Lia's 6 week check up at 7 weeks

We sure had a hard time scheduling an appointment for the little girl! I mentioned our first attempt in a previous blog post. After that, we rescheduled the appt twice before finally finding a time that worked for us and the office. Ugh!

So by the time we made it in, it was her 7 week birthday!! That's right folks, my little princess is 7 weeks (and one day) old! Time flies...

She weighs 11.2lbs (80th percentile)

She is 22.75 in long {tall?} (85th percentile)

And her noggin is Xin around {I don't remember, and I don't really care too much. lol} (80th percentile)

So she's no longer in the 98th percentile for height like last time, but I still think she's gonna be a tall girl. ;)

She got 3 vaccines yesterday- two shots and one oral. She guzzled the oral one down and wanted more. lol

She was not so much a fan of the shots. She flipped out of course, and it actually took me a few minutes to calm her down once I could hold her again. (As opposed to Tyler, who stopped crying the second I picked him after his baby shots.)

All in all she's a big healthy lil' girl. ;)  And beautiful. 

{No, the doctor didn't say that, but I know she was thinking it...}

Tyler enjoyed this trip to the dr's office... he got himself TWO lollipops! 

{He's decided he likes the doctor after all}

A few photos of my 7 week old (and her big brother) ♥

Ty was telling her about blowing bubbles. {Really}

Precious kisses

Showing Lia how the bubble gun works

Love this! :)

Lia's 6 week check up

Lia had an appointment with the pediatrician today. I did not have a babysitter. So this morning I told Tyler that he had to be a big boy and help Mama with Lia at the doctor's. He was thrilled. 

I got them changed, fed, and in the car early. (A small miracle)

We got to the office and the receptionist told me that our insurance says Lia has not been added to our policy yet, so we have to pay out of pocket. 

A) Yes she has been added. 3 weeks ago.

B) Um no. I'm not paying. 

So I called Tory who called the insurance company who said they would have her on the policy within 24 hours.
(I'm not sure I believe them. They also said it was done 3 weeks ago.)

I relayed that to the receptionist who said "Ok, come back Friday."

Are you kidding me? I just got my two year old and my six week old here early and you're telling me it was for nothing?? 

Yep. They wouldn't take us today unless I payed $150 plus vaccines. 

We're going back on Friday. All three of us. :P

{No worries, I was nice about it. Even though she could have called me before I got my kids up to come to this stinkin' office! ;)}

Lia's 6 week photo. LOL

Has it been 3 weeks already??

Why yes it has!

My little Lia is 3 weeks (and one day) old. And growing growing growing! She went to see the pediatrician yesterday, so here are her stats from that.

August 11, 3 weeks:

9lbs 6oz  ~8lbs 2oz at birth~

22.2in {94th percentile!} ~20.5in at birth~

My girl is getting so big! ♥

A few little tidbits about her:

Lia knows her Mama, and so far appears to be a Mama's Girl.

{YES! Finally something loves me most! Tyler and Dex both like Tor best. lol}

She never cries. Ok, almost never. Her fussy time is from 9pm-midnight... yes, the whole time and just about every night! It's frustrating at the time, but when I think about it, I'll take it. Because she doesn't cry at any other time during the day or night!

She's still only on breastmilk, and it's going really well. She eats every 2-3 hours during the day and every *gasp* 3-8 hours at night. That's right. She has slept 8 hours straight... once. Usually it's about 5 hours, which is still incredible. :)

Lia hates- and I mean hates- baths.

She rolled over. Yep, at 3 weeks she rolled from tummy to back. I realize this was a fluke, but it's still pretty amazing. ;)

Her eyes were blue at birth (like every Caucasian baby's are) but they shortly started changing... now they are pure gray. Kinda like steel actually. No blue in there anymore! I think {hope} she'll end up with brown eyes. ♥

Her neck is really strong- she already lays on her tummy and pushes herself up to look around. 

