Even though I didn't document this pregnancy, I want to remember all the details of her birth story.
I had a few false alarms leading up to her arrival, one causing my m & dad to drive in at 3am and miss the Baylor vs Tech game. Sorry. I just kept saying that no matter when she came I did NOT want to miss Nolan's Christmas program at school on Dec 11. So I kept saying she can come anytime except that Tues-Thurs. Ideally is like her to come on Dec 12 (my obsession with matching birth dates). Well, in true little sister form she came on the Tuesday before, so it was looking like I would miss his program.
It all started that Tuesday morning. I woke up with a few contractions, as I had the past few days. Went about my day; taking Nolan to school, utilizing my birthday present from Greg (cleaning ladies come), and getting things done. I was having more contractions than normal so I went upstairs while my house was cleaned & timed them. They weren't consistent so I just thought it was another day of waiting. Went to Panera and grabbed lunch & started to feel like I was leaking. I called my mom & told her I was watching it to are if I had more come & would call my dr. With Nolan when my water broke it was an instant gush. At about 1:30 I went to the bank and left another message for my dr's office as I had more leakage. Called my mom and told her that she should probably start to head my way.
I went to pick up Nolan at 3 and still had not heard back from the dr, I just wanted to go in & have the fluids checked to see if it was amniotic fluid or not. While I was driving home the Dr called and said to come in. I went home to get my hospital bag, just in case & luckily I ran into my neighbor Kelli. I literally stopped my car in the middle of my street and unloaded my kid on her. She was so willing to help & I'm so grateful!
I got to the dr's offic by 3:30 and while sitting in the waiting room the gush came. So when the dr saw me I told her that I had come in to have her check if it was amniotic fluid, but I was sure my water had broken. She came in, took one look & said "yep you are ruptured." She checked me and I was also already 5 cm! I had to borrow some scrubs to wear while they wheeled me down to labor & delivery admitting. I called Greg when leaving the dr's offic and he had to get someone to cover his case so he could head over. He got there quickly but had to leave to get a key to our house for my mom.
I got into my room and was hooked up by 6:30. They started my fluids so I could get my epidural quickly. I told them I was about a 4-5 in pain but knew it could change in a matter of minutes, because it did last time. And as I predicted, I had to call the nurse back in to open my IV fluids more so they could give me my epidural quicker.
My dr was not on call that night, so I had another dr for her delivery. My contractions were still inconsistent so she wanted to put me on pitocin, but at the lowest level 2, just to regulate. Mom and I were worried that would speed things up quite a bit and she wouldn't make it in time.
The anesthesiologist was from Greg's group and did a great job. I actually remember more of this procedure than I did from last time. There was no CRNA, so I saw him the whole time & he was very good and nice. However, I was already so far along that he had to come back and add more meds because the epidural was playing "catch up" to my contractions.
The nurse checked me after that and said she could stretch me to an 8. The dr came in, no more than 4 minutes later, and said I was at a full 10 and she could feel Evelyn's head. After that everything happened VERY fast. We had nurses yelling in to the hallway asking for the delivery table to be set up right away. My mom still wasn't there but I needed to start pushing. The dr asked Greg where she was & he said "she's in the building." She thought she had left her phone in the car & had to run back (but she hadn't), otherwise she would have been there sooner. Right as mom came in she had to drop her bags and grab my right leg because it was time to push. I pushed 4 times with the first contraction and only once with the second because my contraction was pushing her out without me doing anything. She came out with her right hand up by her face.
Evelyn Faith Lawler was born on Tuesday, December 9th at 8:28pm. Even though I didn't say it as quickly as I did with Nolan, I did say (on Sunday) that I could do this again :) We have decided I am made for pregnancy and deliveries, as this one was wonderfully easy just like Nolan's. We love our baby girl and our new family of 4!
A special thanks also to our friend Natalie, who came and stayed with Nolan so my mom could be there for the delivery, and at about 32 weeks pregnant herself! Even from her birth, Evelyn is showing us how important it is to have a supportive village around you to help bring your children up in a loving and safe environment. Thank you to our new San Antonio village, y'all are wonderful!
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
5 months
5 Months
Uniquely you...giggles, smiles, tears, and frowns
Height: Not measured this month
Weight: 20 lbs - 100% surpassed mom's 1 year old weight
Your sleeping patterns are to go down by 8:30 and sleep until between 7 & 7:30...mommy LOVES it!!!
Your eating schedule is a bottle when you wake up, 3 oz of a vegetable & 7 oz of a bottle for lunch and late afternoon, then 3 oz cereal and whatever you will take of a bottle (up to 6 oz) right before bed. You have eaten butternut squash, zucchini squash and sweet potatoes, and you love them all!
Some sounds you make are squeals of laughter and motions you do are finally rolling all the way over or grabbing for anything within your reach :)
This month you especially like when Lacey (or any dog) pays attention to you. You also love face time with family!
Your dislikes are waking up from naps & waiting on food.
Your favorite toys are anything you can get your hands on and your favorite game is peek a boo, and daddy lifting you upside down.
By the end of the month you are learning how to sit for a second unsupported!
Can't wait to see what you will learn with this next month!
Monday, March 4, 2013
4 months
4 months old
Every day with you brings a new discovery!
Height: 26.25 inches
Weight: 17 pounds 9 ounces
This month you finally slept a 12 hour span, and multiple times!
You still are eating the same with cereal right before bed but the doctor said we can introduce fruits and veggies :) He thinks you will eventually take two can fully at each feed!
You have found you voice and your legs! You talk louder at the table when daddy and I talk and you use your legs to bring things to your mouth! You have rolled from your back and front to your sides but not all the way over yet.
