Friday, November 27, 2009

Introducing Alexander David Whitworth

Andrew and I are extremely happy to introduce Alexander David Whitworth to our family and friends. Alexander was born on Wednesday November 25 at 4:59 in the evening, weighing in at eight pounds, six ounces and twenty-one inches long. Xander's birth came after a very long night of only getting a half hour of sleep from 11 to 11:30 and then waking up to back labor pains. I was able to walk off most of the pain and finally got another half hour of sleep from 2 in the morning to 2:30. I once again woke up and tried to walk off the pain of the back labor, but then started to have contractions that were six to eight minutes apart. I tried to see if I could labor more at home, and sent Andrew to work.

Andrew had just gotten into West Chester when I called him and said I couldn't handle the pain anymore and was going to call the doctor to see what the next step should be. By the time Andrew arrived back home my contractions and pains had mostly gone away. I had already called the doctor and was instructed to go into the hospital to be check at labor and delivery.
We arrived at Grand View Hospital a little after 8 in the morning and was then seen by the doctor around 9. Andrew and I had prepared ourselves to be sent home for false labor. When Dr. DeBrakeleer examined me I was three centimeters dilated and very thin. He then said I could either head home and see what would happen or be admitted and have pitocin started to regulate my contractions. I asked him which he thought was best and he instructed us to stay at the hospital because he was afraid I would have the baby at home.

We then went into a labor room and I was examined twenty minutes later and had already progressed to four centimeters dilated. The pitocin was then started. At Noon I could not handle the pain any longer and asked for pain medication. I was originally going to just start with an IV pain medication and then move to the epidural at a later time. I was re-examined at 12:15 and was seven to eight centimeters dilated. At this time we moved quickly to get my epidural in before it would be too late to receive one. I had received my IV pain medication before the epidural was inserted which did help take the edge off of my shorter contractions. Around 1 in the afternoon my epidural was in place and quickly started to work. At 2:45 the doctor came in and said it was time to start pushing. After two very long hours and pleading with the doctor to get the baby out Alexander was finally born.

Without farther adeu, here is Alexander David Whitworth:


Meeting Mommy for the first time:

Alexander and Daddy:


Ready to head home:

Sunday, November 22, 2009

39 weeks

Well another week has come and gone and I am now pass my due date. I know it is only two days pass but I'm more than ready to meet Alexander. I had a doctors appointment on Wednesday and I really feel like the doctor got my hopes up about meeting Alexander this weekend. It is still early on Sunday morning so maybe I still have hope to meet Alexander today. I really have a feeling we are going to be in the hospital over Thanksgiving.

How far along? 39 weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: plus 27 pounds
Maternity clothes?
yes
Stretch marks?
yes
Sleep:
I am up a lot during the night and end up sleeping during the day.
Best moment this week: finding out I am 90% effaced and 1 cm dilated.
Movement: He has slowed down, and likes to scare mommy and daddy sometimes.
Food cravings:
I'm not too hungry these days and force myself to eat.
Food aversions: none

Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: some, the contractions just need to get it together now.

Belly Button in or
out? Still in
What I miss:
sleeping at night
What I am looking forward to: Meeting Alexander!
Weekly Wisdom: rest now.
Milestones: Hopefully meeting Alexander very very soon!

Monday, November 16, 2009

The nursery is complete...

Well as much as a nursery can be completed without a baby to sleep in there. I finally feel like I can call this project done. All the clothes, sheets, blankets, burp cloths and bibs are washed and put away. The changing table and dresser are organized and ready to go. We have the curtains hung, crib bedding set up, and glider all in place to welcome Alexander home. Andrew painted the letters for the wall over the crib and hung them this weekend! Here are the pictures of Alexander's nursery...











Here is Xander's cradle set up in our room all ready to go:

Sunday, November 15, 2009

38 weeks




This past Friday marked my last day of work until the end of March! I was suppose to have a doctor appointment but it was canceled since the doctor was called into emergency surgery, so now I have to wait until Wednesday to see how Alexander and I are doing. Andrew hung the letters for Alexander's name yesterday in the nursery, but we need to take them down and retouch the paint on them. I failed to take a 37 week belly picture and still need to take my 38 week picture today. I'll update my post later with pictures.

How far along? 38 weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: plus 25 pounds
Maternity clothes?
yes
Stretch marks?
yes
Sleep:
I need more of it these days. I have been taking about an hour nap each day this week though.
Best moment this week: Celebrating my last day of work!
Movement: He's still an active little guy
Food cravings:
I love eating
Food aversions: none

Gender: Boy
Labor Signs:
more contractions I just need them to stay more consistent
Belly Button in or
out? I still have an innie
What I miss:
being comfortable.
What I am looking forward to: Meeting Alexander!
Weekly Wisdom: nothing new this week
Milestones: I'm full term!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

37 weeks

Another week down and only a few more to go! Next week is my last week of work and I am very excited about that. My mother-in-law Jane threw me a baby shower on Saturday and it was a very nice time to spend with our families and friends. Xander received a lot of homemade gifts that were made with love. My mom crocheted Alexander a beautiful blanket and put a blue ribbon through it. Andrew's grandmother knitted a small stroller blanket that is white and blue and also gave us a beautiful hand knitted pair of booties, sweater and hat that Jane's Aunt Julie knitted before she passed. They only discovered this outfit after the death of Jane's Uncle Bill while cleaning out the house, and I feel so loved to have it given to us for Xander. My best friend Lauren cross stitched three bibs for Xander. I almost forgot to mention that Jane bought us a cradle for little Xander to use for the first few months he is home. I have to take pictures of everything and will post them shortly.

How far along? 37 weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: plus 25 pounds
Maternity clothes?
yes
Stretch marks?
yes but no new ones!
Sleep:
I think I will be adding naps back into my daily routine until Xander decides to arrive.
Best moment this week: We hung the curtains in the nursery this weekend, the letters for Alexander's name have the first coat of paint on them and we are almost finished with the nursery!
Movement: yes more hits than kicks these days.
Food cravings:
I love eating
Food aversions: none

Gender: Boy
Labor Signs:
more contractions and hoping to find out on Friday that I am making progress.
Belly Button in or
out? still in for the most part
What I miss:
being able to walk or do daily activities without worrying about falling or losing my balance.
What I am looking forward to: My last day of work is on Friday! And I will only be working 30 hours next week compared to my normal 45 hours.
Weekly Wisdom: Ask for pain meds during labor when you can't take the pain any longer, if not you may slow down the progress of the labor and delivery.
Milestones: Getting closer to my due date!

Here are the bibs that Lauren cross stitched for Xander:




Here is the hat, sweater and booties Great Aunt Julie knitted:


Here is the blanket my mom made for Xander:


Here is the stroller blanket Andrew's grandmother made for Xander:


Here is the cradle Andrew's parents bought us for Xander: