Taylen's Birth Day

Since we had a C-section with Aspen we were scheduled to have a repeat C-section for Taylen. So many emotions were running through my head the night before as I put Aspen to bed for the last time as an only child. I tried to get some sleep but was just too excited and nervous to sleep much. The night before was Halloween so luckily getting Aspen ready to trick or treat and handing out candy at home kept my mind busy for awhile.

 

We got up bright and early to be at the hospital by our 5:45 check in time.

my last belly picture - 39 weeks, 1 day

 

I got changed and they got me all hooked up to the monitors so we could hear her little heart beating. At this point I was taking in every movement, knowing that I would miss it once she wasn't in there anymore and getting more and more nervous knowing I was heading into surgery. They got my IV going on the second try and looking back I can say that was the worst part of the whole surgery. We hung out while they were monitoring me and getting everything all set and watched Mickey Mouse. My mom got there to stay with Aspen and before I knew it we were walking down the hall to the OR.

Last family picture as a family of 3

 

Walking into the OR it really hit me what was going on and I got emotional. My nurse was great and walked me through everything, including breathing with me while they did my spinal. Joe came in after that and I immediately felt better. My toes and legs got warm and then the feeling disappeared and I was just more excited than anything. After a lot of pushing and pulling, tugging and even having to use the vacuum she was here!!

Taylen Ann born 8:32 am, 7 lbs 15 oz, 20 inches

 

After delivery we found out her cord was wrapped around her neck twice and she hadn't dropped very much so they actually had to pull and vacuum her down to the incision in order to get her out. She was crying off and on, but in between her cries she was turning a purplish blue color and was having a hard time breathing. They brought her over to me for a kiss and then took her to the nursery. Joe kissed me and followed her. They finished stitching me up and moved me into the recovery room. Before surgery they had told me that they would bring the baby in there with me so when they didn't I knew something was wrong. I kept asking about her and Joe came in and out giving me updates. This was about the longest hour of my life, followed closely by the hour after Aspen was born when I wasn't with her. Finally after my hour in the recovery room being monitored, my nurse just took my bed directly into the nursery. I will forever be so grateful to her for everything she did.

Finally meeting my second baby girl. Beautiful just like her sister.

 

After we were in there for awhile they updated us after the doctor had checked her over. They had done a chest x-ray and it showed some fluid in her lungs so they were going to treat her as if she had pneumonia. We were shocked and scared for our girl. They had to keep her on oxygen or her stats were dropping so she had to stay in the nursery until she was breathing on her own. They had to give her an iv and start her on antibiotics. The thought of my girl getting poked like that and being anything other than perfect was really hard to take.

I went back and forth from my room to the nursery in my bed several times and most of the rest of the day was a blur. Joe and I stayed in the nursery until about 11:00 and then went back to our room to try to get some rest. We slept off and on and finally at 4:00 am I couldn't take it anymore and got up out of bed for the first time and the nurses took me down to the nursery in a wheelchair. I held my little pumpkin for 2 1/2 hrs until I had to leave for shift change. At this point she was down to 21% oxygen, which is what room air is and they were going to start backing off the amount of flow she was receiving to see what she did on her own.

Joe went down to see her at 8:30 am and came back about 5 min later with Taylen!! We were both so happy to have her breathing so well on her own and in our room with us.

Aspen finally getting to meet her little sister. She just wanted to kiss her as soon as she saw her!

 

The rest of our stay was an up and down of IV's (baby's veins are so small they won't hold an IV for very long so after a few days they usually have to replace it in another spot). She first had her IV in her arm, that lasted for a day and a half- then they were able to move it to her foot and that one only held for one treatment. Then they brought her back to me with her IV in her head. It was so hard to see. Luckily that one lasted through the end of our stay. I was discharged from the hospital on Monday, but luckily they allowed me to stay in my same room to stay with her and she was in my room the whole time except when she went down to the nursery to get her dose of antibiotics. Joe went home to stay with Aspen at night- and they came in every hour to check on Taylen so I didn't get much sleep.



 

We were able to go home Friday, a week after she was born, after she finished 7 days of antibiotics through her iv. I was so happy to bring her home and to know that she's a little fighter and medically cleared and healthy. It felt amazing to be in the car with both Aspen and Taylen in the back and then to be at home with our new family of 4.

 

39 weeks

39 Weeks

 

How far along? 39 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Most everything is maternity- have a few dresses and tshirts/jackets that will still work. Just this week my boots have given me trouble to wear them b/c my feet expand during the day.

