Sunday, December 25, 2011

Ava Leigh: A Birth Story

Ava was due to be born on November 19th, 2011. I had been in laten labor for almost 2 weeks. Scott and I had spent a few nights in the previous weeks in Labor and Delivery, each time being told that we were going to meet our little girl that night, and each time being sent home with an "I'm sorry you're not progressing" and a shot of morphine to lessen the contractions. On November 18th with my mother as my companion, my wonderful doctor told me that I was dilated and effaced enough to be induced the next day, right on time. He informed me that the next morning between 5:30 and 6:30 am, the hospital was going to call me to set up my time to come in. This was it. It was really happening. Within 24 hours or so I was going to be on the inevitable path to mommy hood.

That night my mom and I shopped, and shopped, and shopped, hoping to make me more dilated and ensuring a faster delivery. We spent 5 hours running around and by the end of the day my back was killing so me so bad that I had to sit at every store we visited. After that nights very interrupted sleep, I woke up bright and early at 5 am to wait for that call. I waited, and checked my phone, and no phone call. I was so anxious for that number to show up on my phone, that I held it every minute until 6:30 am, when I finally called the hospital myself. The nurse on the other end let me know that they were very busy during the night with unexpected deliveries and I was 3rd on the list of inductions. She told me that when a room became available, and when it was my turn they would call me to come in. I was dying! A full night of anticipation was hard enough, now I had to wait until they called me? It was hard to go back to sleep to say the least.

I slumped around all morning, all I wanted was that call, and by 11 am I had Scott call again and check on my status. Second in line.

Finally about 1:15 pm I got an unrecognized call on my phone. My heart jumped! It was the hospital and they were ready for me! The nurse asked me if I could make it to the hospital by 2 pm. Could I? I had been waiting for this moment all day, all month...heck 9 months! It was then I was able to utter those infamous prego words "it's time." Scott and I flew around the apartment at lightning speed, hardly talking to each other, other than an occasional "did you fill the cats food?" and "do you know where the diaper bag is?". I realized I was not prepared as I threw things into my hospital bag and went over lists in my mind that I should have double checked days in advance, but in that moment it didn't matter anymore, I was going to meet my little girl!

When we got the hospital and onto the Labor and Delivery floor, I got very calm. I checked in and signed all the papers. They gave me my packets and information for after she was born. Then it hit me, I was going home with a baby! I walked into the hospital with one inside me, and I was going to be leaving with one outside of me. The nurse took me to my room, a huge corner room overlooking Provo. She told me to undress and put on my gown and she told me would be back to start my Pitocen. It was 2:30. I called my mom to let her know that they had started my medicine and she should head down from my grandparents house.




About an hour after my meds started my nurse came back in and told me that my doctor was here and wanted to break my water. By this time I was dilated to 3 1/2 cm. My mom was there and told the nurse that in both her and my sister's case, their labor was under an hour after their water broke, and maybe I should get the epidural before it's too late. The nurse told me that I could get my epidural at anytime I wanted, and at this point I was not feeling much more than very light cramps. I was nervous because most women who get the epidural talk about how huge the needle is and how scary it, but the pain of that is nothing in comparison to the pain you are already in, so it's a breeze. But I was hardly in pain so I was concerned that I was going to feel the whole thing.


They came in to give me the shot and I curled up in a ball, they told me to take a deep breath and I held Scott's hand. After they gave me the shot to numb it, it just felt like a strange pressure sensation and it was over. Within 10 minutes my legs were jello. Scott thought it was really funny that my legs were so numb that if they were anywhere near the edge of the bed, they would just slide off, and I had to ask for help to get them back on the bed. my doctor came in to break my water, I was dilated to a 5 and a half. Then we waited until I was dilated to a 10. I was nervous. I kept talking non-stop. My mom and Scott laughed that I was taking so much, and even gave me a challenge to see how long I could be quiet for. I told them I could do it, but after 10 seconds of covering my mouth with my blanket, I was laughing. Which apparently counted as talking. Which made everyone else laugh. It was nice to laugh because I knew that soon I was not going to be laughing at all.


