The Birth Story - Part 2

We got to the hospital around 9, checked in, and the nurse confirmed that my water had broken.  The nurse called my doctor who instructed them to start pitocin, which speeds up labor, because they don't want labor to take longer than 24 hours after your water breaks due to the risk of infection.  I was already having contractions that were about 3 minutes apart at this point, but still hadn't really progressed (I was only about 1 to 2 cm dilated, and you need to get to 10).  The pitocin started causing the contractions to get really strong and closer together (around 1 minute), and around midnight I had had enough and asked for the epidural.  Going into labor I wasn't completely sure whether I wanted an epidural or not, but it was the best decision!  It actually allowed us to get a little bit of rest that I know we wouldn't have had without it.

Clint's comfy "bed"

During the next few hours they had to adjust my pitocin levels and put me on oxygen because Clara's heart rate was dropping.  Apparently this is fairly common, but of course concerning to new parents.  But it helped that we had great doctors and nurses around us that I knew were monitoring every beat.  At around 4 they completely turned off the pitocin because of her heart rate, which I didn't even know about until later.  At 5, the nurse and resident came in to check my progress so that they could touch base with my doctor.  Clint and I were very asleep at this point, and so hearing the words "You're complete!" was a little shocking and confusing to both of us.  I just looked at the nurse and then we all sort of laughed.  Even she was surprised that it had gone that fast since I was only at 2 cm the last time they had checked.  I slept soundly through the hardest part!

My doctor arrived at around 6, and we started what I think of as "practice pushing".  She was being very calm and talking me through the process and what to expect, and I think just letting me get used to the idea.  We took a little half hour break just before 7 so that my doctor could check on another patient.  I also think she was letting me take a break mentally and physically.  She came back around 7:15, and this time we could tell it was for real - more doctors and nurses came in and everything got a little more serious.  At around 7:45 I decided that I was determined to have this baby before 8, and at 7:53 she arrived!

 

 

Clara Jacqueline Pasche

Born September 22, 2011

8 pounds, 20.5 inches

Lovie

Two Months

 

• Still loves looking at lights
• Has started "talking" and smiling at us
• Has slept around 6 hours straight for the past three nights in a row
• Loves sucking on her fist, and sometimes stares at it when she brings it to her mouth
• Loving bath time
• Puts herself to sleep for most naps and at night, although sometimes we have to give her the pacifier a few times before she is completely asleep
• Entertains herself in her crib looking at the bedding and mobile
• Holding her head up really well, even during tummy time

The Birth Story - Part 1

I keep on trying to find time to sit down and write out what happened the night before and day Clara was born, and it always seems like it's going to take too much time so I don't even start.  But I'm very afraid that baby brain is going to wipe it out of my memory very soon, and I definitely don't want to forget a minute of what happened.  So I think I will just try to write it in parts, and hopefully get it all down eventually.   

My due date was Sunday, Sept 18th, but that day came and went with no sign of her making an entrance any time soon.  At this point I had barely progressed at all, so I unfortunately resigned myself to the fact that we might have to wait a while.  I had already started my maternity leave, which was probably a good and bad thing - good that I got to rest and get some last minute things done, bad because I had all day to think about how I was still pregnant.  I had a pretty great and uneventful pregnancy, but the last month had really started wearing on me and I was pretty close to being completely done with being pregnant. 

On Wednesday I went to the doctor and we decided that they would induce on Friday if she hadn't come yet.  I wasn't thrilled with this because I didn't love the idea of inducement, but we discussed all the options with my doctor and decided this was the best for me and baby.  That afternoon I started feeling contractions, but I had been feeling something similar off and on for a few weeks so I just thought it could be more false alarms, although they did feel stronger than before.  Clint came home from work and we ate dinner, and then went to get ice cream.  His co-worker had been telling him daily about this ice cream place called Hank's Ice Cream that is near our house and supposedly has the best ice cream ever.  Not only was the Butter Pecan Ice Cream supposed to be amazing, but his co-worker swore that it would induce labor, ha!

We got there right before 8, ordered our ice cream, and after taking one bite I felt something strange.  I thought, "Maybe my water just broke", but I wasn't sure so I didn't say anything - it is much more common for them to have to break your water once you are already in labor, and, doesn't your water breaking in public only happen in the movies?!  After walking outside to get back in the car I knew that that was exactly what had happened, told Clint, and we both burst out laughing.  He first made me stand in front of the sign to take a picture, and then went inside to get something for me to sit on so I didn't mess up his new car.  Luckily we live very close, so we headed home to get our bags.  I called the doctor and then we called our parents, grabbed our stuff, and headed to the hospital.  Oh, and put our ice cream in the freezer to save for later :)

Last belly pic, right before we left for the hospital

Love and Marriage

A lot can happen in five years. 

Lots of vacations -

 

 

 

 

Holidays - 

 

 

Aggie Football -

 

 

Two Homes -

 

A Half Marathon - 

A Marathon - 

And one perfect culmination of it all -

It's been more than I could have ever imagined, and I am so thankful for every part of it.  I can't wait to see what the next five years looks like! 

The Greats

There is something very sweet about seeing our grandmothers hold our child.  She is one loved little girl!

Rub a Dub Dub

Clara is really starting to love bath time.  We give her one almost every day just because it seems to make her so happy.  Plus it doesn't hurt that it makes her smell so good!

The only part of bath time that doesn't go so well is taking her out...she tends to cry and scream until we get her pajamas on.  But she still looks cute!

Church

On Sunday we went back to church for the first time since Clara was born, and she went to the nursery for this first time.  It went great, and she slept the entire time!  There were no tears, from baby or mom, so we'll call that a success.

Shots

Yesterday we took Clara to her 6 week appointment and she got her first round of shots.  She was not too impressed by the shots, but when we finally got home and gave her some tylenol the day got a little better.

She is weighing 10 lb 11 oz (68%) and is 22.5 inches long (77%).  So far it looks like she is going to be tall.  Must get that from her Grandpa Walton, along with some of those red-head genes :)

 

Before the appointment - calm and content

Snuggling at home after

Sad little thighs

One Month!

So I guess you could say that we have been a little busy this past month!   I feel like there is so much to update everyone on, and I start to feel overwhelmed, but I guess I just have to start somewhere, right?!

I'm going to try to be better about posting, especially with pictures since she is growing so fast.  But for now, here's a brief highlight of the first month:

• Has been very alert since Day 1, and already has pretty good control over her neck and head
• Has been to the doctor twice and is gaining weight like a champ
• Went one her first walk during Week 2
• Loves being outside, we are anxiously awaiting cooler weather so we can enjoy it even more
• Started sleeping in her crib during Week 3
• She took her first bottle and didn't think twice about it
• First road trip to College Station - Dad went to the game and Mom and Clara stayed at our friend Justin's house
• Second road trip to Round Top, TX and her first wedding.

In the car for the second time on the way to the doctor

Enjoying time home with Daddy

Skyping with Great Grandpa Walton

Not too excited about a bath

After the bath in her ducky PJ's

Loves being outside

First photo session

Walking in Hermann Park

4 weeks - 9 pounds, 9 ounces

Celebrating with Heidi

1 Month Old!