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!