What a ride!

Okay so though it is a month overdue, here is the story about the day Evie entered the world:
February 28th - Nest, nest, nest! House is totally cleaned and I am praying this baby stays put until the schedule c-section On March 8th... No dice...
March 2nd 5:00am - Get up and get ready for work like normal.
Take Charlie to my bro and sister-in-law's and drop him off quick to avoid the tears that are a new thing for us...
As I am making my quick escape I think " hmmm maybe I should go back in and pee because I am leaking a Lil bit... Nah, I'll hold it until school."
Waddle into my classroom and promptly to the bathroom leaking all the way.
I then decide I need to go back home and change my pants because I am sure I have pissed them. So then I call my BFF who is also my co-teacher down to my room and only then does it occur to me that my water may have broke. She rushed down just in time to convince me to call my Obgyn. I did and then, after cleaning my house an a quick trip to Burger King to fulfill a craving, we finally made it to the hospital. Since I had no contractions my option were a repeat c-section or induction...
Fuck Pitocin... I opted for the c-section which resulted in a totally pain free delivery and a beautiful girl named Evelyn. The stay the hospital was less than steller (a story for a different day) but the recovery has been good. I am now, seven weeks later, a pro at being a mom of two little blessings. I even have gone grocery shopping alone with both babies!

Holy Hannah - I am having a baby!

Not right now of course because I am blogging...
But within the next week, I will have a baby in my arms...
Not just a baby, but my baby girl Evelyn "Evie" Elizabeth.

I am nesting like crazy. My house has never been this clean - ever! With a toddler, I highly doubt it will stay this clean for much longer than his nap time.

I think we are as ready as we can be for the big event. Arrangements have been made for Charlie's care, my bag is pretty much packed, my birth plan is good to go and, well, I am just ready to smooch her little chubby cheeks. As of last week, I haven't really dilated or anything yet, but my doctor said that could change within hours and she is in the right position. If I go into labor on my own, we'll try for a VBAC. If not, my C-section is scheduled for next Tuesday at 7:30am sharp.I refuse to be induced... I never ever want to go through that hell again. I am good with delivering either way as long as the result is a happy healthy baby.

This will sound crazy, but the thing I am most nervous for is leaving Charlie. He'll be in good hands, but the longest I have been away from him is overnight. If I have a c-section, I will be in the hospital for about three days and even though he'll visit, I am going to miss his smile and goofy demeanor during my stay. Plus, I'll leave here having him as my baby and when I get back, he'll be my big boy and quite honestly, I am just not ready for that.

We are so blessed. When I look back at where we were to where we are, I can't help but think that I am the luckiest person in the world. More updates coming soon!

4 Weeks...

Preparing...

I can't believe that in about a month our girl will be here. I know I sound like a broken record on my blog, but we are just so incredible blessed. 3 years ago, we were in a much different place. Now we get the privilege of having a little boy who hugs and kisses us everyday and a little girl who will be snuggling close soon. I am so ecstatic, but also scarred. I can't believe we are bravely going to juggle two under two. I am also freaking out over the fact that I have to leave Charlie for a few days while Evie is born. I have only ever been away from him overnight and three days away will be really hard. He will visit, but I am not used to being away from him that long. The next on my to-do list is to pack my hospital bag. This week marks the start of weekly appointments so I'll be updating!

Almost 2 weeks...

Now that my child has been lulled asleep to the sounds of Run DMC and Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" I have a free hand to blog.

Life with a baby is amazing.

I hate that there are people that deserve this and are struggling. I pray every day that God keeps my baby safe and that those struggling couples get to experience this. I am so blessed. One year ago I was morning my second loss, now I am snuggling the love of my life.

Charlie has had endless visitors. He is such a popular man especially among the grandparents. I am happy to report that we have successfully kept this little guy alive for almost two weeks. He is nursing fairly well and on Thursday, hopefully, we'll learn that he is growing well as he has his 2nd visit to the pediatrician. The first visit was rough on me. He hadn't gained any weight and I felt horrible because I am nursing exclusively. The doctor assured us this was normal, but I still felt like shit. Our baby sleeps very well. He only wakes up once or twice in the night. At first he stayed awake all night earning the title of Mommy's Little Owl, but he has since figured things out and kept the Owl nickname because he screeches like a little owl.

I am recovering very well. You could barley tell that almost two weeks ago, I had major surgery. Stairs are hard and by night I am moving slow, but I feel great. I love that I will never have to go through labor ever again because I had a c-section and will need to deliver this way in any subsequent pregnancies.

My little man just shit so loud that he woke himself up so I need to take care of business, but I will leave you with a couple cute pictures of our baby bear.

