The Circle of Life!

Well now hasn't this been an interesting weekend!

We came in on Thursday evening to begin the induction. The reason behind the late start was because the Dr had to place a drug on Lindsay's cervix to soften it up for the baby to come out, and it needed 12 hours to work it's magic. So after scrambling to make sure we had everything we needed for the birth we arrive slightly late and then one thing after another it's about 11pm before they are able to get things started. We were given one of the bigger rooms since we could possibly be in labor and delivery for a while, and let me say it was HUGE! (I had a studio apartment that was smaller.) We did our best to get through the night but the cervidil started some decent contractions which kept Lindsay up all night. This is what I have been calling Phase 1.

Phase 2 started about 1pm the on FRIDAY THE 13th! This was after an hour break to let Lindsay eat and shower, because once she was given pitocin she wouldn't be able to eat anything. This really got things started, Lindsay's contractions began getting harder and harder. After a few hours the Dr broke her water to get things really going.
BUT
As time went on we weren't getting as much progress as the Dr would have liked (hardly any to be honest) and Audrey wasn't descending down very much to boot. They kept giving us time markers the first was about 7pm, and not much had happened so they set another for 9pm and if things hadn't progress further we would have to consider the fact that we'd need a C-section.

We knew all the information regarding the c-sect already but the Drs made sure we were kept well informed and if this is what it would come to we knew we would have to accept it, though we both were scared of having to go through that experience. We had to do what was best.

Then 9pm came... Nothing. No progress. We would have to go through with the c-sect. The clock had begun clicking once they broke her water and time was running out. Even if we waited another couple of hours the Dr just didn't think Lindsay's body would start active labor without risking infections.

Phase 3: Labor... um Operation Prison Break.

Shortly after 9 the Dr left the room and we (Desiree and my self) started the scramble again to get all our stuff gathered while the OR was prepped. Then Lindsay went to the OR and I was to wait outside until they were ready for me to come in. I can only speak for myself as to the thoughts racing through my head, and I was freaking out. I sat in the hall waiting, dressed in the paper surgery garb and freaked out. I was scared for Lindsay and I was scared for Audrey because I knew that there was a chance that I may lose one or both of them. To give you a better sense of how I was feeling read that last sentence over again... for 15-20 minutes. I'm sure the Dr could tell how I was feeling even through my stoic expression and he stopped to give me a few kind words before heading into the OR.

So a few minutes later I'm brought in to the OR I see the Lindsay stretched out on the table and the doctors and nurses are busy at what they are doing. I'm lead to a seat next to Lindsay's head and the operation begins. At this point I'm still freaking out and all I can see is Lindsay's drugged up head. The doctors do their thing and a few minutes later I'm told I can stand up. From the first slight of Audrey I new things were going to be good. We took a few pics from the OR and a few from while the nurses cleaned her. After weighing her and cleaning her up the nurses and I went to the recovery room while Lindsay was stitched up.

Audrey Danielle Martinez was born Friday August 13, at 9:52pm. Weighing 8lbs 7oz and measuring 20 1/4in long and 13in around her head. She is the most beautiful creature on Earth!

Labor and Delivery

This is just a quick note from inside the hospital.

Lindsay has been induced and is doing fine. From statements made by some of the Doctors and Co. we've been made to believe that this may take a while (days even).

I've started referring to what's going to happen in "Phases." So far we are about an hour away from the end of the 12 hours that was Phase 1. Then Lindsay will get an hour long break from everything to eat and shower then the Dr will start phase 2.

I'll give more details later after I clear with Lindsay if/when it's OK for me to post.

So bye for now, we'll keep you updated in a while.

COMING SOON!

The Baby... duh!

The Doctor is planning (unless she comes out on her own, beforehand) to induce Lindsay this Thursday.

We'll keep you informed as to what's happening as things develop...

What's UP!!

Ok here's the latest:

Lindsay is on bedrest! A week or so ago she was feeling nauseous so she called her doctor. The doctor had her come in that day to see what was up, and when they checked her blood pressure it was too high for the Doc's liking, so she told Lindsay that it's now time for bedrest.

Since then Lindsay has been having appointments four times a week... ug. At one of the visits her Doc stated that if she were at 37 weeks she would have induced her. This is all because she has developed Preeclampsia and her blood pressure is too high. So since we are in week 35 we are getting mentally preparing for an induction in a couple of weeks.

The reason she said 37 weeks is because the baby is fully developed at that time- it would mark the official nine months. We are a little worried, but the Doc does know best and she hasn't led us astray and we want what's best for both mother and child.

So Lindsay has been trying not to get bored sitting at home all day. I think this has kicked in an urge to nest. She's washed a ton of baby clothes, we've got our overnight bag packed (just in case) and we've rearranged the bedroom to fit the pack and play. When she actually is resting, she's been watching a ton of movies from Netflix streamed off the Wii, as well as ones from blockbuster and occasionally cracking open a book (mostly the "What to Expect..." book).

So we'll see what the coming weeks have to offer... well keep you posted.

Hey Everyone,
Lindsay had another appointment today where she got another ultrasound. This time we got the super cool 3D pictures... and here they are.

This picture is awesome, My little bratty princess, Ha!




So those are the very first images where we get to see my beautiful daughter. Pretty soon we'll get to see the real thing... just a few weeks away...

Latest Updates... and Week 33

So here we are in week 33! Sorry it's been a while since I've updated but things have been a little busy.