Scott's parents and sister Ember showed up and they decided to go get some dinner with Scott since it seemed to would be a while before I needed to push. They left, and 20 minutes after leaving the nurse informed me that I was dilated to 9 1/2 cm, and soon it would be time to push. We called Scott and told him to head back ASAP, so they got their food to-go. By the time Scott got back 15 minutes later I was dilated to the full 10. My doctor told me that they wanted to wait 1 hour, and let the baby naturally push herself down as much as possible unless I felt the need to push. It was 9 pm.

By 9:45 I told my mom that I was feeling a lot of pressure and for some reason it felt like I needed to push. She called the nurses in and before I knew it, the room was full of nurses and doctors. It was time to push. The legs were hoisted up and with a nurse holding one leg, and Scott holding the other, I began the exhausting journey of the last part of my labor. But a few minutes in I was feeling a weird sensation in my legs. One leg was number than the other, and it seemed to me that I was regaining the feeling in my right leg, I could even lift it bent off of the bed. We decided that I needed another round of the epidural to ensure a pain free delivery. They came back to give the other round, and 5 minutes after I got it I started to feel really sick. I asked the nurse if it was normal to feel like you were going to throw up. She said yes, but then I told her that I was feeling really weird. I started to lean my bed back and the left side of my face started going numb, and my ears started ringing and I could no longer hear at that moment. I started panicking...that was until I passed out. By the time my bed was back, I was out. I remember hearing a lot of people in the room. I remember the nurse calling my name and the doctor being called in asap. I kept hearing them say "stay with me Morgan, stay with me." and the monitor beeping wildly. They placed an oxygen mask on my face and my mom and Scott were asking if I was going to be ok. I could hear them again, but I couldn't respond. I heard them saying that they were going to reverse some of the epidural. Within a few minutes of some of the epidural being reversed, I was back to normal, and all the color was back in my face. They told me that my blood pressure dropped really low, and it caused the baby's blood pressure to drop as well, but they were able to regulate us pretty fast.

After getting back to normal, it was time to push again. Pushing was hard, and I was not allowed to drink anything, so I kept begging for a coke my entire labor. I couldn't feel much at all, but it was the most exhausting thing I have ever done in my life. Every single contraction I had to hold my legs and push with every bit of strength in my body. 10 seconds, 3 times in a row, holding my breath. I was pushing so hard that the nurses were concerned I was popping blood vessels in my eyes. I pushed for 2 hours. I never knew I could be so tired, but they could see her and she had tons of hair. The excitement of seeing her soon kept me going. I wanted to see her so bad. It was 11:50 pm and the doctor told me that there was a chance that she could be born after midnight, which was November 20th, which was Scott's birthday. I didn't want her to be born on his birthday because we had a long -standing bet with each other on when she was going to be born, and I did not want to lose. All the sudden I had a burst of energy and started pushing harder than I ever had.

Unfortunately though, Ava was stuck. I was too small for her head to pass, and as much as I pushed, I could not get her past this point. The doctor tried everything he could to loosen me up, but with no other option asked if he could cut me. I screamed at him that I didn't care what he did, I just wanted her out. He wasted no time. All at once, the overhead lights came on, the room was full, the delivery cart was wheeled up, everyone was busy running around, and the doctor started to cut. 5 more pushes and it was the most amazing moment of my life.






All the sudden there she was, and everyone was smiling. 10 hours later at 12:04 am, on Scott's birthday she entered our lives forever. They laid her on my stomach and I wrapped my arms around her. Scott started to cut the umbilical cord. They moved her up onto my chest and she started to cry as the nurses rubbed her with towels. Time stopped. She was finally here. My little girl was here and she was the most incredible thing I had ever seen. She was mine, Scott and I made her because we loved her and wanted her to join our family. It was amazing how fast you could fall in love with someone. I knew whatever she did in life, whatever happened to her, I would love her no matter what. I wanted to give her everything, give her everything, and make her everything that I never got or never was. She has tought me the true meaning of selflessness. I had everything I needed in life in that very moment. In that moment, life was complete. Becoming a mother was everything I had ever dreamed it would be and more. I am so blessed.



Friday, December 23, 2011

The Nursery

Ava's nursery was a HUGE challenge for me as I was getting it ready while pregnant. I take a lot of pride in decorating my home well, and this nursery was my little project. I had taken a lot of ideas from Pinterest, but as I went to find decor to use, I found it much more difficult to find unique items for the style I was looking for. It took me a long time and a lot of effort to collect everything I wanted to incorporate into her room, but it was well worth it. I had to order a lot on online, make a lot of things by hand, paint and spray paint like no ones business, and search high and low in different stores for everything, and here is the final result! Enjoy!





