Deployment Weekly Recap: Week 2

Emotional: I'm doing better...it's finally October! I have a lot of things going on this month so I'll be pretty busy. Keeping busy is the only way to make it through deployment with your sanity intact. 

Physical: I got 3 days of Stroller Strides in this week so I'm feeling pretty good. I also managed to take all of my babies on a walk this week. Layla decided to follow Floyd, William and I around the block. She was pretty exhausted afterwards (fat cat).

Communication: I've had a few emails. He's been doing pretty well since he's not working as much. I'm jealous that he's getting so much sleep. 

What's something fun you did this week: I went to see Pitch Perfect with Kim. It was so nice to have a few hours of adult time. I was able to just lose myself in the movie and relax. I need to do that every once in a while.

What are you looking forward to next week: Sam and Joe are taking William for a few hours tomorrow so I'm looking forward to a nap. My Mom and in-laws are coming next weekend so I'll have some visitors and can pass the kid off.

What made you happy this week: Knowing that I have a great babysitter whom my kid seems to really enjoy being around.

What made you sad/mad this week: That my dog peed on the floor while the babysitter was here for no reason. He has also been stealing some of the baby's things and chewing them up. I'm not happy with him.

What do you miss this week: Working with my husband in the yard. I hate how he feels the need to get rid of every leaf in our yard (I believe that once the grass ends, so does the yard work). I miss seeing him out there blowing leaves around.

How's William this week: We're still working on the crib thing. He's managed to sleep in one hour spurts and not wake up during that hour, so I think that's progress from waking up every 1/2 hour. We had our appointment with his pediatrician. He's up to 14 pounds! We're on a pretty regular solid food schedule. He loves to eat and I enjoy making his food for him.

Favorite song/show/movie of the moment: I really enjoyed Pitch Perfect. The one-liners in the movie were hilarious. I plan on buying it as soon as it comes out on DVD.

Pictures from this week:

My little man all tuckered out during Stroller Strides

Deployment Weekly Recap: Week 1

Can't believe I'm doing this again...ugh

Emotional: Not going to lie...it hasn't been easy. Jimmy was supposed to have 8 days off and we had plans to go to a music festival and to transition William from sleeping in his swing to his crib. Well, crap happens elsewhere in the world and he leaves after only being home for a few days. It was pretty awful. I was really looking forward to spending time as a family and I needed his help with the baby. So yeah...I've been pretty bummed lately, but I'm trying to dig myself out and try to plan things to do.

Physical: I'm having a really hard time losing the baby weight. I started going to Stroller Strides a few weeks ago which has been great. It's an hour long cardio and strength training class that moms can do while having their kids in the stroller. It's hard, butI feel better afterwards. My face rash from last deployment came back. I went on base and of course they have no idea what it is, so I'm going to see my son's pediatrician tomorrow to see if she might have a clue.

Communication: I've had two emails, but that's because my husband isn't really super busy like he normally is. He'll be getting off the boat after this deployment so I think he's starting to transfer some of his responsibilities to others. He's pretty bummed that he's out to sea early and is missing all of us here.

What's something fun you did this week: We've been laying low for the most part, but I did take him for a walk around the backyard to see what we could see. Oh, and we went for frozen yogurt. He loved tasting it off of my lips lol

What are you looking forward to next week: Bonus money comes next week so I get to put that into various savings accounts....and my babysitter is coming on Friday so I can go to the movies with Kim!

What made you happy this week: Knowing that I have people to help me out around here when I need it.

What made you sad/mad this week: That I'm having to write this weekly recap when I should be enjoying time with my husband

What do you miss this week: Watching him play with William

How's William this week: He's having a tough time transitioning to napping in the crib. He's so used to being in motion and in a tight space that it's taking time and some tears on both of our parts. I'm trying my best to make it a happy place for him and he's starting to get better. I just wish he wouldn't wake up after 20 minutes. It's hard to get him to go back to sleep. Other than that, he has started rolling all over and grabbing at everything!

Favorite song/show/movie of the moment: Fall tv just started! I got some laughs in from watching The Big Bang Theory!

Pictures from this week:

 Spending some time with his two boys

My little man has started to roll over!

My Birth Story

My beautiful son just turned 3 months old a few days ago and I think I am finally able to share my birth story. I play it over and over in my head on a fairly regular basis and have so many regrets. I think that if I share it, it might make me feel a little better. So here it goes...from my point of view...

I went to 42 weeks...yep..42 weeks. My dates are completely accurate because I was inseminated and have very regular cycles. I knew that I would go late because he was my first baby and my mother went late as well. I was fine with that. Most women complain at the end of their pregnancy and want to "get it out". I felt fine and was content with baking him. My OB office started talking about induction at my 40 week appointment. I said no and consented to several tests to check the baby's well-being. He was healthy and so was I. 41 week appointment rolls around and the same thing; he was well and so was I. The OB who talked to Jimmy and I that day made me feel like a horrible person for not wanting to induce. I was only 1cm at that point and knew that an induction would not go well at that point. I cried a lot after that appointment. I am a highly educated woman who has read countless books, read studies and consulted with women who are very knowledgeable about pregnancy and childbirth. Nothing pisses me off more than when someone talks down to you. 

