Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's been June since I last updated. A lot has happened in the past 4 months - namely I had a baby! Evelynn Kay Anderson arrived on September 3, at 6:13p.m. in the evening and was 7 lb. 7 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. Looking at this little girl, I still can't believe she fit in my tummy for the past 9 months! It truly is a miracle how God forms a baby.
Am I ever glad that the labor and delivery is over! We had planned to go into the hospital that morning at 7 a.m. to be induced, since Evelynn was nearly 2 weeks overdue. My doctor surprised me two days before, telling me I was already dilated to 2 cm (I had no idea!) That early Thursday morning, I began to have contractions - ugh. Finally I had enough and was getting nervous, so we headed to the hospital at 2:30 a.m. They hooked me up to a very small dose of Pitocin and told me to get some sleep (ha!)
I have to say, no matter how much you read about labor, you just are not prepared for what contractions feel like. I tried very hard to breathe through them, and relax, but it was really a struggle - they hurt! I had so hoped to have a natural childbirth, but by that early afternoon, I was absolutely miserable. After no sleep the night before, I would have a contraction, then fall asleep, causing the nurse to catch me so I didn't fall over, then I would be right back into another contraction. Our labor nurse was completely wonderful and was ready to support me either way that I wanted to go, but after much deliberating, I decided to have an epidural. I know there is a lot of controversy over epidurals but I have to say, the anesthesiologist put me at ease and I really feel it was the right decision for me. Relief was almost immediate, and I feel asleep for over an hour.
By the time I woke up, I was already dilated to 10 cm and we were ready to start pushing. And push I did! It took nearly 3 hours to get this little one out - and for good reason - she came out with her hand pressed against her head, making it that much more difficult! Our doctor was so wonderful and encouraging and before I knew it, Evie was out and the doctor plopped on my stomach and Dan cut her cord. Evelynn was here! She was absolutely beautiful and completely awake for hours after she was born, already watching faces. It was completely surreal to hold this little girl and know I was now a mom!
Four weeks later, and things are going well. We had some pretty rough times starting out breastfeeding (cracks, bleeding, and soreness- ouch) but about 3 weeks things got so very very much better. Now, I am enjoying being mom to this little one besides being so exhausted I can barely function. I've always been one to love my 8 hours of sleep, but alas, babies are not exactly considerate.
I have to admit, having a baby in the house is not a piece of cake. It can be lonely hanging out at home all day by myself, and with Dan working full time and going to school, right now I feel like I barely have a husband or even a relationship. It's hard. We're already dreaming of the day we can take a vacation, or at least just go on a date. As a good friend of us observed, there should be baby counseling but people having a baby for the first time, just like there is pre-marital counseling!
Every day I look at Evie though and thank the Lord for this little miracle. Parenting is not easy but wow, it is amazing!
Stephanie
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
A major update
Here I am today at week 29:
God answered my prayers abundantly and everything looked great with the ultrasound as they went through and checked everything. Also, all of my extra blood tests they ran on me came back completely normal, so I won't be needing to go back to the specialist at all, which was a MAJOR relief. God continues to challenge me and Dan to trust Him with all of the details.
Finding out that all my blood tests were normal made our first anniversary weekend all the sweeter. Dan and I headed over to Sisters, Oregon to hike, shop, and stay at the Long Hollow Ranch, a bed and breakfast. It was a fabulous weekend, and the weather was so beautiful. If you know anything about me and my love of horses, it'll make sense that I can't wait to go back to the ranch next year so we can take a trail ride (which I didn't particularly want to risk at that time, being 7 months pregnant). They have 550 acres, which back up to 10,000 acres of BLM Land, so there's lots of space to explore. Here's a view of the ranch:
And the 100+ year old building we stayed in:
The next weekend Dan and I had the privilege in being in Jon and Rachel Bever's wedding. We were a 3-for-2 deal with baby Evelynn on board. It was a great wedding and the church provided a fabulous meal for their reception. God bless organized brides - they make everything so much better!
That's an update on our lives... I am looking forward to seeing what else God has in store for us this summer!
Stephanie
Time goes so fast! Evelynn Kay Anderson will be here in less than 3 months (Lord willing, after September 1st when we have insurance!) Yes, that's right, the ultrasound revealed that we are having a little girl. YAHOO! That was our secret hope but we were okay with either. The ultrasound tech was confident and apparently got a pretty good view of what he needed to see. The best part? We got to see her in 3D, which was so incredible. I can't wait to hold my little girl.
God answered my prayers abundantly and everything looked great with the ultrasound as they went through and checked everything. Also, all of my extra blood tests they ran on me came back completely normal, so I won't be needing to go back to the specialist at all, which was a MAJOR relief. God continues to challenge me and Dan to trust Him with all of the details.
