She is here!!!!

Where does the time go.   Kenna Rae Helland arrived on Monday December 17th  at 2:06 A.M.  She was 6 lbs 1 oz and was 19 inches long

 

The birth story and weeks to follow:
I last posted on Saturday the 15th and felt great.  Then on Sunday morning my water broke.  To say the least, I was shocked. On Saturday night my husband had his buddy over and I ended up not getting any sleep on Saturday night because of those yahoos and woke up to a surprise on Sunday morning.  My water broke while I was in bed and at first it was just a little bit, so I ran to the bathroom,  unsure or in denial that my water just broke.  Sure enough. More kept coming so I woke up my husband.  After that we called the doctor and they told us to come in to make sure my water broke.  So we nervously packed the bags and headed out.  It was odd because I had no contractions before my water broke.  They soon started once I got to the hospital. They confirmed that my water did break and I was 1 cm dilated.  Only 9 cm to go.  I was excited because I thought I would get to watch the packer game and it would keep me distracted.  Well, the dang vikings were on instead and they did not help distract me from my contractions.  My contractions soon started to get worse and worse. At 3 O'clock they checked me and I was only at a 2.  Oh my, this was not good news because my contractions were very intense already.  My cervix sucked and did not want to dilate.  So my nurse recommend I take a bath to help relax.  The bath didn't help and my contractions continued to get worse.  At 4 they checked me and I was at a 3.  Around 4:30- 5:00 I decided to get the epidural.  At the time another lady was getting an epidural so I had to wait.  Then, the doctor finally came and set me up with an epidural.  It did not hurt at all and I did not see the needle, but my contractions were not getting any better.  During my contractions I would get nauseous and shake and I thought for second maybe epidurals do not work on me:(   The nurse informed me that they should work and called the doctor back to give me another one.  Finally around 6:30 I got the second epidural and felt instant relief.  After that I immediately relaxed and felt way better.  

From there my family came to visit and then at 9:00 my doctor was looking at my contractions and suggested that we check before she switched shifts.  She gave Travis and I a weird look and said you are 10 cm dilated.  In 2 hours I went from a 5 to 10.  They said my body was so tense before and my cervix wouldn't dilate.  So we called my family back and told them that we were going to have a baby.  Travis and I were in shock and that i could start pushing.  Pushing wasn't easy and the baby wasn't dropping at all.  Also, when I would push the baby's heart rate would drop.  So after an hour I would stop pushing and let the baby descend on its own.  So we waited an hour and tried to push again. Again I was only able to push for a little bit before I would have to stop to let the baby's heart rate go back to normal.  We stopped and started until about 1:30 in the morning when the doctor said that we need to get this baby out.  They were going to try to use the vacuum or have to have a c-section.  Our baby had pooped in the womb and her heart rate was getting lower.  So 6 pushes later, we got her out with no vacuum or csection. When she came out her cord was wrapped around her neck.  Travis also announced to me that we had a little baby girl:)  I wasn't surprised at all.  I think I would have been more in shock if it was a boy. Right away they put her on me and then took her to make sure everything was okay.  I was in shock and tired out that I had just had a baby and I was now a mom to this tiny little baby.  It was scary and exciting all at once.  I was happy that our little peanut came out okay and that she was healthy.   At 3:00 am my family got to come in and meet the newest addition of our family.   After that, they took her for test and check my vitals.  Every half hour they checked my vitals and would bring her back when she wanted to eat.  To say the least I again got no sleep. 

So there is my birth story. I wanted to try it natural, but ended up with an epidural and couldn't be more happy about it. Next time I am going to just opt for the epidural right away.  More to come on life with a baby. 
 

39 Weeks and 3 days

39 weeks and 3 days.  That means 4 days until due dateJ Holy smokes, where does the time go when your having funJ Or just crazy busy.  These last couple weeks have been great.  Last weekend, was my mom’s birthday so we went out to eat with her and my sisters to celebrate. I thought it would be fun to give her a grandchild for her birthday, but the baby didn’t agree and we had no such luck.   We also did a little shopping and then went and got the Christmas tree with my dad, Susan, and my sister.  At the time we had no snow and it was pretty nice out for December.  The rest of the day I just hung out on the couch.  Travis had to ref a basketball game so I just stayed home and watched some tv.  On Sunday, we had a snow storm and got 14 inches of snow lol.  It was pretty crazy.  So we just watched football all day and tried to go plow, but got stuck 3 times so thought we should wait until morning.   On Monday, school was canceled.  Alleluia.  A four day school week is just what I needed.  School flew by this week and I am looking forward to only have one week of school before Christmas breakJ          

As for baby news, we had a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday.  She said everything is going great. I have not dropped yet and have not had any contractions so I am guessing this baby will be staying in my belly until Christmas.  It seems pretty happy and content in there.  She also didn’t check me this last week. Before I was only a half a cm dilated and I don’t think much had happened so we are just going to wait and check this next Tuesday.   I was going to go out and try to walk to get the baby moving, but it’s raining out.  I tell ya we get some crazy weather in Wisconsin.   I am very thankful that I have had such a wonderful pregnancy and still feel really good; I am just getting very excited to meet our little one.  To find out if it is a boy or a girl and to see what he/she looks like and how much he/she weighs.  Hopefully it will be sooner that two weeksJ Fingers crossed.              

