Gemma's 1 Week Check Up

Today Gemma had her 1 week wellness check up with Dr. Brandes. She did such a great job a didn't cry at all.
Here were her stats:
Weight : 7lbs 9.5oz (she was 7lbs 13oz at birth, and when discharged from the hospital she was 7lbs 7oz)
Length: 20.75" long (she was 20" long at birth-so either she grew a lot already or they didn't get a very accurate measure at birth)

The doctor said she was surprised on how alert she was. She looked great doctor said. :) She still wants us feeding Gemma on demand, and throughout the night waking her at least every 4 hours to eat.

We do have to go back next week for a weight check. The doctor just wants to make sure she is back up to her birth weight by 2  weeks.

Heading Home!

It is already time to go home! Yay! I was told I could have early discharge because I had an "easy labor" and baby Gemma looks great. What that means is I could leave 24 hours after her birth. I instantly agreed to leaving. I missed Ellery more than anything, but also unlike when we had Ellery I was ready to dive in and do this "mom of 2" thing. The hospital also had 2 other moms in the Labor and Delivery area so I just thought why stay, be another person the nurses have to worry about and I knew I would sleep better at home without other babies crying and doors constantly opening/closing.

My experience at Westfields Hospital was yet another AMAZING one. They are incredible there. the nurses are always going above and beyond, Dr. Brandes is truly the best dr out there, and I love how it isn't overly big and filled with people. 

Gemma had a little "newborn photo shoot" before we left. I can't wait to see those pictures. Also before we left Gemma had to have her heart screening and last blood test. During these tests Chad and I got a "Congratulations Lunch" from the hospital. It was delicious and sweet. The nurses set up the OB lounge with our dinner, dimmed the lights, and turned on some music in the background. Chad had steak with onions and rice. I had a baked breaded cod with a side salad. We both also got glasses of sparkling apple juice. It was a perfect way to end our stay and prepare to head home. 

We got her set up in her car seat, which made her look even smaller, and headed home to our new lives as the Weiland family of 4!

Laboring

Today is the big day where we get to meet this baby and see if baby is a boy or a girl!

6:15 am---checked into hospital, got my iv put in (took 3 painful tries)

7:10 am---Dr Brandes attempted to break my water.  Didn't get the first we wanted but a bit of fluid. Chad and I walked around to see if we could get the bag of waters to open more.

8:00 am--- Started an iv of pitocin and got my epidural

9:30 am---Legs and toes are numb. Nurse just checked me and I'm at 8cm! Plus I'm leaking tons of fluid and the monitor is showing I'm having tons of consistent contractions. Baby's heartrate is also going strong at 133bpm.

10:00 am--- 9 cm! Nurse thinks heartrate is showing head may be starting to become low and compressed in the birthing canal.

10:40 am---10 cm and they can see the head. The nurses call for Dr. B and say "tell her to hurry". Chad says he is going to pee quick before we start pushing.  I laugh and the nurse says "don't laugh". 

10:42 am--- Dr B walks in and a nurse yells at Chad to "get out here or you will miss it". He comes running,  I
mix cry/laugh at him and baby comes sliding out.  No pushes at all!

Gemma Kemper Weiland born 5/21 @ 10:42am, 7lbs 13oz, 20" long

In a weird mood today...

Today I was in a weird mood..I was overly cranky and short. I got very frustrated with my students in class and didn't even eat in the staff lounge. I just knew I would not be the right company to eat with, so I stayed in my room with my door closed. I called Chad a few hours earlier to check in and ended up crying on the phone but not knowing why. Just because I was stressesd.
I think I am stressed that people constantly check in my room and say "Oh no baby yet...you are still here". I'm not even overdue yet, however it is a bit annoying to constantly hear. I have given up all hope of this baby coming early and now am planning on my induction date: WEDNESDAY!
See you soon baby!

