Olivia is here!

Our little princess is here!

Olivia Grace
6 lbs. 6 oz., 19 inches
Born 6:31pm

Labor was almost the same as last time. 8 hours and about 1/2 hour of pushing. This time I only had a partial epidural so I felt pretty much everything, which is what I wanted. Boy did it hurt!...and that was with some numbing! I tried to get as far as I could without an epi. I made it to 5cm and that was it. At that point I was dying. Didn't help that I was pumped up with Pitocin. The anesthesiologist came in and attempted to put the needle in my back for the epidural. He ATTEMPTED 3 times! Hurt like hell. Didn’t help that I was going through some strong contractions at that point. I think I killed the pillow I was squeezing. After the epidural needle was in place, I felt some relief, but as the contractions got stronger, the pain started to come back. It was so intense that I was actually shaking from the pain. Definitely a different experience than what I had with Matthew. I didn’t feel a thing while in labor with him. So much so that my legs were like cement. Didn’t really like that feeling. I didn’t even really know when to push. This time, oh I knew lol. I kept saying, “I have to push!”

Once Olivia's head was almost out, I actually screamed "get her out!" LMAO!

40 week belly pic

Plug!

It's releasing!  My mucus plug that is.  Sounds gross, and it is lol, but it's a good sign! 

38 Weeks

Went to my dr. appt yesterday and here is where I am:

Dilated: 1.5-2cm
Effaced: 50%
Station: -3  (-4 which is just coming into the pelvis to +4 station which is on the perineum or ready to be born.  Women having their first baby typically engage before labor and may enter labor at -1, 0 or even +1 station. Women having their second or greater baby often engage during labor.)

She's still a bit high, but at least I'm starting to dilate.  I've been having contractions here and there.  Nothing worse than the day I was driving back from Princeton.  I can't believe I only have 13 days left.  The unknown is what's freaking me out.  I'm excited, nervous, anxious.  I like to plan so it was easy with Matthew.  I was induced so I had a date, knew when I was checking in to the hospital and had everything prepared.  I have everything prepared now, but not knowing when she's coming is what's got me.  Who knows when my water will break.  This is all new to me even though it's my second baby.   Hubby is nervous, too.  He wasn't here for the first three months with Matthew since he was over in Iraq.  This will be a new experience for him, too.  It's nice that we can share these new moments with each other :)

Till next time.

27 days left!

Ok, we’re down to the final stretch!  I have 1 ½ weeks of commuting left and then I can work from home and relax until baby girl comes.  Her nursery is done except for her name and her newborn portrait.  I’ve already ordered all her props for her photos J  I can’t wait to take them.  From what I’ve read, newborn photos are best taken around 10 days old.  I didn’t know that with Matty.  I took his much later.

This weekend hurricane Irene hit our town.  Our streets were flooded about 4 feet high in some parts of town.  Thankfully our street was fine, but we did lose power and we are still out.  Hopefully we’ll have power back on in a few days.  The only thing that is keeping us sane right now is a generator that we bought yesterday.  What a great machine.  I don’t feel like we’re back in the stone age anymore.  We can live like this for a few more days.  No cable is rough though lol.  

Here is what our streets looked like.

 

Nursery Pics

Here are some photos of our little girl’s nursery so far.  We just waiting for her name decal to arrive for over her crib and I’ll put up her newborn photo over her changing table.  Oh, and I’m also waiting for her rug to arrive that matches her bedding that will go in front of the crib.

 

Details:

Paint - Benjamin Moore Pink Cloud & Atrium White

Bedding, Rug, Mobile & Lamp - Baby Ella by Glenna Jean

Chandelier – Mia by Pottery Barn Kids

Wall Décor – Frames from Ikea & Babies r Us

Decal – Open Heart Creations on Etsy

 

I’m very excited.  I can’t wait for her to get here.  I’ve been feeling a lot of cramping.  Not sure if it’s Lightening or if it’s just painful BH.  I didn’t have painful BH with Matthew.  I go to the doctor tomorrow for my 36 week OB appointment.  Doctor will do an internal exam to check effacement and dilation and she will also check the position of the baby and will let me know if she is engaged in my pelvis yet or not.  I feel like she is.  I have less rib pain now and a lot more bladder pressure.  We’ll see!

