Leila’s birth was nothing like I thought it was going to be. As a matter of fact, as you all know, I was supposed to be induced at 5:30 am on April 20th, 2010. I went to bed on Monday night expecting to wake up at 4:30 to get ready to go to the hospital. At around 12:30, Jim woke me up because he was restless. I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn’t get comfortable. At around 1:15 or so, I felt this sudden pain in my stomach. I’d had a similar pain the night before– and figured it was the same thing. (Gas pain.) I got up and figured I’d try to take care of the situation. The pains would go away but come back just a few moments later. At around 1:45 I finally woke my mom up. I made the decision to head to the hospital cause the pains were getting worse and happening more often. I wanted to have the pain taken care of so when I was induced, I actually had the energy to push. I didn’t think they were contractions cause I’ve heard your entire stomach tightens up.. but my stomach wasn’t tightening. There was just this intense pain (like I had to poop!) We told Jim that we were going to head to the hospital and we’d call him when he needed to be there. Before we even left the house, I’d had 3 of these pains. In the 3 minute car ride there, I had another. As I was in the ER being admitted, I had another. By the time I was up in the labor and delivery room, I’d had 3 more. They were intensifying. I changed into the gown and got hooked up to the machine to monitor her heartrate and if I was having contractions. (This was at 2:39am) I had another pain and asked the nurse “So, whats going on here? Are these just gas pains?” The nurse told me what I was feeling were contractions. I had another contraction and she said she needed to check me. Before she could even get her hands in there, I had another.

After that pain, she went in to check me. She said “Amy, dont do this to me. Dont you do this to me!” I was confused and asked what. She said “I think you’re at a 7 right now. I have my fingers spread as far apart as I can.” I had my mom call Jim to have him get down there. The nurse turned her hand and all of a sudden there was a big gush of water and Leila crowned. The nurse had one hand down there and the other hand on the phone calling the ER staff. She yelled for another nurse to call my doctor to get him there immediately to deliver Leila. A minute later, the entire ER staff was there. Everyone was rushing around trying to get an IV in me (I was supposed to be on antibiotics for Leila because I had tested positive during my Group B strep test), get my bracelets on, get everything taken care of. I asked the ER doctor if I could have my epidural (fully knowing it was far to late for that.. but still.. I had to try!) He chuckled and told me it was too late for that. All of a sudden I felt the urge to push and so I told them that. They were like “You need to wait!” I still didn’t have the IV in me. I tried talking through the contractions I was having. I was apologizing to everyone. “I’m so sorry! I really want you to be able to get this IV in me. I’m so sorry doctor, I really think I need to push. I’m so sorry you cant get the bracelets on.” Finally I was like, I cant hold this anymore. I screamed out in pain and pushed. Leila’s head came out. More apologizing to the staff. “I’m so sorry, I wish I could wait. My husband isn’t even here yet!” I felt another urge and apologized to the doctor about the urge to push. They told me to go ahead and push. I did. She came right out. It was 2:59am. I got to see her for the first time and she was so beautiful. The doctor cut the cord and they took her over to the heater. My doctor walked in and his first words were “Aww man! I always get the after birth!” I told him, “Hey! You beat my husband!” He came and started to check me out and in walked Jim. My mom told him where his daughter was and he looked at me, then over to where she was and said “No shit?!” He walked over to her and said “Amy, she’s beautiful! She’s got your nose.. and red hair!” My doctor delivered the placenta and checked me out to see if I needed stitches. Apparently I had torn ever so slightly and he said it would hurt worse to stitch it up. Jim came over to me and asked how I was doing. I felt fine.

Honestly, labor was nothing like I expected. I’m sure if I had been in labor longer it would have been a lot different. The few contractions I had sucked. I felt like I was constipated and all I wanted to do was poop. The urge to push contractions were probably the worst. And even they weren’t too horrible. When she came out, it didn’t hurt. I actually said to everyone in the room “I thought they said this was the worst pain you’re ever supposed to feel?” Haha. The pain that I’d had in previous weeks in my groin hurt worse.. heck, I’ve had charlie horses that hurt worse! I’m sure I lucked out though.