39 Weeks!

I have officially hit "full term" this pregnancy today! It's really hard to believe it has been 39 weeks and I am so close to the end of this. Baby is the size of a watermelon this week! That is exciting, yet extremely scary and painful sounding. I just got home from the dr's office. Baby's heartrate was 125 bpm, he/she is just chilling calmly in there. Bad news from the appointment, I have another bladder infection (that's #3 for this pregnancy) but good news was the dr said I have made progress! Last week I was dilated to a "maybe 1cm" and this week she said she could easily stretch me to 3cm! THAT IS HUGE! 4cm typically means you are in active labor. She said I could go into labor any day now....although that's not a guarantee I could go a week or 2 more. :/
The most important thing for me is to deliver at the New Richmond Hospital and with Dr. Brandes. That is where things get complicated. She is going out of town Memorial Day weekend so if I try to wait out this baby and happen to go into labor next weekend (when I am 40.5 weeks) she wouldn't be there. I am thinking if it doesn't happen by my due date I am going to choose to get induced again (like I did with Elery). Dr. Brandes told me to go home and talk with Chad about it and if we wanted to go the inducing route to pick a day next week. We talked a quick bit and will talk more but I think we will go the inducing route if I don't have the baby by May 20th. I am thinking maybe going in on Wednesday May 21st. That way both kids will have a birthday on the 21st :). Who knows though, maybe this weekend things will happen on their own. :) :) I sure can hope. Until then I just continue to wait through these false contractions that come and go. Speak of the devil....here is a contraction right now.....ouch!

Oh and we gave Dr. B and Nurse Betty their "thank you gifts today" and they LOVED them! We got them personalized tumblers filled with Hershey hugs and kisses! so cute! Thank goodness for people being creative on etsy!

Mother's Day Race for a Cure

Happy Mother's Day! Today (like every year for the past 15 years) we went to the Mall of America to walk the Race for the Cure 5K. A few months back when I noticed how close my due date was to mother's day I was really worried I wouldn't be able to do the walk. But being close to 39 weeks pregnant wasn't going to stop me! I was actually hoping that this would maybe put me into labor. I have had so many contractions and back pain that I am actually surprising myself by wanting to be done. In a couple days when I am actually 39 weeks and FULL TERM  I am 100% okay with baby coming out! He/She would be hopefully as healthy as can be and ready to join us here in the world. 

Well the walk took us less than an hour and half, I had contractions a ton during the actual walk, but after when we went to lunch they stopped...false alarms again. We walked the mall next and still nothing but my belly getting heavy and sore. Overall I had an amazing mother's day and baby stayed put... I guess that's okay. More time to cook and develop. Maybe only a week or so to go anyways...I CAN DO IT! 

Thankful

There are  many things to be thankful for and I feel like many people need these reminders the last few weeks of pregnancy. Everyone wants to be done and have this baby out of them, (I have said it too) but deep down baby is healthier inside than out. Full term isn't until 39 weeks and though most babies are fine after 37 weeks, it is still better for baby to grow and develop in the womb. So I decided to really think about the things I am most thankful for lately and really understand these last 2 weeks or so are great, not miserable.

-I am thankful to have the ability to have children.
-I am thankful to be able to carry a child to full term.
-I am thankful for an amazing and supportive husband that does everything for me and tries so hard to have me relax (even though I reuse to relax "just because I am pregnant"-it was a choice I made)
-I am thankful for Ellery, and seeing that excitement on her face that she is going to be a Big Sister.
-I am thankful that baby is active and lively in my belly at night.
-I am thankful for complication free pregnancy.
-I am thankful that my body has minimal swelling.
-I am thankful that my Strep B test came back negative.
-I am thankful for my great doctor, she is wonderful!

Pregnancy is not only a choice, but a gift. Many people seem to forget this and it makes me sad to hear complaining. No one ever said it would be easy (even though the hard part is actually yet to come). I know that the best spot for this little baby right now is still cooking inside of me. The random contractions, upset stomach and back pains are things I can deal with while I continue to grow this child. Before I know it, the 2 weeks will pass and baby will be big and strong. He/She will be ready to meet everyone and start their exciting life in this exciting world. Keep Growing Baby and I will continue to stay positive and thankful for you :)

38 Weeks and NST Test

Baby is the size of a pumpkin! EEK!

How far along? 38 weeks-2 weeks till the due date

Baby's Heart-rate? 135bpm

Total weight gain/loss? I am officially up 30/31 pounds depending on the day. 

Sleep: I actually sleep great! I just need space to stretch out. I sleep through the night most nights and hate having to actually get up...until I notice he/she is on my bladder and I about about to pee myself. 

Best moment this week: At my appointment today dr was 100% sure head was down and I am starting to have my cervix soften and currently am dilated to 1cm!

Movement: Very little movement the past couple days. Today actually I explained to Dr. Brandes that the movement is really decreased and she sent me over to the OB department for a Non Stress Test (NST). Baby didn't move and his/her heartrate didn't go up or down for about 20 minutes. So the nurse had to give me some apple juice, about 10 minutes later baby was moving more and now he/she is going crazy. One thing the nurse did point out was that I was having quite a few mini contractions while I was there. So maybe my body will be able to do this and go into labor on its own :). Here is hoping! 

