Isabella is here!

As I sit down to update our blog on Isabella's arrival...I have her sitting on her little Boppy right next to me on the couch. She is such a precious little angel - pretty much like a live doll baby! So....I will do my best to remember all the details from the labor and delivery process! I'm hoping to take some of these blogs and put them in Isabella's baby book...

It all began on April 2 at 5:00 when I arrived to Baptist Hospital. My parents arrived earlier that afternoon and they followed Jer and I to the hospital. We signed in to labor and delivery and headed to our room! I requested the big room with the labor bathtub...just wanted to make sure I had all my options open for the laboring process! I put on my cute little hospital gown that Christi made me...got my polka dot pillows all set up in my bed...and tried to make my room as "homey" and relaxed as possible. My nurse explained to me the details of what the next several hours would entail....we signed a TON of paperwork...and then my induction began. She checked me and I was 1 1/2 cm dilated. So, they proceeded to give me one dose of Cytotec to try and thin my cervix and help with dilation. I had to lay in the bed for an hour just to make sure it was dissolved in my body. I shared with my nurse my birthing plan and explained to her how I desired to go as natural as possible. Of course - I wanted a safe and healthy delivery...healthy baby and healthy mommy were top on my list. So, if medication intervention was necessary at any point - I would definitely be willing to take what was needed to insure a safe and healthy delivery. The nurse said they would monitor my blood pressure every 45 minutes and as long as it was in the "normal/high" range - I could be up and active as much as I wanted! So - I began praying that my blood pressure would stay under 150/100...and the Lord answered that prayer! My blood pressure stayed the lowest it had been for the past few months! Praise Jesus!

Around 7:30 - The nurse shift changed and my new nurse arrived. I loved her from the beginning! She shared with me that she typically gets all the high risk patients as well as those who desire to go "natural". I hadn't requested her...this was yet another answer to prayer! Jer and I began walking the halls to try and get things moving along! We strolled to the nursery, visited family in the waiting room...I ate popsicles and drank juice! Our family began showing up through out the evening which helped time to pass by very quickly! I really did not have any cramping or contractions at all...so my nurse began to prepare me for Pitocin which she would probably start at midnight.

Here's a pic with my sisters and my mom........probably around 11 o'clock...

At midnight, my nurse checked me again and I was 3cm dilated 70 percent effaced. So, all the walking had helped things progress - but I still wasn't having any contractions or cramping. So, we discussed the Pitocin. I had read a lot about Pitocin and talked with friends who had also been induced. I knew that this medication had the probability of bringing on hard and fast contractions. So, I asked my nurse if she could just give me the lowest dose possible for a few hours to see how my body responded. At this point...I had pretty much decided in my head that I was determined to go all natural unless medical intervention was necessary for the safety of the baby or me. I was ready for major pain...deep breathing...focussing on relaxing...and remembering all the strategies I had learned from my classes and reading. So, the Pitocin drip began. All our family went home to get some sleep - and we decided we would touch base early in the morning. They all made bets on when Isabella would arrive - and they pretty much were all 10 am and later! =)

Soon after the Pitocin started, I began having mild cramping. So, I told Jer that I was going to sit in the birthing tub to try and relax my body. I went in the tub for about an hour or so - until my cramping began to get more intense. I enjoyed the tub - but it was so big and I was hooked up to the Pitocin drip by IV - which made it very difficult to relax because I couldn't get my arm wet. So, I headed back to the bed around 1:30.

