Taylor: One Month

Time flies! I can't believe our little girl is already a whole month old. She is the best, and I call her my angel baby.

Taylor at one month, not the happiest, since she was sick this week

She sleeps all the time, and is very good at night--even blessed me with an 8 hour stretch in week 4! She loves to eat, and has been an excellent nurser from the start.

In her first month, she gained back her birth weight and then some by day 5 (5lbs 13 oz). At two weeks she weighed a wopping 7 lbs 1 oz! ;) She loves to hold my fingers while she eats, and is really good at holding her head up already--she loves to look around, especially faces.

She had one bad week of illness thanks to her cousin, aunt, nana, and mom, but other than that she's been a very happy baby. She also had Thrush, but that actually didn't seem to bother her too much (more mom ;)). She liked tummy time the week she was sick (I think it made her tummy feel a little better)! She actually rolled over too (nana, aunt Afton, Grandpa, and dad all witnessed it), but it was more of a roll of anger and I think surprised her more than anything.

She loves to be held, and will even stay sleeping if you lay her in her bassinet (she loves her sleep, that one). She's still really teeny tiny, but is right on track as far as growth goes! :)

All you have to do is pat her on the bum to calm her down (if she has been fed and has a clean diaper). She also seems to really respond well when you talk to her, she opens her mouth wide and has even graced us with a few smiles. We love our little Taylor bug!

Newborn Pictures

Here are some of our favorites from Taylor's newborn photoshoot! She was suppose to be sleeping, but wouldn't really cooperate. Kristin got some good shots of her anyway! Thanks to Any Angle Photography!

Taylor's Unexpected Delivery

I always forget that I created a blog. And my goal to write in it monthly... maybe with Taylor's arrival I'll be more consistent; it really is nice to have a place to write down and keep memories! But I only have so much time when she's napping...

Anyways...on to what I wanted to write about. I've always been interested in reading other people's birth experiences, and so thought I would share my own. Birth and pregnancy make you all kinds of exposed (to strangers nonetheless) and so I am now amazingly open...and am warning you know if I get too detailed...

I woke up at 3:30am on 11/11/13 with a strange feeling. I didn't really know what was going on...looking back, I was having contractions (didn't realize it at the time...I thought they were gas pains...) and my water had broken. Water breaking isn't like the movies. I honestly wasn't sure if it broke or not, or if it was just that ever fabulous 'mucous plug'. So I called the doctor around 4 am. The on call doctor thought it would be best if I came in. So. I woke up Josh, explained to him what was going on, gathered our things, and we were off to the hospital. I really honestly thought it was nothing, and lollygagged, as well as told Josh of my suspicions that it was nothing. I was still having contractions (very far apart), but was still rather oblivious to what the pain actually was. Apparently, I get really bad gas pains.

When we arrived at the hospital (around 5am), the security guard sent us right up, and offered me a wheelchair. I declined the wheelchair, and also used the stairs. I showed him. It was really surreal being in the hospital, I still thought I would get sent home! We checked in, then did a lot of waiting (poor Josh was practically dead to the world in a very uncomfortable chair). I was hooked up to machines to monitor contractions and Taylor's heartbeat. I was a little flustered since I couldn't tell what a contraction was (when you don't know what they feel like, it's hard to tell...). The nurse checked me for amniotic fluid, and what do you know, my water really did break.

We were told to sit tight, and they would get us into a labor room. I had to pee so bad (no bathrooms in the triage room), and I was too flustered to ask if I could go pee. Finally, Josh asked for me. Good man. I was in a cute hospital gown, so I had to maneuver it so my butt wasn't hanging out as well as balance all the cords attached to me and run across the way to use the bathroom. Super fun. Once in the labor room (around 6am) I had to go again, but was once again all hooked up to machines. Finally we just hit the nurse button and a nurse came in and explained that I could 'unplug' to go to the bathroom (and carry everything in with me..hooray.)

