Milo's Birth Story

 Can you believe he is 8 days old? I can't. It blows my mind to think that one week ago we were in the hospital.  This week has gone by kinda slowly, but last weekend seems like ages ago.

Let me start at the beginning.

After I went past my due date, my midwife and I agreed that we were going to just wait for my body to go into labor on its own as long as everything looked healthy with me and the baby.  The biggest concern about going past your due date is the possiblity of your placenta not functioning properly. So, on Friday May 13 they had me go in for a stress test.

Meanwhile all week we had been doing everything possible to get labor started. We were going on multiple walks a day. Poor Olive would got tired of walks.
At my stress test they monitored his heart beat for 20 minutes. He looked strong and healthy. They were impressed with how much movement he had. I was not surprised because I 've been feeling it for the last 4 months. They also monitored me to see if I was having any contractions. The line was completely flat for 20 minutes. Not one contraction.

They also measured my amnitoic fluid. They want the measurement to come out at a 10 or higher. With a 5 or lower they must take you straight to labor and delivery.  I measured at a 6. So they tried it again. Still got a 6. That means, this boy must be born soon.

 

Right after my test I saw my midwife. We agreed that we couldn't wait any longer and would have to be induced the next morning. I was devistated. I sobbed on the way home. I felt like I had worked and waited for so long and now it was out of my hands. I felt like I was giving up on what I wanted. I was scared to be induced. 

So I walked and walked. We did everything, seriously everything, we knew to do to get labor going that night on our own. I was ready to try castor oil, ANYTHING to go into labor that night. (Scott said no to the castor oil though. He didn't want me to be sick all labor if it did work.)  But to no avail. So we went to bed and prepared to go to the hospital the next morning.

 I woke up and called in. They wanted us there in a half hour. It takes a half hour to get to our hospital. So we rushed like crazy, got Olive up and dressed. Dropped her off and went to the hospital. I was a little down trodden as we drove there. But, Scott kept telling me "Milo is coming today. No matter what he will be here today!" That was exciting and lifted my spirits. But, how was he going to get here?

After we checked in and did all the paper work they hooked me up to the monitors. Milo was strong and healthy just like before. This time though, the nurse asked "Did you feel that contraction? You just had a contraction" I hadn't felt anything. I was just praying that they really were starting.
When my midwife arrived she checked me. I was dialted to 2-3 and 80% effaced. Same as the day before. We agreed that we would break my water to induce and see how things went from there. I really didn't want my water broken because I knew it brings on more intense contractions faster. I wanted to labor with my water intact but that wasn't going to happen.
So, she broke my water. But no water came out. So she broke it again. Nothing. What a mystery. Maybe his head was plugging the water. Maybe the hook wasn't strong enough. So we tried another pokey thing to break it. No water. My midwife was so perplexed.
We decided to start walking to see if contractions would start on their own. I almost jumped for joy because after about 2 minutes of walking they started to come pretty regularly. After about 15 minutes of walking I couldn't walk "through" them any more. They needed all my attention. I wanted to go back to the room. I was going into labor! All on my own. I could have cried but I was too focused on the contractions.
Once in the room they wanted to put the monitors on again. I had to lay in the bed, they said only for 20 minutes but they lied.  It was agonizing to just lay there. I couldn't relax. Every minute slowly ticked by. 20 minutes came and went. I couldn't do this anymore. I had Scott go find the nurse and I got up on the ball. That helped. Scott would push on my back and that helped. I was really having to focus now. Each surge was stronger and stronger. I had to figure something out because this wasn't working. I couldn't stay on top of the contractions. They were overwhelming me.
Luckily my midwife suggested I get in the tub. I was now at 5 cm. Half way there, except I still had 5 more cm to go. That felt daunting.
She ran the water. Oh, the tub. It was amazing. The hot water was so soothing. The jets helped my back. I could just float and focus on the contractions. It was wonderful. I closed my eyes and breathed through each contraction. I couldn't do the hypno breathing. I just had to do what worked for me. I would have stayed in that tub the entire time.

 

But no. They wanted me back on the monitors so I had to get out of my beloved tub. They checked me again and I was an 8! Yay! Now I was sitting in the bed. The contractions were very regular, although they didn't last a very long time. Scott said 30 seconds. I was aware but unaware of everything that was happening. I kept asking, "How much longer?" I can't do this! 

