a birth story

So with each baby you go a little faster...

I checked into my hospital room at about 6:00 a.m. on Thursday. I started at 3cm, a relief since at my last check 8 days before I was still at 1cm. The nurses started my IV and the pitocin at around 7:00a.m.. My doctor came in and explained that he had a hysterectomy to perform that morning and he would be out of commission for about 2 hours. He decided to wait until he was out of his surgery to break my water.

When he returned, I had progressed to 5cm. My doctor gave me the epidural and broke my water. It was 10:48 a.m. That's when it really got wild... I started having really strong contractions back to back... ouch!! I began to feel pressure and let the nurse know. She checked me again and I was dilated to 9+... ready to start pushing. The epidural had made me feel a good bit better but it surely wasn't the total relief I had with Grace... definitely a good bit of pain! The nurse started taking about trying to do a "block" to tone down the pain, but the doctor thought "the best thing to do at this point is to just get it over with!"

I pushed though 2 short contractions that were back to back and then rested. The next contraction pushed Marion out without assistance from me... yes, they were that strong!

Marion was born at 11:19a.m., just 31 minutes after he broke my water at 5cm. It was all over so fast and then I was holding my beautiful new baby girl. My nurse told me that I would have been in big trouble had my water broken at home... scary thought! I'm so thankful for a fast and complication free delivery.

it's official!

Our 2nd Pouty Princess has arrived! Marion Blythe was born at 11:19 a.m. on January 22, 2009. She was 6 pounds and 13 ounces at birth and 20 inches long. We are still at the hospital and plan on going home tomorrow after lunch. Her birth went very well and was very quick! I'll post more as I have time! :)

marion's birthday

It's finally here! We arrived at the hospital at 5:45 this morning. I was dilated to 3cm on arrival, so I feel like I'm "ready to go." So far, my IV is in and the pitocin is running... the needles are the worst part of the whole experience for me, so I've already got some of the worst over!
Thanks to some mommy friends from dance and gym, I've got the biggest room in the house! I've been asked by several people here how I managed to snag the nicest room :)

a little bit longer...

I'm 37 weeks and 2 days, and today I had my final appointment with my doctor. First I had an ultrasound. Baby Marion looks good, although she is slightly smaller than we expected. Based on the ultrasound measurements, she is estimated to be 6 pounds, 6 ounces right now. I am dilated to a "loose 1" and about 50% effaced. We decided to move the date for the induction 4 days back to the 22nd. I will be 38 and a half weeks along then. I won't be going in for any more appointments; my next place to be is at the hospital at 5:30a.m. on the 22nd.

We had initially planned on the 18th because Jeremy was scheduled to leave for Singapore on the 20th. We got some great news last night though. Jeremy is going to start working in Brazil for a while in order to get DP certified (dynamic positioning). He started the last phase of his Brazillian work visa today and it should take at least 10 days to be complete... so we're expecting him to be home for at least a couple weeks now! Not only will he be home for a while once Marion is born, but we aren't as rushed to get her out. My doctor says he is thrilled for the extra 4 days and feels much more comfortable about her lung development since she'll be past the 38 week mark.

So here I am, huge and pregnant until a week from tomorrow... unless she decides to come sooner on her own! :)

18 days to go!

I was back at the doctor today, 35 weeks and 2 days along. I saw a new guy, as my regular doc was taking a vacation day before it expired tomorrow and he lost it.

Today I got "checked" for the first time this pregnancy, here's the verdict... almost 1 cm dilated. So I've started on the path to delivery. I would say I am all ready, except for Grace's 3rd birthday party that is 10 days away.

Dearest Marion,
Please be kind to your big sister and stay put at least 10 more days.
Much love,
Mommy

I explained my plan to the doc and he said he thought I would make it to the party, but no promises, because all bets are off at this point.

He estimates that Baby Marion is over 6 pounds now and very long. I can't wait to see her!!!

4 weeks to go!

In only 4 weeks from today we'll meet Baby Marion! I was back at the doctor last week and my pregnant brain can't remember if he said I measured right on or a week ahead... either way, fairly right where I should be. I realized this past week that I am now waddling! I'm definitely feeling huge and having lots of contractions... looking forward to the end!

Baby Marion is getting mostly hand me downs from Big Sister Grace, but don't feel too bad for her, Grace had nice stuff! She has gotten a few new things all her own...

After much debate over whether to have Grace's carseat recovered...


I went ahead and ordered a new cover from a lady who makes them from scratch to sell on ebay. I am so happy with it, she did a great job. I love how it came with a headrest and strap pads... you don't get all of that with the covers sold in the boutiques.


Marion, your cover is definitely cooler than big sis's!

Baby Marion also got a new nursery. The accessories and art from Grace's nursery all moved with her to her big girl room, so Marion got a new color scheme, pink and black! Nana made the drapes and the bedding, and she has some really cute stuffed animals made with coordinating fabric that are currently still under construction!

Check out the cute toybox! It was painted green from our old playroom when it came down from the attic. Jeremy nailed on the "M" and painted it all to match Marion's room! It's recycled! ;)

These came from Renee, an artist who has lots of cute stuff for sale on etsy. She was extremely nice to work with and let me change stuff up from her examples to make it perfect for Marion!