This month you have started to really like your exersaucer.
Your dislikes are when I stop feeding you, but little have you figured out is that I have a bottle coming after your cereal.
Your favorite toy is your teething blanket I got from HEB
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Just Born
Just Born
Welcome Home! We are so glad you are here!
Height: 20.75 in.
Weight: 11 lbs. 7 oz.
Nolan's sleeping patterns so far are sleeping every 2-3 hours throughout the day and night.
His feeding schedule is to eat whenever he wakes up.
Motions he makes are "doing the Nolan" arm movements. And he likes to keep his hand by his head, just like we saw on ultrasounds.
So far we can tell that you love to be fed and to sit in your swing at GG and Bear's.
You get upset when you have a wet diaper, which helps mommy and daddy.
You don't have any favorite toys yet.
Your major accomplishment we have seen you develop is holding your head up for 5 seconds at a time!
Week in Words
So I've gone from not updating in 3 months to deciding that Nolan is growing up so fast that I need to document it all, because he makes so many discoveries and has major developments each week! I love this blog, its easier than keeping up with writing for a book as our parents did.
So each week, or as often as I remember, I'll put Nolan's "week in words" on here :)
But since this is the first one I've decided to make it his "2013 so far in words"!
January 7th Nolan slept the first time in his own room! Since we got a monitor (or 2) for Christmas I've decided he can sleep in his room.
January 8th Nolan eats cereal for the first time ever! We only put it in his milk to help him sleep through the night again.
January 11th Mommy spends her first day away from Nolan. It was hard but GG had fun watching him for 8 hours.
January 15th Nolan joined the ladies for his Wita's 89th birthday lunch at Piatta. There were 4 generations at one table.
So each week, or as often as I remember, I'll put Nolan's "week in words" on here :)
But since this is the first one I've decided to make it his "2013 so far in words"!
January 7th Nolan slept the first time in his own room! Since we got a monitor (or 2) for Christmas I've decided he can sleep in his room.
January 8th Nolan eats cereal for the first time ever! We only put it in his milk to help him sleep through the night again.
January 11th Mommy spends her first day away from Nolan. It was hard but GG had fun watching him for 8 hours.
January 15th Nolan joined the ladies for his Wita's 89th birthday lunch at Piatta. There were 4 generations at one table.
Janaury 16th Nolan learns Wheels on the Bus and loves doing the arm movements. Had to google to make sure we had all the verses.
Now we get to the daily notes :)
January 23rd Nolan is found scooting off his jungle gym!
January 24th Nolan goes for a walk with Lacey!
January 25th Nolan lunches again with JoAnna, her mom, mommy, her mom & his future girlfriend (JoAnna's baby, yet to be born)
January 26th we go to Ft Worth and Nolan was great in the car ride. It was the first time we used the travel bottle warmer in the car.
January 27th Nolan has caught his first cold. Breaking out the humidifier
January 28th Nolan almost turns over from his front to his back!
January 29th Greg gives Nolan a bath for the first time all on his own! And Nolan smelled so good!
I've been bad...here's 3 months of updates
I have been so bad about updating on here, but I have posted ALOT on facebook. But I guess there are some people in the world that still have not joined facebook, April ;)
So Im going to do three months in one post, and then I promise to update at least every month on Nolan and how he's doing, and how we are doing as parents through this new journey.
Height: 21.25 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
Nolan is sleeping 4-5 hour intervals at night
His feeding schedule is 2-3 hours during the day
His favorite game is when I bop on his mouth it makes him smile.
Height: 23.5 inches
Weight: 13.1 pounds
Nolan is sleeping 9 hours at night!!! But not such a great napper during the day.
This month he is eating every 3-4 hours during the day
This month he loves being under his jungle gym, the only free time mom gets!
His dislikes are when he is being held against your chest, because he can't see everything.
His favorite toy is his rattles.
This month he has learned to hold onto things, like his rattles.
Height: not measured this month
Weight: 16 pounds! I was 18 pounds at 1 year!
He is sleeping every 6 hours, a step back :( But he is getting better about napping, and he does so on his stomach!
His feeding schedule is bottles every 4+ hours with cereal right before bed! That started January 8th!
This month he loves talking, being social and anyone giving him attention. Papa Bear just sits and talks/sings to him while in the swing for hours!
His dislike is when he does not get fed food in time, just like his daddy was/is ;)
Nolan's favorite toy this month is his taggie blanket.
By the end of this month he learned to scoot while on his back!
Promise the future months will be more individualized and more on time :)
So Im going to do three months in one post, and then I promise to update at least every month on Nolan and how he's doing, and how we are doing as parents through this new journey.
1 month old
Sweet and new...you bring joy with all you do!
Height: 21.25 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
Nolan is sleeping 4-5 hour intervals at night
His feeding schedule is 2-3 hours during the day
His favorite game is when I bop on his mouth it makes him smile.
2 months old
Tiny fingers, tiny toes...it's so much fun to watch you grow!
Height: 23.5 inches
Weight: 13.1 pounds
Nolan is sleeping 9 hours at night!!! But not such a great napper during the day.
This month he is eating every 3-4 hours during the day
This month he loves being under his jungle gym, the only free time mom gets!
His dislikes are when he is being held against your chest, because he can't see everything.
His favorite toy is his rattles.
This month he has learned to hold onto things, like his rattles.
3 months old
Eat, sleep, learn, and play...tiny wonders every day!
Height: not measured this month
Weight: 16 pounds! I was 18 pounds at 1 year!
