Abigail Jean: Birth Story

The topic of induction was discussed several weeks before my due date. I didn't want to do it for multiple reasons (I wanted to experience going into labor on my own, wanted to save money by avoiding the extra day, my body and baby didn't seem quite ready, etc.) When I was still at 1cm and barely effaced at my 39 week appointment, we all decided to go ahead and schedule a "just in case" induction date after my due date. Dr. Hinton didn't want me to go too long over because baby girl was probably going to be a bit bigger. We chose Monday May 1, 2 days late. We went in early morning because we'd already pre-paid for a 48 hour stay at the hospital and wanted to try to avoid a 3rd day for the induction process. As much as I didn't want to be induced, I was thankful for it in the end. We were really able to enjoy our last weekend with just Claire, my parents came up to stay with her and weren't in a rush or tizzy to get here, I was able to pack and mentally prep for the situation with a "sane" mind. On our way to the hospital (at 1am) we stopped at McDonalds for a last meal because I wouldn't be able to eat once pitocin started. We were all set and ready to meet our new little love! 

• 1:30am check in went smoothly, hooked up to all things 
• Already showing a few contractions
• Started Pitocin and group b strep antibiotic around 3:00am
• Was checked and still "a good 1cm", baby still high, but up to 50% effaced! 
• Couldn't sleep
• By 5:30, Pitocin was turned up for the 3rd time. Contractions were 4-6 minutes apart. Pain was not unbearable, barely noticeable. 
• 6:00, still a 1
• 8:00 Dr Hinton came in, talked about what we might do if I don't progress. She upped the Pitocin and I was at a 2. 
• 8:40 upped Pitocin 
• Fetal heartrate and contraction monitor kept flipping off my belly (just like they did with Claire). 
• I was sooooooo hungry!! I think I ate 4 popsicles, and Dr. Hinton let me sneak a handful of trail mix 🏻
• I did a lot more walking around and bouncing to try and help things. 
• Around 11:30, I was checked again (2/3, 50/60% effaced and she moved to -2 station). We started using the peanut ball and that really got things going! Strong steady contractions! 
• Contractions started getting very strong and very frequent. We spoke with Dr. Hinton. I asked about getting epidural. Was checked and still a 2, so I decided to try and wait (I think I lasted around 30 more minutes). 
• Got the epidural around 2:00. It was a MUCH better experience as far as pain during insertion! A nerve was hit on the first try which sent a shot of pain/tingling to my right knee. He re-did it and got it just right on the second try. I did end up with a strange pressure headache that just bounced around my head for about 30 minutes and then went away. During the epidural, Andrew stood right in front of me and held on to me (it was one of my favorite parts of the day). The nurse started commenting on how strong and frequent my contractions were becoming. I also started having low blood pressure and would feel very tired or nauseous sometimes. 
• Checked right after epidural and was at a 6, 90%, and -2! Dr. Hinton broke my water. We set up laying on the left with the peanut and progressed very quickly! 
• I think by 4:45 I was a 10 and just needed to wait a little while for her to labor down to begin pushing. 
• Pushed from 5:20-6:15
• Was very tired from little sleep and had nausea from heartburn and low blood pressure, but still had a good experience! 
• The last 3 pushes were super exciting! The first, she kind of jumped and her head popped out, surprising everyone!! It even made a popping noise! Dr. Hinton wasn't quite ready!! I had one middle push, and then during the third push, I was up in my pushing position and she did a frog kick inside me and pushed herself right out!!! Everyone instantly commented on her cuteness and chunkiness. 
• We did chest to chest time together, I got to cut her cord, and they did all the measurements and tests. She had to stay on my chest for a while because her temp was a little low. 

