Ayda and Hadley's Tree

Ok so I am going to go ahead and admit at the beginning of this post that it is official...I am a hippie! Now that I warned you...

After Ayda was born I wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with the placenta. I thought it was gross! My mom and Kevin had a little tutorial from the midwife about it and they loved it. They have talked about how cool it was since. So this time around I wanted to at least see it. Our midwife showed me the side that was Hadley's and the side that was mine and the sacs that Hadley was in. It was actually pretty cool. Then came the question...what do y'all want to do with the placenta? Keep it or throw it away? My answer was promptly...throw it away. Well about 5 seconds after that Kevin gave his answer...nah, let's keep it and plant a tree with it. We have heard that it is great to put with a tree in the yard because it is full of minerals and nutrients and the tree will be really healthy. So...we kept it. Kevin bought a tree on Saturday and we planted it on Sunday. While we were out there I have to admit I am kinda glad we did. Ayda got involved in the process of planting the tree and she still looks out her bedroom window and says "Ayda's tree!". It was a neat thing to do with our family. And I am a bit partial to this tree knowing it has a piece of me and Hadley in there with it! It is our girls' tree!

Hadley Mei Lin!!!

We are SO excited to announce the arrival of our little girl, Hadley Mei! She arrived yesterday March 25th at 4:06AM. We are simply smitten with her and all are doing great. Kevin claims he is a little scared about being out numbered now and having two daughters to protect, but I can tell he is already so in love!

The labor went great and we are blessed to have had another baby at home. She is healthy and perfect. My labor was nothing like mine with Ayda. It was quite a whirlwind actually. I had every sign of pre-labor since Monday. We kept thinking maybe it'll be tonight...or maybe today. And then nothing would happen. Braxton Hicks contractions would stop. I had some cramping throughout the week but it was so irregular I really didn't know what to make of that. My midwife said at my 39 week appointment on Tuesday that she didn't think I would make it through the weekend. She was right! So here is the details of the labor as I remember...

12:oo AM: Went to bed feeling the same as every night...itchy!

1:15AM: Woke up to a really weird painful feeling in my low abdomen. Got up to go to the bathroom to see if that would help. Happened again but not as painful this time.

1:20ish: Ayda wakes up crying. I headed to her room to see what was wrong. She was wide awake (not a normal thing). Changed her diaper and had another contraction (not at all convinced at this point that it was indeed a contraction). Told Ayda to go night night and headed back to our room. I also woke Kevin, who was sleeping on the couch (poor guy has been on the couch so he wouldn't wake me up snoring) and told him that I thought I was having some contractions but I'd come get him if they continued. Again still not convinced they were contractions. I expected to lay back down and they would stop.

1:25ish: got back in bed and waited. Contraction started right away.

1:33: Another one. Definitely got my attention and hurt. Not sure about the times but I had a couple more in bed around 8 minutes apart. Decided to get up and sit on the ball to see if anything changed. Next contraction came and they were about 5 minutes apart. I was alone so it was hard to decide if I would be able to talk through them or not but I definitely stopped moving when I had them.

2:20AM: Woke up Kevin and said I needed him to support me through the contractions. He hopped up and we went back to our room and I sat on the ball. Had a few more about 5 minutes apart.

2:45 AM: Decided to call our doula and midwives. Our Doula and friend, Emily, said she was on the way and would be at our place within 45 minutes. Our midwife said to give her a call back in 30 minutes with an update.

3:00AM: headed outside to walk and I texted my dad and step-mom to tell them I was in labor. Once outside contractions were 3 minutes apart. Kevin called the midwife again (only 20 minutes after we last talked to her) and gave her the update. They decided to head over.

3:15AM: Contractions coming one on top of the other and I wanted back inside to sit on the ball. Hopeful that it would slow them down and I could get a little break.

