Your Birth Story

Monday morning, after an awesome weekend with our family, seemed liked any other day.  I had a lot of plans for the day, lots to get done.  But you, little one, had other plans.  Looking back, you were giving me little signs your were coming early, but being a first time mom I thought all the little changes were a normal part of the end of pregnancy.  I started out my errands for the day.  I got some accomplished and then I just did not feel right.  I decided to go home and lay down for a little while.  After laying down for awhile I still had a feeling something was just not right and I called the doctor who told me to come in for a check to be safe.  I called your dad at work to let him know I was going to the hospital for a check and I don't think I was able to even finish my sentence before he said "I'M ON MY WAY!!"  He called me so many times on the way to the hospital.  I think he thought I was going to  have you in my car.  I really was convinced they were going to send us home and tell us everything was fine.  When they told me I wasn't going to leave the hospital pregnant and my water was leaking I was so scared. You weren't due for another 6 weeks.  Were you going to be ok?  Why did this happen?  I was crying, I felt like I had in some way failed as your momma, unable to carry you all the way.  But little did I know you were just ready..you wanted out.

We were admitted to labor and delivery where they started me on a magnesium drip to stop labor.  This medicine was the devil.  It made me feel like a hot, tired, noodle who always has to pee.  Your dad was by my side through everything and assisted me in ways he probably never thought he would have to.  But he did and he was great.  We finally got a room on the regular floor once labor stopped. The docs wanted to keep you in my belly a few more days to make sure you were the strongest you could be to come out.  We rested and waited.  We worried and thought about you.  We couldn't wait to meet you

Daddy slept over at the hospital with me to make sure we were both ok.

Mimi came too to stay with me while daddy went home to get some stuff we needed and to get your room ready.

I took some pictures of my belly.  I loved being pregnant.  I love feeling your little kicks in my belly.  I loved talking to you and having you with me all the time. As excited as I was to meet you and have you with us, part of me was going to miss the special time in our relationship.  Pregnancy is really the most amazing thing.

At 4 AM on Thursday, September 18th,  it was time for induction! We went back to labor and delivery where they put me back on the monitor and started the pitocin around 6:30 am.  They told me it was going to be a long day.  That first time moms usually labor for awhile so I should try to get comfortable.   About a half hour later I really started feeling the contractions.  OUCH! I got an epidural and was told that I should sleep, it would be awhile now.  But the pain was still intense.  The nurse called the doctor and he came in since I should have gotten some relief.  When he checked me he said I was fully dilated and ready to push! What?!  Was this really happening?!  You were one determined little girl.  We called Mimi who was at work and she nearly had a heart attack running to the delivery room so she could be there to help welcome you into the world.  She made it :)

At 9:50 AM on 9/18/14 after a half hour of pushing with coaching from Mimi, Daddy and the docs that sounded like the final 10 seconds of a tied super bowl game you were born! Our little angel. Daddy and I were both in awe.  We could not believe you came out of me.. You were here.. You were ours! We were so worried about you and you came out kicking and screaming and we knew you were going to be just fine.  Your first breath took ours away.  And just like that we were a family.

The little kicks I had felt all these months now had a face, beautiful little eyes looking back at me.

You were 5lbs 6oz, 17 and 1/2 inches long.  Not bad for 6 weeks early.

You were so calm in our arms.  You looked at us like you knew we were your mommy and daddy.

Your daddy is absolutely in love with you.  You have him wrapped around your itty bitty finger just like we knew you would.

You had to go to NICU to be monitored because you were 6 weeks early.  I wasn't able to spend that much time with you after you were born because they needed to make sure you were ok. It was torture not having you with me but I knew you were going to be ok.  Once I was out of recovery we came to be with you.  You were so tiny I was nervous to hold you.  The nurse put you on my chest when you were crying and you stopped.  You knew you were with your momma and you melted my heart.

When we were in the hospital a few days before you were born we were really scared because we didnt know how big you would be and if you would be ok.  Aunt Laura sent me a quote that I love that is now on your nursery wall (again thanks to Aunt Laura) "Sometimes the smallest things take up the biggest space in your heart." -Winnie the Poo

How true.

You were too tiny to breastfeed right away because they said you would get to tired. So you had to take a bottle and you ate like a champ!

It seems that I lost out in the gene pool..for now..you are definitely your daddy's little girl

Your Mimi and Grandma came to visit later that day.  They adore you.  Both of them couldn't stop smiling.

I feel so blessed to be your Mommy.  One thing I learned about pregnancy is you can never have a plan or expectations.  Things will happen and you have to learn to roll with the punches.   We are so lucky that you came out perfect in every way. I am so grateful that you were a healthy little peanut.  You were just ready to be born and you came out a feisty little thing.  I think your dad and I are in for a wild ride with you and we feel like the luckiest parents in the world.  We love you little miss Rylan Lark O'Rourke.

Baby Shower

On September 14, 2014 Mimi through us your baby shower! It was absolutely perfect.  The theme was pink elephants! There is something so special about having so many people you love and care about in the same room.  We are so lucky to have such amazing family and friends.  You were spoiled rotten baby girl! Lots and lots of goodies.  Your dad and I were overwhelmed with all the gifts we received. We were very grateful to have help getting ready for your arrival, which came a little sooner than we expected...

