Juliet's Nursery

It all started about eight months before James was born when I found an image online of a very whimsical tree that I just loved. The idea of using it as a centerpiece as a nursery image came to life. Even before I knew if I was having a boy or a girl, I knew I wanted to have this tree beside the crib. Around the rest of the room I wanted silhouettes of woodland animals, giving the room a very gender neutral and whimsical feeling. For the crib bedding I switched out James's green and blue for pink sheets and bumper. Nothing, other than the woodland animals, and the tree will give this room a 'theme'.

Before James came along, I started hunting for animal silhouettes to add to the room. I wanted friendly animals, nothing scary, but nothing cartoony either, and I wanted all the animals to be ones you might actually find in the woods. I wanted all the silhouettes to look real, but get the whimsical feeling from the colors I chose (gold,orange, red, blue). When we found out Juliet was a girl I decided to add one more animal: a raspberry colored fox.

Also, we switched out James's white shelves for pink, added a few blossoms to the tree, and a flower necktie to the hare. With a few gender specific accessories, James's "boy nursery" was ready for our little girl.

Do you spy the fox? She is the largest animal in the room.







At some point soon I will blog about James's big boy room. It is so cute, but I decided to sew my own curtains (what was I thinking?!) and have yet to even begin. Since I want to show the room finished, you'll have to wait. ;)

Juliet's Birth Day

As mentioned in the previous post, E and I arrived at the hospital around 9:30 pm. By 9:45 I was admitted, and by ten I asked E to get the camera out to document a few things. I was lying in bed having horrible painful contractions, however between contractions I was still able to tell E a few of the types of photos I wanted.



In labor and delivery they attach two monitors to your belly. One reads the contractions, the other reads the baby's heart beat. Time at the bottom reads 9:54. Less than an hour to go...
The pain I experienced between 10:00 and 10:50, when Juliet was born, is something I have never known. The contractions were horrific, I wanted to die. I begged the nurses and E to find the anesthesiologist. I was in so much pain. I walked, I cried out, I begged it to stop. I couldn't lie in the bed much after 10:00 and spent the next hour on my feet. When my water broke at 10:40 and E ran for the nurse (per instructions). She came in, told me to lie down, they were going to check my dilation. I said no, lying down was more pain than I could handle.

Once she coaxed me on the bed, found I was fully dialed and also found that Juliet's heart rate was dropping with each contraction, I was given an oxygen mask and told to push.

I begged them for drugs. But I pushed. Two pushes later I was granted this:
A perfect baby girl. Screaming her heart out. The contractions stopped and the pain was gone. I was in love, kissing my baby and glad the scariest part was behind me.
My doctor showed up (didn't make the birth, Juliet was too insistent to make an entrance into this world) to check me over and deliver the placenta. The placenta didn't budge. What? We waited, I pushed. Nothing. I was deliriously happy about my daughter and the fact that contractions and childbirth had passed when my doc said "I'm sorry, I've only had to manually remove one other placenta from a woman that didn't have an epidural, and it was horrible."

Horrible it was. Oh my god... so so so much pain. For some reason my body didn't want to give it up, and after all I'd been through, after a med free childbirth, I had to do this. And it was just as painful, if not more.

Once it was removed the nurse had to push on my abdomen, to help stop the bleeding. I screamed. I begged for her to stop. Finally, finally, after twenty minutes of her pushing and be crying in pain, it was over.

The pain was gone almost instantly, and I was wheeled into recovery with a perfect healthy baby. E was really shaken, but a few hours rest and a baby that loved to snuggle, all was well.

My life is perfect

More to come. I'm home, recovering tons easier than I was with James's delivery, and off to snuggle a newborn.

More photos and the end of my crazy birth story soon. Seriously, it got crazier...

Juliet Clara is born

As I mentioned in the previous post I began having contractions Tuesday night. They continued through the day Wednesday picking up steam at 6:00 pm. At 8:00 pm I told E to call his mom, that we were headed to the hospital. By 9:30 we were admitted and I was told that the anethesiologist was in with a c-section. I waited. And labored. I begged my nurse to get him. At 10:40 I was told I was fully dialated, Baby Girl's pulse was dropping with each contraction and it was time to push.

I begged for drugs.

They told me to push.

Two pushes later (and the worst pain I have ever in my life experienced) Juliet Clara came screaming into this world.

Tiny and pink and perfect.

It got crazier (if possible) but I'm off to snuggle my newborn and get some rest. Happy birthday dear baby girl.

