Savannah Is 5 Months Old-July 18, 2011

Savannah you are already 5 months old, and I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. This last month was so much fun with you. You have made a ton of changes, and here are just a few!!

Stats:

Weight

Birth: 6lbs 1oz

2 Weeks: 6lbs 5oz

2 Months: Approx. 9lbs

11 Weeks: 11lbs 1oz

4 Months: Approx. 13lbs

5 Months: 13lbs 12oz (around 25th percentile)

Length

Birth: 18in

2 Weeks: 19in

11 Weeks: 23in

4 Months: 24in (approx)

5 Months: 26in (90th percentile)

Firsts:

*baby einst.eins video

*rice cereal

*golf cart ride

*july 4th

*cookout

*church nursery

*you started to get visibly excited when its time for a bath

*daddy put you to bed

*your grandma put you to bed too

*ponytail

*pedicure by mamma

Today we had your well check, and shots. I was a miserable wreck. It is so hard on me I literally get nauseated. My hubby had to stay with her as usual. The first time I sat in the room and sobbed right with her, now this time I left the room. Only long enough for her to get them, then I was right back in to console my sweet angel. She is such a trooper but this time was rough for her. She cried A LOT. Without baby Ty.lenol she probably would still be miserable. I am already dreading her next visit in 2 months.

You hands are now aware of everything that is around you, and everything goes straight to your mouth!

You are my SWEET GIRL!!! I could kiss you a million times in a day and it would still not be enough!!

You squeal with joy most of the day and it just melts my heart. We will have conversations with each other too! :)

You love floor time, but have not rolled over yet! You are so close, I think it will be any day now! You are a supported sitter.

Sleep:

Your sleep has gotten a little worse this last month. You now take a while before you are settled for the night. Right after we lay you in your crib asleep around 7pm, you usually wake up anywhere from 1-3times pretty much right away until about 9pm. Then you sleep until about 2-3am, I will then feed you and you are back in bed asleep about 45 minutes later. You have been waking up right around 7am, if that is the way your night goes. I really cannot complain since I am able to be a SAHM, but I will say I was spoiled for about a month and a half when you were sleeping through the night!!

Your naps are really good, but the problem is, you nap in your swing! Every once in a while I will try to put you in your crib but you will not nap long at all. I am going to keep trying, because very soon you will be too big for your swing then we might be in trouble! Here is your nap routine during the day!

Approximate times:

Wake @ 7am

1st nap @ 8:30am-10am

2nd nap@ 12pm-2pm

3rd nap @ 4-4:30ish

Bedtime @ 7pm

Eat:

We tried Rice cereal this past month, and you loved it, but it did not love you. It gave you gas and constipation, so we quit that and decided to wait a while before trying some other foods. Ever since the rice cereal you have not been sleeping as good either, I was disappointed that the rice cereal messed up your great sleep schedule. I think I will try out some 1st foods and oatmeal cereal the first of this next week.

I would love to hear of your experiences with how it went for you when you started introducing solids!

You are still breastfeeding, and it is going really well. You are starting to get easily distracted while feeding which makes it challenging sometimes. You usually almost always make it to 3 hours between feedings, it depends a lot on how good you nap. I pump once each night, and it is so nice to have a milk storage in the freezer!

Clothes:

We found out today at your well check that you are one tall girl!! I knew all along but today just confirmed it! You are 26 inches long and because of that you are out of all your 3-6 month sleepers, the 6 month ones still fit. Mostly everything else in the size 3-6 still fits your length. You are still in some 0-3 onesies, but will probably be out of those soon. You have been wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 months, it just depends on the brand.

You are in size 2 diaper, and you wear Pam.pers Sw.addlers.

Today I feel SO blessed to have the opportunity to be your momma. You fill my life with so much joy. I love you babygirl.

Savannah's Birth Story Part Two

As soon as my nurse got me settled in, she called my Doctor. I had not been having any strong contractions since my water broke, so they started me on Pittocin to start my contractions. They had to keep turning it up, and by early afternoon I was feeling lots of pain with the contractions! They ended up having to turn it down, because the contractions were about a minute apart and very strong, and I was only 3 dilated and 80% effaced. At that point I was thinking this is going to be a long labor! By about 5:30pm I was ready for my epidural, I was by no means a strong woman! I only dealt with a lot of pain for about an hour or so before I requested the epidural, which ended up being the most awful experience!