The Birth of Charlie!

For those few and faithful blog readers, I am sorry I haven't updated. Last Monday at my scheduled doctor appointment Charlie decided to be a little lazy and not move during his ultrasound so my doctor decided to induce me. I went straight from the appointment to the hospital. Throughout the rest of the day, I was given a drug to soften my cervix and prepare it for labor because I was still high and only dilated to 1 cm. Bright and early Tuesday, I showered and then was put on Pitocin. Pitocin is the devil in every way and someday I will blog about that, but since I only have a few minutes, I will stick to the basics. Anyway, I labored for 3 hours without the epidural and then couldn't take it anymore. The epidural worked for the first two hours, but then started to become ineffective so I defaulted to cursing to ease the pain. Tony was AMAZING through all of this because he just let me do what I needed to do. The cursing did not help the pain, but one amazing nurse suggested I get on all fours and this position made labor bearable. At 6:30 pm I was checked again and I had only dilated to 5cm. Because Charlie looked like he might be in distress, my doctor decided to do a c-section. I was so incredibly scarred to have a c-section, but it was clear that it was the best decision at that point.

Things moved really quickly after the decision to section was made. At 7:04pm our beautiful boy Charlie was born weight in at a whooping 9 pounds 2 ounces and 21.25 inches long. He is perfect in every way. Tony stayed with Charlie after delivery and I went to recovery. Charlie and I got to see my in recovery because he had low blood sugar and I insisted that no bottles be given so I could establish breastfeeding.

Recovery was rough. It was so difficult to move the first few days, but by the third day I was able to move quite well. We stayed in the hospital until Friday and we are now adjusting to life at home. My baby boy is perfect in every way and we are so in love. Breastfeeding is going pretty well and adjusting to life as a mom has been pretty smooth with a couple of bumps along the way. Tony has been the best husband ever and I love and appreciate him so much more than I ever have. I have so much more I want to write, but Grandma is visiting and I have to clean up my house at least a little bit.

Us after I was first admitted

Charlie right after he was born

Charlie all ready to go home!

Preparing to give birth!

Now don't get all excited because I am still closed up tighter than Fort Knox, but many people have asked about how I plan to give birth and if I am choosing to get an epidural or not. Indeed I am getting an epi, (drugs are great!) but some people may not realize that you have to be quite far along before they'll give you one.

Because I am prepared, I have been practicing other strategies to cope until they give my those glorious drugs...

It is swearing...
I love to swear and don't get to do it nearly enough...
You may be giving me the side eye on this technique, but it is researched based...

Check this link out for more information...

I go to see the doctor tomorrow... I will give an update upon returning!

The 23rd...

Dear Charlie,
The 23rd is a great day for a birthday... It is my favorite number!
Love you,
Mom

An Eviction Notice....

Charles Frederick Murphy,
This is your official eviction notice! You need to exit my uterus ASAP! I know that it is comfortable in there, but your daddy and I promise to provide as many cuddles as you need to be comfortable out here. Your room is ready, there is food for you, and you have many, MANY people ready to meet you. If you refuse to exit me, I will be forced to do anything in my power to get you out including vigorous massage of my ankles, eating spicy foods and perhaps even sex as a last resort. It is time... You are ready... We are ready... You need to join us out here ASAP.
Thank you,
Your Loving Mommy

PS: When you do decide to exit, please leave your home in good condition. I may just be crazy enough to rent it out again someday to your future sibling(s)...

My birth plan...

Get the baby out as healthy and painlessly as possible.

I would like to deliver vaginally, but please deliver the baby in what ever way results in a healthy baby.

I will be laboring with only Tony and necessary medical staff. I will notify staff and family of any exceptions being made.

I want an epidural.

I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible after delivering. If I deliver vaginally, please show my husband and I the baby, clean him, then let Tony hold him. After Tony is finished, I will attempt to nurse. If I have a Cesarean delivery, please allow me to nurse as soon as possible. I would prefer that no bottles be given to my baby while I am in recovery.

If my baby needs to be in the NICU, Tony and I will be the first to see him. Only AFTER both Tony and I have done so, family will be welcome.

After I give birth, please allow me time to recover. I would like to be able to nurse, get cleaned up and bond with my baby before I accept visitors. I will hurry this along as I know people will be excited to visit, but please respect this time.

Also, during recovery, please do not photograph me. My baby is the star. When I am feeling better, I will be happy to partake in any family photos.

During my hospital stay, please allow me to nurse in private as I will be new to nursing and may need time to perfect this.

I may need to poop after delivery... Please leave during this time... I am a private pooper.