Monkey's Birth Story

Quite strangely, I went into labor at the same time as Munchkin's - 2 days early at 3:30am! Though, the similarities ended there! I let my husband and son sleep, and started calling my mother to notify her so she could drive here in time to watch my son. Unable to sleep, I decided to get out of bed and bake some muffins for breakfast and make sure I had all my ducks in a row so to speak. I was having contractions the whole time, but they were short - maybe 30seconds; so, I just paused to breathe, visualize and such. Eventually the boys got up and grandma arrived. I notified my doctor's office when contractions were 5min apart (about 9am) but my husband had some work he needed to do so I took a bath to slow things down. Unfortunately, they slowed too much (to about 7min apart). Then, around noon I posted to Facebook that I was feeling discouraged and thinking it was going to be another long labor. I snapped one last picture of my pregnant belly and tried to get things going again by bouncing on the exercise ball. BAD idea - way too painful. So I tried to rest in bed on my side. No luck. 


Then, very soon after I got dressed, contractions jumped to just 4min apart, lasting 60sec but then after just 10seconds, ANOTHER 60second contraction would start! It was WEIRD, and they became more intense as well - to the point I had to vocalize to get through them! As soon as I could talk, I told hubby he needed to finish up because we needed to leave ASAP! By the time we got out the door, I could barely support myself through the contractions, but was managing the pain pretty well using the hypno-birth breathing exercises, and meditations of acceptance, surrender, allowance, and so on. However, when it came to actually getting IN the van...this proved difficult. I couldn't IMAGINE sitting down, knowing the pain would be intolerable. So, in the 2minutes I had between contractions, I climbed in the seat backwards and held onto the headrest. Munchkin, who was watching all this from his carseat, quickly scolded me for not wearing my seatbelt; so, after the next contraction (which was stronger and louder now that I was almost squatting) I somehow got the seatbelt around my huge body and reassured him I was 'safe.' (After that, he scarcely said a word for the rest of the 25minute drive!) For the first part of the drive, I was still coherent enough to yell at my husband for his driving. For the later half, I had to hold my hypno-birth type of recordings to my ear to keep it together as not to scare my son!

We arrived at about 1:25pm. Naturally, I refused (via a head-shake) all FOUR wheelchairs that were offered to me, even though I was having to put all my weight on my husband during contractions. I simply had NO strength left in my legs from mostly being on my feet since 3:30am. Slowly, but loudly I made my way to the Labor/Delivery floor as the contractions seemed to be coming one on top of another by then. I do remember two strange things at this point: First, MANY people randomly asked my husband if it was my first birth. Later, the nurse told me this was because that gives them an indication of how much time they have to work with. And 2)I remember my husband requesting they hold the elevator for us, only to walk up to it being FULL, and I said "Huh-ah...Are you kidding!?" I'm not laboring in there with all those people! LOL

When in the LD room I immediately started undressing (!), had a contraction, then climbed onto the bed backward, essentially kneeling. At this point while putting on the fetal monitors, my L/D nurse figured out I was in back-labor and suggested counter-pressure on my sacrum. It SAVED me! Although, my husband was the only one strong enough to apply enough pressure to make a difference!! Meanwhile, a doctor entered, introducing himself (I still don't know his name, but later found out he was a resident) and when he made his way to my side, I remember hearing him say to me DURING a contraction, "Okay, Ma'am. We'll just get you your epidural and break your water, and you'll have your ba--" I responded the only way I could: non-verbally...bulging my eyes and vigorously shaking my head! When I could talk again, I said "No. Not what...I want! Birthplan...Honey, birthplan," as I pointed to my bag. When handed the big folder of papers, the doctor's eyes widened at the size. (No worries! In reality, he only needed to read the first few bullet points of the first page!) He skimmed it, and said no problem, but added, "First things first, we need to check how dilated you are." I thought, "Oh yeah. Of course," then proceeded to plead with him to lie on my side, insisting with something like "I can't do it. I just CANNOT lie on my back. Please don't make me lie on my back." He consented, and I heard him say I was 7CM!!!! A HUGE wave of endorphins rushed over me, because although I felt the urge to push while kneeling in the van and lobby, I didn't want to get my hopes up for anything more than 4CM. So, the next choice was whether to break the waters or not. And I was just about to decide when I felt a contraction coming on, and had an inkling it was going to break anyway. It DID! The next few contractions brought with them an urge to bear down, so he did another awkward cervical check, and...9 1/2CM! ("Yay!!") A few more contractions and my body was pushing the baby for me. I recall saying "Wooooooww" through the contractions because it was such an overwhelming physical sensation :-) I got the OK to bear-down, and several pushes (on my part) later, Monkey was here! I almost COULDN'T believe it. I mean, in my mind we had *just* arrived to the hospital, afterall, and I didn't even have an IV in! 

