The Birth Story! (Finally!)

I know that it has been more than a month since our sweet Adaline has been born, but a lot has happened in her first month of life. I know I have a lot of updating to do, so I thought I would start with her birth story (without the gross details)

My mom came in to town with my aunt, Rita, on Wednesday, July 28 to help Chad and I prepare for Adaline's arrival. I was 38 weeks pregnant at that time, and I was ready for AGA to arrive! Work was wearing me out and I honestly did not know how much longer I could last. A few weeks prior my blood pressure had gone up a little and my midwife was slightly (although ruled out) concerned for pre-eclampsia.

Sunday, August 1st, our plans had been to go to the pool (to give my poor body a break) and maybe organize the house a little. I got up at 9:30 and went to the office to organize some files and I felt a gush of fluid. I genuinely thought I peed my pants (and so did Chad!) I came upstairs and said, "Guys, I think my water broke!" It just kept coming and I called the nurse line at Denver Health to check to see if we should go to the hospital. After explaining my situation, the nurse said, "this is what I want you to do. Get your hospital bag and have your husband drive you to the hospital." Of course, I couldn't go straight to the hospital, I had to shower first. :)

When we got to the hospital, we checked in through the OB screening room.

Looking a little excited or scared?

My most amazing mother!

Obviously ready to pop. :)

My midwife verified that my water had broken but said that there was meconium (baby's first poo) in the fluid, increasing risks of infection, but that it was definitely GO TIME! My midwife also did an ultrasound to verify Adaline's position and that is when we discovered that she was breech (upside down) and I had to have a C-section. This was devastating to me at first--completely opposite of the birth plan I had envisioned. But, there was no time to dwell on that. Before we knew it, 2 hours later at 2:27, Adaline Grace was born via c-section weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. She was perfect. It was definitely hard not being able to see her right away, but that time in the recovery room with precious Adaline was incredible.

The Arnold Clan!

We love her.

Packing up all our stuff. A family accumulates a lot of stuff when in the hospital for 4 days!

Ready go go home!

We finally went home on Thursday, August 4, with our incredible daughter and it has been an adventure and amazing and trying learning experience since.

quick picture update

Hello all! I just wanted to add a few pictures to update everyone on the process of the belly growth. :) Here's me at 34 weeks (which seems CRAZY!)

Here's another one from 35 weeks aka almost 8 months pregnant! (well, a day shy of 35 weeks. I'm rounding down and being hopeful that AGA will arrive a few days early.)

Chad and I also had an impromptu shopping trip to Pottery Barn Kids. Now, PBK is normally WAY overpriced (see crib for $2,000.00). However, their sale items can be a steal. We got these bird book ends and piggy bank for under $35.00.

I may do a blog in the near future about how to decorate a child's room (or any room for that matter) on a budget as well as how to have a functioning budget. If you know me, you know that I LOVE a good budget.

Finally, Chad and I headed to Estes Park, CO for Chad's birthday fly fishing adventure. :) Here's a shot of him in the river. It was beautiful that day and I loved just sitting, reading, and doing a little napping in the mountains. What I did not like is the fact that my feet swelled a little bit from the altitude. ha.

That's it for now! Have a wonderful weekend--I know i am going to enjoy this 3 day weekend by taking plenty of naps and walks with the puppies and hubs.

The Should-Dos and Pool Party

We are 33 weeks pregnant today, which feels very surreal. Only 7 more weeks until AGA's arrival (hopefully). 7 weeks just doesn't seem long enough to prepare for this precious new addition to our family. 7 weeks of just Chad and I (which we plan to enjoy, too, because we know it will be work to make each other and our marriage a priority). We had an appointment with Joy, our midwife today. AGA's heartbeat is strong and healthy at 135 and has already turned (head down)! Joy tried to show Chad how to feel AGA's head, but I think he couldn't feel it and just said that he could. ha. I am thankful to have such encouraging medical professionals during this journey.

