The Foundation of Love

Owen came exactly when I hoped he would.  I wanted him to be born a little early so that his birthday wouldn't be too close to Christmas or Thanksgiving.  I also knew that if he was early it would be much more feasible for us to make it down to Clackamas for Christmas.  A friend sent us his "Card of Destiny" based on his birthday and it makes perfect sense why he was born November 29th.

A 4 of Hearts: The Foundation of Love (From Cards of Destiny by Sharon Jeffers)

"These children are very sensitive and highly intelligent. They are acutely aware of their surroundings and must have a stable, warm, harmonious environment to grow in. Support them in their desire to give to others. Many of these kids are interested in global issues. They are able to take in great amounts of information and learning at an early age, and most thrive with such opportunities. Follow their lead in supporting them to pursue their dreams, as they may have them very early on."

I love this so, so much because it's exactly how I've always imaged him to be.  As Ty put it, Owen has a quite beauty about him that has captured our hearts.  He's such a sweet baby and will definitely make his mark on this world.  I can't wait to support him as he pursues his dreams.  

Owen's Birth Story

Ty and I proudly welcomed Owen Christopher on November twenty-ninth, 2012 at 12:52 p.m. Giving birth was an incredible experience. I don't think back and remember pain or suffering, but joy and a sense of oneness with all the other mamas out there.

Much to everyone's surprise, Ty handled the delivery really well. He didn't pass out or throw up and was super supportive. I think I did pretty well, too. I was worried that I would get crazy or mean, but never felt that way. I managed to stay as calm as could be expected and was able to have the birth that I dreamed of.

My labor started late Wednesday afternoon. I was scheduled to work a twelve-hour shift and somehow by the grace of God, we were overstaffed, and I got to go home early. I had carpooled into work that morning so I had to take a cab home. I was really uncomfortable in the cab and attributed it to having an extremely full bladder (not an uncommon occurrence in late pregnancy). In retrospect, that's when I had my first contraction. Although I knew my labor was approaching that evening, I didn't want to overreact or get too excited, so I essentially ignored it. It was a full moon and I had just finished reading that there is a greater incidence of false labor when the moon is full. As Ty and I relaxed on the couch that night I told him "I think I'm going to have the baby tomorrow," although I couldn't quite articulate how I knew that when he asked why. I went to bed around ten p.m. and that's when my contractions picked up and I was sure what I was feeling was indeed early labor. I lay there until Ty came to bed at around eleven-thirty p.m., at which time I told him I was having contractions. We started timing them and they were around eight minutes apart. At this point, I could feel the contractions but they weren't really painful. I was determined to get some sleep, thinking and stressing about the fact I had been up since five a.m. and on my feet all day, of the long labor ahead and the coming sleepless nights that accompany a newborn. After counting a lot of sheep and watching a few TV shows, I was finally able to rest from two to five a.m.

Ty had sent a text message to our family and close friends around midnight to let them know there would be a baby sometime in the near future. When we got out of bed around six a.m., he was fielding phone calls as everyone woke up and received his message. I was still feeling good at this point; the contractions were steady and strong but not enough to stop me from doing anything. I showered, packed our hospital bag, and attempted to rest as much as possible. Around eight a.m. I was reviewing the different labor positions we had practiced in our birth class when I remembered that I had wanted to get a birth ball. I thought it would be nice to have not only for labor, but I heard they are good to hold and bounce babies on. When I mentioned this to Ty, he offered to run down to Fred Meyer and pick one up. It sounded like a great idea to me. We also needed some snacks to take to the hospital and I was feeling just fine, so I sent him to Fred Meyer with a list. Well, that turned out to not be such a good idea. While he was away my contractions really picked up. It went from being able to talk and move around during them to stopping in my tracks and getting down on all fours during each one. Rest was clearly no longer an option so I was moving around the house, trying to stay busy and distracted. At this point the contractions were coming every two to four minutes. Looking back, it would have made sense to call Ty and tell him to rush home, but I just waited. When he finally got home, an hour later, things went from calm to crazy. Ty was freaking out and kicking himself for leaving and I was having really intense contractions, complete with grunting and screaming. I have an image of him in my mind standing in the kitchen and pumping up the damn birth ball with all his vigor. We called the midwife around nine-thirty and she suggested that we stay home for a couple more hours; it's my first baby, we live close and my water hadn't broken yet. I agreed, another not so good idea in retrospect. Ten minutes after we got off the phone, my water started breaking and leaking out during every contraction. At this point, we called the midwife back and were anxiously waiting for our doula, Vanessa, to arrive. She got here and knew immediately that this labor was much further along than Ty or I realized and encouraged us to get going. She asked me if I felt like I wanted to push during the contractions and I said I didn't know, but looking back I absolutely did.

