July 2013

In ten days Reese will be SEVEN months old! Please, someone, tell me how this has happened!

Reese had her 6 month appointment last week. She is 24 3/4in long and 12lbs 13oz! We are so proud of her weight gain after trying hard for the last two months to get her up! She is in 10th percentile for height and still under the 5th percentile for weight, but I'm not concerned. As my doctor said, she is just a peanut!

She rolls all around the house now and has started getting in to things. We are going to have to babyproof soon! She has started to scoot but isn't very efficient at it yet. She keeps her head on the ground and pushes off with her head. It's really strange. But the last couple of days she has started getting her knees up under her and at the same time pushing up halfway with her arms. So I know before we know it she will be on all fours and crawling! Personally, I wouldn't mind if she stayed rolling for a little bit longer. :)

Her personality is really showing these days. She is a total goof. Whenever she thinks something is funny she smiles and crinkles up her little nose. It's adorable. She is our pride and joy. We love her so much!

 Reese sitting up watching Doc McStuffins!

4.5 months

Holy cow, time has flown! So sorry for no updates or pictures. My little lady is keeping me wonderfully busy!

Reese is 4.5 months old now. At her 4 month check up she weighed in at 10lbs 5oz, and 23 1/4in long. A little on the small side so my doctor and I talked about options to help beef her up a little. She is still thriving, hitting all of her developmental milestones right on time, so we are not worried about her size. She is just a lil' peanut! And SO cute that way!

Reese is a total joy. She is mobile now and rolls all over the place. She loves rolling to the dogs then grabbing their fur. Of course, everything she grabs goes in her mouth. So there have been a few times she will try to eat the dog. We figure living in this house, that's just going to happen! Obviously we try to limit the amount of times she is sucking on dog fur. ;)

She is a happy little girl 98% of the time. She sleeps wonderfully. She does the funniest little giggles, even though she is so serious it is hard to get a giggle out of her. She is shy around other people and if we hand her off to someone else at church or elsewhere, she will let you know she is NOT happy about that! So that is something we will continuously be working on, but I have a feeling it will just get worse until it gets better.

We are going to California next month for my grandpas memorial service. While I am absolutely DREADING the flights (not because of Reese but because I loathe flying), I am so excited to be back in California. It's been two years since we've been back! Reese will get to meet the rest of her cousins and I will get some good family time in. I cannot wait!

6 weeks!

So about three weeks ago I posted a very long update complete with a ton of pictures, only to have blogger fail me and delete it. Even the auto save didn't come through. I was so upset. So here I am, weeks later, writing another update. And it had better stick!

 Reese is WONDERFUL. She is six weeks old today which blows me Away. She is a very easy baby so far. From the very beginning, she only gets up once at night. This past week she has actually been sleeping through the entire night! Jake and I realize how rare this is, so we feel very fortunate and very blessed!

Reese has been sleeping in a bassinet next to our bed, but this past weekend we introduced her to the crib! Just during nap times. She has done well, although it has certainly cut down on the length of time she sleeps. I know she will get better at it though. I think tonight will be her firs might in the crib, and let me tell you I am dreading it! I love having her so close! But since she is not really eating in the middle of the night anymore, there is no reason to keep her so close. Plus, it's easier to transfer her now than in a few months, I am sure!

Reese has started smiling, is a pro at tummy time, and has even rolled over for us a few times! She had her one month check up last week and she looks great. She is now 8lbs 13oz and 21.5in long! She had dropped down to 6lbs 12oz at her four day check up, so she gained two pounds in a month! Proud mommy right here!

Jake and I just love being parents. It's a lot of work but like I said, Reese really is an easy baby. We really haven't had any sleep deprived zombie moments so that is lovely!


I am fully recovered also! I lost twenty pounds in the first week after having her, which leaves me with six pounds till I'm back at my pre-pregnancy weight! I started working out a few weeks ago trying to build back up my muscle, and last week I started running! I hope to be able to keep it up! Gotta get myself ready for this summer!

The dogs have adjusted very well to having a baby in the house. Fall acts as if Reese doesn't exist. At first, Finnick was pretty jealous. Now he is just his crazy, exuberant, seven month old self. He seems to really like Reese, but he needs to learn how to be careful around her! He is very clumsy, and at about 50lbs, it's not always comfortable being laid/sat/stepped on! But we are working on it.

All in all, things are great! My sister and her family came to visit about a month ago, and my mom was just here. My dad will be out here in April! We love seeing our family.

I will try to be better about updating!

Okay I guess I can't post pictures from my iPad. I'll do a pic post later!

She's here!!

Reese Elizabeth was born December 31st at 3:09am. She weighed 7lbs 10oz and is 20.5in long!

