Labor & Birth Story

At 4am Tuesday morning I woke up while trying to roll over to my other side in bed. This had become quite the task. As I rolled over I felt something leak out of me and I thought maybe it was all in my head. Just in case though I moved a bit to see if I wasn't just hoping that my water broke. Next I grabbed a pad from my purse next to the bed (put there just in case this happened). I slowly waddled to the bathroom and sat on the toilet. Another gush. My water had broken.

I let Jon sleep a bit more as I made sure I had everything ready and called the hospital. I woke Jon up at 4:30 and we ate some cereal and were on our way to the hospital. At the hospital we checked in and got a room. They checked my cervix and I was 4cm dilated and 80% effaced. The nurse checked babies heart beat and it was great and my contractions were 6 minutes apart. Jon and I then started to pace the hall ways trying to walk myself further into labor. It wasn't working too well, my contractions only went up to 5 minutes apart but not horribly strong. They felt like a menstrual cramp. I got a birth ball, it looked like an egg and I didn't like it as much as my yoga ball at home. I couldn't rotate my hips and bounce as nicely on it. A few hours later my contractions were getting stronger and pretty painful. The breathing technique that we learned in class sort of worked, but now well enough. I had to grab the bed handles and it was hurting so bad. My cervix was 5 or 6 cm dilated. I asked for drugs.

The drugs only worked about 45 minutes and they had given me a little bit of the drug to help my labor. The drugs made me feel like I was totally out there. After the 45 minutes went by and the drugs wore off I was brought quickly back to reality and the contractions were killing me. They were menstrual cramps times a bajillion. I just wanted baby to come out and be okay. I then was in major pain and asked for the epidural. Until the epidural was finally put in I was going crazy with contractions. They were about every 4 minutes apart or so. When they put in the epidural they had me hold a pillow and try not to move. It was so hard and I squeezed the life out of that pillow. Once the epidural kicked in I thought to myself, why hadn't I done this earlier. The pain went down to a light cramping.

By then, baby was about to come out. They had me hold my legs close to me and Jon stood on my right side talking to me and encouraging me. It was time to push. Babies head was right there. I only was in stage 3 labor for a half an hour. Babies head was at least half way out and they had me stop pushing and wait for the Dr. I could feel the pressure down there and it was just awkward just having babies head just sitting there. Jon said he just had to look and babies head was almost out and was totally weird. Finally, Dr. Mickelson arrived and the labor went on. I pushed on a few more contractions and baby was out. They immediately placed her on my chest and I held her and couldn't believe I had just given birth and that Jon and I now had a beautiful baby girl! Jon cut the umbilical cord and she was crying. It was great to finally see our baby that I have been toting around for the past 9 months.

The nurse and Jon took her to get her weight and length and check her vitals. I pushed out the placenta, that thing is huge! After Jon returned we got our first family picture.

Adelaide Amelia - born July 26th, 2011 - 7lbs 6oz - 21in long

She's Here

We have made it through our first night at home. Horray! It didn't go too bad. She had a few feedings and did some crying around 4:00am. We will figure this thing out.

We are going to the lactation specialist today at 3:15. I hope she can answer some questions and help me get Adelaide to latch on and stay latched on. It seems that is the problem, she just gets impatient about getting her food. I had to self express and spoon feed her a few times. Breast feeding seems to be the hardest thing so far.

She loves movement, the awesome rocking chair dad got us, the bouncy yoga ball, and swaying back and forth.

*sigh*

I have to add, I didn't know I could love someone this much.

Baby Has Arrived

here are some pics of Adelaide Amelia. The details will come later.

Is it time yet

Can you say antsy... 38wks 1 day. I'm ready for baby to be here. My body is soar and warn out. I am so ready to have my body back. Not that I will have much of a body. How much will I have to lose? I feel like a gigantic person. Will I be able to fit the pants I haven't warn in 6 or more months?

I love you baby and am ready to see your face and have you kick me from the outside. Though your movement inside is always reassuring that you are doing alright, and I love you more that I ever thought possible, I am ready to kiss those feet that have been pushing against my ribs and my right side.

37 wk doc apt

Yeah, I have dilated and am at 2cm. Hopefully this will get baby going and labor will start soon. I am so ready. I am going to wash the kitchen floor today, and maybe walk on the treadmill downstairs in our apt. There is no way I want to walk outside today though.

