All Blogs About Connor's Grand Entrance

Here are all the posts about Connor's birth and hospital stay (I wrote them on paper in the hospital and have just now gotten to typing them):



2/25/10 -- 38 week appointment

2/26/10 -- Delivery Day

2/27/10 -- Day 1

2/28/10 -- Day 2

3/1/10 -- Day 3

3/2/10 -- Day 4

3/3/10 -- Coming Home Day

38 Weeks.....

I went in for an appointment today. It was supposed to be just for a NST. (Let me insert here that I had been given a c-section date of March 2). I did the NST and it showed the contractions I was having. However, I was feeling them in my back rather than in my abdomen. The doctor came in to see me and decided that due to the contractions and my suddenly high blood pressure (although that may have been from my frustration with the cab company I was using!), we would do the c-section tomorrow morning rather than wait until Tuesday. I had another ultrasound as well to do fluid check and growth scan. They estimated his weight to be between 7#, 8 oz and 7#, 11 oz. I was instructed to go to the hospital for blood work that afternoon and then to be back at the Women's Center at 5 am for the c-section.

35 Week Appointment, Part 2

As I said on Tuesday, they wanted to see me again today for a growth scan, NST and general appointment. I got there a little early and had to, of course, sit around and wait. They finally decided to take me back and start doing something, anything to move time along. So, first they did my weight. It was the same as Tuesday, no change. I still have a slight UTI, but it's looking better. Then they hooked me up to the NST monitor and I got so nauseous. I have no idea why, but I couldn't find a way to lay without wanting to hurl. Plus, I was having trouble catching my breath. They made me lay there for 30 minutes like that. A couple times I had the uterine activity number up to 100 just shifting and trying to sit up. I have no clue how they got an accurate reading. Then they sent me back to the ultrasound room. I did get a few pictures, but can't scan them until I get my computer back (the one the scanner is loaded on). I know I got one of his nose and that's only because she labelled it. There is one of his arm and his hand balled into a fist. And one of his foot. As for the others, your guess is as good as mine! They approximate his weight to be 6 lbs, 6 oz. He is measuring around 38-39 weeks in size. Then I went back into the exam room. The doctor came in and started talking to me. he said that I seem to have more fluid than normal, but that it wasn't a problem. He said the baby was now head down and hopefully would stay that way. Why? I'm having a repeat c-section and it should already be scheduled by now. Then he said by mid-March I should have a baby. No, I should be having it sooner since my due date is actually March 10th! I really didn't feel good from nauseousness, so I didn't argue. However, I will be bringing these things up at my next appointment. It's like he never read my chart.

I go back on Tuesday for another appointment (exam) and NST.

As soon as I get my laptop back and scan the ultrasounds, I'll be posting them.

35 Week Appointment

Well, it was actually 34 weeks, 6 days. But, who's counting? I got there about half an hour early and they took me back 15 minutes earlier than my appointment time. Surprising.... My weight was 208 which was 2 lbs less than last week. Now, me and Chris have been having this debate because honestly I have never been over 200 lbs in my life; not even when I was pregnant with twins. He told me I would eventually get to that point. However, I reminded him that *my* weight was still technically under 200 lbs once you add in Connor's weight and the weight of the placenta, fluid and other pregnancy things. So, ha. They never tell me numbers when they do things, but anyways -- I had protein in my urine, elevated blood pressure and swollen ankles. So, of course, they are thinking pre-eclampsia. I had my NST as well. It showed Connor's HB to be around 140 bpm. It also showed several contractions within a 10 minute period. Not strong contractions, but enough to have them worried. I told her (the midwife) that I don't feel pain with them, my back doesn't hurt (normally doesn't until my water breaks) and there has been no bleeding, loss of fluid or plug discharge. So, she decided that I needed a cervical exam. Oh, fun..... so she did that and I am 2 cm dilated but 0% effaced (thankfully). I also have a UTI and she prescribed antibiotics for that.

I go back on Thursday (2 days) for an ultrasound, another NST and to check my BP again.

34 Week Pregnancy Update

It's been awhile since I last updated on my pregnancy. Well, today I am 34 weeks along with Connor. I also had my 34 week appointment. I had a NST (non-stress test) and that went well. I also had a growth scan. Connor is breech, but makes no difference since I am having a C-section. He is measuring about a week or 2 ahead. They approximate his weight to be almost 6 pounds. All other stats on us were good.



