Abby's Arrival

Abby's Arrival

On Tuesday, August 23, 2011 we went to St. David’s North Austin Medical Center at 6:30 am.  We filled out paperwork and got signed in and around 7:00 am went to our labor and delivery room.  I met the first of many nurses (3 nurses) and slowly started to be induced.  Around lunch they broke my water and shortly after I got an epidural.  I believe I got my epidural when I was around 5-6 centimeters dilated.  They never told me about the ‘bonus’ button with the epidural so later on when I was 8 centimeters dilated I got to be in lots of pain and felt a tremendous amount of pressure.  They finally told me about the button where every 5 minutes you can push it and get a shot of the epidural medicine.  It took about 3-4 button pushes before I calmed down but then went pretty numb from pushing the button so much!  Throughout the entire delivery process I pushed the button quite often because I didn’t want to feel that much pain again!  I got a fever of 100.0 and then 101.0 during the labor so they determined I might have gotten some kind of infection after they broke my water.  Therefore, I was going to have to be put on a couple rounds of antibiotics for 24 hours and Abby would have to go to NICU for 48 hours so she could take antibiotics too and determine if she had an infection as well.  I had to push for a long 3 hours before Miss Abbygale (Abby) Kate Helford arrived!!  My OB/GYN, Dr. Laurette Smith, did not end up delivering Abby.  Doctor Andrea Campaigne  delivered Abby.  She was wonderful!  She was very young and seemed to really love her job.  With so many nurse changes and a new doctor I was a little upset because I don’t like change but they all seemed to be great.  Daddy did great and was supportive from a distance because he was a nervous wreck and scared to death himself.  He sat in the corner of the couch and coached me through it but stayed his distance.  He would give me ice chips and tell me to not let the pain get so bad before pushing the epidural button.  He thought at one point he was having a heart attack because of all of his anxiety.  Poor Daddy but he survived and did great!!

Abby was born on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 8:51 pm and weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces.  She was 21 inches long.  Mommy was exhausted and so excited to meet Miss Abby.  Daddy cried when Abby was born because he was in love!

After Abby arrived, they weighed her and cleaned her up in the room.  Then I was able to try and feed her for a few minutes.  Mom, Eva, and Kristen came in to meet her while I was feeding her for a moment.  Then right before she was taken to NICU Dad, Mackey, and Clayton got to come in to see Miss Abby for a second.  Dad was like TMZ walking in snapping pictures of all us in when we looked like we had been hit by a train!  He is so funny!  Daddy went with Abby to NICU, where she had to stay until Wednesday evening.  On Wednesday she was released to our room but the NICU doctor and nurse stopped by frequently and took her to NICU for her medicine and exams. 

Since Abby was born so late on Tuesday, all the post-delivery rooms were full so we were told we would stay in the labor and delivery room until the next day.  However, at 2:30 am a nurse came in and told us we would be moving to the post-delivery room.  Needless to say we were so exhausted so Daddy wasn’t very happy with the late night move.

I went to NICU every 3 hours to take Abby’s temperature, change her diaper, and feed her while she was in NICU.  All test and cultures she had to get came back normal and negative.  Abby was one healthy little girl!

Right before Abby could be released from the hospital she had to have her hearing test.  She passed the test and can hear out of both ears!  Bryan and I were scared for a second because it took Abby up until the very last minute for her brain waves to reach 100 percent on the test (which was needed to pass).  I think she scared us on purpose.  They say the test is better when the baby is sound asleep and Abby started the test wide awake so that is probably while it took a while to complete the test.

We were both dismissed from the hospital on Thursday, August 25^th around 7:30 pm.  We got home around 9:00 pm on Thursday night, which I thought staying until Friday morning and coming home earlier in the day would have been a little better for both of us but it turned out to be just fine.  We made it all work out. 

Abby was beautiful and such a big girl.  She came into this world screaming her little lungs out.  She has been perfect and we love her more than words can say.  The labor and delivery process was not a great experience but worth every minute of it because Abby joined our family.  She is so little, beautiful, and just absolutely adorable!  She’s our perfect little angel!

Since We've Been Home

Since we have been home from the hospital things have been going pretty well.  We all are having to adjust to our new lifestyle and having to get use to not having any sort of routine at the moment.  Our first night at home we were up all night because Abby was really gassy and had an upset stomach.  Her upset stomach, gasiness, and fussiness seem to go in cycles.  Sometimes it is not an issue and fine while other times she is screaming her lungs out because of her pain.  I feel so bad for her and hope giving her Gripe Water will help.

Grandma Eva has been staying with us at night to help us out and help us find some sort of routine.  She has been great and we probably couldn’t have done it without her since Bryan and I are so use to sleeping sound during the night.  Neither one of us are night owls so that has been the biggest adjustment for us.