When I saw him for the first time, my eyes went straight to his HAIR, then his face and body. He just had so much hair! One of the highlights of the whole thing, was that my friend Allison arrived just in time for his birth, and stayed until I was able to settle into my room. GaGa brought Munchkin to the hospital that night to meet his brother for the first time :-) 

It was all so powerful, so wonderful - almost overwhelming.

How was it different?

I couldn't possibly list them all, but the major differences were: 

1) It was a third as long! (Yay!!!)

2) It was intervention-less. In part, it was because there was simply no time for anything to be done, not even a simple HepLock, nor a more complicated epidural, nor breaking the waters early (like previous birth), and so on. But also, I was more mentally prepared and resolved about it this time; they would've had to work really hard to convince me the risks outweighed any benefit. 

3) Recovery from the tear was a breeze compared to the first time around.   

4) It was MUCH more physically demanding: From being on my feet, gripping the bed's side-bars, and the strength of the contractions, etc. (Honestly, I wish I was more prepared; my abs and thighs were literally fatigued and 'shaky' for weeks.)

5) It was also more 'positive' generally speaking in that the natural endorphins were stronger and/or more plentiful this time and lasted for days! Mentally, I was sharp and alert postpartum, and morale was actually high!  

Welcome to the World Monkey!

We're proud to announce the birth of our second boy

(to be officially known as "Monkey" on the blog!)

He was born April 23rd after a natural birth of just 11 hours.

 He was a healthy 8lbs even, and 21inches long!!  

As you'll see, he seems to get his eyebrows, nose, and lips from daddy and only his eyes from me! 
I'll try to post more pics by the weekend. I know I've been negligent. So sorry!!

Like Munchkin, he's a very 'happy' baby. And thank goodness all the tasks of his care are repetitive and simple! (SOME part of the birth and infancy has to be simple, right!?)  Overall, we're doing pretty well, trying to be patient with ourselves and eachother! Having two kids is different ballgame for sure - much harder on a marriage. But we try to keep things light-hearted. I keep reminding myself that things will become more of a routine soon, and Munchkin will be back in preschool too. So that will at least give me some down-time to 'catch-up" on SO many tasks that have been put off since mid-pregnancy! 



Joys of Breastfeeding

From his first feeding, he has been a champion eater. The only glitch we ran into was that he tended to just 'hold' the nipple in his mouth, not sucking. Almost like he thought he didn't have to do any work ;-) It quickly passed though, lasting only about a week or so.

As each day went by, I was reminded of all the real benefits:   

It forces you to sit down and relax every 2-3 hours!
Doesn't stain/stink like the "formula smell"  and I'm sure it has to taste better to him.

It supports his immunity in these early weeks/months.

It's way less expensive than the formula we would use.

Munchkin's poo doesn't smell as bad as formula poo! (What more can you ask for.)

My favorite part has to be the "reward" of how cuddly he is afterward, and the little sounds he makes!
As a bonus, it's so sweet to see him play with his hair - heehee!!   

That's all for now. Thanks again for everyone's encouragement and support!
**If you leave a comment below, please remember to not use baby's name online - thanks.**

Another Baby?!? Not me...not yet.