Juliet Clara
2/8/12
6 lbs 12 oz.
19 inches
Born at 10:50 ( only an hour after I was admitted)

Overdue. 6 days (and counting)

No baby yet.

I kinda knew I wouldn't have a baby yet.

Since the beginning of this pregnancy, when I measured 8 days slow (setting my due date at February 10th), I figured I wouldn't have my baby until the tenth, or pretty close to the tenth, even though my "official" due date was 6 days ago.

Am I feeling anxious? Sure. But really not that much. The first time around all I wanted was to go into labor. This time? Not so much. I am completely happy to be induced on Friday, if I have any choice in the matter.

I am soaking up all these last moments with James. I love it. It's just us, we've been to parks, the book store, some friend's houses, and I am so enjoying the time with just him. I feel like at any moment this time, with him and only him, will be finished. I don't want to feel like it was hurried or rushed or wished away. Far from it, I am so so so going to miss this.

That said? I've started having contractions! Not anything strong, or close, or regular, but most definitely there. They started last night, mostly stopped while I slept (thank goodness) and I've had a few more this morning. We will see.. I went into labor naturally the day before James was induced, so I'm wondering if it will be the same this time around. Very exciting to say the least.

And doesn't this post remind you so much of this one? Yea, me too.

Send me good pregnancy vibes, and before you know it, I'll be posting photos of Baby Dos!

xoxo

Pregnancy quiz: 39 weeks

How far along: 39 weeks. Or 40+ weeks depending on which due date you are looking at! Awesome!

Sleep: Better. I asked my doctor if I could take Tylenol PM at its full dosage every night. She said yes and that it was perfectly safe. This has made this week's sleep much much improved.

Weight Gain/Loss: I'm up 23 lbs since the beginning of the pregnancy. On the small side, but still on target.

Belly button in or out: Out. As you saw in the photos below. Bellybuttons that have popped look kinda weird.

Movement: At 9:30 each night Baby Girl has a dance party. One night this week she didn't have her dance party and come to think of it, I hadn't felt a lot of moment that day at all. I freaked and started trying to wake her up. I lied in bed for over an hour and finally felt a few wiggles. The next day she was back to her active self, so I wasn't too worried, but for awhile, I thought I'd have to high-tail it to the hospital. (But James's movement slowed at the end too, so I wasn't too worried).

Size of Baby: 20" and about 7 lbs. We'll know the final height and weight soon!

Pregnancy Symptoms: Everything. I can't take baths anymore because the hot water doesn't "sit" well. My tummy feels heavy and tight, and dare I forget to take my heartburn meds, my stomach is on fire. My feet are still mostly unswollen, as are my hands and face. Yea!

Labor Signs: A couple of stronger braxton hicks contractions, 2 cm dilated, and 50% effaced. But nothing other than that.

Food Cravings: FRUIT FRUIT FRUIT. This entire pregnancy has been all about fruit. One night I woke up at 3:00 am and needed OJ. Good thing we had some, because after I drank a huge glass I was easily able to go back to sleep.

What I miss: Not feeling totally and completely wiped out all the time. I stay semi active with James when he's awake (who am I kidding, he's two years old, I stay very active) but by the time he's down for a nap or in bed I hardly have enough energy even to eat (today I ate lunch with my eyes closed). No energy for blogging, finishing Baby Girl's room, digging out the car seat, or even packing a hospital bag. I should do that soon...

What I am looking forward to: I WILL BE HOLDING MY BABY DAUGHTER IN UNDER A WEEK!!!!!

Weekly Wisdom: I am wise. And awesome. I can do this two kiddo thing. Even when I think I can't, I can. :)

Best moment this week: Naps nearly every day.

Milestones: I reached my official due date. Hello! I rock!

Per my goal on taking more day to day photos, I grabbed my camera the other morning and took the photo above of early morning bed snuggles and this one below, of James reading his Year 2 book. It's his favorite and he sees things from earlier in the year like the tram ride or the forest in Oregon and he says "go go go please!". I agree little man, soon.

Today is my (official) due date!

Isn't it crazy that I have two due dates? February second (today!!!) is my official due date. However, I've had three ultrasounds, each showing that Baby Girl is growing eight days slow, so in my mind, my due date is, in fact, February 10th.

I had my 40 week doctors appointment yesterday and we discussed the possibility of needing to be induced. I decided if I wasn't in labor naturally by the tenth, then the tenth it is! I wasn't induced with James, but as you remember, being six days overdue, I was pretty close to that.

