Elliot's Birth Story

This is a beautiful story, so I hope I do it justice as my little math mind tries to use words.

Starting around 34 weeks gestation, I started feeling 'off'. I was worried because this is similar to the way I felt the week before I was induced with Brady, diagnosed with Pre-eclampsia. . I kept going to Winn-Dixie to check my blood pressure (a key indication of Pre-eclampsia) but everything looked great. While I was overjoyed that I was healthy enough to continue to carry Elliot to full term, I could not imagine how I would carry her for another 7 weeks feeling like that. I was having my OB appts. every week by now and I kept asking about the way I was feeling and if he thought I was developing pre-eclampsia. Finally at my 36 week appointment, he said to me, "it is very unlikely that you will get pre-eclampsia again." Okay, good enough. I stopped my frequent trips to winn-dixie even though my swelling was OUT OF CONTROL!

Thursday May 24th, 2012, I woke up after a HORRIBLE attempt at a night's rest. Karl offered to bring the girls to school that morning and I headed off to my OB appt. I was 37 weeks 4 days pregnant. I, two days earlier, came at peace with the fact that I was really close to the end of the pregnancy and I could do this 3 more weeks. Thus, when I sat down in the office to get my vitals, I was somewhat blindsided by my elevated blood pressure. There was talk of running all the labs to see how bad off my 'mild pre-eclampsia' was. One of the labs usually run is a 24-hour urine collection. Then the doctor realized here we are on a Thursday before a holiday weekend (one of which he was traveling for) and the lab results would come in late friday (if that). Next thing I know the talk of running labs turned into inducing me. The OB predicted if we waited until Tuesday I would have been pretty bad off.

So on May 24th, 2012

-9:15 am Routine OB appt.
-9:45 am call Karl asking if he is ready to become a dad...again
-10:00 am walk to the hospital (conjoined buildings) to be induced in Labor and Delivery....told there is no room for me...HUH? The Labor and Delivery computer system was down for 24 hours and it was limiting their patient load capability.
-After a wait in Triage and being transferring to a Labor and Delivery room. I was officially induced around 1:00 pm. At that point, I was already 3 cm and 80% effaced.

-5:15 pm, went ahead and got a epidural (strongly recommended if you are doing a VBAC)
-5:30 pm only 4cm...HUH? this is going to be a long night!
-5:50 pm OB breaks my water
-6:50 pm 4cm...WHAT?
-9:00 pm 5cm....At this rate I will deliver in ten hours...UGH
-9:15 pm nurse positions me into the "fire hydrant" ...I will spare you the details...let you imagination run wild
-A few fetal heart rate drops during contractions ...more details later
-Karl enjoys watching his Giants beat the Miami Marlins 14-7 (the Marlins are 'local' so he was able to see them on TV). The game ends shortly before 10 pm.
-10:00 pm 10cm and ready to push... ARE YOU SURE? How did that happen?
-10:19 pm Elliot DeWees Orthner makes her entrance into the world!

This delivery was by far the best experience I had of the three. With Brady, I had heavy drugs in my system and did not enjoy much of the labor and the 24 hours to follow. With Reese, I was under general anesthesia so did not even experience that delivery. So many beautiful things happen with this delivery. First, and most important, Elliot went straight to my chest after birth. I will always cherish that special moment of having my baby immediately to hold. 

Also, I had a mirror in place so that I got to witness her entrance as I pushed. I know not everyone can appreciate this, but it was amazing to see the live birth of my own child. Again, an image that I will hold special and close to my heart forever. Lastly, after my placenta was delivered and Elli Dew had a hat and diaper, I was given about an hour of skin to skin time with her. Cuddles, breastfeeding and everything a new mother and baby could possibly need and desire.

Another interesting story from laboring was in that final hour when the nurse re-positioned me, within minutes Elli's heart rate dropped from 150's to 90! The nurse was in the room and said something like 'uh oh'. As she was standing up to readjust me, another nurse (one I have never seen) came running into my room. She noticed the drop on the monitor at the nurses station and immediately took action. I love that the nurses were on their game!

