Baby Eve

It’s been 2 years since my last post. Thought since we are welcoming a new baby I should get this page going again. 

Tomorrow we check into the hospital at 10am for a noon scheduled c-section (as long as my labor doesn't start tonight)

This pregnancy was relatively easy. I never got sick with any major colds or flus. I had a short "yucky" feeling window around 14-18 weeks. The usual tired episodes after work. Intense fatigue around 12-14 and in the early 30's. My tummy felt like it would split in the 35th week-it felt so tight. At night while I watched TV I could feel a lot of discomfort weeks 36-38. Mostly I have felt this little baby pushing against the top right side. That is where I notice the strongest movements. At this day Week 39, Day 1 I feel him push all over inside. My belly swells out, left and right. He pushes down around and it feels like a corkscrew. I feel pressure points all over! Its the craziest thing. He is at his strongest yet there isn't any room left. A few nights ago I actually could feel his hiccups. It was the exact motion and sync as when we have them. 

The movements of the weeks 20, 30 where is feels like a fish flopping, (Cohen's words) seem more deliberate. 

I loved telling the girls they were going to be big sisters and watching their joy when we told them it was going to be a baby brother. Ella wanted to name him Cinderella and London requested Brother Sweetie. We believe his name will be Dylan.

I have known this is my last pregnancy so I have tried to savor everything and not be in too much of a hurry to get to delivery date. It is sad to think this is the last baby I will have/carry/feel move. I can understand why many parents have big families. The miracle is one of the most unique and special experiences we get to have in this life.

“Being done having babies is a huge life transition, I am realizing… There’s a depth of emotion to navigate and a letting go that I can only describe as bittersweet. To never see those two lines on a pregnancy test, to never feel those butterfly kicks again or drink in the scent of my newborn child…when those waves of sadness come, I breathe in gratitude. To have three healthy children is a wonderful blessing” – empoweredbirthproject (Instagram user)

Literally our little guy is at heavens doorstep – just moments away from joining us – crazy! I Feel him pushing all over like he’s kneading bread (the inside of me) while I type. Tomorrow my tummy will be still while I hold him and study every feature.

Its literally after midnight and this is my last chance to sleep a long night. So I am signing off and will continute this later with our delivery story.

End of Summer?

Its Labor Day Weekend coming up...does that mean summer is over?

Tonight we enjoyed the last night of the Windsor Farmers Market. The Beatles Flashback provided an excellent performance as we ate and laughed with my parents. London danced and Ella laid on the blanket and smiled.

Sorry the pictures are blurry, it was hard to capture with all the wiggles and movement.

London's 2nd Birthday

After work we packed up the kiddos and hit the pool to celebrate London's second birthday. When we ask her how old she is she proudly replies "tchew" which means TWO : )

"I TCHEW"

Ella Cristina

Ella Cristina joined our family March 4, 2013 at 1:16pm. 

It was a wonderful experience. Around 10am we dropped London off at her daycare. We had a scheduled c-section and arrived to the hospital at 10:30 for a 12:30 surgery.

We cruised through admitting got our wristbands and checked into Labor and Delivery.

 Labor and Delivery handed me a gown and got me prepped for surgery including; more q and a's, blood draws and an placed an I.V. on my right wrist. I met with my Doctor and the anesthesiologist. My mom came to the hospital around noon and brought us a new tape for the video camera (saved the day). 

Cohen put on his surgical attire and they wheeled me into the O.R. and started my epidural. Quite the experience especially when they "hit a nerve" while placing it. Twice. It basically made my left leg kick like a horse. It hurt but the pain didn't last long. I remember feeling like the epidural was more painful the second time but its probably because I wasn't feeling any labor pains this time.

Cohen came in and got the video camera rolling and it wasn't long before we heard them announce that our daughter was on her way. When she cried Cohen had a look of pure joy in his eyes. We looked at each other and just had the biggest smiles. He watched as they delivered her and took her to the table for the assessments. She scored high on her APGAR they said a 9 and a 10. This was excellent news especially after the hard time that London had when she was born. Cohen got to "cut" the cord and be right there for all the cleaning and checks. Then he came with the team as they showed her to me for the first time. 

For me when I see a baby that I have carried with me for 9+ months, that I have felt move, kick, spin and roll - and has truly shared my breaths - its a life changing moment. I believe it is special and unique for each parent who gets that honor. Most likely one of my favorite moments in life.

She was born at 1:16pm a healthy 6lbs, 14 ounces, and 20 inches long.

Post Delivery Euphoria.....

There is something that has now happened to me twice. I didn't write it down after London was born so I forgot about it until it happened with Ella. As I am laying on the OR table post delivery - and baby and Cohen have left the room - I get hit with the CRAZIEST feeling. I can only describe it as euphoria. Webster's dictionary defines it as : a feeling of well being or elation. Related words exaltation, blessedness, bliss, delight, enchantment, etc. This time I asked the anesthesiologist if there was something in my IV that was causing this feeling. It seems to me its so strong it must be drug-induced. His reply was there wasn't anything being added. I lay on the table and stare out the window and I almost feel as though I am floating. My whole body is on fire with love and excitement. And all I can muster is a long stare out the window to the sky. If you could bottle it and sell it, you would be the richest person to ever live. 