Thursday, December 22, 2011

Ava's Baby Blessing

Ava was blessed on November 27th, one week after she was born. We didn't really want her to be blessed that soon, just cause most people wait a month or 2 before getting theirs done, and I was concerned that no blessing dress would fit her. But my parents were going to be in town for Thanksgiving and my mom was going to be there for the birth, so it just worked out that we would need to have her blessing asap if my dad wanted to participate while in town; and that was super important to me. So we got special permission to bless her earlier than a fast sunday.

The day of her blessing we were thrilled to have my dad, scott's dad, my uncles Brandon and Dave, my cousin's husband Anthony, my grandpa, Scott of course, our bishop, my sister's boyfriend (now soon to be hubby) and our good friend Ben all help. The building was PACKED that day because not only was it our blessing, but it was a special musical number, and a mission farewell.

The week Ava was due, my mom and I went on the hunt for her blessing dress. We searched everywhere until we finally found the most precious, tiniest little dress would could at the Distribution Center. We had to get it in an XXS, and even after she was born (and she was not a small baby) the dress was still a little too big on her. But she looked like an absolute DOLL!

Scott's blessing was amazing. It was so spiritual and inspired. After it was over, Scott got many compliments that he just gave one of the most beautiful blessings ever. He talked about how she was going to be an example to her younger siblings. He talked about how she was going to be worthy to marry in the house of the lord, which made my cry a little. I loved every second of his blessing, and at the time, it all seemed to surreal to me. Here I was, finally at that time in my life where I had my own little baby, and my husband was blessing her. Time has truly gone by so fast, and I am beyond blessed to be were I am now, married to an incredible man, have a beautiful daughter, and we are sealed for time and all eternity. No matter what happens in life, these people are mine, and through the lord we are able to spend forever together.

Thank you everyone who came for her blessing, and everyone who helped. We are so blessed to have you in our lives.





Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Baby Shower

This is LONG over due, but I am finally putting up pictures of my baby shower back in September. It was such a wonderful day and I was so grateful to have so many of my friends come and support me. Thank you again to Kristy and Paige for all your hard work and for throwing me the most gorgeous baby shower ever!
















*Ava's birth story to come soon! I just have to get the pictures from her delivery!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

life as parents

It has been 12 days since the birth of Ava. Adjusting to being parents is the most wonderful yet difficult experience, and everyday is different at our home since she has joined our little family. Some days its easy to get out and do things, run some errands, see friends; and some days, like today, I spend most of the day sleeping when she sleeps and finally making it to the bathroom to brush my teeth by the late afternoon.

But everyday is beautiful with our little girl. Since she was born I had my own battle with some baby blues (they really do exist and they ARE normal, I checked), but when I look at my baby girl, watch her open her eyes and look up at me, or watch her smile while she sleeps, it makes everything worth it. She is so helpless, so defenseless, and it makes me feel like a queen to provide everything for her. I feel like I am doing exactly what I am meant to do.

Scott has been more than a wonderful dad. He loves to hold her, he doesn't mind changing her diaper, he takes her and cuddles her when I need a shower, and everyday I hear him telling her sweet little things like "we love you precious little girl" or "you're so beautiful Ava" and sometime he doesn't even know I am listening. He melts my heart. He is much more patient than I am, so he has been my rock and my level head when I have started to over-stress or get overwhelmed. He is so gentle with our little baby, and so patient with me. The morning after we got home from the hospital, which was a very long night might I add, he left early to get my medication filled and I woke up to a bouquet of flowers and reaffirming card that everything was going to be ok. He is exactly everything I hoped he would be when I married him. He has not disappointed.

Scott was able to stay home from work with me from the day she was born until the day after Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to have him with me at every moment and have that support. It brought us much closer. Working together to take care of this little life we created. I will say that I got spoiled though, having him home for several days made me that much more emotional once he had to go back to work. I wanted him with me, near me and the baby, and I was devastated that he was leaving, and I was afraid of being alone with the baby. Not because I was actually afraid of the baby, but because he is just such a good dad that I felt like I couldn't do it on my own without his help, and I was so happy to finally have my little family all together, and I didn't want us to be separated. BUT...the morning he left to go back to work, I was able to get her asleep on my own, and celebrated by sending him a picture of my accomplishment bundled up in the bassinet. I was pretty proud of myself I must say.