He is sleeping every 6 hours, a step back :( But he is getting better about napping, and he does so on his stomach!
His feeding schedule is bottles every 4+ hours with cereal right before bed! That started January 8th!
This month he loves talking, being social and anyone giving him attention. Papa Bear just sits and talks/sings to him while in the swing for hours!
His dislike is when he does not get fed food in time, just like his daddy was/is ;)
Nolan's favorite toy this month is his taggie blanket.
By the end of this month he learned to scoot while on his back!
Promise the future months will be more individualized and more on time :)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Nolan's Birth Story
Leading up to Nolan's due date I was freaking out because alot of my friends were having almost perfect deliveries, quick & easy, so I figured mine would be long and drawn out. I though I would have to be induced and and push forever then go in for a c-section. And I was not smart and looked at Greg's anesthesiology books at how big the epidural needle is and how far they have to put it into your spine. So I was also freaking out about that, and possibly having an uncontrollable contraction in the middle of it and causing complications for me and the baby.
Man was I wrong! If all of my pregnancies and births went the way it did with Nolan then Greg is in BIG trouble because I'll have as many babies as my body would allow :)
It all started Thursday October 18th. I was having contractions throughout the day, nothing big and not consistent. I was tracking them and would have them every 5-7 minutes for 30 minutes then would get one 15+ minutes later. After sitting at my parents (they didn't want me home alone, just in case) and tracking them all day my mom wanted me to call the doctor just to see what I should do. I called around 5pm and she said to continue tracking and if they get 5 min apart for 1 hour then call her again. I knew that.
So my parents took me home around 9pm. I was tired of answering questions about how far apart my contractions were, but on the way home they began to get 5 minutes apart consistently. But I didn't say anything. I got home and hung out with Greg for a few minutes. I laid down and read my book, all the while continuing to track my contractions. I decided that at 11:30 I would call the doctor again and see what she recommended since at that point I would have had more intense contractions for over an hour. But at 11:23 I felt a pop and knew that was my water breaking. I ran (cross legged) to the bathroom, as to not leak on the couch or carpet. As Im running by Greg, asleep in bed, I firmly told him to get up because it was time since I was positive my water just broke.
He made a quick hospital bag (I told him to do it days before) and we got in the car and drove the 30 minutes to the hospital. I brought a towel to sit on, as to not ruin the seats. And man were people right, contractions DEFINITELY intensify once your water breaks. We arrived to the hospital at 12:15. I told Greg I didn't want to get there before 12, because we would be charged for an entire day.
I was wheeled into one of the last available LDR (Labor Delivery Recovery) rooms available. They were packed that night. My room was the closest to the NICU, where my mom works. My nurse came in and I was checked, only 3 cm still!
I received my epidural at 1:45. I had been saying that I was not going let them have Greg leave the room because I wanted to hold his hand, since I was nervous. But I was in so much pain by the time the anesthesiologist came that I didn't say a thing about Greg staying in the room. Greg said apparently I received a combined spinal epidural. That's the goooood kind. I was always told that the numbing shot hurts like a bee sting. I've never been stung by a bee so I thought it was going to really hurt. It actually felt like a minor pinch! Then I felt a warm sensation into my legs and almost immediately felt a release of comfort.
I was checked again right after my epidural was set and I had progressed already to 6-7 centimeters, and man did I ever feel every bit of that stretching.
After an hour of progressing with the epidural, the nurse had to tell me when I was contracting because I never felt it, they called the doctor to head our way. The nurse started me pushing and prepped everything for the doctor. It wasn't my doctor who came in but Dr. Davis. I really like her too so I wasn't too upset. However, I do wish Patolia could have been there. I pushed for a total of 1 hour 15 minutes and Nolan was out!
Nolan Thomas Lawler arrived at 5:27 AM weighing 6 lbs 11.4 ounces and measuring 20.75 inches long!
My mom was impressed at how well I did with pushing. And they were surprised at how I could move my legs with the epidural but still felt no pain! All in all it was a perfect delivery. It was so perfect that even before holding my little man I said "I could do this again."
Man was I wrong! If all of my pregnancies and births went the way it did with Nolan then Greg is in BIG trouble because I'll have as many babies as my body would allow :)
It all started Thursday October 18th. I was having contractions throughout the day, nothing big and not consistent. I was tracking them and would have them every 5-7 minutes for 30 minutes then would get one 15+ minutes later. After sitting at my parents (they didn't want me home alone, just in case) and tracking them all day my mom wanted me to call the doctor just to see what I should do. I called around 5pm and she said to continue tracking and if they get 5 min apart for 1 hour then call her again. I knew that.
So my parents took me home around 9pm. I was tired of answering questions about how far apart my contractions were, but on the way home they began to get 5 minutes apart consistently. But I didn't say anything. I got home and hung out with Greg for a few minutes. I laid down and read my book, all the while continuing to track my contractions. I decided that at 11:30 I would call the doctor again and see what she recommended since at that point I would have had more intense contractions for over an hour. But at 11:23 I felt a pop and knew that was my water breaking. I ran (cross legged) to the bathroom, as to not leak on the couch or carpet. As Im running by Greg, asleep in bed, I firmly told him to get up because it was time since I was positive my water just broke.
He made a quick hospital bag (I told him to do it days before) and we got in the car and drove the 30 minutes to the hospital. I brought a towel to sit on, as to not ruin the seats. And man were people right, contractions DEFINITELY intensify once your water breaks. We arrived to the hospital at 12:15. I told Greg I didn't want to get there before 12, because we would be charged for an entire day.