I go back next week for my 35 week appointment and a NST.

Here are the two pics I got from the scan:

The arrow is pointing at his hair:


His ear:



The more she tried to look at him, the more he tried to hide.

Updates, updates, updates.....

Well, it is 20 days into 2010 and I have only written one blog for 2010. I always tell myself around December 30th that I will blog at least 5 times a week. It never happens; I don't know why I keep lying to myself about it. So, since I've already ruined the 5 times a week thing, I am resolution free!



Updates on us:



Chris -- Not much to report on. He's still working.... and hating it.



Me -- Spring semester has started for college. I am only taking 4 classes this semester: Intermediate Accounting, Auditing, Cost Accounting, and Principles of Macroeconomics. Hopefully I'll do decent this semester, and keep current in my classes instead of falling behind.



Crystina -- Well, in as little words as possible, she is no longer a little girl. And we'll leave that at that. However, no - Daddy and I are not dealing with that all that well. Its a hard fact to face. Also, on the Tina front, she has become such the typical teen lately. However, this attitude just isn't going to cut it here anymore. She blatantly lies to us. I mean we can literally sit here and watch her do something, see it with our own eyes, then ask her about it and we get the "It wasn't me. No I didn't!" Any advice on how to curb this attitude, please let me know. I just don't want *my* kid to be the lying, stealing kid!



Carolyn -- Has become highly whiny. I mean every time she says something its with a whine. She is still such a tattle tale. Every little thing is something I must know about whether I want to or not. I mean do I really need to know that one of the kids is wearing mis-matched colors? Not really, but apparently Carly thinks I do.



Caitlyn -- She is still my tomboy. She is also the more aggressive of the 4 youngest. She still loves wrestling and is determined to one day marry John Cena. Not sure how to break it to her that it will most likely never happen, but for right now she can dream. It's either him or Mickey Mouse and I really don't want my daughter to marry a mouse! LOL



Charlotte -- Still convinced she is a princess and says that one day her prince will come for her. I hope her fairy tale happens for her. She is prissy and loves to dress up.



Cheyenne -- Is the most talkative child I have ever encountered! She talks from wake up to bedtime and even in her sleep! She still sleeps with us. I don't think she understands how it's going to be once Connor is born. She prefers to be right between me and Chris. She's still a little chunky thing!



Courtney -- Is still my runt! She is barely wearing 18 months; they are still too big on the waist but she needs the length. She loves all things monkey. She's obsessed, I would say. I even call her my little monkey because of her long legs and arms.

Pregnancy -- I am 33 weeks along now. I am eager to meet my baby boy. I am eager to have my body back. I don't share that well, body space included. Chris and I have been arguing over the details. You know, which college should Connor play football at, what position, what we would do if he got drafted to an NFL team we hated (cough... cough.... Cowboys). You know, all the things parents of boys worry about during pregnancy! LOL Just 7 or less weeks and he'll be here! I so cannot wait!

Pregnancy: 28 Weeks!

I am almost there! Just 12 more weeks until my due date! I'm starting to believe it will be sooner as I am having minor contractions already. I have started this early with my last two pregnancies.

I have 3 weeks to come up with the money for Connor's circumcision (considered cosmetic therefore an out of pocket expense). Final decision = no circumcision. I am too much of a "Crunchy mama" these days!

Otherwise, I am doing good. I had to cancel my 28 week appointment. I'm going to wait until after the holidays to reschedule.

Pregnancy Week #27

Well, I am now 27 weeks pregnant with Connor. I have the usual pregnancy complaints -- heartburn, indigestion, constipation. Any advice for any of the listed problems will be greatly appreciated. Nothing works for me this time as it had in the past. I have been doing fine with the iron pills. The first day I got nauseous. The second day, I had minor throat irritation. After that, no side effects at all. Otherwise, I am doing just fine.

Since I really don't have much to report, here's what I found online:

Mother:
Around this time you will begin to really put on the weight, this will last until about week thirty-six. Although some cultures dictate otherwise, weight gained during pregnancy is not fat or unhealthy, but rather, necessary for a healthy pregnancy and baby.
The weight that you gain will be distributed in several places. The average breast before pregnancy weighs about 7 ounces and during pregnancy each breast can weigh up to an average of 14 ounces! Some of the weight will go to body fluids (amniotic fluid, blood volume, etc.).

