Lyric Noel

Monday Morning: Mild contractions start early in the morning and continue to last throughout waking up.  At 5 minutes apart, I call Dr. Lewis to see what she recommend I do.  "Even if the contractions are not hurting that bad?" I asked. With other signs and contractions so close together, she suggests that I go the the hospital.  With bags packed, Bryan and I got the the hospital around 9:30 a.m.  After an hour of evaluation, we got told exactly what we expected.  "You're not in full term labor yet.  See you later!"

Tuesday Morning: With contractions continuing to get worse throughout the night before, I went to bed not knowing what to expect.  I went to sleep at around 10:30 p.m. and woke at midnight with contractions hurting like never before.  To see if this was the real thing, I got up and moved around and watched some TV in order to evaluate if this was real or just another fluke.  Once heavy contractions were hitting me every 5 minutes, I woke Bryan up.  This was around 2:00 a.m.  Time to go to the hospital and this time we were not coming home without a baby!

We got to the hospital around 3 a.m. and went straight back to triage for evaluation.  I had dilated since the morning before which was good.  The nurse said that I was 80 percent effaced and the head was at a level lower than most at this stage of labor.  During the hour, Bryan and I sat there getting more and more excited since we knew this baby was coming soon.  When the nurse came back to evaluate me, I hadn't dilated at all.  This meant that I was not in active labor and they couldn't admit me.  All Bryan and I could think was: How can you say that?  Contractions are coming hard less than every 5 minutes and you want us to go home?  How would we know when to come back?  This looks like the start of intense labor to us!  She offered me an Ambien to go home and see if it could make me rest.  Then, the tears came.  There was no way I could go home in this much pain!  If only I could dilate 1 more centimeter.  When returning with my Ambien, Bryan asked if we could go walk around to see if we could get this thing moving along quicker.  With approval, off we went walking the hospital at 5:30 in the morning.  Contractions began to progress to about every 3 minutes and I had to sit down and focus during each one.  (Those things hurt!)  Back in triage, the nurse checked me for the third time and made sure to get as precise as she could with my dilation, holding nothing back on her end.  (Ow.)  As she was checking me, my water broke and we could be admitted.  (Yay!)  Woah, woah, woah, hold on with the "yay's"...things then got REALLY bad.

Contractions continued to come hard, really really hard every 2 minutes as we waited and got into our room for delivery.  There's no way to explain what I was feeling, so we'll just all agree that it was absolutely, mortifyingly awful.  Our delivery nurse assured everything would get better once my epidural arrived...IN AN HOUR!!!  Are you kidding me?  You expect me to go through THIS for the next hour??? Bryan was great support as each hard hit came.  Couldn't have done any of this without him.  Holding my hand as each one came, he never left my side and encouraged me that I could do it.   During the WAIT, Baby started having a tough time.  Baby's heart rate was going up as time went on and even with extra fluids and oxygen, there was no change.  Epidural FINALLY came, and before it even started working, my nurse informed us it was time for an emergency Cesarean section.  What?  But I don't want one of those!  Is my baby okay?  What's going on?  

Doctor Lewis shows up and she is bummed out for us.  We get all prepped and with her team and all their positive energy, my nerves were eased a bit.  Bryan sat by me during the procedure and we were both shocked when we heard the doctor say, "Oh, that was the problem...your cord was around your neck."  But soon enough, Baby was being pulled out with ease.  Then I hear, "Here's the head, and the shoulder...Daddy tell Mommy what you have."  Bryan stands up and looks down at me.

"It's Lyric."

Lyric was born 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 19 1/2 inches long.  (Doctor Lewis guessed our baby would be 7 pounds 2 ounces the week before.)  Even with all the ups and downs, we have an incredibly gorgeous and healthy baby.  We love sharing Lyric with all our family and friends!  All the generous pink gifts have been wonderful!  I can't wait for her to wear them, but since she is still so small she can barely fit in anything.  So for now I tell her that she can wait to wear the cute outfits and stay super small for a while.  Mommy is doing good.  Definitely recovering, which is hard because I want to run around at times.  My body is definitely NOT allowing that at the moment.  Daddy is absolutely wonderful.  He loves his daughter with emotions he had never felt before.  Watching him sit and watch her in wonder and awe brings tears to my eyes. Delilah is adjusting.  She was a little crazy for a bit when we brought her home, but is learning that this baby is staying.  We make sure to give Delilah individual attention when we can. :) (In case you are confused, Delilah is our human pet dog.)

Praise God for answering our prayer!  We had no idea how wonderful an experience this would be.  Taking one day at a time with each diaper change, new facial expression, cuddle, and kiss.  We are thankful for life and can't wait to share ours with our little Lyric Noel.

The next blogs will be less frequent, but about how Lyric's life is becoming more and more joyful.  We welcome you to join us on this journey as we celebrate life!

