Well, she kept to her own schedule and came a week and a half early. Poor Grandma couldn't be there, but all went well. I went in to the Appleton Medical Center for a scheduled ultrasound and OB check on Tuesday morning September 15, after dropping off Ben and Ryan at school. At the ultrasound she looked healthy, with lots of fluid and an estimated weight of 7 lbs 14 oz. However, they saw what appeared to be some membrane surrounding the baby. Apparently, the gestational sac is made up of 2 layers, the inner layer separated from the outer layer and was floating in the fluid surrounding Brooke. The OB didn't know what to make of it. So, during the OB check portion of the visit he decided that he would like to induce me that day to be safe, since we knew the baby was doing well. I explained that I needed to pick up the boys from school and run home, call Steve, etc. Dr. O'Leary argued that he'd like me to stay and get started, but we agreed that I'd meet him back at noon. Anyway, after checking my cervix (I was 3 cm) he left the room and I stood up, then I soaked the exam room with my broken bag of water, that was about 10:45AM. I guess it doesn't take much break with only one layer. So I wasn't able to run home or get the boys. I frantically called Steve to get him to collect the boys, then alerted Mindy Ogden about the boys coming over to her house for a few hours. Luckily things went smoothly and everyone got where they needed to be. At 1PM Dr. O'Leary came over to check me again for progress, which there wasn't any, so we started pitocin. By 2PM I had the epidural placed. At 3:15 the Dr checked me again, and I was at 4 cm. At 4PM the nurse came in to check me again since the baby's heartrate was showing transition. She was shocked to say that we could start pushing. We pushed through one contraction and realized that this was going to be quite fast. She got on the phone with the Dr and finished setting up the room with another nurse. After just a couple more pushes her head was out and the Dr had to cut off a tight cord from arond her neck. She was already trying to cry before her body was out. She was born at 4:30PM with Apgars of 8 and 9. She is a healthy 7 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches.
Steve claims he's not the father due to her thick dark hair, which both the boys lacked. She's a beautiful baby and I wouldn't have her any other way. She has to show her independence in some way, so her darker traits I think are just the beginning.
The boys love her and always want to check on her. They worry when she cries and they try to fix her. If I ask them to get something for her they fight over who will get it. They love to show her their toys and sometimes when she cries Ben says that she just needs to see him.
So far she sleeps well during both day and night, hopefully she'll keep her days and nights straight. She eats well and will sleep for about 4-5 hours straight through the night if she's sleeping with me or Steve.
We haven't let having a new baby curb our excitement for enjoying Wisconsin. On our way home from the hospital we met my play group at an apple orchard for apple picking. The boys loved it and we came home with 13 pounds of apples and yummy caramel dip.
The adults got to visit while the kids played and ate apples. I love the sling wrap that Steph gave me, it was very convenient for picking apples and it kept her close.
2 comments:
AAAHHHHH!!! I love her! It makes me want to be there and hold her. She is so cute in that outfut that was Ellen's and Olivia's (That was my favorite!) I'm glad that you're enjoying the wrap, and that you were able to figure out how to use it. Miss you!
Jen, she is so adorable! Marci had dark hair when she was born too. Unfortunately it has changed and is now as blond as can be.
I am so happy that you are keeping us up to date on the Ashton family happenings. It is so fun to see how you are doing and what you are up to.
We miss you, and hope to meet Brooke soon!
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