Baby:
Your baby's skin is very wrinkled from floating in water. This will stay this way until a few weeks after birth as your newborn fills out into a baby. Although take heart in the fact that your baby's looks are assuming the looks that they will have at birth! Baby has also hit the 2 pound mark (900 grams).
** Connor was 1 lb, 10 ozs last week. I guess right around 2 lbs is right.**

Dad:
If mom is starting to complain about her weight remind her of the importance of weight gain in pregnancy for a health pregnancy. You should also help her by not tempting her with sweets and setting a good example yourself.
**I think he's sick of hearing me say I'm fat and then reassuring me that it's all baby.**

I am getting so eager to meet Mr. Connor.

Product Review -- Intelligender Baby Gender Test

*** Please note: I received nothing from this company. I have never communicated with any person associated with this company. This review is based upon a product that I purchased out of my pocket, and decided to review for others to read. ***

Over the last 11 years, I have been pregnant 9 times. I have walked away with 6 living children; not including the one I am currently pregnant with. The 5 babies I have lost are unknown to me as far as their sex; I can only guess. The 6 I have had are all girls. Yep, every last one of them. So, when I announced this pregnancy to people all the speculation began - "Is it another girl?" "Will we finally get a boy?" I had been nervous, anxious, wondered if my ultrasound would reveal another girl or the long awaited boy. I, of course, wanted a healthy baby above all else, but a boy would have been icing on the cake. A friend of mine mentioned the Intelligender Baby Gender Test. I was intrigued. I had never heard of this before. I immediately looked it up online and came across their site. According to this, I could take this simple urine test as early as 10 weeks and it would tell me my baby's gender. It seemed a tad pricey for me. $34.95 plus shipping if I ordered it on-line. Chris found it at our Wal-green's for $29.99. We discussed it for awhile. It said it had a 82% accuracy rate. Seemed a little low for the price. When I was 12 weeks along we decided to give it a try. So, we went to Wal-green's and purchased the test. I came home and took it. I couldn't believe it when the result came back as BOY! After 6 girls, I was supposed to believe I was having a boy? So, I sat down and read the entire insert that came with the test. It said "Please refrain from having unprotected intercourse 48 hours before testing." The website elaborated more with this: "Preliminary tests indicate that there may be a link between false boy results and recent sexual intimacy. We recommend refraining from such activity for at least 48 hours prior to taking the test." Ooops...... It had been only 24 hours. Crap! I assumed that my test was wrong because I had intercourse. So, naturally I didn't believe it. We discussed it again and decided that in 2 weeks, we would buy another test and not have intercourse for 2 days prior. We bought the second test, I took it, and again the result was BOY! I was still in disbelief. There was no way I could be having a boy! I kept seeing cute little boy clothes but refrained from buying them. Eight weeks later, I had my ultrasound. The tech assured me 100%, with no doubt, that I was in fact carrying a BOY! It was confirmed again a month later. I can officially say that I am in the 82% accuracy rate.

As far as the test itself, the directions were clear and easy to understand. The test was simple to take. I prefer the easy pee on a stick tests like I use for pregnancy, but this one was simple enough. Everything needed was provided. The color codes depicting girl or boy were easy to see and compare. This is definitely not something I would buy if I were really struggling for money. The accuracy rate is not really that high and you can still have false hope for a certain sex for 10 weeks. But, if you have the $30-40 to spend, then why not give it a whirl?

Update on Pregnancy, Week #26

On Friday (yesterday), I received a call from a strange number. These days I rarely answer the phone if I do not recognize the number because I can only say "No, I'm not Jared." so many times before I get fed up. I decided to google the number and it came up as the number for my doctor's other office. Ah, no wonder I didn't recognize it. So, I called it back and talked with the nurse. Apparently when they sent my bloodwork off for my GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) they also checked it for other things. She said I was "slightly anemic". Oh, joy. I have never been anemic before. But, when I looked it up, it explained a lot of how I was feeling.

(The ones I have been feeling are in bold.)
If you do develop anemia, you might not have any symptoms at all, especially if your condition is mild. Or you might feel tired, weak, and dizzy. (Of course, these are symptoms that many women have anyway during pregnancy, anemic or not.) You might also notice that you're paler (especially in your fingernails, the underside of your eyelids, and your lips) and have a rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or trouble concentrating. Finally, some studies have found a link between severe iron-deficiency anemia and cravings for non-food substances such as ice, paper, or clay (a condition known as pica). If you do have these cravings, don't give in to them, and be sure to tell your healthcare provider. (Taken from BabyCenter)

Now I am on Hemocyte-F once a day.

