Baby Emma has arrived

So the update may not exactly be news to everyone. But I want to keep the blog up and since Emma's currently sleeping I figured I better do a quick update.

First off, on 5/14/09, Thursday morning, I began leaking amniotic fluid. At first, I thought I was just having a serious bladder control problem and I didn't want to do anything about it because I was completely embarrassed about it. However, thanks to my mom being in town, she said that she thought it to be fluid and that I should go to the doctor's. So, by about 10:30AM I went in to Dr. Hansen's office and was tested to see if I was really leaking amniotic fluid. After the exam, Dr. Hansen determined that I was simply suffering a common pregnancy complaint of bladder control issues. VERY humiliating!!!

But as I went through the day, Mom pointed out to me that a person who hadn't drank anything couldn't pee that much. So, after a phone call to Rob who was out of town for work, it was decided I would go on to the ER at Alta View Hospital and see what they said.

I was immediately admitted into the hospital once the ER knew my complaint and I was taken to the Women's Center and put into a delivery room and gowned-up in those snazzy hospital outfits before taking a FERNS test.

Well wonder of wonders, the FERNS test comes back positive and I find out in a wave of relief that I really was leaking amniotic fluid. By this time it's near 9 PM so I'd been leaking fluid for over 12 hours which is a health concern to doctor's for the baby.

Rob drove back into town as soon as my mom called him and four hours later he showed up at the hospital. By this time, my sister in law Kathi, my mother in law Joan and my own mother were expectantly waiting. I was given Pitossin (spelling?) to get my body into labor. Even though I'd been leaking fluid I hadn't started any form of contractions so the hospital had to start them for me.

It wasn't until 3 PM the next day and an epidural shot later that I actually began the whole labor process.


Emma Olivia Byerline was finally born at 4:45 PM on Friday May 15th 2009. She weighed in at 6 lbs. and 8 oz. and measured 19 inches.

It's "The Final Countdown!"

The only thing missing on the blog is Europe singing the very song which seems to be my theme song for the next 28 days - give or take. Now that I've got about a month to go, I'm literally counting down the days as best as I can until Emma gets here.

And since the last update Rob and I have been preparing for Emma's arrival as best we can. We have all the crib paraphernalia from the crib itself to the little bumper. We have a nice girly lamp to replace the bachelor-fisherman lamp that currently resides in Emma's room. (Thank you Aunt Steffie!)

We've gotten a bunch of other stuff too, now it's just up to us to actually put stuff together... (that's your hint Rob).

Ah, but before I stress myself out by thinking of that, at least I can say a big thank you to everyone who's given gifts (new or old) that have helped me prepare for Emma's arrival. It's been such a blessing to have great family and friends who've been just as excited as me and Rob and have been so willing to help.

And now, for some pictures of Emma's soon-to-be room:

Here's her laundry basket with a few items in it to be washed, then there's the purple bin which will eventually occupy her closet to hold her shoes, bibs and some toys. Then there's her tub and two activity gyms for her. In the far left corner in the bag is her new lamp and crib bumber.

Her nice new crib (still boxed) and her new crib mattress.

Her closet of clothes, diaper stash, boppy, blankets and towels

What Kind of Bees Make Milk?

The Answer:
BOO-BEES!


I thought you would enjoy that. ;-)

Quick Update: Emma is doing very well - she's growing every day and is averaging about 4 lbs. and 17+ inches long. So her space is getting smaller and smaller every inch she grows, poor tyke.
I start going to Dr. Hansen on a bi-weekly schedule, with my next appointment on April 14th. And then I start a weekly schedule at the beginning of May.
Rob and I experienced our first birthing class Thursday night. I actually enjoyed it - and honestly, I think Rob did too even though he says otherwise. Our instructor is an RN at Alta View Hospital (which is where I'll be delivering and where the classes are) and she's quirky and funny and likely perfect for the job of birth instruction... I just don't remember her name . . .
Anyway, we had a run down of the female anatomy (I guess those middle school and high school years of Sex Ed. weren't enough), then we went over common and not so common complaints and ailments that women can experience in pregnancy.
And last we began our first practice of breathing techniques for birthing. This isn't a Lamaze class but it's similar because the breathing techniques and the relaxation tools of Lamaze. We also gave each other massages before the class was over which was a little awkward when you're in a room full of other people massaging each other but admittedly it was nice to get a head to toe massage from my husband.
So, next Thursday we will have our second of four birthing classes and next Tuesday night I have a Breast Feeding class that Dr. Hansen recommend I take to learn techniques to get Emma to nurse. Hopefully this one-time class will be worth the $25 I paid for it.
Other than that, things are going smoothly.
Oh, except for the new stretch marks on my tummy. :(

