He Had Me From Hello: July 2012

I want to keep an on-going post for each of the kids, an easy way to keep everything in one place. Just something to help keep track of all of their milestones and cute little things that they do.

Foster Kingsley

I found out I was pregnant at the end of October and was so excited and a little surprised. We had been trying, but it was the first month I had a period again since Beatrix was still nursing a couple times a day. It was Halloween when I told Corey. We were trick-or-treating with the girls and someone made a comment about us having another one soon. I didn't say a word until we were back in the car and he asked me if I knew something that he didn't. He freaked out a bit at first but was just as excited as I was in no time.

This was by far my hardest pregnancy yet. "Morning" sickness, I gained more weight, had a much bigger belly, the list goes on and on. Early on I craved bacon, egg, and cheese bagels from McDonalds, a lot of times Corey would go get me one on his was home from night shift. Once it got hot out I craved cucumbers and ice, Sonic ice to be specific.

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- December 26, 2011 heard heartbeat at 12w 1d

- December 29, 2011 felt baby move at 12w 4d

- January 17, 2012 it's a boy! Corey surprised me with an early birthday present, we took a trip to Columbus to an ultrasound place! I was shocked and SO excited when we found out he was a boy, I was expecting another girl since we already had two.

- January 29, 2012 17 weeks, moves consistently.

- February 17, 2012 19 weeks 5 days anatomy scan. Everything looks good, still a boy, measuring a week ahead. Weighs 12oz.

- March 16, 2012 23 weeks 5 days u/s weighs 1lb 7oz

- April 27, 2012 29 weeks 5 days u/s weighs 3lb 8oz 67th %tile

- June 13, 2012 36 week appt 1cm dialated, 50% effaced

- June 27, 2012 38 week appt, 2cm dialated, stripped my membranes

- July 13, 2012 born at 11:25am

8lbs 10oz and 22in long

I woke up around 4:30 to a contraction, so I laid in bed for a while and timed them. They were consistent so I got up to move around to see if they continued. Corey got up at 6 because he had some things to do today and I still wasn't sure if I was truly in labor. I started cleaning house just to pass the time but ctx were getting pretty intense already and the hospital is about an hr from our house. So we called my mom to come over and watch the girls. We left our house around 7:40 and luckily didn't run into much traffic (although we had trouble with parking due to construction at the hospital). They got me checked in and took me to triage, but moved me straight to a room since I was already 5cm and -1 station I was on the birth ball for a little bit and was 6cm after that. Then I moved to the tub, didn't help much with the pain but it was still a nice distraction. Ctx got really intense, so we went back to the room and I was still only 7.5-7cm. Then I apparently hit transition because they got really strong and really frequent all of a sudden. The dr checked me literally 10-15mins later when we were discussing breaking my water to speed things up and I was at 10cm.

I was completely miserable at this point and wondering wtf I was thinking trying to go without an epidural, lol. Anyway, started pushing and he was out in less that ten minutes. They put him straight on my chest and he stayed there for quite a while (and peed all over me! Lol).

I had awesome nurses and if it weren't for them I would have gotten an epidural. They were very "pro" natural birth. It was an interesting experience, more pain than I ever thought possible (partially my fault for not being more prepared) and a lot of back labor.

It's such a strange sensation to feel everything while you're pushing. It held me back for a minute because I didn't want to poop (lol! And I didn't anyway, according to Corey). He came out fairly fast and the "ring of fire" was painful but nothing compared to ctx. No episiotomy or tears at all.

The hospital stay was amazing. I loved spending time with just Daddy and Foster while the girls were with GheeGhee. It was nice to be able to snuggle and nurse him as often as I wanted. Just relax and bond with our new baby boy. And I was obsessed with the awesome smoothies at the cafe in the hospital.

- Discharge from hospital on Sunday July 15, 2012. Weighed 8lb 2oz

- July 17, 2012: 4 day old check-up

Weighs 8lbs 6oz(60th %tile), 22in long(97th %tile), 13 7/8" head circ(25th %tile). Nursed 2oz in one feeding on right side.

- July 24, 2012: Fosters umbilical cord fell off.

- August 14, 2012- 1mo checkup

12lb 10oz

23 3/4" long

14 3/4" head

- August 21, 2012- dr appt for possible ear infection. 14lbs 6oz (with clothes and diaper on)

- September 6, 2012- wic appt. 15lbs 15oz and 24.75" long (with clothes and diaper on)

- September 14, 2012- 2mo wcc

15lbs 10oz (99th %tile) and 24 3/4" long (95th %tile) and 16" head circumference (65th %tile). Got DTaP and Rotavirus.

- September 15, 2012- first time leaving Foster to take pictures for a wedding.

- September 26, 2012- rolled over from front to back twice.

Foster Kingsley was born on Friday July 13, 2012 at 11:25am est all natural, exactly 5 days overdue. He was 8lbs 10oz and 22in long. He is perfect in every way and we couldn't love him more.

(I was convinced throughout my entire pregnancy that he was going to come early. I tried for WEEKS to go into labor: birth ball, walking, squats, sex, dancing, a hot bath.... and nothing worked. I think I drove my poor husband insane, but he was very sweet and went along with all of my insanity! Finally, five days overdue, Foster made his debut!)

His birth story: I woke up around 4:30am to a contraction, so I laid in bed for a while and timed them. They were consistent so I got up to move around to see if they continued. Corey got up at 6 because he had some things to do today and I still wasn't sure if I was truly in labor. I started cleaning house just to pass the time but ctx were getting pretty intense already and the hospital is about an hour from our house. So we called my mom to come over and watch the girls. We left our house around 7:40 and luckily didn't run into much traffic (although we had trouble with parking due to construction at the hospital). They got me checked in and took me to triage, but moved me straight to a room since I was already 5cm and -1 station. I was on the birth ball for a little bit and was 6cm after that. Then I moved to the tub, didn't help much with the pain but it was still a nice distraction. Ctx got really intense, so we went back to the room and I was still only 6.5-7cm. Then I apparently hit transition because they got really strong and really frequent all of a sudden. The dr checked me literally 10-15mins later when we were discussing breaking my water to speed things up and I was at 10cm.

I was completely miserable at this point and wondering wtf I was thinking trying to go without an epidural. Anyway, started pushing and he was out in less that ten minutes. They put him straight on my chest and he stayed there for quite a while (and peed all over me! Lol).

It's such a strange sensation to feel everything while you're pushing. He came out fairly fast and the "ring of fire" was painful but nothing compared to ctx. No episiotomy or tears at all.

Sorry that's so long and "story-telling" isn't my strong point, but it's something I never want to forget. Some pictures of our beautiful new son:

40 week belly shot, he was born 5 days later. The dr was pushing to induce me earlier in the week (for no good reason, other than being overdue) and I am so glad that I refused.