My belly and AGA are growing every week**picture is me at 32 weeks trying on my maternity dress for Shelby's wedding**, which certainly does not go unnoticed by the dozens of people I am around every day. I receive a plethora of various comments daily about my size and how I am carrying. I believe that, especially over the past 4 weeks, I have had a different person tell me every day that I look like I will have a *HUGE* baby. I find it funny that the person saying this probably doesn't think that their comment actually translates to, "WOW. You and your belly and your baby are GIGANTIC! Good luck pushing that thing out!" On the other hand, I have a lot of women tell me I'm small. Each person has a different opinion on how a woman should look when they are pregnant. For some reason, others (mostly, I find, people that aren't close to us) think that when a woman is pregnant, they have a right to comment on that woman's weight, eating habits, daily routine, and the way that woman wants to parent (when no other time in a women's life do the comments flow so easily!). We, as a society, insert our comments and opinions into pregnant women's ears so much, it can be extremely overwhelming and sometimes disheartening.

That brings me to the "Should-Dos". My co-worker asked me how pregnancy was going. I told her that this pregnancy, actually, has been very pleasant. She asked me if I have been overwhelmed with the "should dos", yet. She explained that the "should dos" are all the things people (including the man at the crepe stand and the mud-volleyballers at the Mudapalooza volleyball tournament) think you "should do" when you are pregnant and become a parent. All the advice, although some is very much appreciated, is often times given without warning or request. Of course I told her that I was very much overwhelmed by all the advice and the comments about parenting and pregnancy. I think it can be hard to adjust to my body changing and the thought of our lives being completely different (in just 7 weeks!), let alone try to sort through all the things "I should do". Then I have the thought that if I don't do the should-do, I'm a failure of a parent. . The should-dos go right along with the Mommy Wars that are prevalent in our society. Everyone, I've discovered, will have an opinion on what is right and what is wrong and if someone deviates from those standards, they are are treated like a bad parent. This is how we view our opinions in general, but when it comes to parenting, the strength of these opinions is 10 times as great. I've seen this ugly monster creep up when a good friend of mine was struggling with breast feeding and she received blows from both sides of the issue. One side being "just give up because breastfeeding is foolish if it is hard" and the other side causing undo guilt if breastfeeding just doesn't work "because all women can breastfeed and you are a bad mother if you don't". Neither camps were helpful to her in the long run, making her feel like a failure no matter where she landed.

I have found that with every "should-do" two or three words of encouragement are needed. I think most women (and men) give this advice with the purest intentions--but it is overwhelming and sometimes hurtful all the same. I have to continually remind myself that Chad and I will make mistakes (like everyone) and that we will love AGA and will forgive ourselves when we do fail in someway. I hope that I don't get lured into being that person that gives a never ending flow of unsolicited advice and become a full fledged member of the Should Dos. I desire to be a person of encouragement and love for new moms and the general population around me.

Now, after I've gone on an on about the Should-Dos, I wanted to add some funny pictures of me trying to enjoy a day at the pool this past weekend with Shelby and Cara. I struggled getting into my sit and lounge, but I was victorious and it felt so good to just sit in the water. :)

Assessing the situation--being 7 1/2 months pregnant can make one less...graceful?

We all laughed because my belly stuck out of the water so much!

Relaxing a bit (no worries, I lathered up with the sunblock).

I plan to post more on all the fun things we are getting from showers and such. All the baby things out there are so fun and cute! That will be my next post, for sure. :)

Happenings

I thought I would post another round of pictures to update everyone on the happenings around the Arnold household. I plan to post, in a few days, some thoughts on the "Should Dos" (referring to all the things everyone, from family to co-workers to the man at the crepe stand, tell you that you "should do" for baby). For now, here's a picture update of life lately.

Me at 28 weeks (I don't like these pictures very much. Chad said that I've started smiling funny. Maybe my face is just getting chubby? Ha)

My cousin, Sydney, and I had brunch at Billy's Inn (Amazing--oat bran Belgian waffle?? Yes please!) I love having family so close. :)

I actually planted some things (and no freezes yet!). Here's some pictures of what we've done so far to the yard (I took these pictures as a testimony that I really tried to plant some bushes and shrubs...before they inevitably die):

The view from our lower porch. We love this view in the Spring and Summer!
I planted a lilac bush, "pinapple plants" and some petunias in the front. Regrettably, the petunias are not doing well at this moment. Glad I got a picture before their deterioration.