I was wheeled into one of the last available LDR (Labor Delivery Recovery) rooms available. They were packed that night. My room was the closest to the NICU, where my mom works. My nurse came in and I was checked, only 3 cm still!
I received my epidural at 1:45. I had been saying that I was not going let them have Greg leave the room because I wanted to hold his hand, since I was nervous. But I was in so much pain by the time the anesthesiologist came that I didn't say a thing about Greg staying in the room. Greg said apparently I received a combined spinal epidural. That's the goooood kind. I was always told that the numbing shot hurts like a bee sting. I've never been stung by a bee so I thought it was going to really hurt. It actually felt like a minor pinch! Then I felt a warm sensation into my legs and almost immediately felt a release of comfort.
I was checked again right after my epidural was set and I had progressed already to 6-7 centimeters, and man did I ever feel every bit of that stretching.
After an hour of progressing with the epidural, the nurse had to tell me when I was contracting because I never felt it, they called the doctor to head our way. The nurse started me pushing and prepped everything for the doctor. It wasn't my doctor who came in but Dr. Davis. I really like her too so I wasn't too upset. However, I do wish Patolia could have been there. I pushed for a total of 1 hour 15 minutes and Nolan was out!
Nolan Thomas Lawler arrived at 5:27 AM weighing 6 lbs 11.4 ounces and measuring 20.75 inches long!
My mom was impressed at how well I did with pushing. And they were surprised at how I could move my legs with the epidural but still felt no pain! All in all it was a perfect delivery. It was so perfect that even before holding my little man I said "I could do this again."
Bump Along the Way
Here are my weekly bump pictures. See how Nolan grew inside because soon Ill be posting the pics of his monthly growth outside! Man this is going by fast!
12 weeks
19 weeks
Nolan arrived the day before his expected due date :)
Monday, October 15, 2012
We have a set date!
Went to the doctor again today :) Since our last visit last week I/we have been trying EVERYTHING to get Nolan to come out, from walking, to jumps, to bouncing on a ball...I mean EVERYTHING! So I was hoping, even though Nolan wasn't here yet, but that he at least made some progress. Went to the doctor today, and NO progress!!! Oh My Gosh!!! I couldn't believe we had made no progress in the entire week. So the doctor swept my membranes again and stretched me from 2 cm to 3 cm. That was not fun at all! It was very painful but hopefully it helps Nolan come on his own.
If Nolan does not come on his own we have set a date for an induction, Monday October 22nd!!! So no matter what we will be able to hold our little boy within a week! I am so excited to know I will have my baby at most in a week!
So mark your calendars :) No one guessed October 22, but he still could come before then too. So excited!!! Everyone get ready, its FINALLY here!!!
If Nolan does not come on his own we have set a date for an induction, Monday October 22nd!!! So no matter what we will be able to hold our little boy within a week! I am so excited to know I will have my baby at most in a week!
So mark your calendars :) No one guessed October 22, but he still could come before then too. So excited!!! Everyone get ready, its FINALLY here!!!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Hospital Bag...ready, set, go!
Yeah for weekly OBGYN visits! Had another visit today. As I have been saying, a bunch, I want Nolan to come by the end of this weekend :) So the doctor checked me out today and I am 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. She stripped my membranes. Who knows if that will help or not. I have heard stories from friends who went into labor within 24 hours after having their membranes stripped all the way to others who had to have them stripped again. My mom had hers stripped with Brad on a Thursday and she had him by that Saturday. If I am like her then he will arrive 10-11-12, just like she wants ;)
The membrane stripping was definitely uncomfortable and the doctor said thats the pain I will feel when going into labor. My response "ok so Ill come into the hospital asking for an epidural then." She said I may have a bit of a bloody show but thats ok and not to worry. I need to focus on timing contractions if they get intense and watch for a possible water break. If your water breaks you must get to the hospital and have the baby within 24 hours.
Brad and Lauren come in town this Thursday and leave Sunday, so he needs to get here by Sunday. I really want them to be able to see him here this trip! I am doing all I can to make sure he is.
Now is the time to make sure all is set and ready to go. I have the hospital bag ready to go. I didn't know but the doctor gives you a file of paperwork that is notes on all your OBGYN visits that you MUST have when you check in to the hospital. So that goes with me everywhere. Here is what I have packed in my bag:
- Comfy blanket
- Plush robe
- Pillows
- toiletries (face products, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, hair ties, headbands, shampoo, conditioner, soap, body firming lotion).
- Hair dryer & straightner
- Breast pads
- Nursing bras & tops
- 2 comfy pj/day outfits
- My going home outfit
Nolan's bag
- Boppy pillow
- breast pump
- 2 newborn size outfits, with caps
- going home outfit, with cap & booties
- Mittens
- Receiving blanket
- Going home blanket
- Car seat
Other
- Baby book: so they can put his footprints in it
- Visitor Bubbles: for people to sign when they visit. I will make it into a picture I got from etsy
The membrane stripping was definitely uncomfortable and the doctor said thats the pain I will feel when going into labor. My response "ok so Ill come into the hospital asking for an epidural then." She said I may have a bit of a bloody show but thats ok and not to worry. I need to focus on timing contractions if they get intense and watch for a possible water break. If your water breaks you must get to the hospital and have the baby within 24 hours.
Brad and Lauren come in town this Thursday and leave Sunday, so he needs to get here by Sunday. I really want them to be able to see him here this trip! I am doing all I can to make sure he is.
Now is the time to make sure all is set and ready to go. I have the hospital bag ready to go. I didn't know but the doctor gives you a file of paperwork that is notes on all your OBGYN visits that you MUST have when you check in to the hospital. So that goes with me everywhere. Here is what I have packed in my bag:
- Comfy blanket
- Plush robe
- Pillows
- toiletries (face products, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, hair ties, headbands, shampoo, conditioner, soap, body firming lotion).