Lia is the easiest and most peaceful baby I have ever known or even heard of. ♥

If all babies were like this, I could have a dozen of them! ;)
{Don't tell Tory...}

 

The Birth Story

That's right, Dandelion is here! 

(And has been for almost a week... what can I say? I'm recovering!)

Here's how it all went down...

On Wednesday, July 21st, I had an OB appointment.

I got there and Dr. A said that she would check my cervix and either A) I would be dilated 4+ cm and she would send me straight to the hospital OR B) I would still "only" be 3cm and we would have to wait til tomorrow for my scheduled induction. 

Tory and I were very very very hopeful that the strong contractions I'd been having since Monday had been doing their job and gotten me one tiny centimeter closer to Dandelion!

Dr. A went on with the exam...

We waited impatiently for what seemed like forever, though I'm sure it was only a few seconds. ;)

And announced that I was, in fact, FIVE CENTIMETERS DILATED!! 

Off to the hospital we went. 

We were checked in and in a room around 1:00pm. I wasn't technically in labor yet, and Dr. A was going to come in a little later to break my water if we hadn't made any progress. 

{Me and my favorite guy... soon to be parents of TWO!}

She showed up at 2:30pm and sure enough, still 5cm. She busted that water and said she'd be back soon to check on me. 

(Side note: Having your water broken for you doesn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. Or maybe it helps that I'd been told it was extremely painful, so I was expecting the worst. Anyway, it wasn't bad at all.)

{Me and the sisters.}

 

{The soon to be big brother hanging out in the waiting room with Dada for a while (And G, Gram, Kels, Abba, Mee, and Jeff!)}

That did the trick. I don't remember when I ended up getting the epidural, but it wasn't much later. Some time around 5pm I was told I'd made it to 7cm and Dr. A was heading home for an hour or so. 

{This picture was taken when I was in extreme pain. My mother has no mercy. She told me I'd regret it if I didn't let her take pictures. lol}

I was told at that point to call a nurse if I felt the need to push, and otherwise just try to rest up for the big show.

{I told Tory to take this picture... we have one just like it from when I was in labor with Tyler. The only difference is that I had lime green nails with him. lol}

 It was 5:45ish when I felt the "urge". I waited a few contractions to make sure, then called the nurse. She checked me out and... voila! 10cm! We were ready to go! 

Now all we needed was a doctor!

The nurse said that as long as Dandelion's heartbeat stayed strong through the contractions we could wait for Dr. A. She stayed strong, and at 6:15 or so Dr. A came in, all set to go. 

We called my mom, Tory's mom, and Meagan to come on in for the show.

This baby was a bit happier to come out, and I only had to push through 4 contractions. (About 8-10minutes, rather than the 40-something it took with Tyler) Not too shabby! 

I do know that about halfway through the pushing Dr. A said something about the cord being around Baby's neck. Tory later told me that I turned white and he'd never seen me so scared. But it turned out to be "nothing"- yes, the cord was around her neck, but Dr. A was very quick and got it off with no issues, and out she came!

Tory cut the cord, and Dr. A put my baby girl in my arms, and I got to hold her for a good 20 minutes after she was born. ♥

{There is no better feeling than holding your baby for the first time.}

{Getting to know her Dada... who is already smitten. ;)}

Lia Meagan Hermens

July 21, 2010

6:36pm

8lbs 2oz, 20.5in

Lia and her Mama and Dada.

39 weeks

And that's as far as this countdown is going!!

I had an appointment with Dr. A this afternoon. My first truly productive appointment. 

{Stop reading now if you don't like hearing words like "cervix" "mucous plug" and "ruptured membranes"  lol}

The "boring" stuff first:

 

I am up 30lbs total. I don't remember what I've said in the past, but according to the charts, it's 30lbs exactly.

Dandelion's heart rate is 143. (Good)

Uterus size is perfect.
 She is still head down and ready to go!