After a few minutes they started getting out the delivery carts. Scott said, "Look they are getting things ready. It can't be long now." How much longer? I can't do this! I felt like I had to moan though the contractions. I was trying to breath the baby down but mostly I felt like I was just groaning. I kept telling myself, "Relax, relax" so that he could move down but it was had to relax. At every contraction Scott would push on my knees. That helped. He kept reassuring me "You can do this. You are almost done! Milo is going to be here!" My midwife kept telling me I was doing a great job. It's almost over.

Then, I felt like I was going to pee. My midwife said, "That's a good sign. He is moving lower. If you pee you pee." But I couldn't just pee everywhere. So they let me get up to go to the bathroom. My midwife said "DO NOT push while you are in there!" But a contraction came and I had to moan with it. She rushed in and said "Back to the bed!" We went back to the bed and my midwife said "With your next contraction you are going to push!" 

I am not sure how long I pushed. Scott said about 10 minutes. I was in my own world. I couldn't think about anything else. And I was pushing. Pushing made the contractions better. And then he was out and it was over. Milo was born at 2:42 after starting labor around 11am.

He came out screaming with arms and legs splayed. He was here.

So, it was an incredible experience. It almost seems surreal now. Even the moment he came out it seemed surreal that it had all happened. I feel so blessed and watched over that it worked out the way we wanted against the odds.

And here is what we learned-
-We think my water must have broken on it's own on Friday while in the shower or something because no water ever came out.
-Contractions are not what I expected them to be. They were more intense, but not my whole stomach tightening like I thought.
-The "post" sewing and such was worse than labor. That sucked.
-Scott is amazing. He was so supportive and helpful. I felt so loved and empowered with him by my side. We made a pretty good team.  He was just wonderful!
-Although it all seems like a blur, I do remember how I felt. I felt happy, content, and in high spirits. Scott said I even smiled and joked inbetween contractions.  He said I was calm and in control. I felt that way.
-I didn't have that uncontrolable pushing where your body takes over. It was burning and firey but it only lasted a few minutes. I also didn't have that huge rush or surge of emotions. I felt peaceful.
-Anyone really can do this.

Introducing.....

Milo Scott Patterson

 Born Saturday May 14 at 2:42 pm
Weight: 8.7 lbs
Length: 20 in

We are so glad our sweet boy is here! Isn't he stinkin' cute? We are definitely in love.

Yard Work

As I mentioned in my last post, last week we did some major yard work. When I say we, I mean Scott. I was more of the project manager and Scott was the muscle. We rented this big green waste dumpster so he was very motivated to get it all done. 

 Mostly we had some huge bushes that I wanted torn out. Scott was not so sure about it but I told him to trust me. I hated these bushes. I felt like they looked so grandma-ish, which was fine when a nice old grandma lived here but I wanted something more our taste.

 All together it was 7 bushes that made up this hedge. Let me tell you it was a lot of work. Poor Scott.

 But, he is tough and manly and did a fabulous job.

 

Here is the front all hedge free. I already love it! Doesn't it look better? Scott doesn't love it like I do but he appreciates that it was the way to go. I can't wait to get some landscaping in but we are waiting until after Milo is here.

 

 Our back yard also had a hedge that was cutting our yard in half. It drove me crazy that if Olive went to play over there I couldn't see her, so I decided this hedge must go also.

 Here it is all gone. Doesn't it look so much more open and bigger too? We knew as soon as he took it out that it was the right choice.

 Our eventual plan is to expand our patio a bit and hopefully get a fire pit. Won't that be awesome? See I told you that we made a ton more projects for ourselves. Landscaping and now a patio extension, not to mention the garden boxes we are putting in. But, I am so happy with how things have turned out.

So, when are you coming over to hang in our backyard and enjoy our hard work?

Past Due

Well,  I was hoping to do a different post today. But, things don't always go according to plan.
So here is a baby update instead....

I am officially "post dates" as they said at my appointment this morning. Post dates!  40.2 days is what they called it when making my next appointment (yes I  had to make another appointment).  I guess there are a lot of ways of saying...this baby is not here yet.  And I wish I had something more exciting to post like I've been having contractions or false labor or anything really. But, I don't.
My official due date was May 7th. That doesn't really mean anything since, as they called it in our class, it is a birth month. All day Saturday I kept thinking...."Was that something? Did I have a contraction?"
I was really hoping for a Mother's Day baby. I thought that would be so fun. But it came and went and no baby. So has everything. It has come and gone and we are still just waiting.