We were there with the transition of doctors. The first doctor said I needed to go on pitocin because my contractions were so far apart. I didn't really want to, but in the heat of the moment, what do you say when you're doctor advises you it's best? Holy crapola pitocin really kicked my labor into high gear. I went from, I think, 2 cm to 4 cm in an hour and was still progressing really fast so my next doctor took me off of it (and I was on the lowest dose), she also predicted baby would be here by three. My nurse made it seem like I was going really fast...her name was Chelle (pronounced Shelley, no, not confusing at all). I wonder how my labor would've gone if I would've said no to the pitocin...

Anyway, I was having what my nurse deemed 'rectal pressure', which means a lot of uncomfortable trips to the bathroom at first and then confinement to the bed even when you feel like you have to go. Yes, contractions hurt, but having to 'hold it' with a bunch of pressure is extremely uncomfortable and painful, so those who say rest between contractions...that didn't work so well for me. I tried a few different labor positions (I really liked the stability ball), but when you're hooked up to machines, it's very hard to get in a decent position with the monitors in the right place. So with all this pain and maneuvering I got the epidural. Epidurals are magical, blissful things, and contrary to what people say about their affects on labor, didn't slow mine down one bit.

After the epidural I was able to relax and my parents were in the waiting room, so I decided it was okay to have them come in for a little bit. The nurse kept coming in and putting me in different positions and I also got to wear a cool oxygen mask. Everything seemed good, my mom even whipped out her knitting. My nurse also turned off the sound of baby's heart rate--she said it helps mom's relax and prevents them from freaking out. I couldn't even see the monitors, and looking back...I'm extremely grateful my nurse did that.

I kicked my parents out after my next check to see how far dilated was. Chelle was having me turn, and also wear a mask, and then all of a sudden it felt like 10 nurses came in (probably more like 3). It was extremely scary. They said I might have to have a c-section and they were trying to contact my doctor who was in the clinic. Apparently Taylor's heart rate was pretty erratic throughout my labor (though I was a little in the dark about that the whole time, though I knew something was up because of the oxygen and different positions).

As, what I think was, a last resort, they had me get on my hands and knees. At that point my doctor was there and was figuring out what to do, I was almost fully dilated and she had me do a practice push to see how it would affect baby (not good). So she said I would more than likely have a c-section, but that it was still possible to have Taylor vaginally--she would need to use a vacuum. She wouldn't know what would be best until she needed to be delivered, so I had to be wheeled into the OR just in case the vaginal birth wouldn't work.

Unfortunately, Taylor was not tolerating labor at all. I'm not exactly sure what was up, but her heart rate must have dropped extremely low, and my doctor made the decision to just get her out, so hello cutting Shelley open. Did I mention I was 9.5 cm dilated? 9.5. I kept my cool the whole time until she said I had to have a c-section, then I cried. Josh held my hand and rubbed my head. And the rest went really fast! Taylor was born! Woo hoo! It was a little sad, and scary because I couldn't see her, I could barely hear her and I was all alone on the table being sewn up while Josh went over to see our new babe.

The anesthesiologist was really really nice and talked to me for a bit, but I was basically crying wanting to see my baby and then everyone around me kept saying 'Chelle' (remember, it's pronounced Shelley) so that was confusing, I kept saying what? And then no one responded to me and I was just like oh. The other Chelle. The doctor also commented on my strange uterus, apparently I had an odd 'contraction band' (I'm assuming that means the muscles there) which may have been causing Taylor stress, as there was no cord wrapped or anything, so who knows why she didn't like labor (maybe because labor sucks?). After what seemed like an eternity Josh brought over my cute little girl. The first thing out of my mouth 'She's so tiny!'. So coming to the world on 11/11/13 at 2:43pm and weighing in at 5 lbs. 12 oz. 19.25 inches long was our little Taylor Grace! :) The End.

Quick Update

I've come to the realization that I just flat out stink at writing in a blog (or journal for that matter). I always think of my friend Brittany, who is such a good journal writer (and example) to me! She use to carry her journal with her, and would spend time catching up on her writing, never missing a beat. I really am trying to be better (see...writing...right now...), I can imagine that I will regret not writing things down to look back on, so I'm forcing myself to do this. Plus, I waste a lot of time doing pointless/meaningless things, and I don't feel 'guilty' about writing in here.