Dr. A estimates that Dandelion weighs about 8lbs 2oz, maybe 8lbs 3oz.

And for the exciting stuff:

She checked my cervix, which was dilated 2cm. (Insert photo of me jumping for joy here)

Then she said to hold on for a sec, because she's gonna make it 3cm. (More jumping for joy)

Dr. A did the most "vigorous" exam she could do without rupturing my membranes. That was comfortable. 

(Sarcasm intended)

Yessiree, I am 3cm dilated and 50% effaced. This is good news.

But it gets better. Rather than being induced on Thursday at 7am, I'm going in on Wednesday (July 21) at noon. That, my friends, is less than 48 hours away.

And I'm not actually being induced- no pitocin if all goes as planned. I'll have my water broken and head straight to the hospital. 

And that's assuming I don't go into labor on my own before then... which is quite possible, especially when you factor in these crazy contractions I'm having! She said I'll have the contractions for a while because of the exam, and then they'll either slow down/stop or I'll be in labor. 

Now we're just waiting.

No "how I'm feeling" updates now, because all I'm "feeling" is impatience.
No craving updates either, because I'm not craving anything except holding a new baby!  
No new picture because Tory is at work... that may come later.  

38 weeks

Yessiree, I have made it to week number 38. This means, as of today, I have TEN DAYS left til induction! I gotta say, I'm glad Dr. A is taking Dandelion out a tad early. Very glad.

I had an appointment this morning... here are the stats from that.

I am up about 34lbs from pre-pregnancy weight. 
(I'm hoping that all goes away as soon as she's born, with no work on my part. lol)

Blood pressure = good

Uterus size = good

Dandelion's heartbeat = good. 
Actually, it was 130, which is the lowest I've ever heard, but the doctor said it's all good and Dandelion was just napping. ;)

Dilation = ZERO Centimeters. That's right. Big fat ZERO. 

Which I just don't get, because I have contractions all the freakin time. 

I am "slightly effaced", but frankly that means nothing to me. Yea it's a start to the whole labor thing, but it's not dilation! :P

 No, I'm not nervous about having this baby. To be honest, I am so not stressed about labor/delivery at all. The things I worry about are hilarious, actually. Like I'm afraid of my water breaking at awkward times. Like what if I'm painting my nails? And then it breaks and I don't have time to finish or let them dry. Oh the horrors! lol  But hey, I think it's better to stress about something silly like that rather than anything serious going wrong. ;)

I've been asked a dozen times in the last week or so, so here it is again. We are not having a baby shower, but we are registered at Target. The items on the registry are basic things we need, but we are not picky at all. 

For example, there are burp cloths on there- I don't give a darn what kind of burp cloths we get so feel free to shop wherever you want. ;)  Same with bibs, onesies, etc...

The only things we DON'T need are 0-3month clothes. If you wanna buy outfits for Dandelion, go for colder weather stuff in 6m+. :) 

Also, there's a glider on the registry. If you buy it for me, I will feel horrible that you dropped 200 bucks on me, but I will love you forever. lol
(Same with that ridiculously expensive, but totally gorgeous diaper bag!)
 

There's nothing new to say about how I'm feeling. I'm super tired, super heartburn-y, and super uncomfortable. But let's not complain about that. It'll be over in TEN DAYS.

Cravings: Vanilla yogurt. Don't ask why, I don't know. 

  Still cookin' my lil' girl! 

OH YEA!!! We have a name! Tory and I have agreed on one that we adore and have also agreed not to change it anymore. This does not mean you get to know what it is though. hahaha

36 weeks

I have made it to 36 weeks. That means technically I have 4 weeks to go, but I'll be induced in twenty-three days!!!!!! 

An amazing and scary thought. :)

I had an OB appointment today, during which I learned that I have gained a whopping 31lbs total and, despite tons of contractions every day, I am not dilated at all. Oh, and my blood pressure is fine and Dandelion's heartbeat is great. That's it. I guess no news is good news. 

