Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Birthday Bailey

I just realized that in the midst and craziness of having a baby a year ago today I never actually documented Bailey's birth story. So I decided that today, her "birth"day, would be a perfect time to document the story for her and for me. It might be a long one so read if you want, and enjoy! Her 1 year post with party and updates will come in a couple of days once we get back home.

I was exactly 41 weeks and was getting ready for a doctor's appt. to check and make sure that everything was alright with the baby, and I noticed that I was feeling kind of crappy. I felt like I was going to start my period, which was a little weird after not having one for awhile, but I went on with my morning thinking it would go away after I ate. Around 9-10am Clint and I headed off to the doctor's and I was feeling what I thought might be actual contractions. Once at the office they hooked me up to the monitor and my midwife, Janice, confirmed that those were indeed real contractions and that she would probably see me later that night to have a baby! So Clint and I headed home to have a some lunch (had to get as much energy as possible for the night ahead) and to do some walking. While walking through the neighborhood I noticed that the contractions were getting stronger (still bearable), and I was having to stop every once in awhile when one would happen. After walking I decided to try and rest for an hour or two, to see if that would help my body relax.

It was now around 5pm, and I was done resting and having trouble finding a comfortable position. About a half an hour later I was leaning over our bed "relaxing", and I felt and heard a pop and then there was water! I ran to the bathroom, where conveniently Clinton was using the toilet, and I just remember saying "move, move, move." He stopped what he was doing, and later asked why I didn't just go into the shower. I'm sorry my water just broke and I am having your baby, next time I will try to think more! We called Janice and told that my water broke and that everything looked good, and asked when she thought we should come in. She said to come in whenever I felt like it, and to know that the contractions would be getting a lot stronger now. We waited around the house for another hour and a half, but I felt my contractions really low in my belly & more in my quads and hip flexors which made standing, kneeling, sitting, you name it uncomfortable. We had decided that we wanted to have a natural birth and to do most of my laboring in a birth tub, so we headed to the hospital.

We got into our room around 8:00pm and got checked...I was dilated to a 4.5, and for the next 5 hours labor consisted of getting monitored on the ball for 15 minutes then back to the tub for 45 minutes. That tub saved my life, I was able to relax so much once I got in the tub. Never once did I think that labor was too painful, but at this point my body was tired and I didn't know how much longer I could go. Around midnight I was in transition, and feeling more pressure so it was time to get out and see how much progress was made. My one fear was that I hadn't progressed and I was going to have to keep laboring, but I was dilated to a 9.5 and it was almost time to push. To get to the much wanted 10 centimeters I walked around the room, sat on the toilet, and tried to push. Finally, around 2:00am the real work began! I pushed and pushed and pushed for over an hour. I remember thinking at one point that there was know turning back now...it was too late, and every time Janice would say just a few more pushes...how many is just a few more! My little one did not want to come out and Janice said that maybe we need to think about an episiotomy. I did not want an episiotomy, and asked her if she was sure I needed one. She told me I had two more pushes, and on the third push Bailey Holloway entered the world at 3:21am. Our little girl weighed in at 9lbs. 1oz., was 21 inches long, and was perfect in every way.

I had a amazing labor, and am so happy with the decision we made for a natural birth. I am thankful for Clint for going to 13 weeks of Bradley classes and being a perfect coach. But really I am so thankful for Bailey and for the opportunity I have to be her mom. So Happy Birthday Bailey, and thank you for making this last year one I will never forget. Your dad and I love you so much, and can't wait to see what the next year holds!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Fun Flashback

One year ago today I looked like this...
and still had 10 more days to go!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Day at the Park

Bailey and I have been venturing outside more now that it has started to cool down, it is now in the high 80's (it's November....really AZ)! Now that she is walking I figured she need some practice walkinig in shoes & outside, so the other day we headed down to the park, and I am sad to say that this was her first trip. She is still having a little trouble walking in the shoes, but for the most part she really liked the park. We played on the swings, which she didn't really love, bounced on some of the toys, and played in the sand. The sand was a BIG hit, and I think she would have played in it all day long if I had let her. I love that she is walking so much and I am so excited for all the adventures that await us.

***Only 14 days until the BIG 1st Birthday!!!***

Monday, November 2, 2009

Fall Fun Update

The month of October flew by way too fast, and now I have to start thinking about Christmas & Bailey's 1st B-day. But before I get too ahead of myself let me share what FUN the last month has been! As mentioned in an earlier post my mom was here for a couple of weeks at the beginning of the month, and we had lots of projects to keep us busy & good intentions to get them all done. We did get some done, but sickness hit the Holloway house and so projects got put on hold. Before the sickness hit we were able to somewhat organize our office & my sewing/craft room, did ALOT of canning, refinished a table for my porch, and started decorating for Halloween. I didn't get a lot of pics with my mom this time around....need to be do better next time!

The "Fruits" of our Labor...literally! We canned 24 jars of Peaches, 20 jars of Peach-Raspberry & Peach-Strawberry Freezer jam, 12 jars of Applesauce, and 5 jars of Applebutter.

Got the domino for a $1.00 at a store going out of business...I love cute $1.00 decor

About a week after my mom went home Clint's parent came out for a visit, and it had been awhile since they had been out...so it was great to have them! While they were here we took Bailey & Finn to the Pumpkin Patch to get our pumpkins & some fun pictures. I was so excited to get cute pics of Bailey sitting in the pumpkins, but she had other plans. She HATED it, and no matter what we tried she would not smile. I can only imagine what pictures with Santa are going to be like!!

The rest of the month was spent decorating the house, making costumes, and enjoying all of the Halloween activities. As for Halloween night & Bailey's 1st Trick or Treating experience...well it was pretty low key. We stopped by 4 houses and although she didn't want to walk up to the door by herself, she would take the candy out of the bucket (I guess she got much figure out). After that we headed back to our house to pass out candy to the tons of Trick or Treaters in the neighborhood (we went through 5 bags, and about 300-400 pieces of candy).

I love Halloween Decor...so Fun!!

Our CUTE Bumblebee at the Trunk or Treat

Family Fun Carving Pumpkins

Bailey's 1st Trick or Treat...Happy Halloween!