 

 

 

6 weeks left...and I tell you about her dilated ventricle.

Went to the dr. yesterday and baby girl is doing great.  She's weighing in at 4lbs 12oz. Just 4oz shy of 5lbs already! :)  She's measuring right on target. 

I didn't mention anything before because it's just not something I wanted to talk about.  At my 20 week OB visit, my GYN told me that she wanted me to go to the hospital to get antenatal testing done.  She said she saw that baby girl's lateral ventricle was slightly dilated.  It was measuring 9.5-9.9mm.  That's on the high side of normal.  Normal is considered under 10mm.  When I went for my follow up ultrasound, the doctor told me that they consider this mild ventriculomegaly.  So of course I started to freak out.  They asked me if I wanted an amnio and I of course said no!  There are way too many risks associated with amnios.  So since 20 weeks I've had to go to the hospital every month to check on the progress of baby girl and to check her lateral ventricle size.

We are happy to report that at 34 weeks her ventricle size has gone back down to normal and the hospital doesn't need to see me anymore.  Such a weight has been lifted and I can now really enjoy the last few weeks of my pregnancy.  :)

We can't wait to meet you baby girl xoxo.

Maternity Photo Shoot

We had the pleasure of working with Stikx & Stonz Photography for our maternity shoot. A friend recommended me and we were so happy with the results. Thanks Christie!

8 More Weeks & Baby Sprinkle

Ah!  8 more weeks to go and I still feel like I have so much to do.  Matty's room is pretty much done other than a few accessories for the walls. Time to start on the nursery and to get myself ready for this baby.  I have to pack my hospital bag, wash all the clothes, get the bassinet ready and install the car seat.  I can't believe how time is just flying by.  I mailed in my pre-registration to the hospital today and I have to contact CryoCell to discuss cord blood banking.  I've been having bouts of depression/sadness which I didn't have with Matty.  I hope it goes away after delivery.  It should so I'm not too worried about it.  I try not to think about it too much and to refocus on other things when I feel it coming on.

This little girl has been kicking up a storm different times during the day.  I can also feel her moving around as if she's trying to get comfortable in there.  Don't get too comfy lol.  It's getting harder to move around now and I get tired very quickly.  Oh! and nesting has definitely set in.  I will post pics of the nursery once it's all done.  I'm very excited to see it all finished!

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus.  You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to baby.  In fact, your little one will gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next seven weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb.  

Your baby now has toenails, fingernails and real hair.  The skin on your baby's body is becoming soft an smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.  To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant.  With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn.  You may have lower back pain as your pregnancy advances.
-BabyCenter.com  

This weekend was my baby sprinkle and it was wonderful.  It was so nice to see friends and family and to spend the day together.  My little boy got hurt during the sprinkle, but all in all it was a great day.  He burned his little fingers on a sterno and was miserable for over an hour, but he's ok now. 

I can't wait to play dress up :) with all the clothes she got.  Such cute girlie clothes.  I'm so used to boy clothes lol.  Family and friends chipped in to make the food, cake and the favors and to decorate our backyard.  It was perfect.  Couldn't have asked for more.  Thanks to everyone. Love you. <3

Nursery Decor :)

29 Weeks! 11 to go!

Wow, 11 more weeks to go.  I've started buying baby essentials.  Ordered the bedding today.  It's Baby Ella by Glenna Jean.

I LOVE it.  It's perfect. :)  It was also on clearance at pishposhbaby.com so that's even better!  I also raided the sales rack at Marshall's and found some cute little outfits and the moses basket bedding has been ordered.

My back is still killing me.  Thankfully getting a much needed massage tonight.  Haven't been feeling many contractions yet, but baby is getting higher so I can start to feel her in my ribs now.  I'm definitely carrying much different than I did with Matty.

Baby Announcement

I already have your announcement done my precious little girl, so all we have to do is take adorable pictures of you when you're born and send them out :)  Of course one will go in your scrapbook <3

27 week belly pic

Third Trimester!