Sleep? Still not great. I’ve taken up sleeping on the couch which helps gives me a little more support but I sure do miss sleeping in my bed. Fought a bad cold a few weeks ago but luckily getting passed that now and praying my cough goes completely away in the next 2 days so I don’t have to cough after having a c-section.

Best moment in the last week? Knowing she’ll be here soon. We finished the nursery and I decided to take Halloween (the day before she gets here) off to get everything ready to go. This planned stuff sure does make it easier for a type A girl like me!

Miss anything? Sleeping, being able to zip my jackets- ha!

Movement? Yep, baby girl is running out of room.

Food cravings? Nope. Mostly drinks- I seem like I’m always thirsty.

Anything making you queasy/sick? I stopped taking the fish oil vitamin and that seemed to do the trick to take away the sick feeling at night.

Gender? GIRL! We are so excited to welcome another little princess into our family.

Labor Signs? Not really. Feeling a little more here and there that are close to contractions but nothing regular.

 Symptoms? Backpain, pressure when I walk/stand up, and so tired

Belly button in or out? Out just a little

Wedding rings on or off? On- although at some points I’m not sure I can get them off.

Happy or moody? Happy- getting so excited to meet this little girl!

Looking forward to? Meeting her in just 2 more DAYS!! J

Daddy moment?  We’re both just getting so excited and nervous at the same time. He’s helped me finish up the nursery, carve pumpkins with Aspen, keep the house relatively clean and grocery shopping. He’s also taking Aspen trick or treating tomorrow since this prego would not be able to keep up!

Big Sister moment? She asks every day how much longer. She’s got a fun weekend planned to be at the hospital with us Friday and a cousin bday party in manhattan Saturday and hanging out with her old daycare buds on Sunday. She’s already got next week all planned out how she’s going to show the baby how to play babies “but she can only watch me play b/c she’s not big enough yet to play” and she says she’s going to feed her and change her, but not the dirty ones- she’s leaving those for daddy. ;)

Wild one

To further show that my girl is a crazy one just like her sis- here's a video of her moving around the other day. She had the hiccups and I don't think she was a fan. :)

 Can't wait to meet her in a few weeks!

36 weeks

36 weeks

 



How far along? 36 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Dresses or looser fitting shirts can be either- most everything else is maternity. Some of my maternity shirts are starting to get too short even. And to prove that point I got up from my desk and walked half way down the hall before I realized my tummy was showing by a good 2 inches. Just in time for a group of men walking by getting back from lunch to walk by me. Chalk it up to embarrassing pregnancy moment #585. haha

Sleep? Still not great. I’ve taken up sleeping on the couch which helps gives me a little more support but I sure do miss sleeping in my bed.

Best moment in the last 3 weeks? Had a nice shower/lunch with friends to celebrate her coming soon and everyone was so sweet- AND she has at least a few packs of diapers now.

Miss anything? Sleeping in the bed, rolling over without feeling like a need a lift to get me over.

Movement? Yes, she’s a very active little girl, especially when I’m sitting at my desk trying to focus! ;) Trying to soak up every second of it. I think I’ll miss it.

Food cravings? Not really anything too much. We had amazing cupcakes at my shower and since then I’ve been wanting to have another.

Anything making you queasy/sick? My vitamins. We went out for ice cream the other night and ate after taking my vitamins- let's just say I won't be having another banana split for a very long time.

Gender? GIRL! We are so excited to welcome another little princess into our family.

Labor Signs? Nope- OFFICIALLYscheduled for the 1^st of November. We have to be there EARLY Friday morning and the c-section is scheduled for 8:00.

Symptoms? My ribs are still killing me, especially at night. I think she's moving down a little though b/c I have to go to the bathroom just about every 5 minutes. haha

Belly button in or out? All the way flat, maybe out a little bit- I think if she were to give it a good kick it would just pop out.

Wedding rings on or off? On- getting to the point where it’s tough to take them off sometimes in the morning for my shower so we’ll see.

Happy or moody? Happy- getting so excited to meet this little girl!

Looking forward to? Meeting her in just 3 more weeks!! J Have some fun things planned for Aspen in the next few weeks.

Daddy moment? Foot rubs, back rubs, bedtime routine with Aspen, kisses and talking to my belly at night…he’s the best.

Big Sister moment? She asked me if she could call her “Minnie Mouse”. I don’t think she is even slightly joking. We have her big sister shirts laid out and ready to go when the time comes for baby sister to get here. She also helped me pack the diaper bag and my bag.

33 weeks (a few weeks late)

33 weeks (written Sept 19-pic from Sept 21)

 

33 Weeks

 How far along? 33 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Dresses or looser fitting shirts can be either- most everything else is maternity. Some of my maternity shirts are starting to get too short even.

