I wasn't sure I was going to do a post on Camden's birth story. But as time has passed I realized it's something I want to always remember. I feel like I forget more and more of that day each day that passes. In fact, I had to have the hubs help me write this because there's so much I can't recall.
I know EVERY birth story is different so here's mine...(warning - this will be a long post...it was a LONG day and there's a lot that went on!) By the time Monday, November 11, rolled around I was READY to have this baby. All along I was convinced I was going to have the little guy closer to my original due date - October 30 (based off the first day of my last period...then my due date got changed to November 12 when I had my first ultrasound.) So anyways, Matt had the 11th off for Veteran's Day. He came to my work and brought lunch - which of course included pineapple. I was ready to do all these old wives tales to get this kid out (the week before we had tried spicy food!) After work, I hit up the gym - where I spent time walking, doing the elliptical, and doing lots of squats and stretching. At home, I ate more pineapple, took a bath, and just hung out with Matt. A few minutes after 12 midnight my water broke. Getting woke up by your water breaking...now that's a feeling I can't even describe. It was weird. And disgusting. I woke Matt up and told him (at first I wasn't sure if my water did actually break - I thought maybe I had just peed myself...#pregnantgirlproblems) But that was not the case. My water had definitely broken. At this point I wasn't having any contractions. I called my doctor's office where the on call service answered. The lady I spoke with said the on call doctor at the hospital would call me back. In the meantime, I started getting ready - putting on makeup, fixing my hair - you know, all the important stuff. I was still very calm - very much in disbelief - but definitely calm. Matt, on the other hand, wasn't so much. He was pacing, packing up the last minute items we would need and was very much in a rush to get to the hospital. About 20-30 minutes went by and no call back. So I called again. I let the answering service lady know that I had just called but the on call doctor hadn't called me back and I wasn't sure what to do. I hung up with her and the doctor finally called me back. She said I didn't need to rush to the hospital if I could feel the baby move. She instructed me to eat or drink something sweet. If I felt the baby move I could wait and then head to the hospital around 6am. If I did that and couldn't feel the baby move I should call back and let them know I was heading to the hospital. Once I hung up I drank some cold water and ate some candy (and a granola bar I believe.) I waited. And waited. I pushed on my stomach. I did everything I could to get the little guy to move. NOTHING. So I called back, told the doctor that I couldn't get the baby to move, and we were headed to the hospital. At this point, I was a little nervous but not too bad. I still wanted to finish getting ready but Matt was rushing me and said we needed to get to the hospital. So off we went... We called our parents as we were pulling out of our driveway - around 1am. I still wasn't feeling any contractions at this point. We got to the hospital (where the doors to the birthing center were locked {insert freak out moment!} Apparently, you're supposed to go to the ER first when it's the middle of the night but Matt just pulled the doors apart...) and went right into triage. I got changed and they hooked me up to check on the baby and checked my progress (I believe at this point I was 2cm dilated.) They also confirmed that my water did indeed break (no freakin' kidding....) We got into our room around 3am. I was feeling contractions at this point (though I don't remember - but Matt said I was so I'll take his word) but wasn't bothered by them. Our parents were there by then and we just tried to rest as much as possible. At 6am they started me on pitocin since contractions weren't progressing. I took to the pitocin VERY well. I believe they only bumped me up a couple levels and contractions got very intense. I started out in bed but quickly moved to the birthing ball. Being in bed was HORRIBLE for me!! They stopped pitocin because I was doing so well and wanted to see if I could continue the progression without the meds. At this point I got into the therapy tub which was AMAZING!!! I progressed fairly quickly to 6cm. Once I got out of the tub they checked on the baby again. I continued to labor on the birthing ball but not progressing quickly. The nurse suggested I get back into the tub since I had done so well with it before. I spent a little too long in the tub apparently because I got dehydrated and I had to get fluids (no wonder why I was so bloated after he was born!) So back to the bed I went (UGH!) Going from 6-8cm was VERY slow for me and took FOREVER!!! But finally I was at 8cm. And at that point, I felt the urge to push (tansition period) Buuuuuuut that is not allowed. This period was HORRBIBLE - I mean, seriously, God AWFUL!! The nurse suggested I start panting (yes, like a dog) because apparently it's physically impossible