Bridget Anne is Here!

Bridget Anne arrived on Friday 2/20. I woke up at about 1:30 am on Friday with pretty strong contractions that were 10 minutes apart. All of the books say not to call the OB until they are 5 minutes apart, so I just let it go. Mary arrived at the house at 9, and right about then they started coming at 4 minutes apart. We called the OB and jumped into the car at around 9:30 am. By the time I got to the hospital, my contractions were 2 minutes apart.

They brought me straight back to a room and said that I was fully dilated and there was no time for the epidural! I started pushing right away (I pushed so hard that I broke every blood vessel in my face -I looked freaky for three days) and Bridget was born at 10:23 am. She was 7 lbs, 4 oz and 21 inches long. She seems so much tinier than Audrey was. By Saturday night, her weight had dropped to 6 lbs 10 oz, so we had to start supplementing the poor little thing with formula.

Audrey was a little shy when she first met Bridget, then she proudly told everyone who walked into the room "That's baby sister!" She also gave her a few kisses and played This Little Piggy on Bridget's tiny toes - so sweet!

Yesterday Mom and I took Bridget to the pediatrician for her first checkup. Her weight was at 6 lbs, 11 oz - her newborn clothes swallow her up she's so tiny! Everything checked out perfectly and we go back next week for a one week checkup. Audrey was precious at the doctor - she talked the whole time. "Looking at baby's tummy? That's baby's ears."

Today I was on my own for about 3 hours and totally lost it. Having two kids is totally different - it was non stop with someone always needing something. I felt totally out of control of everything and just had to stop, take a deep breath, and realize that the world wasn't going to collapse if there is a crying kid! I have no idea how Tina did it with twins!

There was a lot of other cute stuff that I was going to add on here, but I can't remember any of it! Instead, here is a link to all of our other photos:

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39 Week Checkup

I saw one of the doctors this morning for my 39 week checkup. I am 3 cm dilated now and guess what happened? I was sent for an ultrasound because my belly is measuring small! He said that even though I just had a u/s a couple of weeks ago, he wanted to make sure my fluid levels were okay. If they were low, he was going to send me to be induced, but if they were okay, he wanted to wait and let me go into labor naturally.

The ultrasound tech told me that it would be about a 4 hour wait, so I went home and started some panic cleaning! Of course, since I am posting this and not in the hospital, my fluid levels were fine. The baby's head is RIGHT down there ready to go, so my belly looks small.

The u/s tech mentioned again that she can see a lot of hair on the baby already (just like big sister) and her estimated weight is 7 lbs 11 oz! She better come out soon!

Video Post

When I got home from work on Wednesday, I stuck on The Wiggles (thank you for babysitting, Wiggles) so I could make dinner. During a ballroom scene, Audrey comes running into the kitchen needing to put her tutu on. I walked into the living room and found her ballroom dancing. She even had her arms up like she had a partner.

I got called into work on Thursday and Andy had to work an overnight shift anyway, so Audrey got to spend Thursday and Friday with her Daddy. Her took her trapping with him, which is where he took this charming video of my little princess. I debated putting it up on here, but it's pretty funny, so I'll just give a disclaimer to anyone who doesn't know Andy. He has his wildlife nuisance removal permit and does that as a side business. Everything he does is very humane or I wouldn't let him do it.

They must have been busy trappers, because this is how I found them when I got home from work on Friday:

Speaking of work, I was thinking about taking the next week off because Baby 2 is due exactly one week from today, but my coworker who is handling all of my duties hurt her back last weekend and hasn't been to work in a week. Great timing, huh? I feel bad leaving them high and dry, so I'm going to go in as long as I can and just hope I don't give birth on the office floor!

We are getting ready to head out to the twins birthday party today - I can't believe they are 3 already! Here is one last picture, just because I think it's adorable. How can you resist those big green eyes?

Kind of Odd 38 Week Check Up

I had my 38 week checkup today. The midwife checked me and I am still only at 1 cm, then she asked me if I wanted to go into labor naturally. I said "As opposed to what?" She said that she would schedule an induction for me. I thought it was kind of strange to be talking about inducing me when I still have a week and a half to go.

I told her that I had my membranes stripped with Audrey and that I would discuss doing that next week if there is still no progress. She will be at the office next week, but I scheduled my appointment with one of the OB's to get his opinion on what needs to be done. As much as I want this baby out, I think it's a little early to be talking induction. The midwife also mentioned that you don't dilate as early the second time around, so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that she'll be early!

We had another successful "getting-ready-for-baby" day on Sunday. Andy was in the mood to go furniture shopping, so even though I had my hair in a ponytail and no makeup on, I had to jump at the chance! We found a set we liked at Rooms To Go Kids and it is going on sale for President's Day, so we haven't bought it yet.

