He's here!! Welcome, Gavin Emrys!

I'll write two version, so those of you who would like to skip the details and get down to the facts can do so, and avoid possible TMI in the process.

Short story: Gavin Emrys was born on Thursday, November 22nd at 6:22 am. He weighs 6 lbs, 15 oz and is 19.5 inches long. We're not sure who he looks like yet, but he's got dark brown fuzz on his head and dark eyes.

Long story: Talk about a long labor! Whew! Contractions started around 2:30 am on Wednesday morning. They were 3-4 minutes apart, but not painful. I timed them for a couple of hours and decided maybe it was time to call the doctor. First things first though- a shower and food! Two things they won't let you have while in labor. So off I went to shower. I got the bags by the door and placed a call for the on-call doctor. By this time, the contractions had slowed to 5 minutes apart but they were still regular.

I woke Michael and we waited for a couple of hours, but the on-call doctor never called back. Contractions had slowed to about every 10 minutes, so we went for a walk. No good- they stayed at the same rate. Michael went to work, and Gwydion and I decided to run some errands. By dinner time, of course, they were picking up again. I called the doctor again and was told to come in to be checked for progress. We got there at 7 pm. I was having regular contractions 8 minutes apart. They were increasingly painful, but after 4 hours of sitting in a hospital bed and NO progress, we decided to go home for food, showers, and maybe a nap.

Of course, by the time I got to the bottom of the stairs at the hospital, contractions were 3 minutes apart and harder to breathe through. I was still starving and wanted a hot bath, so we decided to try the 20 minute drive home. As the contractions intensified, I wasn't sure we would make it! We did though, so we had a snack and Michael tried to nap. I decided to try a hot bath. I now understand why people talk about laboring in the water. It really does make the contractions more manageable. Unfortunately, the water got too cold after about 30 minutes, so I got out and started to dress. That's when I noticed a huge glob of bloody mucus. Progress!!

I was certain that the contractions would hit much harder very soon, so back to the hospital we went. We arrived 2 hours after we left, though this time I was 6 cm dilated instead of 4. That's all the progress they needed to fully admit me and get in my request for an epidural. While waiting for the anesthesiologist, the contractions slowed but intensified. They were 5 minutes apart, but very hard to breathe through. I made it to 7 cm before relief came. Let me tell you, I was getting worried that I wouldn't get an epidural!

Once it kicked in, all the pain was gone. The epidural slowed the contractions to 8 minutes apart, so around 6 am, the doctor broke my water. Things progressed rapidly after that. About 10 minutes of pushing and tiny episiotomy later, Gavin was born.

He's not much of a sleeper, but we're hoping that changes when my milk finally comes in. Gwydion loves him already and has been very helpful (he even found the diapers when I couldn't!). Here are a few pictures.

38 week appointment update

Baby is doing great! His heart rate is 145 bpm, so that's well within the normal range. I don't know how large my tummy is measuring, but at this point it doesn't matter much. Doc did say that I am about 4 cm dilated so it could happen any time. Of course, it could also be another week or two. He did strip my membranes in hopes of getting some contractions started, but nothing so far. That's one of those things that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. I asked how far over they would let me go and he said no more than a week- so we will have a baby by the first full week in December, no matter what. Don't worry, you'll all be notified when he finally does make an appearance!

Ultrasound update

Due to a concern about baby's size, we were sent for a growth ultrasound. Let me tell you, this little guy is just fine! The tech said he's about 7.5 lbs right now, at 37.5 weeks. Measurements may be off a pound or so, but they're usually pretty accurate. So, no size concerns at all- he's just really low and really squished! His face is smashed against my pelvic bones, which is why he looks the way he does. He's also got on elbow next to his face, with the hand behind his head- which explains why I've been feeling little fingers digging into the muscles just millimeters above my pelvis.

Since babies gain, on average, 1/2 a pound a week, I think it is time for an eviction notice!

Here's the little guy in all his smushed glory. Doesn't look too comfy, does he? Maybe he'll get the hint!!



Sorry about the quality. My scanner isn't operating properly and I don't have the patience to pamper it right now. I ended up taking a digital photo of the ultrasound pic after crawling around under my desk for 10 mins, trying to find the problem. In any case, we hope to have actual pictures of a real, live baby to make up for it.

Update:
Since ultrasound pics are hard to read, here's one with the details highlighted. His face is on the right side of the picture and he's resting his head on his arm. The top of his forehead is at the right margin of the picture. Hope that helps! You can click to zoom in on the pic for a better view.

37 week appointment

Pretty normal doc appt. I got to see a different doctor today. I've seen him before and he's very nice. After this appt, I think I may like him better than my regular doc. At least he has a sense of humor.

Total weight gain 21 lbs. BP 122/something. It has steadily been creeping up, as normal for me is 112-114/60, but still within normal, so I guess they're not worried. Baby's heart rate was 160, and that's about average for him. Here's the catch though: I told my regular doc that this baby feels bigger (and he does!). Doc agreed with me, and said I was measuring a little ahead. Or maybe that's they way I interpreted it.

The doctor I saw today says I haven't grown much in the last couple of weeks, so he wants to send me for an u/s. He showed me my chart and all the #s were between 28-31 cm for my last several appts. Admittedly, I'm short and short-waisted too, so I'd expect to be measuring a little small- but not that much! I'd expect my doctor to tell me what's going on, but maybe he just didn't want to worry me. Who knows. In any case, I now have a new favorite doctor- one that gives me info. Gotta have the numbers! I'm 2-3 cm dilated already. That could be the reason I'm measuring small, but we'll find out at the ultrasound.

I went ahead and scheduled my appointment for next week. Scheduled the ultrasound too, both are Thursday of next week. We'll see if we make it that long!

Halloween Pics!!

Gwydion talked for a month about how he wanted to be a clown for Halloween. He insisted on the rainbow wig and the costume with the pompoms on the front. So we searched and searched, and finally found one.
Then, of course, 2 weeks before the big day, he changes his mind. Enter Dr. Gwydion! I guess spending all that time at doctor's offices is wearing off on him. So he wore his doctor costume to the Halloween party at the zoo, and for Trick-or-Treating. We had a fantastic time watching him interact with everyone.

Trying out the new costume. It is a little too large, but it will work!

Waiting in line at the zoo. We were really glad we got there early, and that Mommy is expecting- otherwise we wouldn't have been able to find a parking spot!

Taking a break from all that exhausting candy collecting!


Tonight' s the night! Do you think he's excited?


Trick-or-Treating at Papa Don's house.


Wow, one of each kind! Thanks!


Gwydion and Papa.


Trick-or-Treating at Grandma's house.


Mmm, more candy!

Our last stop, at Uncle Ben's house.

Poor, tired Gwydion. Making rounds is exhausting!

Appointment update! 34 weeks 4 days

I went for my check up today and mommy and baby are doing just fine. Weight gain is at a total of 17 lbs, blood pressure is 120/64. That's a little high for me, but still well within the normal range. Baby's heart rate was 160 bpm, which is just perfect. Doc says the baby is head down and feels larger than Gwydion did at this point. So we may be looking at an 8 pounder this time around. Baby has the hiccups 4-5 times a day, so we know his little lungs are getting ready to go! We don't have too much longer to go- 38 days until his due date, and any time after 37 weeks is full term. We'll start weekly appointments soon!

32 week appointment update

Not a lot going on right now. Baby is getting bigger and so am I! Our little guy should be about 3.5 lbs right now. He's moving like crazy, and likes to see how hard he can push on my belly button. His estimated due date is still Dec. 2nd, but I'm hoping he comes at the end of November. December seems so far away!