Although yet again, I was hoping they'd send me straight to the hospital. ;)

I set up my final three appointments today too. Next Wednesday, then the two Mondays after that. The end is near!!

In other news, which really isn't news at all, I'm tired and heartburn-y. Shocking, I know! ;)

I feel pretty huge, but I know I'm carrying really well again so I can't complain. And I've gained 20lbs less than I did (total) with Tyler, so I really can't complain!
I sleep in two positions: left and right. But on the right I start having trouble breathing after a while so it's mostly left. Fun fun fun!

We've chosen a name. Well, probably. LOL  We're so indecisive and I wouldn't be surprised if we change it yet again, but for the moment we have one picked out. Yay us! 

Cravings: Can't say that I'm craving anything at the moment, but I did just inhale some Chick-fil-a nuggets and Oreos, and it was amazing. I'll probably be eating that again soon. ;)

Growing growing growing! I think I'm getting bigger by the minute!

Tyler's Two Year Stats

Or should it be "Tyler's Two Year and One Week Stats"? 

He had an appointment with the pediatrician today. He was not a fan. ;)
Actually, my poor baby had a major meltdown... and not even over the finger prick! He lost it when they went to weigh him! He clung to me so hard that I actually could not pry him off myself. I don't know what he thought was going to happen- he only had to sit on a table and both Tory and myself were there holding him. Poor little guy. :(

Or should I say poor big guy. His measurements:

34.5lbs- 96th percentile
38in- off the charts. :)

As for other "stats", here are some of my lil' two year old's "things":

He loves Pooh and Lion King (which he calls "Hi-Key")

He can repeat just about any words now, and totally understands anything we say to him.

He sleeps with Stitch, Woody, "frogs" (rag quilt), and "blue" (soft blue blanket).

He still wakes up at least twice at night. :(

His favorite toys are his tool box(es), motorcycles, vacuum, and trains.

He's obsessed with batteries. 

His favorite food is "fries". He also loves pasta and fruit snacks. :)

He likes to pick out his own shirt in the morning... and he gets pretty upset whenever his frog shirt is dirty. 

He LOVES cooking. If anyone is in the kitchen, Tyler brings a chair over and climbs up to help... whether his help is wanted or not. ;)

If he wants to show someone something or if he needs/wants something, he says "hand" and grabs their hand and leads them to whatever it is. ♥

He talks to himself. Especially in his car seat.

And his latest (hysterical) thing... he calls his daddy "Tory". It's is so freaking funny and adorable! 

34 weeks

38 days left, at the most. (Unless I'm labor for a really long time... it could be 39 days. lol)

I had another OB appointment today, which was not as much of a joke as the last one. ;)  I'm still measuring right on track and Dandelion's heartbeat is sounding just as beautiful as ever. 
Dr. A did check my cervix, which happens to be waaaaaaaay in there. I remember that from giving birth to Tyler- when we first got to the hospital after my water broke, the nurse could not find my cervix. She ended up waiting for my doctor to get there to check me. lol
Anyway, no dilation yet. But Dandelion has dropped and is head down- both good things. 

Next appointment is in two weeks, then I go weekly. (I had the option to start weekly now, but I chose not to)

I am ready for Dandelion to be here. 

I can't complain about being pregnant because it really is what I wanted,  and there was a time I didn't know if I'd ever make it this far again. But if I could complain, I would. ;)  

It's been a rough few days, complete with contractions, lots of dizzy spells, almost blacking out quite a few times, and constant kicking/moving/trying to break out of my skin which, while incredibly amazing, is also extremely painful.

As for other physical stuff, I'm tired... so tired that I can wake up from a solid two hour afternoon nap and be ready for bed again less than an hour later. 

I'm also to the point where anything I eat or drink gives me severe heartburn. Anything. A single animal cracker. A sip of water. Chewing gum. Heck, even Tums give me heartburn sometimes! lol

Names... where do I start? We had one picked. We changed it. We changed it again. We kept discussing it. We changed back to the original. We came up with something else totally different. 

