Weeks 6 and 7

They say a dairy intolerance can cause sleeplessness, so I am trying to eliminate (or at least cut back on that). It must be working (or she's just getting older) because she is napping a bit better. She smiles a lot more, which makes it all more fun. She really likes her books (we have bedtime ones, and daytime ones). She is fitting into her little outfits now (at first, she could only wear the tiny sleepers). Isn't she a great early Christmas present to put under the tree?

Weeks 4 and 5

Here is a picture of Addie smiling on the changing table at four weeks, and with her second cousins Sam and Claire at five weeks, The thrush is gone, but Addie still doesn't nap much. She sleeps about four to six hours fewer than she is supposed to, most days. We may just be the lucky parents of a kid who hates naps! Luckily, she sleeps (usually) pretty well at night - two shifts of 4 hours each. This means fewer updates here! She smiles more and is starting to 'talk.' She did really well on our road trip to Iowa for Thanksgiving, we had such fun!! Pity I can't drive to Iowa every day.

Three Weeks Old

Adelaide is three weeks old, and 8 pounds, 7 oz. She's gained a pound already, since she's a good eater! She had thrush, and was very fussy for awhile, (and didn't stop nursing or even nap for about two weeks). Her thrush is almost cleared up and she is less fussy, takes naps, and is much happier. We're practicing with the baby slings (carriers) and I'm venturing out a bit, but it is hard to get everything organized to leave - and then have to nurse every half hour or so when you are out! (She's a good eater, like I said). She's starting to almost like baths, we think her smiles are maybe REAL smiles, and her eyes are getting to be a clearer blue. She's changed already! Alison finally got to see her niece, and bought an "I Love My Auntie" bib for her!

At home - Days 2 - 6

We are home and happy - our house was decorated when we got home. I suspect my teacher-friends from school. :) Even though we had a great experience at Regions, it was really great going home from the hospital early (just over 24 hours). It is hard to sleep in hospitals. Last night, we were all able to sleep some! Grandma DeFrance has been here since Friday, and Grandpa DeFrance came yesterday. (He's having a lot of good luck - new grandbaby, 60 birthday, his cross country team made state, and he won $100 on the slot machines!) Grandma Schmidt joined us for a wonderful dinner here, and a champagne toast to Adelaide. I'm healing, trying to get the hang of motherhood. Matt is a real natural with her. The first friends have started stopping by (although I'm trying to take that easy). We're so lucky to have such great support!

Welcome Adelaide Ann Schmidt!

Birth Story

Due on October 13, our little Adelaide was worth the wait. As I suspected, when she got ready to come, she came pretty quickly. (I had already dilated to a 4 out of 10 CM previously, so I was part-way there). I had hired Karen – a doula (a professional “assistant coach” for the labor), and had been trained in the Bradley method of natural childbirth.

I woke up at 3:30 AM with labor contractions five minutes apart. I woke Matt up at 4:30 or so, and we verified how you time contractions (the beginning of one to the beginning of the next!) He snoozed and I took a shower, and then I rested in bed. A little before 6 am, I called my doula Karen to let her know I would need her soon. By 7, the contractions were only 3 minutes apart – and they lasted a minute or so, so there was little time between them. At around 7, I called and asked her to come immediately. I felt like things were moving fast, and I was afraid I wasn’t going to make it until she got there! I kept myself calm, tried different positions, and practiced relaxed breathing through the contractions, as I learned in my Bradley classes. She arrived around 8 AM, and when she arrived, I felt like I had to push.

Karen and Matt thought I was only at about 7 centimeters, but didn’t resist when I demanded we go to the hospital immediately. They didn’t see the signs of transition, and I was calm and doing well, so I didn’t seem that far along. The drive over was hard, as I really wanted to push, but didn’t want to do so in the car. When we got to the hospital triage, I couldn’t stop myself from pushing anymore. The nurse examined me, and I was complete – 10 cm, ready to go! (I wasn’t really surprised but Karen and Matt were). If I had changed my mind about natural birth, it would have been too late!

I had them wheel me to the birth room, and I settled into position. I was in the “old-school” semi-reclining position. I never thought I’d birth in that position, but I couldn’t conceive of changing. Karen and Matt were great as birth coach and doula! By this time it was 9 AM. I began pushing – not too hard at first, and then more in earnest. We could see the bag of waters bulging out, and her head was still inside – being born in the bag is good luck (and destines you to be a midwife!) I watched in the mirror. Matt and Karen helped me stay calm and positive. At 10:45, she was born! We were ecstatic! She was alert, and latched on right away! The natural birth was challenging, but not as hard as I thought it would be! It took awhile for them to get my placenta and to stitch me up. Adelaide and daddy got acquainted (he was so cute with her!) We had a great birth experience, and walked out of the hospital early, (Thursday afternoon) with a beautiful baby Adelaide!

Still waiting (Week 41 tomorrow)

Week 41 starts tomorrow. We're still waiting. Going on long walks to and around the lake (I'm lucky I can still do it). But starting to go stir crazy! Hopefully today! The midwife thought she'd see me this weekend (she's on call) but things will have to start soon for that to happen. I keep telling her that it is a beautiful day and things are nice out here in the world. We'll see!