Sleep? Terrible lately. This is really my only complaint right now, I just can’t seem to get comfortable any way I sleep and end up sleeping in some way that I almost fall over when I get out of bed in the morning b/c my back is killing me.

Best moment in the last 3 weeks? Feeling her move all the time. Survived my trip to Philly without going into labor on the plane! J Her room is ready, bags are at least slightly packed, and the car seat is by the door ready to go. We took some family pictures and they turned out pretty good so I’m excited to have them as memories of this time as a family of 3.

Miss anything? Laying on the floor to play with Aspen, or even being able to sit on the floor comfortably to play with her.

Movement? Yes, she’s a very active little girl, especially when I’m sitting at my desk trying to focus! ;)

Food cravings? Goodcents sandwiches

Anything making you queasy/sick? Not lately

Gender? GIRL! We are so excited to welcome another little princess into our family.

Labor Signs? Nope- OFFICIALLY scheduled for the 1^st of November. We have to be there EARLY Friday morning and the c-section is scheduled for 8:00.
Symptoms? My ribs are killing me most of the time, which is good b/c it means she is growing! Back pain in the morning/night…maybe the occasional need to cry. haha

Belly button in or out? Almost all the way flat.

Wedding rings on or off? On- getting to the point where it’s tough to take them off sometimes in the morning for my shower so we’ll see.

Happy or moody? Happy- getting so excited to meet this little girl!

Looking forward to? Fall and football!! We’re getting so close to her being here.

Daddy moment?   I can tell he’s getting so excited to meet his second little girl. We’ve been so busy lately running around and he’s been amazing. We truly have learned how much of a TEAM we can be when things are so crazy. Couldn’t ask for a better daddy for my girls.

Big Sister moment? Aspen is counting down the days! She is so excited to meet her sissy and is constantly telling me everything she’s going to do to help her and things she’s going to teach her, such as playing dolly house and how to swim in the pool next summer. My ankles were pretty swollen the other night and I was sitting on the couch with my feet up and trying t o explain to her why I had to do that and she got out her dr kit and “fixed” me up.

 

 

30 Weeks

 

The big 3-0!!

 

How far along? 30 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Dresses or looser fitting shirts can be either- most everything else is maternity.

Sleep? Pretty good lately- I think it has something to do with being so exhausted that I can’t keep my eyes open even if I try! I usually get up for the bathroom a few times a night and Aspen gets up at least once too.  

Best moment in the last 3 weeks? Feeling her move so much has been great. I was even able to get a video looking down at my stomach and you can see it moving around like a rollercoaster! Passed my glucose test!

Miss anything? Laying on the floor to play with Aspen, or even being able to sit on the floor comfortably to play with her.

Movement? Yes, she’s a very active little girl, especially when I’m sitting at my desk trying to focus! ;)

Food cravings? Goodcents sandwiches, fruit, anything cold- same as last time but adding in my dads homemade salsa!

Anything making you queasy/sick? My prenatals some nights

Gender? GIRL! We are so excited to welcome another little princess into our family.

Labor Signs? Nope- OFFICIALLYscheduled for the 1^st of November. We have to be there EARLY Friday morning and the c-section is scheduled for 8:00.
Symptoms? A few more random aches and pains, tiredness but other than that feeling pretty good.

Belly button in or out? Almost all the way flat.

Wedding rings on or off? On- getting to the point where it’s tough to take them off sometimes in the morning for my shower so we’ll see.

Happy or moody? Both- I may have almost started crying the other day b/c I was thinking about only having 9 more weeks with Aspen as my only baby and at the same time being so excited to meet our new little princess!

Looking forward to? Fall and football!! Flying out to Philly to go wedding dress shopping for one of my best friends next weekend and of course getting to meet this little girl SOON!

Daddy moment?   As he’s taken over more for me in the evenings with Aspen, seeing their bond grow. I literally stood at the window and watched them play together outside and my heart felt like it was about to explode.

Big Sister moment? She’s getting so excited to meet her baby sister. She keeps telling us “after Halloween is when she’s coming”. Then we talked about weeks, months- timeframes and she now says “2 more months mommy”. She’s started calling me mom more and more and I’m not sure I like it- as compared to mommy. Makes her seem so grown up. She sings “Rock a bye baby” to her sister in my tummy- sweetest thing ever and then she ends with “but we’ll NEVER put her in a tree, right mommy?” haha

27 weeks

27 Weeks (written 8/8/2013)

 

How far along? 27 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Mixing maternity and non-maternity although most of my non-maternity shirts are getting too short to wear anymore.