At 2:00, my nurse came in to check me and I became very nauseated. The contractions had begun...and my body was beginning to respond to the pain. I don't want to include too much info...=)...but I did begin to throw up. Sweet Jer held the trash can for me....such a wonderful hubby! He got lots of practice during pregnancy b/c I was nauseated LOTS! Well, after I pretty much threw up everything in my stomach - the nurse checked me and I had dilated to about 4-5cm! That was the one good thing about being nauseated...all the pregnancy nausea had finally paid off during labor! =) So, around 2:30 - we began experiencing "labor." Let me just say that I did not have the gradual building up of intensity and pain. I pretty much went from very light cramping to major contractions that were 1 1/2 min. long and about 2-3 minutes apart! They were all sporadic so some were longer and closer together than that too! I had my running watch on and I was determined to do everything I could to continue laboring naturally. When I felt a contraction I would focus on my watch....and once the intense 45 sec. was over - I knew I needed to force my entire body to relax until the next contraction. I pretty much laid on my right side through out the entire night of laboring.....except for frequent trips to the bathroom....cause I was eating lots of ice chips! Jer sat right beside me the entire night....he was truly the best coach I could have ever prayed for! He read scripture to me during contractions, prayed out loud for me.....and some how managed to find some "yoga/nature" music for me to listen to the entire night! I had made a playlist of all my favorite songs that I thought I would want to listen to during labor - but that music ended up being way to intense. =) Yep...Jer was the best! We have some funny memories - definitely weren't funny at 3am - but we laugh about them now! One story...Jer would sit at the end of my bed and in between contractions he would rub my feet to help me relax. Then, during the contraction - I needed to have all hands off and NO movement on the bed. Well, poor Jer - he was just doing everything he could to try and help me.....and at one point he moved and sat on my feet during a contraction.....NOT a good move! Haha =) I remember looking up and he had completely froze....was staring at the wall and was praying for me! He was so cute......and I'm sure I was a bit demanding during those heavy contractions....to say the least! =)

Well, about 4am - the nurse came to check me again. Sure enough - I started feeling nauseated once again and thew up! I know it's soooo disgusting - but every time I got sick - I just knew that I must have dilated more! The nurse checked me and I was now a little over 6cm dilated!

At this point, the pain was very intense and I was trying to decide if I wanted pain medicine just to take the edge off (Nubain). But, I really thought that I could just make it a little longer....I kept telling myself - just one more hour. Honestly, it was similar to an intense track work out! The contractions were horrible - just like a sprint interval - but I knew once I made it though the contraction - I would have a couple minutes to rest before doing it again. I asked my nurse if it would be possible to take me off of the Pitocin. I just knew that it was making labor much more intense than if I had gone into labor on my own. She agreed to stop the Pitocin for a little while and see if my body would continue on with labor without the Pitocin. If labor slowed down - she would have to put me back on the Pitocin. I prayed so hard that my body would just take over on it's own. We kept praying together, quoting scripture......and persevering! My mom called Jer around 4:30 and Jer shared with her that I was 6cm......no meds yet and that the nurse thought it could be just a couple more hours! So, all the family quickly woke up, got dressed and hurried to the hospital.

The contractions did continue on their own without the Pitocin! I just had a feeling that it would.....

Around 5:30 - I got sick again...the nurse checked me and I was almost 9cm dilated. Can't really describe the pain in words - but it was super intense.......and getting worse. At this point, I remember quickly talking w/Jer and the nurse about medication options....just in case the pain got unbearable. She said it was too late to take Nubain (cause it would get to the baby). I asked her..."So, it's too late for an epidural too..right?"......"just tell me it is cause I don't want it to be an option!"....with a little smile on her face - she said, "yep, it's too late" Deep down I wanted her to say that - so I would know mentally that I just needed to keep pressing on! =)

The nurse called my doctor at 5:45 and told her to head to the hospital. At 6:15 - my doctor broke my water (I was 9cm). I continued to labor...labor...labor. Around 7:00 - the charge nurse and my new nurse came in......but the sweet nurse I had all night wanted to stay for the delivery even though her shift was over. So I had 3 nurses in there! =) They were all amazing! They checked me and told me I was just about 10 cm and ready to push. Let, me just tell you that this was the most amazing moment! I remember seeing the nursery nurses bringing in all the little things for Isabella. There was another nurse setting up tools for the doctor to use during delivery......and I was ready to push! Pretty much - this was like the sprint at the end of a marathon......I had come this far - I could make it to the end! They didn't have to tell me twice - I was determined and ready to push this little girl out! I'm not sure exactly how long I pushed but probably about 30 - 45 min. I remember the charge nurse telling me......"girl, you're doing awesome - you give me one more good push and we are going to get Dr. Doyle!" So, let me tell you.....I gave them a GOOD push! In came Dr. Doyle - I pushed about 2 or 3 contractions and Isabella started to come right out! It's all a blurr......but I remember Jer saying, "Babe, I can see her head......you're doing awesome"........next thing I knew I heard my baby girl crying! And I just burst into tears.....tears of joy, tears of exhaustion and fatigue, tears of thankfulness to my God who had been so faithful to me! That moment in my life will never be forgotten. The Lord had blessed me with a beautiful little angel.........they laid her right on my chest and she was just looking at me crying.....and I was looking at her crying. I cry now just thinking about it! =)

The nurse who had labored with me all night went to the waiting room and said to my family, "8:09." - She had big tears in her eyes.....my family didn't know what she meant - was Isabella 8lb. 9 oz??? Then, they realized - Isabella had arrived at 8:09am!!! The nurse told them, "Whitney just looked at me with those sweet big brown eyes and I just couldn't leave even though my shift was over......"

