Noah is here!!

Noah entered the world at 10:43 a.m. on Saturday, March 26th.

Here's a pic. Note the weight.



It's not a joke--10 lbs, 11 oz. All the stats--21 1/2 inches long and 15 inch circumference on the head.

The actual surgery was the worst experience of my life--no exaggeration. I was told by numerous Drs and nurses that mine was not the typical c-section. The uterus was twisted, fibroids were in the way and they had trouble getting the bleeding to stop. However, I have a wonderful baby boy and that will certainly outweigh any negative.

Typical section or not, I have new respect for women who have undergone one--esp. after laboring for hours as well! Phew!

Here's another pic from just a few minutes ago. He had just nursed. It's amazing to me that you don't really need to *teach* babies to nurse--you may need to help them nurse better, but they certainly are born knowing what to do.

Non-Stress?!?!

I went to the doctor for a non-stress test for the baby on Wednesday because I wasn't feeling nearly as much movement as usual. The baby did fine with the test, but it appears he's still breech, so we have a c-section scheduled for Saturday at 9 am. There is still time for him to turn, however unlikely that is. At the appointment I made the comment that no woman WANTS to have a c-section and the nurse said "well, some women do, but they don't come to this practice because they know Dr. S won't do them unless necessary." That was really reassuring to me. I already knew that Dr. S has the reputation for not doing c-sections, but it was a reminder I needed. Dr. S said she feels a section is safest at this point and I feel confident in trusting her judgment.

My parents are arriving tonight and Chris's parents are coming for a few hours tomorrow. Miriam is not going to know what to do with BOTH sets of grands here. She's going to be so happy, she'll be running around in circles.

Speaking of Miriam. Yesterday afternoon was warm and sunny so we were sitting outside when Chris got home. He sat down with us and after a bit, Miriam walked off toward the van and said "bye-bye, mama!" She went to the van and tried to open the front door. After failing at that she came back to me and said "I need keys." (Chris and I are laughing by now, of course). I told her to ask her daddy and she said "Key, please", took the keys he offered and tried to get into the van again. Oh, my...I wish I were I better writer so I could describe just how funny this was.

Finally...I received in the mail today a certain CD that's being released officially on Tuesday. It's supposed to be for my birthday (also Tuesday), but I opened the mail, knowing that it had to be the CD. I got my husband to allow me to have it now--mostly by pleading and muttering "i'm having SURGERY tomorrow" under my breath. It's wonderful and I'm off to listen again. Thanks, Over the Rhine, for a wonderful birthday gift!!

When will He Come?

Well, my doctor still hasn't scheduled a section, she wants to give this baby as much chance as possible to turn. I've done all sorts of strange things like staying on my hands and knees, lying inverted on a board, putting peas behind the baby's head, etc...nothing has worked so far. I'm not giving up, but I honestly think this baby is too squished in there to move. He's probably big (around hi-8 lbs) and then I have all those fibroids.

I have another Dr's appt on Thursday, so we'll see what she says then.

Miriam and I made Whoopie Pies this weekend. She loves putting ingredients into the mixing bowl. She loves mixing, too, but that results in batter being splattered literally all over the kitchen, so she doesn't get to do that too often. Here's a pic of Mama's little helper:


Here is the recipe for the whoopie pies:
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup shortening
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
To Make Cookies: In a large bowl cream 1/2 cup of shortening , 1 cup sugar and 2 egg yolks. (Set egg whites aside for filling.) NOTE: If you don't want to use raw egg white in the filling, leave it out. Substitute 1 whole egg for the 2 egg yolks in the cookie recipe so you don't end up with leftover whites!!
In a separate bowl sift together 2 cups flour, 5 T cocoa, 1 t baking powder, 1/2 t salt, 1 t baking soda. Add to other mixture alternately with milk, beating well. Add vanilla at the end.
Drop by large spoonful on greased pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove to wire rack and cool completely.
To Make Filling: Beat together 3/4 cup shortening, 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 2 egg whites and dash of salt till light. Add 1 tsp. vanilla.
To assemble: Spread the flat side of one cookie circle with a spoonful of filling. Top with another.

Here's another pic of my big belly. My husband thinks it's very strange to post it on my blog. I told him he needs to visit more blogs of pregnant women. Or at least a pregnancy list online...he'll see more nakie bellies than he's ever wanted to see! ;)


Here's to the baby coming before Easter!!

No Natural Childbirth for Me

I received some disappointing news today. I went for my weekly OB appointment and she still wasn't able to feel the baby's position for certain, so she sent me for a quick ultrasound. By this time in pregnancy most doctors (and women themselves) are able to tell baby's position, but my numerous fibroids make it impossible. Noah is a footling breach, which means one leg is down and his head is up. Most doctors will not even attempt a vaginal delivery with this kind of breach presentation. There are things we can try in order to turn the baby, but my fibroids make them very unlikely (although not risky, so hopefully we'll still try them!).

I cried when I found out b/c I know that I will likely have a C-section. It doesn't help that when I tell people they are condescending and say things like "well, at least your baby is healthy." I already know that I'm blessed to have a healthy baby and that some people have to deal with true heartbreak during pregnancy and that this is just disappointment...but I still need time to process and deal with the disappointment--and to mourn the labor I was dreaming of having.

At least I know why I've been having such sharp pains in my cervix. Little One is trying to kick his way out, I guess.

And I am lucky that my baby is healthy and I'll feel blessed by and in love with my baby no matter how he enters the world.

Little Miss Miriam

I thought y'all might like to see Little Miriam. This was taken about 3 weeks ago while she was going through a camera-shy phase. She normally is all over getting her pic taken and it's hard to get one without a cheesy grin.



And here's one of me at 33 weeks. Just imagine me being 4+ weeks larger! (If bare bellies or large women bother you, move along, now)...

I'm 37 weeks and 3 days pregnant. This is "more pregnant" than I've been before, as Miriam was born at 36.3 weeks. My back is killing me; I'm measuring 10 weeks ahead (which would be 6-7 weeks OVERDUE); Miriam is such a handful right now, too. She's very possessive--of everything--her mama, her dada, her toys, whoever happens to be within 2 feet of her, etc...

I've got bags packed, but my house is a mess.

It's such a strange position to be in--we were really expecting to have this baby earlier than now, so I FEEL overdue even though the 29th is my due date.

I would love to have this baby before the 29th, but I would love to share by birthday with my little Noah.

My friend Amanda gave birth to her little one yesterday. She was told at 16 weeks that she was either having a little boy or else there was a "big toe" in the way. They said they were 80% sure it was a boy (which I understand is the standard percentage for ultrasounds). Well, it is a girl. Amanda was so shocked. No one believed her when she called and told people. We may have been more likely to believe her if she wasn't the world's biggest practical joker. Anyway, little Amy arrived instead of little Tobias and she is loved, loved, loved.

I can't wait for my little one.

jump again--
Miriam weighed 7 lbs, 5 oz at 36 weeks; any guesses on this baby?? I'm guessing at least 8 lbs.

:)