I was always afraid of an epidural, but not nearly as much as pushing out a baby without an epidural! Long story short, I had to have the epidural administered 3 TIMES, all the while I was having very painful contractions which made it hard to stay in the position that I needed to be in!! The first two times it hit a nerve, and that was pure torture! As soon as she took it out the pain was gone, so finally she changed spots and then it felt fine. Almost immediately I felt relief! By the time my hubby was allowed back in the room I was feeling great!! He was very happy to see his wife with no more pain!

By that time it was around 7:00pm, yes the epidural took about 45 minutes to administer! Around this time sometime the Doctor came in to check me, they only checked me a few times due to my water being broken, they wanted to avoid it as much as possible to prevent infection. If I remember right I was only like 4 dilated and still 80% effaced, the Doctor said that most likely she won't arrive until early morning. I was ready to settle in for the night. They were going to check me again at around 1:00am.

In the meantime I started to get the shakes so bad! It was so miserable. The nurses kept changing my position to try to make my labor progress, and each time I had to move I felt horrible. The epidural was way to strong, my legs felt like they weighed 1,000,000 pounds, which made me feel very nauseated, and I was shaking hysterically the whole time! I would hold onto the bed rails and the whole bed would shake! I was very close to throwing up at that point, they gave me something to calm my stomach, and they turned down my epidural. I almost immediately felt better.

Around 10:00pm I started feeling LOTS of pressure! I always thought that with an epidural I would not be able to feel any pressure, but I was able too especially after they turned down the epidural, which I was so thankful for. It made the whole experience a lot better to be able to feel pressure, I felt no pain though. By that point I was telling the nurse that I felt pressure and I felt like I could poop! Yes I said it! I had always heard that you feel like that once you are ready to push, so once I felt that I knew I had made progress!

They decided to check me a little after 10:00pm, I was 10 dilated and 100% effaced! I still remember the nurse telling me it's time to push! I bet my face expression was priceless! I remember the feeling that rushed through me, I immediately thought "No way nurse, I am not gonna push this baby out!" I was still afraid of the thought! I guess I was just hoping Savannah would just slide right out with no pushing needed! All I said was "HUH!"

The nurse then called my Doctor in to the hospital, she had left after she checked me at 7pm! We were all thinking Savannah would wait until morning to arrive! After that the nurses got everything in the room prepared for the delivery, and the head nurse (who I loved) wanted me to try some pushing to see how I do. I immediately got rid of my fear and pushed my little heart out a few times and they were happy with how Savannah's head stayed down. I was happy with how easy it was to push! I felt no pain at all, just pressure. Instantly I told myself I can do this, I quit thinking about all the "what if's." Like, "What if I'll tear?" "What if I'll need an episiotomy." "What if I'll push for hours and she just won't come out." I was filled with a lot of confidence that I can do this! Pretty soon the nurse was worried that the Doctor would not make it in time!

My Doctor finally arrived, and with a total of 26 minutes of pushing our Little Blessing arrived at 11:11pm! I will say the only time the pushing got uncomfortable was when her head was almost out, I just felt a whole lot of pressure, and I could tell something big was there. I then felt her head come out, followed by her shoulders, butt and legs! It was the most amazing feeling I have ever felt. As soon as the head was coming out I just lost it, I started crying and couldn't stop. It was a cry of amazement, joy, and thankfulness.

AMAZEMENT at how she was born!

JOY that we overcame infertility!

THANKFULNESS that she is healthy, and that I got an epidural!!

Then this little, tiny human was laid on my chest...my daughter.

We were in awe...

...and so in LOVE!

She's definately Daddy's little princess! His first diaper change!

As I wrap up her birth story I look back and am amazed at how smoothly her delivery went. I know that her being so small had A LOT to do with how well the delivery went. Never once did I feel pain while pushing, and I know that is because of the epidural. I was always so nervous about getting an epidural but I would do it a thousand times over, before I would try it without! So I guess all of my worries about the delivery were for nothing!

My recovery went so good too! The most difficult part was going to the restroom the first week, but after that I felt fine. Every day made the biggest difference in how much better I would feel. Now I feel fine, especially when Savannah has a good night, last night was the first time she went for a full 5 hours of sleep!! I was a happy momma!!