- Hair dryer & straightner
- Breast pads
- Nursing bras & tops
- 2 comfy pj/day outfits
- My going home outfit
Nolan's bag
- Boppy pillow
- breast pump
- 2 newborn size outfits, with caps
- going home outfit, with cap & booties
- Mittens
- Receiving blanket
- Going home blanket
- Car seat
Other
- Baby book: so they can put his footprints in it
- Visitor Bubbles: for people to sign when they visit. I will make it into a picture I got from etsy
His nursery is ready, clothes are washed, we are ready. Come on down Nolan!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
T minus ?, and Counting
We are officially 37 weeks! If Nolan comes when I am hoping he will we have 10 days left. 10 DAYS!!! That's almost in the single digits! This is getting crazy!
All the showers are done, and I am so thankful to have such great friends and family supporting us at this major time in our lives! We have literally everything we could need for Nolan. Anything we did not get in a shower we were able to purchase with gift cards! I feel so blessed and so thankful that Nolan gets to come into this world with so many people loving on him!
Here are some wonderful pictures from the Resiterns shower (the doctor's wives group).
All the showers are done, and I am so thankful to have such great friends and family supporting us at this major time in our lives! We have literally everything we could need for Nolan. Anything we did not get in a shower we were able to purchase with gift cards! I feel so blessed and so thankful that Nolan gets to come into this world with so many people loving on him!
Here are some wonderful pictures from the Resiterns shower (the doctor's wives group).
The AMAZING buldog cake Bethannie made :)
Such adorable onesies for Nolan! And the bowties can come off to go on bigger onesies as he grows!
I LOVE the bulldog theme!
My favorite book growing up, I'll Love you Forever! I have a copy in Nolan's room but its all torn up. So glad he gets a new pretty copy!
I LOVE smocked outfits! Nolan will be styling in this outfit!
His personalized boppy cover. It has the swanky blanket fabric on the back. I LOVE the way it feels :)
The sweet girls who hosted the shower, JoAnna, Bethannie & Ericca.
Thank you girls! Yall are the best!!!
The after this fun soiree Greg and I quickly went to Galveston for our bump pictures on the beach. It had been raining all weekend but was clearing up just in time for us to get pictures done! However, as you know, rain usually brings in a cold front...and boy was it cold. We got a lot of shots done and I can't wait to see them.
But unfortunately I paid the price for the a wonderful picture on the beach, I woke up Monday feeling horrible! I have a runny nose, sore throat and body aches. But thankfully no fever! Just been hanging out at home, as usual, drinking lots of fluids and trying to rest. But its hard when the "nesting" urge keeps tapping at my shoulder. Thanks to mom for coming down for a bit and helping me tidy up and organize Nolan's closet.
I was sad that when I was feeling horrible that my husband was on call so I wouldn't see him all day. But he switched his calls so he could be home today for our doctor appointment. He hasn't been able to attend one since June! After a full call night he still came home bearing gifts of lotion enhanced tissues (because my nose was raw) and flowers! Such a wonderful hubby.
I am so excited because we get an ultrasound today! So we went and Nolan is measuring about 6 pounds even. His head is far down the doctor said and he is facing my back. That is the perfect delivering position! Hopefully he stays that way. So with that position he seems to be on my track to possibly coming earlier than his due date. However, he is only measuring 35 weeks 6 days, and he is 37 weeks 3 days. But that is ok because he has always measured small. This can either mean he is coming after his due date or he is just a small baby. And I told the doctor he is moving a bunch still. She was surprised he hasn't slowed down, because that usually means they are getting ready to come. So just like when we were trying to figure out his gender he was doing things to keep us guessing both genders. Now when we are trying to guess his arrival he is doing things to keep us guessing again. Oh child!
All I am waiting for now is to get over my cold so I am better when he arrives. If all this blowing my nose doesn't send me into labor, which I hope it doesn't, then I start my long walks and bouncing on a ball to help get him to come out next week!!! We are ready, my hospital bag list is ready and Nolan's bag is completely packed! Nolan, come any time now!!!
All I am waiting for now is to get over my cold so I am better when he arrives. If all this blowing my nose doesn't send me into labor, which I hope it doesn't, then I start my long walks and bouncing on a ball to help get him to come out next week!!! We are ready, my hospital bag list is ready and Nolan's bag is completely packed! Nolan, come any time now!!!
Friday, September 21, 2012
So much stuff, so little time left
Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been since my last post. Well, alot has happened in almost the past month.
First, I have been to the doctor and starting next week will begin weekly visits :) That means it is getting REALLY close! I am hoping at this next visit that I will get to see Nolan in an ultrasound, it has been awhile. And we haven't had measurements done since I was 30 weeks and he was 3 lbs 7 oz approximately but now we are 36 weeks, so I am very curious how big he has gotten. At my last doctor's appointment I had gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks! That's almost as much weight as I gained my first trimester as a whole...haha!
That night after the doctors appointment I started having pains about 6pm. They started at the top of my stomach and moved down towards my belly button. I started to worry when the pain started in my back. I called the doctor and she called back and said it sounded like stretching rather than contractions, braxton or real. The doctor told me to take a warm bath and if that didn't hurt then to call back but it did help, so nice to relax. These pains had me in tears at one point. So I told Greg if this was only belly stretching then I am DEFINITELY getting the epidural during the delivery :)
Then, I got to look forward to last weekend, as it was my first shower! I had a blast making the thank you gifts for Emily, Erin & Heidi from pinterest! I was getting ready on Sunday and carrying the boxes to the car to take to the shower. I misjudged the step down from the curb and took a hard fall. Thankfully I was holding the boxes because that stopped me from falling directly onto my belly. But my knees definitely got the brunt of the fall. They are still all scabbed almost a week later.
