The Birth Story of Ms. Stella:
I remember blogging many details of William's birthdate right after he was born, and would go back and re-read it sometimes...and it makes me smile to this day. Maybe because I mostly blogged about the things I actually wanted to remember, ha. So, I wanted to make sure and do the same for Stella. I quickly learned that what everyone says is so true...No two pregnancies are alike!
First of all, as you all know, William was born 2 and 1/2 weeks early, so I was REALLY hoping Stella would do the same. She was really pointy in my belly, just the way William was, so in my pregnant head that was a good sign. For some reason I grow very pointy babies, although Stella was almost more pointy than William. I could still see my waistline, they just grow outward- which I'm not really sure is a good thing. When I would try to sleep, my pregnancy pillow was a MUST because my waist had no support and my back was being pulled on by my huge pointy tummy- Best investment EVER! So that's about as similar as the two were. Well that, and my cravings for spicy food! I think I had at least a jalapeño a day with Stella, and lots of other hot sauces with William. Which is why he's already having hot sauce on fruits and veggies, and loving it. His favorite snack after nap time is a sliced Persian cucumber with lime and tajin (spicy powder). It's delicious!
Here we are, a day before Stella was born munching on mango, cucumbers and jicama with lime and tajin...Courtesy of Garrett :) PS- William loves the cucumbers the most, so it works out to share:)
Actual story: (Warning, skip this part if you just don't need to know the details, some of you may think this is TMI- you've been warned ;)
I had been having pretty strong braxton hicks contractions for about 3 weeks. I never really felt these with William, and since they kept getting stronger as the days went by, I seriously thought I would go into labor, or at least have my water break any minute! I really thought she was going to be born Garrett's birthday weekend, but she (obviously) had other plans. The "fake contractions" kept getting stronger, but not closer together in time which was soooo frustrating! Finally, around 2-3A.M. on June 3rd I woke up to some pretty strong pain, definitely more intense. I kept trying to go back to sleep while keeping an eye on the time, to see how far apart they were. By 4 AM, I knew we would have to go to the hospital but again, I tried to go back to sleep and decided not to wake Garrett up yet. This time I was aware of the severe sleep deprivation that was ahead, so I figured I'd let him enjoy uninterrupted sleep for one last night before the baby arrived. Around 5 AM, the pain would no longer let me sleep. I waited a bit longer, and then finally let Garrett know I was going to jump in the shower, and that I suggested he shower right after since it was "go-time." Luckily, my Mom and Gloria were already staying with us, so I had peace of mind that William would be in good hands. By the time we actually loaded the car and left, I got to hug and kiss William good-bye and it was almost 7 AM.
We actually got officially checked into the hospital at almost 8AM, and I was 4 cm dilated at that point. My contractions were getting stronger, longer, and closer together, so I decided it was epidural time. Right after they gave me the epidural, I confessed to Garrett that I actually had had second thoughts about getting it because the contractions were painful, but I was getting a decent break in between, so I felt like I had time to recover and thought I could power through without it. The nurse overheard our conversation, and told me that if it made me feel better, the contractions were almost two minutes long now (way longer than before), were more intense in pain and were coming every two minutes, so I wouldn't really be getting the break in between to recover at all. She told me I made the right choice. Unfortunately for me, the epidural didn't take completely. At first, I could mildly still feel pain on the right side of my body, and then I full-on had to start doing breathing exercises again! I felt like I was giving natural birth for the last hour of labor until the anesthesiologist finally made it back in and gave me another dose. The pain was so intense, I couldn't even talk when they came in to ask me questions:( Garrett kept telling them to fix it, and that last time I felt no pain! By that time though, I already felt like I had to push the baby out and was fully dialated to 10 cm.
That was probably the toughest part. There were a couple of other things that didn't go "awesome" between the beginning of the story and the actual birth, but I'm trying to keep the story simple :) The birth moved so quickly that by Noon-ish, (yes, less than 4 hours later!) I went from 4 to 10cm dialated, and Stella was born shortly after. Wayyyyy quicker than it was with William! :)
I'm also happy to report that I didn't pass out this time. Garrett was really good about putting ice water in my face during labor so I would be forced to drink more and stay hydrated. I also had two gatorades before getting up and I think all of the above helped. Remember with W I got up to use the restroom and fainted and then started convulsing? I knew to take it easy this time, and I also had two nurses on stand-by in the bathroom with me, just in case :)
The biggest difference between my two babies (still getting used to the plural, I kind of love it though!) was that they were both posterior facing babies, aka facing up. William actually came through the birth canal that way and our amazing doctor in Modesto was able to flip him down-and- out with a vacuum, and helped me deliver vaginally- I was incredibly close to having a c-section. Stella showed she was facing up at our 37 week ultrasound, but thankfully she flipped in the birth canal and came out just fine. Yay!