Food cravings: Nothing spectacular, more random actually. One night I want french fries, the next night (like tonight) I want eggs. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly is growing and now belly button is flat, not out or in.

Wedding rings on or off? Still fitting but some days my finger is a bit swollen. 

What I am looking forward to: Going into labor and finding out if this baby is a BOY or GIRL! 

Walking

It is a BEAUTIFUL day here in Wisconsin today. 65 degrees and sunny, how could I not take advantage of that (especially after our overly LONG winter). My pelvis has been sooooooooo sore today but no contractions that I could feel all day. So I decided since Chad was at work tonight, Ellery and I would go for a walk. We would just take it REAL slow. On Sunday we have the Mother's Day breast cancer walk and that is a 5k, so I need to make sure I can actually walk it. Tonight Elle and I walked about a mile and a half and it took a while but we did it. I know I will be able to do the 5k on Sunday, it just may take me all day ;)
Tomorrow is my 38 week appointment. It is hard to believe I only have 2 weeks left till my due date. It all went really fast, but lately these last few weeks are slowly happening. I am anxious and yet okay with having them go slow. As uncomfortable as I am and as bad as my back hurts I would love to go into labor soon, however the basement isn't scheduled to have carpet till the 15th of May. So deep down I would rather put up with all this and have that get finished first. I still am anxious for my appointment tomorrow. Last appointment, at 36 weeks, I was completely not dilated, my cervix was thick and far back. I just hope to hear I am making some progress. It is always exciting to hear you are a bit dilated. It just makes you feel like in the end this will really happen.
I also am interested to hear the heartbeat of the baby. Baby has definitely not been moving as much lately and of course I am worried, but trying not to stress. I want to make sure all is okay and it is just because baby is running out of room or calming down. We will see how it all goes tomorrow.

Contractions Every 10 Minutes

Last night was intense...Laying on the couch and in the bed I started having these tightening feelings in my belly. I thought maybe it was just the baby rolling around or pushing but Chad confirmed that my WHOLE belly was like a rock during these moments. So we came to the conclusion that they were contractions, but because they weren't really painful, more of an annoyance, they were the "braxton hicks" contractions. They are your body preparing for labor but not necessarily in labor. Chad started keeping an eye on the clock just to monitor/time them and said they were happening about every 10 minutes. The good thing was that they didn't hurt, other than a few of them that were a little bit painful in my back.
I just drank a ton of water and tried to go to sleep. I am not going to lie, I was a little worried (and I think it was on Chad's mind too) to go to sleep and wake up in full blown labor.
Luckily I woke up just fine and not in labor. I still have had a few contractions here and there but nothing painful. Who knows maybe it is all a sign I will go into labor on my own at some point. :)

Upper Back Pain

I am so sad right now. I have managed to go this whole pregnancy without taking any Tylenol. The little oooooo and ouches I have just fought through, used a heating pad, and  sucked it up. Why take it if you don't REALLY need it? The newest craze everyone is getting into is these "essential oils" So many people like how natural they are and have suggested using them to fight any colds or pains but I am not really buying it to it all and think its more in everyone's head. But hey if it works for you, go for it.
Lately, the last month or so, I have had pretty bad back pain. Not lower back but more upper back pains (like at my bra line-especially on the left side). It happens more frequently and intensely at school if I sit in the small kid chairs or my own desk chair. It actually feels better to be up moving around throughout the day. Same thing at home, it hurts soooooooo bad if I sit at the dinner table or lay on the couch. The past 2-3 days have been the WORST! I tried the heating pad tonight and it really didn't help much. I tried rolling over and getting on all 4s. That actually helped a ton, but who can stay like that for more than 10 minutes....so I finally did it. I caved and took a Tylenol. :( I didn't want to have to take any non-prescribed meds, but I was out of options and in too much pain. Hopefully I can figure out some other pain relieving options for the next 2-3 weeks...otherwise I may take more, even the 1 pill helped a lot.

Hospital Gowns...ick! A New Robe....yay!

Anyone that has been in the hospital knows that the gowns they give you to wear are not exciting or cute...and the birthing center gowns are even worse because not only do they have the opening in the back but also a few cutout openings in the front (for breastfeeding). When people come visit it isn't something I enjoy wearing, that's for sure. So I decided to order a new robe to wear so I can feel less frumpy and look presentable if people come visit and yet make it easy to breastfeed. Well it arrived today and I am LOVING it! It is black, white and coral colored and it is a super soft comfortable material. I am so excited to add it to my hospital bag! EEK only 2-3 more weeks!