for you to pant and push at the same time. So, yeah, that's what the next few hours looked like. Just imagine that...me laboring in bed, med free, panting like a dog, throat getting so sore and dry, and screaming through the contractions. Awesome. So after a while, I finally got to 10cm and could push. It was 6:30pm at this time. We thought - GREAT! It's almost over with!....Boy were we wrong... It took a while for me to push correctly. No one prepared me for how hard and awkward pushing is. I'm talking sweat pouring off me, out of breath sort of HARD! I pushed and pushed and pushed. I don't know how long I pushed for before the nurse noticed that Camden was turned slightly. At this point I was asked if I wanted an epidural. They also suggested I switch positions which can sometimes get the baby to turn. I wasn't sure what to do. I was so exhausted from pushing. I couldn't think clearly. So Matt made the decision to try to switch positions while pushing (he knew deep down I didn't want an epidural and I'm so glad he made this decision!) I turned on my side and pushed that way for a bit. Luckily, that worked and Camden turned. But I still had lots of pushing to do. At one point, they turned the pitocin back on because my contractions had gotten further apart. So that was a joy too. So anyways, I kept on pushing. And pushing. And finally I was ready to deliver. The doctor and team came in (I had no idea there was an entire team that was needed. I always thought it was a nurse and doctor and that's it! Boy was I wrong!! I think there were about 7 people in the room for delivery.) In any case, I continued to push. And push. At one point, I remember seeing the doctor and nurse out of the corner of my eye sort of whispering to each other. The doctor came to me and asked if she could give me an episiotomy. I said I'd prefer not to. She explained that she'll give me another chance to get the baby out. So I kept pushing - good pushes too - but still nothing. The doctor then said she was going to numb me (at this point she knew she'd end up cutting me but didn't directly say that to me.) Apparently, Camden's heart rate kept dropping. It'd come back up quickly which is why they let me keep pushing. After I got numbed I, of course, kept pushing. I don't know how many times I pushed after I got numbed, but soon after the doctor said she had to cut me. The baby's heart rate dropped too low and he was in distress. He needed to come out ASAP. So the doctor performed an episiotomy and two pushes (I think) later he was out!!! He just needed that little bit of extra room to make his grand entrance at 9:27pm (yes, that's 3 hours of pushing!) He cried right away and they laid him on my chest for immediate skin to skin (Oh, and then Matt dropped the camera on him ha-ha) Apparently, the umbilical cord was on his shoulder and that's why his heart rate would drop whenever I pushed. After a little bit, Camden went to get cleaned up and checked out. I got stitched up and then did skin to skin the first hour or so of his life while everyone came in quick to see him (my parents, Matt's parents, and Matt's sister Wendi.) And that my friends is (basically) how Camden Matthew made his entrance into this crazy world. I'm sure I left out a lot of details but I got all the main points that I'll always want to remember about this day!
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Just a bunch of randomness for this Friday... - I'm extra glad it's Friday today. It's been a very long, stressful week for me. Our company audit is Monday so it's been a crazy week getting everything ready. It's been non-stop here at work since I returned from maternity leave and I'm ready for things to calm down a bit so I can actually get caught up. - This week was Matt's February break at school so he's been home all day with Camden. And I've got to give him mad props - he's been an EXCELLENT Mr. Mommy this week!! Camden is so lucky to have such a great daddy and I'm grateful he picked up my slack since I was at work entirely TOO much this week. Thanks babe - Camden and I are so lucky to have you! - Last night I bought Camden a pair of Toms from Zulily to put in his Easter basket. Cutest shoes EVER!! I also plan on buying him these Chucks. Boys clothes have come a long way and I just LOVE shopping for my little guy - it's so much fun!! - Speaking of Easter, I also bought Camden his Easter basket this week. I got it from Etsy - specifically the shop Personal Stitch. Check her store out - such cute things, great to work with, and it shipped SUPER quick! (ignore the bad picture quality - lighting isn't all that great at 6am!) I obviously didn't go the traditional route but I love how it turned it. Not to mention, it can be used throughout the year as storage or whatever else Camden figures out what to do with it as he gets older. - I'm seriously dying to get outside for a run. I haven't been outside in weeks due to this horrible weather we've been having. I'm so over the treadmill let me tell ya'. It's tough just forcing myself to get in 3 miles on the stupid thing. I can't wait for nicer weather to get outside and start using my jogging stroller (and getting longer runs in!)