Here's the first kiss I gave my baby girl...

We didn't know it at the time - but our family had gathered outside the delivery room and heard her crying.....they were all in tears too!

They let her lie on my chest for several minutes...then they took her across the room to weigh her and check her out......she passed all the little "baby tests"...praise Jesus! (She weighed 6lb. 14.5 oz, 20.25 inches long and her head was 13 3/4 inches.) Then, they brought her back to me......I was starving...she was starving - so we ate our breakfast together. Jer fed me as I fed her! =)

Here's our first family picture together...

I was super dehydrated and very weak after the delivery - so they gave me lots of IV fluids to help me regain my strength. We spent a couple hours together as a family as I recovered. Then, we gathered our things and moved to a new room. I remember calling my mom...."mamma...I did it and she's beautiful!" My family quickly headed to our new room to meet Isabella!

Here's my daddy (Pappa) meeting her for the first time! That room was filled with tears of joy!

Mimi meeting Isabella...(notice her shirt says, "World's best Mimi")

Aunt Linz meeting Isabella...

Aunt Brit meeting Isabella....she drove 8 hours just to be there for her birth!

She-She meeting Isabella...

Grandaddy meeting Isabella...

Uncle Jordo...

Aunt Ellen......(she's gonna have little Madeline in August - Isabella's first cousin!)

After everyone held Isabella, we all gathered around in a circle and had a time of prayer. This was the sweetest celebration......just to hear the prayers of thanksgiving that each of my family members prayed.....our God is truly so faithful and His timing is so perfect. Just a reminder that life is not always easy.....but He gives us the strength we need to persevere and endure.

The nurse came in to take Isabella to clean her up and check her more thoroughly. I pretty much fell fast asleep....total exhaustion - physically, mentally, emotionally....in every way!

Here's her little footprint....she sure has her daddy's feet!

Here's the little outfit I had all ready for her!

They dressed her up so pretty and even gave her a matching little bow!

We had two little bunnies in her crib with her......she was born on Good Friday...and we would take her home on Easter! God's timing is truly perfect....such a special weekend we will never forget.

Pappa loving on Isabella...

Grandaddy and Isabella...

Counting down the hours...

Well, it's 10:15 on Thursday morning!  Jer and I are just relaxing together today and counting down the hours 'til we head to the hospital at 5:00!  I thought I'd update our blog with a few last preggo pics!

This is at 37 1/2 weeks...

Here's a pic from last Saturday - 38 1/2 weeks...we were headed to a wedding!

Jer and I drove out to the beach on Tuesday evening to watch the sunset!  It was a bit chilly and very windy...but very pretty! =)

And here's the last Baby Bump picture!  39 weeks and 1 day...

38 weeks...

38 weeks.......pretty much my full grown baby bump!!!

Wow!  I can't believe I am 38 weeks pregnant today with little Isabella!  I've had so many friends say, "Man...your pregnancy has just flown by" or one lady at church this past Sunday said, "Lookin' good - so you  have about 6 weeks left?!".......Let me just say that this pregnancy hasn't exactly "flown" by - but it has been quite an adventurous journey and every day has been such a blessing to grow Isabella! =)

This past weekend, Jeremy and I finished up some last projects around the house.  Jer pressure washed our porches and driveways....and they look just beautiful!  I figured if we are having a "spring baby" - we will enjoy sitting on the porch together in the beautiful weather - but not if they are dirty!!!  

