Fear of needles

Just a quick addition... most of you know that I am absolutely terrified of needles... I have managed to overcome the hysterical crying but I still have a tendency to feel incredibly light headed and turn a lovely green color. So after admitting me to the hospital they needed to put in an IV. I knew that this would happen but I was still terrified. It took them THREE attempts to get the IV in... THREE!!! I was horrified. Then they needed to draw blood and the needle they used for the IV was too small so they then took two more attempts to draw blood. I was not amused at all. I was only in the hospital for a few hours and I had already been stuck FIVE times!!! At this point I was thinking I would skip the epidural... I had been stuck enough for one day. Well just a few hours later I was begging for that needle haha. And let me tell you when he came in I didn't complain, I didn't wince at all, I took that needle like it was candy. Apparently I am selective in my fear of needles haha. Later on that night they came to draw blood again and I was absolutely fine... I didn't feel ill at all! Maybe I have overcome my fear... but then again judging by the fact that I have sweaty palms just writing about needles, maybe not.

My Baby Story...

I thought that maybe I should fill you all in on all the details of Brooklyn's birth. As you know she wasn't due until November 29th, but I was determined to have her sooner. My doctor had been telling me to start walking a lot to try and help her come, but because I was still working I didn't really have the time or energy to walk after I got home. I finished work on Friday November 20th and although it was really nice not to think about work, I did start wondering how I was going to entertain myself until my little girl decided to make her entrance. Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait long.

On Sunday 22nd, Brett and I embarked on a nice long walk of almost 5 miles. That night we went to bed around 10 which is pretty early for us. It was my turn to say family prayer so during my prayer I asked to please have the baby in the next 3 hours. 3 hours later at around 1 in the morning I woke up to my water breaking (Heavenly Father definitely has a sense of humor). I just grabbed Brett's arm and said 'Uh Brett my water just broke'. I wasn't having any contractions at this point so I knew it wasn't urgent that I get to the hospital because I wasn't in active labor. So I got up, took a shower, did my hair, and finally around 3 we headed to the hospital. I had started to have contractions but they were just slightly uncomfortable (I must admit that I was starting to think having a baby would be a breeze HAHAHA... how wrong I was). They checked me and I was only dilated 1cm so they had me start walking the halls of the hospital. At around 7 the doctor came in to check on me. He had them put me on pitocin to try and help me progress. He let me know he would be gone for the day but that he would be back that night and therefore he would probably deliver the baby.

A couple of hours later they checked me again and I was already at 4cm. At this point the contractions were starting to hurt a little... (yes this picture is horrible but check out the pained look on my face)

So at this point I have indeed decided to opt for some pain meds. They put something in my IV and it did absolutely NOTHING. So I decide that I will indeed have an epidural. After a while my OBGYN comes in and she checks me again. I am now dilated to 9cm and it freaking hurt haha. My contractions were getting bad and I started to feel like I needed to push. The contractions were painful but it was the feeling of needing to push that was the most painful. My doctor let me know that it wouldn't be too much longer and asked if I was really sure that I wanted an epidural at this point. YES I FREAKING WANT ONE haha... so they finally managed to hook a doctor to give me the epidural. Let me tell you, epidurals are bliss... It kicked in pretty quick and my pain was gone!! I was already starting to push at this point (which made it pretty difficult to sit still while getting my epidural but I managed) but my little one had now decided she wanted to slow things down. I guess I pushed for quite a while which didn't bother me, but they started to get a little concerned for the baby so they decided to use a vacuum. So after an episiotomy and a little help from a vacuum my beautiful baby girl entered the world at 1:12pm... almost exactly 12 hours after my water broke!

It was such an amazing experience. I choke up just thinking about seeing my baby girl for the first time... she is absolutely perfect and we love her so much.

Brooklyn Emery

On Monday November 23rd at 1:12pm we welcomed Brooklyn Emery into the world. She was 6lbs 11ozs and 19 inches long. We think she is perfect and could not be happier to have her!