Today I feel so blessed to look back and have wonderful memories of the day our little Blessing arrived into this World!!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Happy St. Patty's Day!!

My precious little girl IS wearing green today, are you?

Her green is not very noticeable but it is there! I went to search for something green for her to wear today, and this was all I had! Oh how I love PINK for my little girl!!

Going on 3 Weeks old...

Motherhood is fabulous!! That is the best word for it! Yes, my "me" time has been majorly limited, but I don't care at all!! Hence the lack of posting!!


I cannot believe my baby is going on 3 weeks old!! The days pass by at lightning speed since she has arrived! It seems there are not enough hours in a day!


We have been blessed with the most amazing little girl!! She is so good!! I think I can count on one hand how many times she has actually cried since we brought her home! She will let me know when she is hungry, she will start to stir, then she will make some of the cutest noises, and just in the past two days she has become a lot more impatient to eat!! She is on a 4 hour eating schedule, and let me tell you she sticks to it almost to the minute!! I love this little girl!!

We had her two week checkup on Friday, March 4th. It was the first time we left the house, and it gave me stress!!! Between worrying about if she will wake up hungry, and about driving with this precious new cargo, I was stressed! It all ended up being fine, except she did start screaming because of hunger just as we had to undress her for the exam. I was so sad to hear her cry like that!! The Dr. said she was a Peach! Everything checked out perfectly for her, and she went from 5lb 12oz (when we left hospital) to 6lb 5oz! She also grew one inch, she went from 18 inches to 19 inches!! I was so happy to hear such a great report!!

Before we left for the Dr.

She is in all Newborn clothes and diapers! Her umbilical cord fell off right at her one week birthday, I was so happy when that came off, it just seemed to be in the way!

I think this next picture is just precious! She's peeping out of one eye! So cute!!


I feel like I just accomplished something huge by posting! HA!! Everyday our routine gets easier, but mostly I am just focused on my precious little daughter, and my wonderful hubby!!! I want to take in every single minute with them, because this precious time in our lives will go by way to quickly.


I also want to start working on my birth story, looking back at the day she was born still amazes me so much! I never in a million years dreamed I would go into labor 2 1/2 weeks early! I can still see my hubby's face when I told him "I think my water just broke!"

Thank you LORD for a healthy baby girl!!!

Our Little Blessing

Savannah Lane

Friday, February 18

11:11pm

6 pounds and 1 ounce

18 inches long

Thank you Lord for a safe delivery of our precious little angel. Our hearts are filled with so much love and amazement. She was worth every bit of the wait!

Momma, Daddy and baby are doing excellent. Can't wait to fill you all in on more details!

Our Little Blessing at 37 Weeks!

Wednesday February 16, 2011
Our Little Blessing at 37 Weeks and 2Days!

How far along? 37 Weeks--Full Term!!!

Baby's size and stats? Our baby is now considered "full term," even though my due date is three weeks away. If I would go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. Info taken from pregnancy.com

Gain? At my appointment yesterday I lost one pound! So now I am up 27 pounds this pregnancy! My Doctor did tell me that most of the time when you gain weight towards the end it could be water weight.

Maternity clothes? OH YEAH. I am in all maternity, and some of my smaller maternity shirts are starting to ride up! I cannot believe how big my belly is getting! I recently purchased some nursing bras, and nursing gowns from Wal Mart. I was really happy with how comfy they are!

Sleep? Sleep has been rough. I need to pee quite often, and when I am not getting up to pee I am trying to get comfy, my legs have started to get numb again.

Foods I am loving? This week I was hungry for Wendy's...weird!!

Foods I am hating? Can't think of anything really except the grilled chicken.

Best moment this week? Finding out at my Doctor appointment that I am 1 cm dilated, and 50% effaced!!!!!!! My Doctor also said that she is measuring at about 36 weeks, she's been measuring about a week or two behind through the whole pregnancy, they said she will probably not be too big. She was able to tell me that information based on my measurements, not through ultrasound, so she could be off by a little. Also getting my changing center delivered, and getting the Nursery almost finished up!

Movement? Her movements have been so much more distinct. Like, I can feel her foot a lot, and also I can feel when she tries to stretch (at least that's what I think she's doing).