So Munchkin isn't the only one learning new things lately! This past month brought a first for me as well -- babysitting! I was given the privilege to babysit a few friend's kids. Each of the experiences gave me a glimpse into the types of dilemmas a mom of two little ones feels: One baby crying, but the other needs a diaper change, one needs silence to sleep, but the other needs rocked, one hurts his finger, but the other's sleeping and you certainly don't want to disturb THAT one. Physically and logistically, babysitting for short spurts of time wasn't beyond my capabilities, but what about day in and day out! How do you go to the restroom, or take a shower, or cook or clean, or fold laundry with two kids? Yikes. The greatest challenge I'm sure would be emotionally -- the guilt of not being able to respong to the older one. All this, plus the multiple times per week I am asked "So, when will you try for your second," has led me to ponder, yet again, the issue of a second child.

Despite fielding this question quite frequently lately, I have not allowed myself to really think about it. I find that it positively overwhelms me to "go there" in my mind. My gut reaction to that question is "Woh, stop right there. Who said we're gonna have a second? I'm still just enjoying Munchkin and the whole experience of becoming a parent! Why would I throw another ball in the air intentionally?" It seems like most women, after going through it once, then feel ready to do it again with no problem! So many of the same deep, soul-searching questions arise in me with the idea of a second as arose when we considered conceiving in the first place. I didn't expect that. I thought once I had a baby, the desire to have a second would come to me naturally; but, the opposite has happened. I find myself thinking twice, and thrice (and in circles) about it. After going through pregnancy (quite pleasant), labor/delivery (way too long/difficult), and post-partum (awful), I personally have NO desire to volunteer for it again. Yes, Munchkin was a 100% planned pregnancy, but I didn't know all that it would entail ;-) You know...? Not that I would change anything, it's just that now that I've gone through the whole of maternity, it's not a delightful mystery it once was, and I don't see labor/delivery as some major rite of passage like many moms have proclaimed it to be. Not to be pessimistic, but for me, that's one BIG reason to consider adoption again. That's IF hubby can talk me into having a second.

So, to me, the possibility of having a second carries with it four BIG questions: Do I have the courage it would take to have a second, venturing into the uncertainty of pregnancy/delivery once again!? Do we have the support/resources around us to have a second, cause Lord knows I'd need a breaks from the kids more often than I carve them out for myself now! And do I have the selflessness it takes to have more than one child? And finally, will Hubby's desire for Munchkin to have a sibling (since he was an only-child) outway all the previous questions!? For now the answers are "NO. Surely not. Not yet." And "Lord knows!!!"

If anything changes, I'll be sure to let all of you know ;-)

Presenting...Our Baby Boy!

We're proud to announce the birth of our first child 

(to be officially known as "Munckin" on the blog!)

He was born Wednesday April 8, at 1:16 pm after 

a marathon labor that began Tuesday at 3:30 am!  

(To those of you who got the email saying only a 14 hr labor...

I don't know where hubby came up with that number!! Haha.)  

In any case, he's here. He's beautiful. And he's a healthy 7lbs 13ounces, and 19 inches long!!  

As you'll see below in pictures, he seems to be "all me" from the neck up 

(chin, lips, nose, eyes, eyebrows, etc,) but "all hubby" from the neck down 

(shoulders, broad chest, hands, long feet/toes, and strong legs). 

To see a complete

"Online Photo Album" 

that contains all his pics,  

CLICK HERE!

First, I have to brag on my Husband...

I CANNOT say enough about what a great daddy my husband is!!  After munchkin was cleaned up and given to hubby, I was still being tended to and looked to my right and there was hubby absolutely "taken" by munchkin.  Seeing both of them stare at each other took me over with emotion and I cried like a baby!  Since then, of course he's learned the ins/outs of newborn care  (diaper changes, burping, swaddling, etc) but he is a master at soothing baby!  Yes, even better than me, in fact.  I can only soothe him with breastfeeding.  Hubby seems to know all the tricks: bouncing, swaddling, noises, etc!!  

Munchkin's Health

He was born as healthy as can be! On Wed morning, one of the pediatricians noticed he looked a bit yellow/jaundiced so we fed him more often and supplemented with some formula to get his body to purge the billirubin.  (Which helped me to get some sleep too!)  We just had an appointment Sunday and he's all better and healthy once again!  We'll have 2 more weight checks by the 23rd, but so far all is well!! The pic above is of him 'sunning' to help the jaundice.