My colostrum and milk came in on Saturday, August 27^th (5 days after Abby was born).  I was just pumping at first to try and get the milk supply to come in but now I am breast feeding but trying to pump a few times a day as well.

Abby had her first bath on Saturday, August 27^th, 2011 at 2:45 pm.  She cried and cried; I am pretty sure she didn’t like her bath but know it made her feel so much better once she was warm, dry, and clean. Her second bath on August 30, 2011 went so much better.  She had a full belly and was calm throughout the entire bath.  I think she enjoyed it except for when she got out because she was cold.

Abby went to her first doctor’s appointment on Friday, August 26, 2011.  She did so good riding to Austin and didn’t cry at the doctor’s office even though she was so cold in the exam room.  She lost 2 ounces so weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces.  Abby was 19 ¾ inches long (did she shrink or they measured her differently – who knows).  Her head circumference was 35 ¼ centimeters at 3 days old (and grew to 36 centimeters at 5 days old).

Abby has had lots of visitors, especially during her first weekend home.  We had a full house all weekend; she is one popular little girl!  She did very good and was excited to meet all of her family and friends.

Daddy has never been around babies before so since Tuesday when Abby was born he has learned so much!  It amazes me how he use to be so frighten of hurting Abby because she was so small to now picking her up on his own and holding her.  He has done AMAZING and has had so much patience with the both of us.

Well one chapter of our lives has ended and one very exciting chapter is just beginning.  Abby has already brought so much joy to our lives.  We LOVE her so much – happy or fussy.  We are ready to get back into some sort of routine but couldn’t imagine our lives now without Miss Abby.  Abby has made our lives just perfect…

At the Hospital

Going Home

Family

 Abby's First Bath

Abby's  First Week

 

August 22, 2011 - Week 38

I cannot believe this will be the last week to document Abby’s growth (my belly) before we meet her.  I am getting induced on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 so the very beginning of Week 38.  However, I decided to document week 38 anyways since it will be about a week between belly pictures.  These will be my last belly pictures, which is a little sad for me.  Maybe I should show belly pictures of my stomach shrinking each week!  At least, I HOPE it starts to shrink back up!  This will be the last blog entry before Abby’s arrival.  I just can’t wait to meet her and see who she looks like.

No more belly pictures and the next entry will be about the labor and delivery and Miss Abbygale.  That is crazy to think about – just crazy!!  Mom will be out of the picture after this week – it will be all about Abby!  We are so very excited to meet our little girl and start our new life with her.  I am sure there will be plenty of sleepless nights but will be worth every minute of it.

Abby – we can’t wait to meet you and we love you so much already!  You are our life!  We are going to have years and years filled with wonderful memories, love, and happiness.  Hugs and Kisses – Mommy and Daddy

These pictures aren't the usual weekly pictures but I have been relaxing (and not getting dressed up) this past week.  Therefore, I just took my belly pictures through the mirror of just that - only my belly!  Tomorrow we will hopefully meet Miss Abbygale (Abby) Kate Helford!

August 16, 2011 - Week 37

This week is now considered full term.  This is great news because all of Abby’s organs should be fully developed and prepared for the outside world.  So whenever she comes she should be just about ready!  Abby should be gaining more and more fat each and every day making her have those cute baby dimples!  
 

I’m feeling pretty good.  I sleep quite a bit these days and take it easy for the most part since I am on moderate bed rest.  I just feel huge and puffy these days and really worried about the delivery process.  It is scaring me to be 100 percent truthful.  BUT I keep telling myself thousands and thousands of women do it so I can too.  I am about ready for the next phase – coming home from the hospital and wish we could skip the whole hospital stage.  Can’t a stork really deliver our baby to us?

I have enjoyed my pregnancy and will never forget the experience.  I have LOVED my baby bump and knowing a miracle is growing inside of me.  Of course, not all of pregnancy is enjoyable.  The heartburn, waddling, high blood pressure, swollen hands, feet, and ankles, and exhaustion have not been a blast.  However, overall pregnancy has been such an experience and I’ve enjoyed my pregnancy body (except maybe here at the end).  I have enjoyed my husband giving me the special attention and enjoying all the good foods without thinking twice about eating them because they were unhealthy.  I just can’t wait to meet our little girl and start the next phase in our life.  It will be here so very soon.  I am hoping we can at least make it until 38 weeks since it will be a little better for Miss Abbygale!

