Addie Grace's Birth Story

We decided to induce at 39 weeks 3 days, I was progressing some on my own and very ready to meet my sweet girl. It felt like such a treat to get to meet her so early, since Wes was born at 41 weeks 1 day.  On Wednesday morning (March 12) we went to the hospital at 6 am. I think it was perfect timing because Wes was still asleep so I didn't have to get all emotional over telling him bye. I was a little teary eyed the night before as I put him to bed, but honestly I was amazed that I wasn't more emotional. I was just so ready to meet Addie and have her here with us.
So, we got to the hospital at 6 am (ok, we were like 10 minutes late..) They took us right to our room and I remember not really feeling anxious. Since I just did all of this 18 months ago I think that really calmed my nerves. They got everything started and around 7:30 am my doctor came by and started the pitocin and asked if she could break my water. I said ok,(she also mentioned as she was doing this that Addie had a lot of hair! we were surprised) so she did and said she would be back around noon to check on me. She assumed Addie would be born sometime after 1 pm.  My mom was flying in that morning so Kathy picked her up and they came to the hospital around 11 am.  My labor was progressing steadily for awhile, my doctor checked me at 12:30 pm and I was 6 cm and 80% effaced. She decided to up the pitocin ( I had my epidural around 12 pm so I was fine with this!) In fact, before my epidural I kept telling Drew (and he agreed) it was crazy how different this labor was than my labor with Wes. I mean, I was ready for the epidural when I got it but I had really only been having painful contractions for around 2 hours. With Wes, I had been in pain for about 7 hours! So this was a breeze. haha :)  Anyways, I told my doctor I was feeling some pressure when I had a contraction and she said sometimes that happened with epidurals and it would help me to feel when it was time to push. I did not feel ANY pressure or pain after my epidural with Wes so this was very different. Around 2:00 pm I remember the pressure REALLY increased during each contraction, so much so that I was not able to carry on a conversation and really having to focus to breath through it. After an hour of doing this I noticed that the pressure was constant, not going like it had before after a contraction. I told Drew I think the nurse needs to check me.  This was at 3:00, she checked me and looked at me with kind of a shocked face. She said "yeah you are at 10 cm and 100% effaced, do NOT push." She quickly called my doctor to come over (her office is across the street). My nurse's name was Stephanie, she kept telling me to not push and wanted to leave my legs flat. (She knew that I only pushed for 10 minutes with Wes and was worried Addie might arrive before my doctor did.) Drew went to the restroom really quick (it was in the room) and when he came out he said he started to panic because he realized how quickly it was all happening. (For the 2 minutes he was in the restroom several people had came into the room, my doctor, delivery nurses, nursery nurse, etc.) They quickly prepared the bed for delivery and my doctor asked if I was ready to push. Ready was a MAJOR understatement. The pressure was so intense and I was determined to meet Addie ASAP.  I pushed for 10-15 minutes and then we meet Addie Grace.  Dr. Leah was correct, Addie had a head FULL of dark brown hair.  Wes' hair was the same color when he was born but he had just a bit of peach fuzz.  My doctor immediately laid Addie on my chest and she cried the sweetest little cries.  After a few minutes I tried to feed her and she immediately latched on.  The nurses were all laughing because Addie Grace was HUNGRY. After 5-6 minutes I pulled her off and they weighed her and got her measurements. Then when they brought her back to me she immediately began eating again. I had to get her to stop so her daddy could hold her. haha :) They gave her her bath in our room and she cried some but overall I already noticed how content she seemed.
We stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. We waited until Thursday Morning to have Wes come meet Addie because I knew all the IV cords and things might freak him out (by Thursday morning I had all of that taken off).  When Wes came to meet Addie I was pretty emotional. The minute he walked in the door I started crying and he immediately climbed up in bed with me (drew was holding Addie). When we showed Wes his baby sister he kind of stared at her for a minute.. then he tried to take her paci. haha! So we quickly gave him his.  He opened his big brother gift and played around the room and didn't show much interest in her so we didn't push it.  Addie slept really well both nights in the hospital. The first night she seemed a little less content as she kept spitting up amniotic fluid, this is common for babies who have quick delieveries.  She did NOT like getting her diaper changed and having the cold wipes put on her, but other then that she was pretty chill.
On Friday (March 14) around noon Drew and I brought Addie home. Wes and Grammy (and Lucy) were waiting here for us.  Wes wasn't a fan of Addie being with us and had a rough day.. basically he was fine as long as momma was not holding her. So I would just sneak off to our bedroom when she needed to eat.  However, when he woke up Saturday morning he kept showing a lot of interest in her and I even nursed her in front of him and he was fine! Ever since he has done really well, he is learning how to be "Easy" when he wants to touch her and he really likes to bring her toys.  I am so impressed with him so far and have NO doubt it is because of so many people praying for my sweet guy.  Addie is a sleeping beauty. I have to wake her up to eat (day and night) and she immediately falls back to sleep after she eats. Wes was such an alert newborn this is SO different.  She rarely cries unless she is cold because she is getting changed. She is such a sweet content girl.

