Paisley's Birthday

On Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012 our lives were forever changed...our beautiful daughter, Paisley Jean, was born!

Here's how it happened....

Thursday, April 5th:

• Matt and I went to my last OB appointment before my due date on April 10th. 
• I was 2 to 3 cm dilated, 80 to 90% effaced.  (My Dr. told me he thought once my water broke I would progress quickly due to her position.)
• Unfortunately, since my due date was only 5 days away and I had not had any contractions my Dr. wanted me to schedule an induction (it was set for April 11th).  Here in KS (or at least at my Dr's office), they don't like you to go past your due date. 
• Matt and I were disappointed because I really wanted to go into labor on my own.  I prayed continuously that I wouldn't have to go that route.

Friday, April 6th:

• I decided I would try to take matters in my own hands and walk this baby out-haha!  I went on 2 or 3 walks that day, but due to the pain in my hips I wasn't able to walk fast or far.
• I began having "contractions" after Matt got home from work.  I wasn't too bothered by them because they weren't strong or very painful.  I just thought I was starting to have noticeable braxton hicks contractions. 
• I agreed to let Matt track them and we realized they were coming around 3 minutes apart. 
• We considered going to the hospital to get checked but since they weren't strong or very painful I decided not to go. 

Here's a picture of me from that day...2 days before delivery.

Saturday, April 7th:

• Matt and I woke to a non eventful morning with no contractions.  (I think I was a little disappointed because I was still praying I wouldn't need to be induced.)
• We had a great morning, which ended up being the last morning we got to enjoy our favorite activity together...snuggling in bed.
• We decided since this would be our last weekend together (since I was going to be induced that week) we would have a date day. 
• While we were making breakfast for a late lunch (around 2pm) I started noticing more contractions, but again they weren't too painful. 
• We figured if I was having contractions the best thing to do would be to walk and relax together, so we continued with our date day and went to Ward-Meade Park to enjoy the beautiful weather. 
• Afterwards, we decided to pick up Toby and take him to a different park to walk around more...once again, we were trying to get Miss Paisley moving.
• Finally, sometime around 7 pm I noticed my contractions stopped. 
• Matt and I enjoyed the rest of the evening and watched a movie. 

This is at Ward-Meade Park during tulip time...it was a beautiful day!

  Sunday, April 8th:

• 5:00 am-I felt an intense contraction in my lower abdomen that woke me up.  I didn't feel it again, so I went back to sleep.
• 6:00 am-Another contraction in my abdomen and then in my back...followed by nothing.  Again, I fell back asleep.
• 7:00 am-Another one, but more intense...followed by nothing!  They were getting stronger each time, but nothing followed.  By this point I was getting annoyed from waking every hour for nothing.
• 7:30 am-I had another intense but stronger contraction in my abdomen and as it started easing off it intensified and then radiated to my back...then...I felt my water break! 
• I jumped (literally) out of bed and went quickly to the bathroom.  I was worried I would have a major gush of water that would get all over our bedding and I didn't want to deal with that before hurrying to the hospital.
• I called to Matt from the bathroom and told him my water broke.  He looked at me and calmly but excitedly said OK.  I told him we had time to get showers and shouldn't have to rush.
• While in the shower, my contractions started coming quicker and stronger.  I remember doubling over in pain in the shower thinking wow...these are getting close.  Still thinking there was no way I needed to rush.  (I must have forgotten my Dr. told me I should progress quickly through labor once my water broke and to get to the hospital soon.)
• Matt was very calm and took care of loading the car and letting Toby out.  Thankfully everything was packed and ready to go.
• When I got out of the shower, I was having to stop and breathe through the contractions, so I decided to time them.  Much to my surprise...they were already 2 min apart and lasting about a minute!  (For those that are not familiar with what that means, I only had about a minute between without pain.)
• I told Matt we needed to speed things up!!  He quickly got a shower and I finished getting dressed.
• We left for the hospital around 8:45 am!
• Once we parked at the hospital, I didn't have far to walk.  Unfortunately, it seemed to take forever since I could no longer talk or walk through my contractions.  I had stopped timing them, but I know I had 4 from the time we parked to the time I sat down on the triage bed.
• Thankfully we called ahead, so the nurses were ready for me.  I was checked in by 9:20 am.
• When the nurse checked my progress, I was 95% effaced and around 4cm dilated (remember I was 2 to 3cm two days before).  By this point, I was only getting about 30 seconds of rest between contractions.    
• I was the only one in labor and delivery that day.  It was great not having to wait for assistance, but I became overwhelmed when all the nurses came in at the sametime and started asking tons of questions.  I finally told them it was too much! 
• Around 9:45 am, my nurse asked if I wanted her to place an order for an epidural.  I quickly said yes, because it could take up to an hour for the Dr. to get there (remember it was Easter, so the Dr. wasn't at the hospital). 
• Peviously, Matt knew I had wanted to wait as long as possible to get the epidural because we were worried it would slow down labor if I wasn't progressing...so he was trying to help and told the nurse..."well WE wanted to wait as long as possible before getting the epidural"...I immediatly thought to myself I already waited...what are you thinking!!  I simply told the nurse, yes, please just place the order!  It's kind of funny thinking about it now.
• During my contractions, Matt was extremely helpful getting me changed, playing some relaxing music, providing breathing support, giving me massages, encouraging me, and helping me change positions while I waited for the epidural.
• I was having cluster contractions that were extremely intense and I really couldn't find any position that helped to relieve the pain.  The first contraction I'd feel in my abdomen and the second wave would go through my back.
• The nurse asked me where my pain level was on a scale from 1 to 10 and I told her a 5...haha! Matt looked at me and said, you have a death grip on the bed...are you sure it's not higher?  I told them I didn't know, but I'm sure it could get a lot worse so I was leaving room to grow...haha...what was I thinking!  Looking back, my pain was definitely at least an 8!  
• At one point, the nurse told me she wanted me to lay down (to slow down my progress) if I wanted the epidural because she was concerned the Dr. may not get there in time! Oh my gosh...what a way to put a lady in labor in stress...especially this one! 
• 11 am-I got news the Dr. with MY epidural was in the hospital and on his way!!!  I was very excited because I was 6cm dilated already and in a great deal of pain!
• It was really uncomfortable getting the epidural, because he hit a nerve twice.  In addition, the medication was only going down my left side, so I still felt pain (but not as intense) on my right side.  The Dr. fixed the epidural, but he also had to give me a second dosage.  Due to the second dose, I couldn't move my left leg at all.  Everytime I moved Matt or the nurse had to pick me and my left leg up.  I wasn't complaining, because I couldn't feel anything! :)