Leila was 5 lbs, 12 oz and 18 1/4 inches long. She has a head full of red hair. Since I wasn’t technically able to do the antibiotics during labor, they had to test Leila for infection. The test came back positive so they started her on antibiotics. She also has jaundice. Her initial score was 11, and went up to 12 by the next day. She spent about 36 hours under the belly lights. When they redid the blood test for the infection, it came back negative so the doctor figured it was just a contaminate in the petri dish. And at that point, they checked her jaundice and it had gone down to a 9. We spent 3 full days in the hospital and we were finally released yesterday about noon.

Leila is amazing. I love her to pieces.

Cant wait.

Leila has been given her eviction notice. She’s not listening very well, so I assume thats a sign of things to come. Haha. I started doing Nonstress Tests on April 1st to monitor her in there. I do them twice a week– Mondays and Thursdays.

They’re just kinda boring. I bring my phone in and text everyone. My mom came with me to the one yesterday. I was kinda hoping they’d say I was in labor! They didn’t though.. bummer. I had a massage yesterday thanks to my amazing mother in law. She bought me one for Christmas and it was great. I want more massages. I asked the massage lady if she’d press any labor inducing pressure points she knew of, LOL! She did and she showed me a couple. But alas, no labor for me!

My family is down right now for the National Bowling Tournament in Reno. My brother flew in from Florida, and my dad and mom drove in from Utah. I get Ethan and Andreah overnight and they’re excited– a sleepover in Reno! Haha. I pick them up in a couple of hours.

I am so ready to meet this little girl. I hit that stage of “Get this kid out of me.” Not because of the pain (that actually mostly subsided about a week ago, thank goodness!) or anything.. but because I want my belly back. LOL. I want to meet her, but at that same time, I feel she’s overstaying her welcome here! Hotel de mama’s belly has checkout approaching soon– SO GET OUT KID! I really cannot fathom getting to 42 weeks. I dont want to be pregnant for another month.

At my last appointment with the doctor, I was 50% effaced and 2cm dialated. He said she was head down, but she wasn’t “locked and loaded” cause he could push and she’d float up. C’mon baby… GET OUT! (If you cant notice.. I really want her out haha.) My next appointment is Thursday following my NST. I was kinda hoping for her to be out by Monday. Haha. I dont forsee that, but I can hope.

Jim’s birthday is on Tuesday and a lot of people (including him) are banking on her coming then. I honestly dont forsee it being Tuesday, though. I hope not, we just bought tickets for a Reno Aces baseball game! Haha. If she doesn’t come this weekend.. she needs to hold out till next Wednesday!

The baby shower went really well. I had a great time and Leila got lots of stuff. I think we’re just about set on most things. Between giftcards and cash, I was able to get her travel system and also got some other cool things: a boppy pillow and cover and a moby wrap! She got lots of cute outfits, all sorts of the necessities… and my friend Jamie even handpainted an absolutely amazing picture of jungle animals (our “theme.”) Its beautiful. I feel a lot more ready for Leila now. And it helps that I’ve arranged her changing corner finally so its not just a bunch of bags sitting around! I still need to do her bassinett but thats a job for this weekend, haha!

I hit 36 weeks today. Wow. Final stretch. She’ll be here soon. I’m kinda hoping she pops out before Jim’s birthday. My mom, dad, and brother will all be in then and they’ll be able to be here to see her. We’ll see, though! I keep joking with everyone that I’m giving her a 3 week eviction notice– I think theres a chance she’ll be out by then, but who’s to say? Her, I guess, haha. I’m very excited to get to hold her in my arms.. still nervous though. Ah well, I have an amazing husband and he’s already an amazing daddy to two– we can do this!

So my baby shower is this Saturday and I feel like I’m scrambling to finish things. I feel like I dont have enough control (i.e. my mom has most of the decorations… and she wont be here till Thursday night!!) The food wont be bought till Friday… I just feel so unprepared for it and I wish everything was finished. Gah!!