Finding out that all my blood tests were normal made our first anniversary weekend all the sweeter. Dan and I headed over to Sisters, Oregon to hike, shop, and stay at the Long Hollow Ranch, a bed and breakfast. It was a fabulous weekend, and the weather was so beautiful. If you know anything about me and my love of horses, it'll make sense that I can't wait to go back to the ranch next year so we can take a trail ride (which I didn't particularly want to risk at that time, being 7 months pregnant). They have 550 acres, which back up to 10,000 acres of BLM Land, so there's lots of space to explore. Here's a view of the ranch:
And the 100+ year old building we stayed in:
The next weekend Dan and I had the privilege in being in Jon and Rachel Bever's wedding. We were a 3-for-2 deal with baby Evelynn on board. It was a great wedding and the church provided a fabulous meal for their reception. God bless organized brides - they make everything so much better!
That's an update on our lives... I am looking forward to seeing what else God has in store for us this summer!
Stephanie
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Busy May
I've always loved summer months, but May is fast becoming one of my favorite months. It's hard to believe, but in 2 weeks Dan and I will celebrate our first anniversary! We are going to head over to lovely Sisters, Oregon that weekend - a place we both really like but haven't had much opportunity to explore. It really is incredible how fast time has gone now that we're married. A year ago I was anticipating my wedding... now I am anticipating a baby!
Speaking of baby, this coming Monday is our ultrasound. I am both extremely excited and in typical Stephanie fashion, also a bit nervous. After we have the ultrasound, we are seeing the "high risk" OB-GYN about the false positive on one of my blood tests. I'm praying that the ultrasound is pure FUN for us and that the cost of the whole appointment doesn't kill us (I can't WAIT until we have insurance...) I hope that baby Anderson cooperates so we can see if we should be buying pink clothes or blue ones.
Also coming up this month... we're in the wedding of our friends Jon and Rachel. Yes, I will be the token pregnant bridesmaid, but it should be a lot of fun.
Pictures and news about all of these things to come...
Stephanie
Speaking of baby, this coming Monday is our ultrasound. I am both extremely excited and in typical Stephanie fashion, also a bit nervous. After we have the ultrasound, we are seeing the "high risk" OB-GYN about the false positive on one of my blood tests. I'm praying that the ultrasound is pure FUN for us and that the cost of the whole appointment doesn't kill us (I can't WAIT until we have insurance...) I hope that baby Anderson cooperates so we can see if we should be buying pink clothes or blue ones.
Also coming up this month... we're in the wedding of our friends Jon and Rachel. Yes, I will be the token pregnant bridesmaid, but it should be a lot of fun.
Pictures and news about all of these things to come...
Stephanie
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Living in the here and now: an exercise in trusting God
Wow, 4 weeks go so fast, and it's time for another pregnancy picture!
There's a bit more of a tummy there, and there's definitely someone in there who's been amusing me with their little kicks. That really is such a fun part of being pregnant (at least so far, before baby is jabbing me in the ribs!)
I keep waiting to have something super exciting to post about, but to be honest, right now I feel at times like I am living in the "day to day" drudge. The last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster and at times very discouraging. First I found out that one of the standard blood tests they run when you're pregnant came back as a false positive, and my OB-GYN wants me to see a specialist. Then, Dan and I found out that insurance from his new job won't kick in until he's been employed for 6 months, not 90 days. Which.... puts it at the beginning of August. We're not quite sure of all the details and if it will be starting in time to cover the cost of the hospital. I also found out today that my mom is still pretty sick with Lyme Disease. When your hormones are raging... and you're already doing the normal worrying stuff about the baby... it all feels pretty darn overwhelming.
What I'm starting to realize is that these are really good opportunities (!) to trust God. In pretty much all of these situations, I am helpless and absolutely dependent on the Lord. I have to keep reminding myself that's a good place to be! As a friend of mine has said, "It will be exciting to see what the Lord is going to do."
Leaning on His grace day by day,
Stephanie
I keep waiting to have something super exciting to post about, but to be honest, right now I feel at times like I am living in the "day to day" drudge. The last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster and at times very discouraging. First I found out that one of the standard blood tests they run when you're pregnant came back as a false positive, and my OB-GYN wants me to see a specialist. Then, Dan and I found out that insurance from his new job won't kick in until he's been employed for 6 months, not 90 days. Which.... puts it at the beginning of August. We're not quite sure of all the details and if it will be starting in time to cover the cost of the hospital. I also found out today that my mom is still pretty sick with Lyme Disease. When your hormones are raging... and you're already doing the normal worrying stuff about the baby... it all feels pretty darn overwhelming.