Finished!!!

Finished with work that is... not pregnancy. Yesterday was my last day... I am now officially on leave from work for 12 weeks!!! I am excited although I am hoping that baby comes soon or I have a feeling I may be very bored.

On another note do you see that little ticker?? Did you notice that it is now a single digit!!!!!! How did that happen?? I can't believe we are almost there!!

Baby Shower Number One!!

My good friend Mary threw me a fabulous baby shower in Vista for my friends from work and church! She made an amazing brunch and then the games began... The first game they blindfolded me and made me eat baby food and guess the flavor. Just so you know baby food is DISGUSTING and all tastes the same. Needless to say I didn't do very well.

Everyone then got the chance to make our baby a onesie. They came out so cute and our baby is now well stocked with onesies!

The shower was a ton of fun!! We got lots of adorable outfits and had a great time with good friends! Thanks Mary =)

Week 36

Yay for new pictures... Boo for new pictures that make you realize how HUGE you are!! I still can not believe how big I look in this picture... I didn't think I was that big... but I guess that's what happens when you have a baby!

So here it is... my week 36 bump

I can not believe that I am nearing the end of my pregnancy! Although I must say the thought of not being pregnant is soooo exciting!! The thought of having a baby though... that is a little scary. We are still undecided on a name. I am thinking that we will just have to wait to see her and pick from the few that we like. I am also undecided on whether or not to get an epidural... so feel free to share your opinion. The whole needle terrifies me but I am thinking that at that point I may not care so much about the needle =) One more thing I need help with... what did you not pack in your hospital bag that you wish you had?? Or what did you pack that you are so glad you did?? I am trying to get prepared!

Thanks!! -xox-

One Month To Go....

So I don't have a new picture to post... I am kind of slacking in that department sorry. But I did want to write a quick post to say that I am due one month from today!! Hopefully she will not decide to extend my pregnancy past this point... in fact I am hoping that I don't quite make it to the 29th but only time will tell. I can not believe that she will be here soon... I have a lot to get done!! I am getting really excited (and really scared). Mostly I am just amazed at how quick it has passed!!

30 weeks down... 10 weeks to go!!

My friend Carrie had her baby this week and it all of a sudden hit me... OH... MY... GOSH... I am having a BABY!! After seeing her baby I am now terrified. I can not even tell you how nice it felt to hand her back the baby when she started to cry... and then I realized that soon people will be handing me back my child and I have no idea what to do... TERRIFIED!! I know, I know you will all tell me that it will come naturally but I am not so sure.

Anyway, I am finally sporting a bump. No denying that I am pregnant anymore...

In other news Brett and I are moving next weekend - I am soooo excited!! Still an apartment but this one has two bedrooms and a garage... we can not wait!

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their rightful names

Naming a baby is probably the hardest thing in the world. I don't want to name my little one until she is born, but I do want to have a list of two or three so that she is not stuck nameless at the hospital. That being said I am having a very difficult time! I am very, very picky. I like unusual names, that are unique but still adorable. For example, I love the name Sailor (Brett has already ruled against this which is why I am sharing... I am pretty secretive about some of my ideas). I think Sailor is cute and different and I want to find a name with that same appeal. I have read through an entire baby name book and finished empty handed. I need HELP!! So here is my challenge for you... throw me some ideas... and remember I like them to be unique haha (told you I was picky)!

Reunited!!

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Kristen was married in the LA Temple! It was absolutely gorgeous and was the perfect opportunity for Kelsey and Carla to fly out and stay with me so that we could all attend Kristen's big day! I met these three fabulous ladies my first year of college, and lived with Kelsey and Carla my second year so I could not have been more excited to see them all!

It was so fun to look back and talk about all the good times we had back in college and of course it was just as fun to see how far we have all come! Kristen was the final wedding for the four of us... so I guess next time we will have to find a new excuse to get together!