We Have a Bean!

Bean’s Birth Story

I was induced for non medical reasons (hubby will be going away starting the end of this week for the entire month of October and into November). RoBrotz and I were scheduled to go into the hospital at 7 am. We had planned on both going to drop Peanut off at daycare early then heading over to the hospital. However, around 5:50, the hospital called and stated that there was a huge influx of women in active labor and asked that I wait at home and they would call me later to let me know when exactly to come in.

RoBrotz and I hung out at home. This gave us some time to hang out with Peanut, and enjoy being a family of 3 for only a bit longer. We took Peanut over to daycare around 8. I didn’t want her to miss breakfast over at daycare. That would be bad. We were attempting to keep her schedule as ‘normal’ as possible. The hospital called when I got home, and said that they’d have my room available for me at 11 am.
RoBrotz and I got to the hospital a bit after 11. They were just starting to clean up a few rooms so we ended up hanging out for about a half hour waiting. Finally, we were able to get into a room. The nurse came in after I was in the hospital gown to hook me up to the IV. Apparently, she was the best nurse to do IVs, but I have terrible veins. She ended up blowing my one vein in my arm (my arm looks very zombie like now), but was able to get it in my left hand. Hooray!

After being checked and told that I was around 2-3 cm and 50% effaced. Baby was still very high, around a -3 station. Finally, the resident was able to get ahold of the doctor and they started me on Pit. From around 1:30 until maybe 7, we were hanging out, chilling. DH was able to get food, etc and I was able to do some knitting and watching TV. My doctor was able to come in around 5 or 6. He said that I was still around 3 cm, at about 75-80%, and baby was around a -2, almost a -1. He informed me that once I hit a 0 station, they’d break my water and that should speed things along. Around 7:55, the resident came in and informed me I was 3-4 cm, 80% and at a 0 station. She went ahead and broke my water. With that, the contractions definitely got more intense.

At this point, I turned off the TV (well, we turned the volume down, because DH actually was watching the Phillies game). He put on some NeedToBreathe to help me concentrate through the contractions while he massaged my lower back. I definitely had some fun back labor. I was getting exhausted lying on my side, so the nurse decided to switch me to a birthing ball. The ball was fantastic and by rolling my hips back and forth while in between contractions, I was able to help shift Bean into a better position. All the while, DH was helping remind me to breathe better and massaging my back.

We shifted again to a standing position this time. In between these contractions, it was like RoBrotz and I were dancing. He kept making jokes but unfortunately, laughing hurt. It did help me deal with the pain though. After a bit, I didn’t want to stand anymore. My legs were giving out on me and I wanted to lie down. We decided for me to lay on my left side to labor. It helped to hear the music better. My breathing through the contractions were with the beat, which the nurse was impressed with. (Hey, DH and I met in a band, of course I’d be breathing with the beat!)

Finally, I felt better when I pushed a bit while contracting, and told the nurse such. I didn’t push hard, just enough to keep the edge off. At this point, I had requested the Stadol. My nurse gave me an extremely low dose. I remember seeing the time at 9:40 and thinking, oh man, I need to get through this, only a few more hours!!! I honestly thought Bean wouldn’t be born until after midnight.

The nurse had called the doctor and he showed up around 9:45. RoBrotz even thought he’d say, “okay, she’s at a 8-9” but instead, we were told, “Okay, it’s time to push.” The first contractions, I was still on my side, but we were able to get me onto my back to push in between the contractions. I pushed the first time, but didn’t hold out and ended up yelling at the end. The doctor reminded me to keep the sound internalized and instead use that urge to push. One more push and I felt her head come out. I definitely felt that “ring of fire” that people talk about, but I remember telling myself that as soon as she’s out, it’ll be over. The final push, and the rest of the Bean was out. I pushed for 6 minutes and after those 3 pushes, Bean was born on 9/22/11 at 9:58. 6 lbs 15 oz and 19 in.

I was in shock. I didn’t expect to be in such control. It took me a while to get it through my head that I had actually given birth and could think through it. I even remembered delivering the placenta. It was so surreal. I was actually able to get up and shower only hours after delivering. It was a fabulous delivery and honestly, gives me faith that I can do it all again if we decide to have another in a few years.

Bean’s taken to nursing like a champ. Peanut is enjoying being a big sister. Now, if I could convince myself to get some sleep. I really couldn’t have done it so well without RoBrotz and my awesome nurse. My doctor even said he had to double check to make sure I didn’t have an epidural because I was in that control of my body. I was thrilled with my delivery and it went perfectly. And now I have my beautiful little girl #2!

Bean!

Family of 4!

Fantasy World

It’s a beautiful day outside, so very beautiful; the kind that brings tears to your eyes. Well, it may be my wondrous pregnancy hormones but while eating outside today, I realized it was one of those perfect days outside. I even got a bit red on my arms from sitting outside. Then again, I’m pretty white at the moment from not feeling too well all summer with PUPPS rash and all around hatred of humidity!

Anyway, “Blink” by Revive came on my Pandora Radio, and of course my emotions went into high gear. I usually think of Peanut’s first year whenever I hear that song, but today, it was different. I thought of my mom and how our time was over in a blink. Damn pregnancy hormones! I know she’s sending me another beautiful little girl (as well as God and RoBrotz’ father).