Even though she weighed over a pound more than William, she was almost easier to deliver. There was less pressure when I had her, and also way less stitches involved this time, which was also a plus! :) The magic of the second baby..I guess I have William to thank ;)
Waking up next to my new baby the next morning at the hospital. Beats any view in the world- I think every mom feels that way:)
Super attractive hospital socks..
So not at dramatic as when W was born, but that's because it took less than half as long for her to get here, so there wasn't much time! Many things were better this time around; knowing what to expect as far as what the baby looks like, (a little bloody and white, not to mention a little swollen, poor thing!) and what the procedures afterwards are, including skin to skin and nursing. Not that it makes it any easier, but at least I was mentally prepared!:)
Waiting to get the official green-light to go home:) We're both swollen, exhausted and ready to go!
First car ride going home. Not even a 5 minute drive, so not too terrible.
Meeting her big brother, also a cute video on the youtube channel. William has overall done pretty well with the transition. He's always done very well with change. ie. dropping pacifiers, no longer using bottles, etc.
Our baby boy is growing up! :)
First visitors: My Aunt Rosa Maria, and Uncle Carlos. Aka some of William's favorite people and his Godparents :) It was really fun having them come and visit. They spoiled us all with presents and their famous pancakes the next morning :)
Uncle Carlos helping William open some very fun cars they brought him- a police car and a helicopter :)
Unfortunately, we had a leak over our living room ceiling Saturday morning before my aunt and uncle arrived. Even more unfortunate was when my Aunt and I were talking in the living room while she held Stella, and all of a sudden a part of the ceiling come down and I look up to see Garrett's legs dangling from the ceiling! Not ideal ever, but especially not when you have a 3 day old baby, and visitors! (Garrett didn't fall through, by the way- thank goodness!)
2 weeks later the contractor is almost fully done with the repair! Turns out the leak was here before we moved in, so the previous sellers will be hearing from us once he repairs are all done. Ugh
Stella's first bath: Still a little swollen...
As soon as Susi finished finals she came over too, and my Dad came a couple days before to meet the little lady as well.
Hanging with her Dad...
Some nice goodies sent to the house from Rich & Doris, Jeremy, Kathy & MacKenzie and Frito lay:)
W loved the balloon :)
Celina and Kareem came to visit too, and brought William some big brother goodies. William loved playing with his new toys and with both of them too!
Hanging out outside, blowing bubbles and playing with W's water table. My Dad BBQ'd some corn, so we were all having a good time hanging out.
Silly faces:
On our way back from the pediatrician
Hanging out on Grandma Doris' quilt
Enjoying Abue Pita's beautiful bassinet
My view the past couple mornings.. Aka the best :)
Here we are, a day before Stella was born munching on mango, cucumbers and jicama with lime and tajin...Courtesy of Garrett :) PS- William loves the cucumbers the most, so it works out to share:)
I had been having pretty strong braxton hicks contractions for about 3 weeks. I never really felt these with William, and since they kept getting stronger as the days went by, I seriously thought I would go into labor, or at least have my water break any minute! I really thought she was going to be born Garrett's birthday weekend, but she (obviously) had other plans. The "fake contractions" kept getting stronger, but not closer together in time which was soooo frustrating! Finally, around 2-3A.M. on June 3rd I woke up to some pretty strong pain, definitely more intense. I kept trying to go back to sleep while keeping an eye on the time, to see how far apart they were. By 4 AM, I knew we would have to go to the hospital but again, I tried to go back to sleep and decided not to wake Garrett up yet. This time I was aware of the severe sleep deprivation that was ahead, so I figured I'd let him enjoy uninterrupted sleep for one last night before the baby arrived. Around 5 AM, the pain would no longer let me sleep. I waited a bit longer, and then finally let Garrett know I was going to jump in the shower, and that I suggested he shower right after since it was "go-time." Luckily, my Mom and Gloria were already staying with us, so I had peace of mind that William would be in good hands. By the time we actually loaded the car and left, I got to hug and kiss William good-bye and it was almost 7 AM.
