Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Introducing Lucy Adelyn Ward

Meet Ms. Lucy Adelyn Ward, born November 27,  2012
Isn't she adorable?

The story of Lucy's birth

I was very lucky and had a very easy pregnancy with Lucy.  The only time I got morning sickness was in Hawaii, on the battleship Missouri, which is docked....what? I also was able to work till the end of my pregnancy. In fact, I worked on my due date. Impressed? You should be. My biggest craving was chocolate milk.  I drank a lot of it.  I gained 30 lbs and people kept telling me I looked small despite how I felt.  About half way through the pregnancy, I started measuring small and we made a visit to the neonatologist who told me she looked great, just a little small. My pregnancy continued without incident till the day she was due and didn't come.  Contractions? you ask. Not a one. I was scheduled for an induction for Sunday, 5 days after my due date. 3 days later than they originally told me crushing my hopes and dreams. We had flown Dwynie, my mother in law, into town to help when the baby was born.  So Dwynie, Andrew and I spent the next week waiting. And waiting some more.  Contractions? you ask. Not a one.  I was big, uncomfortable, had low back pain and was not sleeping well. I was just overall miserable. Sunday finally came.  I got up at 5:00am to shower so we could be at the hospital by 7:00.  While I was in the shower the hospital called to tell me my induction had to be postponed because the hospital was full.  I was devastated.  We tried to stay busy by going to stores and walking around. It was the longest day of my life.  Finally, at 5:00pm they called.  I could go in!
Here we are. On our way to the hospital to have baby Lucy....


Look how excited I look.  We get to the hospital and they hook me up to all the monitors and the nurse checked me to see what I was dilated to. Lucy's heart rate dropped and the nurse pushed her panic button and about 6 nurses were in the room and I had oxygen and and IV placed in no time at all.  Her heart rate returned to normal and all was well but it was a scary start to my first baby.  Even being a nurse.  We then began the induction process which began with cervical gels.  This was a new thing to me.  I thought, induction=epidural=pitocin.  Nope.  We started with the first of three gels which they very forcefully/painfully put onto your cervix.  We then let it sit for 1 hour and then we get up to walk around for an hour.  Luckily, we live in Arizona and it was warm outside so we walked around in the hospital garden that was lit with beautiful white lights. Contractions? you ask. Yep. They finally started with the first gel and got progressively worse with each gel. By the third gel,  I could only make it a couple of steps before I had to stop for a contraction.  Problem was, I was not progressing or dilating. So they sent me home.  At 4am. What! What part of my birth plan of epidural+pitocin=baby did you not understand.  I was really frustrated.  I was now 6 days overdue and I got sent home from the hospital still contracting.  I was miserable.  I had a doctors appointment the next morning at 9am so a few awful hours later we were off to the doctor.  The doctor decided to check me.  I was still at 3 cm-no progress.  So she decided to strip my membranes(for like the hundredth time in the last 24 hours) It was the most painful thing ever.  I finally broke down and started crying in the office.  I think she felt bad for me because she offered to call me that night for an induction if they weren't busy.  And then I was sent home. Again. At about 4 in the afternoon they called me to come in. Finally.

They hooked me up and started the IV.  Now, I thought, I get the epidural. Nope.  Wrong again.  They started the Pitocin and told me I had to go as long as possible without the epidural.  I am not really sure what part of my birth plan of epidural they didn't understand.  I lasted about 2 hours before I was done and was asking very politely (ahem) for the epidural.  After a little hesitation nurse finally called and the anesthesiologist came.  Bless that man.  I finally got my epidural and it was wonderful.  I do have to admit it is the weirdest feeling in the world.  My legs were totally gone. My labor progressed really well after that.  My water broke and I didn't even notice till I touched my leg and it was all wet.  It was finally time to push at about 2am.  I started pushing, it took me a little while to figure it out but I finally did.  Lucy's heart rate kept dropping, I had oxygen on and at one point I was on my side pushing with my legs in the air.  I was so tired from the past few days shenanigans, I was trying to take small naps in between contractions.  The moment of truth came and Andrew got to catch Lucy.  She came out with her hand next to her face and started crying even before she was all the way out. That is quite possibly the best moment in a mothers life, meeting the little angel who has been living inside of you for 9 months(plus a little)
6 lbs 11 oz

 Look at her cute feet

Baby Lucy Arrived at 3:23 am on November 27,  2012

Friday, November 2, 2012

Nursery

We finally finished decorating the nursery. We have been putting it together piece by piece but I think it turned out fantastic. I made some artwork for the walls with some scrapbook paper and Andrew made the L for Lucy. We are so excited for her to come we can hardly wait. She gave us a little scare last week because she is on the small side but the perinatologist said she looks great . So now are just patiently waiting for her to join our family. Hurry up Lucy!