My feeling is that I'll have this baby late next week. No real science to it, just a feeling (plus, if she doesn't come on her own, we will induce, my oh my!). That said, I really could have this baby at anytime. And that is scary and exciting!

The realization that I'm going to a Mama of two is really the only thing on my mind as of late. I've been bouncing back and forth from extremely excited to really really nervous. I know I can do this though. There will be hard moments (sometimes terrible moments) but I know this Baby Girl is going to be the best most wonderful gift our family of three has ever had. We'll be a family of four soon.

Some things I'm looking forward to:

• A baby girl. Oh my, so excited to have a daughter and a son.
• To share her name here. It is beautiful and perfect and wonderful. If you know our name choice, please make sure to keep quiet until I've announced it.
• Holding her. Smelling her. Loving her. Telling her that I simply adore her.
• Seeing E do all these things with his new daughter.
• Nursing. Nursing is something I was really unsure about the first time around, but it is amazing. Snuggly, and comforting, and awesome.
• Seeing James with his sister (this is also something that is giving me the most anxiety! My boy doesn't want Mama's eyes anywhere other than on himself!)
• Being able to someday (soonish) fit into normal clothes. My maternity stuff if feeling worn-out and tired.
• Valentine's Day. E and I will celebrate 13 years together.

And aren't these tummy photos a total crack up? James was quite happy to show off his tummy to the camera on Sunday. Love that kiddo.
PS - No, I'm not up at 1:30 am, just was excited to post that it was my due date, so wrote this entry yesterday.

A few thoughts {9 months pregnant}

Writing a well thought out post this weekend is beyond what I am capable of. Seems odd to say, but we've had a very trying week. On Friday I posted my Facebook status as "This day just keeps going from bad to worse, almost comically so. Let's hope it turns around.."

Then yesterday hit. Yesterday was horrible. My little sick kiddo was still feeling under the weather (he's now on meds for a sinus infection), but he was also being horribly horribly naughty. Timeout after timeout after timeout. Oh poor little fella.

And me? I wanted to give myself a hug. I was a mess. I'm sick with James's nasty cold, crying over nothing, and just about at the end of my rope. Being nine months pregnant, with a sick and angry toddler, I was having a hard time seeing the joy. And that is not me.

But after a good nights rest (first night in what feels like weeks!), I awoke to a happy little boy and a fresh perspective. E and James made pancake-cakes for breakfast, James and I took a hot bath (a daily ritual), and we enjoyed unpacking things for Baby Girl's room.

The sun shone, and although James spilled an entire cup of water into his lap as soon as we sat down for breakfast, he was not feeling mean and angry like yesterday. No, today he's happy and wonderful and back to his old self.
Baby Girl's room has been so much work. But the crib is set up (only took an hour!), the dresser is done (took close to two weeks!), and although there is still a lot of tidying to do, I am in love with the results. Remember James's whimsical tree above his crib? I added a few cherry blossoms to help make it feel a little more girly. I adore the result.
The mobile my mom and I made (took us 6 months!) has been hanging in the same spot since James's birth. I LOVE it. Each thread holds a month of the year, resulting in 12 strings. My February baby girl is going to love her month, red and pink and white and full of everything associated with love. (Remember all of the seasonal fairies that my mom and I spent months on? Here are here are two links. And here is more of what February holds.)
Little bookends for a little girl.
I've collected Angelina Ballerina books since I was a girl. When Pleasant Company came out with Angelina toys I added them to my collection. I was in my early 20s, and remember thinking that I'd like to display these mice in my baby girl's room one day. Ten years later and the day has arrived.
More photos of the completed nursery to come. It is so so cute. Not much change from when James was sleeping in there, but adorable nonetheless.

Pregnancy quiz: 38 weeks

How far along: 38 weeks. Or 39 depending on which due date you are looking at.

Sleep: Horrible. One night was comically bad. James started the week with a horrible cold and on Tuesday night was up once an hour crying (reminds me of what newborns are like...). The same night I fell asleep crying due to frustration with the Ikea dresser (hello pregnancy hormones!), and it went on and on. Such a bad night. Other nights have sucked as well. Now that I have James's cold, one night I was up with a horrible sore throat, and last night I was up nearly all night because I couldn't breathe through my nose, and mouth breathing keeps me awake. Ugg... Plus, there is a lot on my mind these days. I'm not feeling very well rested to say the least.

Weight Gain/Loss: Up one pound since last week. Go me!

Belly button in or out: Out. :)

Movement: This little girl of mine keeps me company all night long. She is a night owl to the extreme. I'm a little worried.

