One week ago - birth story

A little over one week ago, Monday evening, we took my last belly pictures, and Ben and I checked into the hospital to get induced. We got there at 5 pm, then waited for 4.5 hrs for Dr. Bragg to show up, who incerted Cervadil to start things up slowly. During the night, I noticed some contractions were starting up, and by 4 am I could definitely feel them.

At 9:30 am on Tuesday morning the 10th, Dr. Klingler came in and started me on Pitocin. I didn't need very much of it, since contractions were already starting to come on their own from the Cervadil. Dr. Klingler also checked me, and I was 85 % effaced (10% more than the week before) and still only 1.5 cm dilated. I took a little bit of a power nap, and after that Ben and I started pacing the halls. Ben even counted how many circles around we had to do to make it to one mile - I don't know if we made it :)

At 12:30 pm Dr. Klingler came back to check me again: fully effaced and 3 cm dilated. He then broke my water, which really got things going! Ouch contractions are painful! The nurse kept asking me how much the pain was on a scale from one to ten, but I thought this was an impossible question to answer, because I had no clue what pain a ten would be like!!

I never got an epidural or anything, but I am not embarrassed to say that that was the worst pain I have ever been in - I didn't know such a pain scale existed - now I know what level ten is! I guess they really don't label it "labor" for nothing. Luckily I had Ben there with me the whole time, who was the best coach a girl could ask for. I pretty much bounced around on the labor ball for the next few hours, with Ben sitting behind me telling me to focus on the pine trees in the field outside :) - I will never look at those pine trees the same way again, haha.

At about 3 pm Dr. Klingler came back to check me - 5 cm. To be honest, I was a little bit disappointed, but the nurse told me that that was great progress. One thing I didn't really like was that Dr. Klingler then told me that it would probably be about two more hours till I was ready to start pushing - I thought to myself - "how mean for telling me! - there is no way I can do this for two more hours"!! But then there was Ben, and the trusty pine trees :)

At about 4 pm, I noticed more pressure and almost wanted to push along with contractions, so the nurse checked me - 9 cm's!! Only one more to go! I started bouncing on that ball like crazy, I wanted to be done so bad! By about 4:20 Dr. Klinger was back, checked me, and it was time to push!
There are simply no words to describe this process, as many people have said before. It was so amazing. What a miracle. During the whole thing I was all the way hunched over, holding my own legs, so I was able to see everything for myself. After about half an hour of pushing, at 4:49 pm, little Andi came into the world. Again, there are no words.
As she was on my belly, and Ben cut the cord, Ben leaned over to say "hi", and she reacted to his voice immediately!

Andi, just a few seconds old!

The first moments.

Right after her bath.

The first family picture. And yes, that is a fish in the foreground - don't ask - it's a whole other story :)

Mommy to little Andi Mooiweer Bryan!!!

I'm a mommy!! And I'm so happy!
God is good!!
Beautiful little Andi Mooiweer Bryan was born on Tuesday, March 10th at 4:49 pm, and we are so in love with her! She was 6 lbs 1 oz, and is 18.5 inches tall.
I will post a labor story later - I'm having too much fun being with her!
She is doing great, she nurses great, but her billirubin levels were a little bit elevated yesterday, so she has to stay on a little blue bed for a while.
Here are a few pics:

Grab the calendar!

Ben and I got to spend 2.5 hours at the clinic today - mostly waiting :) But, we do have some exciting news!! ... I'm scheduled to be induced next week!!
My ultrasound this morning showed the same thing as before - I still have very low fluid - it was slightly lower even than last time, but she was positioned different, which could have altered the outcome. However, our little girl has grown a bit! That double pan of brownies I've been working on must be doing its job, because according to the ultrasound she's about 5 lbs 10 oz, which I know can still be quite a bit off, but that number sounds much better to me than the 4.5 lbs from two weeks ago!
After that I had another non-stress test, where she wiggled around like a madwoman, and after that Dr. Klingler checked me (OUCH!!): I'm 1.5 cm dialated, 50% effaced - hey at least it's something, right? :)
He then said to think about an induction date: "How does wednesday sound?" Both my and Ben's eyes popped out of their sockets (though Ben described it more as something **** his pants) - as in THIS wednesday???? "Yes."
Though I will go with whatever the doc thinks is best, he did say that next week would be fine as well, he just didn't want to put the baby at risk. He therefore went to ask the other doctors for a second and third opinion, which I thought was pretty awesome. The final decision amongst the doctors was that early next week would probably be fine too, assuming everything continues to go well (I go in again on friday for a check)
Monday night next week (the 9th) we will go in to get started, and on tuesday morning they will start inducing. So exciting!!!

Getting Closer!

I'm passed 37 weeks = Full Term!!