Even though I did have pre-eclampsia like I did with Brady, luckily it was caught sooner and I could be induced ASAP since I was already full term. With Brady they had to give her a few extra days of growing time thus I had to be put on a heavy drug, magnesuim sulfate. It is like the flu and being hungover at the same time, also the drug carries over into the baby making her lethargic too. The doctor said if they would have waited until after the holiday weekend I would have most likely had to be on this drug. I got to be a happy mom during labor and after delivery which made for a wonderful memorable experience. The epidural wore off quickly and I was up walking around within 5 hours after her birth.

Welcome to the world Elliot DeWees Orthner! Your family loves you beyond words already.

Baby Bump: 37 weeks

Can you believe it? 37 weeks, full term and your final baby bump post! Soon (hopefully very soon) there will be pictures of our beautiful third daughter gracing the front of this blog!

I definitely grew over the past four weeks... the ultrasound on Thursday predicted a 7 lb 4 oz baby....YIKES. If she grows the average half pound a week she will be about 9 pounds at 40 weeks. I guess I shouldn't complain since my mom deliver me pain med free at 9 lb 13 oz.

Reese and I took this picture specially for Kaddie... DeWees Smile!!!!

 Reese enjoyed sitting on my belly during the photo shoot!

Here is the pregnancy in review! I think it is almost as much fun to see my hair grow with my belly. I am getting so close to that much desired ponytail!

So our family has put in their final predictions on the impending birthday of Elli.

Brady: June 10 (she likes rules to be followed, so she is going with the due date)
Reese: June 2nd (Reese says because she has daddy daughter dance rehearsal)
Karl: May 29 (Go Harvick!)
Christy: thinks June 6 or wants May 25 (all about the math: 6+6=12 or 5-25, plus 5 and 25 are my favorite numbers )

So what is your vote? If it helps, I was 1cm dilated and 60% effaced last Thursday. The girls decided the person who decides the correct date gets a dollar...

Baby vs. Mommy

baby wins!!!!

I felt it was better this picture be out of focus so that you aren't too grossed out!

Kaddie Surprise

For those of you who don't know the story....

When I was pregnant with Brady I asked both sets of grandparents what they wanted to be called since we were having the first grandbaby on both sides. My father was the quickest to with an IMMEDIATE answer "caddy." I looked at him confused, he stated he was going to raise his grandkids to play golf, get a scholarship to be on Duke's Golf team and then play in the WPGA, and once they were in the tour he would be their caddy. 

Well about two years after Brady was born, Caddy asked Brady what Caddy started with, she immediately stated 'K' and ever since then he has been Kaddie.

Kaddie and Reese have a special bond. They have since Reese was about 9 months old. She was sick and crying no matter what I did. Then I was going to put her to bed and my dad went to kiss her good night and she reached out for him to hold her. He states that none of his three kids ever reached out for him (when they were in their mother's arms) so he was smitten ever since and Reese has not lost the mutual feeling!

Kaddie sent Reese left handed golf clubs today and they were a hit. Reese's response was "I am going to play golf, that's so cool!"

Enjoy these pictures from the trial run...

Now to move closer to Kaddie so he can help Reese read the lie of the grass ;)

Interview time again

Grandma asked for interviews and we want to keep Grandma happy!!!!

It's a HOOT!

 I thought I would share a few photos of the progress of Elli Dew's nursery. I am getting really excited as all these things are coming together. It isn't all the way together but I like what I see ;)

Here is the new crib and bedding. My mom graciously made me the personalized baby blanket and crib skirt! Thanks mom!

 Here is her name above her crib. I bought white letters from hobby lobby, glued on scrapbook paper and then covered them in modge podge. Gotta love that stuff!

Bookshelf borrowed from the playroom.

 I ordered this name plate from Etsy and I am eagerly waiting for it to show up in the mail. I will probably place it on the bookshelf above. 

 This is my new diaper bag, thank you Kim and Walt. Also on top is my flower "hooter hider" (oh how I love the pun for this post) that my mom made for me, thanks mom! I also love how they match for when I am out and about I will be a little fashionista!

 I also got more diapers from my mom in the mail today so I had to include those too! I love how cute Elli's bottom is going to be!

