He's Here!!!

Well, it's now been 2 weeks since I last posted, and I am FINALLY able to get on here and update as well as feel like I'm getting back on my feet. Things were quite rough at first, only because I had a lot of discomfort with the stitches I received. I say discomfort because it wasn't a pain I couldn't handle, but I definitely couldn't get up and calm Kyler's crying needs...usually it was that he was hungry or had a wet diaper, but I couldn't get up and down very quickly. It took a little while to figure out his schedule as well as my own with having to go and do personal things like going to the bathroom and taking showers...but I think we have things at least a little figured out anyways.

I guess since I didn't update the day Kyler was born, I should probably post something about his birth...what to say...it all passed by in such a whirlwind that it's hard to believe it's been 2 weeks already and also that I've had my precious little man outside of my belly now for 2 weeks. Kyler's birth was actually not that bad...I'd say it was an 8 on a scale of 1-10. I went into the hospital on Thursday Feb. 5 with contractions that were anywhere from 3-5 min. apart. This was actually my second trip to the hospital for the week...I made Nate take me on Feb. 3rd (the day I wanted Kyler to be born) with contractions, but they weren't regular at all...I guess you could say I was exaggerating a little. Well, on the 5th of Feb. we got to the hospital, got hooked up to the monitors in triage and I was checked to see how far dialated I was...I was now 3 cm. which wasn't bad, but I guess the nurses and doctor saw progress on the monitor because they admitted me at 1am Fri. Feb. 6th. I labored in the whirlpool tub for a while (which was the ONLY thing I did for labor) and a couple times I was checked. I didn't have my water break beacuse Kyler's head was so low, but he did create a bulge of waters that the doctor came in and broke around 6am. After that, things went by so fast and I had NO concept of time whatsoever. Around 7:30 or so, the nurses and everyone came running in and had me get on my hands and knees in the bed because Kyler's heartrate dropped to 50. When I flipped over onto my hands and knees, the contractions started coming RAPIDLY and I couldn't hardly handle them...so I said I need an epidural NOW! I wish I had asked to be checked one last time before the epidural came, but again, I didn't have any concept of time and I wasn't exactly thinking straight. The dr. came in according to Nate an hour after I asked for the epidural which also makes me think I could have made it without the epidural at all, but oh well. This way I got a little rest before I had to push. Labor kind of dragged out after I asked for the epidural, but at least I didn't feel a THING and like I said, I did get to sleep a little before having to push. I started pushing around 12:30 I think and Kyler was here at 1:15 pm on Friday Feb. 6th 2009. I had to have a couple stitches, but according to the dr. it wasn't bad. In the hospital my recovery was fine other than the HUGE swollen feet...my recovery really didn't start til I got home. I decided that I was going to breastfeed and on top of not being able to jump up in a hurry to get Kyler, my breasts got EXTREMELY engorged! I was miserable and so was Kyler. I ended up pumping 13.5 oz. of milk out just because I couldn't take it anymore and the ice diapers weren't helping to relieve any of the discomfort...After that, Kyler latched on like a pro and gained quite a bit. I took him to get him weighed on Monday. Feb. 16 and he weighed in at 7lbs. 11 oz. which was GREAT! He's happy and I'm happy and now, we are even on top of getting some sort of schedule going at home. Kyler has been able to sleep in 3 hour stretches during the day and last night even slept for a 5 hour stretch which was GREAT! other than the fact that I woke up a couple times feeling a little uncomfortable from the milk, but I lived with it and must have been tired because I fell back to sleep. Wow, this has gotten quite long and I have bills to pay...I guess I better end it here and update more on Kyler later.

Having fun these last couple days (hopefully!)