I walked a lot and tried everything to jump start my labor. I even took castor oil (ughh). Nothing was working. I got to my 42 week appointment and had a different OB this time. I was about 4 centimeters at that time and knew that there was a small possibility of things not going well if I kept staying pregnant. Since I made progress from the week before and I had been having contractions on and off for days,  I thought that I would go ahead with a pitocin induction that evening. My mother had both my brother and I on pitocin without pain meds and said it was fine for her. I figured it would be the same for me.

We started the induction on Tuesday night (first problem-starting at night..I should have went home to sleep and started in the morning). I got hooked up to an IV with some fluids and pitocin. They also hooked me up to an electronic fetal monitor that strapped over my belly so they could constantly keep track of the baby's heartbeat. That thing is the most obnoxious, evil thing ever. The reason that I got NO sleep during my 36 hours of "labor" was because my baby moved a lot and a nurse would come in ever time he moved to readjust. So I stayed up that night...bouncing on my birthing ball and walking the halls. I felt fine; I could feel the pressure from the contractions, but I felt ok.

3 am rolls around and I've made no cervical progress. I'm upset, obviously. They turned the pitocin off for 4 hours to allow me to get some rest. I slept for maybe 2 hours..hospital beds are not comfortable. I made it to a 5 by that afternoon. The doctor suggested breaking my water at that point. This is the point when I should have left the hospital because after almost 24 hours I made about 0 progress. It was a failed induction and I should have left and tried again in a week. I felt pressured though and knew that in many cases, breaking the waters will speed things along. I was hoping that I would be in that category. I consented, called my mom and doula to come, and kept on going.

Early evening rolls around and a new OB comes on; one that I hadn't met. She was a woman though, so I was hoping she'd be a little more understanding than her male counterparts. She suggested putting a pressure catheter in my uterus so they could safely up the pitocin to the maximum level. I said ok (once again, should have said no, why in the fuck would I want something in my uterus???). They turned up the pitocin and I could start feeling things. It was getting harder and I had to focus more. I listened to my Hypnobabies tracks on my ipod and my Doula helped apply counterpressure. At one point that night I got in the shower with Jimmy just so I could cry hysterically in peace. I remember telling him, "I know where this is going...they are going to cut me open". He tried his best to make me feel better, but I knew it was getting too late.

The highlight of my "birthing" experience was when I made it to 6 cm and was able to go into the tub room with my husband. We sat in the tub and swayed for 2 hours. It was glorious. We got to listen to music and be by ourselves. I remember thinking that I know why animals go somewhere safe and quiet; being around people while you are in labor is uncomfortable. I just wanted to be left alone with the few people that I wanted there. 

I go back and get checked around 2 am (thursday) and I'm still at a 6. I'm devastated at this point. One of the wonderful nurses that I had suggested getting an epidural to relax me because sometimes it helps in the dilation progress. It was a last ditch effort for me and I said ok. I wasn't in pain, but thought it might help. I progressed to an 8 in 2 hours after the epidural; the most progress that I had made. Let me tell you something, I hated the epidural. I couldn't move, yet I could feel the contractions on my left side. So I was stuck...and being on your back is the most god awful position. The anesthesiologist came back to fix it, but it never really worked. I was still at an 8 around 9 in the morning. The OB had been harping on me to do a c-section since her shift began the night before. I still said no. The nurse told me that she could rotate me on my side and move me around every 20 minutes to try to help. I said ok.

At this point, I'm looking around in agony because I can't move and my doula, mother and husband are all asleep. I'm beyond exhausted. I feel like I'm going to throw up and I know that when I get to 10 it's going to be a while before he comes out. I knew that I would be pushing for hours because he only dropped to a 0 station. I panicked and said "I'm done". I yelled at my husband to get the nurse and to have them cut me open. I remember my mother crying because she knew how much I wanted a natural birth and my doula asking me over and over if I was sure. I didn't shed a tear and kept saying that I was done. I then proceeded to puke my brains out...not sure if it was the drugs, exhaustion, transition or all of the above.

I went into the OR and they prepped me and then brought Jimmy in. I puked again on the operating table and probably all over my hair. I remember Jimmy looking at what they were doing and not paying attention to me. The anesthesiologist told me to cut that out and that now was a good time to bond with your wife (haha). It actually felt good, the pulling inside of me, or the drugs, or something. I think it might have been the pressure release because lord knows, he was a huge baby and it was getting hard to breathe. He came out screaming and I started sobbing...not because "oh my gosh, my son is here!", but because it was finally over. This stupid fucking ordeal from hell was finally over and I could sleep. I did too, while they stitched me up.

The physical healing from a c-section isn't fun. I felt like the hunchback for a couple of weeks. The emotional healing is still going on and probably will for years. I feel like I have failed as a woman and what should have been the happiest day of my life was not. It took me more than a month to feel that loving adoration when I looked at my son. I never experience the all important oxytocin high after birth that promotes the love and bonding feelings. My son would look at me and I felt indifferent. I hated myself for that too.

