Ann Parker's Birth Story

I am sitting here hooked up to the IV getting another round of antibiotics so I figured I will get this down while it is fresh in my mind. It may be boring to most, but I will want to look back one day!

Last Monday, the 16th, I had my weekly OB appointment. Everything looked great. The doctor said that she would see me same next the following week. I had not been having contractions and was feeling energetic so there was no reason to think I would miss that next appointment. On Wednesday, I started having a few contractions-strong but irregular. I was crampy and tired. This was similar to what I felt in the days leading to C's birth so I started to wonder. Thursday morning I woke up and had a little bleeding. After taking to my nurse I wasn't too concerned. I was considered full term and this was probably my body getting ready to deliver, but it didn't necessarily mean that labor was coming soon. I still expected to be waiting another week. I took C to a friends birthday party that afternoon. By the time we got home I was having regular contractions, but they were every 9 minutes apart-further apart than the "come in right away" time. I called the MEU and talked to a nurse. She said that I could try Benadryl and if it was false labor they would stop. I didn't want to leave Caroline for a false alarm so I took two. I was still having them so Adam called Trey, one of our best friends. The plan was for him to stay with Caroline if I went into labor during the night. This was about 8:00. Once he got there I decided to wait it out so he just hung out us. I fell asleep on the couch and felt fine. Around midnight I decided it was a false alarm and we let Trey go home. We went to our room to change clothes and go to bed. I put my pjs on and went to the bathroom and then...my water broke. Less than 15 minutes after Trey left, we called him back. He hadn't even opened his door yet!! Adam and I were much calmer this time. I called the MEU to let them know we were coming while Adam loaded the car. Once we were done and Trey was there, we headed to UAB.

We arrived at the MEU around 12:45. They confirmed that my water broke and started getting me ready for labor and delivery. Before I knew it, we were off to a room. The contractions didn't hurt too bad. I didn't get to have an epidural right away because they wanted to wait for the attending doctor. Epidurals can lower blood pressure and that isn't good if you have an aortic stenosis. I could have one earlier last time since I had pre eclampsia and lowering my BP was a good thing. Thank God for doctors and their knowledge! They decided to give me an arterial line to monitor my blood pressure and administer the epidural slowly. Since I had the arterial line I had to be moved out of the regular labor and delivery room and into the PACU (post anesthesia care unit) as that is the place that has the equipment to monitor everything. They gave me the epidural in small doses so I felt contractions a lot longer than with C. I was expecting labor to go a lot quicker this time. It was 14 hours with C. This time it was 16 hours, but I was mostly aware this time which was a nice change.

They finally got my epidural to a point where I couldn't feel the pain. Soon after that it was time for a baby!! Right before they delivered her I started feeling light headed and dizzy. Everyone's voice sounded distant and I couldn't see well. Even though I was already lying down, I blacked out for a second. When I came too (literally a few seconds later) they said it was time to get her! Since the PACU rooms are so small, the room didn't flood with people. In fact, there were only 7 or 8 people other than us in there. Very different from the 18 or something when I had C!! The pediatricians ready for AP had to be in the next room since it was so small.

Before I knew it, they started pulling her out. It was quick. They held her up so we could see. She was so little!! They asked if Adam wanted to cut the cord, and he did. Then they look her to get cleaned up and evaluated. Adam stayed with me while they started to stitch me up but then he left to be with Ann Parker.

They finally brought her in to me. She looked a lot like baby Caroline. Same precious nose, just like their daddy. Same little round cheeks. It was a perfect moment.

There is nothing like seeing your child for the first time- seeing who has been kicking you and wanting you to eat tons of fruit and ice cream. :) The birth is always a little bittersweet to me. I just love being pregnant. I hate the needles, but aside from that I even like going to the doctor each time. I love the anticipation at the end, wondering which day will be the life changing one where your baby arrives. I think the middle of the night hospital trips are fun too, although Adam disagrees. I hate that that part has to end. God willing (and Adam too) that won't be my last pregnancy. BUT, even though I will miss being pregnant, I am beyond grateful to have a beautiful and healthy little girl. I am so glad that she is ours and for the rest of my life April 20 will be one of the happiest days because our precious girl officially became part of our family.

