2 months

You’re one month older little Munch! You are are around 9.5 lbs and almost 24” long. You are finally in size 1 diapers. You are starting to coo and “talk to us” as we say. You are doing good on your routine of eating around 7,10,1,4,7 and you usually eat again around 9 before you go to sleep. You are going to bed in your bassinet and then sleeping with mommy and daddy after you wake up to eat so you can wake up and nurse and go right back to sleep. It seems to be working out well that way and as long as mommy goes to bed when you do she’s getting decent sleep. 

Nursing is going really well now even with mommy having to go back to work a couple days a week.

You are getting bottles of breastmilk and formula if you are still hungry and mom pumps at work. But you still love your momma milkies and miss her when she’s at work though dad and Gigi and sometimes Omi or Auntie Leslie are alright too. 

1 month

1 month! It’s gone by so fast. You just started smiling yesterday. I haven’t gotten a good picture of it yet. You are generally happy but are becoming more aware of your surroundings and people which is a lot for your little brain! You had your first witching hour yesterday which wasn’t fun.  You are doing pretty good with your sleep and are able to go to sleep on your own for most naps if I start nap time as soon as you start yawning. Nighttime sleep has still been a bit tough. You wake every 3 hours or less and I’m thinking it may be time to move you out of our room soon. You also got your tongue and lip tie fixed last week which has greatly helped your eating are you are gaining weight much better now. You are still just a little peanut and just under 8lb I think. But long at 22” at least!

Welcome Callahan James

This sweet prayed for little boy entered the world in a frenzy of activity last Saturday at 9:50pm just about 24 hours from the start of my induction.

We went to the hospital at 8pm Friday night and got checked in and in our room. I got the cervidil put in around 9:30pm to ripen my cervix. I was still only a fingertip dilated from the day before.

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We tried to sleep as much as we could and I had contractions off and on. 

The next morning at 9:30am my midwife checked me and I was 1cm 70% effaced and -2 station. So the cervidil had done its job. She stripped my membranes and we decided to try the foley bulb next. She made a couple attempts but my cervix was still too posterior and she couldn’t get it in. It was very painful and gave me a ton of contractions and bloody show. All good things but not fun. We let that calm down a bit and then they gave me one dose of Misoprostol. Another cervix ripening agent. I started having regular contraction 2-3min apart about 30 seconds long but my pain was only about a 3 at this point. I got hooked up on my TENS machine which was a life saver later on and something I didn’t have with my other labors. 

We ordered some food from flying star and my doula came it was now 3:30. She did some things to try and get him in a better position and down in my pelvis. It only took a few contractions and they got stronger to maybe a 5 it 6. I can’t remember what time she checked me again but I was 3cm and 80% -1 so they decided to not do anything else since I was in active labor and they didn’t want things to get to intense too fast. My body was doing what it needed to now. 

We decided to try and get in the tub. It was a nice relaxing break in between contractions but laying on my back during a contraction was much more painful. The only thing that helped was sitting on the ball and moving or standing and swaying. 

This whole time they had to redo my IV like 5 times and that almost hurt worst than the contractions. I was in tears at one point cause I was so tired of them poking me and I just broke down while Ben comforted me. Finally they had the anesthesiologist come in and she got it right away. I got my 2 doses of penicillin for being group B strep positive. 

About 8pm I asked to be checked again because things had been going on quite a long time and getting more intense pain an 8 now and I was getting done. I asked to try the nitrous but they only had one set up and it was being used. So she checked me and I was 6cm 80% and -1 still. It was at this point I asked for the epidural. I didn’t know how much longer it was going to take and I wanted relief. They said one other person was ahead of me so it would be about 30 min. They offered me fentanyl while I waited and I said yes. I got into bed at this point and they laid me on my side with the peanut ball. The fentanyl didn’t help with the pain but it at least helped you relax in between and not care about them as much. 

About a half hour later I started feeling a lot of pressure and my contractions had gotten much more painful though they stayed 2-3 min apart the whole time and lasted 30-45 seconds. Then I felt my water break. The anesthesiologist comes in and I’m like “nope it’s too late I feel like I need to push.” The midwife was busy delivering another baby and so my nurse checked me and I was almost complete with just a small lip so they moved me to the other side and she said she’d be back in 10-15 min as she felt that’s how long it would be before I was complete and ready to push. 

Well 2-3 contractions and my body was pushing him out for me. I told Ben and my doula to call someone he was coming NOW! They couldn’t get the call button to work and finally found the number and called and said “we’re pushing in 249 gotta go bye.” 