So I had another appointment on Wednesday. I had a bowl of cereal before hand and went and did my business with the peeing in the cup thing. And well.. my sugar levels were incredibly high. That combined with gaining 7 lbs.. my doctor was concerned. Especially after my first failed glucose test and then the one elevated blood draw in my three hour one. He put me on Metformin. I’m on 500 mg once daily for this week. He wants me back on Wednesday to do blood draws and see how I’m doing. I felt initially like I’d failed Leila. But honestly.. what could I have done differently? If I eat a salad my sugar levels go up crazy amounts, ya know? I cant control this. Well, maybe I can with the Metformin. I’ve already noticed a difference. My doctor had said a month ago that I would stop being hungry so much, but I was constantly starving. Seriously. I had to eat every 2 hours or I was starving. Since I’ve been on the metformin, its changed. I can go through the day and not eat a crapload of food. It’s nice, haha.

Jim’s half sister just had her baby on March 3rd. It was a little girl– and man was she little! Like 5 lbs! My fear is that Leila would come out like 10 lbs. The doctor told me there is a good chance if I kept up like I was with the gaining that she could come out that heavy. Uhh.. no thanks!! It’s so crazy to think I’m as far along as I am. I mean, in just a few weeks she’ll be here. Wow! I cant believe that. And I cant wait for the day I get to meet her!

Also, in other wonderful news– Noemi just found out she’s pregnant!! YAY! She’s about 5 weeks along now and due November 3rd! It’s actually cool to have someone to talk to. I’ve told her all sorts of stuff to expect– things I didn’t know to expect, haha. I’m going to loan her my Jenny McCarthy collection.. those are some wonderful books. Funny and just so truthful! Well, I better close this up.. my computer is starting to act dumb and I’d hate to lose this post and have to type it back up again… (I’d probably become very angry haha!)

Until next time!

Figured I’d update everyone since the last appointment. The test results for the gestational diabetes came back normal– well.. I was elevated in one of the 4 blood draws. They said they dont worry till there are 2 or more elevated blood draws. So we’re good! Hurray!

I had a dream the other day about Leila. I’ve had a few dreams with her in them.. but I really liked this one. I dreamt I gave birth (and without going into too much gory detail.. it was similar to what happens with cats, LOL!) I held her in my arms and she was so tiny and perfect. She had Jim’s eyes, and my nose and mouth. (And his ears..which in the dream were really funky, hahaha!) I was so mad when I woke up, I fell back asleep for some more time with her! Haha. And then I smiled all day after the dream.

I have my next appointment on March 3rd. It’s still over a week away and it feels like it’s dragging! Haha. I discussed a little bit with my doctor about the birth at my last appointment. I want to have mirrors set up so I can watch as much of it as possible (you know, in between the screams of pain and the ‘YOU DID THIS TO ME!’ smacks at Jim.) I was concerned that they wouldn’t let me have a mirror if I ended up having to have a C-section. However, the doc was real supportive and said that we could have a mirror in there if I end up with a C-section. Hurray! Otherwise.. I’ve been pretty relaxed about things having to do with the delivery. I’d like to avoid any inducing– at least medication wise. They can stretch my cervix.. thats fine.. but I’d really rather not have anything else in terms of speeding up the delivery. I will, however, not turn down the epidural. Haha. I’m not going to have a midwife or a doula or anything like that. I want Jim, my mom and his mom in there. Thats it. My mom might not be able to make it, so if thats the case, it’ll just be Jim and his mom. I do have a strict rule about one person– they are not to even know I’m going into labor, nor be allowed near the hospital, the room, or Leila. I am going to make sure I discuss that with my doctor and find out how I go about that.

In terms of the house, things are coming along pretty smoothly. We have the changing table set up, we have a little dresser thats already half full of Leila’s clothes! (Those are only the 0-3 months clothes, too! >.<) We’re still trying to get the stuff we wont use out of the house and into storage– so until we get that taken care of, there isn’t gonna be any pictures, haha.

Alrighty, I have a mighty list of things to accomplish today, so I’m gonna mark this off of my list and get started on the next thing.

I’m probably not done with it all.. as a matter of fact I’m almost certain I’m not done, haha. It’s felt so weird just having boxes of stuff around, but nothing showing that in 2 months she’d be here! We got this corner set up and it made things seem much more realistic! Jim even had a dream that HE gave birth to Leila! Haha.

We also got the changing table set up, and we’ll be getting a dresser set up sometime in the very near future!! Then I have a place to store all of her clothes!! I am so excited!!