Happy birthday Ann Parker. We are over the moon in love with you already!

One more time

Apparently I can't just deliver a baby and be done. I had a post partum hemorrhage with Caroline that earned me a lovely surgery and extra two night stay in the hospital. This time I had a great delivery. No pre eclampsia and no retained placenta. I actually felt like a human after the delivery. I had been mentally high fiving myself for the next two days...until they made me stay an extra night at the CCU. While one extra night was hard, it could have been worse. Monday finally came and we got to go home! My whole family was under one roof. I was able to give Caroline her dinner and play with her. I got her toothbrush ready before bed. It was starting to feel like normal. Then the fever started. I could tell something wasn't right. I had chills but I could feel the heat coming off my body. My bottom lip was getting a new fever blister every hour it seemed (no exaggeration), my body started aching, my head was pounding, and then I started throwing up. I assumed it was some sort of flu type bug. I didn't get a wink of sleep between feeling horrible and having a newborn home for the first night. Tuesday morning I called the doctor. My discharge papers said to call if I had a fever. They scheduled me to come in early afternoon. I was expecting an antibiotic and orders to take it easy. Instead I was told that I have metritis, a uterine infection. Part of the episiotomy site was also looking not quite right. The doctor kept saying things like "we will check the site every 12 hours" and "maybe after 24 hours you will feel well enough to go home." Somehow I still didn't catch on. They were re-admitting me for IV antibiotics to get rid of the infection. I lost it. I was away from Caroline for 3 days and with her for 19 hours (about 11 of those She slept) and now I was going to be away again?? After reluctantly agreeing that this was for the best I walked to my new room and got my IV. After one round I felt a lot better. I was excited that I would be able to go home feeling this good! At 5:00 this morning one of the doctors came to tell me that my fever had stayed away all night and my white blood count was looking better. He said that I should be back to normal after 48 hours of antibiotics. WHAT?? 48 hours?? Yep, I will be here yet another night. He said either Friday morning or late in the day Thursday. Fingers crossed for Thursday. By the time I get home to Caroline, I will have been gone nearly a week. That is the hardest part. When another doctor came to talk to me this morning, she explained that infections are common after delivery and we did the right thing by coming in. Untreated uterine infections can lead to a hysterectomy. If we ever want more kids then that is obviously a needed organ. We just can't seem to get away from UAB... Our friend George is a resident here and in the past 5 days he has visited us in 3 different hospital rooms. We are hoping to eventually see him outside of UAB!! I am hooked up to my IV as I type this. Adam took Ann Parker to her first pediatrician appointment this morning and I hated to miss that. C is still at home with Adam's mom. She is having a great time but I am missing her like crazy. I just want to be home with Adam and my girls. Hopefully tomorrow is the day... We will try the going home thing one more time and keep our fingers crossed that it sticks!!

More to come...

The past couple of days have been wonderful. We got to meet our beautiful little baby girl and introduce her to our other sweet daughter. Could life be any sweeter? Not at all!! Due to a couple of minor things, I staying in the hospital one more night but not in the Women's center...the Cardiac Care Unit. One more night is not a big deal, but I have to leave both girls behind. AP will stay in the nursery and I will pick her up tomorrow. C is with her Mimi at our house. I have a 2 day old and a 2 year old that need me but I am not allowed to be with them. My heart is broken. I know it's only for a short time - but you try rationalizing with post partum hormones!! Here are a few sweet pictures holding me over until I have BOTH babies in my arms tomorrow!!!

Welcome to the world!

Ann Parker Israel
April 20, 2012
4:35 pm
5 lb 3 oz
19 inches
Perfect

Bath time fun

Full term...almost baby time!!

This week I am considered full term- 37 weeks. C was born during this week in my pregnancy with her and I wonder if the same will be true of her little sister. I guess we just will have to wait and see!! I had a doctor appointment today and everything looked great. She did not check for progress but I am very thankful for that since it's not the most comfortable thing in the world! I have developed an ugly rash on my arms and belly. The doctor said it was fairly common and would not hurt the baby. It's itchy and not too pretty looking but I guess I can handle it for a while... I cannot wait to meet our precious little girl! Here is the best big sister measuring her belly at the doctor today!

