Kaylee's Birth Story

It's been 3 weeks since Kaylee was born and I can't believe how time is FLYING by! I wanted to get her birth story down before I forget (mommy brain, it's kinda like pregnancy brain!). So here it goes... 

At 2:30 AM on February 1st, I got up to go to the bathroom (probably for the 3rd time that night) and as I'm sitting down, I felt a pop in my left back area. It honestly scared the CRAP out of me. I got so concerned that I had hurt her somehow. But not too long after (probably seconds) I had the lovely "gush of water", so it was convenient I was already in the bathroom! I yelled for Chad, who apparently can sleep through a freight train, and he didn't even budge.  After I finally got him awake, we called the doctor, who advised me to wait and see if I started contracting. I was advised to wait until 9 AM before coming in unless contractions started before then. 

At around 3:30 AM contractions started at about every 8 minutes. Forty minutes later they were every 5 minutes and not too long after that I was every 3 minutes. So I woke Chad up (yes he slept through it) and we packed our bags and headed to the hospital around 5 AM. 

After 3 IV sticks, getting admitted, and hooked up to all the monitors (All while screaming in pain so bad I thought they could hear me miles away) I finally got to my labor and delivery room. Side note: they ran me from triage to the labor and delivery room because the nurse said "I have a feeling you are really far along". She was right! When I got to my room around 7 AM I was 9 cm dilated and completely effaced. Did I mention also in a lot of pain? Needless to say, I got my epidural immediately after arriving in my room. Thank God I could still stay still long enough for him to get it in! It was the best feeling in the world! Women who go all natural are amazing!

Shorty after, my doctor arrived and I was 9 1/2 cm but she was "sunny side up" which means she was facing the ceiling instead of facing the floor. She could have delivered this way but it's more painful and the babies sometimes get really bruised up from it. So they attempted to flip her around by laying me in this really uncomfortable position on my side for an hour. It was worth it though because an hour later they checked me and she turned over like a good girl! =)

At this point (about 8:30 AM), I told my nurse I was ready to push. So we started pushing. 

Here is where I was most surprised through the entire labor process. In the movies, they say "I'm ready to push" and 3 pushes later the baby is here! I'm here to inform you that is not how it happens. As I started pushing, I wondered, where is everyone (the doctor, the baby nurse..etc). It was just me, Chad and the delivery nurse. She informed me that on average the first time mother pushes for about 2 hours.... 

So fast forward 2 hours later (10:24 AM to be exact) and we had ourselves a beautiful baby girl! I will skip those 2 hours because frankly it was messy and painful and I've blocked a lot of it out! But I did it! And it was an amazing experience and I loved every part of it (even the painful parts) because I know it could have been so much worse! 

Time truly is flying by and I'm trying to savor every moment of it! She's amazing and we love her so much. She is already very spoiled! We can't stop kissing her little cheeks and holding her little fingers!

37 Weeks! Full Term!

How far along? 37 Weeks
Total weight gain: + 26.5 lbs (148.5 lbs)
Maternity clothes? Yes! Very few of my work clothes fit anymore, I'm wearing hospital scrubs at this point and they are so itchy and uncomfortable!
Gender: Girl!
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Ugh, I'm exhausted and ready for bed by 7pm every night but I don't sleep well or for very long periods of time and I always wake up with back pain!
Best moment this week: Packed our hospital bag and officially full term! Got my hair done and gave myself a mini manicure!
Dilation/Effacement: 3cm - The doctor said he was "impressed" with my progression in just one week and that her "head is right there"
Miss Anything? Getting comfortable especially at night or on the couch and Sleeping
Movement: A lot of rolling around and kicking. I get her butt up in my ribs a lot and it's hard to breathe! At lot of her movements are no longer cute, now they hurt! She's outta room in there!
Food cravings: No cravings, just hungry and I don't really wanna eat anything...
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet? Absolutely!
Labor Signs: None, just lots and lots of Braxton Hicks.
Symptoms: Fatigue, Back pain, trouble sleeping, pelvic pressure, sharp abdominal pains, sciatica, numb feet, heartburn...
Belly Button in or out? Out
Wedding rings on or off? On, but my hands are pretty swollen most of the day and I can't get my rings off.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm still happy but It's a quick switch to moody these days!
Looking forward to: Meeting the babe and the end of basketball season! I'm ready for Chad to be home more!

36 Weeks!

Excuse the typo on the chalkboard... pregnancy brain!

  How far along? 36 Weeks

Total weight gain: + 25 lbs (147 lbs)

Maternity clothes? Yes!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: I'm up all night going to the bathroom and tossing and turning! Also, keeping Chad up... good practice I guess but still sucks!

