Olivia’s arrival… from pizza ranch and beyond. Part 1

Yes, you read the title correctly. From pizza ranch and beyond.  Monday, October 21^st started out as what was becoming routine for an overdue pregnant woman.  We had an appointment bright and early so I woke up at 5 AM to get ready and load the vehicle with all of our “just in case we go into labor items” once again. We’d been loading and unloading this stuff for weeks now and being 9 days overdue I was soooo ready to actually go into labor just so we wouldn’t have to go through this process again.  

At my appointment my body showed no sign of progress since our appointment a few days prior. In a way I wasn’t surprised.  We had the weekend to process being induced and had decided that if I didn’t go into labor on my own we would go to Fargo Wednesday evening and be induced in the morning on Thursday, October 24^th.  It was a decision I didn’t want to have to make but honestly, it felt so good to finally know that if my body didn’t do what it was supposed to that we would be welcoming a little one within the week.  We discussed that a little more at my appointment and then headed home. On our way home Andy and I talked more about me being induced and how that kind of takes away from the fun and excitement of going into labor and being able to say "I'm having contractions" or "my water broke."  We also talked about how fun it would be though to drive to our appointment on Wednesday night knowing that the next day we would have our little one in our arms.
   

When we arrived home I went on a walk with my friend Eliza and Andy went to play Super Mario brothers with her husband Tim. We walked two miles, which was typical for us, and chatted about life and pregnancy (she’s due in December).  Then, all four of us hung out for a while and contemplated going to town for supper. Because of the indecisiveness of the men, =) Eliza and I decided to go into Jamestown for pizza ranch so the men could continue their hang out time playing games and we could have the pizza both of us pregnant ladies were craving.  

So, Eliza and I were enjoying our supper and chatting more about pregnancy… and I started to feel… a little funny… like I’d just peed myself a little… like I’d done a few times before when I would sneeze or cough hard… yes that happens…except this time I hadn’t done anything that would cause this to happen.  So I sat there a little longer not quite sure what I was feeling… casually asked Liza how long it was from the time her water broke with her son Jackson to when she started having contractions… finished my sprite… and excused myself to the bathroom.  

Standing up is an interesting thing when one’s water has just broke.  Shortly after I started walking to the bathroom I realized that I needed to hurry.  I walked quickly to the bathroom and luckily made it to the stall before the floodgates were unleashed. 

So there I was, in the pizza ranch bathroom laughing and kind of gasping because I couldn’t believe how things were happening.  I was so excited, kind of embarrassed, and honestly I was thinking about the fact that now I would have to tell people that my water broke IN PIZZA RANCH!!! 

Then reality set in a little… there I was all alone in the bathroom with no purse and no cell phone and no way to tell Eliza that my water had just broke. Then, a woman came into the bathroom with her son.  So now I’m thinking “what do I do?” “How do I get out of here?” I thought that maybe I could get up and get out quickly but when your water breaks…um…. There’s no standing up without…leaking… sorry if this is too graphic! So I decided that I could ask this woman if she had a pad… because that’s a normal woman problem and she won’t suspect anything.  So I asked if she had a pad and she said no but laughingly offered a diaper.  I laughed a little too and said no thanks.  So again I thought that maybe since I’d been there a little longer I could get up and leave quickly…yeah, no. 

So there I am, still laughing a little and still kind of gasping and here is this person in the other stall who is probably wondering what in the world is going on with this crazy woman a foot away from her.  So I sat there a little longer wondering how long I would have to be in there before Eliza would check on me and also wondering if somehow I could send her some telepathic pregnant woman code signal that would tell her that she needed to come to the bathroom.  Knowing that I didn’t want to sit there forever and also knowing that the odds of telepathy suddenly working for me weren’t in my favor, I decided to ask this woman in the other stall for help.  Here were my exact words, “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I’m pregnant, and my water just broke.” Her response was “Oh my God, do you want me to call the ambulance?!”  I laughed and said no but that I needed her to go get my friend. So I described where Eliza was sitting and she went and got her for me.  

Eliza came in the bathroom smiling ear to ear. =) I tried to explain to her where my keys were so she could go get me a pad out my bag in my vehicle but she was so excited that she wasn't really paying attention to what I was actually saying and asked me to explain it again.  Then the woman who had helped me offered the diaper again… sooo I decided just to take it.  Really, it was probably the best thing for a situation like this anyway. Eliza and I quickly made our way outside where we continued to laugh about the situation and contemplate what we should do.  All I could think about is whether or not I should change my clothes and oh my gosh my water really just broke and I’m 40 miles from home and should we drive back home and then leave from there or should Andy just drive here and Eliza could drive home in that vehicle and then I realized…. I should call Andy and tell him that my water broke! =)  So then I just laughed some more and called Andy! It was soooo exciting to call him and tell him my water broke and we both just laughed and laughed.  Seriously, the whole time from when my water broke all the way to the hospital I can’t even begin to tell you how much laughter was joyfully laughed!  So, Eliza and I waited for Andy in Jamestown and to pass the time we got gas, timed my contractions, and did some more laughing and chatting. 