38 Weeks

It's a waiting game.  This baby loves the warmth and comfort of the belly.  Why come out when things are so great on the inside?  At my last doctor's appointment Tuesday, Doctor guessed that Baby Boyd was 7 pounds 2 ounces.  She is pretty surprised that Baby hasn't appeared yet, especially when she checked the baby again.  She said Baby's head is almost as low as it can get and my cervix is dilated and thinned out.  When I went to make my next appointment, she didn't even bother to schedule me because we're having a baby before then.  She said to call Tuesday if Baby still hadn't arrived.  Well, it's Sunday now and Baby is still not here.  Baby Boyd is stubborn.  

Baby’s progress: 38 weeks

Total weight gain for Mommy: 17 pounds...went back down.  I've been eating though!  Believe me, I am not trying to be on a health diet.  When I brought my concern about my weight up to the doctor, she said she wasn't worried about anything.  

Food cravings: Chocolate pudding from Jason's, cereal, Power Bars, Reduced-Fat Cheese Its

Symptoms of pregnancy: Hmmm, anything new?  Kinda crazy how my abs are non-existent when it comes to getting up. Almost need help putting my socks and tennis shoes on.  I have started to get some mild cramping and contractions.  For two nights, they would wake me up.  This made me really anxious.  By the time I woke up, they were gone.  False alarms.  

Working out: Walked with Delilah most days this week.  1 mile in the morning, 1/2 mile at night.  On Wednesday, I jogged about 1/2 a mile after our mile walk to see if that would help induce labor.  Apparently Baby likes a good jog.  

Maternity clothes?: No

Mood: Anxious

Sleep: Kind of a bummer when you know your bed is super comfortable, but your body can't accept that.  Toss and turn all night with bathroom breaks every 1 1/2 hours.  Getting harder to sleep too, possible insomnia.  

Movement: Baby is running out of room in there, so I am getting some serious punches to my ribs and hips.  Checking for bruising.

Stretch marks?: No

Wedding ring on? Yes

Best moment of the week: It's been a pretty mellow week.  I got an incredible Mommy Massage from Carla Baldwin at the M Resort on Thursday.  She hit all my pressure points and helped me to relax a lot.  (Apparently getting a massage and hitting all your pressure points also does not induce labor.)  Bryan and I went out Thursday night for a "possible last date night before Baby".  (There's been a lot of "possible lasts" the past 2 weeks because this baby is on delay.)  We enjoyed some Thai food (apparently spicy food ALSO does not induce labor) and frozen yogurt.  Enjoying each other as much as we can before much of our attention is redirected.  

Miss anything from life before baby?: Being comfortable and rested.  I think my body has official thrown up its white flag.  Mentally, I still love being pregnant, but physically I am beginning to be worn out.   

Looking forward to: BABY!  C'mon sweet child of mine...

Think God is getting us to trust in His timing?  I think so.  Waiting it out with the continued joy of pregnancy and life growing inside me.  It has been absolutely amazing.  

37 Weeks: FULL TERM Baby!

We have reached FULL TERM!  We made it.  I am hoping this baby comes out sooner than later at this point to avoid a giant baby delivery.  (Let me remind you that Bryan and I were both 10 days late.)  When I originally calculated our due date, I thought it was September 9 based on my medication regimen.  So September 9 is TODAY!  Not getting my hopes up, but it would be pretty ironic if things worked out that way.  It's Sunday morning and I am still feeling "pregnant normal" so not sure what to expect.  Still trusting in God's timing.  Doctor Lewis says that Baby is still "locked and loaded".  I am still 1 cm dilated and she could feel the head at my last appointment on Tuesday.  She thinks we will only last another week at the most from this point, but this child could decide to be stubborn like its parents and wait for sometime in October.

Baby’s progress: 37 weeks

Total weight gain for Mommy: 19 pounds...gained my weight back!  

Food cravings: Chocolate pudding from Jason's, cereal, Power Bars, Reduced-Fat Cheese Its

Symptoms of pregnancy: Leg cramps that nearly knock me off my feet, pelvic pressure, sleepless nights, and wobbling! "Wobble baby, wobble baby..." 

Working out: Walking with Delilah about 1 mile.  It still causes severe leg pain, but I like the feeling of moving around first thing in the morning.  I'll just suck it up.

Maternity clothes?: Nada.

Mood: Excited!

Sleep: Not going so good.  I am getting up about every hour and a half now to go to the bathroom.  Probably doesn't help with all the water I drink, but I know that's super important for Baby and me.  It is also extremely difficult to get comfortable.  

Movement: Constant...usually at night Bryan and I get to see a pretty good show.

Stretch marks?: No

Wedding ring on? Yes

Best moment of the week: Getting some last minute projects done!  Nursery is looking so good.  Will try to get some pictures up soon, yet it won't be complete until Baby arrives so we can decide on adding color to wall hangings, pictures, etc.  I also got to hang with my husband  on Labor Day.  He was all mine!  (Not for long.)

Miss anything from life before baby?: Can I just have a glass of wine already??? :)  Sushi would be good too.  
Looking forward to: Meeting one of the most important people in my life.

"Mom's Tiny Kicker" Below.  FInally get to wear the shirt that was a part of My Baby Story and the announcement to my parents in the beginning.  What a great victory over the Giants this week!