So, off to the hospital we go, luckily it's only about five minutes down the road. As we arrived, it was like the scene you see in every movie where a woman is about to deliver (minus the dramatic water breaking all over my shoes). I am screaming and having crazy intense contractions, Ty is hobbling along on his crutches, and the poor guy working at the greeter desk is trying to offer me a wheelchair (which I refuse) and appears quite concerned.

I stopped in the middle of the hallway for a contraction right as we were entering the maternity ward. I think the nurses thought I was being dramatic until they realized that I was pretty much ready to deliver. They took me into a room and were asking me all the intake questions: "Do you have a living will?" "Have you taken infant CPR?" all the while I am in crazy pain and having contractions every two to three minutes. Finally, they decided to check me and see how far along I was. I was dilated to nine centimeters and the midwife wasn't there yet. Now they are starting an IV on one arm, drawing labs on the other, trying to get the heart rate monitor on my belly, and simultaneously continuing to ask the ridiculous intake questions. They called the midwife who was in clinic and had her come down. She checked me, confirmed I was totally dilated and said I could start pushing.

After the first few pushes we could already see the head and I was encouraged that this portion of the delivery was going to go as quickly as the rest. Unfortunately, that was not the case. After the first two or three good pushes, Owen's head got stuck and didn't make any progress for the next forty-five minutes. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and his heart rate wasn't tolerating the contractions well, so the midwife opted to do an episiotomy. Ty lost it at that point and had to sit down while he cried. Although having an episiotomy is pretty much everyone's worst nightmare during labor, by that point I would have done anything to get the baby out. We were so close and not making any progress. After the episiotomy, he was out with three or four more pushes.

They immediately put him skin to skin on my chest, which was the most magical moment of my life. I cried, kissed his head and told him I had waited my whole life for this. Our beautiful baby boy is finally here.

Final Bump Photos

Now that I finally have a minute to sit down and update the blog, Owen is five weeks old.  It's crazy to see photos of my huge belly and kind of hard to remember those last few weeks of pregnancy.  As I awaited Owen's arrival, I was determined not to make myself miserable by praying that he would come early.  You always hear how common it is to go late with a first pregnancy, so I kept positive and went about my normal routine.  I got a mani-pedi on Monday, drove to Tacoma to get my hair cut on Tuesday, worked Wednesday and went into labor that evening.  I felt good right up to the end, so good that I might have overdone it a little. Ty was quite upset with me for driving to Tacoma the week before my due date.  In retrospect I can see why, although at the time I didn't understand what the big deal was.  None the less, I made it through pregnancy without turning into a total hormonal basket case and was pleasantly surprised when Owen made his debut a week early.

35 weeks 

37 weeks 

37 weeks 

38.5 weeks 

39 weeks-- Last prego pic, Owen was born three days later :) 

Ty's Video "To My Wife"

Ty made me this video shortly after we found out we were expecting.  No matter how many times I watch it, it still makes me cry.  He's a keeper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka6O-DvpFgE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Pregnancy Q & A

I came across this set of questions on another blog and thought it would be a fun way to reflect on my pregnancy, which it totally was.

How did you find out you were pregnant?  After 14 days of high temperatures, a few days of what felt like menstrual cramping and no period, I figured I might as well take a pregnancy test.  I was certain it would be negative.  The little blue line turned positive instantly. 

What kind of Pregnancy test did you take?  EPT

How many?  Just one originally, we were trying to get pregnant and it made perfect sense.  Ty later insisted that I take the remaining two tests I had on hand.  They turned positive just as quickly. 