My last post I wrote about sticking to a schedule--so did not do that. But I did totally pass my test! You are looking at a certified Health Fitness Specialist, here to help with your fitness needs! :) I'm feeling pretty fantastic about my health knowledge right now (since I passed) so that's nice! Nothing has really changed other than that though--I still work the same job, same hours, same old stuff, but hey! They paid for it, and will continue to pay for my continuing education credits (to maintain my certification), so can't complain.

Josh switched his degree over to Finance and will now be graduating in December (if all goes according to plan, as he likes to say). He continues to work as a server and I miss spending time with him on the weekends, but we make up for it by spending our Friday's together (I work from home, and he doesn't have school) as well as some weeknights. We're still in LOVE with Maple Grove, and are even considering buying a home in this area (in the very distant future). Life is good!

On a different note, I have dubbed 2 Saturdays a month "Craft Saturdays" with my mom. We just started, last time my mom taught me and Lizzy how to crochet, and last weekend Stacey came over and we Goodwilled it and made some t-shirt headbands (that don't stay on my head, but it was fun spending time with Stacey). I think for our next one we'll be baking bread! Mostly my mom will be teaching stuff, since she's so dang crafty! I don't think there's much in the way that I could teach her...we may pull some ideas off my pinterest board--fun fun! I'm looking forward to some sewing so I can make myself some clothes! :)

Lastly, I have been wanting to take a ballet/dance class for over a year now, but wasn't really willing to spend the money, or go by myself. I got the bright idea of doing it with Stacey during her off-season from dance team, win for her, and then I get a dance buddy! Yesterday was our first class, and boy am I out of shape! Made me ache for Sister Dienhart's class, but the person who taught actually approached things in a similar style. It was really fun, I felt stupid a lot trying to figure out the steps and refresh my memory, but overall I think I did a pretty good job for someone who hasn't danced in about 3 years (YES. THREE YEARS. WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS SOONER? GOOD QUESTION. I'M RIDICULOUS!) Now I think I will forever by forking up money to pay for these classes (sorry Josh), I just can't live without dance in my life, it's a sad world without it. I have also been trying to find a dance coaching position. I had a little stint at BHS right before my wedding, but my boss went nuts about it (even though he okayed it, and another coworker coaches too...), but now I have a new boss, who's more flexible and willing to work something out. So far it's been dry pickin, but I'm putting myself out there at least!

AND that's it. For now. Not really a quick update, more of a long novel, but eh. I guess that's how it goes for me sometimes. :)

Getting Productive

Well, it's been awhile! Happy 2013! A lot has changed since I last wrote... Josh and I moved in November and are now living in Maple Grove. WE LOVE MAPLE GROVE. This may turn into a long-term thing, but we'll see where school and life takes us. Josh changed his major to finance, he'll actually get done with school sooner now, so that's nice! I'm still working at the same job, I'm not PT certified yet, but hopefully will be by the end of February. I guess if you really want a decent update you should give me a call and we can chat sometime! :)

I wanted to write down a few personal goals of mine, to see if writing them here will help me accomplish something! Today I will be studying, shopping, driving the YW (they put me with the YW in my new ward, I'm now the Laurel Advisor!), planning my schedule for the week, and hopefully some cleaning. I have a really hard time managing my time lately. It's hard to balance life with all the things I 'need' to do. I can't imagine having a child on top of it all (no I'm not pregnant, I'm just wondering how my friends do it) any advice? Well, I'm going to write out a schedule and see if that helps. Here is what I have to/would like to do:

Weekdays:
Get up, get ready (1 hour--lately I've been only doing a half hour, and therefore, don't look my best...)
Work (8 hours)
Scripture study (.5 hour)
Commute (1 hour)
Workout (1.5 hour)
PT study (1 hour)
Make dinner (1 hour)
Prepare lunch/plan tomorrow's workout/relax/get ready for bed, etc. (2 hours)

Weekends:
Study
Shop
Church
Blog! (maybe...)
Plan for the next week

Here's to seeing if good planning works...my time will expand contract for other things that may come up, and sometimes I can study while I workout, so we'll see how things go. Plus, Josh will help me with dinner's and such (we take turns) so I will have more time each day! I can do this! Gah!