Well, this is embarrassing....

I can't believe I have gone this long without a post. Wait, not really. I mean, really? I was barely posting once a month. And then Stella came along. And well... nothing will ever be the same and I am completely okay with that.
We are three months and one week into this and Stella is still breathing, crying and growing. She also smiles, poops, sleeps, eats, hiccups and in another couple of weeks I think we will get her first laugh/giggle.
We are currently sleep training and having a little success each night. Little is the key word.
But on average she is going to bed around 7. Sleeping until 3. Eating for 20 minutes. And then back to sleep until 6:30 or 7. Napping twice a day for about 2 hours each time. Of course there are days when non of this happens. But I like to focus on the days that they do happen.
I am still successfully nursing. She is up to about 4-5 oz at each feeding and eats about every 3-4 hours, except for that lovely 7pm-3am spurt! My nursing goal is to make it to 6 months and then reevaluate.
The hubster and I's favorite time with Stella is in the mornings. She is quite a fun little gal after a good nights sleep. We enjoy our morning family time, when we hang out over Stella's crib and tickle and blow raspberries, and make funny noises, as Stella just stares at us. Sometimes only staring, and sometimes smiling and talking right back to us.

Some of Stella's favorite things currently....

Staring contests with her big sis Lucy...

Going to daycare on Tuesday's and Wednesday's so I can go to my internship. This was her first day, or as I called it her first day of school picture....

Smiling. This was her first one. Captured in Fort Wayne with the help of Nana.....

Hairbows and hats. She does not mind them one bit. My motto is GO big or GO home....

Getting in weird positions in her bed.....

Sleeping after a doctor appointment full of shots....

Hanging out with mom......

And last but not least of Stella's favorite things.

Just being beautiful....

I may be tired, never get my good skin back, and be overwhelmed 65% of the time... but I would not change it for the world and STILL look at Stella and shake my head some mornings in disbelief that the hubster and I made her. What a concept. And what a blessing!!!

A few first family videos....

My life is beginning to have some order and structure. Not to the OCD levels that I prefer, but at least at an applaud able level for being a first time mom. I still have not touched the baby book or finished the painting project of her name for her room, but I imagine I will get there.

Today I finally downloaded videos from our hospital stay and Stella's birth. Have no fear.... there is no "Baby Story" like footage of a mothers private parts... however you will see Stella's "money shot" as the nurse called it. You will also, if you listen carefully hear me running my mouth in the background of most footage. Major surgery or not, I CAN TALK!

The first video is Kyle practicing with the 3M and making sure he had it ready to go for Stella's arrival. He is filming me right before they took me back for the c-section.

Stella's first breaths in the world, while they sewed me up. You can hear me explain that I was so sure she was a HE, because statistically 70% women who have the rash I had (PUPPS) have a boy.

Here is Kyle walking out to the lobby to announce Stella's arrival and stats. I had told him not to worry about filming it, but to at least get the sound (I wanted him to be in the moment too). So don't get dizzy watching. His mom, my parents, my sister and her daughter Lorenn were all waiting and had been for HOURS. At this point it is about 3 am. You can see and hear my sister jumping up and down and hugging Kyle and waking my 4 year old niece to tell her she has a new baby girl cousin!!

 

Here is Stella getting her first bath by the lovely nurse Andrea! I loved her commentary. You once again can hear me in the background clarifying my labor and email addresses, as I was sending out a mass email to friends and family announcing Stella's arrival!

And after a very bumpy and somewhat painful ride home in Indy Friday rush hour, here we are arriving at our house for the first time with Stella and introducing her to her furry brother and sister.

 

I hope they weren't too boring. I could watch them over and over for days, but I think I may be biased.

Baby T is here. And almost 3 weeks old! Oops!

Stella Ann Thompson arrived Wednesday, August 10 at 2:15 a.m.
She is perfect in every way.
The Hubster and I are truly blessed.