Monday, October 8, 2012

pregnancy

Well, here we are getting toward the end.  Can you believe it. I can't, I am excited and terrified all at the same time.   I have pretty much grown out of all of my clothes and spend a significant amount of time in pj's so I have only taken a few pictures.
 27 weeks

 30 weeks


33 weeks

Pregnancy is quite the experience.  I have been very lucky and have had a relatively easy and uncomplicated pregnancy.  I feel good most of the time, only had minimal nausea. I first started feeling our little Lucy move at 20 weeks and she has not stopped since. She is almost always moving around letting me know she is the boss of me.  My biggest craving has been chocolate milk. It must always be in the house.  I also have narcolepsy.  I will sit down on the couch and wake up 6 hours later not knowing where I am.  Andrew thinks this is hilarious.  My sleep schedule has been so messed up due to my graves and my narcolepsy.  I have certainly gotten the pregnancy brain. I have a couple of pairs of work shoes. They are the same color and shoe, one is just a bigger size than the other.  I went an entire shift wearing 2 different size shoes before I noticed it.  The next day, I put on my watch for the day.  About 15 minutes later I couldn't help but notice my arm was heavy and looked down to see I was wearing 2 watches.  I neglected to notice I was already wearing a watch when I put another one on.   I am now starting to feel very large.  Bending down is a task, I run into things and much to my dismay, my belly button is just not what is used to be.  

We have been getting the nursery ready and are very excited.  Andrew loves to feel Lucy move and tries to figure out where her head vs. her butt is.  He was even able to find her heart beat with his stethoscope the other day. We bought our car seat and stroller.  We tried to put in the car seat, ya know, just to practice.  It took us way longer than it should have. We hooked it in just fine but it just seemed too loose.  Andrew and I spent a while trying to tighten it down.  I gave up but Andrew kept at it and now it finally fits, but I am not allowed to removed it from my car. ever.

Friday, July 27, 2012

More Hawaii

Hanauma bay snorkling

We were again blessed with beautiful weather, we snorkeled for hours then laid on the beach to dry off-pure bliss.  There were a lot of fishes, the water was a little dusty but we still had tons of fun.

Later that night we went to dinner and walked on the beach to watch the sunset. As we were getting back to our hotel, there were fireworks at the hotel across from we were able to watch from our balcony-how convenient.


Molokini Bay and Turtle Bay

We took a boat out to Molokini bay, a lava formed crater that has crystal clear water.






There were a ton of these little black fish






and cool yellow ones

















We headed to turtle town to swim with the turtles but the water was so choppy that we only saw 2 turtles. And its entirely possible it was the same turtle twice. The turtle stared right at me, it was really cool.

A little dinner on the beach at the all famous Hula Grill-Yummy with fabulous atmosphere

 The most amazing dessert I have ever had at Leilani's-Hula pie. Oh. My. Gosh. AMAZING!
 
 And another perfect sunset with the man of my dreams







I love this picture, Andrew is actually, really smiling. I sure love this man. 












Friday, July 6, 2012

Hawaii, part 2

The next day we went up to the north shore to a place called shark's cove for some snorkeling. It was a great day with perfect weather.
 But first we got a little lunch across the street because I am not a nice person when I am hungry these days
This is my "feed me" face
This is Andrew's hungry face

and we're off
 




















We saw lots of fishes and then laid on the beach to dry off.  Light breeze, minimal clouds, perfect temperature-what more could a girl ask for?


The next day we went to Pearl Harbor and saw the battleship Missouri.
It was extra cool because we had just see the movie Battleship and this ship was actually featured in the movie.  
 It all started out well and good until literally first step on the boat and I suddenly had to make my first pregnancy trip to the bathroom to....get rid of some breakfast.  It wasn't pleasant.  But I was fine after that so off we went. Why, you ask did I get sick on a docked boat.  I have no idea, ask the baby.

We found this helmet and I couldn't help posting this succession of Andrew's faces.  Fantastic.



 I think he wants one

 I had this small obsession with the huge guns, they were seriously awesome.



 Look how big my guns are..ahem
 This is the bullet


  Very cool ship,  I highly recommend.