Lola's Birth Story (mega long post!)

Life has turned crazy since Lola made her appearance last week. I wanted to document the whole story and I am just now getting around to it. Poor girl already has the second child syndrome!

On Monday, March 19th I was supposed to go back to work from Spring Break. We had some crazy windy weather with nasty rain coming in. I headed to school (still dark out) after dropping off Lincoln and as I got out of my car with my umbrella and school bags, I either tripped or knocked down by the wind and fell straight to the ground on my stomach. I called Shane and headed to talk to the school nurse about what to do since I knew my doctor's office would not be open. I had my mom (she works at the same school with me), the nurse, all my teammates, and myself freaked out about what COULD be wrong. My doctor advised me to go to the L&D at the hospital to be monitored. I was still feeling Lola move a bit and wasn't having signs of labor so I was feeling confident that everything was ok. At L&D we waited and waited to watch her on the monitor and I had blood work done. After about 3 hours at the hospital, I was released to go home and rest. I had a scheduled doctor appt that afternoon so I was told to still go. One thing they did find while I was being monitored was my blood platelets were low. I had no idea why this mattered so I wasn't too worried about it. At my doctor's appt that afternoon, I was told that my platelet count was pretty low (it was 208 at my 36 week appt and it was 98 that day at 39 weeks). The doctor told me why all this mattered and she suggested we go ahead and schedule a repeat csection since it would be safest for everyone. I was relieved because I was so over being pregnant by this time. We set the csection date for Wednesday, March 21! Phone calls were made, my inlaws drove in and I spent the next day having more blood work done and preparing for baby!

My csection time was set for 9:00 am so we dropped Lincoln off at school (with pink cookies to share with his class) and headed to the hospital.
Last picture as a family of three!

I did not actually go back until past 10 so we had lots of waiting to do before. I was anxious to meet Lola but already worried about recovering. The csection went ok. I felt more pressure and tugging this time than I did with Lincoln. I don't know if it had to do with her position, her size, or if a different anesthesia was used but it was much more uncomfortable. I also had some time after she was born that I don't remember at all. It was very strange and I did not like it.

Lola was born at 11:06 am. She weighed 8 lbs 4oz and was 20 1/2". She came out crying loudly. She has a head of black hair and her color seemed darker.


Seeing our sweet girl for the first time. (This was right before the episode of everything being blurry during the surgery. I am sure I should have told the nurses how I was feeling but it was really like an out of body experience.)
My first time to hold her in the recovery room. I did not get the chance to hold Lincoln in the recovery room so this is what I was looking for to. But my medicine was wearing off too fast (as it did with Lincoln) and I felt AWFUL during this time! I felt like my hands weren't working properly so I was nervous to hold her and I felt really out of it.

No need to worry though. My mom and MIL were able to come back and love on Lola while I gained more awareness of what was going on. Really it was strange how out of it I felt!

Lola was sent to the nursery for a couple of hours (turned out to be 4!) for all the initial check ups and we waited (waited and waited) for our room to be ready. We decided to go ahead and splurge for the suite since we would be there for a few days. Best decision we made! It was the best suite with an awesome view of downtown and it was a great big room.

Once I was ok and taken to the room and Lola was brought back, the grandads went and picked up Lincoln from school. I had missed his sweet face all day. Lincoln was very concerned about me being the hospital bed and did not like it much (he felt that way every day I was there.) But he was pretty sweet to his baby sister.

We had a flood of visitors all at once that evening and I am sad that I didn't get a picture of everyone that came.

Gigi and her first granddaughter- She is loving all the pink and bows that she is getting to buy after having 2 boys.

Aunt Amy and her two boys came for a visit. I am sad I didn't get a picture of the two college boys holding a tiny baby.

My best friend, Casey and her husband, Josh, came by to love her for a bit.

Lola has dark hair and blue eyes for now. When she was awake she was pretty alert but she slept a lot too.

Her first big bow! It was fun to dress up her up. We spent Wednesday and Thursday loving on her and anxiously awaiting our daily visits from Lincoln. Lincoln LOVED to see all the "helicockers" (helicopters) out the window. We were hoping to be released Friday afternoon/ evening and I was given the ok from my doctor. Friday morning Lola was checked for jaundice and her levels were pretty high so they wanted to keep her under the UV therapy for 12 hours to lower her levels. We are pretty sure her levels were high since I am negative blood type and she is positive. To treat her with the UV, she had to stay under the lights at all times unless she was nursing. Shane and I thought it would be a rough night but actually she slept better. Apparently jaundice can make babies sleep more.

Saturday morning we got the great news that her levels were normal and we were free to go home! After waiting and waiting (do you see a theme here?! We waited a lot at the hospital.) we were finally released to go home about 3:00.

Lincoln has loved having all in the same place again. He did great while I was in the hospital but the first two days home, he didn't want Shane or I to leave the room without him. He has gotten much better about it.