I bought this locally in Hattiesburg...

It was initially for Marion's nursery but I just didn't feel like it went once I got it. It does look perfect though in the bathroom that connects the girls' bedrooms! I just love everything it says; I hope my girls are best friends!


It's been pretty busy around here getting ready for the holidays, but I did manage to make a couple things for Marion this week. Hopefully with Grace out of school the next couple of weeks I can get lots more done!

that's one way to do it

Grace has a new theory about how Marion is getting out! The new plan is that my stomach will "crack" open (like an egg I guess??) allowing her to escape, and then Dr.Drake (or "that boy" as Grace is calling him) will "fix the pieces." This morning she held her hands up to my belly and chanted, "crack, crack, crack!"

31 weeks

Today I am 31 weeks and 1 day along in my pregnancy and I was back to the OB for another appointment. Last visit, I measured 3 weeks ahead, and was starting to get a little worried about how big she'd get! Today, I measured "right on," which I guess means I shrunk! Of course, it's all just her positioning. We scheduled January 18th for the big day, assuming I'm still pregnant then! Only 6 weeks and 5 days to go! That will be 6 days further along in the pregnancy than when I had Grace.
So here's my plan for January... the first Saturday is the 3rd, take it easy and prepare... the second Saturday is the 10th, knock out Grace's birthday party while hugely preggo... and the third Sunday is the 18th, baby day! Whew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

30 weeks

Today is 30 weeks and 1 day! I now have doctor appointments every 2 weeks... getting close! Baby Marion is so active. While I thought Grace was wild in the womb, she was relatively calm! With Grace I felt strong kicks and punches. Marion makes my whole stomach toss, turn and wiggle! Jeremy has nicknamed her "squirmy," because we constantly feel her squirming around. I don't know if she's spinning, flipping or what, but it sure feels (and looks) like something major.
I measured 33 weeks at the doctor, 3 weeks ahead, although I really don't feel bigger than I was with Grace. We'll see, I'll be back for another appointment next week!

27 weeks

10 weeks to go if Baby Marion arrives when Grace did... we'll see! Now that I have my mind set on the 37 week mark, I'll probably still be pregnant at 42!
I am feeling pretty good lately. About 2 weeks ago, I had blood drawn to test for gestational diabetes. The nurse called afterward to let me know that I did not have the gestational diabetes, but that my blood count was low, and I would need to start taking iron supplements. Hearing this was actually a relief! I had been so exhausted all the time, from morning to night, but had used the pregnancy to excuse it. Hearing that my blood count was low gave me hope that I may start feeling better soon!
I have now been taking over 600% of the daily recommended value of iron for about a week. IT HAS WORKED!! I feel so much better! I'm waking up rested and I feel much better throughout the day! Alleluia!
As for the nursery, it's really coming together. The drapes are up and the skirt and sheet are on the crib. There is still much accessorizing to be done, but it's looking good!

25 weeks

Today I am 25 weeks and 3 days along in the pregnancy- hey, every day counts! I had a prenatal appointment this morning with lots of needles... ugh! I had the test for gestational diabetes: that involved drinking 10 ounces of very sweet orange soda and having 3 vials of blood drawn an hour later. They should call me soon if I fail! I also got my flu shot for the year, it was fairly painless.
When Dr. Drake took his measurements today, he commented, "you're not growing the world's smallest baby in there!" He thinks she'll be big! We'll see, he's at least made me a little nervous. With Grace I always measured "right on" or small, and I think I weighed a little more at the time! Lots of surprises ahead, I can't wait to meet Baby Marion!

24 weeks

Today I am just over 24 weeks along in my pregnancy. Baby Marion will be here before we know it, especially with the flurry of holidays ahead. Grace was born at 37 weeks, so I'm really not expecting more than another 13 weeks ;)

Grace was active in the womb, but Marion has her beat! We can already watch my stomach move wildly as she stretches out! Her kicks can easily be felt, and I want so badly for Grace to feel her baby sister move... but she doesn't have the patience. Not that it takes much... there are times when she is very active and a mere 3 seconds would be plenty... but 3 seconds of total stillness to a 2 1/2 year old seems to be an eternity.

Marion's nursery is coming along, after a fabric catastrophe that upset me too much to blog about...

(2 weeks after ordering and paying for all my fabric, I got a call that the rose color had been discontinued. By this point, we had gotten paint samples matched to the discontinued fabric and I turned in a swatch to the artist who is doing a painting to match the room! I went into mild shock, but eventually found a replacement, a smooth minky in a pretty color called "vintage pink." It is less purple-y than the pevious choice and I may even like it better.)

I am now awaiting the painting, hoping it will blend in with the new shade of rose/pink. We choose new paint samples and made a new selection. Marion's wall must have had about 10 shades of sample colors on the wall at once, it was getting comical! Jeremy painted the walls over the weekend. I love the color... it's a muted earthy pink. Grace gave her approval of the pink as well, and I really don't think she would have been happy with anything less! There will be no stripes or wild patterns this time around, I decided that the black and white fabric would be loud enough. Nana is hard at work on the drapes and bedding and they should be done soon! We're having so much fun preparing for Baby Marion's arrival!

marion update!