• 6:15pm on Monday, 5/01/17
• 8lbs 12.6oz
• 21.1in
• APGAR scores were 9 and 9

• Meme and Papa and Lolly were the first to meet her (Poppi had Claire). Poppi came in. Meme and Poppi left to get food and daddy brought Claire in. She was extremely unsure and more worried about mama's boo boos and all the machines! 
• Abigail nurses like a champion!!! Latched and sucked well right away and for a long time! (But she does not like to be put down or re-situated!)
• I ended up being awake for a total of 37 hours before getting a little rest! 
• She pooped 3 times and peed (first time during her bath) on 5/2 while still at the hospital. 
• She had to have 4 or 5 blood sugar draws (heel pricks) because of her size. 
• Passed all her tests. 
• Came home around 7:30pm on 5/2. Claire was excited and hyper. She said all day, "Abby coming home!!!"
• Abigail took a paci!!!

We are extremely thankful for the gift of a healthy baby and  smooth delivery! Life with Abigail Jean is so so sweet! 

Claire's Second Birthday

Our girl is TWO! I really can't believe it, but at the same time it just feels natural and like not that big of a deal. She's growing up so beautifully. She's her own person now with a personality that SHINES through all the time! 

Daddy was still home when she woke up, so he was able to go get her and love on her for a second. She helped me make special pancakes, and we face timed with meme, Michele and Annie to sing her happy birthday. She still got embarrassed by it, but she LOVES BLOWING OUT CANDLES! 

Unfortunately, I had a lot of cleaning and errands to take care of because we were leaving for thanksgiving vacation the next day. We went to the mall to see Santa just like last year. She wouldn't sit with him, but she didn't cry! He gave her a candy cane and she sat in my lap for the picture. We got a cookie and rode the mini ferris wheel before we left. She got a cheeseburger and fries for lunch and got to eat it while we walked around Hobby Lobby. 

We came home for her nap, and spent the rest of the afternoon playing and getting ready for the week at Meme and Poppi's. Andrew got to come home early, so they played while I cooked. The only way we could get her to take bites was to let her blow out the candles after she took a bite! We went to small group where she had fun playing with friends, and then it was time to go home and go to bed! 

I hope she always knows how loved she is, even if her actual birthday wasn't filled with all the activities that she would ever want to do. 

You are so wonderful Claire. We cannot wait to see what your third year will bring us! 

Claire's BirthDAY!

She woke up around 7:15 is a great mood! Daddy and I walked in to get her and sing happy birthday. She nursed, played, and we had a pancake breakfast. hers were blueberry and she ate THREE! She took her morning nap around 9:15. When she woke up, we got ourselves ready and went out! We went to toys R us to exchange something and got her the fridge phonics and a Mickey movie. Then, we went to Barnes and Nobel.  She loved crawling around to look at books and play on the stage. She got a free cupcake for being a member of BN kids! We got it to go and went to chick-Fil-A for lunch! After lunch, we went to the mall to look for something for daddy. We decided to get her picture made with Santa because there was no line at the mall! She loved looking at Santa and playing with his glasses. We got a great pic! We left the mall and stopped in Academy sports. Once we got home I tried to put her down for an afternoon nap. She WAS NOT HAVING IT! I tried 4 times, no sleep, so she was kind of whiney (by kind of, I mean a lot). Aunt Lyndsy and uncle Matt came by to see her for a little while before the game. We tried to start decorating for Christmas. We had supper at home and watched the Razorback game. She got to FaceTime with both sets of grandparents and she showed off both times. We did bath, read "On the night you were born" and then she ate and drifted off.

Here we are. 8:12 on 11/21. I have held you for 365 days, my love.

The Eve of a First Birthday

My Claire,

Right now I'm rocking you, nursing you and putting you to sleep. It's your last night before you turn one. Your daddy keeps opening the door which makes you look around and call out for him. I don't mind. Your eyes are still wide open and you're rubbing my chest. Every so often you stop just to say something really quick, and then you go right back to eating. You snort while you eat and it's adorable. You just closed your eyes and you're drifting off... Everyone told me it would happen, but this year went by so fast!