I can't believe I have only three months left!  Where did the time go.  Baby girl has been very very active.  She moves around all day and NIGHT lol.  You need to let mommy get some sleep baby PLEASE :)

I've been sick in bed with a stomach bug since yesterday and on top of that I have a cold.  Not a good few days.  I'm home from work today hoping that this goes away.  Being sick with a stomach virus AND a cold while being pregnant...enough said.

Once I feel better I'll take another belly pic.  She has definitely gotten bigger since my last picture.

We're getting the living room and foyer painted this weekend and while that's getting done, I'm emptying out the rest of the guest room to get that room painted for Matty.  I can't wait to see it when it's all done.  I have to find or make star stencils to paint in all the stars on the walls to make it look like Andy's room from Toy Story.  He's going to love it!

Then once that's all done, I can work on the nursery.  That doesn't have to be done right away since baby will be in our room for 3 months anyway.

Till next time.

Bedding

I am absolutely in LOVE with this bedding from Destination Baby, but I cannot justify spending over $700 for it. Especially since that's just for 4 pieces. 


















So I'll most likely go with this set instead.  It's still pretty and girlie :)

Starting to shop...

I’ve already started purchasing some things for my little girl.  I love to shop (of course!) and shopping for my little girl is going to be so much fun.  I can already see the $$ being spent lol.

Bought this down in Cape May while hubby and I were there for a weekend getaway.

Also bought in Cape May at the Strawberry Festival. Seller is actually an Etsy seller :)

Asked an Etsy seller to make this for me to have pro photos taken when she's born.

Our little girls coming home outfit. It's so adorable in person. So tiny! :)

Very excite to try out this new tub. It's a Puj Tub.

Next is her bedding set and her chandelier. First we have to paint of course. I can't wait to see her room all done up!

Kicks & Punches!

Daddy and Tita finally felt you moving around :)  Daddy felt you moving while we were away in Cape May for the June 3rd weekend.  Also at home.  You gave him a big punch haha.

Your Tita felt you move last night.  Her face lit up when she felt you moving around.

25 weeks now and you're the size of an eggplant.  You're getting so big!  Your starting to get some fat on your little body so you're not skin and bones anymore.  Can't wait to see you on this Friday's ultrasound!

I have to pre-register at the hospital and set up cord blood banking like I did for your brother.  I still have to work on your room and I'm running out of time!  I'll have lots of time on my hands now though that our invitation orders are done.  I'll be free for the rest of the summer :)

23 Week Belly Pic

Taken while down in Cape May :)

23 Weeks!

Time sure is flying.  23 weeks already. Baby girl is the size of a papaya and she's kicking and punching all day long. 

Baby's little face is fully formed...minus the baby fat, of course. The next task at hand for baby: sprouting two teeny-tiny nipples!
-thebump.com

 Her most active time is while I'm at work, so by the time I get home, hubby doesn't get to feel her.  At my last ultrasound, my doctor said that she was breech so I'm hoping she turns in the next few weeks.  I have until 37 weeks for her to turn.  If she doesn't, they can try an inversion.  If that doesn't work, I'll have to have a c-section.  From what all my friends tell me, it's not that bad.





Once our little girl arrives, I can't wait to get this necklace with her name and my son's.  It's from Isabelle Grace.  I LOVE it.

Baby Name Update

Ok, so Ella is out.  LOL

Now I like:

• Ashley (Ashleigh) Grace
• Morgan Taylor
• Taylor Grace

New Stroller

So it looks like we're going to have to get a new stroller.  We have to choose between the City Select double stroller or the Joovy Caboose.  I'm leaning towards the Caboose since our son will be close to three when our little girl is born.  He won't want to sit in a stroller anymore.  He doesn't want to sit in his stroller now which should be the selling point right?  I like the Caboose because he'll be able to sit if he wants and also stand.  Hmm, what to do.

Update: Baby Girl Names

Here's an updated list of names:

Ella
Milena

All others are off the table now.

Breanna
Brooke
Mackenzie
Chloe
Paige
Avery
Aubrey

Eva
Layla
Kylie

19 weeks

I'm really starting to show now. Baby girl is growing and she's moving around a lot. :)

I'll take another belly pic next week.  Next week is also my 20 week dr.appt so I should have another ultrasound.  I'll upload the video I got of my little girl last month. 