Anywho, in other news I got my one hour blood test for the gestional diabetes done last week. (February 3rd.) I got a call on Monday (the 8th) saying that my levels were slightly elevated and that I’d need to take the 3 hour fasting one. That was kinda a bummer, but I had a feeling I’d need to take the 3 hour one. I ended up taking of Wednesday (the 10th) to do it. I haven’t heard anything back yet, so thats a good sign. I have my next apointment this Wednesday coming up.

It boggles my mind that I’m in the ‘every two weeks’ appointments already. It’ll only be a matter of time before I’m in the every week appointments.. and then she’ll be here!! I’m a bundle of emotions! Haha. I’m not really like.. scared or anything. Sometimes I get this “Woah.. I’m going to be responsible for this little life for a long time!” I only hope I can be as good of a parent to her as my parents have been to me. I’m so excited to meet her face to face– to hold her in my arms– to watch her grow. I cant help but smile every time I see a little girl wandering around… knowing full well that before I know it.. my little girl will be wandering around. I’m so excited for this journey!!

Well, I think that I’m going to close up for the time being. I’ll check back in soon!

I was lucky enough to make it to Pennsylvania to spend some time with my grandpa before he passed away. I travelled all day Sunday. First I flew from Reno to Chicago-Midway. I had a layover in Chicago-Midway so I watched the playoff games. (And became saddened that my Chargers didn’t make it into the championship.) The flight from Reno to Chicago was long, but it wasn’t too unbearable. I sat next to a fellow who was a coach for a football team from Chicago. (As a matter of fact, their whole team was on the flight, haha.) He was kinda.. buff in the arms so I sat off to the side most of the flight. It made for a slightly uncomfortable backache. We ended up with a delay– which in a sense was kinda a blessing cause everyone got to watch the end of the game before we boarded. I expected turbulence landing in Philadelphia as they were having a small rain storm. Let me tell you what– Leila is NOT a fan. I actually felt my first kick to the ribs because of it! (Though I didn’t realize that was what had happened till a couple days later when it happened again.) I got picked up from the airport by my cousin Jamie and my cousin Kevin’s fiance Ashley. I was exhausted, but I agreed to go out to a local diner with them. They bought me food and gave me presents for Leila. It was a very sweet gesture. My cousin Jamie got a journal for the first 3 years of Leila’s life. It’s really cute, I’ve already started on it. And my aunt, uncle, cousin Kevin, & Ashley got me some picture frames, a cute sweater, a pack of onesies, and a Winnie the Pooh water temperature tester. It was very nice. Once I finally made it to my cousin Amanda’s place, I passed out and slept in. It was so nice finally getting to sleep. (I think I ended up at her apartment at like 3 am! >.<) When I woke up, I got ready and went to see my pappy.

It was weird seeing him in the state he was in. I mean, when I last saw him, he was full of life. And when I got to the rehab center, he didn't talk much at all. It'd been awhile since he'd seen me last so he didn't recognize me, either. I spent a couple hours there with him, then went back with my grandma to her house. We went back a few hours later. I spent every day up there with my Pappy. Even if it was just a few minutes that I got to spend with him. And every day I'd tell him "I'll be back here tomorrow to see you Pappy." Every day, I came back.

I got to spend a lot of time with my Grammy. Before going up there, I'll be honest, I didn't really know much about her. I cant write a book now based on my knowledge, but I can tell you that she is one hell of a woman. She's incredibly strong willed, and just an amazing woman. I really look up to her. She was so strong sitting there with my Pappy. If it were me, I'd probably be bawling my eyes out. I had a wonderful time with her.

I did spend some time with my cousin Amanda (who will now be referred to as AJo). AJo and I have always been pretty close growing up, and so when I decided I was going to go up there to visit.. I knew I'd be crashing on her couch. It was really nice spending time with her. She's a really awesome girl and I count her among one of my closest friend's. I love her to pieces.

It was actually in AJo's apartment that I figured out what the kick in the ribs was. I was in the shower and felt this dull pain right outside of my ribs. I started to rub it with my fingers and felt.. something. It felt like an elbow or a heel. As I rubbed it down, it went away and then my entire belly started to move. It was incredible. I was so excited I couldn't wait to tell Jim and my mom what I'd felt.