Thoughts thus far on becoming parents

Love, Love, Love it!!
When he was placed on me it took me by surprise how warm he was,
and how relieved I was to finally be able to see the "fruits of my labor," literally!
Since being home, we feel like a real FAMILY now, even though we are EXHAUSTED!!

Hospital Review

The 2 labor/delivery nurses I had (due to change in their 12 hour shifts with the long labor)
were INCREDIBLE!  I couldn't have made it through without them, and my mom, helping me!
I don't know how women do this on their own and at home - I couldn't.  I know that much for sure.

As for the postpartum care, all I can say is "I'm glad to be home!!"  Hubby is as well, although he was a GREAT sport about the recliner he had to sleep in both nights!  The staff were ALL knowledgeable and sweet, but came into the room WAY too often!  Each day I was there,  I got 2.5 total hours of broken sleep (yes, I was tallying it) which resulted in terrible migraines.  But my OBs were great about checking in on me after delivery and each morning Munchkin was checked by his pediatricians too!  With the complication that accompanied the epidural placement, a total of 6 anesthesiologists checked on me continuously throughout my stay too.  So, to be certain, I've been sleeping so much better at home---not having to wonder which nurse, doctor, nutritionist, volunteer, student, etc will be coming through the door next!  And if you're wondering my thoughts on childbirth itself:  Well, all I can say is....

"GOD BLESS MY ANAESTHESIOLOGISTS!"  

Joys of Breastfeeding!

Munchkin is really making progress with his feedings.  He did really well within the first hour of his birth.  But later discovered through our wonderful lactation consultant (who makes rounds to all the new moms each morning), that Muchkin, was actually resisting accepting anything (even a finger) deeply to the back of his throat. (Glad we found out sooner than later.)  Apparently, when baby was born, he had a lot of mucus in his mouth and more fluid than normal in his lungs so they had to do a lot of suctioning and even put a tube in to get it out.  So she told us to just be patient with him and I've done my best, but some of his latches take 40+min to establish.  It's exhausting at times.  We've had to supplement a few feedings to help filter his billirubin from his blood better, but 7 out of 8-9 feedings per day are at the breast.  So far I've learned:  

It forces you to sit down and relax every 2.5-3 hours

It has almost flattened my tummy back to pre-pregnancy in just 5-6 days!

Is way less expensive than the formula we would choose to use!

Doesn't stain/stink like the "formula smell"  and I'm sure it has to taste better to him.

It supports his immunity in these early weeks/months.

Munchkin's poo doesn't smell as bad as formula poo! So what more can you ask for!!?

My favorite part has to be the "reward" of how cuddly he is afterward (see pic!).   

Caring for a Newborn

Repetitive, but simple!  Thank God SOMETHING is simple about having a baby!  The emotional and physical aspects sure aren't.  But Munchkin has been a very cooperative baby thus far with keeping some semblance of a schedule!  So many of the tasks have become routine, but that also means that things tend to blur together.  Every few hours or so I ask myself "When did I take my meds, when is his next feeding, did I eat breakfast, which side did I feed on last, what time of day is it?"  You get the idea!  So I have a great little "Care Sheet" that helps me record his diaper changes and feedings and tally how much sleep I'm getting each day (or NOT getting, HaHa)!!  Overall, we're 5 full days in, and doing VERY well adjusting to the lack of sleep.  We've been very patient with eachother, and with baby, and his nursing issues, but it is seriously difficult.  It's like marriage; in that, no one can prepare you for this stuff; you just have to be patient (with yourself as well as others) and get through it!  Things will settle more in the days/weeks to come as he perfects the simple task of eating, and we all will be "golden" provided we get some sleep!

I'll post more thoughts as they come to me!  Hope you enjoyed the pics!  Keep checking back in the weeks to come!!  And thanks again for everyone's encouragement and support!

My Belly 39wks, and counting!

As you can see, my belly's so big that my shirts don't accommodate my belly anymore! 

I feel pretty good, but tire VERY easily and my ankles/feet are 

SO swollen--kinda like I have "Flinstones" feet!  