Sunday, December 30th I woke up at 12:30am with uncomfortable contractions. I figured they were just my regular BH and I would be able to fall back asleep. They continued to get a little stronger but no closer together. Around 2:30 I started bleeding, so I knew it was going to be soon! By 6am I was having strong and painful contractions 3 minutes apart with HORRIBLE back pain, so my doctor sent us to the hospital. When we got there I was only 2.5cm dilated and 80% effaced. I was kept for about four hours and I did a lot of walking, ball bouncing, and squatting to try and get some progress. After four hours I was checked again and still no progress, so I was sent home. At home the pain got even worse and the contractions were about a minute apart. At around 2:30pm we headed back to the hospital just be to 2.5cm again. I was so frustrated! We waited an hour to be checked. My doctor said if there was any progress I would be staying, but if not I'd be sent home.  As soon as I saw the nurses smile on her face, I knew I had progressed! I was at a 3 and I could stay! They hooked me up to an epidural when I was 5cm, and it didn't hurt at all. I felt immediate relief except for a little pocket right above my right hip. They said hopefully that pain pocket will close, but sometimes it'll just spread.

Jake's mom showed up around that time to help us out. My doctor came in and broke my water, and explained I may need Pitocin to help speed up contractions because an epi can slow them down, and my water not breaking on it's own. But when I was checked next I was already at 7cm. We were all so surprised!

It was right around 7cm that my epidural wore off. It started just on my right side/back then traveled to my left side also. My left leg stayed numb but that was about it. We upped my dosage but it didn't work, so they upped it again. Still no luck. I resigned myself to just having to get through labor without a full epidural. Definitely NOT my birth plan, but that's okay, we knew things may not go as wanted. :)

By then it was around 10pm and I was exhausted from the pain, and from being up so early. I tried sleeping between contractions but it was always such a brutal wake up call when I woke up to a contraction. I had never been so tired. Finally I was checked again and my dr announced I basically had no more cervix, and we were going to try some practice pushes!

Practice pushing turned in to intense pushing, which turned in to even MORE intense pushing. I couldn't get the baby down so I laid on my side and pushed that way. It worked SO much better. The baby's little head was quickly coming down, so the nurse got my doctor.

4 hours or so later, Reese was born! She had her hand and arm up against her head, which made it very hard for me to push her past my pubic bone. I was soooo exhausted from pushing for so long that everything was kind of a blur. I remember everyone in the room going "PUSH PUSH PUSH PUSH PUSH" and the next thing I knew I felt complete relief and my baby girl was with me! She started crying quickly (although to me it felt like a lifetime) then they took her and weighed her, measured her, did all those fun things. Everyone, even my dr, was shocked to see how much she weighed. They assumed she'd be high 6s, low 7s because of how small I was. I certainly did not care at that point! After her testing they gave her back to me and I got to hold her for about 15 minutes, when she was taken again for another test. After that I got to breastfeed her.

A few hours later we were moved to the post partum ward and Reese went off to the nursery for a few more tests.

So that's the story! It was about a 30 hour labor from start to finish, and much different than I thought it would be. But I'm SO happy with the end result! Jake and I are so, so in love. To us she is the most beautiful, perfect baby in the world. :)

I'll do my best keeping this blog updated with pics and stories, but you know how I am! Here are some more pictures for now!

39 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:  One week left!! Or more, or less, depending on the Lords plan! So exciting!
 How Far Along: 39 weeks!

Weight: 132lbs

Total Weight Gain: 22lbs.

Stretch Marks: None

Maternity Clothes: Love them! Although my sister gave me a gift card to go shopping after baby for new clothes, and I'm excited for that. :)

Gender:  Girl!

Names: Reese Elizabeth

Movement: I think her movement has amped up! Probably because she's so squished in there. I feel her A LOT.

Sleep: I haven't been as tired this week! My sleep hasn't been great, probably because I've been  anxious. I wake up for a couple of hours at night. Preparing for the baby, I guess!

Exercise: Doing surprisingly well with exercise! I walk the dogs as much as I can, which is about every other day or so, weather permitting. We even walked them in the blizzard yesterday! So much fun!

Symptoms: Braxton hicks and cramping all day every day, but nothing regular enough! I've been quite emotional too. I feel like I have the pre-baby blues! Just when I thought I was going crazy, my sister assured me she had that happen too. Phew!

What I miss: Sleeping on my back!

Cravings: I think I've satisified my Christmas cookies cravings. I can easily turn them down now. But this morning around 3am I woke up NEEDING a cherry icee. Badly. I'll have to wait 'till tomorrow, and I don't care if it's 20 degrees outside, I'm getting one!

Aversions: Nothing!

Things to do: Install the car seat. Have Jake pack his bag for the hospital. Clean the house. Have the baby!

