Selah Elizabeth's Birthday Story

So, turns out Miss Selah just wanted to cook some more in my tummy. She ended up not coming on her own, like I thought she might, and we ended up being induced. Something I am completely fine with. My parents flew in early morning the day before. I am so glad to have had that time with them before things got crazy (because trust me they have been crazy!) and I'm glad Owen had true one and one time with Papa and Gramma. It was their 30th anniversary and my dad's birthday that day, so we took them out for a nice Italian dinner to celebrate. It was such a good night and I was glad to have been able to celebrate 30 years of marriage with them and my dad's life!

On Tuesday morning April 19th, my mom, Joe and I got up early and packed up the car to go to the hospital. (Papa was on Owen duty all day) We arrived just at 7am, and checked in for the induction. The nurses brought us to our room and got me all set up to go. When she hooked up the monitor to my belly she asked if I was feeling any contractions, and I said no. Apparently, I was having a good amount on my own and all I was really feeling was my stomach tightening-something I had been feeling for weeks.  I didn't get the pitocin as early as I thought I would.  I tested positive for GBS and I'm allergic to penicillin. When the doctor came in to check on me she thought it was fine to give me penicillin (I have not had it since I was a baby and the only reaction I had to it was a rash) well, the nurse was not feeling comfortable with that, and did some research on another antibiotic, cleared it with the doctor and as soon as she got me the proper meds she got me hooked up to the pitocin at 8:10am. Also, when the doctor came to check on me, I was still at a good ol' 2 centimeters dilated and 60% effaced and baby's head was at station -1. Pretty much the same since I was 38 weeks pregnant. So we waited....and at 9:10 my water broke all on it's own. More waiting. Not much happened as far as me dilating anymore. The contractions were coming and the pitocin levels were being messed with. At that point I was not feeling much pain.  The doctor came in and checked me again and said I was at 4 cm, which felt kinda discouraging. But, I tried telling myself it was still early, and my body was doing what it was supposed to be doing. The contractions were getting stronger, but manageable. I started feeling a lot of pressure and when the nurse came in again, maybe 30-45 minutes later I told her that and she checked me again. She thought I was closer to a 5 at that point. That's when I started getting nervous about what pain was REALLY going to feel like-even though I was still somewhat comfortable. So, I shared my concerns with her and I decided to order my epidural. For some reason I was really scared during the process of getting this epidural, with Owen I don't remember being scared-I was nervous...HELLO  BIG needle going into your spine, but not scared. I prayed through the whole thing and Joe was so soothing and loving. He kept me focused and kept rubbing my legs and talking me through it. After I got my epidural more waiting....and more waiting. When I was laboring every contraction I was having Selah's heart rate would go down, so they had me on oxygen and kept monitoring she and I. The nurse would have me labor on either side going back and forth and during those times I was feeling lots more pressure, and some pain. Even though I got an epidural, the anesthesiologist told Joe and I it wasn't going to be very strong and it would still allow me to feel pressure and let me know "mother nature was doing her job". Being on my sides was not helping me dilate and it was reallllly uncomfortable. The doctor came in again at her lunchtime and checked me again, still not more dilating.  At around 1ish the nurse sat me straight up and had me labor that way. She thought gravity might help move things along. So, we waited while I labored like that. Joe and my mom were bored...I was bored! Why did I forget the deck of cards? I kept saying =) So, they kinda were dozing off and I was too, but still aware of much pressure going on and watching the contractions on the monitor which were getting stronger. At about 2:00 The pressure and some pain were getting worse and Joe asked if I wanted him to get the nurse. I said no, I would let her know when she came in next as we were watching the monitor and I suspected she would be in soon because the contractions were really strong at that point. Sure enough she was in within 20 minutes. She checked me and said "I was complete" to which Joe said "what does that mean?' and she said " you will be having a baby by 3:00! I made it to 10 centimeters! As soon as I heard that the tears started coming. I was overwhelmed with feelings of excitement, and anxious about pushing, I couldn't believe I was going to see Selah in just a short time...doctor came in about 2:40, got set up and at 2:45 I started pushing. UmmmmSelah Elizabeth Braun entered the world at 2:54 pm. She was/is perfect! Had a FULL set of dark curly hair (just like in a dream I had of her) She weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and was 19 inches long. It was just as precious and wonderful as when I gave birth to Owen. The same automatic, unconditional love was there, and it felt so good to finally hold my little girl that I prayed and dreamed about for 9 months in the womb.

