Smile

Time really flies when you have 2 children. I get it why people say 2 is a lot more than 'double' the work. It is wonderful and chaotic. But, I am enjoying every day and sleepless night.

Yesterday, I was doing the typical diaper change and asked big sis to put a hand on lil sis so I could grab a diaper. Daddy was on hand to keep an eye on both of them. While I was gone, Daddy yelled for me to come quick.

It was a camera opportunity missed. Big sis had a hand on lil sis and then lil sis put a hand on big sis and smiled. I think it melted Daddy's heart. :) We love our lil girls.

Natalie's birth story

Our little girl arrived on September 20th, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. via scheduled c-section. She weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. We named her Natalie Ryan Graves.

We went to the doctor on Wednesday 9.16 for our last visit and my blood pressure was a little high. But, was sent home. Then I had a headache on 9.17 and was asked to come back in. My blood pressure was really high and we did PIH blood screens. And was sent home again but was asked to come back the next day. We had a 50/50 chance of having the baby on Friday. I went back in and my PIH tests were normal... which was good and we could wait until Sunday to do the c-section.

Sunday morning, Ryan, Montana Nana and I went to the hospital. We checked in and were taken to our room. We listened to the baby's heart and mine. I was prepped and the nurse tried to give me an IV in my arm... failed and then tried my hand. After I was prepped, Dr. Wells came in and said we could go in early. We walked to the surgery room and Ryan and Nana both got in their sterile suits. Nana was in charge of the camera and Ryan was in charge of being with me and getting baby.

When I went to sit on the surgery table I started to get the shakes. I think it was adrenaline and nervousness. My blood pressure started to go really high again. The anesthesiologist prepped me for the epidural and it went well. I started to feel the warmth/numbness in one leg and then the other. He pinched me to test the drugs and gave the all clear to start. The surgery went quickly and I felt tugging and pulling and then they said the baby was about to come out. We dropped the curtain to see her head. The cord was around her neck, but it was quickly removed. When she was pulled out she had a lot of dark almost black hair. While I was being sewed back together it was really uncomfortable in my upper abdomen.

Ryan went with the nurse to weigh and measure the baby. Then he brought her to me so we could see her together. With surgery finished we all went back to our room. It seems like a blur now.

Ryan and I had some time alone while Nana went home to pick up big sister. We were trying to decide on her name. We took almost the whole day, but finally decided on Natalie. It wasn't the two names we had thought we were going to use. I think we surprised everyone with her name.

38 weeks

Last doctor's appointment today. My blood pressure was up, but could be because I am on Sudafed for congestion. Doctor didn't seem to be concerned about it at this point, but I need to keep an eye on it.

I am down another pound. Not sure how I lost 2 pounds in two weeks. Seems odd to me. But, my belly is measuring exactly at 38 weeks.

So, all systems are a go for Sunday. C-section here we come. We get to meet the new babe in just a matter of days now.

stats

We had our 37 week checkup today. And things are still looking 'on target'.

Momma's Weight - lost 1 pound. Total weight gain is 21 pounds per the doctor visits
Blood pressure - still within normal/acceptable range 124/84
Belly - measuring 37 cm at 37 weeks

She checked my cervix and said it is still closed. So not really close to going into labor - which is good.

C-section is scheduled for 9.20.09 at 9:15 a.m. We should get to meet this little girl in 11 days. One last checkup next Wednesday before we deliver.

12 days to go

1- 10

1 baby fully cooked (37 weeks is considered full term)
2 weeks until c-section
3 people in our current family
4 people is what our family will be
5 pacifiers found
6 aunts and uncles waiting for her arrival
7th of December I will 'go back to work' (and take 3.5 weeks of PTO)
8 weeks of medical leave
9 working days left
10 fingers and toes I am looking forward to counting

etsy

My two obsessions - Etsy and Craigslist.

Here is what I am buying from Etsy.

She is going to make it in lavender for me with the white flower. I'm hoping it will make a good picture in front of the 'tree'. :)