Naming our daughter

This was not an easy thing to do. Around 9pm we selected Ella Cristina. We loved the name Ella and Cristina is for my Great Grandmother Cristina Castillo. She was a dear grandmother to my Dad and he has shared many wonderful memories of her. Ella and I share her middle name.

Visitors

We had so many wonderful visits by our loved ones. I forgot to get out my camera each time but I got some nice pictures of a few who stopped by.

 

Cohen's visit

Cohen came home over the weekend. It was too quick! But so much fun. My sister Amber was also in town for our Uncle's wedding.

London was so happy to be greeted Saturday morning by her Daddy. She gave him a big hug and kiss. Then went downstairs and had him read her a few stories before playing with her toys. We had a nice lunch downtown at Flavor Restaurant. Cohen is quickly tiring of the limited food options in the small town he is living in.

The wedding was in Santa Clara on Saturday night right down the road from Great America. Since Cohen had to fly out Sunday morning we decided to stay down there which meant he only got to sleep in his own house Friday night : ( Poor Salty wasn't quite sure what to think of the short visit. They did have a nice nap Saturday afternoon.

The wedding was wonderful. Uncle KC and Debby looked happy and beautiful. The ceremony was held outside in a garden before sunset and the weather was perfect. They are going to be hooneymooning in Bora Bora....so jealous.

Start again

I am moving forward! I have posts that I am not sure that I will finish anytime soon. But for now I need to pick up the keyboard and get back to it.

This seems like a good time to do it since Cohen has found himself relocated for the second time this year in Illinois. So truthfully now that the 2012 Summer Olympics wrapped up tonight I don't really have much to distract me after London goes to bed for the night. BTW weren't the games amazing!! I was addicted catching up after work/weekends on the hours on my DVR. I think they should give medals for spectatorship. ; ) Great Britain must be proud of their athletes, fans and cities. What a great couple of weeks. I think it was especially fun for Cohen to see so many things from his time in England. He was lucky to be able to travel there after high school and later returned for his 2 year mission. There are so many good friends there that watching every night it felt like the pond was a little smaller. I know he misses it a lot. One of these days we will get our family over there.

London went for her fist year check up and shots this week on Aug 7th.
Her stats are
19lbs 11oz  25%
30" long  75%
45.5cm head circ.  85%
6 teeth (4 upper, 2 lower).
She gained 1 pound since her real birthday on July 22nd I only know that because I took her in to have her checked for an ear infection two days after her birthday. I think the month of July she went through a growth spurt.

London
She says Mama, Dada, Grandma, Grandpa, Salty and can baby gab all day long. She loves to play with her toys, read books, go to daycare, the park and spend time with her family. Lately she has been FaceTiming Cohen and giving the screen kisses. I spend every Tuesday home with her and I love that extra special time. She is so sweet and loves to wave, hug and kiss. This weekend we wen't to her daycare friend Na'Anali'i Pearl's one year birthday Luau. She loved all the people, dancing and music. She was especially impressed to see her friends on stage dancing.

Cohen
He was asked to fill in for a woman who went out on emergency bed rest/maternity leave. So Bloomington, Illinois is where he is working for the next 3 months. Its a small country town nearby Peoria. The best part is he gets to come home every other weekend. Which is a great relief for us. We miss him so much. He continues to prepare to take the California Hearing Aid Dispenser Exam. He already passed the exam in Illinois which allows him to practice there. He is running 3 offices Barrington, Pontiac and Washington.

Aimee
I am addicted to spin classes at the gym but lately all my exercise hours have been taken up by getting Salty out on her daily walk after work. I am looking forward to getting back on the bike once this bumpy schedule evens out.....like in 3 months. LOL. In July I ran the 10k Freedom Run in Provo Utah with my little sister Amber. It was really fun and am looking for another run for the fall.

Riding the bike she got for her birthday

London comes to work

Today I got a treat when London came with Cohen to his dental visit. All day I looked forward to the end of the day because I knew they were coming in. It was so fun to be in my operatory working and hear her giggling at the front desk with Sophie and Angel. I wish she could stay with me all day ; )

ROLL OVER!

November 8, 2011 5:00pm
Cohen and I were enjoying a nice Tuesday together. After running errands we were settling in for the evening watching London play on her mat when all of a sudden she ROLLED OVER (back to tummy). I got a little teary eyed watching her literally before our eyes hit a huge milestone.

Over the past weekend I had seen her make certain moves that made me wonder if she was getting ready to do this. : ) Right now she gets on her tummy and doesn't know what to do or how to roll again to her back.

CATCHING UP!

If anyone is still reading out blog after a 3 month hiatus thank you and please be patient. I have all kinds of stuff that I am working on and trying to get ready to post. Just trying to find time. MUAH.