What I'm starting to realize is that these are really good opportunities (!) to trust God. In pretty much all of these situations, I am helpless and absolutely dependent on the Lord. I have to keep reminding myself that's a good place to be! As a friend of mine has said, "It will be exciting to see what the Lord is going to do."
Leaning on His grace day by day,
Stephanie
Monday, March 23, 2009
Week 18
Here's a new picture, for week 18.
WOW, I can't believe we're almost to the halfway point. While I was home alone on Saturday I started reading my What to Expect: the First Year book. I'm not sure whether that was a good idea or not! Reading that book made me realize how very unready I feel to have a baby. Can I confess something? I am not, and never really have been, a huge "baby person." I think babies are adorable at around the 6 month stage, and I adore toddlers because they are such cute little people with personalities! But new babies seem so fragile and I wonder, will I be able to feed, change, and clothe such a tiny little person?
Thankfully, my mom told me that she had the same feelings when she had me and my sister. She wasn't a huge baby person either, but when it's your own, it all kind of just kicks in, or so I hear. I guess we'll find out about 22 weeks when we meet this precious new little person!
Stephanie
WOW, I can't believe we're almost to the halfway point. While I was home alone on Saturday I started reading my What to Expect: the First Year book. I'm not sure whether that was a good idea or not! Reading that book made me realize how very unready I feel to have a baby. Can I confess something? I am not, and never really have been, a huge "baby person." I think babies are adorable at around the 6 month stage, and I adore toddlers because they are such cute little people with personalities! But new babies seem so fragile and I wonder, will I be able to feed, change, and clothe such a tiny little person?
Thankfully, my mom told me that she had the same feelings when she had me and my sister. She wasn't a huge baby person either, but when it's your own, it all kind of just kicks in, or so I hear. I guess we'll find out about 22 weeks when we meet this precious new little person!
Stephanie
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A bloodless but not painless experience!
I can't think of anything too entirely original to post about tonight, so I will complain about my medical experiences the past week! :) First the fun stuff. Dan and I had our first prenatal appointment on Monday, which went great. I love my doctor, and decided right away I was good with her delivering our baby! I guess that's a good sign. We got to hear the little one's heartbeat - wow to say the least. It was so quiet and fast, but it definitely confirmed that there is something going on in there!
Unfortunately though, I had to have my blood drawn, yuck. I know, it's a normal part of life, but my veins just don't seem to cooperate. The nurse at the doctor's office tried valiantly two days last week to get something out of me, but it was just not happening. So they sent me off to the lab, where, as the nurse put it, "They'll get you in one try." Oh my, I wish that had been true. They led me to the room where they draw blood, and it was freezing cold. The first phlebotomist tried three times and each time he made a sound like, "Oooh." Not good! So they had me come back the next day to try with a different phlebotomist. Two ladies tried on me, and thankfully, one got a little bit out - only enough to run one of the tests, though. I guess I have small veins to start with, and in a room that's kept pretty cool, they had no plans of showing themselves. (Hearing one of the phlebotomists say, "Oh, the needle is the same size as your vein" is not a good sign.) I guess I will just have to bring a heated blanket next time, or run a marathon before hand, one or the other! I joked that I was so full of holes that if I drank water, I'd spring a leak.
Well, I keep telling myself I wanted to start documenting what my baby belly looks like, and at the beginning of month 4, I just got around to having Dan take a picture. My stomach is funny - some days it's flat, some days not so much. Good bye flat stomach, I'll see you at the end of this year, I hope!
Unfortunately though, I had to have my blood drawn, yuck. I know, it's a normal part of life, but my veins just don't seem to cooperate. The nurse at the doctor's office tried valiantly two days last week to get something out of me, but it was just not happening. So they sent me off to the lab, where, as the nurse put it, "They'll get you in one try." Oh my, I wish that had been true. They led me to the room where they draw blood, and it was freezing cold. The first phlebotomist tried three times and each time he made a sound like, "Oooh." Not good! So they had me come back the next day to try with a different phlebotomist. Two ladies tried on me, and thankfully, one got a little bit out - only enough to run one of the tests, though. I guess I have small veins to start with, and in a room that's kept pretty cool, they had no plans of showing themselves. (Hearing one of the phlebotomists say, "Oh, the needle is the same size as your vein" is not a good sign.) I guess I will just have to bring a heated blanket next time, or run a marathon before hand, one or the other! I joked that I was so full of holes that if I drank water, I'd spring a leak.
Well, I keep telling myself I wanted to start documenting what my baby belly looks like, and at the beginning of month 4, I just got around to having Dan take a picture. My stomach is funny - some days it's flat, some days not so much. Good bye flat stomach, I'll see you at the end of this year, I hope!
Stephanie
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