Here is our birth story....
We arrived at IU North Hospital at 7pm on Monday, August 8th. We were suppose to arrive at 6pm but the hospital called us at 5:30 to tell us to take our time because they were short a room. So we decided to go ahead and go to Scotty's Brewhouse for some dinner since I wouldn't be allowed to eat until Baby T arrived. It was raining hard as we nervously drove to dinner. We somehow managed to stuff our faces. I made the Hubster have a beer to try and help calm his fears. We found it humorous that it was ME that then drove us to the hospital to have our baby. When we arrived at the hospital our room was still not ready so they placed us in a triage room to begin all of our paper work, start my IV and begin my first dose of cytotec, which is orally placed near the cervix to help it ripen. Prior to this I had never been a patient in a hospital. That helped add to the anxiousness.
While waiting for our room to get cleaned the Hubster and I played Words With Friends on our phones and checked Facebook. We finally moved into our room around 8:30 pm and got settled.

I was 'only' allowed popsicles! Yum!

That blue chair thing... yes, that was the Hubster's bed. Poor guy!

The night nurse's name was Andrea. She was about as big of talker as me, so I liked her. The Hubster? I think he liked her since he knew I did. Its kind of important I think to like the person who is putting their hand inside you every 2-4 hours. And that she did. Every four ours she inserted an additional dose of cytotec. She also gave me my first Ambien ever around 11 pm. I told the Hubster the next morning that I had not slept that well in 9 months. I now totally get how people get addicted to those!
My OB/GYN stopped in Tuesday morning around 7:30 a.m. to see how we were doing and to make the decision to start the Pitocin. I was already contracting on my own, but was still not very dilated.  The OB assured us that the Pitocin would just help kick everything else into gear, and with the contractions I was already having we would be holding our baby by that evening. So the Pitocin was flowing. My day nurse arrived. Loved her! Come to find out, she was the delivery nurse for Playmate Kendra Wilkinson. I felt famous!
My parents, sister and niece arrived and hung out in our room while we just chatted. Around 10 am I felt something funny happen and the Hubster gave me a look of "What was that?".  Apparently my water had broke! We shuffled everyone out of the room, got the nurse and got pretty excited that things were really working. The contractions got closer and harder. I was pleased that I was getting to experience "labor pains" and that everything seemed to be progressing. Around 3pm we decided to get the epidural. It was kind of intense prepping me for it and actually getting it. But in retrospect it wasn't too painful or bad at all.

Me and the Hubster before things got too intense!

At this point the Hubster's mom and grandparents had arrived. Everyone was there to meet Baby T. But still not much progress. I was told that once I hit 4 cm things would move pretty quickly. The day nurse then checked me and announced I was finally 4 cm. To help better track the baby's heart rate and the extent of my contractions they decided to put in an internal fetal heart rate monitor. Shortly after that we noticed that the baby's heart rate was dropping when I was placed on my left side. Even when I was on my right side the heart rate was kind of all over the place. Because of that, they decided to lessen the Pitocin. We would wait a bit and then crank it back up. However the next time we started the Pitocin back up the baby did not like it! In fact four nurses came flying in, put an oxygen mask on me, jammed a needle in butt cheek to stop labor, and basically scared the hell out of the Hubster and I. Once heart rates were stable the OB/GYN discussed upping the Pitocin again to see what happens. I should mention that at this point it is about 1 a.m Wednesday. We had been going on and off the Pitocin for the past 4-5 hours to "see" what happens and I was tired of testing the Baby. After having my sister and mom come and talk to me and discussing it with the Hubster, we asked the nurse if we could go ahead and have a c-section. The doctor agreed and within 30 minutes I was on the operating table.

Minutes before being whisked away to surgery!

It was surreal. Lady Gaga was playing as I entered. I remember making the lady gaga/little monsters claw hand motion at my doctor. I think she laughed. The Hubster joined us in full surgical gear shortly after they prepped me. And Baby T was pulled from my abdomen at 2:15. My Ob/GYN held Baby T up in the air and the Hubster looked over the sheet and announced "It's a girl! Stella Ann Thompson!" to the whole operating room! Red Hot Chili Peppers was playing Under the Bridge at this point. The Hubster followed Stella over to be weighed and checked. She was perfect. He then brought her over for our first family picture!