Sleep? Still ok. Aspen’s been doing amazing sleeping all night in her big girl bed and that helps a lot.  

Best moment in the last 3 weeks? Nothing to do with the baby, but Aspen’s 3^rd birthday. We had such a great weekend! Also had another healthy report at the dr although little missy was moving around so much she couldn’t get an actual bpm reading on her heartbeat. haha

Miss anything? Sleeping on my stomach and being able to get up without effort

Movement? Yes, she’s a very active little girl, especially when I’m sitting at my desk trying to focus! ;)

Food cravings? Goodcents sandwiches, fruit, anything cold

Anything making you queasy/sick? My prenatals some nights

Gender? GIRL! We are so excited to welcome another little princess into our family.

Labor Signs? Nope- tentatively scheduled for the 1^st of November.

Symptoms? Not really too much, I’ve been feeling pretty good these last couple weeks! My ever growing belly (btw people when you ask when someone is due and they tell you a time 3 months off- it’s not very nice to react like “oh really…guess you still have awhile huh?” as if my stomach looks like I could pop anyday)

Belly button in or out? In and getting flatter.

Wedding rings on or off? On- hoping to get to leave them on the whole time this time as well, but we’ll see.

Happy or moody? Happy!

Looking forward to? Third trimester b/c it means she’s almost here! J Also, Aspen starts soccer practice this week and going back to gymnastics in September after a summer break. Love to see her playing sports!  Flying up north to see Nicole and go dress shopping with her for her wedding in another month.

Daddy moment?   Still love it when he gets to feel her move. He’s taken over so much for me with Aspen, from bathtime to tucking her in and I couldn’t appreciate it more. There comes a point in the day where I just need to CRASH on the couch!

Big Sister moment? We tried on some clothes that were getting too small and I told her she couldn’t wear them b/c they were getting too small and her response was “let’s go give them to the baby.” I couldn’t be more proud of how excited she seems to become a big sis soon! She just got her ears pierced for her birthday and afterwards she said “when the baby turns 3, I will go with her to get her sparkly earrings and hold her hands.” Melt.my. heart.

24 Weeks

written 7/18/13

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Mixing maternity and non-maternity.

Sleep? Ok starting to have some pain in my hips and rolling over is getting to be a bit of a challenge ;)

Best moment in the last 3 weeks? Good report at the dr and feeling the baby move more and more

Miss anything? Sleeping on my stomach

Movement? Yep! She’s developing a talent for kicking me in the bladder early on.

Food cravings? Nothing out of the ordinary really

Anything making you queasy/sick? nothing

Gender? GIRL! We are so excited to welcome another little princess into our family.

Labor Signs? Nope- tentatively scheduled for the 1^st of November.
Symptoms? Not really too much, I’ve been feeling pretty good these last couple weeks! Just the regular tiredness and achy. Oh and my hips pop all the time now.

Belly button in or out? In and getting flatter.

Wedding rings on or off? On- hoping to get to leave them on the whole time this time as well, but we’ll see.

Happy or moody? Happy!

Looking forward to? Dr’s apt on the 2^nd, Aspen’s bday party on the 3^rd and bday on the 4^th. My best friend just got engaged and is planning a destination wedding next Fall so looking forward to managing two children in tow. I laugh just thinking about what Joe and I will look like in the airport all loaded down, one child a piece and carseats, baggage, etc. ;)

Daddy moment?   Joe finally got to feel her kick. Little stubborn ones quits as soon as anyone tries to feel her but he finally snuck one in and got to feel her. Daddy took Aspen on a date when mommy when on girls night to the concert- they went to the park and DQ again. She told me all about it when I took her potty at 3 am. haha

Big Sister moment? She loves her baby sissy so much already. She will hug and kiss my belly and tell her goodnight all on her own all the time. She’s already into helping me so much. When we went through all her old clothes and the new ones that we got she helped me organize and hang them up. She’s going to be the best big sister. She’s told me that she’s excited for the baby to sit in the back with her in the car and also for the baby to take baths with her. And on an unrelated to big sister note this is the conversation I overheard yesterday as I’m getting dressed in the bathroom while Aspen and Joe are in the living room- “here daddy put on your crown- I am the queen and you are the princess” haha

 



 

21 Weeks

21 Weeks

 

How far along? 21 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Mixing maternity and non-maternity.

Sleep? Ok, other than Aspen waking up and the occasional potty break.

