Alexis' Birthday!

Alexis Campbell Hall was born on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 3:06pm!  She weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 22 inches long.  She was healthy and beautiful!

Getting ready to go to the hospital to be induced at 40 weeks, 3 days pregnant!

Whoa, baby!:)

I was 5 cm dilated with a bulging bag of water when I was admitted!

This is what Bry did most of the day...call and text our family members with updates!

Just hanging out waiting to push!

She's here!  Our big, healthy girl!

Mommy's first time holding Alexis

Daddy's first time holding Alexis

 

Our first family picture!:)

Here's how Lexi's birthday went:

On Tuesday, April 17th, we got up around 4:30 to get ready to head to the hospital for our induction.  As I was getting ready, I noticed a tightening feeling in the bottom of my stomach.  It felt like a mild menstrual cramp so I didn't really think much of it.  Honestly, I thought it was probably nerves.  Right before we left the house, we timed the length between these "feelings" and it was about 11 minutes.  We got in the car and started towards Parkview North.  As we were driving, we kept timing the feelings and by the time we got to the hospital, they were about 5 minutes apart.  We checked in around 6:15am and went to the labor and delivery room.  After I got changed, the nurse checked me and said that I was already 5 centimeters dilated and that my bag of water was bulging!  I was so excited, especially since I was not in any pain yet!  They hooked me up to monitors to record contractions and the baby's heartbeat.  The nurse said I was definitely having contractions.  They were uncomfortable, but not painful.  The nurse called Dr. Kennedy and was given the go ahead to break my water.  She said that things would probably get more intense quickly after they did that.  The nurse noted that there was some light meconium in the water.  We were a little concerned, but they said they would have NICU and respiratory therapy present at the delivery to check her out and be sure she was okay.  I progressed to about 6 centimeters and they offered me an epidural.  Honestly, I didn't need it at that point, but I was nervous that I would progress too quickly and not be able to get it at all!:)  The anesthesiologist came in around 9am and put my epidural in.  I was nervous about it, but it didn't really hurt either!  Bry held my hands while I got it and it felt like a pinch.  I could kinda feel the tube being put in my back, but it wasn't painful.  The epidural took effect pretty quickly and my legs quickly became like bricks!  All day, Bryan had to move them for me if I needed to turn over or anything.  It was a very wierd feeling!  I could feel it if I poked my legs, but I couldn't move them myself.  The nurses were watching my contractions and said that they wanted them to get more regular.  They started me on Pitocin.  Throughout the day, they were watching my blood pressure closely because of the epidural.  It kept dropping down and making me feel super tired and faint.  At one point, my blood pressure dropped to 80/43.  We watched Let's Make a Deal and Price is Right while we were waiting for me to continue to dilate.  Bryan did a lot of texting and calling with updates to our family throughout the day.  Around 1:30pm, the nurse came in and checked me and said that I was fully dilated!  She got the room set up for pushing and had me do a few practice pushes.  Lexi's head was not moving down the birth canal as she would have liked and she determined that she thought her face was toward the side instead of toward the floor.  She called Dr. Kennedy and had her come down.  Dr. Kennedy was able to use her hand (Daddy said her hand was in past her wrist!) to get Lexi's head to turn face down.  She left to go back to her office and she said that the next time she saw me we would be having a baby!  I pushed some more while she was gone.  The nurse offered me a mirror...I used it during one set of pushes, but I was too distracted by it to keep pushing as hard as I could!  I got to feel Lexi's head during one set of contractions.  Her poor little crown was very swollen so it felt like a water balloon!  After about 1 1/2 hours of pushing, Alexis Campbell Hall was born at 3:06pm!  Dr. Kennedy was a good catcher because she came out all at once!  They put her up on my belly and I saw the back of her wet, slimy body.  She didn't cry right away so they whisked her over to the incubator to get her checked.  Bryan went with her and said that they put a tube suction down her nose and throat and that made her cry!  After they stitched me up (I had a deep 2nd degree tear), they brought her over to me.  I was in love instantly.  She breastfed right away and did a great job!  Overall, her delivery was very pleasant.  I liked having the epidural because I was able to enjoy the experience!  Part of me wishes that I would have tried it without the epidural, but I don't know if I will be crazy next time or not!:) 

First Doctor's Appointment

On Monday, April 23rd, Alexis went to her first doctor's appointment with Dr. Landrigan at Pediatric Associates! This was her very first outing! She did great. She weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. and measured at 21 inches long. She was almost back to her birth weight at 6 days old. After Dr. Landrigan checked her out, Bryan was changing her diaper before we went home. She was crying pretty hard and ending up peeing like a fountain all over the place! We couldn't believe that a little girl could do that!:) We are very thankful for a healthy baby girl!