Stella Ann Thompson- 8 lbs 20 inches

Our first family picture!

The rest is a blur of sleepiness, shock, anxiety, visitors, happiness, and love. We were moved to recovery/nursery around 4 a.m. Wednesday and stayed until Friday evening. While at the hospital my parents visited, the Hubster's mom and grandparents, the Hubster's best friend Aaron and our dear friends Colin and Leah. By Thursday morning I was able to get up and walk (slowely and barely) and finally change my baby girls diaper. Prior to that the nurses and the Hubster had been tending to her. Stella immediately took to my breast very well and has turned into a great eater! She passed her hearing test and didn't have a touch a jaundice (thanks to that Farrimond blood!).


I feel like there is so much more I should be reflecting on or detailing. But as you can see it took me almost three weeks to even get on here and post that she had arrived. So for me to just sit in one setting and get all my thoughts gathered is a bit difficult for me. Physically my recovery has been very smooth and fortunate. Mentally I have had some ups and downs. Nothing that isn't unexpected with having a baby and major surgery but certainly enough of an emotional roller coaster that I have relied heavily on the support of my amazing Hubster and family!

Somethings I have learned in the past few weeks..... always accept families help, welcome company even if you are not in the mood, it's okay to cry because your baby won't stop crying, there is such thing as projectile puke, there is also such a thing as projectile poop (and at 3 a.m. when you have just removed a diaper).... there are many other things I have learned and will learn. I hope to continue to visit this blog and document them. But for now, I will fill the rest of this post with pictures!

The Hubster's mom and my dad, meeting Stella for the first time!

Our first night home and Linus and Lucy getting to know their sister!

Second night home, Stella supporting the Colts in their preseason game!

My sister, brother-in law, and niece and nephew visiting on our third day home!

Nana (my mom) came and saved the day! She let me nap and cleaned the house for two days!

Stella's first bath! She cried so hard she pooped!

Stella's reaction to having our friends Colin and Leah over for game night :)

Sleeping on daddy's chest, her favorite!

We have some great video of her right after birth, her hospital bath, and her drive home and greeting from Linus and Lucy. As soon as I get around to it, I will post those. Hopefully before her first birthday! For now, I need to go love on my precious Stella! Life is so much sweeter!

I'm having a baby and this is its room.

So today I am going to have a baby.
Well, not technically today. I mean maybe, today. But we are checking in to the hospital tonight at 6pm. I am 39 weeks 4 days, and my rash of PUPPS has taken over not only my body but also my life. And add that I am 50% effaced but not dilated at all, the doc thinks its best that we start trying to move things along. I will be given cytotec (similar to cervadil) to help ripen my cervix and hopefully kick me into labor. If it does not trigger labor then tomorrow morning I will start pitocin to help begin contractions. Doc says we should plan to meet Baby T by tomorrow evening.
Good thing I have been planning on meeting Baby T for almost 10 months now.
I am ready, we are ready, everyone is ready.

I thought I should get some pictures up of the finished nursery before I find no time, or its to untidy to photograph. I am really proud of it. It has so many sentimental touches, is still somewhat contemporary, and definitely cozy. I cant wait to sit in that chair with Baby T.

Baby T's crib- bedding made by Nana. Cabbage Patch doll was mine when I was a kid. We have been practicing holding it with the dogs near by so they get used to a little one. Linus is very protective of the Cabbage Patch doll!

This chair is so comfortable. It rocks, swivels and reclines. The "artwork" is in progress. It will have all the letters of Baby T's name in it. For now it just has Thompson and a few letters that are both in our boy and girl name we have picked. Its a secret for now!

The tree that was made exactly to scale from the quilt, by the Hubster. Very cool.

The dresser and second mirror. Yes, I broke the first mirror and had to go purchase a second one.

I love the frame. It has a quote from our wedding song, by Dave Matthews. Notice, Linus is already guarding the room!

So that is the nursery. And today is the day. And I think I am going to go throw up now. I kid. Kind of. Pretty nervous, but I think you could fairly call it a good blend of anxiousness and excitement and the fact that my life will never be the same after Baby T arrives. Something I am completely okay with and the Hubster and I are so ready for!

