from the beginning...

Our sweet girl has been with us 33 weeks and 1 day. What a wild, wonderful ride it has been. I have made a promise to myself that I will be good about updating this blog from here on out! Because lets face it, this girl of ours is a one shot deal. All the things I say I will never forget, oh I will. I will long for that first night  after she was born, the first ride home, the endless days and nights of breastfeeding and learning about each other. Oh, I will miss those days when they are long gone. I will forget every small detail of every memory as she grows older, as she writes her story and new memories are being made. I don't want to forget one smile, one laugh or even a tear. This time is short and can't be replaced.  

 Let's start from the beginning....

Sunday November 24, 2013 Betsy and I checked into the hospital around 6:30 pm. After lots and lots of discussion we decided that induction would really be the way to go. Let me stop the story and do tell you that I had an amazing pregnancy! And never felt the need to rush her out of there either, but after talking to the doctors our girl was cooked and ready. So anyway, the plan was to administer my Cervidil Sunday night. I truly believe that this little drug is what help make our induction so amazing. It worked exactly like it was supposed to. At our last doctors appointment on Friday I was still only 80% effaced and not at all dilated. But on Monday morning I was 100% effaced and 3 cm dilated! Hallelujah! Let me tell you, I was terrified the nurse was going to tell me "no changes". PHEW! After two bags of fluid they administered the Pitocin and we were on our way. They let me have pop sickles which I ate while I rocked in the rocker since I couldn't walk around. At first I started to slowly feel the contractions and then by 11:00 it was on! I must say to all the women out there that do it naturally... I applaud you. This mama needed the epidural! And once my wonderful doctor suggested I go a head and get it, all was right in the world. I napped, watch some TV and Betsy did some school work. It was AMAZING! After that the time seemed to fly by. Right around 5:00 pm I could feel my contractions getting worse and worse and then it hit me like a train. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't sit up all I could do was lay there and not move. The nurse came in and told me the only way to make the pain stop was to have the baby... BUT I couldn't sit up much less push for God knows how long! Thankfully Betsy's mother was there and she saved the day. I like to say she had a Shirley MacLaine "Terms of Endearment" moment.

"I don't see why she has to have this pain... It's time for her shot, do you understand? Do something... my daughter is in pain! Give her the shot, do you understand me? GIVE MY DAUGHTER THE SHOT!"

Now I am sure it was not nearly that dramatic! HA! She did ask that the anesthesiologist come back and re dose me. Once all that was taken care of, it was time to push. Ahhh... I was able to soak up every moment and really truly enjoy having my baby. I pushed maybe 15 minutes and then there she was. It was the most wonderful moment of my life. Betsy was by my side the whole time and she was amazing. I am such a lucky lucky woman.

Without further adieu...

Patten Lake Dew

November 25, 2013

6:15 pm

8 pounds .05 ounces and 18 1/2 long

We have a good seven months to catch up on. See you soon!

Our Girl in 4D!

At our 37 week appointment we had a Growth Ultrasound done. We tend to make big babies in my family, so the doctor's wanted to make sure she wasn't measuring too big. Luckily she is not too big and not too small... she is just PERFECT! We got to see her practice her breathing, yawn and stick out her tongue. Our ultrasound tech told us she is already sucking like a pro! Which makes this mama very happy! You can't tell in the 4D pictures but she has a head full of hair!

We can't wait to meet you little one!!!!

37 Weeks! Full Term!

How far along? 37 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: 28 lbs. as of yesterday...ugh.
Maternity clothes? Of course
Sleep: Off and on
Best moment this week: We got to see the baby girl on the ultrasound yesterday. Patten Lake is weighing in at 7lbspouty lips! We can't wait to meet her!
Movement: There are days when she drives me bonkers with all the wiggling! But I know I will miss it when she decides to vacate.

Cravings:  Cheeseburgers and Cheeseburgers
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: No real contractions yet, but she has "dropped", so that's encouraging!
Belly Button in or out? Still in, and flat. Not sure what it will end up looking like in the end.
What I miss: Not having to go to the restroom every 30 minutes.
What I am looking forward to: Next Monday and my next appt. Hopefully there will be more progress!
Milestones: We finished the nursery!!

28 weeks to 36 weeks... iPhone pictures :(

I have been just awful about keeping a weekly "picture" log of this pregnancy. Since I am on the last leg of 33 weeks I thought I would post the pictures I do have.

28 weeks

33 Weeks

36 Weeks

I will be much better these last few weeks! 

the beginnings of a nursery and some summertime sewing

The Girl's nursery is coming right a long. Now all we need are the linens and curtains.

We were lucky enough that DeDe (my mom) and my Aunt Frankie bought us the crib. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! The pictures that are hanging above the crib hung in my childhood room. The 123456789 were Ashley and Betsy's numbers that went on their birthday cake. This will be a tradition that we carry on... I just love them!

All the wicker furniture was given to us by aunt Ashley... which we love and looks awesome in the nursery. Betsy's aunt Bee gave us headboard. I am sure there will be many nights we sleep in there. We found the bookshelf while shopping for the crib and Betsy's aunt Sandy got it for us! I love it! I am sure everything will be rearranged before all is said and done. But this is just a wonderful addition to her room.

LaLa so graciously offered to sew everything from the crib bedding to the curtains to the twin bed skirt. Ahhhh... We could not have asked for anything more wonderful! Once we have everything in place, I will update with more pictures!

We decided to use the built-in as the changing area. We are having an electrician put a can light with a dimmer in. I can't wait to get everything organized and ready for her.

Next up are just the sweet little items given to us by LaLa. The Beatrix Potter figurines and books all read by the Dew children.

We have more Madame Alexander dolls then Betsy would like. I might have to pick my favorites. These are the Little Women and Laurie given to Lake by her aunt Bee, my favorite book as a child.

OOPS! Can't forget all of Betsy's kitties and the sweet Dachshunds given to us by Mimi and aunt Laura!

I have been working on making sure the Girl has some summer bubbles for next year. They still need to be monogrammed. There are so many more to come!

Working on the slew of Christmas burp cloths that will make cleaning up spit- up so much better. :)

21 weeks... this time with a PICTURE!

I have waited so long to post "the bump"!  So without further adieu...

 

We are so thrilled and can't wait to see what the next 9 weeks bring!

Up next: The beginnings of our sweet girl's nursery!

20 to 21 weeks

I think it is way past time to update the little blog. This post finds you a week late, seeing as today I am 21 weeks. I found this fun little Q&A on another blog and thought I would "borrow" it!

How far along? 21 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? Maybe gained 5 to 6 lbs.
Maternity clothes? YES! I love them!!!!!!
Stretch Marks? Not yet!
Sleep? I have no problem sleeping yet. Thank goodness!!!!
Best moment this week? Beach trippin' it with my family!
Cravings? If you know me, then you know this answer... WINE!!!!
Gender? Precious baby GIRL!
Labor signs? None
Belly button in or out? Still in, but I can tell it's changing.
What I miss? WINE!
What am I looking forward to? Our next doctors appointment in August.
Milestones? Making it half-way!!

I'll be back with an updated 21 week picture!