Size of Baby: 19.5" and 6.5 lbs or so.

Pregnancy Symptoms: Everything. I've felt weepy this week (which is not me at all), I've felt exhausted. Everything hurts. I'm too far along in this pregnancy to carry James for more than just a few steps (and forget getting him in and out of his carseat...). Pelvic pressure is back with a vengeance, as is sciatic nerve pain. Plus, I have a full blown cold. I'm a real treat this week. ;)

Labor Signs: Nada. A couple of braxton hicks contractions, but nothing other than that.

Food Cravings: I have less of an appetite these days due to being sick and also hardly any room in my tummy for anything other than baby. James has hardly eaten this week either. Breaks my heart. Poor little dude.

What I miss: Ibuprofin. Like a lot. I forget how nice it is to pop a few when my throat is on fire or when my entire back is aching. Excited to have the chance again soon. Tylenol is just not cutting it.

What else I miss? Sleep. I don't think I've slept longer than three hours in a row for weeks. I'm up a lot at night. I guess this is my body's way of getting me ready for Baby Girl.

What I am looking forward to: Finishing the nursery (there is still a lot to do!), and meeting my daughter. Oh my oh my I'm excited for that!

Weekly Wisdom: Things could be worse. Keep that in mind. James and I are sick and yucky, but its only a cold and sinus infection. Thank goodness for that, by next week we'll be feeling 100%.

Best moment this week: My baby shower last Saturday and a full spa day on Sunday. Oh my word... best weekend ever!

Milestones: 38 weeks. My "official" due date is less than a week away! (Next Thursday, gulp!)

Above: my poor sick kiddo. I have such sympathy for him. Some days are better than others, and we've left the house, but today he is back to feeling yucky.

And below, my tummy. It's been a long time since I've been able to look down and see my toes. The flash cards? Doesn't matter how many times I clean them up, the throws them all over the floor again minutes later.
Huge tummy. Messy living room. Such is life. And here is what I looked like when I was 38 weeks with James. I think I'm about the same size.

Little Red Riding Hood Baby Shower

When my sweet childhood friend offered to host a baby shower for me, I was unsure. I had a baby shower for James only two years ago, but she persisted. "You'll need baby girl things, and I want to host, and we could have the theme be Little Red Riding Hood."

The thought of letting Jessica host a shower for me was not only a major treat (her home is beautiful and she has a serious talent for throwing amazing parties), it was something that was so beyond generous. Sisters and best friends host showers. Jessica is my new best friend, not only because we get along amazingly, but because seriously, we've been friends since we were third graders. It was meant to be.
First order of business for any Little Red Riding Hood party? Wolfy dressed as Grandma, of course. So so funny and cute. Jessica is so creative.
Also, this woodland themed centerpiece for the brunch table? AMAZING! Oh my word! It is so darling, so sweet. I'm in love.
Favors for all the guests with homemade tags out of fabric and felt. No detail was forgotten.
Old storybook Little Red Riding Hood banner. The banner was about 20 flags long and "told" the entire story of Little Red Riding Hood.
The guest list was kept small, mostly family and a few new Mama friends I've made in the last two years.
Although my Grandma has a really hard time moving around much, she was able to attend my shower, mostly thanks to my amazing Aunt Laura. So happy she was there.
Jessica's kitchen is so open and beautiful, perfect for hosting parties.
In addition to the beautiful decorations, hosting, and games Jessica put on a full brunch for the guests. No easy feat when you work full time AND have a toddler. I'm telling you, this woman is amazing.
Everyone serving up their meal. Everything was so delicious. I felt so spoiled.
Jessica's living room is where we spent most of the time. Notice the Red Riding Hood banner on the window?
We talked, ate, played games, enjoyed the fact that there were no toddlers allowed at the party. I loved this detail, it was so fun to just enjoy being an adult without keeping a constant eye on the kiddo.
I think everyone had such a good time. I know I did.
The present pile was huge. Oh my word. So much pink. Baby girls are so fun!
I got an amazing array of gifts, some of my favorites being the homemade items. This baby blanket? Beyond adorable.
Jessica also sewed a Little Red Riding Hood doll for Baby Girl (as if she hadn't done enough!). I love her so much, my gosh, so sweet.
Some of my Mama friends. Julia, me, Sedra and Ashley.
What an amazing day. I seriously had such a fun time visiting, eating and opening darling presents for Baby Girl. I'm one spoiled lady, and damn I'm thankful.