Sydney Rose is finally here! I am getting used to my role as mom - there are certainly low points, mostly at night when exhaustion starts to set in, but every time I look at her sweet face I’m overwhelmed by the blessing she is.
Here is a recap of her birthday… We checked in and were settled in the delivery room by about 8:00am on Friday. They monitored the baby for a half hour and then checked me. Since my last appointment I’d dilated another centimeter to a three which they were pleased with. They decided not to use pitocin but to break my water instead.
They broke my water about 8:40 and I started feeling contractions pretty quickly but they were fairly irregular and not super strong. As the morning turned to afternoon they got stronger and stronger and closer together. It seemed I was progressing slowly but steadily – about a centimeter every two hours. By 2:00pm I was ready for the epidural and was dilated to a five when they gave it to me. It took until 10:00pm for me to dilate the rest of the way. I guess I was dilating faster on one side than the other. Finally, at 10:00pm I was ready to start pushing and continued to do so until 1:00am on Saturday.
It was a long, exhausting day but the doctors and nurses were amazing and having Eric by my side was invaluable. He’s got such a strong, steady character it kept me calm and just plugging through the whole process.
Things have been well since we got home. Sydney is starting to get on a schedule during the day, but the nights are still pretty rough. She was weighed yesterday and has already gained 2 ounces which the nurse said puts us ahead of the game. It also puts my mind at ease as I know feedings are going well.
A couple nights ago she got her first bath from Eric and I and was super wide awake afterwards – we captured a few moments of it on the video below.
I am now a week overdue. During the middle part of my pregnancy I thought I was going to go over, but as it got closer and closer I thought I’d go early. I think because I felt so ready, I assumed baby was ready too. Apparently not. At our last doctor’s appointment they agreed to induce me on Friday if baby doesn’t come on its own. I’ll be ten days overdue by that point. At this point every day I expect the baby not to come and while I can’t help but notice every pinch, pain, and contraction I don’t expect them to develop into anything “real.” In a lot of ways it has helped ease the frustration, but the waiting is still a challenge. Last night Eric and I sat on the deck and talked about the baby…it’s so crazy to try to comprehend how our lives will change. We pondered whether he or she will have dark hair or blonde hair or maybe even red hair since it’s so strong in Eric’s family. Eric wonders whether s/he will be tall or short and I’ve been assuming brown eyes, but obviously that’s a mystery too. So many questions that will soon be answered…
Well, I scarcely know what to write. Our life has been consumed with the anticipation of baby as of late and since s/he isn’t here yet (two days overdue and counting) there isn’t much to report. This last month has been quite difficult for me as my emotional stability and physical discomfort have been growing at inverse proportions. I know that I really don’t have anything to complain about as many women have it much worse, but given this is my first pregnancy and I’m not other women – I’m going to complain regardless. Poor Eric has to hear my lamenting daily, but endures it with patient restraint. He has been absolutely wonderful throughout this pregnancy, but particularly so in the last few weeks. Foot rubs have increased, he cleans the house and grocery shops without being asked…cooks dinner…what more could I ask for in a husband? I’ve created a new poll for the reader’s enjoyment. I’ve already voted and chosen the last option.
Sydney Rose is finally here! I am getting used to my role as mom - there are certainly low points, mostly at night when exhaustion starts to set in, but every time I look at her sweet face I’m overwhelmed by the blessing she is.