My allergies have been bearable, but I'm sneezing and blowing my nose all day.  I've been using a saline spray and the netty pot which has been helping. 

Oh! And baby naming is so hard! We are down to Ella, Rylie and Kylie.  My top name right now is Ella.  She would be Ella Grace. So pretty I think :) ...but my mind changes every day lol. 

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

-Babycenter.com

18 weeks and I felt baby girl kicking!

I  just felt our little girl kicking!  I sneezed and I guess she didn't like that cause she started kicking.  I put my hand on my belly and felt it :)  Instantly put a smile on my face <3

Our baby is about 5 1/2 inches long weighs almost 7 ounces. Baby's busy flexing her arms and legs, passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. Blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and her ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from her head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. Baby girl's uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place.  
- Babycenter.com

We can't wait to meet you baby girl xoxo

Baby Girl Names

Here are names I like so far:

Breanna
Brooke
Mackenzie
Chloe
Paige
Avery
Aubrey
Ella
Eva
Layla
Kylie

Baby Names

Naming a baby is harder than you think.  We didn't have Matthew's name until a few weeks before his birth.  So, the baby name game has begun.  Leave a comment on this post to suggest some names for our little girl :)

Thanks!

17 week belly pic

17 Weeks!

Our little girl is about the size of my palm, weighs about five ounces, and is developing some body fat.  Her heart is now regulated by her brain (no more random beats) to beat 140 to 150 times per minute — about twice as fast as yours! What else is up? She’s practicing the survival skills she’ll need at birth — like sucking and swallowing.  So exciting!

I'm feeling pretty good.  Still tired, but nausea is gone.  Still going to be no later than 10pm.  My face is breaking out and I have horrible bags under my eyes.  This little lady is draining me, but she can do whatever she wants :)  Take it all baby...it's all yours!  xoxo

Time to Decorate

I already know what I'm going with my son's room.  Going to make into Andy's room from Toy Story.  I found wall paper that is exactly what I'm looking for, but not sure if I want to hang wallpaper, but the stars are going to take forever to paint.  I'll see.

As for our little girls room.  Here is my inspiration board :)

Going this weekend to look for paint and to buy bins to pack up the guest room.

IT'S A GIRL!

I can't believe it!  We're actually having a girl.  I thought for a second that we would have a girl, but then kept convincing myself it was a boy.  Well, happy surprise :)

So much to do.  I have to transform the nursery into a girls nursery and transform the guest bedroom into my son's bedroom.  Also have to go look for new furniture for my son's room.  He should be in a toddler bed by the time our little girl comes.  Hopefully.  I'm not looking forward to that transition.  We also have to try potty training again. 

Can't wait!

Sick :(

I'm so sick :( it started off as allergies and now has developed into a sinus infection and Bronchitis. This is terrible. I'm able to take Azithromycin, but I hate that I have to take it. I didn't want to have to take any kind of medication while pregnant. I checked baby's heartbeat last night...nice and strong, so that made me feel better. All the coughing had me nervous. Every time I cough hard or have a coughing attack, I feel a cramp down in my uterus. Mornings are always the worst because of all the build up overnight. This better go away soon!

15 Weeks!

You're the size of an orange this week! :)  You're growing hair all over your body. So cute.  You're also 4 inches and about 2 ounces.  Heehee.

Names

So hubby and I talked about it and Tyler is the front runner if we have another boy.  Not sure about girl names.  We'll discuss it more when we know what we're having.

Massage

Friday I went for a prenatal massage and it was great. So relaxing. Last time I was six months when I started going. This time, almost four. Wow, almost four months already. See what happens when you have a busy life with a toddler. Time just flies by.

A few more days

A few more days until we find out what we're having. That's if baby cooperates. We'll see.

Also, I've been having some leg cramps that I didn't have the first time around. I guess every pregnancy IS different.

So funny

I'm standing on the train and people are looking at my belly, but you can see that they're not sure if I'm pregnant or just fat. LMAO!