So at the shower I was all dressed up with band-aids covering my knees and I had cried my make up off. So I didn't have that pretty pregnancy glow in those pics :/ But other than that it was such an enjoyable day! The shower had a baseball theme. Greg was wondering if the baseball theme was because his name is Nolan like Nolan Ryan. I said yes, and because Greg played baseball all the way through high school and I played baseball too, granted it was only until machine pitch. He laughed!
The shower was beautiful! You could tell every last detail was thought through! It was so nice to have friends and family there to show support for our first little one. But we did miss those who could not make it in, but your support was felt.
It was fun seeing all the creative gifts everyone bought for Nolan, but some of them definitely stood out. Greg's aunt Diane got him a monogrammed blanket with a bulldog on it. She use to breed bulldogs so she gets our obsession :)
My great aunt Hilda got us a necessity that we will use a few years down the road, a training potty. It is called the Cheer for me Potty! And the best part is that is talks to you in English AND Spanish.
But the most sentimental of all is the blanket knitted by my aunt Martha. It is not only beautiful but holds a lot of meaning as well. The yarn give 20% of the proceeds to families who have lost a child. Nolan has an older brother or sister watching over him, along side with his cousin Lane. We will always miss those babies but are thankful for them to be there for Nolan when he needs guidance. He is one lucky boy.
Then two days later I got to see many of my work friends at my work shower. We kept having to change the date for different reasons so we had a happy hour at Escalante's. It was perfect to just hang out and be with them. I was so happy to see all who were able to come since I was so use to seeing them everyday these past 4 years but now I rarely get to hang out with them. Amber made the cutest gift of all, she knit him a bulldog cap! It is adorable and we can't wait to put him in it!
Other than all that I have just been trying to stay rested and calm here at home. But it has definitely been fun finding a place for all of Nolan's things in our humble abode. I especially love looking at all his clothes. I have separated his clothes by size and then realized I have to wash all of them before putting him in them, so I'll get to organize it all over again, hehe. But I have also done, maybe my last, DIY project for his room. I made curtains. I don't have a sewing machine so I looked up what to do on pinterest...glue gun! But I think they turned out great! I even added a lining to make them black out curtains. The next time I make them I will definitely use a sewing machine (martha might need some guidance). And I am such a perfectionist that I will definitely want to use a more exact dewing measurement tool to make sure we have perfectly straight lines. Erin says I can try and make them curtains for their new house :) She must have a lot of trust in my ability ;)
I am definitely getting to the point that all my friends who have had babies said would happen, ready for him to GET OUT and be here! I know he needs to stay in for a few more weeks but I am to the point of not really sleeping in our bed. I have the egg crate cushion on the bed but my hips still hurt when I wake up because I need to lay on my side. So I have moved to sleeping on the couch because my legs and body are supported but my hips can fall between the cushions and not have any pressure on them. And I don't wake Greg with my constant flipping sides. I am getting some swelling but its not too bad. My back hurts quicker when I am up and about than usual. All this extra front side weight is making it hard to get through spaces and I am definitely waddling :)
But the main thing getting me to this point of just wanting my little man here, is all of my friends who have had their babies recently. From Sarah's darling Ellie, to Michelle's sweet Chris, Lindsay's cute Grey, Allison's precious Grayson and Julie's adorable Walker. Nolan has so many friends waiting for him to arrive, just as we are.
Now we are in the home stretch. We have most everything we need, thanks to all our family and friends, the house is clean, car seat is installed, all we are waiting on is Nolan to arrive. I am so thankful for everyone's support through this time in our lives and we know our lives are about to change dramatically.
I do need to include that Greg has been WONDERFUL through this. I am not going to lie that I was kinda worried because he has such a demanding job that he would be so tired when he came home that he would do just what was asked of him. But Greg has already proved me wrong. He switched sides of the bed with me to see if that would help my hips. I never thought this would happen because he LOVES the right side of the bed. But he is ok with switching and likes the other side, which is great because I can now be on the right side, closer to the best spot in our room for the bassinet. He has gone on walks with me and Lacey to help relieve any pain I may have. And when I had the scare of pain a week ago, he immediately got online and pre-registered us at he hospital while doing anything he could to bring me comfort. I knew I married the best man, but he is just making me even more excited for our future together. I know he will be a wonderful father on top of the wonderful husband he already is. I can't wait to see him interact with his son.
First, I have been to the doctor and starting next week will begin weekly visits :) That means it is getting REALLY close! I am hoping at this next visit that I will get to see Nolan in an ultrasound, it has been awhile. And we haven't had measurements done since I was 30 weeks and he was 3 lbs 7 oz approximately but now we are 36 weeks, so I am very curious how big he has gotten. At my last doctor's appointment I had gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks! That's almost as much weight as I gained my first trimester as a whole...haha!
That night after the doctors appointment I started having pains about 6pm. They started at the top of my stomach and moved down towards my belly button. I started to worry when the pain started in my back. I called the doctor and she called back and said it sounded like stretching rather than contractions, braxton or real. The doctor told me to take a warm bath and if that didn't hurt then to call back but it did help, so nice to relax. These pains had me in tears at one point. So I told Greg if this was only belly stretching then I am DEFINITELY getting the epidural during the delivery :)
Then, I got to look forward to last weekend, as it was my first shower! I had a blast making the thank you gifts for Emily, Erin & Heidi from pinterest! I was getting ready on Sunday and carrying the boxes to the car to take to the shower. I misjudged the step down from the curb and took a hard fall. Thankfully I was holding the boxes because that stopped me from falling directly onto my belly. But my knees definitely got the brunt of the fall. They are still all scabbed almost a week later.