We do have a 2 week plan set out after meeting with my midwife, which makes me feel better. To be honest, I am not nearly as miserable as I was at 38 weeks. I don't know what has changed. Scott gave me a blessing so I'm sure that has helped.
I feel more...peaceful now. A few weeks ago all I cared about was getting this baby out. Now I care more about how it all happens. I want to ensure that I have the birth I want. If that means waiting and waiting, then I guess I am willing to do that. I'm just not like everyone else who has gone early.
There really isn't a rush.  Plus, with all this extra time and no plans we have been able to get a ton of things done before the baby comes. Last week Scott did a whole yard overhaul, (which also means we now have more yard projects to get done), our house is spotless, I've been knitting like crazy because that is easy to sit and do in the afternoons when my energy is gone. See, it's a good thing Milo isn't here yet.
But, we do really want to meet him.

Knit Baby Hats

I have three cousins that are having (or have had) babies this year. So I wanted to make them all something for their new little ones.

One family, I didn't know the sex yet so they got this sweet little yellow hat.  It is for when they are really little. Little things just seem so precious.

 Next was for a boy, he was born in December so I made it in hopes it will fit next winter.

 Then the girl. I love this bonnet.  I think I love it so much because of how vintage feeling it is.

 Here is the back. Sweet isn't it?

And here are all three. I am so happy for everyone! Here's to hoping that our little babies can all meet sometime soon!

What I'm Reading

I have been really sporadic in what I have been reading this month. Truthfully, I have been reading magazines because, well I love Entertainment Weekly, and I can read something fast before the 2 minutes before I fall asleep these days (mind you that only works in the afternoons and not at night, why can't I sleep at night?!).

Mostly I have been reading nursing books, baby books,  re-reading Babywise,  going over my Hypnobirthing books and just trying to refresh myself for what is coming.

Along with that I am about half way through reading In Defense of Food.  I have really liked reading through this book. Although I was familiar with a lot of the topics in the book from my own research this past year, it is always nice to read about what he has to say. I really like Micheal Polland and his stand on most (food) issues.

What I've found so interesting in reading about food, and parenting, is that we have to read about food and parenting.  200 years ago, food was food and parenting was whatever you felt comfortable with doing. Don't get me wrong, I think there is so much value in being educated and prepared. I think that you will be a better parent for doing your research. That is why I read about it.

But, it kinda cracks me up.  There didn't used to be parenting theories or philosophies or programs to follow. You weren't a better parent if you followed one or the other.  Attachment parents weren't in defense or against structured parents. You did what was natural and comfortable for you and your family. 
I think that is why there are so many philosophies out there. There are so many different personalities and types of people, that you can find the style and theory that fits you personally.  You can find the research that fits what you are comfortable with.  I don't necessarily subscribe to one theory, I think there is value in lots of things. I like to take what makes sense, feels logical and reliable to me and blend those things into a parenting style. My guess is that most of us do. I do feel like there are some crucial points that I want to make sure I have covered as a parent and there are some theories that speak to me way more than others.
1) Sleep. I will do what ever it takes to get my kid to be a good sleeper
2) Nutrition I want to be healthy and I want my kids to be healthy
3) Sanity For me that means having lots of routines, schedules and activities to keep us busy

I don't know, it's not really commentary. There are so many more things out there that I believe in, but I don't want to go crazy with a list (although, I do love lists).  I have just found it interesting as I have been going through various books this month. So do with it what you will.

Olive Loves Spring

 We have had a very rainy spring this year. Although I have been anxious to have nice, warm days, Olive is fine with all the storms. That means more chances to wear her rain boots.

 So we have taken some rain walks and put them to good use.

 She loves carrying my umbrella.

 One of the things I love about Olive is that she is very neat and clean. She doesn't like mud.

 Notice how she is jumping in this picture? I don't know why I think this photo is so funny but I love it.

We had to show her the fun of splashing and jumping in puddles. Now it is her favorite thing to do. I suppose, I am also grateful for a rainy spring if I get to watch Olive on rain walks.