Best moment in the last 3 weeks? Sonogram! Everything on the baby looked healthy and good.  Heartbeat was at 156. Feeling a lot more movement here and there and Joe felt the baby move from the outside just last night!

Miss anything? Sleeping on my stomach

Movement? Yes, movement is becoming a little more regular. So amazing and fun to feel.

Food cravings? Loving cold fruit and ate deep dish pizza that was so good I can’t even put it into words in Chicago. Could go for that everyday! haha

Anything making you queasy/sick? nothing

Gender? GIRL! We are so excited to welcome another little princess into our family.

Labor Signs? Nope- tentatively scheduled for the 1^st of November.
Symptoms? Not really too much, I’ve been feeling pretty good these last couple weeks! Just the regular tiredness and achy. Oh and my hips pop all the time now.

Belly button in or out? In and getting flatter.

Wedding rings on or off? On- hoping to get to leave them on the whole time this time as well, but we’ll see.

Happy or moody? Happy!

Looking forward to? Finished Aspen’s big girl room, and now looking forward to putting the baby room together. She may or may not already have a closet full of clothes arranged by type and size…

*next dr apt is July 5^th- ready to hear this baby girls heartbeat again! I think I also have to schedule my glucose test at that apt and I’m not looking forward to that.

*had a blast on the girls trip to Chicago, looking forward to the 4^th with family and the NKOTB, 98 degrees and Boys II Men concert (don’t be jealous Joe- haha) in less than a month.

Daddy moment?   On my trip to Chicago, Joe was on full time daddy duty. Took Aspen to the park and on her choice for a date night – Dairy Queen! They had a great time together and I’m so thankful that I have the best husband ever along with the best daddy.

Big Sister moment? She loves her baby sissy so much already. She will hug and kiss my belly and tell her goodnight all on her own all the time. She’s already into helping me so much. When we went through all her old clothes and the new ones that we got she helped me organize and hang them up. She’s going to be the best big sister. She’s told me that she’s excited for the baby to sit in the back with her in the car and also for the baby to take baths with her.

18 weeks

 

18 Weeks (6/6/2013- pic taken a few days late)

 

How far along? 18 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Mixing maternity and non-maternity.

Sleep? Pretty good, starting to get a little uncomfortable to roll over and feel bad b/c I’m taking up all the room with my pillows around me everywhere. Getting up a few times in the night to go potty.

Best moment in the last 3 weeks? Dr apt on Monday (171/2 weeks) went great. Heartbeat was at 156 and we tentatively scheduled my c-section for Nov. 1. Oct 31 would be truly 39 weeks but I didn’t think we wanted the baby to share a bday with Halloween if we could choose, plus the 1^st is on a Friday and might be easier for family. The upsides to a cesarean!

Miss anything? Not sure, starting to be able to enjoy this pregnancy. Maybe being able to wear my jeans?

Movement? Yes, movement is becoming a little more regular. So amazing and fun to feel.

Food cravings? Just read a blog today and she made chocolate covered strawberries- going to the store after work to get some! ;)

Anything making you queasy/sick? Blowing my nose still gets me, and for some reason whenever I cough in the morning it always gags me.

Gender? Sono is scheduled for next Friday the 14^th! Let’s hope this little guy or girl shows us the goods! I’m saying boy, Joe and Aspen both say girl.

Labor Signs? Nope- tentatively scheduled for the 1^st of November.
Symptoms? Not really too much, I’ve been feeling pretty good these last couple weeks! Just the regular tiredness and achy. Oh and my hips pop all the time now.

Belly button in or out? In and getting flatter.

Wedding rings on or off? On- hoping to get to leave them on the whole time this time as well, but we’ll see.

Happy or moody? Happy!

Looking forward to? *Aspen’s big girl room is almost ready for me to start decorating! Joe is putting the second coat of paint on tonight and the frame back up on the window tomorrow so this weekend I’ll be organizing and decorating to my hearts content!

* seeing this little guy or girl again next Friday on sonogram and hopefully finding out whether we’re having a girl or boy!

*Chicago trip with the girls in a few weeks!

Daddy moment?   Seeing him paint our little girls room pink just b/c he knows she will love it. Also now that I can feel the baby moving when he gets right up to my belly and talks loudly, the baby will start moving around enough to make me laugh.

Big Sister moment? Aspen has done awesome starting her new preschool! When I picked her up one day last week, one of the little girls asked me if I had Aspen’s sister in my belly. I told her we weren’t sure if the baby was a boy or girl yet and she said “Aspen says it’s her sister Minnie”. Haha I was excited about the fact that she was talking about it at preschool and bragging to her friends about being a big sister soon! J