Lincoln LOVES his baby sister. He wants her in the same room all the time and loves to kiss her or give her "knuckles". He isn't too thrilled about holding her but wants to sit by her all the time. He really has done fabulous with her and I am grateful for that.

We are all adjusting to this crazy busy time. I am feeling pretty good being this far out from surgery. I have the normal pain but nothing pain medication can't tackle. Lola sleeps great but has some issues with nursing. We are not giving up and going to the doctor tomorrow for some help.

All in all, the transition (so far) from 1 to 2 kids has been manageable. We are loving having Lola in the family and I can't wait to see her personality grow!

Fishing Partners

Lincoln has found a new passion, fishing. He loves to talk about it and loves his fish in his tank.

Since we never really had a winter and jumped right into spring, Shane has taken Lincoln to fish a few times.

These trips never take long because Lincoln hasn't learned the patience lesson yet.And the fishing trip usually ends up with Lincoln's other favorite activity, throwing rocks in the water. I love that Shane has a son to share this activity with and I hope Lincoln learns to love it more.

How far along: 39 weeks

Size of the baby: Baby is the size of a wintermelon (no idea what that is!)

Maternity clothes: Still wearing them and I am ready for more variety to wear.

Gender: GIRL! Lola Claire

Sleeping: I miss it! I know once she gets here I will be getting little sleep but at least I will be able to lay comfortably. I toss and turn right now and I have napped almost every day this week. I am little worried as to how I will stay awake when I go back work Monday.

What I miss: Pretty much everything! Normal clothes, wearing all my shoes (my feet are pretty swollen most of the time) , having the energy to do normal things, and not getting
random comments from people.

Symptoms: So many....contractions off and on, carpal tunnel in my hands when I wake up, little sleep, back pains from my siactic (sp?) nerve. I know all that means I am close to the end!

Best Moment: Knowing that I am so close to the end! I have enjoyed spending this week with just Lincoln. We haven't done anything big and special. We have taken many walks (they didn't work since she still isn't here), many park visits, had some fun lunch dates and just spent time together. I know I am going to miss that time with just him so I am cherishing it now.

Next appt is Monday afternoon! Hoping I have made some progress so we can make a plan as to when she will come!

Lincoln: 2 and a half

How did this happen?! When did Lincoln grow up?! I am not a fan of this part of parenting. I did a decent job of documenting his stats and such his first year but I haven't done another since he turned two so I figured I could manage one every 6 months or so.

I am not sure his exact stats because he did not have well check up at 2 1/2. I think he weighs around 29 or 30 lbs. I have no idea how tall he is but I know he is the shortest in his class by a few inches. He is definitely built like a Nimz.

He wears 24 month or 2T clothes. He is in desperate need of new spring/ summer clothes.

Lincoln has the funniest personality. His teachers comment almost weekly how funny he is and how he makes everyone laugh. At times I think that is precious then other times I worry because who really hopes their child grows up to be the class clown? He has started saying "No silly" when you are trying to be funny with him and it is pretty precious.

Lincoln is still an excellent eater. He will eat almost everything I give him or will at least a bite or two. He loves pizza, pancakes, yogurt, ice cream, and grilled cheese. He is not a big fan of milk unless he is at his Nena's house. The boy lives off water and juice. He now knows Fridays because we always get donuts on Friday mornings. Lincoln has to have a fork and a napkin with every meal. He may not use the fork but he has to have it.

Lincoln is still the best sleeper I know! He will put himself to sleep after a book with his music on. He has to have his blankie and Bessie dog but he is good to go if he has those two things. He still is not a great sleeper on the go (like in a stroller) but will crash as soon as we get home. He stays in his bed until someone comes and gets him out. He has started to sing along with his Praise Baby cd that plays.

Lincoln is very much into the the pretend play now. He almost always wants to wear a hat (and make anyone else in the room wear one too) or his goggles. He loves to be in the garage with Shane and "working" on his tool bench or cars.

Lincoln loves to be outside. He has a new found love of sports. He has a new baseball bat that he uses over and over again. We have had to teach the lesson that balls only live outside since we discovered he has a decent pitching arm. I am ready for summer when he can swim and play in the sprinkler every day.

Lincoln loves his school. He has fabulous teachers who he talks about and he loves his friends. If he goes longer than a few days without school then he starts asking about it. I will be a little sad this summer because he will miss it.

Lincoln has a growing vocabulary. Most words are clear as day but there are times it takes Shane and I a few times until we get what he is saying. He mixes up his L for either W or K. His calls himself "Kinkon Niz" and it is precious but his baby sister is "Yoya". So L sounds like a K or Y depending on the words. His favorite word right now is No which lands him in time out when it is directed to Shane or I. I wish I could write down everything he says exactly the way he does but I can't. Thank goodness for iPhones. I have many videos of him talking that I have saved.

The biggest change for Lincoln has been becoming a big brother. He has done amazingly well with Lola and I have yet to see any jealousy with her. He wants to be in the same room with her all the time. If he is outside playing ball, he will come and get whoever has her with "Yoya, oside wif me." He wants her to "watch" everything he does. I am hoping this lasts.