I had an appointment with the doctor this morning as well as another ultrasound. Before the ultrasound, I got a quick speech about how the cyst would still be there, as it is usually 28-30 weeks before they go away. She searched and searched, even did side by side comparisons with the last ultrasound, and couldn't find it. It's gone!!

When my doctor walked in, he said, "I hear we have a little miracle today!" I'm so happy and relieved! Here are some pictures of Marion from this morning...


Also, I have to note how wonderful my doctor is. After the appointment, he made a point to make sure I was not charged for today's ultrasound! How nice is that?!


and a little update on Grace... she had a GREAT day at school!! Ms.Paula told me she did the best of all the kiddos today, as many were cranks today!

marion blythe

she will no longer be referred to as "baby girl," she has been been named...

marion blythe!

marion was taken from my maternal grandmother marion...

marion is pictured with nana and aunt linda on her lap

I began thinking about using marion a while ago and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. marion means "wished-for child," which is very true. it sounds so fresh but classic to me and even ends with the "-n" sounds that's all the current rage in baby naming! ;)

I have had the most trouble choosing a middle name. I decided that one syllable would be preferable, since marion coupled with our last name is already a lot! I had a short list of options and took my time to really figure it out. I read that blythe meant "happy" - that was it, I knew it was perfect. a wish of happiness for her life... what could be better?

grace made this "m" at school and has been telling visitors to our home that "m is for marion."

I am so excited that baby has a name! let the ordering and monogramming begin! :)

baby naming with grace

Nothing too exciting here this weekend. On Saturday we were visited by Nana and Paw Paw. We went out to lunch and did some shopping around town. We visited the new Corner Market grocery right at the front of the neighborhood. I was impressed... really nice and oh-so-convenient for this mommy!

Today, Grace and I focused on naming baby! Grace had lots of suggestions and strong opinions. After spouting off the wildest name she could possibly think of, she would rub and cuddle my belly very lovingly and say things like...

"hi there baby douza lou lou, we love you so much!"
or
"oh my little dee dooba, you're sooo cutie cute cute!"
or
"baby crocodile, I can't wait to see you... I'm you're big sister!"

of course, she laughed hysterically at how funny she thought she was every time. I guess I was much too serious about getting it figured out... I didn't quite see the humor! ;)

baby update!

today I called my doctor's office for the results of the triple screen blood test. my doctor has been in Honduras all week on a mission trip, but I was able to get some of the results from a nurse. The chances for down syndrome, trisomy 18 and spina bifida were all less than 1 in 5000. chances are baby is healthy and will not have any of these genetic issues. now if that cyst would just go away!

the nursery is under construction!

These are the two main fabrics and colors...

The large damask will be the drapes and the rose dot will be the crib sheet. We'll also use the same damask on a smaller scale, a black and white stripe and a rose minky dot. I've put dark bronze (almost black) hardware on the furniture and I ordered a chandelier in the dark metal too. The walls will be light rose on top and the bottom half will probably be striped with a couple shades of rose in wide stripes and a very dark grey in very narrow stripes. Jeremy put some paint samples on the wall last night and a couple of them were good... I'll be trying again on the others!


This room will be very different from Grace's room...



but I really wanted something just that... different! No fun to do the same thing over!

it's a GIRL... for sure this time!!!

I had another ultrasound yesterday and this time we are 100% sure it is a girl this time! I'm very excited to be able to put all of Grace's clothes on our new baby. I started sorting, washing and ironing last night and it's so wonderful and sentimental, baby's closet is filling up already! Grace found her Snow White princess costume from when she was a baby and I told her we had gotten it out for her little sister to wear. Grace ran to her dress up clothes and put on her Snow White costume and began twirling and dancing around the house with "her baby sister," err, her baby's sister's costume actually! She is so excited and will make such a wonderful Big Sister!

There was one area of concern from the ultrasound. Baby has a unilateral choroid plexus cyst. It is a cyst on her brain that will most likely turn out to be nothing and usually goes away during the third trimester. It is however a "soft marker" for genetic issues such as down syndrome. My doctor stressed that this is unlikely (especially since no other markers were found) and we will continue to monitor it through ultrasound. I also had blood drawn for the "triple screen" test that will give more insight on the probability of a genetic disorder. I should receive those results in about a week and a half. The only way to get an absolute answer before she is born would be an amniocentesis, which I will not do because it would put her at risk. We will be praying for the health of our new baby girl!

Here are some new pictures of our new Baby Girl! We are working on a name and hope to be settled soon!

she's a cutie!

sucking her thumb... just like her big sister did!

big day!

today is my 19 week ultrasound I've been waiting weeks for and I'm so excited! it's not until 11:40, but I've been up since 6. the rest of the house must not share in my level of excitement, as they all continue to snooze! anyway, we should get a 100% answer on boy or girl and assurance that all is well with baby. I'll update soon!