This whole week is supposed to be super hot. Welcome 90 degree weather. Yesterday was a 109 degree heat index. Today and the rest of the week aren't supposed to be much better. Our energy bill is going to be high this month, there is no way I want to go without AC. I am a big pregnant woman, come on. Earlier this summer was so beautiful and nice. The week in the 70s was fantastic.

what a day

so yesterday. yeah. j/k, yesterday wasn't exactly that great. When I woke up and went into the computer/baby room my desk had water all over it. Coco had been locked in there and had spilled Jon's water from that morning on my keyboard and ruined it. Then, Coco was just a pain in the butt the rest of the day, as always. Anyone want a big black cat that demands too much attention? I'm sick of him.

Wednesday while driving to work the air conditioning went out on the way to work.

Back to yesterday, I am driving to work and am going across the bridge over the rail road tracks and the radio stops working, then the clock goes out, then the speedometer, and then the warning lights go out. Next the brakes and power steering go out. I am trying to slow down at a stoplight while trying to get a hold of Jon. I was leaving a message on his phone the entire time this is happening. He said I sounded a bit hysteric, but come on why wouldn't I, our can was going to the crapper and I am 37 weeks pregnant. Give me a break. That was it, I pulled over and texted him to call me asap. I'm pretty sure he thought I might be going into labor, which I am quite ready to get done with. Anyways, he got a friend from grad school to pick me up and drive me to work. Poor guy got to see a crazy pregnant woman.

Jon got his friend to pull the car to the shop and he got it fixed in time to pick me up from work last night when my shift was over.

Good grief. Life does really like to throw curve balls at us, and not always at the best time.

Oh and talk about being pregnant. Baby was having a party inside me last night. Baby was moving for at least 20min straight. Then, I don't know why but I could not get to sleep. I was so pooped and just wanted some shut eye. By the time I did fall asleep Jon's alarm is going off and he is making a ruckus with his cereal bowl, making coffee, and what not. Let's just say I am a bit sleepy right now.

Doc Apt

I just had my 36 wk doctors appointment. 23 days until babies due date. Anyways, she said I am not dilated yet but babies head is pretty low. The pressure down there hurts and I hope I dilate soon and so baby can come. Baby is doing well though, as far as we know. Baby had a strong heart beat of 150 and has been moving around a lot the last two days.

PHD Pass

The letter that we have been waiting to get about the Analysis Exam Jon took on June 18th. Baby and I are super proud! He now has the Algebra test to pass.

Dear Jon,

The Department of Mathematics is pleased to inform you that you have
earned the grade of Ph.D. Pass on the Analysis Examination, given in
June 2011. I encourage you to meet with Dr. Comez to discuss your
performance. Please keep this message for your records and let me know
if you have any questions.

Congratulations,

Sean Sather-Wagstaff, Assistant Professor
Graduate Program Director and Search Committee Chair
North Dakota State University, Mathematics

Fourth of July Fireworks

The Fourth of July. I worked 9-5 yesterday. It seemed super long because it wasn't horribly busy at Fleet Farm. The service desk especially wasn't busy. The checkouts were off and on. After work Jon and I went out on a date; it had been a long time since we did that. Then, we went to over to Moorhead and grabbed a blizzard from the outdoor Dairy Queen there. As we were getting our blizzards the tornado sirens went off. We then got into the car and drove to MSUM where the fireworks were to be set off. Right as we were a couple blocks away the AM radio station we were listening told us that the fireworks were canceled due to the storm coming our way. So we went over there for nothing. Oh well.

We decided to rent a movie and go home. As we got home the rain started to come down and we quickly closed the windows and settled onto the mattress we have in the living room. We have a mattress in the living room due to super hot evenings and trying to stay cool with our living room air conditioning.

The fireworks may be done tonight. I will have Jon look it up and see.

oh baby

Oh baby oh baby, can you you come soon and stop pushing down on my bladder and causing pain in the groin area... I love you so much and am ready for you to be on the outside of me instead of inside.

Baby is moving a lot. At work when I lean against the counter baby kicks and moves around. The most movement is on my left side where I think it's babies legs push out, fingers or something move down near my pelvic bone, and I'm guessing it is toes that like to push on my right rib cage. Baby has dropped, so that is a good sign and babies head is in place. No breach baby for me, thankfully.

The countdown is on. The weeks are down to one hand, yesterday was the the beginning of 35 weeks and today is now 33 days and some hours until babies due date. I am praying that baby will come a little bit early, especially if the weather is going to be as hot as it was yesterday. The temp was in the mid 90s with a high humidity so it must have felt hotter then 100 degrees.