Inside I sat on the ball for one contraction and decided it was awful and they hurt less standing up. Kevin ran to me to support me during the contraction and then would hurry to light the candles or get the ipod ready between, only having about 45 seconds at a time. My contractions were about 2 minutes apart lasting over a minute.

3:25ishAM: Emily arrives at the house.

3:40AM: Midwife, Robyn, arrives at house. I try to update her between contractions. Told her my hands wouldn't stop shaking and that I wanted into the pool (still empty at this point). She said my shaking was normal and that we may not have time to fill the pool. I was very sad. Water therapy helped so much with Ayda and I wanted to have this baby in the water. Had another contraction and felt like my water might break but it didn't. Told Robyn I really wanted to be in water. She suggested I get in the shower. Great idea...that helped a bunch!

(Times are fuzzy from here on out) Soon after Robyn arrived, Becky (the other midwife) arrived at the house. I was already in the shower facing the wall of the shower so my back was to the door. Called out to go wake my mom, Lauren, Kevin's dad, and Aunt up! Had another contraction and felt the urge to push. I called out that I had that and thought I was going crazy. Making it up. Robyn came in and said to push if I felt the urge, just listen to my body. Next contraction at the peak, I felt the urge again. Robyn said to squat if I felt the urge to push because I could not have this baby standing up. I couldn't believe I was about to be pushing. I wanted to sit down so they quickly started getting the tub filled up. I just remember a lot of stuff happening around me but I had no idea what because my face was on my arm facing the wall. After a couple more contractions I got to sit down in the water and it felt awesome.

4:00AM: Started pushing. Water broke.

4:06AM: Hadley Mei was born after 3 pushes!!

When I sat down to start pushing was the first time I actually saw Becky there. She and Robyn helped me push effectively and Kevin was able to help Becky guide Hadley out.

As I sat in the tub (never in a million years thought I would have her in the bathtub) holding our daughter I was in complete shock. I had no clue what time it was but knew it had not been long since it all started. My labor from start to finish was 2 hours 51 minutes long...and I was in denial for an hour of that! My labor with Ayda was 12 1/2 hours and I had been told that the second time around it is usually half. I was expecting a 6-7 hour labor! I'll admit having a baby in less than 3 hours is the way to go! I have felt great. Have not had to take any tylenol or motrin and have a decent amount of energy. We rested all day yesterday and are laying low today as well. Hadley had a great night last night as well. We were up a lot but she really did wonderful and I was able to get some good sleep with her snuggled up with me.

And as for the big sister...Ayda is very excited about her new baby sister. She woke up yesterday around 7:30 and my mom brought her into our room to meet her sister. She was a little confused but also excited to see the baby. I was afraid she would think we were just babysitting a baby and that she would expect Hadley to leave but she seems to understand that she is ours and is here to stay. If Hadley starts fussing Ayda will come over say "Baby eat eat" or "baby night night". She also will come running into the room if she is somewhere else to see what is wrong when Hadley is crying. It's very sweet! I know we'll have some rough patches as we all adjust but she is doing wonderful already. And I am so glad that Kevin and I are home with her to keep her routine somewhat normal.

My itching is still here but seems to be getting better. I'm hopeful it will be gone within a week or so. I see some subtle signs that it will be departing soon and I cannot wait to be itch free!!! Those of you praying for me and my sanity the last few weeks I cannot thank you enough. They were felt! I had many moments where I just didn't think I could stand one more itchy sleepless night or frustrating itchy day. I was able to sit outside this morning in the shade for about an hour and be comfortable. It was wonderful!

We are so excited about our new addition to say the least! Enjoy the pics! I will try to get some more up soon but we're being pretty lazy around here and loving every second of it. We are so in love with our newest little girl!

Getting weighed...8lbs 3oz and she is 21 inches long!

Becky doing her newborn exam

Daddy getting to snuggle with Hadley while I got situated in bed.

Our awesome midwives, Becky and Robyn!

Ayda giving me hugs and meeting Hadley! She was super excited.