I will never give birth in a hospital again unless there is an emergency. I will give birth at home like I originally wanted to. Medical management of labor is a complete mess in this country which is why we have such a ridiculously high maternal infant mortality rate. 

I hope that one day I can move past this, but I don't think I will until I can give birth the way that nature intended. Until then I will work on separating my "birth" experience from my son. He is becoming such a happy baby and I love every day that I get to spend with him. I just wish that his birthday was one of his choosing and not forced upon him.

William Marlowe is here!!

Born 5/17 at 10:22 am weighing 10.34 lbs and 19.75 inches long! We had a rough go of labor and I'm still recovering from that. Little man is beautiful and keeps me on my toes. We're dealing with a gassy baby so he's pretty grouchy, but we're hoping we can fix it or he grows out of it soon. When he's happy he's a total love. We're very much enamored with our baby boy. Will post more when I have time :)

Almost Go Time!

Well, I'm just about 39 weeks pregnant and no sign of baby showing up anytime soon. Jimmy has been working some crazy hours lately, but we've managed to find some time to get things done and to enjoy our last few weeks as a duo. We went to Maine for a few days to spend some quality time together and to get out of Dodge. We had a wonderful time checking out the small cities of Portland and Portsmouth, and basically relaxing. We also managed to finish the baby's nursery and got some maternity pictures taken (see above- props to Des'ola Photography for the awesome pics). Everything is coming together and now we basically play the waiting game. I go to the midwives' office once a week now and they are great about letting things play out naturally and going along with my desires. I'm trying every natural way I know how to get things moving, but the little man is determined to stay put until he wants to come out.

Jimmy has been a great help and comfort during these past weeks. He's on board with my birth plan and listens to all of my worries. He helps around the house even after working 12-15 hours per day. He's even down with doing things that I think most men would cringe at (look up perineal massage-it's a good time for all *sarcasm*). Right now he's scheduled to stay behind while the boat goes out for the next underway. I'm hoping that stays put because I really need him there for the birth :)

Hopefully my next update will have some baby pictures in it! We are soooo ready to meet our son!

10 weeks to go!

I'm 30 weeks along and am very much ready to meet my son! We've been very busy the past couple of months getting everything prepared and ready for the baby's arrival. We spent the better part of an entire weekend turning the office into a nursery. We mudded cracks in walls, painted, put in new baseboards, put in new heating baseboards, made a windowsill, made bookshelves and bought a new curtain rod. Basically, this kid has the nicest looking room in the entire house! We are very fortunate that our family purchased the furniture that we plan on keeping until the kid moves out of the house.

I had a wonderful baby shower in upstate NY at my friend Victoria's house. Victoria, Meaghan and my mother worked very hard to give me the perfect low-key shower. There was lots of great food and company and the baby got some pretty cool stuff. We feel very blessed to know that there are so many people who love and care for him already.

Now that I have about 10-ish weeks left, I'm starting to develop some aches and pains. I have this one spot on my mid back that is killing me every time I sit. Since the baby is squashing my stomach, I'm experiencing some rather painful heartburn. It wakes me up sometimes at night and I have to sit up for a while to get the acid out of my throat. I've been chomping on papaya enzymes and started going to a chiropractor. I'm hoping to find some relief, but don't think I'll get much until he comes out.

Jimmy is gone for a while, but will hopefully be able to be here for the birth. As with everything related to the Navy, I won't hold my breath. I have a doula and my mother will be coming down for support. I've formulated my birth plan and am confident in my ability to have the birthing experience that I want. We toured the birthing center again and I feel better knowing that they are fully on board with natural childbirth and I have the right to refuse anything that I'm not comfortable with.

So now we just wait. In the meantime I've been trying to keep busy by substituting, job hunting for next school year and studying for my Master's exam in April. Here's to hoping the next couple of months fly by...I'm ready to be a Mommy already!

It's a Boy!

We found out a few weeks ago that we will be adding a little man to our family! I was so convinced that it was a girl throughout most of my pregnancy that I really didn't believe the ultrasound tech when she quickly told us "boy". I've now gotten used to the idea of having a little boy around and I'm starting to get very excited. He's extremely active and kicks me all the time. Every time we go in for an ultrasound he is either flopping around or trying to suck on his hand/umbilical cord. I'm hoping that might mean he'll be a good breast feeder.

I'm doing well and have finished student teaching so I officially can teach! Unfortunately, there isn't much for jobs mid-year so I've decided to take it easy and just substitute until the baby gets here and I'll try to find something permanent for the fall. My tummy gets bigger every day and we're starting to tear the office apart in order to turn it into a nursery. I'm meeting with my doula this week and will be starting a hypnobabies home study course to help with labor (not hypnotizing the baby...more like putting myself in a relaxed state of mind in order to cope with labor). I also start pre-natal yoga this week! It's hard to believe that in roughly 4 months I'm going to be a mommy...agh!