It's Been So Long!

How time flies! The past week has gone by in a blur, with little Addison consuming all of our attention! My updates will more than likely be short and sweet. Little bursts of information here and there as I try to sneak in my other daily tasks (like showering or checking my email) in between her sleep schedule.
To recap, we went into the hospital (finally) on Saturday the 17th around 2 pm. We were admitted just a half our later and by 12:16 am on Sunday, January 18th she had arrived. Our first few moments were a little chaotic - the fact that I had a slight fever during labor and she had swallowed some of the meconium gave the doctor's a cause for concern. So instead of us getting to hold our little girl right away she was taken out of the room for three hours and sent to the "Special Baby Unit". Needless to say we were a little freaked, but everything turned out alright in the end and she is doing well.
The past week Alex and I were both able to be home with her, which was really nice to connect as a family unit. We took her to her first doctor's visit, on her first walk, and gave her a bath. (Those were the highlights). Now that Alex is back at work, she and I have been hanging out. She sleeps and I attempt to keep myself occupied. And today, her bellybutton finally fell off... I'll admit that I cried. Not really sure why; I suppose because that's just one little step to her not being a tiny baby anymore. I've turned into such a nerd.
I am attaching some pictures of her - hooray no more belly shots! - and I hope you all enjoy. Alex and I are almost constantly behind the camera now, taking pictures of virtually her every movement like two fools. But she doesn't seem to mind... too much.

Due Date

Yesterday was Addison's due date. Today I am at work, still having contractions, still 5-7 minutes apart (this has been going on since Sunday). Although their intensity is increasing, I am refusing to go to the hospital until I have to literally crawl in there. On Monday, during our 40 week visit, they gave us a non-stress test to monitor her heart rate while I was having contractions. Well, every time a contraction would occur her heart rate would drop dramatically. So they sent us down to Labor & Delivery. They monitored our situation as well (in total it was about 4 hours worth of laying in a bed hooked up to these darn monitors). The L&D doctor came in and through an ultrasound determined that the cord is under her armpit, which is the cause for why her HR keeps dropping when she is being squeezed. But it is no big deal. He told us he would admit us that night, but we declined. I did not want to lay in their beds anymore, I just wanted to go home. He told us that if the contractions intensified, we should come back in.

That night and all through Tuesday morning, the contractions were getting stronger. Alex and I got everything together, did some last minute things around town, and went in to the hospital. They put us back on the monitors for two hours. The midwife on duty came in and said that although I was having contractions every 3-5 minutes, the ones that were actually changing my situation (or causing me to dilate) were every 5-7 minutes. She said we could stay, but if in a few hours the progress wasn't significant enough, they would start Pitocin. I declined the offer and again we went home.
It would be a different situation if I were not dilated or effaced, uncomfortable, or even just sick of being pregnant. But nothing has really been that bad and my body is naturally progressing on its own. Why not just let it do its thing? Poor Alex is making himself physically ill because of all the anxiety and anxiousness. For now, though, we are just sitting back and playing the waiting game.

Last Night's Visit

Obviously this is a completely new experience for Alex and I. We have only a vague idea of what to expect when this baby starts making her way into the world. The vast amounts of advice and "let me tell you exactly how this will be" scenarios from those around us, while helpful, only offer us what someone else has experienced. And every story is different, so we really just have to wait and see what our experience will be. Which brings me to yesterday afternoon....
I have never felt the sensation of my water break before, but Tuesday night some strange things started occurring. So yesterday, I finally thought that I should call just to make sure I wasn't being neglectful (it had almost been 24 hours & my midwife has said numerous times the first 24 hours after your water breaks you need to come in). I called, explained the situation to the nurse and she told me to come in. I called Alex, who was glad I was finally listening to him since he told me to call the night before, and headed to the hospital. For three hours they had me hooked up to monitors. My contractions were 6-8 minutes apart, and I was dilated to 3 cm. But when they checked my water, it was unfortunately still intact. So I was sent home. Although we were slightly disappointed, Alex & I were also glad that everything was still okay with Addison and progressing.
There have been few other times in my life where I have really felt as if my patience was being tested. It is hard, especially in today's society, to just take a step back and let a situation work itself out rather than try and push things in the direction you want them to go. I have had to resign myself to the fact that no matter how many times I run up and down the stairs trying to get my water to break, or how often I eat spicy foods, this little girl will be ready when she's ready. After a lot of praying and inner reflection I am willing to "let go and let God". He knows what He's doing and I just need to sit back and be thankful.

Doctor's Visit

This will be short but sweet. Yep, I'm still pregnant... but we are making progress. Another cm dilated (that's 2 whole cm so far). Baby is still doing well, her heart rate was a little crazy today but the doctor said that's probably just her being frustrated. She is also measuring at a full 40 weeks. So, we will continue to hang out and wait. Last night we had some activity, actual contractions from 2a- 7a but they never got to the magic 5 min. apart time line (more like 10-15 min). And of course by the time I got to the OB, they had subsided. But it is exciting nonetheless to know that things are progressing.

39 weeks

Alright, now I might just be posting a bit more than usual because it gives me something to do. Anything to keep my mind off of the fact that I am NOT in labor yet. All weekend long we'd been hopeful, contractions at regular intervals, positive signs of downward movement (I say positive now but at the time I felt very awkward). Everything seems to be going along smoothly. Tomorrow morning, another doctor's appointment. We'll wait to see what she has to say. In my perfect situation it would go something like this:
me: "Well doctor let's do this checkup"
doctor: "Okay... my goodness look at how dilated you are! Let's get you changed and ready for labor"
me: "Really? Well if you insist"
20 minutes later
doctor: "All done, here's your baby, have a nice life"
me: "Great, thank you so much."
baby: "I don't know why I took so darn long to come out, this world is great!"
The end.
Yep... that's my best case scenario. But I can go without the talking baby if need be.

38 1/2 weeks and waiting...

Unfortunately Alex and I did not get the child tax write-off for 2008; Addison has still not made her entrance into the world. Our excitement is building, however because we are beginning to notice definite changes. The "practice contractions" are becoming much more frequent and a bit more noticeable. I wouldn't say painful, yet, just uncomfortable. She has also definitely moved farther down. If I hadn't noticed from the constant trips to the restroom, then the near constant remarks from other people would be a clue. ("Wow that baby looks like its about to drop right out"... yeah thanks)
At our 38-week visit on Tuesday our midwife said everything was "progressing smoothly". What I had really wanted her to say was, "today's the day, let's do this"! I am 75% effaced and 1 cm dilated... which I accept as better than nothing. After perusing several blogs and baby forums I saw that this progression was common, glad we're not lagging behind! And everyone progresses differently so who knows what will happen next week.
The past two weeks were very relaxing and I probably slept more than anything else. (#1 reason why I have not been updating this blog! Oops!) In total I only had to work for 4 days in the past two weeks (it's awesome how the office worked out our holiday time off!). Alex and I were thankful for the opportunity to get all of our last minute needs in order and to just kick our feet up and unwind. Although being two people who rarely sit still we have also been running around town, walking every day, and renovating both of our bathrooms. Anything we can do to keep from going crazy with anticipation!