Our Little Gift

Photos of Our Little Gift (side note: Aunt Gena Rocks!!!)

False Alarm

Just thought I'd share what an interesting Christmas Eve we had. Lee and I went to the doctor yesterday and they set up my induction for Monday at 4am. Then, we decided to head over to the mall and get Lee some new dress clothes. After a short visit with Mike and Tasha we finally got home. I was exhausted!!!! Around 7pm I started having contractions. Well, they begin to come closer and closer together. Around 11pm they were coming 3-7 minutes apart. Then, I thought (key word... thought) my water broke. So, Lee and I decided to go the hospital and let them check me out. They decided to hook me up to the monitor. Turns out my water didn't actually break. Oops! But, I was having legit contractions. They were were still coming 3-7 minutes apart (not consistent enough) but they were getting stronger and stronger. It was around 1am at this point. What happens next is just plain irritating!

They decided to send me home instead of letting me walk around or giving me more time. The nurse suggested I try to get some rest and that I could come back later if my contractions became real painful. Well, she asked if I wanted something to help ease the discomfort. I was led to believe I was getting something mild like a Tylenol PM. (which knocks me out usually) Little did I know she actually gave me a very strong sleeping pill. Which by the way, she made sure I took before we left. Let's just say by the time Lee pulled into our driveway, I couldn't even walk. I managed to get my pjs on before the real fun began. Apparently, I had a horrific reaction to the pill and I spent the next 20-25 minutes bent over the toliet, tossing up my cookies. By this time, Autumn decided she had enough fun for one night and my contractions began to ease off. Poor kid. If I hadn't taken the pill, she may have decided to come. The pill apparently slowed everything down. Which is probably what the nurse intended. I'm sure no doctor actually wanted to have to deliver a baby on Christmas morning.

Lee and I finally got in the bed and crashed! Meanwhile, poor Gen and Mom, had been on standby at home. Gen was so tired she fell asleep in her jeans. And, Mom despite the fact that she stayed up half the night worrying about me, still managed to serve us a fantastic Christmas meal today! My family is awesome!

Still Waiting...

Well, it seems that Autumn just isn't ready to enter this world yet. We thought that I would be induced this weekend. However, due to the fact that I had only dialated one centimeter last Thursday, they didn't want to risk it. They said there was a good chance the induction wouldn't work and I would have to have a C-section. No thanks! I will be happy to pass on that. So, I now have an induction date of Dec. 29th. I feel like the Grinch and poor Lee has suffered through some extreme emotional outbursts this past week. Hopefully, it is a sign that she is coming soon.

Lee is thinking Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. He has said this all along. I couldn't think of a more perfect Christmas gift! Tomorrow we will go back to the doctor. Hopefully, we will have some promising news. :0

Very Blessed!

Today has been a true blessing for me and my family! I went to the doctor today and they hooked me up to a monitor. I had to lay on my back hooked up to a machine that monitors Autumn's heartrate and movements. It also monitors me for contractions. Despite the fact that I layed there so long I had a catch in my back, everything looked extremely good. No contractions yet! Dr. Yarbrough informed me that I would start having bi-weekly visits and that I would have another ultrasound Thursday. She said I would probably be sick of seeing her very soon. However, I feel extremely blessed to have a doctor who cares enough to make sure my baby is safe. I know I wouldn't have to go as often, if it wasn't for the whole gestatoinal thing. But, I like knowing that I can listen to and see my baby more often.

The SPED team gave me a wonderful baby shower this afternoon Another great blessing to have such wonderful co-workers. We received lots of cute onesies, blankets, towels, etc. Gina made me a "diaper cake" and they hung a clothesline of bibs and socks across the room. Autumn is going to be a spoiled baby. Nana also bought her a birthstone braclet. Fancy!!! Lee and I can't wait to put all goodies to use. :)

Thoughts on Labor and Delivery at SGMC

So, Lee and I just came home from a 3 hour childbirth class at Southern OBGYN. Crazy thoughts are spinning through my head as a result, or it could be sheer exhaustion .... I've been up since 4:15 a.m. They showed a video clip of a lady giving birth. It totally grossed me out. I do not think I want to see what is going on when Autumn comes along. This brings me to my point..... The Labor and Delivery rooms at SGMC are very depressing. The one pillow they give you is as flat as a pancake. We will definetely be bringing pillows from home. I was also extrememly disappointed to see that they did not have a rocking chair in the room. I have heard that rocking can be a very good way to take your mind off of contractions. Needless to say, I am now more anxious than I was before. I'm sure that when I am actually in labor I won't care about the room or what is/isn't in it. However, I think I should have just skipped the tour.

Well, I'm off to get my insulin and crash!!! - I forgot to mention that the increased amounts of insulin really helped today. My blood sugar levels were actually pretty normal . :)

A Day at the Doctor's Office

Well, today was very interesting and exciting. I spent 3 hours at the Diabetic Clinic this morning. It appears that my body just isn't cooperating with the current insulin recommendations. So, they increased my dosage at night and added shots before breakfast, lunch and dinner. My first instinct is to beat myself up over this whole diabetic mess. However, I have been assured repeatedly that it has nothing to do with what I am eating. I have actually lost 2 lbs. in the past 1 1/2 weeks. On to better news....

We had our final ultasound this afternoon. It wasso exciting to see Autumn bouncing around in my tummy! She weighs approximately 3 lbs right now. I am so thankful she isn't getting too large. I was really concerned about this because is it common for babies who are born to gestational moms to be very large. She had her little hands up covering her face. I thought maybe she was just being bashful at first. Then, I remembered that Lee falls asleep with his hand over his face all the time. I teased him and said she was going to be just like her Daddy. We feel very blessed that she appears to be very healthy at this time. Please pray that everything continues to go well for us.

I start weekly visits next week and they have already sent over labor and delivery orders concerning my insulin, if in the event she comes a little early. The ladies at the Diabetic Clinic think she will come at least a week early. No comment from the doctor though. Hopefully, Mama will get her wish and Autumn will come before Christmas, so she can wear her cute Christmas dress. :)

Surving Gestational Diabetes :(

Yesterday marked the 30th week of my pregnancy with Autumn. We only have about 10 weeks to go!!! I am thankful, especially considering the struggles I have been going through. I was so upset when they told me I had gestational diabetes. I have been going to the Diabetic Clinic on a weekly basis. I have followed their recommended diets perfectly. However, my body just doesn't want to cooperate (especially in the mornings) I have been on insulin for 3 days now. Lee has been wonderful. He has been giving me my injections at night because I don't like to look at the needle. It doesn't really hurt. I just don't like to look at it. After, being extremely depressed about this for the past two weeks, I have realized that there is a reason for everything. I know that all of this will be worth it in the end when we get to see our sweet little girl. Until then, i just have to take it one day at a time.