Lincoln's Special Big Brother Day

Shane and I wanted to have a special day with Lincoln before his world is completely rOcKeD with a baby sister. He loves looking at animals but usually through some glass or cage. I am pretty sure the boy would flip out if we took him to a drive through safari park but aquariums are great for him.

We chose the Grapevine SeaLife Aquarium because it is a smaller scale, cheaper and close to Stride Rite (a certain toddler boy has the fastest growing feet ever!)

The aquarium was pretty full so Lincoln was a little overwhelmed and you can't use a flash inside so my pictures aren't that great. We had talked about the sharks before we went so Lincoln was mostly on the hunt for sharks and could care less for the fish.

The stingrays were pretty awesome to see. Walking through the shark tank was interesting but Lincoln was a little unsure about the glass floor. Shane It was a fun day with our big boy. We ended the afternoon with pizza and naps for everyone.

I can't wait to see how Lincoln handles the transition of having a baby sister.

38 weeks

How far along: 38 weeks

Size of the baby: Baby is now the size of a pumpkin, somewhere close to 7 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Still wearing them. Glad to have the week off so I can enjoy wearing my jeans and yoga pants and not have to wear my dress pants everyday.

Gender: GIRL! Lola Claire

Sleeping: Sleeping is getting pretty hard. I am up consistently for restroom breaks. Then my neck and shoulders hurt because I have to sleep on my side then I have I a hard time going back to sleep. I have been waking up around 4:30 am and finding it hard to go to back to sleep which is rough.

What I miss: Pretty much everything! Normal clothes, wearing all my shoes (my feet are pretty swollen most of the time) , having the energy to do normal things, and not getting random comments from people.

Symptoms: So many....contractions off and on, carpal tunnel in my hands when I wake up, little sleep, back pains from my siactic (sp?) nerve. I know all that means I am close to the end!

Best Moment: I got to have another sono with a different doctor this week because Lola is still not moving around much. The doctor had to watch her and monitor her breathing and heart rate for 30 minutes so it was neat to watch her for a long period of time. The doctor let me see her face and said she has really chubby cheeks and most likely my nose. It made me extra ready for her to be here. Everything looked great on the sono. She is head down (really far) and ready any day!

(I am sure this post seems like a lot of complaining but I don't mean to. I think the last few weeks of pregnancy are hard because you know the baby is able to make it if it was delivered but you have to just wait. I am tired of being pregnant and ready for a baby!)

Lola's Nursery Reveal

With only a couple weeks left until my due date, I can now reveal her room. I have always wanted pink stripes on the walls and a chandelier in my daughter's room. Her room is all about the pink and things that scream girly!

This is what you see when you first enter her room. I love the stripes and chandelier decal.

Her bow holder....yes it is completely full and she still has more on the way!

The changing table. This is an old pie cabinet that came out of Shane's family farm in KS. Shane painted it and got as much of the old smell out of it. The boxes hold bloomers, tights, headbands and hats and diapers. All the essentials in a little girl's room!

Her bed. The quilt was made by my mom and I love it! It is all shades of light pink, grey and some green. Her bed skirt is pink tulle, which adds a little more sass.

Close up of her pillows. My mom made the pillows and once again she blew me away with her work!

We are still waiting on her curtains. They are bought but not fixed to fit her window yet.

Her dresser. The white frame on the left will have pictures hung from the wire with tiny clothespins.

So that is Lola's room. I am still waiting on a few things like her curtains, hamper and a changing table but she can come before then!

I love her room! Lincoln will walk by it and say "Toot" (cute) and I think he is right!

37 weeks...full term!

How far along: 37 weeks

Size of the baby: Baby girl is the size of a watermelon!!! Holy moly!

Maternity clothes: Most of my clothes are getting too small. I really hate that but I only have a few more weeks to go. I would happy if I could wear my yoga pants and tees all day but I can't. I am looking forward to Spring Break when I can get away with that for a week.

Gender: GIRL! Lola Claire! We love to use her name with Lincoln. He has finally stopped calling her Baby Nena and uses her actual name (yoya).

Sleeping: Sleeping is ok. I am up a few times a night for bathroom breaks but I can get back to sleep pretty quickly.

What I miss: Sleeping in a different position. I am a stomach sleeper and I really miss that. I also miss being able to pick and hold Lincoln comfortably. He knows it is hard for me which makes me and him sad.

Symptoms: Everything is a symptom! Sharp back pains but not consistent. I am having some contractions but I didn't know it until I went to the doctor yesterday. Plus Lola has stopped moving which kind of worries me but my doctor is watching it closely and thinks she has just run out of room. I have hit the point where I done with being pregnant!

Best Moment: This last week Shane and I knocked out a ton from our to do list. From cleaning the carpets to buying my hospital clothes, it is all done! I still have somethings like pack our bags and finish gathering Lincoln's Big Brother gift but those should be done this week or next.

This weekend holds 2 baby showers and totally finishing her room! I am super excited!