Jon and I still don't have too much for baby. All we have is the side-sleeper that has been passed around the Totushek's and then the bassinet that Grandma Verna used for all her kids and then all of us grand-kids have used it also. My cousin Ben used it for his daughter Ella (which I love her name) and now Jon and I will use it for our baby.

Check out my website: www.carrietotushek.com
I photographed a wedding a few weeks ago and have updated some other things.

34 weeks

Oh my goodness... I hope this baby comes a week or so early. I'm not sure if I can do it much longer then that. My feet are getting swollen (I got some special socks for that), they hurt, especially when I first get up in the morning, and I don't like not being able to do anything quickly. Bending over to pick things up or anything of the sort has become such a chore. Our apartment has become a mess, which I am working on today before I go into work at 3pm. Also, baby likes to push out on my left side and kick my right ribs. The rib thing is the weirdest thing. Along with that baby has been getting the hiccups every couple days. It makes me laugh to watch my stomach moving around because of baby.

Another thing that is happening around here is me preparing our bills and their payments so that we don't have a horrible money crunch during the month to six weeks that I am away from work.

We watched a birthing video in birthing class the other night and it was gross. That is going to hurt so bad! I am a bit afraid of giving birth, seriously how do we as women do this. Though the baby will be a bit misshaped and colored after coming out of my storage unit I am going to be so super excited and happy because that is our child. We will see if I tear up, I probably will.

59 days left

There are 59 days left until babies due date. Hallelujah! I don't think I could last any longer then that. I am feeling gigantic and am not sure I would like to have to wait another 8.5 weeks until baby is born. I'm starting to get hot easier, my feet like to swell, and my wedding ring is now worn around my neck (took it off before any problems could arise).

Work has me standing 5-8 hours a day so that is the main reason my feet get water weight and my shoes then don't fit right. I should get those hospital socks that help keep the water and blood buildup out of my feet but I am worried if I do that then I will be super over heated. Could baby come a few weeks early? how about the third week of July? I'm feeling like a huge beast, it can only get worse. Also, feeling unattractive.

I have been working on our finances quite a bit lately. I am trying to get it so we can make it by without too much fret while I am not working for a month or so after baby is born (donations welcome... j/k). I am a worry wort when it comes to finance. I like that I am in control, it makes me feel better to know exactly what is happening. We have been pinching pennies quite a bit lately, not that we didn't before. Our debt is going down bit by bit (that doesn't really include school debt, that will be around for a while). Is it obsessive that I check our accounts almost daily? My excuse is that when you have less than $50 in your account most of the time, you have to make sure you wont get over-drafted because that would cost money in itself. Some day we wont be living paycheck to paycheck. We will also have a washer and dryer, and a car that its doors don't freeze shut in the winter.

Ok, our apartment is too hot tonight. I am not going to turn on the A/C though, I will not get used to that, I can't do that... we will keep our energy bill down. We can do this...

it's coming out

Oh my goodness, the mommy in me is coming out. I just made Jon take his water bottle out with him while he plays folf to stay hydrated. This is going to have to stop now!

27wks

Oh my goodness, I am at 27wks. Wasn't it just yesterday that we found out I was pregnant. Well, I'm not quite sure everything has soaked in yet. Baby kicking around inside me and not being able to get comfortable because of a big belly does help me realize that yes, this is truly going to happen. For the time being though I am enjoying being just a wife. Okay, I haven't really had too much bonding time with Jon because he is in dead week this week and has take home finals due next week. Thankfully, his schedule is much less next fall which will be fantastic with a new baby and all the changes taking place in our lives.

Alright, here is a question, anyone know any ways to save good money on everyday things? We already buy a lot of no name brand items from toilet paper to noodles. Those coupon websites seem to sell your email address and I don't like that. I do want to save money. We have been watching our budget even more lately (not that we haven't previously). Now that I am not on the road that will take some expenses out.

Well, I guess. Here goes another day.

99 days

99 days until baby's due date. Whoop whoop, I'm getting to the third trimester and it's going to be tough, I can feel it already.

So, lots of things happening. I am trying to find a job, I had an interview for a manager position at JC Penny Portrait Studio. I also had one for a cashier position at Fleet Farm. If I were to work at JC Penny, I couldn't start my own business. If I were to do the cashier position for 20 or so hours a week and then get my business started. What would work best with baby is very important to me but so is financial security for our family. Prayer please, it would be greatly appreciated.

Talking about my business, check out my updated website. I photographed my sister's engagement photos and then did some senior portraits. There is a link on the left side of my blog.