On Thursday, my final night in Pennsylvania, my Uncle Kenny and Aunt Lisa took me out to dinner. We went to On the Border with my little cousin Kaylyn (whom I haven't seen since she was like, 3 years old.) She's 12 now and in 6th grade. It was nice spending time with them again. After dinner, I asked my Uncle Kenny if he could take me to see my Pappy since I hadn't had a chance to yet. He took me over there and let me have some alone time with Pappy-- which I had not had chance to do. I really appreciated having that time with my Pappy.

I had to tell my Pappy that I wouldn't be able to come back to see him anymore because I had to fly back to Nevada the next day. I had a message from my brother that I relayed to him and I told him how much he meant to me. I spent some time just sitting there with him with my hand on his shoulder. I told him how much I knew my Dad and Mom wanted to be there. And how much my brother wished he could be there, as well. I told him how every time I got close to him, Leila would kick me. Then I gave him a kiss from everyone-- from me, Leila, my brother, my mom and my dad. I told him I loved him. And then I left.

My uncle dropped my off at my Grammy's so I could say goodbye to them. They had two cards waiting there for me. One was a wedding card and another was a baby card. They both had gift cards in them. I was floored. I stayed with my Uncle Kenny that night as he was to be my ride to the airport the next morning. He got a phone call a little after 4 am letting him know my Pappy had passed away. I got the news a little after I'd woken up. Let me tell you what.. travelling on news like that sucked. I'm not one to cry in public places.. so I held it in. I cried a little bit throughout the day, but I didn't properly get to deal with it like I wanted to. Hell, I still haven't. I couldn't cry at all on Saturday. I finally cried yesterday. I want to just cry and cry but I hate crying and making people feel weird about it. I dont know.

Oh, I suppose before I close up I should let you know about my last appointment. The appointments aren't as exciting as before anymore, haha. Now that I have the doppler at my house and I can hear Leila's heartbeat whenever I want, the appointments aren't anything special. Everything was measuring good at the appointment, though. My uterus was measuring right around where I should be. Her heartbeat was strong and yeah. Everything was good. My next appointment is on February 3rd. I do my glucose test and then get my rhogam shot. And after that.. my appointments are every two weeks. That's just crazy to me! This pregnancy is going by so fast, I swear!

Here's a picture of my belly from yesterday-- so I was 27 weeks, 3 days.

Jim and I went to the store last night and used up one of the giftcards. That wasn’t intentional, but I just couldn’t say no to Jim. He was so cute walking up and down the aisles getting excited for baby stuff. Here was our loot– minus a big box of wipes and a box of diapers.

Well, I suppose thats it for now. If any of my family up in Pennsylvania is reading this, thank you so much for your hospitality while I was up there.

In other news, I will be taking a trip in just a few days. (No really, just a few days haha!) I fly out in 11 days to Philadelphia. My dads side of the family lives out there and my grandpa’s health has been kinda bad for awhile. I haven’t seen them since probably the summer of 2000. And this is the only time I can go. I mean, I’m not dragging a newborn on an 8 hour flight.. nor driving 3 days with one! Nooo thanks! So I called my doctor and he said he didn’t want me flying past 30 weeks– which cut my time frame short! (Considering I’ll be 25 weeks tomorrow.)

I also have my next appointment in a week. Now that I have my own fetal heartbeat doppler and can hear Leila whenever I want.. I dont look forward to the appointments as much. I used to live for them– especially before I started feeling her move. I didn’t truely believe there was a baby in there. Sometimes it still suprises me. In all honesty, pregnancy has been totally different than I thought it was going to be. I dont know, for some reason I felt that the early signs (including morning sickness and cravings).. didn’t come that early! And movement.. movement has been totally different than I expected. Sure, people say “It’s like butterflies!” No, not really. It’s like I gotta fart but really I dont. I thought I’d “feel pregnant” but I dont. I look the part, I feel her move.. but I thought there’d be some crazy new feeling. I feel exactly like I did before I got pregnant.. but with some movement in my belly and slight (sometimes not so slight!) discomfort. And way more cravings than before, haha.

Well, I’m gonna head off. I need to get ready for work. Have a good day.

I also painted the letters I’m going to hang on Leila’s wall when we get into a new place. They’re super cute– I’m so excited! I’ll try to get a picture of them once I’m all finished with them. Well, theres not all that much to add today, so yeah..