Me and your Mimi

So many presents!

Our family traveled from Barbados and the Carolinas to celebrate!

 

You have a lot of aunties..Danielle, Kristin and Casey!

Auntie Laura

Aunt Krissy, Elyse, Colleen and Gina

Your cake was a hit!

Cupcakes!

Aunt Kelly and cousin Katelyn

Me and Mimi with the yummy dessert table

Me with Great Grandma Ev! She is so excited to meet you

Mommy's work friends

So many bows.  Hat made by Aunt Elyse 

Belly

Cousin Berna took lots of pictures!

Reality

Can I tell you a secret?  I am scared.  Reality is starting to set in. You will be here in just 10 short weeks and  while I cannot wait to meet you I have realized that all the books in the world will not prepare me for what is coming.  I have spent 99% of my free time preparing for your arrival.  Reading about what your first few months will most likely be like, researching the best pediatricians, researching and cross referencing all of your baby gear to make sure it is the best and safest stuff we can get.  We only want the best for you.

I know I have done as much preparation as I can. The rest we are going to have to figure out together.  I hope you will be patient with us.  I hope that you will feel safe and happy in our home. I can promise you that you will always be surrounded by so much love.  We already adore you so much.  Your daddy and I stare at your pictures all the time.  We get excited when you move around in my belly.  You are getting bigger and stronger every day.

At the end of the day the stuff I am stressing about probably doesn't even matter. I have a feeling when you get here you will have a way of telling us exactly what you like and dont like, what you need and dont need. You are going to teach us just as much as we are going to teach you.  Having a baby will surely change our lives forever and we can't help but feeling that our lives are just getting started.  Reality is ...the best is yet to come. 

Helloo Third Trimester!

We are officially in the third trimester, baby girl, and it is just 12 more weeks until we get to meet you! I can't believe how strong you are getting.  You are kicking me all over, sometimes hard enough to startle me.  But I love it!  Everyone loves feeling you too.  I still can't believe you are in there.

Here is what is going on lately..

Your Mimi has been planning your baby shower with all of our family and friends! The theme is pink (ofcourse) and elephants (because your Momma is slightly obsessed) I am very excited! I love any reason for a party but celebrating your arrival is going to be extra special! You are so lucky to have such amazing people in your life and you are so loved already.  I am so excited for you to meet all of them.

Your dad has been frantically getting your room ready.  He decided to knock down all the walls so he could re insulate them so you are nice and cozy in the cold winter.  He added a few more outlets in your room and in the process wiped out the electricity on one side of the house.  oops! I'm hoping he can fix it!  Right now your room is not very impressive.  Still needs a lot of work. But I promise it will be just perfect by the time you get here.  Your rug came this week and it is beautiful! First nursery purchase down..a lot more to go!

As for me I am still loving watching my belly grow and feeling you move all around.  I am still craving lemonade and grapefruit juice.  My big belly is starting to take a toll on my back, especially at work.  Your dad has been nice enough to rub it for me and my heating pad came today which I think will help a lot.  Our next doctors appointment is in a week and a half and I am excited because I will get to see you through ultrasound.  Those visits are my favorite.

We've had a very good 7 months, baby girl, lets finish strong! 91 days to go...

A Few Things I've Learned Recently

Yes, pregnancy is amazing.  It is a true miracle.  Society portrays it to be a magical time in every woman's life.  It is, but like a bad tampon commercial you may find yourself thinking there might be more to this than people let on. It's true there are just a few things that no one warns you about ... a few things you will find out when you join the knocked up club.   I'm here to tell you a few..

1.  Pregnancy is not 9 months.  It is 10.. I do not know why anyone would lie about such a thing but it's true.  10 months sounds so much longer than 9 doesn't it?

2. For the first 12 weeks you will most likely feel like you have been hit by a bus ....repeatedly.  You will have zero energy to do anything.  You literally see the 2 pinks lines, hug your hubby and proceed to hibernate without a problem. Kiss insomnia goodbye because you will have zero problems sleeping and sleeping and sleeping for those first three months. 

3.  The heartburn is real.  You will pop tums like candy.  And that's ok.

4. You will lose control of bodily functions.  TMI? someone has got to tell you.  When you sneeze, you pee. When you walk or for no reason at all, you fart.  No control.  It's embarrassing but you get a pass, you are pregnant after all. 

5. People will say the dumbest things to you and everyone will have an opinion about how big or small you are. "Are you sure there is just one baby in there?" is my favorite.  Every woman and baby is different and where you are at is just fine!

6. People think it's okay to touch and rub your belly without asking. This is strange.  

7. You will have to learn to sleep on your side if you enjoy breathing and the benefits of blood circulating through your entire body. Invest in a body pillow. 

8. Your boobs may leak long before the baby is due (this was disturbing)  I was always under the impression that this came after the baby was born.  Mistaken yet again.