39 weeks

WE ARE SO READY FOR THIS LITTLE LADY TO COME!

Earlier this week I had my last doctor's check up. It was so weird hearing "well, if we don't see you in in labor and delivery on your own, we will see you Tuesday in labor and delivery and you will have your baby!" I am still 2 centimeters dilated and effaced 80%. No changes. She is comfy cozy in there and as the days pass I am starting to lean on I will probably end up being induced, which is fine with me. The mystery of when she is going to come is fun, exciting and it makes me anxious all at the same time. Only time will tell.

My belly button has popped! PS I love how Owen's face looks totally confused here. I think there will be many of these looks in the weeks to come!

On the other hand I LOVE how he loves his sister and loves kissing my belly. I pray he continues to love and kiss his sister for all his days.

such the ladies man

Owen and I were driving to church this past Sunday and he was looking incrediably cute. I was looking at him through my rear view mirror at a stop light and told him, "Owen you are so handsome." He said "Mommy you are handsome too" I thanked him, but then explained to him that boys were handsome, and girls were pretty. He then told me "Oh, mommy you are pretty!" I thanked him again and then I asked him if he knew any other pretty girls. I didn't know if he would think of anyone, but thought if he did he would say some of his favorite friends like Maddie or Olivia. Nope. He said "Ummmmm Mrs. Hulsey" I laughed and agreed with him, "yes Mrs Hulsey is very pretty". Mrs Hulsey is one of me and Joe's friends, Julie. Owen loves her and her family. I told Julie this, and her immediate reponse was that he made her day, and now she needed to buy him something! =) He already knows how to work the ladies!

38 weeks

I wanted to do a little "photo shoot" and get some cute pics of Owen and I with my very pregnant belly, but Owen was very wiggly and not very patient. I am happy with the few we got. They feel very organic and share they craziness of what it's like to live with Owen sometimes! =) He is a very active little guy, and I love it! I love how he loves kissing his sister in the belly. Hope he loves kissing her more outside of the belly...

Went to the doctor for my weekly check up and I have made some progress since my last visit. I am now 2 centimeters dilated, 80% effaced and the baby's head is in in -2 station. She is doing everything she is supposed to to get ready to come! I'm feeling it too. I am having some little contraction, and one notable contraction that was a bit painful. I am feeling very waddily and slow. I'm ready! Come on baby girl!!!

37 weeks

I had my 37 week check up earlier this week. We are now to the point of visiting our doctor on a weekly basis. Kinda cool, kinda annoying. At this appointment I was told I had gained 4 pounds in a week...hmmm not sure if I agree, but maybe? So I am now weighing in at 152. Not too bad!  Again vitals and baby's heartbeat are all great. Every time they put the heart monitor on my belly and find her heart beat it is so comforting to know she is alive, active, and growing healthy in there-it makes me smile every time. We ended up scheduling a a date for induction, in the event she does not come on her own. So, we will be induced on April 19th at 7:30 (again, if she doesn't come on her own) Although, the doctr I saw that day seemed weirdly confident the baby will come on her own, before the 19th. We shall see... I love knowing that there is a for sure date that she will be here!!! It makes me nervous, happy, and excited all at the same time! I will go for my next appointment on Tuesday and will be checked again for any progress being made!

36 week check up

I'm a little behind on this post...between having some computer issues and well being lazy it's taken me almost 2 weeks to write this post.

At my 36 week appointment I gained 1 more pound putting me at 148, my vitals were great, and the baby's heart beat continues to sound strong! This appointment was a little more involved. I was tested for Group Strep B and the doctor checked to see if I had dilated at all. Good news! I was dilated to 1.5 centimeters and 60% effaced! This news made me glad and somewhat relieved. At this point in my pregnancy with Owen I was .5 centimeters dilated, and stayed that way until I was admitted to the hospital for his induction. So, knowing my body is progressing more on it's own, than it had the first time around is encouraging! The doctor reminded me of things to look for as far as labor goes and protocols they want me to follow. She told me that this being my second baby they want me to get to the hospital if I have contractions that last 8-10 minutes apart, that last for one minute, for 1 hour. She also asked if we were wanting to induce this time around. I never really thought I had the option to decide this early on... I guess due to the fact that I had a great induction experience with Owen and I was progressing well, they find me in favor of a good induction experience again. I told her I wanted to think on it, and talk with Joe more about it.  All and all a good appointment. It was so good going to that visit knowing that our baby girl would here in 4-5 week-not very long at all!