First day at home alone...

Well, today is the first day that I am alone at home with baby Will!!  He's a been a really good boy all day, sleeping most of the time (this means he'll be up all night!) Will was born on November 18th at 4:43 pm at University Hospitals CMC.  The delivery was very memorable.  We went in at midnight on the 18th and I was given a total of 2 doses of Cytotec.  My doctor expected my delivery would not go fast and that I wouldn't even deliver until Friday the 19th, but boy was he wrong!  I didn't even need Pitocin as I was having very strong contractions every 2 minutes for 4 hours straight without any medication! I begged for an epidural, and John did too! He said I was making noises from "Where the wild things are". The doctor finally gave in and let me have an epidural even though I was only 3 cm dilated.  The epidural was wonderful.  The doctor came back in 2 hours after the epidural and I had dilated to 8 cm!!  And then I was 10 cm one hour later!  Ready for pushing!  After 45 mins of pushing William Charles arrived with wide eyes and barely a wimper!!   7lbs. 3 oz. 20 inches long. Grandma Jan, Nana, and John were all in the delivery room when Will was born.  Later on that evening, Will got to meet his Auntie Brandy, Aunt Katie, and Auntie Danielle!!

 Mom and dad are doing well now.  John is back at work already.  The past week we stayed at my mom's house and got to visit with my sister's family.  Will got to meet his cousins Maya and Claire who both seemed to adore him even at a distance.  Here are some pics from this past week!!

Will with cousin Claire Siegel during a visit last week!!

Sleeping contently with an overlooking audience!!!  Pop-pop loves Will!!

The first visit with a dear friend, Chad!!

 Will's first sponge bath!!!  He loved it! No crying at all.

 Happy Thanksgiving!! Will is sleeping with his nametag that his cousin Maya handmade!!

 Will is actually very content here.  He looks like a sad old man though!!!

About 24 hours to go...

Today was the weekly check-up to see how the baby and my blood pressure are doing.  Both are amazingly great.  Will passed his non-stress test at the appointment--"looks pretty good" said my OB today. Thank goodness! Third times a charm right?  SO-- there was no need for an ultrasound.  My blood pressure was also within the normal range...relaxing at home with no stress has seemed to be the cure for it!

The plan:  We are scheduled to head in to labor and delivery tomorrow night (Weds Nov 17th) for a "slow" induction.  They are expecting us at midnight (which I guess is a normal time for admission since it gives them the whole day and for insurance issues). John and I are planning to get some sleep before we head in, but we'll see what actually happens tomorrow! I'm going to relax tomorrow, spend some time with my mom, and make sure everything is ready for our return home sometime this weekend!! I've got a lot of crazy emotions right now...I'm very excited to see what he is going to look like and I'm scared because I've never actually been a patient before (or had a baby)!! Hopefully I won't live up to the belief that nurses are the worst patients!!  

Enjoying Some time at home...

Update on the babyfront: I went to the doctor again on Tuesday.  I had another non-stress test (this is where they monitor the baby heart rate) and was hooked up to the monitor for about an hour. Thankfully Jan (John's mom) came with me and kept me company during the appointment!! Baby Will didn't pass the test yet again!! (I figured that was going to happen.) So, I then had to get another Biophysical profile done to make sure the baby is still happy and content.  During this test, they look for a few different things.  They look for baby movements, make sure there is enough amniotic fluid around the baby, and that the baby is practice breathing.  Will passed with flying colors this time around!!  The sonographer gave me a picture of a smooshed face since he is head down and in the right position for delivery. She also measured his size which I was excited about because up until now we have had no idea how big he is!!  As of right now, 7 lbs. 1 oz! PERFECT!!  He can gain up to a half a pound a week...so no 9 pounder here!!!

I am going to be induced 1 week early.  I have a history of high blood pressure, so my doctor is being extra cautious and wants to deliver the baby at 39 weeks.  He said this is usual practice for patients who have chronic high blood pressure because there is increased risk for pre-eclampsia and other problems with the placenta.  My blood pressure was good at my last appointment, so I feel more reassured that everything is going well and I finally feel good about the care I am getting!! SO---the plan right now is to bring me in on Weds night for a slow induction.  Next appointment is Tuesday...I'll know more then!

Baby Will should be here soon!!

I decided to start this blog to keep everyone updated with pictures and information about Will once he is born!! John and I are super excited and a little nervous to meet our little guy!!  I went to the doctor today...and from here on out I will be on "bedrest".  What this means to me?  No more shopping and running around (guess it's a good thing we're basically ready for the baby); and no more "nesting"...I'm going to have to leave the cleaning up to John!!  I have to go back to the doctor tomorrow--if my blood pressure is still elevated there's a good chance I will be induced tomorrow.  We will keep everyone updated about the appt and induction!! Here are a few pictures of my belly and Will's Dr. Seuss room!!

37 weeks

Mom and I posing in front of the brand new custom curtains that she finished on Sunday!!! Who knew she was so great at sewing!!