How far along?  39 weeks  

Total weight gain/loss: 20- 21 lbs     

Maternity clothes? Yes.  Still mixing in some normal shirts, but I am running out of things to wear. 

Stretch Marks? Still keeping my fingers cross.  Everything looks good so far.   

Best Moment: This week we got our crib mattress and glider rocking chair in the mail.  Also, I got my hair cut and a pedicure from my wonderful sister.   Ohhh my sister also bought me a pregnancy massage for my baby shower so I went and got that this last week and it was fabulous.  

Miss Anything:  Running and exercising until I am so exhausted I can’t do anymore.  Sometimes it just feels good to kick your own butt and be really sore from working out.      

Movement: Yes, not as much.  I think the baby is getting too big for my belly.    

Food cravings:  Sweets and pizza lol.  They are not cravings where I need this right now they are just things I like to eat.  This week I have been eating a lot of grapefruit, Ritz Christmas cookies, pizza, and captain crunch.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing     

Have you started to show yet? Yes, baby belly continues to grow everyday.                

Labor Signs: Feeling great, too great.  

Belly button in or out? Poppin- my sister thinks its fun to poke now.        

Gender: No idea.  Lots of guesses lately that it is a boy.       

Wedding ring on or off? Still on.    

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy- excited, anxious, getting less patient at school with my kiddos.  Getting less patient with waiting and sometimes with my husband making comments about being patient.  Yes, yes, I am trying to be patient and not think about it, easier said then done.  

Looking forward to:

One week of school until Christmas breakJ Hopefully having a baby within the next week. MMMM that’s about all.  

38 WEEKS



Tiger Tuesday at School



38 weeks. 14 days left.  It is amazing to think I have been pregnant since March.  It went fast looking back on it, but it’s amazing that I have had a baby growing in me all that time. 

This last week was great, but exhausting.  I definitely feel more pregnant this week.  I am more tired than ever, but at night I lay in bed thinking of a million different things.  I have also been having hot flashes.  Where I get very uncomfortably hot and my fingers swell up and it’s just not good.  I have also been getting some sharp pains in my upper thigh.   I will be walking in the classroom and get a sharp pain in my leg and make a weird face.  I think my kids think I am crazy.  I am guessing these symptoms will only get worse as I get closer to my due date.  I wouldn’t mind if I started to have some contractions.  

This weekend was great. Travis and I, went with my dad, step mom, and sister, to a play in the cities.  The play was hilarious and I was almost crying laughing in some parts.  Afterwards we went out to eat.  I had a great time with my family and visiting with them.  Travis and I also picked up some presents on Saturday and our CHRISTMAS TREE.  On Sunday, we cleaned the house and put up our tree and decorated it.  I also made some cookies.  Travis got the car seats ready and put them in the vehicles.  It is funny to see the car seat in there every morning when I go to school.  

School this week has been crazy.  Grades were due on Tuesday at Noon.  I spent a lot of time finishing them up and getting them ready.  I also worked on my sub plans for my maternity leave.  Talk about a lot of work. Wufta.  It took forever, but I think I left my sub with a good outline of what should go on while I am away.   One great thing about school this week was that my fellow teachers had a baby shower for me.  It was wonderful and I feel so blessed to work with such great people.  We had food and cake and they gave us a wonderful present for baby H.                           

How far along?  38 weeks  

Total weight gain/loss: 20- 21 lbs     

Maternity clothes? Yes.  Still mixing with some normal shirts. Getting more uncomfortable every day.    

Stretch Marks? I haven’t spotted anything yet.

Best Moment: Being one week closer. Getting my sub plans done for when I go on maternity leave, getting my grades done, surprise baby shower at school, and getting our house cleaned and ready.  

Miss Anything:  Running and exercising and not being tired.    

Movement: Yes, it is amazing to think there is a little human in there. 

Food cravings:  Those Christmas cookies that are the Ritz crackers with peanut butter in the middle and then they are dipped in chocolate.  Also, anything sweet. I think I could eat cereal for every meal.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing     

Have you started to show yet? Yes, still growing.                

Labor Signs: No contractions, but some cramping.  

Belly button in or out? Poppin     

Gender: Not sure, cant wait to find outJ    

Wedding ring on or off? Yes, now that it is getting colder my fingers aren’t as swollen. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, tired, and ready for the weekend.  Is it Friday yet? 

Looking forward to: Meeting our little one.  This last week two of our friends had their babies and they look so precious. I can’t wait until we meet our little baby.   I know it can come any day, but it feels like its going to be forever. Also, I am looking forward to my doctor appointment on Friday.  I was supposed to go yesterday, but couldn’t get in until Friday.  I can’t wait to get checked.  Hopefully I made some progress.