Sleepless

There are no more nights, just long continuous days – Cohen 

2 Weeks Early!

Thursday, July 21 (2 weeks before my due date)

8:00pm

Enjoyed a nice Vietnamese dinner with Cohen and my Mom. We talk about the upcoming events and Cohen points out my belly looks different, an odd shape-kind of sideways (this will make sense later on).

10:00pm

Cohen and I get up to leave the house to get some frozen yogurt and I discover my water has broken (I think). I tell Cohen of the happening and his eyes get huge and he says "Its time to go!?....what"....then he starts pacing the floor and waving his shirt around to fan himself "oooh I'm gettin hot" I couldn’t help but laugh. Watching us run around for 20 minutes and get absolutely nothing accomplished would have been comedy. Somehow I managed to call the Doctor to see if she wanted me to come to the hospital (she did). So we decided to put the clean sheets on the crib (Cohen even ironed the crib skirt), get into comfy clothes and try and pack a bag. The tricky thing was not knowing if we would be coming home that night or in a few days. I wish I had that stupid bag packed ahead of time. I kept thinking NO she can’t come yet we are not ready! Cohen and I had a list of about 20 items that we were going to get done on the upcoming weekend-which included purchasing things like a diaper bag. Sigh, We tucked Salty in for the night and gave her love. And drove to the hospital in a daze.

11:20pm

Arrived at the hospital and was checked in and taken up to my room to be evaluated. Now the funny thing is I had scheduled the coming Monday to go and have the “hospital tour” and there I was thinking… hmmmmm guess I can take that off the calendar. Walking into the room I was thinking to myself is this it, is this where we are going to have the baby. Since I was still in shock and denial that it was happening 2 WEEKS EARLY, I tried not to get myself too psyched out. I looked over at what I thought was a baby warmer cart and got nervous.

11:50pmish

The admitting nurse says I am not having the baby tonight and that I will be going home soon.

Friday July, 22

12:30am

After a lot of intake questions and a positive amniotic fluid strip it is determined that the baby is on her way and I should settle in for the night. The nurses then predict her arrival mid-day. I am told to lay down and sleep and get ready to walk the halls in the morning. My contractions were strong but inconsistent.

1am-3am

Major labor pains ramp up! I went from having the lights turned off and settling in for one last sleep to sitting straight up in bed gasping for air. I looked at Cohen and said WHOAH-that’s crazy pain! I felt the pain in my entire body. When it would start it would spread so hard and intense I mostly reached one arm in the air and held my breath (which you are not supposed to do). I ordered my first layer of pain meds and quickly realized they were of no comfort. So I told the nurse I was ready for my epidural. LIKE READY RIGHT NOW GET THE #*&##*&(*#&*$$# THING HERE NOW!!!! Cohen holds my hand and keeps me positive.

3am-4am

Laboring, throwing up (during which the nurses and Cohen discuss what it looked like and what we had for dinner LOL), epidural, OUCH. Nurses check my labor process and I am at a 7 and oopsie the baby is discovered to be breech/head up. Everyone starts apologizing and is shocked that it was not caught sooner. *2 days previous I had been checked at my doctors appointment and she was head down.* We are told that we will be having a c-section since the baby is upside down and there is not enough time or fluid left to turn her. Now the staff tells us she will be here in about an hour via c-section in the operating room as soon as the on call Doctor arrives.

Cohen wrote this on Facebook (Totally made me smile when I saw it later)

Cohen Jay

You are amazing!

· · See Friendship · July 22, 2011 at 4:44am

5am

I am taken to the operating room and prepped for surgery. My anesthesiologist puts warm blankets around my head and neck. Cohen and I discuss what to photograph. I tell Cohen not to worry about pictures/videotaping the delivery. I want him to fully be present for the delivery and enjoy it and not worry about pictures.

I didn’t feel any true pain during the delivery. I felt some discomfort locally, like someone had their elbow pressing down on me near my lower left ribs.

5:55am

London Amelia Jay is delivered. Cohen announces as they are pulling her out that she looks like a chicken, a white chicken. His eyes are as big as I have ever seen them. Then for the next two hours feelings of love, shock and true bliss settle in. Cohen carries London to the nursery for her evaluations. The doctor orders and x-ray of her right collar bone to determine if it was fractured during delivery.

Waiting

Waiting for something that will change my life forever is....

Amigos

Ben and Sam my bros came into town

The last pic of Amy and I super prego

Michelle visiting from Zurich, Switzerland (hurry up and come back already!)

Wuv her!

Showered with love!

Our baby girl has been showered with love!

We can't wait to use all of the amazing gifts we have been given.

Hostesses Amy and Joy and the prep crew

Homemade by Amy!

Jeanne, Becky and Melanie-dental hygiene alumni

How cute was this chalkboard message!

The Shiloh Park Relief Society Shower

Love this cupcake outfit

Melanie, my church visting teaching companion, we are due 5 days apart

Mom and I having fun

My hostess Amy and her hubby Blake