Honestly, I am so thankful for how all of this happened. Even if was a little embarrassing, gross, and unpredictable. That’s just how life is I guess.    

Some of the small things

I took some newborn pictures of our Olivia and thought I would share just a few. These are are a few of my favorites from head to toe =)

 

 

 

Happy Fall!

Two weeks of our Olivia

Our little Olivia is two weeks old! The past two weeks have gone by faster than my 21+ hours of labor.  I’ll write about that when I find the time and hopefully before I forget too many details.  These past weeks have been filled with love and laughter and tears and at times exhaustion (10:30 has never felt so late). Love from the wonderful snuggles and coos, laughter over her milk coma grins, tears over her tears, and sweet exhaustion from the love, laughter and tears. 

Just 5 hours old =)

Olivia’s arrival: Olivia joined our family on October 22, at 5:10 PM. Weighing in at 6lb 12oz and measuring 20 ½ inches long.  She has a head full of brown fuzzy hair. She has been such a blessing and a joy already.

Sleep: Overall we have been a well-rested family.  The first couple of nights we were home I woke her up every three hours to eat. More for my sake than hers =) After that during the night I have been letting her wake up on her own to eat.  A majority of our nights have consisted of a 5 hour stretch and then a 3 or 4 hour stretch.  We had a couple of nights of a 6 hour stretch and then a three hour stretch which was fantastic. Even though it is tiring to get up to feed her I truly cherish the time where the house is quiet and it’s just us spending time together.  She is so precious to me and I look forward to spending time with her!  

Eating: Olivia has been a breastfeeding rock star since day one.  Right away the nurses commented on what a good latch she had.  It has been getting easier for me as the days go by but it was definitely awkward at first and it seemed as though I needed four hands to get everything situated =)      

Diapers: Newborn.

Clothes: Newborn fit really well. Cute onsies and pants are her typical outfit during the day. Her fuzzy zip up pajamas are my favorite for bedtime.

Firsts: We have been enjoying her smiles. The first one was after being fed. She was in her milk coma state and gave us some pretty great squinty eyed smiles that showed off the dimples Andy passed on to her.  We’ve also had our first blow out’s. Three total now and magically they have all been when Andy is away.  I used to always say that I would be the mom that would just throw away the clothes because it would gross me out too much to wash the poop out but I can honestly say that not an outfit has been tossed and I’ve hand washed the poop out of her clothes. I am a mom! =)  We have been out to eat a few times since Olivia joined the family and she has slept through it all.  We also went to church this past Sunday and she slept through that as well. It was so wonderful to worship as a family and to just be in church together.  My deepest longing for her is that she would fall in Love with Jesus and lead a life following and serving him. 

On our way to church =) Notice my boots =) I couldn't wear them before because my calves and feet were so swollen.  Now they fit perfectly!

Olivia’s likes and dislikes: At first bath time was a dislike but now she only fusses when we take her out of the sink.  Diaper changes are constantly back and forth on the like or dislike scale.  Olivia likes to be free and she likes her arms out when she is swaddled.  She likes going for walks in her stroller.  We’ve done 6 miles together.  

Mom and Dad Love:  Dad Loves lying on the couch with Olivia on his chest.  He also loves finding new ways to entertain her like playing his guitar for her or singing various songs to her.  I Love dancing with her in the living room and snuggling her after she is full and tired.   

Things I’ve been experiencing this week:  Pure happiness because of our Olivia and because of how well things really are going.  The transition from two to three has been easier than I anticipated and Andy and I have seemed to fall into our roles pretty easily.  It is so wonderful to see his Love for his daughter and the bond that they have formed.

I am happy to say that I think almost all of my water weight is gone “yippee!” 30lb down with 15 to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.  Who’s legs are these?!?! I forgot what it was like to have ankles!

What I have been struggling with is feeling guilty. Feeling guilty when I want to hold her but have so much to get done and then feeling guilty for wanting to lay her down because I want to get things done.  Obviously there is a balance and I have to try to enjoy my time with her and also enjoy my time doing the things I do for me and our home.  

What I'm looking forward to: The journey ahead as we continue life as a family of three.