40 Weeks!!!

 

Today is our due date!  We are officially 40 weeks pregnant!  I went shopping today with Mom, Michele, and Kaitlyn hoping that a lot of walking would encourage her to come out.  No baby yet, but this will definitely be my last weekly post!:)

 

How Far Along: 40 Weeks

Size of baby: The average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds and is about 20 inches long!  We will find out the official stats soon!

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing mostly maternity clothes with a FEW regular things still mixed in.

Weight gain: 52 pounds

Belly Button: It depends on the moment! I think it depends on where she is laying. Sometimes it is in, sometimes it is out!:)

Movement: Yes! She has been particularly active in the evenings right after I eat supper. I am going to miss sitting with Bry and watching my belly move!

Sleep: I've been sleeping alright! 

Symptoms: Nothing much to complain about!  I still haven't really had any contractions.  I feel sharp pains in my pelvic region, like she's pushing down, every so often.  They are short and not painful, just uncomfortable a little bit.

Cravings: Nothing in particular this week! In fact, my appetite seems to be decreasing.

Best Moment This Week: Going to the doctor on Friday, finding out that I am now 3 cm dilated, and scheduling an induction for Tuesday, April 17th!  We will go to the hospital at 6:30am to get the ball rolling, if she doesn't come before then.  We are over the moon excited to meet our baby girl!

The Finished Nursery

We finally put the finishing touches on Lexi's nursery!  We have spent many hours getting it ready and we LOVE how it turned out!  I hope she enjoys it as much as we do. 

Here it is before:

 

 

 

And here it is after:

 

Erin Harlan came and painted the tree mural on the wall.  We love how it turned out and how it livens up the room!  The crib was a gift from Carlee, Kendra, Mandy, Rhonda, and Danielle.  The dresser came from Mom and Dad's house (actually from Grandma Robrock's house) and I painted it white.  Pat got the little rocking chair from a garage sale and I repainted it pink!

 

We decided to take the doors off of the closet so that it is easier to get in and out of it.  I am not a fan of bi-fold doors!  Her closet is chock-full of fun clothes, blankets, shoes, hats, and other baby accessories!  The darling owl that Peyt, Zay, and Lil made and the pink flowers are from our first baby shower.  I love them!

 

Bry installed the floating shelves and they are holding some of her special things.  The hair bow holder that Michele made is in the perfect spot!  The glider and ottoman are all ready for some rocking and snuggling. 

We had such a fun time planning and buying things for this nursery.  All it needs now is its precious little occupant!:)

What a Difference 9 Months Makes!

This was Michele and I when I was about 6 weeks pregnant and she was about 9 months pregnant...

 

...and this is us when I am 9 1/2 months pregnant and she is not pregnant and super skinny!:)

 

Makes me wonder what we will look like 9 months from now!  Ha!:)

To Our Sweet Baby Girl

 

Dear Baby Girl,

It is almost time for your arrival!  In some ways, I can't believe how quickly the last 10 months have flown by.  In other ways, I feel like I have been waiting forever to hold your sweet little self in my arms.  Your daddy and I prayed and prayed for you and we are so excited to be given the opportunity to be your parents!  If you ever doubt God's love for you, I want you to remember that it was by His grace and mercy alone that you were miraculously conceived.  If you ever doubt your daddy and I's love for you, I want you to remember that we loved you and prayed for you before you were even a reality.  Baby girl, you are so precious to us and we cannot wait for the joy that you will bring to our family.  You are already the light of our lives!  I love you, sweet Alexis!

Love,

Mommy:)

Another Sweet Shower!

Last weekend, Bry's old co-workers from Bluffton Regional had a nice shower for us!  We got together at the Willows of Coventry apartment clubhouse.  It was so nice!  Jim and Stacey picked up Chipotle carry-out for our meal and we had the most awesome giant cupcakes from Fresh Market.  

 

 

 

Alexis got spoiled with some more wonderful gifts and we got to enjoy time with friends that we don't get to see very often!:)

Easter 2012 Continued

Last Saturday, we went to Grandma's house for the Lund family Easter!  We had the traditional Easter egg hunt in Grandma's backyard.  It was a perfect day to play outside!

 

Sweet Peyton boy after he found his eggs!

Zaya digging into his candy!

Lily girl took a snoozer with Grandma during the hunt!

Alexis got her first Easter egg!  She got a dollar for her piggy bank!:)

39 Weeks!

 

On Easter Sunday, I was 39 weeks pregnant with our girl!

 

How Far Along: 39 Weeks

Size of baby: She weighs a little over 7 pounds and is about 20 inches long, about the size of a mini-watermelon...oh my!:)  At our doctor's appointment this week, Dr. Kennedy said that you were "not a tiny baby!"