Week 40 - Waiting

My due date is tomorrow (Oct. 13) even though my extended family is all counting on the 15th (my dad's 60th birthday). I am getting a uncomfortable. It is hard preparing to be gone from work, and still trying to keep working. I felt under the weather last week, so I slept a ton, and I'm hoping I fought off whatever that was. I am still walking my nearly-3 mile walk to/around the lake, some days. Not bad for 40 wks, pregnant. They say that walking can get things moving, I'm using the birth ball, and we plan on eggplant for supper. We have all the important things ready, the rest can wait if necessary. Waiting, waiting.

Can't wait to post a couple of baby pictures on here, hope it's soon!

Week 36 - finally big

Here is a photo, I think I'm finally looking big! Also a photo of Matt and I awaiting our little one! I feel silly with all these tons of pictures of me, but a few far away people apparently like seeing the belly. Plus, no one is forcing you to look! I can't wait until the pictures are of the baby and not me, though! Wish us luck figuring out the car seat tomorrow!

Week 36

My long-time family friend Patty (with the help of other good friends) threw a shower in my hometown for family and Iowa friends. Everyone was so generous, including the out of town folks! I have a lot to be thankful for (and hopefully will finish the thank you cards soon). I will have to post another belly picture, I am looking bigger all of the sudden. Still feeling good, but the first day of school (with kids) was bad. It was so hot in school that day, I couldn't stand it (95 degrees or so inside). Luckily the rest of the fall has been cooler, so I have been feeling good!

We had our last meeting with our doula last night to go over our labor game plan. We will have our last Bradley (natural childbirth) class Tuesday! We are going to try to get the rest of the baby stuff organized and the bag packed today. I'm hoping I don't go early, but you never know. I'm guessing I go on Oct. 15, which is my dad's birthday, two days after my due date, and right after the full moon - but I could be wrong! If I'm right, I have proof right here.

33 Weeks

Hi! I am still doing well! I made it through my first day at school (teacher week). I had a little hip pain for awhile, but a little chiropractic help, and I'm doing great again. Back to my long walks.

Also, a couple of friends (Suzanne, Kristin, and Tara) threw me a shower on Sunday. I feel so loved!!!!!

28 Week Pictures of Baby

Again, in the second picture, she has her hand by her face. We think that's really cute. It still looks like a girl, so all the second hand clothes I've gotten are still ok! (We wanted to go with mainly green and yellow clothes, but that's a losing battle. We'll still make sure she plays with mud and reads comic books when she's older even if it's in pink clothes :)

The other ultrasound pictures came out better, but the main focus of this ultrasound was not photos. They were checking to make sure I no longer have placenta previa (I had a very slight case last time). Yea! Everything is normal now, and I don't have to have a c-section. This is very good because we are investing a lot of time in our natural childbirth preparation classes. The method is called the Bradley Method - which is also known as Husband Coached Childbirth. Luckily, we will also have a doula (professional assistant coach) to take some pressure off Matt to remember everything! Friends Kristin and Corrie also used this method and were happy with it. Lamaze is out of style, and the Bradley method doesn't involve any weird breathing, just normal deep breathing. Instead of learning how to distract yourself from childbirth, you learn to work with your body to get through it. We are optimistic, but we'll see!

28 Week Belly, July 24, 2008

My belly is now really popping! I'm still feeling pretty comfortable for the most part, but I walk a little bit slower. (I used to walk extra fast, though). I also usually have to sit down for a minute during the walk, due to those (normal) practice contractions. The kicks and punches are getting stronger, you can't ignore them at all!

The Room

I had some requests to see the baby room decor, so far. We've been very lucky. My mom and dad (Steve and Joyce) came up and painted the room, the furniture, and installed curtains. My dad also put in an electrical socket in the guest bathroom so you can dry your hair when you come to visit! They were very, very, very productive. I am very, very, very lucky. Happy birthday to me and happy anniversary to us!

You can see the fish we are going to put on the walls, and as the mobile. We still have to pick up the crib, order the rocker/glider and hang up the artwork. This is what we have so far, I will post a different photo when it is all done!

25 Week Belly, July 3 2008

At around 25 weeks, I finally had enough belly that it showed up for a picture! For the longest time, I just looked like I had a few extra cookies. I thought I would show earlier! At the end of the year, my coworkers would evaluate my tiny belly, and declare "niña" (girl) because it was such a low and wide belly. They ended up being correct, but I suspect this kind of belly may be due to my body type. I've been very lucky and feeling pretty well this whole time. We moved into our new house at the beginning of June, and we made sure to walk everyday. We walk to Lake Como, around the lake, and back almost everyday, just under 3 miles.

Our baby at 20 Weeks, May 29, 2008

Here's our baby! It is a girl (as long as the ultrasound tech is correct). We plan on naming her Adelaide Ann Schmidt. Don't worry, the poor thing won't have two last names like me! Adelaide will be hard enough to learn how to spell in kindergarten. She has been a very good baby so far, moving a lot, and hasn't made me sick.

I wanted to start a blog - nothing fancy - somewhere I could post a few prenatal pictures for those far away, and a place for some baby photos once the baby is born. I thought it could be an easy way to keep everyone updated. Here is the first pictures we have of the baby, from our 20 week ultrasound. We will have another ultrasound picture to post (now that I know how to use my scanner) next week. They are doing another ultrasound to check for placenta previa (a low-lying placenta).

I think both picture look like babies. In the bottom picture, she has her hand up by her face. :)