I've been doing my best to rest  lots!  The past several days I've slept for 12 hours each night......guess my body is trying to get all the sleep it can now before life changes very quickly!  I'm definitely a girl who needs her sleep! =)

Our bags are packed.....house is clean and we are just anxiously awaiting Isabella's arrival!  I feel like my tummy grows bigger every day.....and poor Isabella is running out of room in there!  She'll stretch out and we can see her little knees poking out.....but her favorite thing to do is to kick her mamma's ribs!  The other night - Jeremy and I just watched as her little feet would poke in and out - Jeremy was trying to grab her foot and wiggle it......and she'd pull it right back in!  Last night, as I was resting on the couch - Jer got out his guitar and started singing to her.  She started moving all around.....how sweet is that!?  I told him we might want to bring the guitar along with us to the hospital......it always helps me relax and Isabella seems to like it too!

Jeremy's been a little sick the past few days - so that is our number one prayer request....that the Lord will renew his strength and energy before Isabella's arrival!

This morning we were counting down the days in our heads......ok - today is Wed (church tonight)....tomorrow is our doctor's appointment.....then the weekend - that will fly by......then we just have 3 days 'til all our family arrives and we head to the hospital!  Of course - Isabella could decide to come earlier if she chooses! =)

My Comfy Chair...

My comfy rocking chair finally came in and I love it!  I'm sure I'll be spending many days and nights rocking little Isabella in this chair - sweet little mommy/daughter times. =)  

John and Linz came to visit us this past weekend and "Uncle John" helped put the chair together!  He insisted on putting it together "just right" for his little niece Isabella!  So sweet...

Week 36 & 37

Last Thursday, we saw my high risk doctor.  Everything looked just perfect.....my blood pressure was still a bit elevated.  But, my doctor is not too concerned - he thinks it may just be due to nerves. =)  They always take my blood pressure at the beginning of my appointment ant it's high.  Then, they monitor the baby while I rest and check it again and it always goes down a bit.  So, my doctor thinks that I may have slightly elevated blood pressure but because I have no other symptoms of preeclampsia they are not super concerned.  

On the ultrasound, we were able to see Isabella practicing breathing - she would move her little diaphragm in and out - so precious!  She was practicing swallowing...puckering her little lips and moving her tongue in and out!  Then, they put this weird thing on my tummy and it made a noise - we couldn't really hear anything but supposedly it's really loud to the baby.  Isabella jolted!!!  The tech said, "Well, we know she can hear and has good reflexes!"  I could have told them that because every time we are at church - especially on Wed. nights at youth when the band is playing - she is just a wiggling all over during the worship time! =)

Whenever Jeremy puts his mouth to my tummy and talks to her - she just starts moving all around!  So sweet to think about how she can hear us and responds!

We went to see my reg. OBGYN yesterday and she was very pleased with my health and Isabella's health also.  The past few weeks I've developed a weird "itchy" thing at night!  So strange.....my high risk doctor went ahead and did some blood work because he thought it may be related to my gallbladder/liver.  The itching is only really bad at night....my legs, tummy, back, chest!  My doctor told me they think I probably have a mild case of the condition - but not too severe.  So, unless it gets worse I really don't have to take any meds.  I figure I can make it 2 more weeks - and then they say it will clear up immediately after delivery.  My blood pressure was high at the beginning of the appointment - but of course went down once I rested and they monitored the baby.  I think it was 138/78 - which is a little high but not super high.  Praise the Lord!  My cervix has softened and I'm slightly dilated.....which is very normal for this stage of pregnancy!  My doctor does want to go ahead and induce me April 1st evening - and she expects I'll deliver on April 2nd.  (Good Friday!)  They want to induce me due to my blood pressure being slightly elevated.....and also just as precaution.  They figure if the baby is healthy at 39 weeks along with me being very healthy - there's no need to go an extra few days.  That's when preeclampsia can show up.....as well as my placenta will start to not be quite has healthy.  So, due to me stopping the baby Aspirin and everything else with my history - they set my induction date for April 1st at 5:00 pm!  

So, unless precious Isabella decides to come earlier - we will meet her in about 2 weeks!

All that to say.......our bags are packed, car seat installed, clothes are washed, nursery finished.......and we are just making the most of these last days as a family of 2!  I've definitely been having new little twinges here and there in my lower back......and my pelvic bone are sore.....guess that means she's dropping lower!  As my doctor said, "It could be any day now - she's on the launching pad!"

