Maxine: Day One

We moved to the mother and baby wing about two hours after Maxine's birth.  We were so anxious to see Cole again and get his reaction to his new baby sister.  We were also on a total high - Cloud Nine - hormone and endorphin induced bliss....

Cole was adorable and a bit freaked out all at the same time.  I think we sent him into sensory overload by giving him some gifts, showing him his sister, and having visitors all simultaneously.  His first remarks about his new sister was that she is "beautiful."  My heart soared to have my two babies with me!

Na, G, and Josh brought Cole to the hospital to meet Maxine.  Unfortunately, they went unpictured because of the focus on Cole and his getting acquainted with his sister.

Opa came to visit later in the day.  He was over the moon with his girl. 

After all of our visitors left, Derek headed home to catch up on some sleep. We were all exhausted but so happy and completely in love.  I stared at this precious baby for a few hours before we passed out for the night a few hours until our next feeding session.

Meet Maxine {4.9.11}

Would it be strange to say that a day full of pain was one of the best of my life? 'Cause it was.

I will say that my labor officially started on Friday morning (4.8) at 2:30 when I could no longer sleep through contractions that had begun. I knew that the road would be long to actually meet our baby but I was excited. I woke Derek to tell him. Neither of us slept much past this point. I dozed between contractions until Cole woke up around 7. We made phone calls: to Na so she could come pick Cole up and Julie (our doula) to let her know that things were beginning.

Friday was a long day. I used Derek's iphone and an app he had downloaded to time my contractions. I was pretty consistently contracting between 7-10 mintues all day long. Derek used his nervous energy to work in the yard and I napped most of the day between contractions. We walked Rural King too....and ran to the pharmacy to pick up my prenatal vitamins to find (after nearly an hour on the phone with unsurance, human resources, etc.) that my flex spending account was not active during my maternity leave....but oh well.

Derek and I decided to eat dinner at Applebee's - knowing that dining out options would be limited by a three year old AND infant very soon. My contractions picked up when I was on the move all day. We came home to call Julie and check in. She suggested rest until my contractions started to get closer together. So, back to rest/sleep between contractions I went. Derek tried to sleep also.

I kept the iphone close and timed the start and end of each and every pain. I slept and peed in intervals until around 3am Saturday morning when the pain was really picking up with each contraction and the timer told me that I was averaging 3 1/2 minutes between contractions. It was time to go....

Derek grabbed coffee and all of our bags. He kept his cool and got us to the hospital by 4. Julie met us there.  I was thrilled to find that I was dilated to 6 cm when we arrived.  This was a huge accomplishment and gave me confidence, showed me that we were doing the right thing. 

Derek was totally amazing.  He was tuned in to my pain, could see a contraction coming, and responded perfecectly every time!  Julie was great too.  She helped us to find positions that might help move things along and checked in with me frequently to see where my head was. 

We walked, did the "lift and tuck," squatted against the wall, hands and knees, etc....we tried it all!  6 hours after arriving at the hospital my cervix had not done much.  I got very discouraged around 10:30 when Julie and my nurse, Paula, started talking about how we could get things moving.  My doctor had called to see what was going on and why things weren't progressing.  I knew that there would soon be talk of interventions.  Julie and Paula suggested "nipple stimulation" to amp up my oxytocin production.  Julie went down to get breakfast and left me to "wind them like a watch...."

Within 10 minutes of nipple stimulation I had three hard contractions and my water broke.  I have no concept of time at this point, but feel like things moved very fast.  As soon as my water broke Derek called the nurse, I texted Julie, and the nurse made the call to my doctor.  Go time!

I yelled.  

Paula got in my face and made me focus.  I didn't want to focus.  It hurt and I wanted to yell about it.  Eventually I complied and got with the program. 

It took no time to feel pressure and burning.  I started pushing and felt progress quickly.  I could feel the baby go from "up high" (the "high" that had scared me the day before) to down...and out.

This photo makes me so happy for my kids, their daddy loves them so much.

Indescribable.  Derek got to announce "it's a girl!"  There are no words for the joy that we felt in these moments.

Maxine Archer Leigh Albracht was born at 11:21am weighing in at 8lb 6oz and 21 inches long. 

She looked just like her Daddy when she was born (this has already changed!). 

We could not be happier with her presence in our family and the experience we had with her arrival.

Welcome, Maxine.  We love you so much.

Forty-One Weeks

I never thought I would still be pregnant today!  I am 4 days into maternity leave with no babe in arms...
Today Derek worked from home so he could take me to the doctor and keep Cole wrangled while we were there.  I had a non-stress test to keep tabs on the baby's heart rate. I also had an ultrasound to check out amniotic fluid levels for baby.  Everything looked good.  That is the good news!  
Unfortunately baby is not dropping into birth position very well.  Doc couldn't even feel my cervix today b/c it was so high.  He said that there "may be a reason" the baby is not dropping into position.  Doctor spooked me when he started talking about my risk increasing for the need of cesarean section.  He offered to induce labor today....but cautioned that risks for c-section increase at this point with or without induction.
I held it together until I walked out to tell Derek the news.  The words "increased risk for C-section" wouldn't come without the company of tears.  Derek was reassuring and comforting, reminding me that baby is most important.  And reminding me that this experience WILL be better than how things went with Cole.  My biggest fear is losing out on bonding with another baby.  My first memories of holding Cole are mixed with memories of confusion about why I didn't feel well...something wasn't right, Iwas uncomfortable...Of course I bonded with him - but I am angry about the mix of emotions that I had.  I don't want to miss out again on those joyous moments of meeting my baby.