Pinky and the Brain

This blog is not going to be about the cartoon characters from Warner Bros. sorry. However, we are in the 30th week, and Emma's brain is starting to wrinkle and have the characteristics of a brain due to the production of her brain cells (watch out Ivy League). There are also a couple things that are going on, or finishing this week. For instance, her little fingernails and toenails have finished developing and her bone marrow is also in charge of producing her red blood cells, neat huh? She has also lost her fine suit of hair called lanugo. She has produced some fat and can regulate her body temp now, she does not need a full time fur coat. When she is awake, she is scoping out her environment which consists of an umbilical cord and her own body, so her eyes are functioning now as well.
As far as body growth, she has slowed down a little because there has been a lot of attention on the formation of the brain. She still weighs about 3 lbs. but has grown about a 1/2 inch from 15 to 15 1/2". She should pick right back up again the following week and gain about 1/2 lb and another 1/2" during the 31st week.
Heather heard back from the doc's office about her glucose test for gestational diabetes. There was some good news and bad news. Good news is she does not have gestational diabetes which is a relief since it can stick around permanently after the baby comes. Bad news is that we found out that Heather is anemic. This isn't the worst thing that could happen, it just involves taking some iron pills. That's about all for now, stay tuned for more updates!!!

Its been a while.....

So.....it appears that Heather (and I) have not posted anything in a while so here is an update.
Heather is now halfway through the 29th week (can you believe it) and Emma is really starting to make her presence known......in other words, Heather is looking prego!! Emma has also been very active "inside the womb" (S. Griffin). She rolls around and around and from what Heather has told me, does not jab as much. Emma is now approximately 3 lbs and 15 inches long. She can survive outside the womb and has mastered many skills including sucking (look out buddies), and she is really starting to look more like a baby with the added fat she has packed on.
During Heather's 29 week exam, she had to do her glucose test and had to drink what was basically fruit flavored sugar water. It was a little interesting when the nurse who drew Heathers blood said that she wasn't a very good blood taker and I don't think she was fibbing too much as I watched her jab the needle in Heathers arm and move it all over. But she was successful and Heather pumped two bottles of the red stuff, better her than me :p
The apartment is starting to look very different. We have the beginnings of Emma's room in progress with the purchase of a pack n play which was an adventure to put together. There are packages of diapers, wipes, and Emma's wardrobe is starting to develop thanks to her Aunt Kathi and Aunt Rachel and Yia Yia Joan. Sylvia is not quite sure of what to make of all the changes.
Heather flies home to ATL in a week for her baby shower that here mama and sister are throwing for her. She is so excited to get back home, she has not been back since we went there for vacation in June. She can't wait for her precious Krystal's burgers and Zaxby's chicken. She may even hit the Krystal's in the airport!!! So I will be a bachelor again for a week. Woo-hoo!! Kidding everyone. Anyways, during the last part of her being absent, I will have to go to Scottsdale, AZ for district meetings for work. So, Sylvia will be running the apartment for a couple of days and I'm sure she will make the most of it by destroying the chair. That's all for now, promise Heather and I will update more often.

22 week Ultrasound Video

YAY! So I finally have a way of showing you at least one ultrasound of Baby Emma!

This is a 13 minute video that recorded my 22 week exam at the doctor's. This was also the second gender check that the doctor attempted to be sure that Emma's going to be Emma when she arrives. I hope anyone who watches it will be able to make out the images - I did a lovely narration to help point out things in case it's not as viewable as I hope.

And I apologize in advance for the ghetto quality, I had to play the DVD on my computer and then record it with my camera so that it could be uploaded. To upload from the DVD directly wasn't an option because the file was so big so making a recording or a recording made it easier to upload.... yeah, I don't anticipate too many people following me on this.

Anyway, on to the video! I'm so happy I can (finally) share this with you!

23 weeks down ...