So, we are praying that the Lord will bring Isabella to us in His perfect timing!  We'd love for my body to go into labor on it's own naturally - but we are also trusting the doctors the Lord's placed us with and will go ahead with the induction if necessary!  It amazes me to think that in a little over 2 weeks we will be a family of three......... I can't even hardly think about it without tearing up.  It's been such a long journey....and really the journey will just be beginning once we hold her in our arms.  For now....we'll just take it one day at a time...praying lots every day for the strength to endure labor, wisdom for the doctors, peace throughout the process and faith that the Lord will hold us all in His hands!

Memories...

Last Tuesday evening, all the staff wives from church threw me a little dinner shower at one of our favorite local Mexican Resturaunts.....none other than the famous "La Hacienda!"  It was such a fun time to celebrate Isabella's life!  Here are a few pics from our evening together...

Faith made a beautiful cake.......it was sooooo yummy too!  White cake with chocolate chips...so moist....mmmmm!  

They surprised me with the most AMAZING gift.......a Baby Jogger!  I mean this is like the most awesome stroller!!!  Jeremy runs with a group of guys down town along with the owner of our local Running Store and they all have told him that this is the BEST running stroller ever made! I can't wait to try it out!  I was so excited and surprised to see they had all contributed to purchase it for us!  Jeremy and I can't wait to take little Isabella along with us when we go running!   Such a blessing.....we are so thankful!  So many family memories to be made for sure...

Then, on Thursday my sweet first grade teacher friends threw me a school shower!  My team of teachers have become such dear friends to me over the past 4 years that I taught with them.  A few of them are right around my mamma's age and they truly became like "mothers" to me!  They are all phenominal teachers and they inspired me in so many ways each and every day.  They prayed for me and walked beside me the past 2 years through my miscarriages.....there were many lunch breaks when they would just let me cry on their shoulders.  They have been such an encouragement to me and a strong prayer support.  I remember last fall - administration wasn't quite sure about the final student numbers and so I wasn't sure if I was going to be teaching Kindergarten or First Grade.  Open House was Friday and I was having my D&C procedure on Wednesday.  I remember they all came in my room on Tuesday and said, "We're not losing you.....you're gonna stay right with us and teach first grade"...and they rearranged my room for me and helped me get it all set up!  Sure enough - I was able to stay in first grade! =)  That was such a difficult week for me - but they helped to carry me through each day.  It continues to amaze me how the Lord places special friends in our lives to love on us, encourage us and support us - even when our "real family" may be so far away.  Even though Jeremy and I have decided that I will be staying home next year and being a full time mamma to Isabella - I look forward to keeping in touch with these dear friends!  They better keep teaching long enough for Isabella to have them in first grade! =)

Here are some pics from the shower...

Here is my team of first grade teachers...

Jeremy enjoyed helping open the gifts...=)
Here are Alexis and Mackenzie - two precious girls I taught 2 years ago in first grade - their mamma's are teachers so they were able to come join us at the shower along with Alexis's little sister!  They were so proud of the beautiful diaper cake they made for me!
I had to include this pic.....Jeremy opened Desitin and had NO idea what it was for....one of my teacher friends yelled, "It's butt paste!"....Haha...

Week 34-35...

It's been quite an eventful couple of weeks!  Last Tuesday after Jeremy's staff meeting, they had a little shower for us to celebrate Isabella!  They had the cutest little diaper cake along with yummy food and a sweet little easter basket with a money gift!  They had an Easter theme - since Isabella is due just 3 days after Easter! =)  Here's a pic of the cute cake...

Then, last Thursday we had our appointment with the high risk doctor.  Everything looked just perfect with Isabella and overall - this pregnancy is just going very smoothly!  They were a bit concerned about my elevated blood pressure.  It has been just slightly elevated throughout the pregnancy - it's not super crazy high - but at the beginning of the appointment it was 145/98! Once they did the ultrasound and then monitored Isabella for a while.....they took it again and it was 140/90.  So, my doctor said it's nothing to admit me in the hospital for - but they want to continue to keep a close watch.  The main concern is that I would get "preeclampsia."  But, I have none of the symptoms for that other than the fact that my blood pressure is slightly elevated.  They check for protein in my urine, swollen hands/feet, swollen face, bad headaches and rapid weight gain.....all of which I have none of!  Praise Jesus!!!  So, my doctor said that due to my other high risk issues and the fact that my blood pressure is slightly elevated, he does not want me to carry Isabella past 39 weeks (April 1).  They will check me each week and see if my blood pressure rises - if it does they will go ahead and take her even earlier!  So, we may get to meet Isabella even sooner than we expected! =)  Our prayer of course is that the Lord will allow my body to sustain this pregnancy as long as possible so that Isabella can grow strong and healthy inside me until she's ready to come into the world!  Here's her little profile from 34 weeks....she had her little lips puckering in and out!  Too cute...