What were your 1st symptoms?  Sore boobs, cramping, lethargy

Who did you tell first?  My loving husband, as he stood in the kitchen with a mouth full of Doritos.  Ty gives me a hard time for not coming up with some super cute and creative way to share the news.  I was honestly just so surprised that I came out of the bathroom with the EPT in hand and blurted it out. Layla and Levi were staying with us, so it was a pretty chaotic afternoon. 

Who was with you when you found out?  Ty, Layla and Levi—although we didn’t share the news with the kids at that point

My 1st reaction:  Surprised!

Was your baby planned?  Yep.  We decided in February to “see what happens,” which to Ty meant no longer taking birth control and to me meant charting my cycles and figuring out when I was ovulating.  We all know I am both a nurse and control freak, so I guess that was to be expected J It was a scary transition going from trying to prevent pregnancy all these years to trying to get pregnant and praying I would be able to.  Infertility seems so common and was honestly one of my biggest fears.  Turns out we are both well equipped baby makers, for which I am extremely grateful. 

When was the baby conceived?  Mid March

How far were you when you found out?  14 days post ovulation, pretty much as early as you possible    

How did your parents react?  Super excited! 

Due Date:  Dec 5^th

Do you know the sex?  Baby Boy

Any names?  I love Owen Christopher and am hoping for that.  Ty is still undecided and coming up with news names all the time J  He has always liked Weston and most recently, Baylor. 

Any Ultrasounds?  I’ve had 4.  The first one was at 10 weeks, just a bedside ultrasound, mainly for fun during my first appointment with the midwife.  Seeing the little peanut and hearing the heart beat for the first time was one of the best moments of my life thus far.  The second was the 12 week screening where we got to watch baby flop around for over an hour on a big screen in the radiology department.  This was another really magical moment.  The third was the 20 week ultrasound, where we found out we were having a boy.  In all honesty, Ty and I were both a little disappointed, as we were hoping for a girl.  Although, now that I know he is a boy I couldn’t be happier!  This ultrasound was pretty amazing because we could see all the internal organs.  We saw all four chambers of his tiny heart and watched the values open and close with each beat.  We saw his intact spine, kidney, liver, stomach and, of course, his little wenis.  I was pretty amazed.  I had the last ultrasound at 28 weeks to monitor my ovarian cyst.  Even though having a cyst is a complication I would rather not have, I was pretty excited that it bought me one more ultrasound.  The tech was very sweet and upon my request, verified that it was indeed a boy.  We could actually see a lot less at this appointment because little man was so cramped compared to early on.  We did get one good shot of his face that actually looked like a baby face (opposed to what looked like an owl’s face at 20 weeks) and in my opinion he is already the cutest baby there ever was. 

Have you heard the heart beat?  Yep, for the first time at 10 weeks and at least monthly since then

Who do you think it will look like?  A mix of the two of us, but I definitely image him as a mini Ty

Will the baby have siblings?  Yep

Have you felt the baby move?  Everyday since about 18 weeks, such an incredible feeling

Did you have morning sickness?  Not really.  I gaged a lot while brushing my teeth and threw up a few times trying to get the DHA pills down.  I was just exhausted and felt hung over for about 8 weeks. 

Did you have any cravings?  Fruit and caesar salad

Did you have any mood swings?  I don't really think so, but Ty maybe disagree

Are you a high risk pregnancy?  No

Any complications?  Just my ovarian cyst, which I will probably have surgically removed postpartum

Formula or Breastfeeding?  Breastfeeding

Have you bought anything for the baby yet?  Sure have, although the majority of what we’ve accumulated so far has been graciously given to us by family and friends (especially Auntie Rachel, who is doing her part to keep baby Gap in business). 

When did you start to show?  I had a ragging muffin top from about 14 weeks on, but I think I actually started to look pregnant around 18 weeks

How long could you wear your regular clothes?  16-18 weeks

Will you keep the baby’s clothes?  Some of them

Home or Hospital?  Hospital

Natural or Medicated birth?  Natural is the plan

Who will be in the delivery room with you?  My hubby, our doula (Vanessa) and Rachel

Do you think you will need a C-section?  No

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the 1st time?  I’m not sure, but I imagine it will be an incredible moment

What’s the 1st thing you might say to the baby? That I love him and am so glad he is finally here

Will you let anyone video tape the birth?  No, a think a few still photos after the birth will suffice

Are you excited?  Of course! 