Best moment this week: Saw the doctor and he confirmed she is head down! 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. =)

Miss Anything? Getting comfortable especially at night or on the couch!

Movement: A lot of rolling around and kicking. I get her butt up in my ribs a lot and it's hard to breathe! At lot of her movements are no longer cute, now they hurt! She's outta room in there!

Food cravings: I've been on a smoothie kick lately.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, I just get pretty sick when I eat too much at once. Have you started to show yet? Absolutely! I refuse to buy anymore maternity clothes so I'm just busting out of everything I own at this point.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None, just lots and lots of Braxton Hicks.

Symptoms: Heartburn! Tums are a necessity! Also, had my first real pregnancy scare this weekend. I had some "visual disturbances" I guess you would call them. It started out where I couldn't see the center of my vision, like whatever I focused on was blacked out and then got worse to where I was seeing all these flashing lights and everything was a blur. I tried to take my BP but only have a manual cuff and haven't yet taught Chad to use it. I just closed my eyes and 30 minutes later it was completely gone. I mentioned it to the doctor when I went for my visit and she said that it could be of some concern if it continues to happen so lets hope it was a one time thing!

Belly Button in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? On, but my hands are pretty swollen in the mornings and I can't get my rings off. The swelling usually goes down by afternoon though.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy when I'm not extremely uncomfortable.

Looking forward to: Reaching full term next week and her arrival! We can't wait to hold our little nugget!

35 Weeks!

How far along? 35 Weeks
Total weight gain: + 23 (145 lbs) (lost half a pound, maybe I'm making up for all the holidays!)
Maternity clothes? Yes and all the pre-pregnancy clothes that I'm still wearing are officially stretched out!
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: I've had a couple "good" nights but mostly up 4-5 times to go to the bathroom and tossing and turning most of the night!
Best moment this week: Finishing up most of the "to-do before baby comes" list! We are READY (although she still has a few more weeks before SHE is ready!)
Miss Anything? Getting comfortable! This will most likely be my answer to this for the remainder of this pregnancy!
Movement: Lots of rib jabs and hip strains and punches in the stomach!
Food cravings: I'm not as hungry as I was a couple weeks ago, which is probably a good thing since not much fits in my belly at one time anymore. I have to eat a lot of small meals. Fruit is sounding pretty good lately.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, I just get pretty sick when I eat too much at once.
Have you started to show yet? See photo....
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Heartburn... So much heartburn!
Belly Button in or out? Outtie
Wedding rings on or off? On, but it would be difficult to get them off at this point.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy most of the time, but definitely have my moments.
Looking forward to: Baby's arrival! I also start going to the doctor weekly now and I'll start getting "checked". Not that I'm looking forward to this but I am looking forward to finding out for sure what position she is in and if I have started to efface and/or dilate, yet! Exciting stuff!

34 Weeks!

We survived the Polar Vortex, wishing we were surrounded by Palm Trees and Coconuts!

How far along? 34 Weeks
Total weight gain: + 23.5 lbs (145.5 lbs)
Maternity clothes? Yes and I'm getting sick of wearing the same 5 outfits every week but refuse to buy more clothes!
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Officially sleeping like crap! =( Taking naps again, just really tired all the time!
Best moment this week: Ringing in the new year! This is going to be a good year =) We decided on a name for the baby too! So glad to check that off the list!
Miss Anything? Getting comfortable!
Movement: We can all sit and just watch my belly shift around! She is definitely running out of room in there!
Food cravings: Milkshakes
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet? See photo....
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Heartburn... So much heartburn!
Belly Button in or out? Outtie
Wedding rings on or off? on, but getting tight. Early morning and late night they won't come off.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy most of the time, but definitely have my moments.
Looking forward to: This week I hit a wall, I think it's the lack of sleep and 1st trimester-like fatigue but I am looking forward to baby girls arrival! Counting DOWN the weeks now instead of counting up the weeks! 6 weeks to go!

33 weeks

How far along? 33 Weeks
Total weight gain: + 22 lbs (144 lbs) - I blame the Christmas goodies....
Maternity clothes? YES. Starting to feel absolutely huge. Thank goodness I got some cute new PJs for Christmas! =)
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Sleep is hit or miss these days. Mostly miss... I've started to sleep with about 4 million pillows surrounding me!
Best moment this week: Christmas! It was so nice to spend time with family! Chad and I kept talking about how awesome next Christmas is going to be! =)
Miss Anything? Being able to get comfortable. That is really my biggest complaint, I'm uncomfortable 90% of the time now.
Movement: We can all sit and just watch my belly shift around! She is definately running out of room in there!
Food cravings: Oranges
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet? See photo....
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Heartburn... I legit had to look up how many Tums one can take in one day without overdosing!
Belly Button in or out? more out than in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY!
Looking forward to: Ringing in 2014, the year the baby will be born!!