Life is totally different, but different in a good way. We don't know it all yet by any means and it is going to take some time before I finally feel completely comfortable in my new role as a mom; but for now, learning to adjust to her world is an adventure and chapter in our lives that I am more than happy to share with Scott.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Friday, November 18, 2011

Like a kid on Christmas Eve

Im writing this the night before my entire life changes. It changed once back in February of 2010, I added a premanent person to my life, and its about to change again as I add another one. My mom flew into town last night, and she went to my check up with me this morning. My doctor was happy to let me know that Im ready to be induced tomorrow. He said the hospital is going to be calling me around 5:30 or 6:30am to set up my time to come in. Its an erie feeling knowing what is around the corner, but its also beyond amazing.

I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve. Knowing that in a few short hours the day that you have been waiting anxiously in anticipation for is finally here. It's going to happen and you are so excited you can hardly sleep. You are also a little sad because you know that this day you have been waiting for is about to be over too. Nine months I have been carrying this baby. Nine months of excitement, of preparing, and jitters, and what-if's, and then its finally over. It actually makes me a little sad when I think about her being on the outside of my body. Not so sad when I walk the entire stretch of the mall, wishing ao badly she was in a stroller and easy to push, rather than tug around on the front of my body like a 10 pound permanent back-pack. Im sad that I wont have feel her every movement, every twitch, every hiccup anymore, Im going to miss that bond with her. Im also sad that once she is out, she is out in the world. She is going to be defenseless at times, and she is going to grow, faster than I want her too. She is going to live life, when sometimes I wish we could live life joined together always. But I am more excited that she will soon be in my arms, and I can finally put a face to the invisible love I already have for her.

Tonight is my last night with my husband alone. I literally tear up as Im typing this. The honeymoon is over, and no doubt that this will bring us closer, but part of me wants to crawl in bed and cling to him for dear life, while the entire world stops. I feel the end drawing near, and I feel like there isn't enough time left for us to just be US for a few last hours. I'm going to miss him. Him in the role than he is now, but oh to see him in the role of dad makes my heart flutter. He will be such a wonderful dad.

Tomorrow my life changes, and we couldn't be more blessed.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Everything except pregnancy

So you want to hear about something other than me being pregnant? I bet you do! I swore I would never be "that girl" that only updated facebook and my blog about preggo bliss, but I am. Im sure I've been hidden a few times on facebook. I dont hate. I would hide me too. haha And Im sure I will be "that girl" who does the same with her "omg she is the cutest thing in the world, look at her spit up on her clothes" pictures of the new baby. Ya'll have been warned.

Anyway I figured I would throw in a post about pretty much everything but me being pregnant, which might be a little hard since it pretty much rules my life. But lets do this!!!!

Recently a little icecream shop in Provo opened up in the Provo Beach Resort. It has Blue Bell icecream. I had never had Blue Bell, but my husband is from Houston, Texas, and appartently Blue Bell is boss down there, and my husband doesn't let me forget it ever since we were dating. So to make a long story short, we have visited more times than I am willing to admit, and Scott takes it very seriously.



I also just want to let people in on a little secret. Forever 21 actually makes some pretty quality nail polishes. I know! who would have thought?? I saw this pretty random red glitter one day, maybe a year ago, and I thought I would try it out, and at $2.80 a piece it wasn't too much of a risk. Well it was surprisingly good, and I have since bought about 15 of them. They actually go on smooth, and last a while without chipping (as long as you cover it with a top coat of course) So try it out, I promise the polishes last longer than the clothes.


Scott and I have recently started watching a new TV show, The Walking Dead. A girl at work told me about it, and we checked it out on Netflix. Disgusting and AWESOME!We also started watching Last Man Standing on ABC. Its a Tim Allen show and is actually quite a bit like Home Improvement, which is a Scott favorite. I hope they pick it up for a second season, I love watching hubby gets so happy and excited over a show.

Well Im rather pooped because I got a maternity massage today and just took a blazing hot shower in an attempt to actually sleep tonight. But I will leave you with this little gem.


I know, I know, its prego related, but Im really gonna miss the belly shelf. Its so dang useful!