26 days

Only 26 days until our due date!! I don't expect Ann Parker to stay until then, but I think it will be another couple of weeks until she makes her debut. We are all finally packed and ready to go to the hospital. The new double stroller has been ordered. Caroline is sleeping like a pro in her big girl bed. I feel like we are as ready as we can be!! I go back to the doctor on Monday so we will see if there has been any progress. I can't believe that in 26 days or less I will be holdings sweet baby girl!!

Easter 2012

I just love Easter. I love the bright, happy colors. I love the beautiful weather. I just love it all - especially since having Caroline. She just makes it so much more fun!! We had a wonderful weekend filled with delicious food, friends, and family.

I didn't take too many pictures since I was too busy enjoying the weekend, but here is an idea of the fun we had!

Easter morning in her beautiful dress.

The Easter bunny was good to Caroline this year. He brought lots of yummy candy, Minnie Mouse PJ's, a new bathing suit and cover up, dress up stuff, a bubble machine, a Llama Llama book, a coloring book, and a hat!
He even remembered little Ann Parker!
Digging in to her new stuff.

Mimi and Papa brought an Easter gift too!!
After church and brunch the bubble machine came out. We couldn't even get her out of her dress first!!

After convincing C to leave the bubbles and change into play clothes, she got to dye eggs with Daddy and Mimi.
She was incredibly fascinated by watching the colors change.

Then the egg hunt began!! She was so excited!
She founds lots of eggs!


She needed a little help with some!
Sitting in her "boop" with her loot.

We must have re-hid the eggs about 10 times. She loved looking for them and kept asking for more. Next year we will be more prepared and will hide a lot more to begin with!! It was such a fun Easter!!

School Easter Party and Egg Hunt

Last Wednesday Caroline had her class Easter party and egg hunt. This was her first egg hunt this year and I didn't know how she would do. It took her a few minutes to figure it out, but once she did she loved it!!


Getting ready to find some eggs!!


I do what??


Seriously mom, what are you pointing at?


Now I get it!!


Look at me go!


Egg hunting champ



It's hard to tell, but she's clapping for herself.


Yay for egg hunts!

The rest are from the party after they came inside.







It was such a fun day!!

Baby Sprinkles

I have some of the best friends and family that anyone could ask for. This past month I was lucky enough to have two wonderful baby sprinkles to celebrate the arrival of Ann Parker.

The first baby sprinkle was with my Mama & Me friends. We gathered for a wonderful morning play date complete with snacks and gifts!


Caroline enjoyed climbing on the bins rather than playing with the blocks inside the bins...


I mistakenly thought she would enjoy helping me open gifts for her little sister.


After opening all the gifts, we had a wonderful assortment of clothes, burp cloths, baby wash, diapers, wipes, blankets, towels, bibs, etc. All such wonderful, thoughtful, and needed items for a new baby!


Look at the preciousness!!

The second baby shower was thrown by some of my best college friends and my sister. We had a wonderful lunch at Cocina. It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon. I accidently left my camera at home so I didn't get any pictures with the hostesses or any of the other ladies!! I still have to upload those pictures but I got some of the most adorable outfits as well as some more much needed diapers, wipes, toys, and blankets. Look for those picutures coming soon!!

Ann Parker has just about everything she needs. She is such a lucky girl to have so many people already love her and ready to celebrate her arrival. We are one very blessed family!!!

Nursery Pictures

We are finally (almost) done with the nursery!! I wanted something that was a relaxing place for Ann Parker and me to be. I wanted it to be special and different from Caroline's - but also different from other people. These aren't all the pictures, but you can get an idea from here.


Monogram painted above the crib.

C has this same blanket in green and pink - her nursery colors. Sorry I didn't get a close up of the bedding - it's the best part!!
Storage shelf that we had made. You cannot see the art above - it's what still needs to be properly framed.
Rocking chair.

Other side of the window.


And that's all I took. There are still a few things that are unseen here but I'll get to those. I truly love how it turned it. It's sweet, girly, unique and relaxing - a perfect place to bring home our beautiful Ann Parker!