May 15, 2011

Today's the day we finally get to go home.  We had to stay another day so that Inoke could get as much exposure to the bili lights as possible to get rid of his jaundice, and gave me another day to heal in the hospital.  He looks so teeny tiny!

I love this picture of Sione, such a proud dad! 

The first few days .....

The first few days were crazy of course.  I had the best nurses.  I delivered at Utah Valley and everyone there was awesome, even the food! They offer "room service" now which was super delicious believe it or not.  The nurses were gems, always polite, and accommodating.  It was very comforting knowing that the ladies taking care of me and Inoke were on top of their game and really knew their stuff.  Here are some photos of a few of our visitors.....

First Poop!!! Great job dad!!! 

On Friday the nurse had said Inoke's bilirubin levels were a little high so we needed to monitor him and retest him on Saturday morning.  Well Saturday morning he was retested and levels were too high so Inoke had to go under the bili lights.  It was sad to see him under the lights and that he had to be all alone for the whole day with the exception of me feeding him, however the nurses said he was the best baby under the lights, he just sprawled out and chilled under the warmth of the lights.  The nurses said most babies don't like laying like that for hours, but Inoke loved it.  

Cute little peanut

My mom was wonderful and was able to stay until about the end of the month to help out and give me a hand, it was sad to see her go! She is planning on coming back at the end of July to stay another month for Danny and Khealynn's new arrival... So excited for them too!! 

Grandma Kathy!! 

And the Journey Begins.....

On Wednesday May 11 2011 the day started out like any other, woke up got ready for the day and decided to do whatever we could to jump start the arrival of Inoke.  He was only 2 days late, but we thought hey what would it hurt to help him along a little bit.  I had been having contractions for the last 2 days, they were starting to get closer together on Wednesday they werel about 8 mins apart all day long.  We went walking around the mall, grocery store, and some other places.  We took a drive on an extremely obnoxious bumpy unpaved road around the airport.  Did a little you know what, wink wink ;) and for dinner we had some homemade spicy Curry chicken made by Sione.  In the evening we were enjoying a nice visit from our friends Matt and Julie Gillrie.  Julie had brought a cute lil hat, some great books and awesome Star Wars finger puppets for Inoke.  I was showing Matt and Julie the baby's room when I felt a trickle of fluid down my leg, now I thought perhaps it was pee because you know at this stage in pregnancy it happens. I went to the bathroom to check and couldn't really tell if it was pee or if my water had broke.  So I came out and continued my conversation with the Gillrie's.  Well that didn't last long, I felt another rush of fluid down my leg, I stopped mid sentence and said, "uh I think my water just broke" and with that the Gillrie's wished me luck gave me hugs and Sione, myself, my mom, and my dad prepared to go to the hospital!!!!

My dad was kind enough to capture some of the last moments of my pregnancy.

By about 830pm I was all checked in, changed into my gown and hooked up to the monitors.  On the initial check by the nurse I was dilated to 3+, contractions 5-6 mins apart, but she could still feel the sac intact which meant my water had not truly broken but had a tear in it somewhere causing a leak and Inoke, even though he was head down, was still way up and not "dropping" or "engaging", so the decision was made to start me on pitocin to intensify the contractions to encourage Inoke to drop.  Meanwhile much to my horror 2 nurses, 1 resident physician, and my physician Dr Savage decided they ALL needed to participate in checking my progress on several occasions throughout the evening.  I asked Sione if he was getting jealous of all the "action" I was getting ... gross ... 

I decided to get an epidural at about 1130 pm because of all the checks I was getting pretty uncomfortable and also with the pitocin not only were my contractions really intense, I didn't feel like there was a break in between them and that was pretty uncomfortable too. 

Throughout the evening they were monitoring my blood pressure which was totally unstable, it would go really high then dip really low during a contraction, and Inoke's heart rate would dip way down to about 50 beats per minute during a contraction then go way up to 150-160 beats per minute, poor little guy was not a fan of the pitocin.  By 0200am I was only dilated to a 4 and not progressing, my blood pressure would not stabilize and Inoke's heart rate was also very erratic. By 0215 Dr Savage made to decision to do an emergency C-section because Inoke and myself were in distress and he was not dropping down at all to try a vaginal birth.  

More anesthesia was given and by 0230 or so per my mom, I was wheeled out and headed to the OR, and badda bing badda boom, at 0252 on May 12th Inoke was born!!! I just cant believe how fast it all happened and how smooth it went.  Believe me it was way scary at the same time because of how fast they were working and talking, pretty overwhelming.  