It was the most intense and painful experience though my body pushing him out was a relief. I felt the “ring of fire” at the beginning which I didn’t with Kyle’s delivery my only other unmedicated one. My doula told me to not push and to pant which helped slow things down. And I wasn’t trying to push my body was just doing it on it’s own.. I was so worried I was going to tear cause I’m used to having my midwife there to massage and keep that from happening. By the time his head was out the nurse finally came in and delivered the rest of him at 9:50pm. Just an little over an hour I went from 6cm to a delivered baby. 

Another midwife came after he was already delivered and finished things up. The bed wasn’t set up for delivery. Nothing. Lol. He game fast and furious and my body just did it. I have to say I felt powerful. And thankfully I didn’t tear :) so 3 deliveries with no tearing is a huge blessing. 

 

He had the cord wrapped once around his neck

and he had a lot of fluid because he came so fast so they took him for a few minutes to suction him. But he was beautiful and crying and healthy and FINALLY HERE! After 9 long months of waiting and worrying and trying to trust God through the fear and he was finally here. The relief I felt physically and emotionally when he came out of as unlike any other. 

Really it felt like 3 1/2 years of waiting for a baby after we lost baby peanut. So there was so much more anticipation and relief than I even realized. 

  

38 Weeks

Last Bump picture! 

This was me at 38 weeks with Eli! My last bump

Shot with him too cause he came 3 days later!

Had my last OB appt today before my induction tomorrow evening. 

BP was good at 139/75. Holding steady.

I was only a fingertip dilated and soft but she said that’s ok my body is going to do fine.

She still thinks the best thing is to be induced before I start having any issues. Because of my history this pregnancy and risk factors. I’ve prayed about it a lot and prayed for God to give her wisdom and me to make good decisions and I still feel comfortable with it. Ben says he’s on board with whatever I decide. 

So tomorrow night at 8pm we check in to the hospital! So weird I’ve never done that before. I usually never go till I’m in labor or my water breaks. My mom is still praying for that to happen before tomorrow. Ya never know! I will get out and walk some today :)

Cravings- still fruit and chocolate :) so glad I can taste chocolate again after having COVID. It took forever for that flavor to come back. 

Labor signs: just Braxton Hicks, cramping, and some contractions at night. 

Baby- movement is good and his heart rate was 141. He’s getting bigger I can feel it. I think he’s gonna be a little over 7lbs. 

I think if my Dr didn’t want me to get induced and we let him stay in longer he probably would go another week at least maybe even to my due date which would be a lot further than my other 2 did. But who knows. 

God is writing this baby’s and my story through the labor and delivery as He has this whole pregnancy. I never thought we would have a baby after we lost baby peanut because I wanted one for a long time afterwards but Ben and I never agreed on trying for one. Eventually I just gave it over to God and focused on other things. I got to a place where I was fine with being done with kids and was asking Ben to get snipped. And then COVID hit. A year ago today was actually the first case in our state. And then surprise we’re pregnant a few months later during quarantine. 

We have come through a hard year but one that has had so many surprise blessings too. I’m very grateful for all we learned this year and how we have grown. Ben and I have never been in a better place. I’m so thankful for all God has done in each of us and our relationship this year. 

We are all so excited to add this little one to our family. A special blessing to bring peace and joy that we didn’t know we were missing ❤️

37 Weeks

37 weeks with Kyle, Eli, and now... don’t look much different in size I don’t think. 

Full term baby! Always a great accomplishment.

Update this week is things are well. Had a few contractions yesterday morning and still cramping and Braxton Hicks everyday. 

Progress: well cervix is soft but not dilated

Which makes me glad I asked to have my induction pushed to 38 weeks. 

Baby needs longer to cook and body isn’t quite ready. Dr agreed. 

Weight: +34 lbs pre pregnancy

Cravings: fruit and chocolate lol

Blood pressure is still good I check it twice a day.

Baby heart rate 141 and he’s weighing 6lb 10oz according to my ultrasound today. 8 days till my induction! Gonna enjoy these last days of sleep and rest! Probably one last baby update next week before he comes!

35 Weeks

Well we are on the home stretch! I’m so happy I’m so ready to meet this baby boy. 

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster. It started at my 33 week ultrasound where I found out he was breech... he has been head down this whole time till then. So my thoughts quickly switched to spinning babies exercises, version, c section.... I went to my chiropractor last Wednesday and he did the Webster technique on my stomach and adjustmed me accordingly. The next morning I had an ultrasound and he was head down! So not sure if it was that or something else in the previous week but I’m so

Thankful. He was still head down at my weekly ultrasound today. I’ll have one weekly till I deliver.