9. You may become a chainsaw like snorer due to inability to breathe and increased congestion ( I was convinced hubby was exaggerating until I actually woke myself up)

10. You may develop pubescent style acne (I thought that was over too)

11.  You will get winded very easily.  Your body is dealing with almost 2 and a half times as much blood as it is used to so that it can give the placenta and baby everything it needs.  Amazing how the body adapts, yes.  This also means your heart is working overtime to pump that blood which will leave you gasping after minimal exertion.  This may be why a friendly usher pointed me towards a handicap bathroom at a show last week after watching me pathetically try to climb the two flights the first time.

12.  I've been reading some childbirth books because knowledge is power right? Wrong, knowledge is FEAR! I learned that the epidural doesn't reach the cervix.. WAIT.. BACK UP.. What?! you mean the epidural doesn't numb EVERYTHING? This by far has been the most devastating realization of them all.  

The one comforting thing that all the books and professionals DO say is that you will go back to your old self, for the most part, once the baby is born. Your hormones are just joy riding for 10 months. And when all else fails, remember you are in good company.  Although it may feel like it, you are not the first woman to go through this. In fact, people in the olden days pre boppy body pillows, tums and epidurals had it much worse so count your lucky stars. It will all be ok. It will all be worth it and you will forget all about it once you hold that little miracle in your arms. 

25 Weeks

I cannot believe that I am 25 weeks pregnant.  Time is flying.  I thought 9 months would drag by..maybe that comes towards the end of the third trimester, the week long minutes. I am feeling all the emotions.  SO excited to meet you, nervous to get you here and anxious to be your mama. Your daddy is feeling similar emotions.  He is very protective of you already.  I can't wait to see the two of you together.  I know you two will have something so special.

I have to say I have had a pretty good pregnancy so far.  I was one of the lucky ones who never experienced morning sickness. Three other women on my unit at work are pregnant as well and after seeing them suffer through those first 12 weeks I was very thankful to dodge that bullet!  I never really got the pregnancy glow as much as I got acne and gray hair. You are definitely sucking any beauty your mama had right out, but that's ok with me.

It is really crazy watching my body change each day.  When they say you "pop" overnight, you really do!  I literally went to bed one night looking like I may need to lay off the donuts to waking up a very obvious pregnant lady.  My body does not belong to me right now.  Everything I do and don't do is for you. My body knows you comes first. Which might explain why I can't breathe after walking up a flight of stairs! I've always known the human body is amazing but being pregnant and seeing and reading how it adapts to grow a life is really, truly a miracle.  I feel very blessed that I am able to do this. Sometimes when I get scared of giving birth I just remember that my body knows what to do.. my body was made to be able to do this.

I started to feel your little kicks around 18 weeks.  Looking back I think I probably felt you earlier but I thought it was gas! Feeling you move around inside my belly is like nothing else in the world. I do notice that you are getting stronger and stronger as the weeks go on. The doctor says you are no small fry! Definitely growing big and strong.  Mimi has informed me that our family has big babies! This makes me a little nervous for obvious reasons but we will get through it!

I have been steadily building your wardrobe. I have to say you are going to be one stylish baby girl.  I think you already have more clothes than me.  This is going to get dangerous.  I might have to start pacing myself now.  Your daddy just looks at me and shakes his head..I have a feeling he will be doing that a lot to us in the years ahead :)

Two Years in a Nutshell

I know I haven't posted in quite a long time.  There have been quite a few life blessings since the last time I wrote.  I am at such an exciting time in my life right now that I feel like I need to start this up again as a way to document everything!

Let me get you up to speed..

I got married!  I was lucky enough to marry my best friend 9/21/12.  We had a perfect day surrounded by our family and friends.  There is something so amazing about walking in to a room and having everyone you love in the same place. We are so lucky to be surrounded but such wonderful people.  We feel so blessed to have found each other and  it seems to get better and better.

My husband is a police officer! ahhh so that is scary.  I am not excited about him working in such bad areas with people that commit real crimes everyday but he loves it.  I have never seen him so happy, so fulfilled, he's a different person.  I am so happy he found his calling.  I love my officer.

In February 2014 we closed on our first home together in Massapequa Park. Wowzerz did we ever dive head first into adulthood!  Being a homeowner is the greatest and worst thing in the world.  I feel an enormous sense of accomplishment and am proud to be a homeowner, especially in this day and age.  Long Island ain't cheap! However, I do miss being able to take vacations, shopping sprees and dine out with by hubby. We are officially in the poor house at the moment.  But it will all be worth it right? Let's hope so.

Two weeks after we closed on our home we got the two pink lines...we're pregnant! ahhh how did that happen?  Well, I know how it happened but it still feels surreal. I guess you try so long not to get pregnant that you are shocked when you do.  We found out we are having a little girl and we couldn't be more excited. Frank is already worrying about her dating, driving and going away to school.  He has ultimately decided she will be allowed to date.. never, he will be her personal taxi driver for her whole life and local school is a must.  Good thing I have lots of time to work on him.  I know she is going to have him wrapped around her little finger..he's doomed.

And that's the last two years in a nutshell.