Thursday 13 -- 13 Things I Have Been Craving

Connor will be amused by this when he's older....

13 Things I Have Been Craving This Pregnancy

1) Twinkies - Only fitting since I craved them with my first and now my last


2) Sunny Delight - Only the smooth


3) Wild Cherry Pepsi


4) Marie Callender's Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo


5) Crunch and Munch Caramel


6) Stouffer's Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta


7) Barber Food's Cordon Bleu Stuffed Chicken


8) Raising Cane's


9) Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes


10) Bubble gum - And I only chew it until the taste is gone, then it must be replaced


11) Baked Potato with lots of butter and Concord Food Potato Topping - I have tried it with bacon bits and nope, not the same!


12) Snickers


13 3 Musketeers


I know, nothing healthy, but what can I say???

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26 Weeks!

I am 26 weeks pregnant, today, with Baby Connor. I've only got 14 or less weeks to go! It's going by so fast!

I also had my 26 week check up today. I had to do the Glucose Tolerance Test. Bleh! I will not miss that! Those drinks are so nasty! My BP was fine, HB was 137, they said I was showing signs of dehydration, gave me a list of things to be on the look out for (contractions, etc. like I don't know enough about it). I signed my paperwork for the repeat c-section and my tubal. I drug Chris in there to sign the consent for my tubal too. Making sure those were signed this time around. I signed the consent for the circumcision, even though we won't be getting it done any way. I even had to sign a paper stating I knew how to do kick counts (?. Okayyyy..... 7th baby, if I don't know by now, I never will!) Then they said "Time for your ultrasound." I was never told I was having an ultrasound this time, but heck, I ain't gonna complain! It was a quick, probably only 5 minutes, ultrasound. Saw the heart, the head, the spine, the stomach, double-checked gender. I only got 2 pics from it, one proving that he is still a he and one of his little feet together. They estimated his weight to be 1 lb., 10 oz. and all looks good. He wasn't too pleased with being disturbed and would kick every time she moved across my belly. I guess he wasn't in a good mood from that nasty fruit punch glucose drink. Can't blame him, neither was I. And he was probably upset because he didn't get his morning Orange juice since I had to fast since midnight.

Look at his little, bitty feet! Awwwww........

Connor is still definitely Connor!
I go back in 2 weeks for my 28 week appointment.

Irony! Ask And You Shall Receive!

This is one of those odd posts. You know, the ones where you have something to say, but it's a really odd subject. First, the important thing to know is that I conceived Connor on June 16th. A few days later, me and Chris got into a huge tiff and it pretty much got to the point that we wouldn't even speak to each other. Well, on the 23rd, he sent me and email apologizing for all he had ever done and promising me that things would change between us. But, one part that stands out is, "I would love to try and have a boy with you one day!!!! Even though I have said no more my heart wants a boy if you know what i mean."

After we had Crystina, we said "That's it. She's gonna be an only child - no more." Then 4 years later, we had Carolyn. And once again, said she was the last. Three years later, Twins Part 1 were going to be the last. And again 2 years later after Twins Part 2 we said we were done. We decided 6 was enough and that we would remain content with our 6 girls and live our life. However, I have always had the nagging feeling that I wouldn't be complete without a son. A few times I had voiced my opinion to Chris but he remained firm - no more kids. So, I was absolutely floored when I read this email. I had just voiced my opinion a couple months prior. If we only knew -- that boy was already baking and neither of us knew.

That early, there was no way to know. But, looking back now, the signs were all there. We just didn't see them. Two days after I conceived, no lie!, I turned down shrimp! Now, anyone who knows me knows that I can pack away 5 lbs of these crustaceans alone. Chris bought a cooler full of shrimp, brought them home, cleaned and shelled them and then grilled them for me. I immediately turned them down; they absolutely repulsed me. I instead wanted an Italian BMT sub with extra meat and cheese and jalapeno peppers. Odd for me. Beginning 4 days after "conception", I immediately began wanting Raising Cane's food every day. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Admittedly, it is awesome food, but isn't that an overkill? Ummmm...... A week or so later, I tried to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and got sick to my stomach. I was always moody and emotional. I didn't understand it. I just thought I was getting ready to go through a bout of depression. I finally put 2 and 2 together 10 days after my missed period. I think at that point I really didn't want to believe it. It was in all honesty the worst possible time for a pregnancy. Chris and I were working through our marital problems, he had just been laid off, we were in an area where our family and friends were 1000 miles away. Luckily, our marital and financial situations are just fine now.