Symptoms/Emotions?
1. VERY EXCITED now that I have made some progress!!!
2. Cramping, and also some contractions that are getting kinda strong sometimes!
3. The To Do list in my head keeps repeating itself to me over and over again! I must say that the list is quite small these days!!! YAY!!
4. Upper back pain, under/around my shoulder blade. I am not sure if this is associated with my pregnancy or not, but it is awful. I am seeing my chiropractor again very soon!

4. My lower back pain has not been as constant this week, I can really feel it when I have my cramping.

5. I have just noticed since I hit 37 weeks that I have been having a lot more discharge!!!

6. MAJOR NESTING! I have been cleaning/organizing every spare minute since Sunday! I am so happy that I finally got some motivation back! It seemed most of my pregnancy I had no desire/motivation to do anything! So now I am just lovin it!!

Gender? A GIRL...Our Sweet Savannah

What I'm looking forward to? Hopefully completing the Nursery by the end of this week, so I can finally share it with you!! The changing center exceeded ALL of my expectations! I am just waiting on a few items to arrive, then I think it will be complete!!! I find myself just wanting to be in the Nursery all the time!!

Milestones: Being full term, and making progress since my last weeks Doctor appointment!


Weekly Pics & Belly Shots!!!

Today I feel so blessed to be so close to meeting our precious little Blessing!!

Our Little Blessing at 36 Weeks!!

Wednesday February 9, 2011
Our Little Blessing at 36 Weeks and 2Days!

How far along? 36 Weeks

Baby's size and stats? Our baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day! Info taken from pregnancy.com

Gain? Well I gained 5 pounds! Are you serious!! I knew it would come sooner or later since I had not been gaining for a few weeks. My total gain is now 28 pounds.

Maternity clothes? Everyday I get dressed in my maternity clothes I think, "Wow, I will not be wearing these for much longer!"

Sleep? Sleep is a constant battle for me. I am pretty used to getting up at least 3 times to pee, so that I can handle now, but its those nights that I get up 6 or more times that wear me out!! One thing I should do, but don't, is take naps during the day. I know I could use them, but I always think I have way to much to do!

Foods I am loving? Cake, honey roasted peanuts and of course milk!!

Foods I am hating? Plain chicken is finally not quite as disgusting for me, but I still don't prefer it.

Best moment this week? Going through and organizing all of the Shower gifts! Also, getting her bedding all finished up!!

Movement? Very strong movements! Some days more than others, it makes me wonder if somethings I eat make her more active! Also, since she has moved, my belly changes shapes so much! It looks so weird sometimes, and I can feel exactly where she is all the time when I touch my bump! I love it!!! I cannot wait to feel her moving in my arms!!

Symptoms/Emotions?

1. EXCITED!!!

2. Anxious as to when she will decide to arrive!

3. Busy with all the last minute preparations!!

4. Back pain x1,ooo,ooo!!! It is so painful sometimes I could just cry! I had a chiropractor appointment yesterday, and a pregnancy massage coming up so I am hoping those two things will help!

4. Constant Braxton Hicks!! They come a lot more when I am being physical, sometimes they actually hurt!

5. I feel more at peace than I have this whole pregnancy!! Thank you Lord!!

Gender? A GIRL...Our Sweet Savannah

What I'm looking forward to? My changing center arriving, then I can put the final touches on the Nursery!!

Milestones: I am 9 months pregnant, and feeling like it!! My body is definitely getting ready for labor!

At my Doctor appointment today everything looked great! It was a really quick appointment. She checked me, and I am not dialated or thinned out yet. AND...Savannah is still head down!!! YAY!! Way to go Savannah!!

Weekly Pics & Belly Shots!!!!

Today I feel so blessed that my hubby has been able to come to each and every Dr./Baby appointment with me!!

Our Little Blessing at 33 Weeks!

Friday January 21, 2011
Our Little Blessing at 32 Weeks and 4 Days!

How far along? 33 Weeks

Baby's size and stats? Savannah should weigh a little over 4 pounds now, and should be past the 17" mark. WOW. She is growing. I remember like it was just yesterday when she was only the size of a bean!! Amazing!

Gain? Last I was at the Dr. I had gained 6 pounds in 2 weeks! Yeah, you heard that right. I am hoping some if it was water weight, because I have started to swell so bad. So I would be up 24 pounds.

Maternity clothes? Yes, all maternity basically. I have started to feel like I wear the same thing over and over! Only a few weeks to go!