I promise to update with news of the arrival as soon as I am able to! Can't wait for my million blog followers to meet Baby T!

Oh... the places we will ....and can go now!

The Thompson household has been VERY productive this past month. (I will reveal the nursery next week.) But our most recent task we were able to check off the TO DO list was installing the car seat base. Of course I documented it all.
*Warning: The pics do include my half naked Hubster.
*Side note: But that is okay because he is a stud AND because the heat index was 105 degrees the day we installed it. (you are thinking we are crazy right now.... but really the day before was 110 heat index, and there seems to be no end in site to this heat.)

The Hubster rereading the directions once out in the car.

Familarizing himself with the LATCH system.

Using his knee to make sure the car base isn't going anywhere.

And me driving to work with my unborn child's car seat safely installed.
Kind of weird when I look into the backseat!



Went to the doctor this past Tuesday. I was 50% effaced with no dilation. That was at 37 weeks 4 days.
I was officially diagnosed with PUPPS. It is horrible. Now I know many women who have gotten PUPPS on their stomach... but I have it everywhere. Only 1% of pregnant woman get PUPPS this bad. I feel so lucky! It is extremely itchy and just spreads like crazy. I am on a steroid and benadryl to try and keep it under control until I give birth to Baby T. Apparently it just goes away after delivery. It's just one more thing that makes me more excited to meet Baby T.

Today is my last day at work. I can't believe I won't have to drive downtown every morning anymore (at least not for 12 weeks). You think I would be excited about this break from work, and I am, but am wondering what the next week or so will be like without Baby T here yet. I have plenty of projects and appointments lined up for next week, so I am sure I will stay busy.

The Hubster snapped some 38 week shots this morning. Here is one of them. Can I get any bigger?

The predictions are trickling in for when Baby T will arrive. The expected due date is August 12th.. Papa says August 5, Hubster says August 7, friend Colin says August 8, Nana says August 10 and friend Leah says August 15. I already told the August 15th guess that I hope they lose! My MIL predicted I would already have had Baby T.
I like the Hubsters prediction of 8/7/11. It gives me a full week off, a relaxing Saturday, and then Labor and Delivery.

Here's hoping we will be using the car seat sooner than later, but not too soon. Still have some TO DO's to check off the list. But once Baby T arrives... Oh... the places we will go!!

Baby Project #159- Shelving unit that fits just right...

Have I mentioned that the Hubster can do ANYTHING! The man can cook, garden, rebuild an engine, and start and successfully run a company. He can also draw, paint, build things from scratch, and get many questions correct in any given episode of Jeopardy.

He is impressive.

There have been many projects taking place around the Thompson household in preparation for Baby T. I will share the outcomes of many of those in the next few weeks. But for now, I will share Baby Project #159- Building a shelving unit.

I was having a hard time finding a white piece of shelving/cubby/storage/side table/bench like furniture that would fit just so under the window in Baby T's room and still allow the air duct to let out air and still allow space for the swivel, rocking recliner. I shared my concern with the Hubster. I explained when I found something with the right amount of depth, then it was too tall. When I found the right height, then it stuck out too far. His simple answer? "Why don't I just make it?"


He sketched out what I was describing, we double checked the dimensions and off to Home Depot we went. I should clarify that I prefer Lowe's... but Hubster thinks Home Depot is closer. (It kind of helped that Cracker Barrel is in near proximity of Home Depot, since he had agreed to breakfast for dinner that night! I had forgotten how good their pancakes are!)

At Home Depot.....we carefully selected the right wood.



Random people in the store looked at me like I shouldn't even be walking. Sometimes I forget I am so big, until someone looks at me funny, or does one of those sympathy smiles.
And then when I look down I am reminded just how big I am these days.

The following day the Hubster came home from work with the almost finished project.
It took him 30 minutes to put it together. Again, he is impressive.

All it needed was some coats of white paint. I insisted that I should do that. So 3 days later... it was complete.