- Speaking of working out the hubs and I have designated Thursday nights to staying home and working out together in the basement. I love it because I get a work out in but I also get to spend time with Matt. It's a definite win win situation for us :) Plus he pushes me and has me doing things I wouldn't normally do on my own. - I had printed off a recipe for cookies that uses sweet potatoes and almond flour as the base and had it on the fridge. Matt saw it this week and decided to bake them up. O.M.G. 100% clean. 100% amazing. Recipe to come next week! - I've been pretty overwhelmed and miserable lately. I'm so stressed out at work. And, of course, I have the winter blues. Not to mention we're stil figuring stuff out as far as schedules go and all that. I really hope I get out of this funk soon. I'm hoping once I get caught up at work and the weather gets nicer it'll really help my mood. In the meantime, I'm just trying to do my best each day and try not to be too miserable! - It's Lent season. I usually give up sweets but since we're eating clean (and usually aim for only one cheat meal a week) I decided to give up adding extra salt to my food. This is HUGE for me so wish me luck. Matt didn't give anything up - instead he wants to start going to Church. I couldn't agree more and look forward to attending Church as a family. I think that's about it for now from me. Hope ya'll don't mind my randomness today. Happy Friday and Happy Weekend! I'm not one for Valentine's Day. I never have been. Never will be. But this year, I gotta say, was fantastic. Holidays are just that much more fun and special when you have a kid - even if said kid is only 3 months old! :)
Camden got 2 Valentine's Day books from mommy and daddy (and lots of extra hugs 'n' kisses, of course!!) One of the books we got him was 'The I Love You' book. I HIGHLY recommend. It's such a cute book - it's definitely one of my favorites right now. We just spent the morning exchanging gifts, hanging out and playing - it was perfect! Once Camden went down for his morning nap at 9 I got a quick run in then showered up. After his 11am feeding, I had to go into work for a little bit (boo!!) Once I got home, we all just hung out some more, I scooted to Wegmans to get some dinner for us (and get some fruit to take to our first playdate Sunday morning) and we just hung out. Matt was still recovering from the stomach bug so it was the perfect excuse to just hang around. After Camden went to bed the hubs and I enjoyed our dinner and dessert (Wegman's ultimate chocolate cake - thanks babe!!) and caught up on Grey's Anatomy. It was pretty perfect and exactly the type of day I needed with my little family. Here's a bunch of pictures I took. Enjoy!! Dear Camden, Wow! You are 3 months old - where did the time go? You are growing so big and your personality is really starting to shine through now. You are so alert - soaking up all your surroundings with those big ol' eyes of yours. Your smile just melts mine and daddy's heart. You are starting to recognize people you're familiar and comfortable with. You turn your head to sounds, like when we call your name. You absolutely love sitting in your frog chair - you just like to be upright so you can see what's going on. You are starting to bat at and grab toys. And you LOVE your hands - they're constantly in your mouth! :) You are your father's son - very calm, low key, quiet kinda guy...but when it's bedtime and time to eat - watch out! :) Mommy, especially, loves calling you different nicknames, such as bubba, buddy, pumpkin, bud, little man, etc. Hopefully I'm not confusing you too much :) You are such a joy and mommy and daddy LOVE spending time with you and watching you grow. Life has certainly changed since you came along, and we're still adjusting and figuring things out, but we wouldn't have it any other way. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living My baby you'll be." We love you, Camden Matthew! WEIGHT - Since we don't go to the pediatrician until next month my guess is he's about 9.5-10lbs. He's definitely growing and starting to fill out. I no longer have a newborn but a BABY!!
LENGTH - We measured him today and he's about 23" HAIR - still rockin' a combover. He's starting to lose a little bit of it in the back from rubbing his head back forth. I also think once he loses his baby hair it'll be much lighter. EYES - I think we've got a blue eyed boy on our hands - his eyes are definitely more blue rather than a dark blue/grey. CLOTHES - I think he is officially out of newborn clothes...I'll be putting them all away this weekend (hold on a sec while I wipe my tears...) DIAPERS - size 1 SLEEP - Camden still sleeps like a champ and we are VERY grateful. During the week we get him up at 6:40 or so and on the weekends he'll usually sleep in until 7 or 7:15. He naps from 9-11 then 1-3(his morning nap is usually the full 2 hours...the afternoon nap is usually less.) He will then usually take a short nap anywhere between 4:30 and 5:30, usually 30-45minutes long. We go upstairs around 6:45 each night, change him into pajamas, put some bedtime lotion on him, I'll nurse him, we'll read a couple books, and he's usually fast asleep between 7:30 and 7:45!! Then I do a quick dreamfeed at 10. He usually sleeps through the night every night, except for one night a week, for whatever reason. He puts himself to sleep at nap time and bed time and is pretty good with putting himself back to sleep if he wakes up/stirs at all. DISLIKES - getting his boogies sucked out of his nose (but can you blame him?!), bath