Who will help you with the baby after the birth?   Ty, my mom, Rach, Paula, I’m sure everyone will pitch in! 

What is your favorite thing about being pregnant? Feeling the baby move

What is the worst thing about being pregnant?  I’m not sure if this is necessarily the worst thing, but what comes to mind is that people think it’s okay to make any type of comment they want about your body just because you’re pregnant.  I’ve had people insist that I am huge and look like the baby is ready to come tomorrow and other people act shocked that I’m not further along.  And it’s not just the belly people are open to discussing, it’s my boobs, butt, face… You name it.  None of these comments have bothered me and for the most part people have been super sweet and supportive but it’s an interesting thing.   

What’s one thing you miss doing since being pregnant?  I don’t feel like there are many things that I haven’t been able to do.  I miss eating turkey sandwiches and sushi but can’t think of any huge limitations that pregnancy has put on me.  Surprisingly, I don’t miss alcohol. Not that I am a huge drinker to begin with but even at Rachel’s bachelorette party and wedding, it was no big deal.  The only time I really wanted to drink was on the beach in Hawaii, for which Ty got me some Odoul’s and I had a virgin Pina Colda.  Other than that I haven’t really thought about or wanted to drink at all. 

Any days you wish you were not pregnant?  Nope

Are you ready for a baby?  As ready as I’ll ever be

Do you have insurance?  Yes

How many kids do you want?  2 or 3

Do you talk to the baby?  I sure do, although not always out loud.  I talk to him in my head a lot of the time and it feels like since he is inside of me, he should be able to hear.  If anything, I am sure he feels the love and positive energy I am sending him when I do that. 

Do you still feel attractive?  Yes, I have always considered pregnancy a beautiful thing and I am embracing it (even if my love handles are slightly larger and my walk has turned into more of a waddle). 

Have you had your baby shower yet?  I had a wonderful shower with my friends last weekend and have two more coming up, one with my family/Clackamas friends and one with Ty’s family.   Super spoiled, I know! 

Do you like kids? Love them.  I have always been drawn to little ones and have dedicated my career to caring for sick babies.  Watching Layla and Levi (and more recently Devin) grow has been one of the most meaningful parts of my adult life.  I love them so much that sometimes just seeing my favorite photos or thinking of them makes me cry.  I can’t imagine how powerful the love I already have for my little babe, that Ty and I created, will feel when I get to hold him for the first time.

How far along are you now?  34 weeks 

Maui

We recently got home from a week-long trip to Maui with Ty's family. Eight adults, one baby, a pregnant lady—and we all had a wonderful time. We spent the mornings at the beach and the afternoons lounging in the pool at the beautiful house we stayed in. There were lots of great conversations, relaxing, drinking (besides me, unfortunately), reading, and laughing. Swimming felt amazing with my pregger body, and being in the ocean is always good for the soul. The week was a much-needed break from the chaos of work and mounting pressure of things to do before the baby arrives. I am home feeling refreshed, tan, and ready for the final stretch of pregnancy.

This trip was a great reminder of how blessed Ty and I are to have such wonderful families.  Family has always been a huge priority for both of us and one of the things that brought us together.  I mean, how many other people can share a room with their mother-in-law for a month (as Paula and I did in Africa), have sisters that are best friends and sister-in-laws that they adore?  Obviously no family is perfect, but both of ours are super tight knit and fiercely supportive.  It is incredibly reassuring to be brining a baby into this world knowing that he will be a part of a long legacy of love.  We know full well that his grandparents, aunts and uncles will be there for him every step of the way and for this we are extremely grateful.  

32 week Bump Update

Here are the bump photos up to thirty-two weeks. I remember thinking my belly was big at twenty-two weeks, but looking back it seems so small. I still have eight weeks to go and I can't imagine looking back at these photos and not thinking my belly is huge! I have recently discovered the allure of prenatal yoga—after a long day or when my back is bothering me, a thirty-minute yoga video is a miracle worker. Stretching has never felt so good. Overall, I still feel great and am lovingly embracing the pregnancy journey.

24 weeks with Auntie Rach 

25 weeks 

Bonding between baby Jake and B Rallo :) 

27 weeks in Portland

28 weeks 

30 weeks 

31 weeks in Maui 

32 weeks and ready for Halloween! :)