I also was Googling "bee curtains" in my quest to find yellow curtains and stumbled across a 10-piece nursery set that was on clearance for $100. Although I didn't need the crib bedding, I couldn't pass up the good deal and now Baby Girl doesn't have to use bedding that doesn't match the walls. The bedding should be here in a couple of days! I am going to put Audrey's PBK set up on craigslist and hope someone needs the pieces since it was recently discontinued.

In Audrey news, she has gone on the potty once more since the last post, and once again, she went running out of the bathroom yelling "I get chocolate!"

She has also been mocking me lately - unintentionally I think. I've noticed that while she's walking up stairs, she'll go "Ooo, aah, ouch.." like she's having a tough time. What a punk!

Last night Audrey discovered how to climb into the pack and play, so I guess I won't be leaving Baby Girl in there unattended. Excuse her bed head hair from this morning...

That's about all that is going on here. I am finally feeling ready for the baby's arrival, so now there is nothing to do but sit and wait!

Small Success!

Audrey finally peed in her potty last night! She was naked in the bathroom and started to pee a little next to the toilet. Grandma Mary was over and told her to sit on the potty, so she held it while Mary set her on the potty, then she went a bunch. Yay! I gave her a piece of chocolate as a rewards, and later when I told her to tell Daddy what she did, all she would say is "I got some chocolate!" The girl has her priorities!

After a week of mornings in the teens, we've been enjoying 68 degree weather this weekend. Audrey and I spent all morning outside yesterday. We took a short walk with her wagon and then she ran around the back yard. I also made it out to Target while she was napping to buy some newborn diapers. Pete and Andy got my baby car seat base installed, Mary got the pack and play set up in the living room, and the bassinett was brought down from the attic. We are pretty much prepared for Baby 2 (other than having an actual bedroom, but she'll be in our room for a few months anyway!).

I'm hoping that we have as wonderful of a day today as we did yesterday!

Another Week, Another Ultrasound...

I had my 37 week checkup today, and surprise, surprise... they sent me for another ultrasound because I'm measuring small. As usual, the baby is just fine and her estimated weight is 7 lb 1 oz already. She had her little arm up by her face when the u/s tech was trying to get a picture for me, so the tech said "Move your arm, baby." Baby 2 moved her arm down long enough for two photos, then moved it back. She already is much better behaved than Audrey! ;)

My co-workers threw me a surprise baby shower on Friday, which I thought was very sweet. Since we are stocked up on girl stuff, the just got a bunch of diapers, wipes and a Target gift card. A wife of one of the guys was very sweet and also sent along a gift for Audrey and she is now the proud owner of her first Barbie. I couldn't believe it when I realized that she didn't have any Barbie's yet!

Audrey has been taking very good care of her Daddy lately. He was lying on the couch the other day and she was looking at his belly. I went to give him a raspberry and she pulled his shirt down and said "No! Leave him alone!" Then she noticed that he had something on his shirt (I think it may have been her snot) and she had to run into the kitchen for a napkin and wipe it clean for him. This past weekend, I was talking to him while he was waking up and she drug me away saying "Mommy! Daddy's sleeping!" Sorry!

She is also nice to Mommy. On Sunday morning, right after we got up and I changed her diaper, she said "Let's go downstairs and get some coffee." Can you tell what the first thing I do every morning is? ;)

36 Week Checkup

I had my 36 week OB appointment this morning. The midwife asked if I wanted her to do a cervix check today (they usually wait until 38 weeks), and of course I did. I am 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced, which she said pretty much meant nothing. (1 cm is better than 0, right?) She also said that my cervix was starting to feel soft, which means that any cramping that I feel is “money in the bank,” as she put it. I start on my weekly appointments now, so maybe there will be some kind of progress next week!

Andy and his dad got two coats of primer up in the nursery over the weekend and today I bought some more primer for one more coat, plus the purple paint. I guess I should hurry and get a dresser ordered soon too!

This past weekend I met up with my old friend Jeanna from elementary/middle school. We found each other on Facebook and it turns out that she lives about 10 minutes away and has a little girl who is Audrey's age. Here is a picture of the girls at the restaurant where we had lunch.

This next photo is of Audrey's artwork on the downstairs toilet. She has bathtub crayons that she loves - I have to force her to get out of the tub most nights because the water gets cold and she is still drawing away. She found a regular crayon in the living room and figured that the toilet is porcelain like the tub, so it should be okay to draw on.

At least that will be easy to clean off and she didn't draw on the walls!