When I heard his loud screech of a cry, which sounded like an owl or some sort of prehistoric dinosaur, tears just started rolling down my face and the wonderful anesthesiologist was kind enough to wipe them away for me since my whole body was basically numb and I couldn't lift my own arm to my face.  Sione went with the nurse to watch Inoke be cleaned up while they stitched me up.  Dr Savage told me that every time I had a contraction Inoke would drop down and his little head would push up against my pubic bone, but my birth canal was too small to let him drop all the way down, so the poor little peanut was born with a little gash on the top of his head from hitting the bone, and she said I would have to have C-Sections from here on out.  So sad ... 

What a crazy ride this was.  I finally got back to my room after recovery at about 0530 and they brought Inoke in to me and Sione.  My mom and dad, proud grandma and grandpa Harris were there to capture the moment! 

We are soooo soooo excited to finally have him here and start this great adventure.

Ready or Not

I guess we are ready! We've got the rocking chair and pack n play set up in the bedroom, Sione put the car seat in, and not sure if my stomache could grow any bigger, well probably could and will ;(, but it seems ready to pop too.

I have been having terrible lower back pain and burning (back labor?) and increased swelling in my hands, feet and some in my face, so I guess my body is just about ready. Somebody, I guess that somebody is me, needs to convince this kid that he will be so much more comfortable outside of my cramped belly and then he can perform his karate and gymnastics moves without any limitations!!!

Onto to week 39......

37 & 38 week appointments

Went to the doctor last thursday and today for my weekly appts. Last week I was measuring right on track, 1.5cm dilated and 60% effaced, Inoke is in the head down position... No weight gain and blood pressure 104/68, booyah!

Today at 38 weeks and 4 days, measuring on right track, my cervix is anterior and 75% effaced, 2cm dilated, blood pressure 117/72, still no extra weight gain but Dr Savage isn't worried about that, says at this point we are good. I was concerned about the jump in my blood pressure, she says blood pressure is probably higher due to the fact my body is working harder to get around and I've been experiencing more pain while walking around. Mostly sciatica pain, pinching nerves shooting pain down my legs... So that's fun. Dr Savage said to take it easy as much as possible and just relax this next week and half.

So from today I only have 11 days, woah. This is serious business. I am so excited and blessed to be able to experience the joys of motherhood. Right now I am experiencing the worst part of my whole pregnancy so far though, the waiting game of "if and when is my water going to break, how will I know if I'm having contractions, where will I be when it starts to happen, will I be alone, at work, will Sione be with me?" Ahhhh I'm losing mind trying to wrap it around the daunting fact I will be a mom within the next 2-3 weeks, or even tomorrow!

I'm also super duper nervous and scared out of my mind for labor. I'm afraid I'm just gonna want to give up in the middle of labor, or after a good 10-20hrs of pushing etc. want to throw in the towel and say "it's fine I'll keep him inside of me forever, that shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?".... Anyone have some good advice for me out there???

36 weeks!!!!!

Yowza I am 36 weeks already.  The time has really flown by.  I am really fortunate because I have felt really good throughout my whole pregnancy.  I've had the usual aches and pains, moans and groans but all in all I have been able to do pretty much everything without much limitations........ Until now. My tummy is huge, I keep bumping into things and starting to get the waddle, my ankles and toes are swelling up resembling little sausages.  I know I have complained before about my ever growing chest, which so far has not seemed to get any bigger, but the boob sweat is getting just unbearable! I know gross sorry ... but ladies I tell ya that has been the worst part about being pregnant for me .. I am constantly swabbing, wiping, dabbing, washing, ugh its just gross ... okay enough of that! 

At my appointment on wednesday, I am 1cm dialated, cervix is 50% effaced, uterus measuring at 36wks, blood pressure 104/76.  So right on track for him to come on his due date ... we will see what this little guy decides to do.

Here is a little pic of Inoke's space.  He doesn't technically have a "nursery" yet but we've got the guest room that has all of his goodies in it.  My sis in law Makenzie is kind enough to let us borrow her travel pack n play, so we will have him in our room for the first little bit

Washington Baby Shower

 

So I finally got a chance to get some photos together from Washington together. My mom, Aunt Sheila and Aunt Crissie put together this super cute tropical themed shower. We had so many wonderful friends and family show up. Everyone was so generous and kind with the great baby items we were given. Thank you everyone who showed up and helped make the party so fun and memorable!