I guess I ought to update everyone on my progress. It's been over two weeks since my last update and the main reason why I haven't updated the blog is because I have been trying to get the ultrasound pictures from my 18 week exam viewable on here, plus I now have my 22 week ultrasound DVD and pictures I want to add. My problem is I don't have a scanner - and I don't know how to convert the DVD into a smaller format that can be loaded onto the blog. Soooo, long story short, I haven't felt up to updating the blog because I can't share the pictures and DVD with everyone. It's a big bummer for me.h
But I can at least let everyone know that the baby is doing very well. Dr. Hansen and the nurse/technician who recorded the ultrasound to DVD and took the ultrasound pictures said that the baby is looking really healthy with a strong heartbeat averaging about 160 beat per minute. She has a four-chambered heart running on all cylinders, her kidneys are also functioning fully and the formation of her skull and brain are right on track. I was told she's weighing at about one pound, which is normal for her gestational age. And at my appointment last week for my 22 week exam, you could see that she was certainly active and kicking. She was doing a lot of the latter, which has me worried how it'll be in the last couple of months when she's bigger. There are kicks (or some kind of movement) now that sometimes startle me so well it's like something's trying to spring from my stomach - like in the movie Alien with Sigourney Weaver. Minus the blood and the violence and pain. But that's what the movement reminds me of. The force behind her movements amazes me because Emma's still so small. It was so fun to watch her move around and huddle up in her little space. Her most comfy position seems to be with her ankles crossed and her hands at either side of her head.
Back to the appointment itself, the one thing the doctor has seen in the last two appointments is that the baby is measuring about a week smaller than I calculated. When you take into consideration my LMP, she's due around May 24th, but Dr. Hansen said she's physically measuring to be due more like June 1st. He hasn't changed the date on record, and he said if he does it'll be closer to my due date before he changes it. But I'm hoping that she'll just be a small baby and that she'll make her presence known on the 24th (give or take a couple of days). I can't imagine having a nine pound baby, like my mom did - with me.... yes, I admit I was for some reason a hefty blessing. But I don't want that big of a blessing on my first try. For those that don't know I'm the baby in the family so Mom got two practice labors so-to-speak on my brother Tyson and sister Rachel. So with Dr. Hansen telling me that Emma's measuring small is actually a relief to me.
BUT, if Emma somehow starts packing on the fat (which the gestation calendar says this is the time that the baby is storing fat to live outside the womb) then so be it. I just hope I'll be able to get her out either way.
EPIDURAL! Yes! I forgot, I'm definitely getting one of those babies! So maybe things won't be bad after all....

20 weeks and 4 days . . . and counting

So as you know Rob and I will be having a baby girl. And in the last week I have really begun to feel her - literally. She moves all around, mostly at night and it's the weirdest most inexplainable feeling. My pregnancy book said women can confuse the feeling with gas, but I don't see how. It feels nothing like it, that's for sure. The closest feeling I can liken her movements to is when you feel your stomach drop a little. Like when something scary or intense happens, and you feel that catch in your stomach, that's about what it feels like. I've felt her for over a week now, but I think last night started the beginning of her making some serious movements.

First, Rob and I were laying in bed and talking. And as it seems that all babies in the womb do, when I'm ready to sleep Emma decides it's time to move around. And whether she was kicking or elbowing I don't know, but she was certainly moving enough for me to be startled. I took Rob's hand and put it on my stomach and she very obediently bumped against his hand. He was a little freaked out because that is the first physical contact he had with our baby girl. I think that really showed him that we are really having a baby - and that we're half way through the pregnancy now. (WOW!)

And after I thought that she had found a comfortable position in the womb, she made two b-i-g flops that made me freeze up and shout "WOAH!"

Rob about peed in the bed and was like "What?! What is it? What's wrong?!" and nearly jumping out of the bed.

And I laughed and told him that Emma was just moving and it was the hardest I've felt her yet. But thankfully, once I fell asleep she didn't bother me. But that doesn't mean I slept well last night. For whatever reason, my back has begun to really hurt and last night I had a tough time getting comfortable. But that's life I guess, and right now I'm using a heating pad to loosen up my back.

But here's an interesting picture of a model fetus and what Emma would look like (thereabouts) if you held her in your hands. I thought this pretty neat.

And the Winner is . . . . .

IT'S A GIRL!!!
We always thought it was a girl, and we are extremely excited for our baby's arrival in May (or June). We had some very neat ultrasound pictures that we hope to post as soon as we can get them scanned in by my brother-in-law Brett (ahem... hint hint)
During the ultrasound appointment, Little Miss was being very modest and ladylike by keeping her little legs crossed at the ankles and making it difficult for us to know what the sex was at first. But thankfully, with the "gentle persuasion" of the technician, Little Miss begrudingly revealed her sex. Actually, we outflanked her by getting a shot from underneath her bum. Her legs stubbornly stayed crossed.
As for names,we're thinking about the following:
Emma Olivia
Emma Sariah
Irene (my FANTASTIC mother-in-law) has stubbornly (I think that's a trait that runs in the family) settled on Emma Olivia.
And Heather has stubbornly settled on Emma Sariah.
We'll see who's opinion will win the battle of baby names.