Photo Dump: Maternity Pictures

We got out maternity photos taken in the middle of November. I knew I wanted them to be outside. So, I battled with waiting long enough so that I had a nice, big belly and waiting too long and it being too cold outside! It worked out perfectly and I really love all the photos Ashley at Ashley Rose Photography took! It's impossible to pick a favorite! (sorry for the photo overload)

  

 

 

 

 

 

32 Weeks!

How far along? 32 Weeks 

Total weight gain: + 18.5 lbs (140.5 lbs)

Maternity clothes? YES. Starting to feel absolutely huge. 

Stretch marks? Nope 

Sleep: Sleep is hit or miss these days. 

Best moment this week: Getting my maternity massage! I could have laid there forever! 

Miss Anything? breathing normally and being able to curl up in a ball on the couch. 

Movement: More shifting positions than actual kicks & baby hiccups sometimes 2-3 times a day! We can officially play "guess the body part protruding from my belly!" Yay!

Food cravings: Oranges (so glad cuties are back in season!) and salads and Christmas candy/cookies/ect 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. 

Have you started to show yet? See photo....

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None

Symptoms: Heartburn, back pain, restless leg... oh my! 

Belly Button in or out? more out than in 

Wedding rings on or off? on 

Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY! 

Looking forward to: Christmas!!

Merry Christmas! Love, the Blackburns =)

31 Weeks!

I totally missed 30 weeks. We have been so busy with basketball and childbirth classes and Christmas I just didn't get time to do the chalkboard. Sorry =) but I'm getting a head start this week and here's the 31 week update!

How far along? 31 Weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: +15lbs (137 lbs) 

Maternity clothes? Majority maternity with a few pre-prego shirts that still fit! 

Stretch marks? None, but feeling very STRETCHED! 

Sleep: Some nights are good, others not so much. She has started to wake me up a couple times a night. 

Best moment this week: Thanksgiving with my family! 

Miss Anything? Sitting comfortably! 

Movement: She is constantly moving and I love it! =) Big rib kicks, sometimes I think she's trying to kill me! 

Symptoms: Back pain and really bad restless leg syndrome.

Cravings: Salad, finally a decent healthy craving! haha 

Anything making you queasy or sick: I tried to eat a chicken wing and I couldn't do it. Something about the texture. 

Have you started to show yet: Definitely 

Gender: Girl! 

Labor Signs: Nope, just some Braxton-Hicks here and there. (practice, practice, practice) 

Belly Button in or out? Outtie =( 

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to this week: Relaxing! Also, another doctors appt Monday =) I'm going every 2 weeks now, it's getting close! eek!

29 Weeks!

How far along? 29 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +10.5lbs (133 lbs)! Holy Turkey, I apparently ate way too much on Thanksgiving! 
Maternity clothes? Majority maternity with a few pre-prego shirts that still fit!
Stretch marks? None, but feeling very STRETCHED!
Sleep: Sleeping well for the most part! But starting to feel tired a lot again... oh no!
Best moment this week: Thanksgiving with the in-laws and our 7th annual Friends-giving! So much fun getting together with all our friends, we don't see each other enough! 
Miss Anything? Sitting comfortably!
Movement: She is constantly moving and I love it! =) HUGE rolls and nudges! She's getting strong!
Symptoms: Restless Leg Syndrome has gotten much worse than my pre-prego RLS =( hopefully it settles down and doesn't get even worse, Sinus Headaches along with ear stuffiness almost daily now. Itchy belly from being so stretched, lots of lotion needed, Shortness of breath when walking, talking, sitting, laying, eating... etc I think baby girl is pressing right on my lungs at this point. Regardless of these symptoms, I really am having a great pregnancy and cannot complain, as it could be much worse, and I know I'm not done yet and have to get A LOT bigger! 
Cravings: Apparently (as evidence by my 3 lb weight gain this week) Thanksgiving food! We had two thanksgivings this week and still have 1 more this weekend! So much good food (and desserts) I need to watch it!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: I officially have strangers asking me when I'm due and people asking if I'm pregnant on a regular basis. It totally doesn't bother me at all, because they are usually sweet old ladies who are super nice!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Nope, just some Braxton-Hicks here and there. (practice, practice, practice)
Belly Button in or out? Flat at the beginning of the day, outtie by night. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! I will note that I have had, on occasion, an emotional episode, like crying over trying to decide what to get for dinner in Chicago and spending 10 minutes in the bathroom but for the most part, happy-happy-happy
Looking forward to this week: Thanksgiving round three with my family. Love them, miss them, can't wait to see their faces =) (I will not gain 3 lbs, I will not gain 3 lbs, I will not gain 3lbs......)