Best Moment this week:  Hearing my little girls heartbeat. It's so great. I can't believe how close I am to meeting her.

Looking Forward To: New Years! It'll be SO fun to be in 2013, the year I have my girl! Unless she comes early, of course. AND my sister, her husband, and her baby are coming in just under two weeks! I'm SO excited to see them!
Belly Pic:

This was 38.5  weeks! Could it be the last official belly pic? If not, I'll definitely be getting a 40 week picture!

38 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:  Sorry this is late! As always, I can't believe I'm 38 weeks! It's getting soooo close, and it's crazy knowing Reese can come at any time!
 How Far Along: 38 weeks!

Weight: 132lbs

Total Weight Gain: 22lbs.

Stretch Marks: None

Maternity Clothes: I almost always wear maternity clothes, but this week we were late on laundry so I wore some pre-preg jeans and shirts. They still fit! I was so thrilled. I couldn't button the jeans to save my life, but it was appropriate to wear in public! So proud. :)

Gender:  Girl!

Names: Reese Elizabeth

Movement: Lots of movement! Such a good girl.

Sleep: I've been soooooo tired. I've always heard of people saying the third trimester is just as bad as the first, but I hadn't experienced that until the last few days. Holy moly. It's intense! I could sleep a ton. Sleep at night is still great.

Exercise: I've actually kept active this past week! As many walks as I could force myself to bundle for, and doing squats and lunges and such!

Symptoms: Braxton hicks every day, being sleepy, morning headaches, some overall discomfort at times, but for the most part things are going well! 

What I miss: Not much. :)

Cravings: EVERYTHING SUGARY. It's so, so bad guys. With Christmas here and all the gifts of sugar cookies, I wouldn't be surprised if I gained a billion pounds this week. Why must it be so hard to just say no?

Aversions: Nothing!

Things to do: Install the car seat. Finish packing hospital bag. FIND SOMEONE TO WATCH THE DOGS.

Best Moment this week:  Being 1cm dilated! Not sure how much effaced. My dr also stripped my membranes, which hurt like crap. I love progress though!

Looking Forward To: Christmas and New Years! They are one step closer to meeting our baby! And, as always, meeting this little girl! I am trying so hard to not be impatient.
Belly Pic: No belly pic this week, sorry!

37 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:  How did we get to 37 weeks already?? Time is FLYING. My husband and I can NOT believe Reese will be here in 3-4 weeks!! We are SO excited. Still so nervous. But SOOOO excited to meet our little girl.
 How Far Along: 37 weeks!

Weight: 131lbs.

Total Weight Gain: 21lbs. Still right on track!

Stretch Marks: None

Maternity Clothes: All I wear. Comfy cozy!

Gender:  Girl!

Names: Reese Elizabeth

Movement: As always, she is quite the mover! She is getting so strong, some of her movements do hurt or take my breath away. Her little bootie likes to stick up between my ribs sometimes, or she'll jab me with a heel. Sometimes she'll even scrape the heel across my stomach! And since she's dropped and low now, I feel lots of movement very low. It's weird. If I'm sitting in a position that has my belly resting on my thighs (weirdest feeling ever), it's fun feeling her move and hit my thighs. Keep growing, baby girl!

Sleep: Sleep is still going very well. My hips have started hurting again and I've been longing to sleep on my back, but I won't let myself.

Exercise: Exercise? What is that? I've been attacked by the pregnancy migraines the last two weeks (hence not posting last week). It has been AWFUL. But I'm beginning to feel better now and I told my husband he needs to encourage me to bundle up and start walking!

Symptoms: Acid reflux (waking up with vomit in my mouth is the best way to wake up!), hip pain at night, overall discomfort every once in a while, etc. etc. I still feel really good though, besides the headaches!

What I miss: Sleeping on my back/stomach. Can't wait to be able to do that!

Cravings: Twizzlers! Which my husband helped ease by buying me a TWO POUND BAG of them! Don't worry, I've barely even dented the bag. Even though most of the time I don't feel hungry, I eat like a pig. It's very weird and I don't like doing it. At this point I just love to eat!

Aversions: Nothing!

Things to do: Pack my hospital bag. Pre-register at the hospital. Install the car seat. Make sure clothes are well organized. Buy more diapers?

Best Moment this week:  Hearing her heartbeat at yesterdays appointment! After a miscarriage, hearing her little heart is the BEST thing ever. So reassuring. And my sister-in-law had her baby this week! That was great! I got to meet him about 5 minutes after he was born.

Looking Forward To: Christmas and New Years! They are one step closer to meeting our baby!
Belly Pic:

This was last week, at 36 weeks. Reese is no longer measuring behind! I'm 0cm dilated and 40% effaced. I love hearing about progress! Makes those uncomfy checks way more worth it!