Sleep? Sleep has still been better ever since I got that amazing pillow. I get up about 3-4 times to pee, so that has gotten a little better. I think it's because I am sleeping so much better.

Foods I am loving? This week salads have tasted so good! And Milk as always. Oh, I can't forget the Milkshakes too!

Foods I am hating? Same: Plain Chicken, turkey, ham. Also, salty meals didn't appeal to me to much this past week.

Best moment this week? Getting out of the Hospital! Post on that to follow.

Movement? Her movements have been so strong. One new thing I have noticed this week is her having hiccups! Too cute! But I always feel so bad for her when she's having them, because I know how I hate to have them! Poor Savannah!

Symptoms? 1. Swelling in my ankles, legs and now my hands.

2. Pre term labor scare. We really thought Savannah was going to be born this week. Post on that to follow, hoping sometime today.

3. Feeling very fearful of having birth. I know I am a huge baby! But after this week, it got me scared! I just want her here!

4. Feeling faint and nauseated some days.

Gender? A GIRL...Our Sweet Savannah

What I'm looking forward to? My showers coming so soon!!

Milestones: Being at the point where I feel like she could arrive at any minute, no matter if I have everything prepared or now! Which by the way, I do not!

Weekly Pics!
These pictures were taken Wednesday morning before work 1.19.11. Later that day I was in the Hospital. I had every intention of posting my 33 week update that day.

Today I feel so blessed that Savannah is still snug in my belly! Our goal is to make to to 35 weeks! Which leaves us with 1 Week and 3 Days!

Our Little Blessing at 31 Weeks!!

Monday, January 3, 2011
Our Little Blessing at 31 Weeks!

How far along? 31 Weeks

Baby's size and stats? This week, Savannah measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt. This information taken from Pregnancy.com

Gain? 18 pounds is the total that I have gained as of last Friday at my Dr. Appointment. I am sure I would have gained more if I would not have been sick.

Maternity clothes? Mostly all maternity clothes. I have bought larger sizes in underwear and undershirts, and it feels so good! I can breath!!

Sleep? Sleep is a lot better since I have figured out exactly where to position 3 pillows! Then when I need to get up for the bathroom (which is about an average of 5 times) it takes quite a while to get comfy again!

Foods I am loving? Steak and Ice Cream has just started to sound good.

Foods I am hating? Plain Chicken, turkey, ham.

Best moment this week? Spending a fabulous long weekend with my hubby, the last New Year with just the two of us. He takes such good care of me!!!

Movement? I feel her moving a lot. I just love to feel any kind of movement, it just reassures me that she is ok in there!

Symptoms? 1.I always know when my blood pressure drops, because I feel like I am going to faint. That has been the most difficult symptom for me, I basically have to stop whatever I am doing and lay on my side.

2. I have a sciatic nerve problem in my right upper thigh, and it hurts so bad sometimes!

3. I also have been feeling a lot more tired all the time, especially when I have not slept good, then I can tell I am a lot more emotional as well.

4. I have been getting a lot of swelling in my calves and feet. I would love to know when /if you experienced this symptom in your pregnancy.

Gender? A GIRL...Our Sweet Savannah

What I'm looking forward to? Childbirth classes that are coming up this month. I want to feel a little more educated as to what is about to happen when this little one decides to arrive!!

Milestones: Feeling like we are on the home stretch in our Pregnancy!

Weekly Pics!

I hope you all had a wonderful start to 2011!!!

Savannah's Very First Christmas Ornament

The other day I was at a craft show, and they had a booth that hand painted ornaments. I was sold as soon as I saw this pink ornament!! I was able to tell them what I wanted and she had it ready for me in a half hour!! I was so super excited to check it out! Lets say I was very impressed with the lady's talent!!

I never realized how difficult it is to get a good, clear picture of an ornament! Here are some of the clearest shots I could get. These pictures do not even come close as to picturing how nice it turned out! I wanted a Zebra print themed ornament with her first and middle name on the front, as well as a baby snowman.

The baby snowman has a Zebra print scarf, and ear muffs on!! How Presh!

Below you can see her name better.

Then on the back I wanted it to say Christmas 2010!

I was so excited to show hubby!! He thought it was pretty cool!! It is now hanging on our tree with care!!


I cannot wait to get out her precious ornament next year when she is here with us!

16 Days

13 Hours

59 Minutes

TILL CHRISTMAS!!!