Well, my due date has come and gone and the date I had set in my mind that baby Studer would show up has come and gone...now I've kinda sorta just given up on guessing a date and carrying about my business. I've decided that I'm ok with being home on leave and resting...it's allowing me to clean a bit, and get acquainted a little more with people from church, as well as just a little bit of home relaxing. I know it's making everyone nervous each day that goes by with no baby, but he'll come. I know he will...If nothing else, he'll be coming by Valentine's day!!! I have a doctor's appointment on Friday which is probably the first in this entire pregnancy that I'm looking forward to and counting the days to...only 2 more to go! I didn't even anticipate the big ultrasound day this much...maybe it was because my mind was so busy on other things like at school and home that I didn't have time to worry about the date and time of my "BIG" ultrasound! I'm kinda looking forward though to this next doctor's appointment on Friday partly because I'd like to see what the doctor says about going late...we'll see what she says about the baby and how he's cooking and what she thinks will happen next or what our next step needs to be. In the mean time, I'm keeping my head up and trying to stay busy. If you have any ideas of things that I can do (projects, books to read, cleaning ideas...anything) please let me know. I'm running out of ideas myself...although for tomorrow I plan to go to the gym, get a couple last groceries to make a big dinner for tomorrow night, and then in the afternoon I plan to get a pedicure...so that should get me through until at least Friday morning. I guess I'm just getting really anxious to meet this little one and see what he looks like. If you'd like to stop by and distract me...please do at any time! I'm home for the most part til this baby puts me in the hospital for a couple days and then we'll both be home! We'd love to have visitors! I'll try to post as soon as possible when this little one makes his appearance...until then...I'll be waiting as I'm sure the rest of you are as well!!!

hmmmm

Well, it is now the 3rd of Feb...and little baby Studer is still INSIDE my belly...I said I would wait patiently until today and then I'd get anxious...but I think the anxiousness has already begun. I have my parents and Nate's parents calling every day, sometimes even twice! and that gets a bit frustrating to keep telling them nope, no news yet. Nothing is happening...well, yesterday and today were my determination days to get this little baby moving...I went to the gym as usual at 5:30 yesterday (the 2nd) and walked for an hour...nothing. Then, just before Nate came home yesterday from work I started getting some contractions. I had a mild backache all day long (probably from all the walking) and then the contractions just started...but they were the false labor ones because they were NOT consistent at all, and so not that painful...so I said to Nate, let's make a trip to the mall...I need another nursing bra and then we can just spend some time together "walking". Nate was not so excited about this, but he agreed to it and ended up getting some muscle milk in the deal for dirt cheap from GNC! anyways, I got home and the contractions started again, but they were STILL not very regular and weren't that painful. I drank almost a full nalgene water bottle of water to see if that would help ease a little of the discomfort (more like period cramps to me) and it did, so I figured it was just the BH contractions again. I ended up going to bed and still had the same tightening of my belly and crampiness which was NOT changing or becoming consistent whatsoever. Nate told me I should have gotten up and started timing them, but I opted to just stay in bed figuring if they really WERE contractions, they'd pick up and I wouldn't be able to sleep. Well, I guess they went away or I just ignored them and I made it through the night...and then this morning, I almost wanted to cry because Nate had to go to school, but I stopped myself. I reminded myself that this was GOD's gift to Nate and I and I shouldn't be so set on a date for his arrival! It has already been determined long ago...but still, it was kind of sad to see Nate walk out the door to head to Lansing for school. What if I went into labor or my water broke? Well, because I still really WANT this baby to come today, I ended up leaving just after Nate to head to the gym. I ended up walking for an hour and a half and then went to Meijers to pick up a few last groceries and some stamps. I have pretty much everything else in my house done, except for vacuuming. I thought maybe this baby would stay put inside my belly for a while longer, but just as I got home from Meijers, I had to go to the bathroom. I went and lo and behold, there was a little extra stuff on the toilet paper and I have been having period crampiness again since...maybe this little one still will come today...and if not, I'll live and so will Nate. I'll also just keep reminding myself that this little one will come when it is time and not to get panicky about it. I go in Friday for another checkup, NST, and ultrasound...maybe the doc will say something is up then...who knows! I'm just excited that there are only a MAX of 2 weeks left for this baby to arrive! YEAH...I'll be a mother in no time...and then comes the fun job of parenting! oohhh scary! But I am so ready to tackle that one with Nate and my parents, and his parents, and everyone else that will be involved in my child's life! I can't wait!!!!!