Disription

A place for family and friends near and far to keep up with our growing family.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

and then there were three...

I had my weekly doctor appointment and if I was not ready to go we were going to discuss my induction options. I remember feeling so nervous and scared, this whole time I had hoped and planned for a natural birth, or pure as my hypno birthing book liked to call it. So at my 42 week appointment, NOTHING I had not dilated anymore then the 3cm that I had at 40 weeks, so sad. So they scheduled me to go into the hospital the following day to have my baby, December 23rd 2011. I called the hospital that morning to see if they had room, they made room for me since I was so far along. Kyle and I arrived at the hospital around 9:30am.

I wanted to have the least invasive induction possible so that gave me misoprostol to soften my cervix in hopes I would then dilate with little intervention. You take a pill every four hours and after being settled in our room at about 3pm I had my first does, followed by a second does since after the first one I had still not dialated ANYMORE, our little lady had no interest in meeting face to face. So instead of offer another does Kyle and I deceided to sleep that night and try again in the morning. Since I had been in bed for the last 8 hours waiting for the misoprostol action I wanted to go for a walk before we went to bed for the night. So Kyle and I took a walk at about 10pm and settled ourselfs in for the night.
 
I tried to sleep for about an hour, but of course I was uncomfortable, being 42 weeks pregnant and all, and was having a few cramps. Nothing that had really been different than the last week. The nurse had offered me something to help me sleep but I thought I would tough it out. At midnight I rang our wonderful, sweet nurse Lauren, to let her know I was a little crampy and could not sleep. She suggested that I take a walk to see if it would pass. Sometimes the drug makes you think you are going into labor but then nothing. So I walked...

After about an hour I came back to the room. I was still "cramping" and didn't think I would be able to sleep. So Lauren said that she would check me to see if anything was happening but she thougth that it was still false labor and I had no idea, I was kinda hoping it was so I could get some sleep. I went into the bathroom and my water broke, I called out to Lauren "I think my water broke." Why I said I think I am not sure because I knew that was what happened, she didn't believe that it would happen that fast, she took a look at siad. "Oh yes, it did." So she checked me and I was at 5 cm.

From here on out it is all kind of a blurr of sitting in the shower, not wanted anyone to touch me and breathing (Thank you hypno birthing). From Midnight to about 3am I went from 5cm to pushing. I remember at one point thinking "If I want drugs it's now or never." I figured if I made it this far I could make it the rest of the way. Little did I know I had just been through the "easy" part.

Before I go on to the most magical part of the story I would just like to say that I think that everyone should have their babies at Wentworth Douglas Hospital. The staff, AMAZING they respected my wishes, I was never hooked up to any machines, I never had to stay in my bed, the nurses were encouraging and beyond supportive. I wish I could have all my babies there. Anyone who says a hospital is pushy, always wanting you to take drugs and encourages a un natural birth has never been to WDH. My midwife Laura was fantastic as well. I could not have asked for a better experience. My wish is for everyone to have that kind of experience.

Now comes that magical moment that we all see on TV that moment where you push that sweet little life out of you, all your hair stays in place, look lovingly on this new life that came out of you with a few only a swear words..... Oh wait this is NOT want happened at all!

I thankfully only pushed for 23 minutes which I am NOT complaining about, but it was anything but magical. I will spare you the details that were spared me since I couldn't see. I did not request a mirror, I needed no motivation to push. I wanted that girl OUT of me! Kyle says that I turned a color purple that he had no idea a living human could turn! And let me tell you my curly hair was looking pretty bad! We only took a couple pictures here that I will most likely not safe.

After 23 minutes we had our little crying, peeing baby girl. She cried for about 2 and a half hours which I hear is not typical. Then they took that screaming bundle of joy and did their thing, cleaned her off took her measurements. She was perfect and we were in love, tired but in love.
 

So this is how Annaka came into the world. Well it's the shorten version. I think that everything went perfect I would not have asked for a better situation. I hope you enjoyed reading this thanks for sticking with it.