time (I wouldn't say dislike, I guess, but I don't think he enjoys it. He tolerates it now...but I'm hoping he'll start to actually enjoy bath time as he gets older), being cold, and waking up. LIKES - sitting in his frog chair, watching & listening to daddy play the guitar, snuggling with mommy, looking at himself in the mirror, cooing & talking to himself in the mirror, looking all around (doesn't want to miss out on anything!), kicking his feet, and sucking on his hands & fingers. EATING - I nurse him in the morning and at night. At daycare he gets a 4oz bottle at 11 and 3, which consists of 2oz of breast milk and 2oz of formula. I usually nurse him at his dreamfeed, as well, but Matt will sometimes give him a bottle. I was nervous giving him formula but he has taken to it very well and we don't seem to be having any issues with it. MILESTONES - little man smiles and coos a lot now. He has recently found his tongue/lips, which is beyond adorable!! He's getting really good at sitting up and supporting his head and neck. We have definitely noticed him following people and items a lot more too. He's growing too fast!! <3 MOMMA'S FAVORITES - this stuff...it's expensive but so worth it!! It smells A-MA-ZING and makes it easy to clean baby's face and bum. I'm also still a huge fan of baby wearing so I'm lovin' the Bjorn! BABY ITEMS WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT - his playmat and mirror, white noise machine, Sleep Sheep, a paci, and his frog chair. And that's where we stand with our 3 month old little man <3 As of today, I am 12 weeks postpartum. I honestly can't believe my baby is 12 weeks old already. Where did the time go? I feel like it was just yesterday we were walking out of the hospital with this brand spankin' new baby...scared out of our minds...wondering what exactly we had gotten ourselves into!
Anyways, I thought it was time to do a quick update on where I stand fitness wise. As I mentioned here I started working out 2 weeks after having Camden and I was officially cleared at 5 weeks to resume all fitness activities. At that point, it felt great to get back at it. I was easing my way back into running. I was lifting weights and utilizing other cardio machines at the gym. It was nice being on maternity leave because I could get my run in while Camden took his morning nap and still get to the gym at night if I wanted to. I was still having a little bit of soreness in my pelvic area but nothing horrible. I stretched a lot and got back into going to Pilates class on Sundays mornings. I listened to my body and eased my way back into things. At 8 weeks postpartum, I ran my 5th half marathon. My pace was still pretty slow. I still had a little bit of soreness. And I knew running a race of this sorts just 8 weeks after giving birth would be hard on my body. But after finishing, I finally started to feel like myself again. I was back in the game. Now at 12 weeks postpartum, I feel so much better. I have zero soreness. I can push myself more. I am lifting heavier weights. My stamina is better. I just feel like me more and more every day. I do, however, STILL have 4-5lbs to lose to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm guessing this last bit of weight will stick around until I'm done breast feeding. I also need to work on my stomach. I still have some loose skin and it's definitely squishier than I'd like. This may never go away but I have to at least try!!! I've also been much better with my eating. The hubs and I are eating clean again, with one cheat day a week. I'm hoping this will really help not only with losing the weight but also in toning my stomach. All this is good and well, but since I've gone back to work it's been a struggle to get in the type of workout I want to. Now that I'm feeling good physically and eating healthier I want to REALLY push myself. I want to have that time to get in long runs and spend a good chunk of time at the gym. But right now that's just not happening. Work is INSANE. And of course when I get out of work I want to get home to spend time with the hubs and my baby. Even though Camden is asleep by 7:30 every night by the time I get around and out the door and get to the gym it's usually 8:15-8:30 (or I have to do work at home and don't get to the gym at all!) I'm not a fan of working out that late. I'm exhausted and don't have the energy to put into my workout like I'd like to. Then by the time I get home I may have a few minutes to get a couple things done before doing a dreamfeed. By then it's 10:30 and I can finally get ready for bed. Since I hate this schedule, I've been utilizing the work out equipment we have at home. We have a half finished basement with a treadmill and some fitness equipment, such as kettlebells, light weights, a resistance band, yoga ball, etc. I'm extremely grateful for this and so glad we have this stuff. It's just nice to have if the weather is bad or I just don't feel like driving to the gym - not to mention I can always at least get in a quick run if nothing else. So right now, I'm just going to focus on getting work outs in when I can. I also need to push myself during these workouts so I get the most out of my time. My other goal is to do a monthly fitness routine, such as this or this. So that's where I am right now. |
AuthorHey ~ I'm Renée...just your ordinary, 30-something Accountant, new mommy, wife, runner, foodie, & Pinterest addict! Welcome to my newest adventure...stay awhile...look around...and keep comin' back! Archives
January 2018
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