And my dear husband--I'm sleeping so poorly it's now affecting his sleep :( 

  

My actual "due date" is the 9th, but we're literally just waiting for contractions to begin!

(Yes, I've had Braxton Hicks contractions, but no "real" contractions yet.)

And we're both relieved that he's now turned head-down!!

(He was breech a little longer than the doc would've liked, giving us a c-section scare.)

So keep checking the blog as he could arrive at any time now.

And keep the emails comin', okay!?  Cause we'll still be checking my email 

when baby arrives, even if we don't get a chance to reply to everyone!

The weather here in NC is gorgeous.  My spring flowers are in bloom, 

but I have not quite enough energy to take pics for you all to see like I did last year.  

The early bulbs are sprouting and will be blooming here in a few weeks to a month.  

We'll see how much energy (read: sleep) I have then, and maybe I'll take pics for you!

I'll try to keep posting little updates as I can.

My next appointment is Tuesday (if he hasn't arrived before then, of course).

Take care, Everyone!! XOXOXO

Coolest Ultrasound yet!

Last Tuesday we had a "bonus" ultrasound, as I volunteered to be a "belly" for the local medical school to train their technicians on!!  We felt very fortunate because it's not routine to have another ultrasound past the 18week one, unless something's wrong.  And IF you elect to have one and pay out of pocket they can range from $200-$600.  That's just wrong...so that WASN'T happening!!   Anyway, this experience was so cool and so different than others we've had because it was over 45 minutes long (vs. 15 minutes long!!)  

A few different technicians trained on my belly, so we got to see all of his parts numerous times, in many different layers/cross-sections.  Yes, kinda creepy, but so amazing.  Saw his head, his leg bones, his eyelids, his lips suckling, his heart and all it's chambers beating, even his stomach and kidneys!! Sooo cool!  Since it WAS just for training we didn't get pictures like we thought we would...Sorry :(    But these final weeks will go fast and we'll soon have pics of a real, live baby for you!!    So don't stop checkin' the blog--you never know when he'll HATCH!!

My Belly @ 31 weeks & my birthday too!!

Boy, the changes pregnancy brings!  Baby's healthy though!  They say he's about 14 inches now and 3+ lbs!!  I say he's kicking like he weighs double that :)  

But I don't mind--I actually enjoy every bit of it!!

That pic was actually taken at Mom's house on the golf course this past weekend.  Hubby was the candid photographer as usual, while I was taking Ellie for a walk!  

We had gone to their house for the weekend to celebrate my 27th B-day!!   I told hubby that's what I wanted to do for my "last B-day without kids," so we drove down Saturday morning and came back Sunday!  Mom & I had a blast redecorating my brother's room and the guest room too!!  You can't see our "daughter" Ellie in the pic, but trust me, she LOVES Grandma & Grandpa's house (and yard, since we don't have much of one!)  

And look at that weather!  February, mind you...but sunny and 60 degrees!! On Monday, upon returning home from taking Ellie for her daily "playdate" with the neighborhood doggies, on our doorstep was a beautiful, red Gerbera daisies and berries bouquet from a friend of ours--sooo special!  Then, hubby took me out to a fancy dinner!  Yum. Yum!

My Belly @ 28weeks!!

Well, I just had my most recent checkup, and an important one too.

They checked me for gestational diabetes, but results not back yet.  

Other than that, baby and I are healthy, and I swear he's startin' to play soccer in there!  

This month, I'm working on the baby's room mostly, and doing some craft projects.  

Everyone's told me "you need to do it before you lose your energy in your last 2 months".  

The crib should arrive soon and the changing table and the upholstered 

glider/chair are all set up.  It's hubby's new favorite hangout in which to read.

Hubby took this pic and did a good job too, huh!?  

 Thursday nights we have our "Labor & Delivery 101" classes.  

Hubby has learned a LOT and is now feeling more comfortable with the whole process.

He's such a great husband!!  (Sorry, I just had to publicly brag on him a bit!)   

Well, that's about all the updates I have right now, but we'll 

DEFINITELY post more pics when the room's closer to being done!

My Belly 23 weeks!