Talking about her new baby sister.

Last night Ayda asked to hold Hadley! Actually she announced it was Ayda's turn!

We had a BIRTHday cake for Hadley and sang happy birthday.

We are so grateful for everyone who has been praying for our little one. She is absolutely precious and so laid back! And the girl loves to eat! And speaking of which it is that time again...she's calling for me!

Itchy-Scratchy and Waiting

This post will be complete without pictures to spare you. They are not pretty. About 4 weeks ago my legs started itching a little bit. I had Kevin rub some Burt's Bees lotion on them since I couldn't really reach my lower legs. Well within a few days we knew something was not quite right. I broke out in a weird rash from the knees to the ankles. Rather irritated I quickly blamed the Nail salon where I had received a pedicure just days before. And thus began the saga of finding out what it was. We thought hives, yeast, contact dermatitis, etc. Everything I tried to make it go away didn't work or made it worse! I was beyond frustrated. I finally sent a picture of it to my friend who is a nurse to see if she maybe knew what it could be. She texted me back saying it looked just like PUPPPs. Um what? Never having heard of that I jumped on the computer and googled it. Sure enough the pictures looked identical. The only thing was that it originates on the stomach and moves out to the extremities. Mine started on my lower legs and had stayed there at that point (it is now on my thighs, stomach, and arms). I email my midwife asking if she thought this could be it. Though she was a bit stumped by it's presentation as well she agreed it was likely what it was. I was relieved to finally know what this awful, itchy rash was but very depressed to then learn that the only cure for it is to have the baby! Not exactly in my control and I was about 36 weeks at this point. So knowing I had a few more weeks of this I started to slowly go insane. No sleeping because of the itching all through the night, no napping because of the itching all day.

Well here I am almost four weeks later, still pregnant, still itching. But I feel I am coping better. Perhaps because I have forgotten what it is like to not itch. They say a new habit takes 28 days to really become a habit. Well I guess it takes about a month to forget what normal is too. I would have loved to have this baby two weeks ago but he/she was obviously not ready so I am taking every day one at a time. I also got my mom to come down a week and a half early to help me out with Ayda and just daily stuff. I can't be outside during the day at all or it starts itching and will not give in for hours. My friend, Lauren, is also here. We have lots of help and hands on deck and I am thankful. Ayda can play outside with them. They can help with the lifting of her. And I can try to get some rest whenever the itching takes a break. We went to the mall this morning to walk hoping that being inside would be better. It definitely was but after about an hour of walking I was itching like crazy and just wanted to get back in the car and head home.

PUPPPs occurs in 1 and 200 woman, usually at the end of their pregnancy. The strange thing is that my close friend, Kaitlin, has it also. We are due 3 days apart which we thought was funny to begin with. Now we have this weird rash together. And 70% of the woman who get this rash have boys. So perhaps we'll both have boys days apart (or on the same day) and recover from the itching together. Very strange!

So we are all here waiting for Baby Lin to make his/her appearance. Every day I hope it's today and every night I hope it's tonight. If I think about having this till I am 41 weeks I want to scream so I am just living one day at a time and it is working. Otherwise I feel great and am loving this pregnancy so much. I have felt great and gotten along great. I'm not nearly as beat from this pregnancy as I was at the end of mine with Ayda. I keep telling myself that 4 or 5 weeks of itching has still been better than 5 months of throwing up, 7 months of extreme heart burn, and awful sciatic pain that I had with Ayda. Maybe, just maybe, the next time I post I'll be itch free and Baby Lin will be announced!

Maybe tonight?!?! :)

My Newest Little Nephew

I have been reflecting on so much all day today. My brother called this morning to tell me that they passed court and their adopted son, Micah, was officially all theirs! It has been a long journey for them and this day seemed like it would never happen. I have four pictures of the little guy in my photo library that we had to keep a secret. I wanted to show him off but couldn't. But finally the time is here and we can brag and show him off! So much prayer has gone into getting this little guy home. And to top it all off today is my brother's birthday. I cannot imagine a better birthday present for him!!!!