I'm getting so excited, it seems baby stuff is all my brain can handle these days :)
This passed Monday, we had another ultrasound - things looked pretty much the same with our little girl: she measured small, and my amniotic fluid was still very low. She did have a very full bladder though, so if she would have squirted that out, the scores would have been a little better perhaps :) This passed Friday Dr. Klingler measured me again with a tape, and my belly measures 34 cm, so 3 weeks behind. We also had another non-stress test, and our little girl is still performing great, praise God! Monday I go back for yet another ultrasound, and Dr. Klingler will then most likely set a date for an induction - probably in my 38th week.
... !!! ...
That is in less than 1.5 weeks!!! :)
I wish there was a way in that I could "send" all the nutrients I eat directly to my baby, so that she will plump up a little bit more before then! I didn't realize a few months ago that I someday might not enjoy hearing "oh you look so small" all the time. :( Yesterday I had to pick up a car seat base at Walmart, and the ladies behind the counter said: "Stocking up on baby items already huh?" - I was a little surprised by this, and responded - "well yeah, she might be here in two weeks!" They thought I was barely 6 months along - pretty untrained eye if you ask me ;)

Anyway - here some belly shots:

Full frontal 37 weeks, 2 days

Side view 37 weeks, 2 days

And the globe from Ben's perspective :)

Besides taking it easy, I of course still keep busy nesting. Things are coming together pretty nicely: the necessary baby items are stocked, I've sewed 7 more burp cloths, and I've found that shopping online is the best thing on the planet for someone in my condition :)

The nursery is now almost done - newest item on the block? Friday night, Ben came home with the changing station that he and his dad built!! I'm so excited about it - it is absolutely beautiful!!! Home made, from a cherry tree! It has the prettiest colors and details!

Tada!

LVC Babyshower

Last thursday evening I had my church babyshower - it was so much Fun! There were about 21 ladies (and a few kids) there I think! After I shared my testimony and Mom Marilyn did a beautiful devotional we all had some snacks, and then it was time for presents! I received so many great things, everyone was so generous! - hooded towels, washcloths, pacifiers, mirrors for in the car and in the crib, car seat cover, crib toys, hair/head bows (no they in fact are NOT pink garders ... duh, :) don't know what I was thinking there?!), little shoes, little pink cowgirl boots!, sleepers, great books, a blanket, cute little dresses and other clothes, socks, a nursing cover, gift cards, diapers, whipes, and more I'm sure!

Thanks, Erin, for organizing it, and thanks Kristen, Stephannie and Jo for bringing the treats!

Cozy fireplace and early decorations.

The pretty and yummy cherry cake that Kristen made!

Lots of snacks and punch :)

Wohoo! Loot!

Little Ava was a big help with opening and handing the presents to me :)

Some of the ladies there: (l.t.r.) Sheila, Jaime, Debbie, Kristen, Stephannie with Brooke, Dawn, Margo and Jo!

And - (l.t.r) Autumn, Tuesday, Peggy and Kristi.

From Hannah and Kristi a cute little pink tutu!

Yay! Jaime made us a Wyoming Cowboys carseat cover!

San Diego Babymoon!

Here some pictures of our San Diego babymoon! Ben posted a bunch more on facebook as well.
We had such a great time! We walked the beach, watched sunsets, ate great sea food, went to Sea World and saw Shamu, saw Old Town San Diego, down town San Diego and sea port village, visited the USS Midway air craft carrier museum, rented padel boats, snoozed by the pool, and just had a lot of fun together :)


Watching the sunset together


Bump in the sunset


A little bit of paradise

Birdie

Ahh ... beach sand between my toes + sunshine in my face + sound of waves crashing in the background + Ben by my side = perfect nap

Our hotel!

Beach bums :)

Playing pilot on the USS Midway aircraft carrier

Ben having fun

Hmmm Fish and Chips

Watching the baby take over my belly :)

Watching some fishies at Sea World!

Cutie beluga whale

Aquarium silhouette

San Diego Skyline

Modified bed rest - growing that baby!

Yesterday I had my 35 week appointment at the clinic. I have been feeling great, my blood pressure (110/65) and weight gain (22 lbs) are great, but apparently I measured a little small again (at about 33 weeks). Dr. Klingler therefore did another ultrasound, which showed the cutest, very chubby cheeked baby face I have ever seen :) However, it also indicated that her torso measured a little small for her gestational age (also at about 33 weeks) and that my amniotic fluid is also quite on the low side (7 on a scale of 5-24). :(
He also told me that these measurements are not very precise - he could come up with completely different numbers at a second measurement. However, because things are not without concern, I had a non-stress test after that, that (praise God!) she passed with flying colors - she's still a little kicker! Either way though - this little one is very important to me, so he suggested modified bed rest at least until I go in for another non-stress test this thurday, and another ultrasound coming monday. Ben and I have faith that God is looking after our little one, and that she will be OK, but would still appreciate your prayers.
Meanwhile, I have set up 'office' on our coffee table in the living room, propped up with 4 pillows, laying on my left side on the couch - very determined to grow this belly and little girl inside! :)

Bed rest though is interesting to me - I am always such a busy bee! For instance, from my new point of view of our living room, I have already noticed several little chores: a spot on the wall here, dog hair in the corner there, and I saw that one of the light bulbs in our ceiling fixture is out (who knows how long its been like that!) and that there are 3 dead flies in there - gross.
But - none important enough that they can't wait, and there is always Ben, who has been very sweet, and makes an excellent butler :)

I will also post pictures of our babymoon soon! Ben and I had such a fantastic time in San Diego! We took walks along the beach, watched ocean sunsets, went to sea world, ate great sea food and luxury breakfasts every day, toured the city, and came back with a tanned face and beach sand between our toes :) It was like a second honeymoon, so much fun together, and most definately worth every penny :)
We probably over exerted ourselves (especially me apparently) a little bit though, walking around playing tourist so much, so it is good that I have doctor's orders to sit on my butt for a while!