I still pick on him about it. I just think it's so ironic that he sends me an email talking about having a boy, and at that time I was already pregnant with our son -- we just didn't realize it!

24 Weeks -- Baby Connor's Progress

I am officially 24 weeks today. Little Connor is a very active baby. More late at night than during the day. I think I am measuring on the big side for a single pregnancy, but maybe he's just going to be a big boy.

I will update with a belly picture as soon as I can.

Here's some info I found on this week of pregnancy:
Mother:
Your fundus (top of the uterus) reaches just above your navel! You are now aware of your baby's movements and may even be able to tell the sleep/wake cycles of your little one. It is important to recognize the signs of premature labor. Premature labor is actually more common in the summer months, thought to be caused by dehydration in some women, so continue drinking lots of water!
**My note: I cannot stay hydrated for anything!**

Baby:
Your baby is almost completely formed, and is beginning to deposit brown fat on his or her body. The purpose of the brown fat is to retain body heat. Newborns are bad at regulating body temperature at first.
Babies born at this point have some chances of survival with very special care. They will be in the Intensive Care Unit, probably for many months. A major problem with premature babies is lung development.
He weighs in at 1 lb 5 ounces (595 grams) and 30 cms or 11.8 inches total length!
**My note: Connor weighed about 1 lb, 1 oz at 22 weeks.**

Dad:
Mom is now visibly pregnant for most everyone to notice. You may feel a swell of pride when talking about her and the new baby. This is a normal feeling, though some men say it really surprised them.


**Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009**
I had my 24 week appointment. Everything was good. Connor's heartbeat was 140. I go back in 2 weeks for my 26 wee appointment and my GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test).

Where do Babies Come From?

I held off announcing my pregnancy because I knew the comments and remarks I would hear.
"Do you know what causes that yet?"
"They do know what causes it and there are ways of preventing it."
"Are you crazy?"

Hmmmmm....... Whatever happened to the good old, old fashioned "Congratulations!"?

I'm at the point where I want to answer but I know that what I have to say would be considered mean and rude so I with-hold my comment. (FYI - I had written another post similar to this: http://theitalianbelladiaries.blogspot.com/2009/03/yes-i-have-6-kids.html)
I feel like just saying, "No, I don't know where they come from, please enlighten me."
or "Who knows how to prevent this????"
or "No more crazy than you for having any kids at all."
or "We're in competition with the Duggars!!! We're nowhere close to being done!"

Why does it matter to anyone else how many kids I have? Fine for you if you only want 1 or 2 kids. Makes no difference to me. To each their own. But, please don't question me if I have more than you. Don't question me if I have more than the "norm".

So, here's a piece of advice. Don't look at your friend and say any of the far above. Just simply say "Congratulations." It will be much more appreciated, and tolerated, than a dumb response of "Don't you know where they come from?" It makes you sound really dumb to look at a grown woman and ask that question.

Besides the general dumbness of the responses, I was really excited to announce this news as after 6 daughters I was FINALLY getting a son! I had never felt complete with each pregnancy. Don't get me wrong. I love each and every one of my daughters. I will hurt anyone who hurts them. I could never imagine my life without them and I would rather die than to lose them. But, with each pregnancy after my oldest, I was somewhat disappointed when the ultrasound showed that little girl part. I was overjoyed when the tech told me 100% without a doubt that this one was a boy. I finally felt complete. I know that this baby will be my last. But when people that have known me for a long time and know how bad I have always wanted a son, say something ridiculous when I announce that yes, I am pregnant with baby #7 and that it's a boy, it really hurts. Sometimes it's just best to say nothing at all if you can't even muster up enough strength to say Congratulations.

7th Time's the Charm!

Well, I can finally release this info to the world. But, I have known since July that I was expecting Baby number 7. I have also kept it under wraps because, quite honestly, I am over the whole "Don't you know what causes that?", etc comments. However, I did find out yesterday that after 6 girls, we are going to be having our one and only son! At 22 weeks, he weighs 1 lb, 1 oz and has a heart rate of 157 bpm. His name will be Connor Jamison.