Micah with his Mommy

Little does he know there are three very excited siblings at home to play with him!!!

Such a sweet little face!

Let's Fly a Kite

Kevin had the great idea to buy a kite so he and Ayda can fly it. Let me tell you...it was a hit! Not only did she think it was the funniest thing ever to see Kevin running around the yard to get it up in the air, she was also so excited to see it fly! They had so much fun today playing with the kite. I was quite impressed with how high Kevin got it to go. It was a perfect day for flying a kite! Another reason I am so thankful for the amazing daddy Kevin is to our little girl. They had a blast!

Our cute ladybug kite!

Kevin giving Ayda the kite to hold on to.

She was so proud of herself holding the kite. She kept saying "Ayda doing it!"

Taking a little break to watch daddy get the kite REALLY high into the sky!

One last time before we brought the kite back down. Again she was so excited and would get really worried if it flew over a tree. She would say "oh no! A tree!" So cute!

It's Just a Trash Can...

Ayda has taken quite a liking to a trash can. Don't worry it is clean!! She loves to put it on her head and walk or ride her bike around the house. At first I would follow close behind as she ran into walls. She had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes the other day doing this. She was on her bike and would bump into a wall and say "oh man!". She cracks me up!!! Since then she has become quite efficient at walking around with it on. I think she looks down as she is walking and can see where she is for the most part. It's hysterical to watch!

Riding her bike!

She knows she is funny!

She was purposely walking into the wall here. She would bump into it and start cracking up...then look at me as I was laughing.

Making sure I was still being entertained!

36 Weeks!

Ok so I am really hoping that since I take a picture and post it every month that this is my last picture!!! If I have a 40 week picture to post Lord help me!!! But we have made it to 36 weeks which is very exciting. For here on out I pretty much can deliver at home. My midwife would prefer I make it to at least 37 weeks but she will deliver at "36 and some change" as she put it! Is the house ready for a home birth though, nope!! Gotta work on that this week! My goal by next Sunday is to have the birth pool blown up and ready, the supplies organized for the midwife, Ayda's info sheet typed and printed, the carseat (THANKS ANNA!!!!) installed, and the phone number list typed and printed! Lots to do!

Morning Sickness: I've started feeling better in the mornings again for the most part. There are a few days that I feel yucky but for the most part it's gotten better again!

Cravings: I have been eating a lot of Wheat Thins and Cantaloupe! It's my favorite snack in the afternoon!

Movements: I can tell the baby is running out of room because the kicks/movement I feel is no longer all over the place. It is pretty much in the same spot and it is more stretching than kicking. He/she is getting stronger too because some of the stretches hurt!

Energy: It seems to be about the same as last month which I am thankful for! My mom was here last week so that certainly helped! I'm sleeping really good at night which is wonderful. I'm a weird sleeper even when I am not pregnant so I am glad I am sleeping good at night!

Clothing: Clothing has become interesting, not because I don't fit into stuff, but because it decided to get hot outside!!! I was thoroughly enjoying the cold weather and my winter maternity stuff. Now that it is hitting the 80's during the day I am left with only a couple things that will work. I hate to go out and buy short sleeve and shorts that are maternity though. So I pretty much wear jean capris and a t shirt everyday! I have a couple short sleeve shirts I can wear if I need something "nice" to wear! Only a few more weeks though!!

What I miss: I miss being able to run, jump and play with Ayda so much!!! My good friend Taunya is awesome and chases after Ayda for me when we are together. I told her I owe her big time when she gets pregnant! Ayda will come up to me and say "mommy run!" and want me to chase her. I keep telling her I can't run now but will soon! I can't wait to be able to chase her, wrestle with her, etc. again! She loves that! Soon!

(owe how I have not missed the puffy, pregnant face! But alas, it is back! Oy!)