I am so excited and ready to have the beautiful baby for this nursery!

Wordless Wednesday: Too cute to be pooped on!

Royalty Here in Pensacola

On the anniversary of the Royal Wedding, I flipped through the channels and came across a replaying of the ceremony. I had no clue (even though I should have) how much the girls would be into viewing the wedding. The interesting part was that for 45 minutes it was just people arriving and walking in, and they patiently waited for the guest of honor to arrive. The girls properly dressed for the joyous occasion... hint: the blankets are supposed to be a train on a gown.

Self Portraits

Since the school has focused some on self portraits the girls have focused on drawing them self and other faces quite a bit. There masterpieces are some of my favorites. They did use a couple stencils,  but mostly free hand.

Reese's masterpiece

 Brady's drawing of herself, then Elliot and lastly her Daddy...her proclaimed favorite people.

All Dolled Up!

The school had a Gala for fundraising that I decided to attend 'stag' with some of the other moms. So Karl was taking care of the girls, and they decided they needed to get fancy too.

Let's start with the fancy mommies...

Hanging out with all these beautiful women, I was honestly shocked by the number of people that came up to me and commented on my shiny belly! It was a lovely evening of dining, and auctions. But most importantly it was a lovely evening of time with the girls. Here is one of the pieces of art, inspired by Andy Warhol, the school auctioned off.

The kids did a self portrait. Here is Brady's.... 

 And Reese's...

I forget the artist inspiration behind this one but the class also painted this one.

There was lots of other beautiful kid made art, pieces you would find in an art gallery. One piece made by the upper elementary kids went for about $1300!

So while I was off celebrating artwork at the Gala, Karl had a great evening with two of his lovely ladies. For those who are familiar with the Fancy Nancy series will really appreciate the night's events. First the girls got fancy through their own eyes, including (and not all pictured) fancy shoes, boas, hats, jewelry, Karl's grandma's clutch purses, legwarmers...And of course Daddy sported his fedora!

Well, in the Fancy Nancy book  the family gets fancy to go to "kings' crown" restaurant. So Karl treated the girls to the closest thing...Burger King. They loved it!

Then they continued onto ice cream!

 Can anyone say "ice cream coma"?

By the Numbers

So while I never forget that I am pregnant, I will have random moments of realization that very soon I will have another child. How can I forget that there is about to be a baby? Like I said I am constantly reminded that I am pregnant and that obviously leads to a baby...confused? Yeah, it throws me off too.

But the other day, my math brain explained to me why I have a hard time picturing this baby heading my way in a month. So let the numbers talk...

Karl and I got married with one dog.
0.5 years later we got our second dog.
2.5 years later we had our first kid.
1.5 years later we had our second kid.
3.5 years later we will have our third kid.

Point is, my family of one awesome husband, two adorable dogs, and two amazing daughters has not changed for over three years. I have known this as my family longer then any other situation. I know in no time I will not be able to imagine what life is like without Elli Dew but for now, I haven't grasped life with her...

Excited about this now journey!

Our Little Stars

The girls were giving us performances in dress up clothes (a daily occurrence) today when my wheels started spinning. Today's matinee was held in the tiled foyer with the playroom in the background. I started mentally measuring the opening to the playroom...and I just had to ask for an intermission. My mental measuring was spot on and I proudly found the supplies around our house to create a backdrop for their performances. I was quite proud of myself (if you couldn't tell since I am blogging about it!) for my creativity. However, I did have to laugh when Brady excitedly proclaimed, "Now we have a dressing room!!!"

Here is a couple acts from today's matinee in the new outfitted auditorium...

A couple sidebar lessons:
-I have obviously moved a lot since I had a shower curtain, rod and hangars all at my disposable (without dismantling one of our three full baths).
-Raising kids in awesome (for many reasons) when you get to see how they see the world (even if it is way different then you) I see a backdrop, Brady sees a dressing room.
-My girls are way better at wearing high heels then I have EVER been.
-I think I will be attending many of performances in real auditoriums, whether for drama, dancing, or choir...these girls LOVE to perform.