So at the shower I was all dressed up with band-aids covering my knees and I had cried my make up off. So I didn't have that pretty pregnancy glow in those pics :/ But other than that it was such an enjoyable day! The shower had a baseball theme. Greg was wondering if the baseball theme was because his name is Nolan like Nolan Ryan. I said yes, and because Greg played baseball all the way through high school and I played baseball too, granted it was only until machine pitch. He laughed!
The shower was beautiful! You could tell every last detail was thought through! It was so nice to have friends and family there to show support for our first little one. But we did miss those who could not make it in, but your support was felt.
It was fun seeing all the creative gifts everyone bought for Nolan, but some of them definitely stood out. Greg's aunt Diane got him a monogrammed blanket with a bulldog on it. She use to breed bulldogs so she gets our obsession :)
My great aunt Hilda got us a necessity that we will use a few years down the road, a training potty. It is called the Cheer for me Potty! And the best part is that is talks to you in English AND Spanish.
But the most sentimental of all is the blanket knitted by my aunt Martha. It is not only beautiful but holds a lot of meaning as well. The yarn give 20% of the proceeds to families who have lost a child. Nolan has an older brother or sister watching over him, along side with his cousin Lane. We will always miss those babies but are thankful for them to be there for Nolan when he needs guidance. He is one lucky boy.
Then two days later I got to see many of my work friends at my work shower. We kept having to change the date for different reasons so we had a happy hour at Escalante's. It was perfect to just hang out and be with them. I was so happy to see all who were able to come since I was so use to seeing them everyday these past 4 years but now I rarely get to hang out with them. Amber made the cutest gift of all, she knit him a bulldog cap! It is adorable and we can't wait to put him in it!
Other than all that I have just been trying to stay rested and calm here at home. But it has definitely been fun finding a place for all of Nolan's things in our humble abode. I especially love looking at all his clothes. I have separated his clothes by size and then realized I have to wash all of them before putting him in them, so I'll get to organize it all over again, hehe. But I have also done, maybe my last, DIY project for his room. I made curtains. I don't have a sewing machine so I looked up what to do on pinterest...glue gun! But I think they turned out great! I even added a lining to make them black out curtains. The next time I make them I will definitely use a sewing machine (martha might need some guidance). And I am such a perfectionist that I will definitely want to use a more exact dewing measurement tool to make sure we have perfectly straight lines. Erin says I can try and make them curtains for their new house :) She must have a lot of trust in my ability ;)
I am definitely getting to the point that all my friends who have had babies said would happen, ready for him to GET OUT and be here! I know he needs to stay in for a few more weeks but I am to the point of not really sleeping in our bed. I have the egg crate cushion on the bed but my hips still hurt when I wake up because I need to lay on my side. So I have moved to sleeping on the couch because my legs and body are supported but my hips can fall between the cushions and not have any pressure on them. And I don't wake Greg with my constant flipping sides. I am getting some swelling but its not too bad. My back hurts quicker when I am up and about than usual. All this extra front side weight is making it hard to get through spaces and I am definitely waddling :)
But the main thing getting me to this point of just wanting my little man here, is all of my friends who have had their babies recently. From Sarah's darling Ellie, to Michelle's sweet Chris, Lindsay's cute Grey, Allison's precious Grayson and Julie's adorable Walker. Nolan has so many friends waiting for him to arrive, just as we are.
Now we are in the home stretch. We have most everything we need, thanks to all our family and friends, the house is clean, car seat is installed, all we are waiting on is Nolan to arrive. I am so thankful for everyone's support through this time in our lives and we know our lives are about to change dramatically.
I do need to include that Greg has been WONDERFUL through this. I am not going to lie that I was kinda worried because he has such a demanding job that he would be so tired when he came home that he would do just what was asked of him. But Greg has already proved me wrong. He switched sides of the bed with me to see if that would help my hips. I never thought this would happen because he LOVES the right side of the bed. But he is ok with switching and likes the other side, which is great because I can now be on the right side, closer to the best spot in our room for the bassinet. He has gone on walks with me and Lacey to help relieve any pain I may have. And when I had the scare of pain a week ago, he immediately got online and pre-registered us at he hospital while doing anything he could to bring me comfort. I knew I married the best man, but he is just making me even more excited for our future together. I know he will be a wonderful father on top of the wonderful husband he already is. I can't wait to see him interact with his son.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
"We could have this baby now" - Greg
I love my husband but he scared the crud out of me when he said this. My response was one of pure panic. No we couldn't! We haven't taken any classes, the nursery is only almost finished, we barely have clothes, nothing to feed him with! Alot was going through my head that we have NOT done and how we are so not ready for him yet. But as calm as Greg is he pointed out that he merely meant that at 32 weeks Nolan's lungs are developed and it wouldn't be 100% scary if we had him right now.
Of course we want him to stay in and bake awhile longer, but we are also very excited to meet him. What will he look like? Who will he resemble? Basically, whose genes will be more dominant/stronger, as we like to put it :) We think he will have skin in between our colors (tan and transparent), we think he might have curly hair, light eyes, and an adorably large tukus (butt). The last part I have just learned will most likely be true when I went to the doctor yesterday. I keep feeling my little man push but I have not been able to tell what part of him I was feeling. Come to find out its his butt, and man does that span a large surface ;) Greg calls it his Lawler butt, because we know it wouldn't come from me. And I love that my man will be blessed with not having a boney butt like me.