I think it's safe to say that Dandelion will not be named until she is born and we fill out the paperwork. ;)

Cravings: Peaches and Protein please. 

 Me + 27lbs

Week 29!

I am one more week closer to holding my baby girl!! 

The baby girl who is currently known as "Dandelion", thanks to her aunt Kels. I cannot explain exactly how that name came along, because that would give away her real name. Let's just say my sisters were guessing names, I said something that was kind of a clue, and Kelsey shouted out "Dandelion!!"... she was serious. It was pretty hilarious. (And no, it's not "close" to the real name. haha)

Now she is the size of a squash. All five of her senses are functioning (or will be in the next 3-4 weeks), - I do not want to know what she smells or tastes in there... lol- and she is settling into sleep and waking cycles... yea right! This kid is always awake and always kicking! haha

So that's the update for the next four weeks or so. :)   

I had my glucose test today, along with a regular OB appointment. Here's that update:

 Dandelion is measuring big- she should be about 2.5lbs, but is actually almost 3lbs.

My uterus is measuring at 31 weeks rather than 29 weeks.

She has a very healthy heartbeat.

No news from the glucose test yet.

My old induction date of August 3rd is no more. Dr. A. says she doesn't want me going past my due date at all, so they're going to set up a new induction date before that. She's hoping for July 22nd! I should get a letter in the next week or so with the new official date. Dr. A. says that she thinks I'll go into labor naturally 7-10 days before Dandelion is due!

 I have an ultrasound scheduled for May 17 which will show the exact location of the placenta. At this point the doctor says she will not schedule a C-section unless the placenta is literally covering my whole cervix, which is unlikely. She said there is a chance I'll go into labor and end up having a C-section, but she doesn't plan on scheduling one. I can honestly say I am not stressing about it at all. I know I have a baby in there, and I know they can get her out in 4 minutes if necessary. That's good enough for me. :)

This week I'm feeling pretty much the same as the last few weeks. It seems like the heartburn is getting worse, and if I recall correctly from last time, it only continues to get worse until literally the minute Baby is born. Lovely. ;)

Also, I'm constantly sore in the exact same spot on my right side as I was with Tyler. There is nothing that eases the discomfort there, same with him. I was hoping I'd skip that this time around!

Cravings:  Still BBQ ribs, french fries and ranch dressing, and apples. Could be worse.  

18 month check up at 21 months

Yea yea yea... we missed his 18 month check up. In my defense, Tyler's 18 month mark was a crazy hectic time for us. 

So I got a pediatrician recommendation from a friend, and off we went!

One of the kiddos' favorite things in the world: an elevator!

The rooms were pretty much awesome. The one we got was fire truck themed! (I hear they have a jungle room too.)

They had a fire truck examining table, which Tyler had a great time with. I think he thought we were at the playground again. hahaha

He weighs 31.4lbs, which puts him in the 90th percentile for weight.

He is 37 inches tall, which is off the charts. I know, shocking. ;)

He ended up only needing one shot. He cried for about half a second and then forgot about it. 

Oh yea... the best part was the lollipop. Which he said "pweee"  (please) for about a dozen times. lol

We have ourselves a very large and very healthy kiddo. I already knew that, but now it's official. ;)

15 Month Check-up

Tyler had his 15 month check-up today. He is a very healthy little... er... big boy.

He weighs 29.9lbs. (My back and arms already knew that.)

He's 33in long. Tall? That is not surprising considering his daddy's height.

He's in the 98th percentile based on his height, and his weight is right on track with that.

He got two shots today, and didn't cry even a little bit! He flinched once, and then he was fine. When I picked him up after them, he actually reached out for the nurse to hold him! I don't think that had ever happened to her before. She's usually the bad guy! ;)

All in all my big boy is a very healthy guy. ♥