HARLOW GRACE

     Welcome to the birth story post.
     Wednesday, June 24th, 2015 at 1:09pm, we welcomed Harlow Grace into the world: 20 inches long, 8lbs 1oz, and a whole head of hair.

     Sunday night, we go to Labour and Delivery because I'm feeling weird and contractions every 4-10 mins. I was told not to chance it, so we went early. I was 5cm dilated and told to walk around for an hour. No change, so sent home.
     Monday, I had a stretch & sweep. I guess it got everything going.
     Tuesday, cramping and pain. Went to Labour and Delivery again. Sent home again as there was no change.
     Wednesday, up all night with contractions. Around 3am, we went because I was about 5 mins apart. They check and I am 6cm dilated. I get to stay and wait it out. It was a busy day.
No change after hours of waiting, except my contractions have stopped.
Around 11am, they break my water.
Harlow arrived around 1:09pm.
Believe me when I say that I prefer butt babies over head babies.
     We had to wait in our birthing room until almost 6pm for them to find us a room. It was so busy that I got a semi-private room for free.

     Everything is perfect about her, even if we have to keep an eye on her for jaundice & she has a bad lip tie (that we're getting fixed).

What's been going on..

     This Thursday, I am 39 weeks.
I am currently blogging from the bath tub due to contractions.
     Contractions started Sunday at 9:30am and went until about 7pm. We went to Labour and Delivery where we found out I was already 5cm dilated. They wanted us to stay and walk around for 2 hours. No change. We were sent home. Contractions were not as intense..until bed time. They started and went on all night: 40seconds long, intervals of 10 mins.
     Monday, I had a doctor's appointment and had a sweep done. Thankfully, my mom came over and put Kaelynn down for a nap, while I napped. I started to lose some plug around dinner time.           
Contractions all night long again.
     Kaelynn went to her great aunts house.for the morning/afternoon. Daddy and I went to Labour and Delivery again.
Everything was still the same.

     Everything is still the same. Contractions every 10 mins that last 40 seconds or longer.
   

34 weeks

    Yesterday, I hit the 34 week mark. It was also a doctor appointment day.
     I've gained about 30 pounds (sad), even if they said my weight looks good. There was glucose in my urine sample. When poked, I was a 4.2 which is normal.

     After my appointment, when I got home, everything seemed to have gone down hill.
      Walking got hard and painful. There was lots of pressure around my hips and pelvis. When I'd walk, I'd feel a shooting pain from my right heel all the way up to my pelvis. I had to crawl up the stairs to change clothes/take a bath. A warm bath and sleep didn't help anything. Even rolling over in my sleep hurt, I had to wake up first. It even hurts to sit, there's a lot of pressure.
     When she makes waves, I feel nauseated.
     I don't remember this with Kaelynn.
     Today is a take it easy day...toddler allowing.

Belated update

    It's been busy around here with a toddler and the nice weather.
   The pictures are updated from weeks 24 to 31 (today). Time is moving too fast. Approximately 9 weeks left.
I am feeling more pregnant now, as I get bigger. Everything is more awkward. I've been told that you feel things more the more kids you have.

     There seems to still be so much to do. The crib needs to be put up, but takes up less space by the wall. Diapers have been purchased. I bought a  one size bundle, so Kaelynn gets new diapers too (I admit, I bought doubles so they can have matching bums). I need to wash clothes, but I also need a new, clean tote to put them all in.

     Last weekend, Jake helped me with the belly cast. Kaelynn's was done at 38 weeks and she was born at 39 weeks. We figured it was better early than too late.

Easter 2015

     This past weekend (ok, today is Sunday), was Easter Weekend.

     FRIDAY:
      We had no plans at all. Daddy had the day off and we stuck around home. We went outside to slide and draw with chalk. It was a relaxing day.
     SATURDAY:
     Yesterday morning, we went to a petting zoo at a local toy store. Kaelynn saw rabbits, chicks, kids and lambs. She was loving the baby goats.
    That afternoon we came home to have lunch and nap. We then drove to the great grandparents house. There was bubble playing, a mini egg hunt, dinner and cake. Kaelynn ate A LOT of dinner, loved her icing on the cake. Then, she worked off her energy with.her cousin by playing horse.
     SUNDAY:
     Today, we've relaxed again. Movies, playing, a long nap while I drew on diaper shirts, tea party (where she abandoned me).

Ask and ye shall receive

     It's snack time and we are watching Aladdin and munching on popcorn. Kaelynn asked to watch "Abu" after bringing down her Aladdin story book. She asked so clearly and nicely, that she got what she wanted. When she asks for what she wants, and it's clear enough, she usually gets it. However, she did ask to eat her chocolate bunny for breakfast - she did not get that.
     Saturday, we were working with her word cards and Daddy said I was the only one to understand her. It's frustrating because it's partially true. You just need to stop and think.

      Along with the words, comes potty frustrations. She's very good about asking to "peepoop" when she wakes up. Yesterday on the bus home, she was losing her mind crying because she was asking to go to the bathroom. We got home, rushed upstairs and she went. Two stickers for her. Same thing this morning, only no crying. Two more potty stickers.

      Everyday has it's small challenges but they bring great rewards.

Almost 27 week doctor appointment

     This Doctors visit was the last of the every 4 week appointments. Hello 3 weeks for the next one (doctor is away), and then to every 2 weeks. That's going to wreck havoc on my traveling, as we can no longer walk there.

     I have no gestational diabetes, blood work is good. Everything is good.
I asked about how much weight I've gained, about 20lbs. They think it's mainly water weight since I'm not really that large.

     The doctor was trying to find her head and couldn't figure out where was where. Then she tried to find the heart beat, nope. She asked me where I last felt a kick. Unsure, I pointed to lower right side. She found the heart beat (138) right away. She guessed that Baby Beard was sleeping in a ball.  Mother's intuition is correct sometimes.