Addie Grace,
We are so thankful we finally can hold you in our arms.  Blesssed is an understatement. We are so thankful to God for our two precious, healthy babies.  I am just amazed that I am a momma of two.  My heart just grew the minute you were born and I love you more than words.  I want to savor every little moment because I know it is all going to go by way too fast.  You are making the savoring super easy because you are such a sweet, content little girl.  We love you more than words and can't wait to watch you change and grow.

Love,
Momma and Dada

Welcome to the world sweet girl!

Tears of Joy

One proud Daddy

3:29 PM 7 lbs 11 oz 20 inches

Meeting Big Brother

First hair bow, of many!!

Getting ready to leave the hospital

Heading Home!

First night at home. You slept awesome and Momma had to wake you up to eat.

Big brother starting to show a little interest. He found your paci in your car seat and decided to take it to you.

Sleeping Beauty

Grammy and Pa really have their hands full now!

Stats from 18 Month Well Visit on 2/27/14

(written on 3/1/14)  Length: 35.4 inches long (98%)
 Weight:  22 pounds, 3.5 oz (23%)
Head Circumference:  18 3/4 inches (58%) 

Diapers: Size 4
Clothes:   12-18 Months pants, 18 month shirts, 18-24 month PJ's

New Things: 

*you say "all done" after eating (as well as signing it)

*putting puzzles together really well

*animal noises : moo, roar, ruff

*you point at body parts: Hair, nose, eyes, ears, mouth, etc.

*you aren't a big talker but we are amazed sometimes at the things we ask you to do and that you understand what we are saying! Such a smart boy.

*you go down all the slides by yourself at the playgrounds we go to, you are quite brave!

*you are starting to throw small tantrums. Mostly if you don't want to get in your high chair, car seat, or a shopping cart. Sometimes you are fine other times it is quite the drama fest. 

*You have kind of become obsessed with your paci. You will randomly go looking for one when we are at home and if you can't find one you just sit in the foyer and cry (whine)

Likes:

*Lucy (really ANY dog, you LOVE dogs)

*being chased

*you've really been into reading books lately! You love to pick the book out and bring it to our chair to read in your room

*Bathtime, you love playing in the water

*Playing cars, trains, trucks, etc.

*Parks and just being outside in general

*Shows: Favorites are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Paw Patrol (your momma is 9 months pregnant so yes, we watch TV!)

Dislikes:

*not getting your way (haha)

*Like I mentioned before, your high chair, car seat and shopping carts. Sometimes you are fine other times.. no

*getting a diaper change or getting dressed, If you see me grab a clean diaper you take off running

Sleeping: You sleep from around 8:30 pm-7:00 am. Well, some days you wake up at 6:00 am and that is no fun but its been a little better since the time change. You put yourself to sleep and sometimes try to throw a fit when I leave the room, but I usually just give you a big hug and a kiss and tell you to please be a sweet boy and go night, night. I lay you down and you usually give in because you are so sleepy.

Eating: You are a pretty good eater most of the time. I have learned you like variety so I try to change things up and that helps you eat more. You eat 3 meals and 2 snacks.  You also love your milk. You have milk when you wake up, before nap, and before bed.

Carrying home the christmas tree

You loved opening christmas presents

We went to the fantasy of lights in Wichita Falls and you loved the Toy Story Exhibit.

Grammy and her 3 (almost 4!) grandkids

We go to lots of parks. This park is right behind daddy's work so we go here a lot so he can come and play for a few minutes!

We celebrated Bella's 2nd Birthday at Chuck E Cheese

You love to "help" momma do anything she is doing. This was making the grocery list.