How could I forget to post this last week? 

Oh yeah, cause I'm pregnant and forgetful!! Ha Ha!

And that's a lovely shadow above my head, huh!!?  

No I'm not forming a conehead!

We had gone out to a wonderful holiday party last week and 

I'm wearing a bunch of Santa's (hubby's) gifts to me:

1. Red Sweater (2008)

2. Gold/Pearl Bangles (2007)

3. Wedding/Engagement Ring (2003)

4. Pearl Earrings to match my bangles (2008)

5. Last and best gift--- OUR BABY!  :)

My belly 20 weeks!

.Hi all! 

I forgot to post this pic of my belly at 20weeks along!

I'm 5 months along now, and for a few weeks now I've been able 

to feel little movements, but recently they've gotten strong! 

And just yesterday hubby was able to feel baby's kicks! 

I told him today that the movements sort of 

feel like a big fish swimming in a little bowl!  

And once in a while he swims right into the glass, nose first--

that's when I'm able to really feel him stong!

He seems to kick most after I eat, but he must know I'm 

writing about him cause he's kicking me as I'm writing this :)

Well, I'll try to be good about posting pics during the holiday! 

But I'm sure you all know how crazy holidays can get and I've only 

purchased 2 gifts so far, so I'll do my best to post often! :)

It's a boy--It's a Boy--It's a BOY, BOY, BOY!!

Below you'll see the pics from the

18 week ultrasound, and a pic of my growing belly!
The first is of his face and his little arm!
The second picture...Um, well, ...confirms he's a boy!!

I had NO intuition one way or the other, but last night,
for the first time my hubby actually had a dream it was a boy!!
How cool is that...!?

He was turned at an awkward angle, so this was the only view we could get! Haha!

(it's from underneath him, looking up at his legs and bum)

The doc said everything checks out; he has his arms, legs, fingers, toes, nose, etc!
Oh, and baby is about a half of a pound now and about 6 inches long!!!
So he's healthy, and I'm healthy; so, ALL is quite well as far as we're concerned! 

And here's me (early this morning...looking tired)!
(I was so excited for the untrasound that I didn't sleep well last night.)
Overall I've been feelin' great--just a bit of heartburn now and then.
Lately, after I eat my meals, I can feel little kicks and punches, and
he wouldn't stay still for the doc today so maybe
he'll be a Taekwondo fighter someday like his daddy!
( By the way, hubby is now a "black-tipped red belt"--I'm so proud of him! )

I should've worn a different color than black, and I was turned at an

angle, so this pic makes me look smaller than I really am.

And so we don't forget our daughter, here's a couple pics
of her from last week. She's out on the deck tearing into a tasty Halloween treat!
Well, that's all for now.....Keep in touch, and thanks again for all
of your love, and support and enthusiasm! It means the world to us!

First Prenatal Checkup

11 weeks and a few days along.
Doc said all is well and I'm happy to report:

I've been feeling just GREAT....really!
Not too much nausea, although I'm not sleeping all that great.
Not complaining, just reporting! I figure, if I'm blessed with not experiencing
any nausea, then I'm not ALLOWED to complain!
Been able to eat and do just about everything I used to and
I've even been able to eat my favorite....Indian food!!
Which is great, 'cause Indian foods are sooo healthy for baby and I both.
I've even been able to learn a few NEW Indian dishes as well cause there's a
brand new Indian grocery right down the road from us that has
just about EVERYTHING Indian I could want!
So all is well and I'll report again in a few weeks!



Here's a special pic from our Honeymoon in Asheville, NC!
We went exploring on our own one day and found this beautiful stream!

BhimiBABY on the way!!!

!

Hello everyone!!
I'm happy to announce we're PREGNANT!!!
9 weeks along today; baby is due April 9th, 2009!!
Here's pics from our ultrasound this morning!
Rupesh was shocked by how loud and how fast it was--169 beats/minute!



Here's baby at the "gummy bear" stage, as my sister Bonnie calls it!
But she's right; doesn't it look like a gummy bear!?
And the ultrasound tech said the baby
is actually a BIG gummy bear at 2.31cm!!