I had a sonogram and checkup on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.  Everything went well.  Abby’s heartbeat was 145 and she weighs approximately 7 pounds and ¾ ounces.  I was also 3 cm dilated.  Abby was moving around and seemed happy still.  She doesn’t have a lot of space though—she is in very tight quarters.  My blood pressure was also good at 128/88.  Dr. Smith decided that instead of taking the risk to go ahead and induce at around 38 weeks.  Therefore, I will be going into the hospital on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 to be induced.  I have to be there at 6:30 am.  WOW!!  She will be here in one week!!  I can’t wait to meet her but am getting very anxious and scared for Tuesday too!  Abby will be here so soon - yippie!!

Here are the Week 37 pictures!

Dogs resting up for Miss Abbygale since she will be here in LESS THAN ONE WEEK!



August 9, 2011 - Week 36

By the end of this week, Week 36, Abby will be considered full term.  Blood circulation has been perfected and Abby’s immune system has matured enough to protect her from infections outside the womb.  Did you know it takes a year or two for a baby to fully develop their digestive system?  Abby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition so even though the digestive system has developed it hasn’t been operational.  It takes the first year or two after birth to get the system up to speed.  Abby should be gaining about ½ pound per each week. 

I am feeling pretty good.  I have been trying to take it easy and get some rest since I am on moderate bed rest.  I try and prop my feet up as much as possible too.  I personally feel all puffy and swollen at this point and don’t have tons of energy to try and make my appearance look good.  I am getting nervous about the delivery but try and not think about it until it happens.  Otherwise, my anxiety level will be out of this world!! 

A good friend of mine took maternity pictures of us on Sunday, August 07, 2011.  I wasn’t feeling all that great and again without much energy so I’m not sure how well the pictures are going to turn out.  I was so HOT outside too (even at 8:30 am) so my face was just dripping sweat.  I know that is disgusting but with the hormones I am just always so hot.  I am hoping for one good picture and I’ll be pleased.  Lauri did a great job taking pictures so I know if they didn’t turn out it is 100 percent Bryan and mine’s fault because we don’t take good pictures to begin with.  Pictures and us = a disaster!!  Thanks Lauri for being such a good friend and willing to put up with us to take some pictures!!  I REALLY, REALLY appreciate it!  You’re the best!

Update on maternity pictures:  I have seen a few and LOVE them!  I am so happy because I know I have at least 3 good pictures and I was hoping for at least one picture!  I am VERY, VERY pleased I have a photo to remember this occasion by!  Lauri did an excellent job and I am so excited to get some pictures printed!

I had a doctor’s appointment and sonogram on Tuesday, August 9, 2011.  Dr. Smith was still on vacation so I met with a nurse practitioner.  At my checkup, my blood pressure was still a little high (140/87) but everything else looked good.  Abby’s heartbeat was about 161 during my checkup.  They also determined I was 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced.  They said this was very good and if she was guessing Abby would probably come before her due date naturally.  She couldn’t guarantee it because some people stay at 2 cm for a long time but that was her guess.

The sonogram went well also.  It was a quick sonogram to just check for movement and to make sure Abby appears happy.  She appeared to be happy and healthy.  The fluid around her was okay and she was practicing her breathing movements.  Her heartbeat during the sonogram was around 155 so she calmed down a little bit from the other appointment too.  They didn’t take any measurements to estimate her weight but they said next week they would again.  I have another checkup and sonogram on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.  Will she be 8 pounds by next week?  We shall see!!

Here are the Week 36 pictures.  To me I look extremely big, uncomfortable, and puffy!! 

 

August 2, 2011 - Week 35

I’ve been in my 3^rd trimester for awhile but what amazes me is we only have about a month to go.  NEED I SAY ANYMORE!?!  Abby doesn’t have much room to maneuver now and her height has probably reached her max until she comes into this world.  She is more than likely over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 ¼ pounds (the size of a honeydew melon).  Abby is not practicing her gymnastics anymore because of this tight space so her somersault days have ended until she joins gymnastics.  Basic physical development is now mostly complete so Abby’s job until she meets us in the next few weeks is to put on the weight and increase her fat!!  Her fat percent should increase from roughly 15% today to up to 30% at delivery.

Starting late last weekend (Sunday, July 31, 2011) I have gotten so uncomfortable.  My stomach has been getting hard as a rock from time to time.  I try and drink water and take a warm (not hot) bath to help ease the uncomfortable feeling.  Also, when I sit down Abby is all up in my rib cage and when I stand up I have lots of pressure when trying to walk.  I hope this is just a little phase that will last a couple of days then go back to being just uncomfortable but not so, so uncomfortable.  It even hurts getting out of a vehicle or bed at this point. 

I am so tired even when I don’t do anything at all!  I have just been exhausted!  I’ve also found stretch marks this week on my hips.  It is like 2 smaller marks on each side of my hip but it is still depressing!  I haven’t gotten any on my stomach yet so I have started to put lots of tummy butter on my hips too!  I hope they fade some once Abby comes but if not they will just be my baby girl’s love marks, which I can live with if I think of it that way!!