28 weeks! Happy Thanksgiving!

How far along? 28 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +8.5 lbs (130.5 lbs)!
Maternity clothes? The majority of my pre-pregnancy shirts don't fit anymore, I'm pretty much in all maternity clothes now.
Stretch marks? None, lathering up with my stretch mark cream these days!
Sleep: Sleeping well for the most part!
Best moment this week: Spending the weekend in Chicago with our friends! It was super cold but also a lot of fun!
Miss Anything? Sitting comfortably!
Movement: She is constantly moving and I love it! =)
Symptoms: Feeling bigger than ever! Difficult to eat regular sized meals, there is no room for food!
Cravings: Still bananas. Pumpkin Pie!! Yum! I totally went to Frisch's and bought an entire pumpkin pie, I'm pretty sure the guy ringing me up was judging me... oh well!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: Belly is getting big!!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: No, I might cry when this becomes a yes! less than 80 days left, I cannot believe it!
Belly Button in or out? Chad has officially declared it an outtie. I'm still holding out and saying it's flat!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to this week: Thanksgiving! Eating massive amounts of food and Friends-giving this weekend! =)

27 Weeks!

How far along? 27 Weeks 
Total weight gain/loss: +8.5 lbs (130.5 lbs)! 
Maternity clothes? The majority of my pre-pregnancy shirts don't fit anymore, I'm pretty much in all maternity clothes now. 
Stretch marks? None, lathering up with my stretch mark cream these days!
Sleep: I'm trying to catch up on sleep this week! I'm just exhausted from this past month! Trying to slow down with the holidays coming and enjoy the next couple months. But sleeping well for the most part still! 
Best moment this week: Another Baby shower! It was so much fun and baby girl got SO MUCH amazing stuff. She sure is spoiled already!  
Miss Anything? Sitting comfortably!
Movement: I can sit and watch my stomach bulge and move and jump now, so cool!
Symptoms: Feeling bigger than ever! Difficult to eat regular sized meals, there is no room for food! 
Cravings: Still bananas. Also, donuts and hot chocolate this week!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: Belly is getting big!!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Just a lot of Braxton-Hicks!
Belly Button in or out? Chad has officially declared it an outtie. I'm still holding out and saying it's flat!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to this week: We are going to Chicago with weekend for a little babymoon with our BFFs Blake and Lauren. It should be a ton of fun!! I'm looking forward to relaxing and enjoying a little vacation!

Baby Shower #1 & Week 26 Update!

I really meant to have this up last week. With the chaos of getting the basement done, I missed taking the 26 week photo, but I still included the update that I did last week. So here is the post I had planned to put up last week!

 I had my first baby shower two weekends ago! 

My mother-in-law and sister-in-law threw me an awesome shower complete with a diaper cake, fun games and A LOT of PINK! 

There was a food table with pink chocolate covered pretzels (yum), fruit, veggies, chips and dip and mini sandwiches (and much more)! Yummy Punch and lots of family! 

It was awesome to see so many people, that already love our little girl, shower her (and me) with adorable baby things! 

I can't thank my mother-in-law and sister-in-law (and father-in-law) enough for everything they did to put this together. It really was a great time!

Like I said I completed this last week! I promise to have 27 weeks up soon!

How far along? 26 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +6 (128.5 lbs) I'm on a steady weight gain kick, I better watch it!
Maternity clothes? A mix of maternity and non maternity shirts still, all maternity pants unless they are sweats or yoga pants!
Stretch marks? None, lathering up with my stretch mark cream these days!
Sleep: I didn't get much sleep at all this week, we have been having a crazy week. So when I am asleep I've been sleeping like a baby!
Best moment this week: My first Baby Shower! It was so much fun! 
Miss Anything? Sitting comfortably!
Movement: I can sit and watch my stomach bulge and move and jump now, so cool!
Symptoms: Feeling bigger than ever!
Cravings: Bananas and anything bad for me (fried food, candy..etc)!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: Belly is getting big!!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Just Braxton-Hicks 
Belly Button in or out? Flat!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to this week: Baby shower #2!! I'm super excited!!