36 Weeks: Locked and Loaded

"Baby Boyd is locked and loaded!" says Doctor Lewis to me on Monday.  "Wait, what?  But I'm only 35 weeks!  Woah, this is getting real...really fast."  (More of this story a bit later.)

Baby Boyd has probably reached the 6 pound mark, gaining about an ounce of weight a day.  At 18 1/2 inches long, Baby seems to have no room to move, but does anyways so we see some pretty crazy karate kicks frequently.  "Hi-ya!"

Baby’s progress: 36 weeks

Total weight gain for Mommy: 17 pounds...down a pound from 2 weeks ago.  Still no concern from my doctor, but I will make sure to eat some more fatty foods in order to make sure Baby is getting enough.  Promise!

Food cravings: Chocolate pudding sounds good all the time (especially from Jason's Deli) along with chocolate milk from Starbucks.  (Chocolate milk is on my list to fatten me up a bit.)  Also liking sandwiches with a lot of mustard and wanting a pizza sometime soon I think.  (Hey I'm trying to think of food items that make me sound more preggo okay?)

Symptoms of pregnancy: I feel like a rollie pollie when I try to get up, or any other kind of bug that can't turn over when it's on its back.  (Bryan told me that every bug is like that, haha.)  It's nice to have a helping hand when I get stuck.  This week I started having some pelvic pressure, probably due to the fact that Baby is in place to deliver and ALL the crazy aerobics going on in there.   Oh yeah, I also get these random cramps in my legs that almost make me fall over.

Working out: I have been told to rest...as in no more walking.  Doctor says she knows it will be difficult for me, but I will do it for the baby. :)

Maternity clothes?: Still good without them!   

Mood: Good and anxious.  Baby is coming soon!

Sleep: Uncomfortable.  Trying to sleep when I can.  If I feel like I can take a nap or sleep a little longer in the morning, I try to take advantage while I still can.  

Movement: We have a mover!

Stretch marks?: No

Wedding ring on? Yes

Best moment of the week: Hearing that Baby Boyd is coming sooner than expected.  First, we want to reach full term of course!  We have gotten a lot done with the house this week too.  Still have plenty of projects, but things are coming along.  Nursery is painted.  Now just waiting on a few finishing touches to make it complete.

Miss anything from life before baby?: A few food items here and there.  

Looking forward to: The arrival of our little human.  

Meaning of "Locked and Loaded":

Last Thursday, I started to feel some pelvic pressure leading me to believe that the baby was dropping When I told Doctor Lewis about it at my appointment, she said, “Yeah, yeah, baby is getting ready.”  Then she saw my belly... “Wow, you really have dropped!” was her response.  

We listened to your heartbeat, loud and strong.  We laughed about how my stomach sticks out above you in my womb because all my muscles have moved aside making more and more room for baby.  (Sometimes it looks like I have 2 babies in there: My real baby and the baby living in my stomach.)  Next, she did some culture tests for bacteria and it was time to see how far we were towards delivery. 

Doctor Lewis’ next words: “Oh wow!  Baby has REALLY dropped.  You are already 1 cm dilated and the baby is right against the birth canal.  Whitney, Baby is locked and loaded!”

In my mind, I am thinking...Oh geesh, this is real!  Baby is really coming soon!  I have always thought Baby would come soon, but this soon?!  During that appointment I was 35 weeks and 37 week old babies are the only kind that Doctor Lewis delivers, which she discussed with the baby.  :)  Because my body was responding a bit ahead of schedule, the doctor ordered me to REST.  

“Rest, okay.  What exactly does that mean?” was my response.  Haha!  (Basically, the doctor doesn’t want me up and about.  I should be taking it easy at home avoiding going out or doing ANYTHING as much as possible.)

“So, carrying loads of groceries, walking my dog, moving boxes around my new house up and down the stairs are considered NOT resting I am assuming?”  I asked.

Doctor Lewis just looked at me and laughed.  “Rest, Whitney, rest.  I need another week out of you.  Let’s get this baby to September!”  She made sure to remind me several more times to REST because she didn’t think I was getting what that meant.  Heh..heh... 

This week I have been resting.  I may not be the best at it all the time...but it’s because I have a lot to get done people!  Bryan has been great at reminding me, but it’s not something I am used to...not this much rest, not ALL the time.  What keeps me from overdoing it?  Baby.  I am reminded that the baby is still in my belly and needs a bit more time, so I will rest for Baby. :)

Side Note on the Group B Strep Bacteria Test: Results came back positive so I have been taking an antibiotic.  A bit nerve-racking, but trusting that God has it under control.  Glad we caught it before labor so I can get a head start at killing the bad bacteria in my body before Baby comes.  Please keep this in your prayers.

Overall, feeling good!  Taking it easy until my next appointment on Tuesday (I think I can make it).  I feel a bit of relief for leaving my job earlier than expected because Doctor would have ordered me to take my maternity leave after examining me Monday.  Who knows?  If I would have stayed working, the baby may have come super earlier than what we thought.  I have always thought my due date was September 9th, the Sunday coming up.  As in THIS SUNDAY...Crazy!  We will have to wait and see...