after my epidural

• After my epidural, I had a chance to rest.  Matt even had a chance to get lunch and watch a little of the Masters on the tv in our room.

Matt reading the Sheild and Diamond and watching the Masters.

• Around 2pm, I was only 8cm.  Since I slowed down, they decided to give me pitocin to increase my contractions and get the dilation moving again. 
• 4:00pm-I was 100% effaced and 10cm...so they wanted me to try to start pushing.  I had not seen (or met) the doctor on call with my practice at this point.

This is our last picture together as a family of two.

• Evidently, first time moms are not very good at pushing and I was no exception.  My nurse was great.  She really helped encourage me and tell me what to do.  Matt was very involved throughout the whole process and supported my lower left half as I still couldn't move it.
• I pushed for approximately 20 minutes and in the middle of pushing the Dr. with my OB practice arrived.  I thought...what a great way to meet someone for the first time.
• Since I wasn't having the urge to push they decided to give me a break.  I was very thankful because everytime I pushed I had stomach acid come up and it made me want to throw up. 
• 4:30pm-I felt the need to push.  After pushing for a while I was finally relieved of all my stomach acid...unfortunately not the way you would want.  I continued pushing for another hour. 
• Finally at 5:36pm she arrived!

Matt cut the cord but the nurse must not have thought getting his face was important.

I was so happy to see my baby girl!

our first family photo

7 lbs 8 ouncs and 20.5 inches

proud Daddy!

our Easter blessing

going home from the hospital

first car ride

It has been an adjustment, but things are going very well.  Paisley seems to be a content baby and she sleeps well at night.  We have been taking a picture a day of her and it's fun watching her grow.  Here are 10 facts about her...

1. doesn't take a pacifier (we've tried them all)
2. enjoys nursing
3. one month later and she's still in newborn clothing
4. at her one month appointment she was 22.5 inches and 10 lbs (that's 2 inches and a little over 2 lbs since delivery)...we're trying to squeeze her in those last few newborn diapers
5. loves to be swaddled or wrapped up tight when sleeping
6. holds her head up
7. likes to swing or rock in the glider
8. doesn't always let you know she has a dirty diaper
9. grunts and makes noises when sleeping and nursing
10. usually needs to cry a bit before she can fall asleep...it's sad

We love our little girl and can't wait for you all to meet her!!


Don't Forget Toby:

Toby LOVES Paisley!  He always gets very excited when we come home after being out.  The first thing he does whenever we come home or he comes in from a walk is go look for her.  He is very patient when she's crying and he loves to smell her.  Here are a few pictures of Toby meeting his little sister.