Bryan and I picked up the last few things we needed for Miss Abby this past weekend.  I think we are overall ready for whenever she wants to make her arrival.  I know we are probably forgetting something but will cross that bridge when we get there.  I need more diapers for sure but not sure what size I’ll need and how much of each so we will have to pick those up at a later date.

I’ve been eating like crazy here recently.  I am starving all the time. This is also depressing because I have already gained tons of weight and I know that my weight gain is just continuing to go up and up.  I eat everything in sight because I am hungry all the time.  I’ll just deal with the weight loss issue in a couple months after Abby comes and we have some time to get back up to speed with life.  I’ve decided if I am hungry than screw it, I’ve got to eat!

Also to prepare for Miss Abby we ended up getting a new vehicle on Saturday, July 30, 2011.  Our Jeep Liberty Diesel has been used to the max with just about 175,000 miles on it.  We still have it and plan on keeping it until December 2011 or January 2012 so we have two commute vehicles.  This way Bryan will have a vehicle to drive to work and Abby and I will have a vehicle for when we are at home.  We still plan on driving the Jeep to work some days now too just to save miles on the new SUV.  The Big Dodge truck does not need to be driving to Austin a couple of times a week – it is really a farm truck these days.  We ended up buying a 2012 Kia Sorrento.  It’s a mid-size SUV so we should have plenty of room as a family of three (plus 2 beagle babies)!  The gas mileage is still pretty good (not great) but in the acceptable range for us.  We are hoping it will average 25 MPG.  We were looking at cars that got 30-40 MPG but wasn’t quite sure if it was enough room for all of us.  Plus we have only driven trucks and SUV’s for so long we decided at this time we were going to stick with a SUV.  A SUV is probably better for the country too!  So far we are very pleased and hopefully it will live up to the MPG once we go through a couple of tanks of gas!

I had a doctor’s appointment with Doctor Laurette Smith on Tuesday, August 2, 2011.  Long story short it didn’t go quite as planned.  For starters, I have gained LOTS of weight (38 pounds).  I know, it is very depressing knowing I still have weight to gain – I am huge and will probably gain about 40-45 pounds total.  They don’t say anything to me at the doctor’s office but each time when I get on the scale and do the math I just want to cry!!  They have never once mentioned my weight gain though.  I pray I lose it after Abby’s birth.  I had high blood pressure and she thinks I have a mild case of pre-eclampsia.  I was told I couldn’t work anymore and I needed to go on moderate bed rest.  However, working from home on my laptop she said was fine and thankfully my job is going to let me continue to work until Abby is born.  FMLA until she arrives – I was so thankful and happy for this.  However, I am now at home but work is keeping me super busy so the days have been flying!  My blood pressure is still high but hopefully won’t climb anymore.  I had to go for a sonogram to make sure Abby was okay and she was just fine.  She was practicing her breathing techniques, had a heartbeat around 150 and they think she weighs 6.5 pounds or a smudge more already!  As the statistics state above she is about a pound heavier than average—we will be having a big girl.   I also had to go for blood work and everything came back okay for now.  They have me going to the doctor every week, getting a sonogram every week, and probably some more blood work to keep track of how everything is going.  If I get a headache, side pain, my face swells, or I feel dizzy I have to go straight to the doctor if during hours or to the hospital if after hours.  Full blown pre-eclampsia can cause seizures so I pray I continue to just have a mild case.  Basically, the only cure for pre-eclampsia is delivery (after I deliver everything should go back to normal) since it is the hormones and placenta causing the issue.  They want to try and wait for me to deliver until 38 weeks so fingers crossed.  Basically in about 3 weeks our little girl will probably be arriving!  Every checkup is a little scary now – I can only hope they send me home each time!

On Friday, August 5, 2011 I had to go back to the doctor’s office to meet with the nurses.  They checked my blood pressure, which was still high (132/93).  They looked at my lab results and tried to locate the results of the last lab they are waiting for.  Apparently, Lab Corp took my first name and my doctor’s last name and put that in the computer.  So I was under Lorey Smith.  The lab told us what they had done but said it makes the sample invalid.  I told them I was not going back.  Since the container should have my correct name on it they are going to test it and let the nurses know the results as soon as possible.  What a pain!  They got approval from Dr. Smith’s partner, because Dr. Smith is on vacation, to let me return home.  I didn’t even imagine one option was going straight to the hospital to induce labor.  Wow—what a shocker!  I was so happy to be able to go home.  My next appointment is on Tuesday, August 9, 2011.  I have a checkup and sonogram scheduled.  My goal is to come home after the appointment!!

Here are the week 35 pictures!