I love it! However, I love the Hubster even more.



My belly and the other woman.

I have decided that since I will only have this bump for a bit longer (that's hoping it shrinks once Baby T is out) that I should take as many pictures of it as possible before D-Day. So I am upping the glamorous photo shoots to every 2 weeks now. I can't believe the growth between week 32 and week 34!!

32 weeks

34 weeks

Besides the growing baby, there is another new important thing in the hubster's (and I's) life. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting his new girlfriend. Do not judge... she IS older. Much older...as in 60 years old. And she needs a lot of work, but I really think the hubster made a great choose. Her name is Fiona.

Fiona- 1951 Chevy



She is a 1951 Chevy Sport Coupe. I can't wait for us to take her out as a family once the hubster is done renovating it. It is unbelievable how great the condition is of the interior, body and paint after 60 years! I am very excited for his new project! And pretty sure (and proud) that whether Baby T is a boy or a girl, it will know a thing or 100 about cars, thanks to its smarty Dad.

While I'm here, I thought I would post a picture from our trip to Fort Wayne. We took my niece and nephew for donuts Saturday morning while we were there. Lorenn and Daniel really enjoy taking a trip to the donut shop and picking out their own donuts. I can't wait until Baby T is here and we can start Saturday/Sunday traditions for our little family!



The perfect Baby Shower

Saturday was my Baby Shower Luncheon. It was perfect. It was in my hometown, Fort Wayne. My sister hosted it, along with the help of my mother, her four girlfriends and my best friend since 1st grade.

My mother Julie, Me (swollen) and my sister, LeAnn.

It was at my sisters new home and it was beautiful and yummy. We had crackers, cheese and veggies, a yummy salad, chicken salad on croissants, fruit salad and deserts. Her made from scratch cupcakes were a hit (lemon, butter pecan, and chocolate chip cookie). My moms girl friends brought home made little baby themed chocolates. There was even an adorable seating/activity area for the little ones!

The spread, with the famous baby carriage of fruit! Everything was delicious!

My invitation had little chicks on it, so it was only fitting that the homemade chocolate candies were of chicks hatching.

Kids table had tiny baby bottles filled with skittles and baby themed coloring pages and crayons. My niece and nephew had a great time with cousins and friends!

We played games and opened presents. I had dear family and friends drive in from Springfield and Chicago, IL and Indianapolis just to be at my shower! It meant the world.



My mother and I visiting with my dear Indy friend Leah!



My high school friends Tara, Rina, Rachel and Kelley. Emily came in from Chicago, but didn't make it into the picture!

My family from Illinois- Aunt Mary Anne, cousin Sherry, Great Aunt Margaret, cousin Julie (and missing from the picture cousin Aarika and her son Jackson).

My mother in law Cindy, and grandmother in law Ann came all the way from Anderson.

Opening gifts was very fun and yet overwhelming! There were so many! Baby T is not even here yet and is already spoiled! I got so many wonderful gifts! We are blessed!

Who knew such a little baby needed so MUCH!

One of my favorite gifts was from my friend Leah. They were little Colts booties and a matching bib, paci and bottle. Here's hoping there is a season this year!!

My mother is an exceptional quilter and I was very excited to open up her gifts! We had collaborated to choose fabric and discuss the design of Baby T's bedding but I never knew it would turn out so beautiful!

I got to hand pick all the different fabrics used, and even helped pick out the pattern she would use, which is a tumbling block quilt pattern.

And then she surprised me with another quilt. It included embroidered blocks that belonged to my late Grandma Bernadine who was an talented quilter as well. My mother saved those blocks for my first born and created a beautiful quilt for Baby T.

Quilt made by my mother with blocks saved from Grandma Bernadine

It was a beautiful shower and I am so thankful for my sister's willingness to open her home to so many people and all the preparation she put into making it so special!

After the shower the hubster came back to the house (he had been out with my dad and cousin John) and was floored by the amount of gifts we received. We took a nap and then headed to a Tincaps game with our out of town family visitors for a great night of baseball and fireworks.

It was an exhausting weekend but so special! I will always remember it.