Last weekend, I was able to spend some precious time with two of my best friends from college in Sandestin!  We spent the weekend going out to dinner, talking, relaxing, talking some more and squeezed in a little shopping too!  We each treasure our once a year beach trip......and hopefully now that we are beginning to stay home and have babies we may get to see each other more often! =)

Court and I did a little shopping at the Carter outlet store.....we decided we needed one Preemie outfit!  How cute are these little outfits!?!

Belly to belly......Court's baby boy is due about 6 weeks after Isabella!  We can't wait for them to meet! =)

Sweet friends......we missed Margaret this year.....but hopefully we'll have a little "reunion" this summer so all the babies can meet each other!

Here's a pic of my growing baby bump at 35 weeks.....

We went to see my reg. OBGYN this past Thursday for a check-up and overall everything seems to be progressing along!  My blood pressure was once again elevated......145/90.  So, they went on with the appointment, monitored Isabella's heart and then checked it again.  They said if it didn't go down - they would send me to the hospital!  Sure enough....once I reclined in the chair and rested.....and Jeremy gave me a little back rub......it went down to 130/80! =)  But, she does want me to stop walking/exercising and she wants me to rest, rest, rest as much as possible! =)  So, I figured I better go home and pack our bags for the hospital and just pamper myself for the next few weeks!  I borrowed some fun movies from my neighbors......got a few good books and am preparing myself for some good TLC until Isabella's arrival.  I'm not officially on "bed rest" - but the more rest the better!  Other than having slightly elevated blood pressure - everything else looks great!  I think at this point I've gained right at 25 lbs.....so about 4 more weeks go!  Of course....we may see Isabella sooner! It's all in the Lord's hands - but I will do my best to rest. =)

Here are a few pictures of her nursery.  We are hoping our big, comfy yellow chair comes in in the next week or two - so we will definitely look forward to adding that to the corner of her room.  The sweet staff wives from church are throwing me a little dinner/shower this Tuesday night and my teacher friends are throwing me a school shower on Thursday!  So, I definitely still have some fun memories to make!  But, for now...here's the progress we've made in the nursery...

We're hoping to put our yellow chair in this corner....I love my ottoman that a friend gave me! We found it at Target and it matches my fabric perfectly! =)

ABOVE:  We may end up putting a little bookshelf against this wall for all her books!  But, for now her little swing fits perfectly. =)  On top of the dresser there is a cute little pink and brown polka dot frame that says...."My prince finally came and his name is daddy"....can't wait to put a picture of Jer and Isabella in it!

BELOW:  Jeremy had the opportunity to preach during the Sunday morning service this past fall. He used this scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 and preached all about Trust and placing our faith in God's perfect plan...even when we don't understand.  He was able to share a lot about our baby journey and ended with telling our church family that I was 15 weeks pregnant! =)  Mamma Lloyd found this little plaque - perfect for hanging Isabella's diaper bag!

This is a sweet little cross that Linz gave me for my birthday.  It says, "For this child I have prayed"....a verse in 1 Samuel - referring to Hannah and her diligent prayers to have a child.  I hung it with ribbon on Isabella's door......

ABOVE:  This is a sweet little cross that Linz gave me for my birthday.  It says, "For this child I have prayed"...a verse in 1 Samuel - referrin to Hannah and her diligent prayers to have a child.  I hung it with ribbon on Isabella's door.

BELOW:  This is Isabella's cozy little crib...

ABOVE:  Isabella's little reading corner - hopefully she'll enjoy rocking in her chair and reading her little books someday soon!

BELOW:  "I see the moon and the moon sees me; God bless the moon and God bless me."  Jeremy and his mom used to say this together every night before he went to bed.  Jeremy's looking forward to saying it with Isabella every night too.....

A little picture of Isabella at 21 weeks and 2 days...definitely was "Love at first sight!"