The last few weeks, Lindsay has been having to go to the hospital for the Non-Stress Test (NST) and ultrasounds to measure the amount of amniotic fluid. These have been a lot more boring than the first, but at least they are only 20 mins long. We go in they strap two monitors to her belly and listen to the baby's heartbeat for a while. Audrey seems pretty impressed by this, she likes to kick at the monitors. The nurses at the hospital say the monitors work like an ultrasound or radar... and Audrey doesn't like the noise very much.

I don't remember if I've mentioned this before but Lindsay has been feeling Audrey's hiccups. From what we've been told this is good, it means that she is starting to try to use her lungs!

Here are a few pictures from the baby shower (In no specific order). We have only got pictures from Tobi (Lindsay's stepmom), and we would really appreciate it if anyone else who took pictures that day could pass them our way,

During the gift opening


A cute little lamb


The cake


The Diaper-cake and keepsake frame of Audrey


Lindsay opening presents


The Gift table


Jessica (the Hostess)


The proud parents


The Manastee Ranch

The Busy Week (Week 31)

Hi Everyone,
This last week has been chaotic. Plenty of excitement with a little concern mixed in too.

Much of this week has been devoted to getting this weekends baby shower in order. Lindsay, her sister Jessica and best friend Desiree have been coordinating this for sometime. They've been working very hard planning the decor, getting the local and ironing out the details.

To add to the goings on Lindsay's Mom has come to town both for a visit and for the baby shower. So Jessica and her kids have been staying over to spend time with her, and also finish getting the baby shower details set. Then at the end of the week family members switched out and Lindsay's Aunt stayed with us. So we've had a pretty full house all week long.

Friday, we had a appointment with the OB for a check up and another ultrasound. The ultrasound was to take more measurements to check her development. Audrey is developing well. On that day, Audrey was 31 weeks 1 day old, but the measurements from the ultrasound say she's developed to a 32 week 4 day, so she's a tad bigger than average! She's also guessed to weigh about 4 pounds. Her heartbeat clocked in at 144 beats per minute. So she's still cooking nice and healthy.

Then came the OB appointment. This is usually just a little chat with just to see how the pregnancy is going along. Lately, Lindsay's been retaining a lot of water and her ankles have been swelling. So we had to let the Dr. know about this. Then the Dr. brought up the results of Lin's blood pressure check, it was high, and her urine test resulted with a little protein in it. Because of this we were told we had to go to OB Triage to be monitored. This freaked us all out.
(completely forgetting what we'd just seen on the ultrasound.) We rushed to Triage to get stuck in a nook for about three hours. They did a blood test and monitored her heart rate (NST or Non Stress Test) and we just sat... and waited.... four three hours... Finally we were able to leave. They had the results of the NST and sent the blood test results back to the OB (the hospital would have the results sooner than if the OB office had done it themselves.) The bad part about all this is now Lindsay will have to go and be monitored twice a week until Audrey is delivered. We went home exhausted and tired. If things don't improve the Dr has threatened bed rest and we'd rather not let that happen.

Saturday came the most exciting part of the week... The baby shower! Our family and extended family converged on the Manistee Ranch for a few hours of celebration devoted to the subject of this blog. Things went off without a hitch. Jessica took the reigns of hostess and I tip my hat to her both for her coordinating things and for showing no signs of stage fright when talking to the large group of strangers before her! There were fun games, good food and plenty of good spirits. I was happy to see everyone who was able to make it. When gift opening time came... the only thing I can say is: We know the greatest people EVER! Audrey will never need clothes until she is about 5! She received so many cute outfits we are buried under about a ton of baby clothes! We got quite a bit of what was on the registry and a few surprises that weren't. I think I have a tendency to like homemade gifts a little more than store bought just for the personal heart that went into them (no offense meant to those who did buy things) but there were a couple of gifts that stand out as needing an Honorable Mention:
- Audrey received a homemade bonnet with a little story to go with it talking about how the bonnet can be used for going home from the hospital or Christening, then used later in life as a something old item when she marries, and then reused again as a bonnet for her child. I thought this was incredibly sweet gift and idea.
-The Mom of one of Lindsay's BFF's made Audrey a VERY cute black and pink stripe afghan. I'm told that it's up for being added onto as Audrey grows up!
-The Basket of Everything Useful! We also got a gift from a friend of Lin's full of such useful things. Some of which were items we'd forgot to include in the registry (like safety locks for the cabinets) as well as blankets, toys, and about a million other things!
Those were just the Honorable Mentions for the time and thought put into them, but everything we got is very much appreciated and we are very, VERY thankful for. We love all of it very much.

Sunday, has been the day to catch up on relaxing! I spent the morning putting the crib, the dresser and the changing table together. A bunch of our family got together and went in on buying it. It was another gift from our baby registry and was quite expensive so it was a good idea that they did that. I had a great time assembling it, kind of took me back to my child hood and playing with Legos! The rest of the day we've lounged around and made sure not to let Lindsay stress.

That's what's been going on in the world of the baby. I'm sure I've forgotten to mention some details but as you can see there's been a lot to say. So I wanted to let everyone know how much we appreciated everyone and everything in regards to this weekend and we love and thank you all!

Also, if you have pictures from this weekend we would really like it if you could email them to either of us. We only ended up with two pictures of the baby shower on our camera.