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing mostly maternity clothes with a FEW regular things still mixed in. I have been putting most of my maternity clothes away (since they are mostly winter clothes) and I'm starting to pull out some of my regular spring clothes...I'm praying that something will fit after I give birth!;)

Weight gain: 50 pounds...I officially broke the mark, thanks to too many Easter dinners!:)

Belly Button: It depends on the moment!  I think it depends on where she is laying.  Sometimes it is in, sometimes it is out!:)

Movement: Yes!  She has been particularly active in the evenings right after I eat supper.  I am going to miss sitting with Bry and watching my belly move!

Sleep: I've been sleeping alright!  I have been more tired lately.  On Tuesday, I took two naps in the afternoon!:)  I go to the bathroom around midnight, between 3 and 4, and between 5 and 6 almost every night.

Symptoms: Impatience!;)  Really, I feel pretty good!  I'm just ready to hold my girl!

Cravings: Nothing in particular this week!  In fact, my appetite seems to be decreasing.

Best Moment This Week: Going to the doctor on Tuesday and finding out that I am now 2cm dilated and 50-60% effaced.  She is still very high up so we need her to drop down!  I go back on Friday to be checked again and we will probably be scheduling our induction date for next week!:)

Easter 2012

Here are some pictures from Bry's phone of Easter at Mom and Dad's house! The boys had lots of fun hunting eggs. It was chilly and very windy so Lily girl and I hung out in the house. Next year, the girls will be able to join in on the fun!:)

Maternity Leave Surprise

I have officially been on maternity leave since last Friday!  We are on spring break this week and I decided not to go back to work for one week before my due date.  I have been enjoying some time at home and I have lots of things on my to-do list before our sweet little lady arrives!  None of it is too important, though, so I am ready for her to come at any time!:)

On Friday, I was feeling a little sad about leaving my students.  I am obviously so excited about our baby arriving, but it just brings a lot of unknowns with it!  I know how to be a teacher and that's what I'm used to doing!:)  My sweet sister sent me some flowers at school and I was so surprised!

 

Then, after I got home, I got a REALLY BIG surprise!  She had left a note, a card, and a gift bag sitting on my kitchen counter.

 

 

What she wrote in the card made me sob like a baby!  She said that my house was clean, my laundry was done, my groceries were bought, my dinner was made, and there were new comfy clothes in the bag for me to put on before I went to put my feet up!  HOW SWEET IS THAT?!?!  Bryan and I had been joking all day about our hot date that we had planned to go to the grocery store that evening and she did it for us!  They all ended up coming over for supper that evening and we just hung out.  It was the absolutely perfect start to my maternity leave...it was way more than I could have even imagined!:)

38 Weeks!

 

On April Fool's Day, I was 38 weeks pregnant!  Only two more weeks until our due date...although I have a feeling that it could be after that when we meet our baby girl!:)

 

How Far Along: 38 Weeks

Size of baby: She weighs about 6.8 pounds and is about 19 1/2 inches long, about the size of a leek!

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing mostly maternity clothes with a FEW regular things still mixed in.  I am planning to live in my skinny jeans and sweatpants until this baby girl decides to arrive!:)

Weight gain: 48 pounds...holding steady here!  Maybe I won't break the 50 pound mark!  Ha!

Belly Button: It is about halfway in, halfway out!  If I make it to my due date or after, it might be all the way out.  It's one way that I can tell that she is definitely still growing!:)
Movement: Yes!!! She moves often throughout the day. On Sunday morning, I got up and didn't feel her move at all before church.  On the way to church, I started getting a tiny bit worried because "baby moving" was one of the 4 "b's" that Dr. Kennedy had told us to watch for in the coming weeks.  I pretty much didn't hear any of the sermon on Sunday because I was praying that she was okay and trying to get her to move.  Finally, at the end of the sermon, she gave me about 5 very swift kicks!  It was like she was telling me to leave her alone and she was fine!:)  I'm guessing she must have just been extra sleepy that day!

Sleep: I never thought that I would feel just 'eh' about going to sleep!  My hips are achy so it is hard to sleep well for any length of time.  I'd much rather be waking up to my sweet baby every couple of hours than to my sore body!:)  I go to the bathroom around midnight, between 3 and 4, and between 5 and 6 almost every night.

Symptoms: I'm still having quite a bit of swelling.  As of now, I am planning to leave my rings on.  I really hope that I don't swell more after delivery!  I'm hoping that I might go back to normal fairly soon after she's born so I can get it off myself.  If not, I'll have them cut off then, I suppose!  Otherwise, I feel great.  A lot of people have started asking me if I am miserable and just ready to get the baby out.  I can honestly say that I am not!  I am ready for her to come so that I can snuggle her and kiss her little face, but my body is holding up pretty well right now!

Cravings: Nothing in particular this week!

Best Moment This Week: Officially starting my maternity leave!  I have a long list of things that I would like to get done while I'm home before the baby, but none of it is super essential.  I'm ready to hold my baby girl!:)