If I haven't heard your story I would LOVE to! I love, love hearing about how these sweet babies are brought into this world. I love how everyone's stories are so different and how amazing the women I know are.  



Saturday, October 8, 2011

Baby Shower Pictures











Here are some more pictures for you to enjoy!

It's a Girl






So Kyle and I, as always, wanted to find out the gender of our baby in a different way, be original, come up with a unheard of plan. And we did! We decided to have the ultrasound tech write the sex on a card and seal it. We would then pass it along to my sister who was throwing the shower. She would then plan the party for the appropriate sex AND tell all the guest the sex so that we would not end up with a ton of yellow and brown, ducks and monkeys. Not that those things are not adorable. So everyone knew what we were having before we did. People asked if that bothered us and my response was "I don't know, well see." But it didn't it was kind of like a game and Kyle and I are always up for games.

Kyle and I both talked about what we hoped for and to tell the truth we really didn't care. We had been hoping for a little bundle for quite some time at that point and when you have been waiting for what seems like forever you truly just want a happy healthy baby. Of course I felt a girl would be easier because I am one and it seemed at the time I would know what to do with a little girl easier than a little boy, I was wrong. Kyle felt the same about a boy. Little did we know that no matter what parts a baby has down below they are still a mystery to be solved.

The shower idea seemed to work, no one spilled the beans which was our biggest fear. My sister, mom and Melissa planning the shower. Many other wonderful family and friends helped by bring yummy food for all of us to enjoy! A friend of ours also took pictures as a gift. It was so much fun, and it felt so nice to have all of the people there that we love so much (minus some that could not make it because of distance). I do know that our reaction was not as people had hoped, when we entered the room we just both smiled with delight. There were no screams of "YAY", that just isn't really us, well in a large group like that. To tell the truth when we walked in and saw everyone staring at us I felt a little overwhelmed, I'm not one who likes to be the center of attention, even less so Kyle. I didn't really think that who "revealing" process through. Next time!

We not only wanted to be original with how we found out the sex of our baby but we also wanted to be original with the events activities. Since it was going to be a Jack and Jill we wanted everyone to have fun. We had a photo booth with props, a onesie decorating table, a well wishes/memory lane station and a party isn't complete with out a little competition. We had a baby food eating contest boys again girls which the boys won.

It was a great day I'm thankful for Mike who took pictures for us and my Aunt Caroline who took pictures of all the little details that I didn't really get to enjoy the day of. Kyle and I really enjoyed ourselves thanks to Allison, Mom and Melissa who worked so hard so that we could have a wonderful shower. Also thanks to everyone who came to our little lady's special day. It is a day that we will never forget.

I am already thinking of brilliant ways to find out the gender or baby number two one day. Sometimes I wonder if I missed my life calling to be a party planner.

I would call this shower an Unordinary Smith Adventure. :)

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Baby Time


Well, we are going to finally have something to write about! Kyle and I are expecting our first little munchkin! It seems that most people either live in a incredible interesting place, have unique jobs or have children when they write blogs. Or maybe they are just extremely cleaver. Kyle and I are going to go with the baby thing. :)

We have had one ultrasound and so far so good. Everything looks good and sounds healthy! I still am not really showing but my pants just don't seem to fit right. I am in week 17 but still feeling a little sick. Not craving anything, just trying to eat healthy. I think that is all to report at the moment.

We are going through all our stuff and making room for our little bundle of joy that will be on their way soon!


Thursday, February 24, 2011

Hello World

Hello,
Since our recent move to Portsmouth I (Beth) have not had a job and starting in March I will be taking a class that will enable me to work Per Diem therefore I will have some extra time on my hands and what better to do with that time than start a blog right?

Everyone seems to have a blog so why don't we. I am not sure what we have to say but if anything it will be a great way to keep our family up to date in our most exciting life.

So welcome to our blog I hope that we can keep you entertained and amused.

Till next time......