It is one of those days that I know my mom and I would have been sitting on the farm’s back porch, sipping on some Sun Tea, watching Peanut run around like a crazy toddler that she is. I would have confided in her my frustration that I was feeling because I wasn’t in labor yet. (My main reason I’m frustrated is because I’m officially 10 days from my EDD of 9/29. I had Peanut 10 days early and I could have sworn I would have Bean earlier than Peanut. It’s hard to know I’m wrong!!!) We’d laugh about all the stupid things people we know do, about coworkers and work, about life, about everything. We’d take Peanut out into the fields and help us chop down some cornstalks and begin to decorate the outside of the farmhouse with scarecrows, Indian corn, and other fall decorations.

Mom would be an awesome Grandma, I think. We didn’t really have a huge relationship with either set of Grandparents growing up. At least, it didn’t feel that way to me. Dad’s parents lived in Arizona and my grandmother passed away when I was 6. Apparently, even when she was able to visit us a few times in Texas, she was on a vast amount of medications and wasn’t 100% herself. My paternal grandfather was awesome, when we saw him, but with him living so far away, visits were few and far between. I’m grateful in college to be able to attend his 10 year coronation anniversary to the Church. I got to hear lots of funny stories. In fact, the memories I have of my Grandfather truly show when watching my own father playing with Peanut.
My mom was fairly independent (ever wonder where I got THAT gene?!?!) and while we saw my maternal grandparents (grandfather lived next to us on the farm and grandmother lived across town – they divorced when mom was in college), we were never close with them. I tend to think I’m a lot like my mom. I can see the way I react to my daughter like she did. Mom was fiercely protective of us. I was attached at her hip.

I know this is why I enjoy Peanut being such a Mama’s girl, though I feel guilty when she always chooses me over RoBrotz. I knew I would want to be close with my kiddos, as a child who lost a parent young. I didn’t realize how much I’d be that mom. There is that feeling deep in my subconscious that I won’t be around longer than my mom was with me. I know it’s beyond illogical, but I know it’s there. It’s hard to deal with and since it is, I try not to think about that fact at all if possible.

Anywho, sometimes I feel like my reasoning some times for the induction on Friday with DH's schedule worries me and I feel selfish. At the same time, assuming DH is at this work place for a long time, YDD will have every birthday scheduled around her daddy's work and the damn playoffs (as well as her cousin's birthday). But having my ultrasound last week and the doctor showing us her "practice breathing" and all her organs looking fully mature, I feel way more comfortable with our decision. Though, I also cannot shake that I’ll be having a “Libra” baby. One night last Thanksgiving, I just “knew” I’d have a Libra baby, which was weird since RoBrotz and I planned on having another Spring Baby. Turns out some things are just meant to be!!! I just hope that this little one decides to come on her own before the scheduled induction!!!

38 Weeks Down, 1 (or less) to Go!



I’m a week away from holding my little girl for the first time!!! Or less! I had my 38 week appointment went well this morning. Ultrasound showed Bean (still a girl) weighing around 6 lbs 11 oz (Peanut’s showed 7 lbs 5 oz and she was an entire pound lighter when born 3 days later!), and fluid levels looked good. Next appointment is on Wednesday and will be inducing either Thursday morning or Friday morning. They're trying to get me in on Thursday but I won't know for a definite until next Wednesday's appointment. I'm still holding out hope that she'll decide to come on her own either Monday or Tuesday!!!

Comparison photo of me at 38 weeks with Peanut (only 5 days away from giving birth) and with Bean.  Here's to hoping that Bean makes her debut sooner rather than later!!!  Less than a week now!

I’m exhausted, my poor hubby’s exhausted, and my 17 month old is throwing tantrums like it’s the best thing since sliced bread. I pray, and hard that I’m able to remain patient with my beautiful daughter because no matter what, she’s 17 months and doesn’t truly understand cause and effect. Yes, when I got slapped (yes, SLAPPED) across the face by her in the ENT waiting room, I was shocked. She laughed and thought it was hilarious (and unfortunately, some stupid people there laughed too). What did she do? She smacked me several more times until I took her hand away from me and said in my ‘mommy voice’, “You do not HIT Mama. You know you are NOT supposed to hit. If you continue to be a bad girl, you will NOT be going to daycare today.” I wanted to glare at the idiots that were laughing at this because it sends the WRONG message to a young child. Instead, I got the puppy dog face from the ‘Nut and a big hug. I guess she actually does know she’s not supposed to do that. Ugh. My child LOVES to do random things to see the reaction. I pray that she does not do this once Bean is born.

Speaking of Peanut, we were at the ENT to get her ears checked out. Both ears look fine and so do the tubes. Her hearing is a-okay!!! Aside from the never ending tantrums starting, she’s doing great. I think she’s really just pushing and seeing what reactions get her what. Darn kiddo is too smart some days. RoBrotz and I made it through our first tag-teamed whine. Peanut was slamming her milk sippy, sending small drops of milk everywhere each time she did this. After telling her to stop and her not listening, I took away her sippy cup. She screamed and ran over to Daddy, and proceeded to sign her “milk sippy” and point to me with tears in her eyes. RoBrotz had my back and told her that “Mama already told you no!” Peanut threw herself on the ground for all of 15 seconds before realizing she wasn’t going to get her way. Finally, she came over and gave me a hug (I guess her 17 month old way of apologizing) and was rewarded with eventually getting her sippy back.

And in last, but certainly not least, news, I’m officially an Aunt and RoBrotz is an Uncle. My SIL (RoBrotz’ sister) had her daughter last night. M was born with a full head of dark hair, 7 lbs 7 oz and 19 inches long. She seems content to continue to sleep a lot, which is great for her mommy and daddy!!!! Here’s to a speedy recovery for my SIL.