Playing with your trains 

You also really love your shopping cart and cooking in your kitchen.

Snuggling with Dada, You get so excited everyday when he gets home.

Snuggling up with momma's belly

Sunglasses!

Another Park day!

You enjoy chatting on the phone, we can't understand a word you are saying because you have your own little language you use.

Oh sweet boy you have stolen your momma's heart

We registered you for MDO! You will start in August, on your 2nd birthday. I cannot believe it sweet boy.

Best of Friends

18 Month Well Visit. Playing with trucks while waiting for the doctor

Selfies!

You love Grammy and watching shows on her computer!





Wes Patrick,
I cannot believe you are a year and a half old. It amazes me all the time when I am watching you from across the room and see how big you are.  You are a full blown toddler and although it does make me kind of sad we really are enjoying this stage and watching you learn new things each day.  It can be hard, as you often can't express to us what you want and you get frustrated.  I remind myself in those moments that "this too shall pass" and I KNOW one day I will be wishing these days back.  We are praying for you as you make the transition to big brother. We know that you have no clue how much your world is about to change.. but we also know someday you will love having a sister to play with!  We love you more than words buddy. We are so so thankful God trusted us to care for you and love you just the way He made you! You are precious in His sight sweet boy. We pray you always know that to be true.
Love,
Momma and Dada

Bump Update- Week 37

Well...Poor Addie does not quite have the semi-weekly bump updates that her brother did. Honestly, I am just glad I have found time to at least do a few.  It appears the last one done was Week 21. whoa. Here we are.. 3 days away from "full-term" status.  Today is March 1, and I woke up so excited that it is my baby girl's Birth Month (that her Daddy gets to share with her!) 

Symptoms:
-Well, considering I basically have a beach ball for a belly.. my back is quite achy most of the time.. especially in the evenings.
-With Wes, I honestly slept GREAT.. even at 41 weeks pregnant!  With Addie.. sleep is ok. I wake up to pee approximately 5 times a night.. and I know that most of this is because every time I wake up I drink a ton of water.. but I can't help it! One interesting thing with this pregnancy is how stiff my body gets at night. When I wake up to pee each time I am so sore and stiff. Thankfully, it's gone in the morning though!
-Addie is sitting much lower than Wes. When I sit down my belly rests on my thighs... and this never happened with him! In fact.. I even have a lovely heat rash on the underside of my belly from it resting on my thighs.
-I am feeling some relief on my lungs but still get out of breath a lot.. it might have something to do with chasing a toddler.
-Restless Leg Syndrome: Has been horrible at night. My doctor told me to take calcium and magnesium which I have been doing daily and it is helping tremendously!
-Exhaustion: At the end of the day I am so tired, once again.. probably has something to do with chasing a toddler! :)

Cravings:
-crushed ice. I am an addict. I could eat it all.day.long.
-mint chocolate chip ice cream (I have never liked this flavor.. so strange!)
-pineapple
-sweets, I have always had a sweet tooth.. but Addie has taken it to a new level!

Best Moment:
Last Saturday I had a shower here in Houston and it was so much fun getting to celebrate with friends and family.  I loved getting all the precious outfits and bows.. I still cannot believe I am going to have a daughter!

Looking Forward to:
DUH! Addie's Arrival!! My official due date is March 17, But Addie has measured 4 days early on every sonogram I have had. That still doesn't change my due date but since it is my second my doctor will induce me the day I turn 39 weeks if I want.  (Obviously I could not make it to that point but I feel like I probably will!) So, the plan is right now to induce during my 39th week if she hasn't arrived on her own. Probably on March 12 or 13.  I am starting to progress, but very slowly! I am still hopeful she might come on her own since she is low, time will tell!

Addie Grace,
Your Daddy and I cannot wait to meet you. Your brother is clueless that you are arriving soon but I know you will grow on him quickly. We are praying for you and your entrance into this world.  We are so anxious to meet you and see what you look like, what your personality is like.. just to know you. I am savoring these last days of having you with me constantly.  You are so loved already, and we cannot wait to hold you in our arms! 

Week 26

Week 30

Week 33

Week 35 ( on right with Addie, comparing how she is lower)

Progress being made on her room- Her bedding!

Changing Table: Which was my Great Grandmother's wash table.

And here we are.. Week 37, 3 days away from Week 38!