I also developed a strange rash that started on the bottoms of my feet and moves to my hands, elbows, under my arms, and legs. I spent two mornings in triage getting bloodwork done and Cholistais and as ruled out. My OB doesn’t think it’s PUPPS because it didn’t start on my stomach. She thinks it could be an autoimmune thing?? We don’t really know but about 4 days in I went to my regular dr and she gave me hydroxizine because Benadryl wasn’t doing anything so I at least could sleep. So that’s been helping and I’ve been using lavender and tea tree oil, oatmeal baths, pine tree soap, and lotion. I also cut out sugar and dairy to help reduce inflammation. It’s getting better and now my skin is just peeling, but the itching is almost completely gone. Thank the Lord! It was so swollen and painful. I’ve never had a rash like that before. 

I’m scheduled for an induction March 5th I’ll be 37 weeks 1 day. Because of my hypertension and superimposed pre eclampsia. But my Dr is going to let me push it a week if everything still looks good at my appt March 3. I just know the longer I wait the more ready him and my body will be. Since the other boys were born in the 38th week I feel comfortable with that. I have a growth scan on the 4th so that will give us a good idea of how big he is now too. 

Next week is my last week at work too before I start my maternity leave! Though I will work from home till he comes cause I have a project I’m working on and what else am I going to do???

Cravings- berries and oranges and chocolate always

Movement- still moves a lot I’m thankful. 

Progress- Had cramping and Braxton Hicks for a couple days. I don’t know when I’ll have my first cervical check. 

Heart rate 144

Weight- still around 30lb gained

Next appt Monday. 

31 weeks

30 weeks

31 weeks 

So Callahan definitely had a growth spur his week. I can tell just from my bump pictures. 

Stats:

I’m measuring at 32 weeks now. Gained about 27lb. Baby’s heartrate was good at 138 and my bp is holding steady at 145/75.

Not much to report from this appt. we talked a lot about what induction would look like and how we can push it closer to 38 weeks if my body is holding up ok. 

I have an ultrasound in 2 weeks and have my first meeting with my doula around then as well as another OB appt so there will be more to report then. 

Symptoms: hungry, tired, pregnant lol. Sleep is ok. Not great but not terrible. Last week I felt great and got in 4 workouts. This week not so much and that’s ok. Though I did take a walk today that was good. Hormones are crazy this week too like I can’t control my emotions when I get set off. My brain try’s to reason but my emotions don’t listen. Lol 

Movement: he moves a lot! And it starting to hurt sometimes now. He woke me up at 5am this morning with all his crazy. It’s good though makes me not have to worry about “kick counts” 

Cravings: still fresh fruit and oranges. I really want chantilly cake too when I found out whole goods makes a gf one so I can’t want to try that. 

Labor signs: none yet. Just lots of Braxton Hicks. 

29 weeks

Well I can’t believe it’s been 6 weeks since I posted last. Not a lot has happened till recently so there wasn’t much to say. We also went through the holidays which was busy but good. Thankfully I feel recovered from covid and was able to enjoy the holidays. So on to pregnancy updates.

I passed my glucose test yay! I was worried I would fail the 1 hr and have to do the 3hr which made me so sick with Kyle. They were nice with Eli and didnt make me do one because I passed the 3hr. But since it’s been 10 years and I’m old I had to do the 1hr which was fine I didn’t get sick or anything I’m just happy I passed and it’s behind me. 

Had an OB appt yesterday and my BP is holding steady at 144/75. Though it’s never that high when I take it at home. But I had protein in my urine 8 weeks ago when I last was in the office for an appt (my appt last month was over the phone because of Covid). So I did the 24 hr test and my protein was slightly higher than before. So I got a pre-eclampsia diagnosis and she wants to induce me at 37 weeks. We will monitor my labs every 2 weeks and my BP I have to take everyday. If it goes up to 160/110 then I get induced at 34 weeks. But praying that doesn’t happen. I asked if I need to change anything and she said no just eat healthy and stay active and live my life. So that’s what I’ll do. Nothing I can do to change this. There was always a chance things we’re gonna go this way. I feel peace about it and know God’s in control whatever happens. Now we have an appt every two weeks!

Symptoms: I’m slowing down more and more and that is hard to adjust to because I like being able to exercise regularly. My low back hurts a lot and at night my hips hurt so bad I have to switch sides often. I’ve tried everything and the only thing that makes a difference is when baby isn’t resting so low in my pelvis which I have no control over so... I just deal. I am thankful for my chiro appts and regular massage. It helps. 

Sleep is pretty good. A few nights this week I woke up between 3-5am but eventually went back to sleep. 

Cravings: well anything chocolate but I still can’t really taste the flavor or chocolate it just tastes sweet. But I still eat it. Still fresh fruit, Oranges, orange juice.

Labor signs: just Braxton Hicks everyday 

Measurements: belly measured on track and I stopped looking at my weight... lol 

Baby heart rate 132. Got my rhogam shot at my appt yesterday.