I feel movement I think.  I've been feeling something going on in there the past few days.  I know it's early, but I think I can feel baby move! :)

12 Week Ultrasound

Here is our baby!  We're so excited.  I can finally relax since this is the first time I was able to hear the heartbeat and see our baby on screen.  Dr. said everything looks good.  Baby is measuring well.  She said baby is measuring a few days later than what she said my due date is, but she said she'll leave it at September 26th.  Next month we'll find out the sex of our baby which I cannot wait for.  Will Matty have a brother or sister? Hmmmm.  We'll see! :)

11 week belly pic

First Ultrasound

Finally! Our first ultrasound is coming up on Thursday.  I hate that we have to wait this long.  I guess I could have asked for an earlier one, but I didn't think about it.  Time is going by pretty quickly.  My little man is turning 2 tomorrow and I'm almost through my first trimester.  This is going to be another great year :)  I've been feeling pretty good, but I'm still nervous because I haven't heard the baby's heartbeat or seen the baby either.  I'm sure everything is fine, but I won't be able to relax until I see our baby on the screen.  I've tried to hear baby's heartbeat on my doppler at home, but I haven't been able to pick anything up.  I do have some extra belly flab that I didn't have the first time around so that might not help either lol.

Names

Aubrey
Brooke
Paige
Sienna
Olivia

Shane
Jack

10 Weeks!

Almost over the first trimester! Although baby is barely the size of a kumquat -- a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom -- and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, baby now has completed the most critical portion of his/her development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in baby's body rapidly grow and mature. If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

I'm going to try and hear baby's heartbeat this week with my doppler.  Might be too early, but we'll see :)

9 Weeks!

 Our little baby is nearly an inch long -- about the size of a grape -- and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She or he is starting to look more and more human. Their essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form -- as do tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. 

I'm trying to decide whether or not I'm going to find out what we're having at 4 months or 5 months.  I have to ask the hubby if he wants to find out sooner.  I would do View a Miracle again.  It was a great way to get the family involved.

I'm feeling much more tired this time around and I crave meat all the time.  I couldn't even look at meat when I was pregnant with my first.  I guess it's true that every pregnancy is different.  Oh, and I'm totally showing already.  I can't even zip up my pants.  I have to wear scarfs all the time to work to hide my belly. :)

8 Weeks

You're the size of a raspberry this week and my uterus is the size of a grapefruit. Wow. You forget all this stuff after almost 3 years. I'm definitely showing a lot sooner than before. 8 weeks and I already have a belly. :)

So Tired...

Omg, I am so tired.  I think I'm more tired with the baby than I was with the first.  I'm nauseous here and there, but this morning was pretty bad.  I thought I was going to throw up on the bus.  I had to keep calming myself down.  It was pretty bad.  It's all well worth it though :)

6 Weeks

You're the size of a lentil bean this week and you'll about triple in size.

There are dots where your eyes will form and buds for your arms and legs. Your heart is already beating which is amazing! :)

I've been feeling nausea here and there, but nothing crippling which is good.  I have my preggie pops in case.  I just can't eat first thing in the morning and the thought of fish makes me sick.

My pants are already getting tighter. I found a pair of my maternity pants and ahhhhh...so comfy lol.

What to eat?

So I'm going to call to cancel my subscription to Bistro MD for now.  I think I can do this myself.  I just have to be very careful about what I eat.  I ate so much the last time I was pregnant that I gained 40 lbs!  I can't do that again this time.  It's just too much and so hard to get off.  I'll start the Fresh Diet after I deliver.  Going to get a trainer as well.  I have to.

Belli Oil

Just ordered my Belli Oil again.  I used it last time with my first baby and it worked wonders.  Hope it works just as well this time!

Wow! Baby #2 on the way!

So, we're officially pregnant again!  Yay!  I'm 5 weeks today. 

I went to the doctor on Friday to check my HCG levels because that's what my doctor asked me to do the next time I found out I was pregnant.  The history of that is I've had two chemical pregnancies in the last year.  Soooo, I need to get my HCG levels check to make sure everything is on track.  I went back this morning and I should have the results in a day or two.  If my numbers have at least doubled, then we're good.  If not, then baby might be in trouble.  We'll see.  I'm not one to pray, but I am now.