We actually got officially checked into the hospital at almost 8AM, and I was 4 cm dilated at that point. My contractions were getting stronger, longer, and closer together, so I decided it was epidural time. Right after they gave me the epidural, I confessed to Garrett that I actually had had second thoughts about getting it because the contractions were painful, but I was getting a decent break in between, so I felt like I had time to recover and thought I could power through without it. The nurse overheard our conversation, and told me that if it made me feel better, the contractions were almost two minutes long now (way longer than before), were more intense in pain and were coming every two minutes, so I wouldn't really be getting the break in between to recover at all. She told me I made the right choice. Unfortunately for me, the epidural didn't take completely. At first, I could mildly still feel pain on the right side of my body, and then I full-on had to start doing breathing exercises again! I felt like I was giving natural birth for the last hour of labor until the anesthesiologist finally made it back in and gave me another dose. The pain was so intense, I couldn't even talk when they came in to ask me questions:( Garrett kept telling them to fix it, and that last time I felt no pain! By that time though, I already felt like I had to push the baby out and was fully dialated to 10 cm.
That was probably the toughest part. There were a couple of other things that didn't go "awesome" between the beginning of the story and the actual birth, but I'm trying to keep the story simple :) The birth moved so quickly that by Noon-ish, (yes, less than 4 hours later!) I went from 4 to 10cm dialated, and Stella was born shortly after. Wayyyyy quicker than it was with William! :)
The biggest difference between my two babies (still getting used to the plural, I kind of love it though!) was that they were both posterior facing babies, aka facing up. William actually came through the birth canal that way and our amazing doctor in Modesto was able to flip him down-and- out with a vacuum, and helped me deliver vaginally- I was incredibly close to having a c-section. Stella showed she was facing up at our 37 week ultrasound, but thankfully she flipped in the birth canal and came out just fine. Yay!
Even though she weighed over a pound more than William, she was almost easier to deliver. There was less pressure when I had her, and also way less stitches involved this time, which was also a plus! :) The magic of the second baby..I guess I have William to thank ;)
Waking up next to my new baby the next morning at the hospital. Beats any view in the world- I think every mom feels that way:)
Super attractive hospital socks..
So not at dramatic as when W was born, but that's because it took less than half as long for her to get here, so there wasn't much time! Many things were better this time around; knowing what to expect as far as what the baby looks like, (a little bloody and white, not to mention a little swollen, poor thing!) and what the procedures afterwards are, including skin to skin and nursing. Not that it makes it any easier, but at least I was mentally prepared!:)
Waiting to get the official green-light to go home:) We're both swollen, exhausted and ready to go!
First car ride going home. Not even a 5 minute drive, so not too terrible.
Meeting her big brother, also a cute video on the youtube channel. William has overall done pretty well with the transition. He's always done very well with change. ie. dropping pacifiers, no longer using bottles, etc.
Our baby boy is growing up! :)
First visitors: My Aunt Rosa Maria, and Uncle Carlos. Aka some of William's favorite people and his Godparents :) It was really fun having them come and visit. They spoiled us all with presents and their famous pancakes the next morning :)
Uncle Carlos helping William open some very fun cars they brought him- a police car and a helicopter :)
Unfortunately, we had a leak over our living room ceiling Saturday morning before my aunt and uncle arrived. Even more unfortunate was when my Aunt and I were talking in the living room while she held Stella, and all of a sudden a part of the ceiling come down and I look up to see Garrett's legs dangling from the ceiling! Not ideal ever, but especially not when you have a 3 day old baby, and visitors! (Garrett didn't fall through, by the way- thank goodness!)
2 weeks later the contractor is almost fully done with the repair! Turns out the leak was here before we moved in, so the previous sellers will be hearing from us once he repairs are all done. Ugh
Stella's first bath: Still a little swollen...
As soon as Susi finished finals she came over too, and my Dad came a couple days before to meet the little lady as well.
Hanging with her Dad...
Some nice goodies sent to the house from Rich & Doris, Jeremy, Kathy & MacKenzie and Frito lay:)
W loved the balloon :)
Celina and Kareem came to visit too, and brought William some big brother goodies. William loved playing with his new toys and with both of them too!
Silly faces:
On our way back from the pediatrician
Hanging out on Grandma Doris' quilt
Enjoying Abue Pita's beautiful bassinet
My view the past couple mornings.. Aka the best :)
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