On this night last year, we were sitting in room 26 at Willow Creek eating pizza with the Duffields. Contractions had started, but they weren't too bad. I loved watching them on the screen. After a horrible nights sleep, pitocin, 12 hours of labor and 2.12 hours of pushing, you were in my arms where you have been for the past 364 days.

I have loved every second of watching you grow (even the seconds I didn't like very much). I loved the faces and sounds you would make as a newborn. I loved figuring out what would get you to stop crying. I loved when your hematoma and weird belly button spot went away. I loved when you got over the Colic. I loved when you started smiling at us and finding your hands, feet and toys. I loved watching you try your hardest to roll, but it was just so hard getting that body all the way over. I loved when you started sleeping through the night. I loved taking you on trips and showing you off to family and friends. I loved your rolls, especially when you started sitting up and they were just overflowing. I loved seeing you learn to crawl, pull up and cruise. I loved the way your appearance changed when you got teeth and started slimming down. I love your poop face. I love your gap. I love how you laugh at and clap for your self. I love watching you with friends. I loved hearing your first words and watching you try to say others. I love watching you play with and figure out toys. I loved seeing your eyes light up at your first birthday party. I love your smile when you see me and daddy.

You are my miracle. My answered prayer. I'm very thankful that the lord gave me the desire of my heart. I pray that you learn to trust him with the desires of yours.

"The lord bless you and keep you. The lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

First Birthday Party

With Claire's birthday being in the middle of holiday season, I decided to go sweet, simple and no theme. I bought some 12m pants from Southern Tots when she was newborn, and decided t0 base everything around those because I thought they were cute.

The pants were a tan and cream stripe with Ruffles. My first thought was burlap! That's easy and "fall-ish"! I went through all of her bows to find a color that I liked with the pants- Navy! So simple! I had a white shirt from Blanks Boutique, so I asked my SIL, Lyndsy,  to put her name on it in the navy. Perfect. Outfit done. 

I had seen all of the cute birthday decorations with fabric garlands and bunting on Pinterest, so I went to Hobby Lobby to find fabric that I loved. I got half a yard of cream with gold triangles, peach stripe, and navy with white polka dot. I also got a roll of lace and a roll of burlap. I picked up some twine and extra blank pennants for a bunting. Lucky for me, target had an amazing dollar bin at the time I was looking! At target I got premade card stock bunting and burlap die cut letter stickers! Score! I made a fabric garland to go around her highchair and a mini one for a cake topper. I used the sticky letters to make a "happy birthday" bunting and "Claire is one". I used the leftover fabric to sew a fabric bunting that I hung in front of her dessert table. 

We fed lunch at the party, so I had a chili bar with all the fixins. There were apple slices with caramel and water and cider punch. I made all the desserts as well: brownies and pumpkin spice cupcakes. My friend Kaitlyn gave me some tips and I was able to make Claire's "naked" birthday cake at home. It was white cake with whipped icing and her favorite - blueberries- on top! I was a lot of work, but I loved being able to make instead of buy! 

Guests arrived and we talked, opened presents, sang "happy birthday" and ate. 

Claire got so many wonderful new toys! I'm thankful because it sounds like we might be stuck inside a lot this winter! 

When Claire listened to us sing to her, she kind of just froze. It was so funny! I thought she would dance. When she got her cake, she first ate all the blueberries one by one. After that she got serious and had some major icing and cake fun. 

After a quick wash in the sink she was back and ready to play with friends and her new toys! 

I'm so thankful that every year we will have a day just to celebrate this special, wonderful, beautiful, perfect little life! She is loved by so many! 

{How to make fabric garland: 1. Cut strips 1.5 inches, make as long as you need when fabric is folded in half. 2. Choose your pattern. Throw in some different textures like burlap or lace. 3. Measure twine. 4.Lay your folded strip under the piece of twine. Grab the loop at the top, bring the bottom pieces up over the twine and through the loop. Pull tight. EASY}