great father.
Posted by Rebecca at 10:34 | Comments (0)
Valentine's Day Update! (Feb 14 2008)
It's been about five months since I last updated, and about two weeks since the last big piece of news, and I thought today (Valentine's Day) would be a good time to break the news: I'm getting married. :) :)
Will proposed to me the morning of Friday, February 1. It was about 8:00 in the morning and there was a knock on the door, which Will answered as I continued to doze. He came back to bed and we started having a brief conversation about FDIC and the improbability of bank runs in the U.S., until there was a pause, and he said, "Becky, I have something I want to talk to you about."
I asked what it was, and he presented me with a small box, which I opened...
I looked at him, and he said, "Will you marry me?" I think I smiled at him and put the ring (originally his Gram's and then his mom's) on my finger and said yes and kissed him about one million times. We lay there in our PJs, all cozy and happy, and snuggled and enjoyed the moment for a few minutes, but then it was time to get up and start calling family to tell them the good news. Everyone was very happy for us, and then I went to teach my class at 10:30.
I was bursting with the news, and when I was using the document camera while teaching, I wondered to myself if any of my students were looking at my ring, but I think they were all busy learning accounting. :)
The next morning we (Will and Tyler and I) got up REALLY REALLY early to go to St. Louis to check out the chapel, where we decided to have the ceremony. Will was pretty pooped when we got there and while we were waiting for the coordinator to show up, but then he perked right up when we got inside the chapel. It's really so beautiful, with all this golden light, and .. I had been hoping for some time that Will would ask me to marry him, so the fact that he had asked me, and that we were starting the planning process.. it was all kind of moving and just lovely for me.
The next day (Sunday), Will and I trekked out to the 9th Street Abbey in Soulard, to see whether it would be a good place for a reception. We looked at it the day after a Mardi Gras party so it was a little cluttered, but here are some photos: (this is on a grey day so the light isn't the best)
So basically we thought it was beautiful. I went back and visited with my parents the next Friday and met with Susie from Patty Long Catering, and loved it, so we booked it. By the way, the wedding will be September 12, 2008, in the afternoon, with the reception in the evening. We're planning to have breakfast for dinner, but there will also be chicken in a white wine caper sauce for those people who are offended by the idea of breakfast in the PM. We're still setting the menu, but wouldn't mini-waffles just be an adorable 'horse doover' (as Grandpa K once called it)?
Then, last Saturday, Will and I went to The Enchanted Bride bridal shop, on Olive. People (Mom included) were scandalized that I brought him with me, since there's that superstition about it being bad luck for him to see me in the dress before the wedding day, but.. nevertheless, we found The One there. It was only the third dress I tried on, and it fit like a dream, and I felt like one million dollars in it, especially with Will looking at me with love and admiration in his eyes.
So those are the big things we've done so far. We've set the color palette as ivory, dark red (crimson/burgundy, not wine/purple), and gold. I've also basically designed the invitation. I also have found some ideas on flowers and stuff from theknot.com, and my favorite so far is:
Any other information you want about our wedding will (eventually) be found at www.willandbecky.org, which my dad bought for us so that we could share information and details about planning and the actual big day with all the guests. :) So go there and check back often.
Posted by Rebecca at 05:40 | Comments (0)
At Least Two Big Things. (Sep 18 2007)
Eighty days ago, I set a weight loss goal of 25 lbs. Today I met that goal, with a combination of diet, exercise, and overactive thyroid hormones.
Six days ago, I began a relationship with a wonderful person named Will, who just so happens to be the big brother of my best friend from undergrad, Olivia. :) I visited him last weekend in Chicago (where he's a PhD student in the Classics department at the University of Chicago), and even though we were both anticipating a lot of awkwardness and weird times, there was none of it. There was a quiet pause every now and then (especially when I had just gotten there and we were sitting out on the balcony and I was overly excited and having heart palpitations), but mostly I just felt comfortable and happy to be there. I love talking to him and even just listening to him talk, because no one talks like him. He uses words I didn't even know existed. He communicates thoughtful, well-articulated ideas (something I struggle with, these days). He incorporates references to opera and literature into conversation, for Pete's sake! But for all his intellect, he's not stuffy -- he cracks me up when he gets idioms wrong, or sings Johnny Cash, or imitates Sean Connery, or really most potently, when he's blabbering out of exhaustion.
"I think there are one L in 'balloon'."
So it's probably pretty clear that I'm enthusiastic about it, and one reason for it, is that it doesn't feel like dating. It feels like what dating OUGHT to be like -- an enjoyable process of getting to know a wonderful person.
Other than that, I've just been teaching and trying to keep up with my classes, which is tough with my Financial Reporting Theory & Practice class, but easier with others. I'm going to get an iodine uptake test next week to figure out what is going on with that, so I'll try to update with the results on that. Hasta luego.
Posted by Rebecca at 06:11 | Comments (0)
Plans! (Dec 31 2006)
Looks like it's shaping up to be a good New Year's Eve. Today is Joe's 21st birthday, and he's having a get-together downtown at McGurk's (an Irish pub place), so Rob and I are going to make our way up there around 9:30. Hopefully I will take pictures and put them up later.
Posted by Rebecca at 05:46 | Comments (1)
BYU and Mattie (Nov 13 2006)
Apparently my friend Matt doesn't like the idea of me even considering BYU as a grad school, just because it is run by crazies. Pish, like that stopped me from attending Rhodes. And he can't talk, he's considering going to CAPE GIRARDEAU for grad school, for God's sake. That's like Crazy Central Incorporated, Inc. Or so the many statisticians in my employ have informed me.
Anyway, so I sent him an email explaining why I was considering it:
| Reasons for considering BYU: 1. Because tuition out there is like 30% what it is here (and I understand that’s for a reason). 2. Because Salt Lake City is muy bonita. These are NOT reasons I am considering BYU: 1. Because I hate gay people. 2. Because I want to become a Mormon. 3. Because I want to become a Mormon so that I can more effectively hate gay people. And, dude, Cape Girardeau isn’t THAT bad of a place. I’d say it’s marginally better than Springfield. |
To which he replied:
|
1. BYU is in Provo, the second most dangerous city in America. 2. I can teach you how to more effictively hate gay people right here in Memphis...for free! 3. Cape-G sucks, despite its proximity to Jasper's. The end. 4. Listing one's arguments number-by-number is an efficient and effective method at expressing one's point of view. 5. It is commonly known that Mormons hate the St. Louis Cardinals. I love you. |
He is such a darn liar! The second most dangerous city in America is DETROIT, not Provo. Interestingly, St. Louis was #1 on that list. Coincedence that they were both World Series 2006 teams? Probably.
Posted by Rebecca at 02:40 | Comments (1)
Smart & Dumb. (May 10 2006)
First, smart. Mrs Taylor, praising Tyler at the awards ceremony: "The best mathematics students I've had in many years." (He also won the Spanish IV award, and received the clock for having above a 4.0. He's ranked 11th in his class.)
Second, dumb. On Law and Order: Criminal Intent, detective Eames: "Too bad it wasn't a swimming lessons patch."
Posted by Rebecca at 12:20 | Comments (1)