So we did go to the doctor yesterday and learned that Nolan has taken his final turn into the head down position! What a good little boy. The doctor said he must have known she was going to give him a stern talking to if he had not. It was a quick visit but that's because everything looked great! I'm gaining weight right on track, blood pressure is normal, his heart beat is strong, and his positioning is terrific! Here is to hoping this all stays the same.
So now on to what I have been up to. I am finally in the nesting stage. I know we were married OVER a year ago but I still had some presents that needed to be returned not only at my house but from my parents as well! I want to clear our rooms of all boxes and I need to do the same at my parents, because in November we will be living with them! Greg has a rotation at Methodist, located in the medical center in Houston. So to cut down on him having to drive to and from in traffic (as I did for a year) we decided to live at my parents house, less than 5 miles from the med center. This will be awesome, because we will have my parents to help. But it will also be an adventure for everyone. We will be getting use to having a new baby in our lives and my parents will go from empty nesters to having a married couple with a newborn living under their roof. Good thing my mom has ear plugs to sleep with ;) But I am very excited to have their help and we are extremely thankful that they are letting us stay with them for the month!
Now back to returning the gifts. I took only about 5 items back to Bed Bath & Beyond and received over $200 in store credit, which I learned we will be able to use at the soon to be opened Buy Buy Baby! What perfect timing! I knew procrastination would come in handy at least once in my life ;) So I decided to return to other stores as well.
Felt like I was really earning Greg and me some money so I decided to go and spend a little. There is a Carter's very close to our house and I have been dying to go in there, but have stopped myself as I knew I would go crazy. As I pulled up the windows were covered in posters advertising their Labor Day Sale, every 50% off!!! Are you kidding me, PERFECT!!! So I dared to enter, and what is the first theme of clothes that I see, Bulldog theme! I couldn't resist all the little adorable outfits for our little man! So I might have bought a "few" things. But Greg couldn't get mad because 1-it was bulldog theme, too cute to get mad at 2-it was all 50% off 3-I was using the credit card that gives us points. He says thats how I justify spending money to him, earning points. Thank you Venture card.
So here are pictures of Nolan's growing bulldog theme wardrobe!
Of course we want him to stay in and bake awhile longer, but we are also very excited to meet him. What will he look like? Who will he resemble? Basically, whose genes will be more dominant/stronger, as we like to put it :) We think he will have skin in between our colors (tan and transparent), we think he might have curly hair, light eyes, and an adorably large tukus (butt). The last part I have just learned will most likely be true when I went to the doctor yesterday. I keep feeling my little man push but I have not been able to tell what part of him I was feeling. Come to find out its his butt, and man does that span a large surface ;) Greg calls it his Lawler butt, because we know it wouldn't come from me. And I love that my man will be blessed with not having a boney butt like me.
So we did go to the doctor yesterday and learned that Nolan has taken his final turn into the head down position! What a good little boy. The doctor said he must have known she was going to give him a stern talking to if he had not. It was a quick visit but that's because everything looked great! I'm gaining weight right on track, blood pressure is normal, his heart beat is strong, and his positioning is terrific! Here is to hoping this all stays the same.
So now on to what I have been up to. I am finally in the nesting stage. I know we were married OVER a year ago but I still had some presents that needed to be returned not only at my house but from my parents as well! I want to clear our rooms of all boxes and I need to do the same at my parents, because in November we will be living with them! Greg has a rotation at Methodist, located in the medical center in Houston. So to cut down on him having to drive to and from in traffic (as I did for a year) we decided to live at my parents house, less than 5 miles from the med center. This will be awesome, because we will have my parents to help. But it will also be an adventure for everyone. We will be getting use to having a new baby in our lives and my parents will go from empty nesters to having a married couple with a newborn living under their roof. Good thing my mom has ear plugs to sleep with ;) But I am very excited to have their help and we are extremely thankful that they are letting us stay with them for the month!
Now back to returning the gifts. I took only about 5 items back to Bed Bath & Beyond and received over $200 in store credit, which I learned we will be able to use at the soon to be opened Buy Buy Baby! What perfect timing! I knew procrastination would come in handy at least once in my life ;) So I decided to return to other stores as well.
Felt like I was really earning Greg and me some money so I decided to go and spend a little. There is a Carter's very close to our house and I have been dying to go in there, but have stopped myself as I knew I would go crazy. As I pulled up the windows were covered in posters advertising their Labor Day Sale, every 50% off!!! Are you kidding me, PERFECT!!! So I dared to enter, and what is the first theme of clothes that I see, Bulldog theme! I couldn't resist all the little adorable outfits for our little man! So I might have bought a "few" things. But Greg couldn't get mad because 1-it was bulldog theme, too cute to get mad at 2-it was all 50% off 3-I was using the credit card that gives us points. He says thats how I justify spending money to him, earning points. Thank you Venture card.
So here are pictures of Nolan's growing bulldog theme wardrobe!
A zip up jacket with a onesie and pants
Best Buddies onesie
Button down polo shirt with Best Buddies onesie and corduroy pants
Collared onesie and sweatpants
Coverall, perfect halloween color
I LOVE the footies on these coveralls
He has to have a little prep in his wardrobe
Velour coverall, in case its cold in Houston ever
Can't wait to meet our little guy, and put him in all his adorable outfits! He will rock the bulldog look almost daily :) Thank you Carter's!
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