HOWEVER, I need to remember that this baby will be out, I will meet him or her and our time together will begin!

On the flip side....The highlights of my day:
-my two favorite boys accompanied me to the doctor today and were perfectly sweet and caring through it all.
-we got a kitchen full of groceries after my appointment.  we really needed to restock before baby.
-chinese food with my favorite fellas.
-preschool screenings - they told me what I already knew - Cole is super smart.  And, not to worry about the "L" and "R" sound that his teacher was slightly concerned with.  He doesn't need to master these until 7 and 8 years old.
-tons of support from those around me, checking in via phone, text, and facebook.
-a great conversation with Julie, our doula, who says it's all good.

the plan:
-exercise ball
-walking, curb walking, stairs, movement...
-cat pose
-follow up with doctor on Monday for another non-stress test.
-induction Friday (if all is well with baby and fluid levels until then).
-castor oil on Thursday to try to induce on my own....?
Let's hope things get going soon!


POST SCRIPT:
contractions began overnight and became consistent around 2:30 am.  Let's do this!

Three Piggy Opera

We heard about the "Three Piggy Opera" for weeks and were SO excited to see Cole's acting/singing debut!

I was thrilled that baby held out past due date to allow me to make it to the show!

The play was performed in the Waterloo High School Auditorium.

Cole had a large fan section!  (unpictured: Josh & Courtney)

Here is where the laughter/tears started for me. 

The curtain was drawn and we quickly spotted Cole in the front row....

picking his nose!  Or at least pointing to it.

He then progressed to playing with his pants.  

He made us nervous a few times with this move....luckily he did NOT drop trou on stage!

His attention span seemed to wane at times...

So he entertained himself with hiding behind stage props.
Cole kept his cheering squad laughing. 
I am not sure how much of the 'plot' I followed but thought I was going to die of cuteness throughout the show!
Cole's teachers are amazing.  I am so impressed with their patience and enthusiasm for all things child!  This show was an awesome demonstration of their hard work! 

After the play we rejoined our little star and spent some time with our family and his friends. 

Cole and Abby were precious.  Abby is who Cole always talks about from school.  I was glad to hear from Abby's family that the adoration is mutual.  Eventually, we had to call it a night and wrestle him away from his friend.

Personally, I was so incredibly happy and grateful to baby that I got to be there.  I can't imagine hearing about Cole's acting debut from the rest of the family or even seeing it on video.  Even if Cole didn't follow the "rules" that he told me over and over (stand still, no talking, eyes on Miss Renee), I was all puffed up with pride to see him. 

40 weeks

Dear Baby,
Tomorrow marks 40 weeks of pregnancy.  What a ride!  The past few weeks I have been nothing short of a basketcase. I have carried so much anxiety around....

How would I be mommy to 2 kids?!

Where will the money come from for child care?!

How the #*^% am I going to have a baby without medications?!

When will you come and will you interrupt your brother's performance in the 'Three Piggy Opera'?!

It's amazing what self talk can do.  I was overwhelmed with peace today, suddenly having more confidence in myself, you, our family, and the unknown.

Here's what I've come to.

Mother of two. 
I just know that this will work.  I know that there will be moments I will feel overwhelmed and under prepared.  I have a great partner and you have a great dad.  He can't wait for Cole to "need" him more.  And he can't wait to meet you. I know that "love will multiply, not divide" - this seems impossible to imagine, but I know it's true.

Money.
It all works out.  We've crunched numbers and we can make it work.  It will take some sacrifice, probably all of which will make us better (no netflix, less or no cable, downgraded internet, etc).

Childbirth.
It's natural.  Baby, you and me - we were both made for this.  I am at peace knowing that we both naturally, innately know how to do this.  I can't wait to meet you, hold you, name you.  My mantra for any meditations I have been practicing has been "my body was made for this."  I know that we will work together for a wonderful experience.

the 'Three Piggy Opera'
I hope that I can be there.  But, as your dad reminded me - you are more important to Cole for the duration of his life that me being at his play.  (secretly I think we're in the clear - only 24 hours until the play!  that helps me feel pretty good about this one.)

So, I am telling myself to calm down. 
Enjoy this time. 
Soak up your big brother. 
Get a kick out of your kicks - I think they are so cute. 
Imagine you. 
Dream of our lives together; your daddy, me, your big brother, and you. 

I feel so close to you already but I know that you are about to take me by surprise with love and emotion.  So, come when you're ready, baby.  You have missed several days when other people wanted you to be born.  I hope that this means that you are confident in yourself - and ready to be your own person.  Be who you are.  I can't wait to find out all about you!  See you soon.

Love,
Mama