Lilac Bushes in the back! I cannot wait until these bloom a little more. :)

We had the leadership team of Refuge Community Church over for a bbq and meeting. Here's some pictures of the crew:

What can I say? we dominate at Rock Band.

Desiree, Grant, Don, and Micah waiting patiently for the burgers to be done.

Chad's really into this one. Don, Tanner and Amy admiring Chad's work on the guitar. :)

We also had dinner at the Whatley's this week! Yummy steak, asparagus, corn, and mashed potatoes. (Not sure what Chad's doing here. ha)
Here's Cara and I, belly to belly, as an illustration of how gigantic my belly really is:

I discovered my love for Super Mario Bros at Brian and Cara's, and I guess I sit like this more often now (its just more comfortable, I guess!)

29 week picture (again, not loving these photos. I think my face really is getting chubbier!):

I promise I plan to sit down to post some deeper thoughts on life and pregnancy. So check back later this week for another update! For now, I plan to sit out on our newly mowed lawn (thanks Chad!) and sit with the puppies for a while. Spring really is beautiful in Denver (when it isn't snowing, anyway).

It just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

I really have to get better at blogging! Chad and I, quite honestly, forget to update folks and take pictures of the happenings at the Arnold household. I really will *try* to blog more frequently.

I'm 27 weeks now! In the 3rd trimester and really feeling great. Adaline is moving all over the place. Its a wonderful feeling and i love that Chad has been able to see and feel her move. Willis likes to cuddle with the belly as well, and I think he is ready to see Adaline and snuggle with her outside of the womb. :)

Here are some pictures of the 27 week belly:

We had my first midwife appointment with Aliza at Denver Health. I love her! I love how encouraging she is about labor and delivery. The appointment really felt joyous as Aliza felt Adaline move around. She appeared excited and affirmed my joy as well. Our next appointment is on May 29th, and I can't wait.

I also wanted to show some pictures of the nursery. We have put up the tree, the mobile, and the chifferobe. It is all coming together!

Other happenings:
*We plan to plant some shrubs and flowers this weekend. We *should* be out of the freeze time, but you never know (considering that it SNOWED last night and this morning..on May 12). Pictures to come. :)

*We saw Iron Man 2 this weekend...and loved it! Although I love going to movies, it is becoming harder on my body to sit for that long.

*Chad and I are volunteering for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at the Denver Arts Festival over Memorial Day weekend! I am super pumped to help this amazing volunteer health organization. I am also volunteering at the Mudapalooza Volleyball Tournament in June. I'll be handing out and checking the drink tickets. Should be a good time!

I guess that's it for now! We have had a low key couple of weeks, which is nice.

I'm off to devour a few cupcakes that I made last night. I've been baking like crazy lately. Is that part of nesting or is it just the belly wanting cookies and cupcakes? Either way, I will never turn down a tasty baked good.

An update with pictures and such

Because I have been so bad at updating anything lately (my blog, my facebook status, my calendar), I thought I would post an update full of pictures and the like. Chad and I have been very busy lately! Our past few weekends have been spent spending time with friends, participating in Refuge Community Church's first few public services, and getting ready for BGA. Speaking of BGA, we have *finally* decided on a name:

Adaline Grace Arnold

Chad and I just love this name and we love being able to call BGA Adaline. It makes the whole process much more personal when we are talking to and about her.

I also made my first midwife appointment which is on May 3rd, 2010. I'm very excited to meet my midwife and ask a multitude of questions about delivery, preparation, and breastfeeding. I'm so grateful that Denver Health has a midwife program. I was also able to go to our first interview with Rayma, a home day care provider. I really liked her and her home, and we have another interview scheduled in a few weeks. We plan to visit many more day cares, but this process is very draining. We ordered our stroller, a BOB stroller that is. :) Chad also assembled the crib before I got home one night (a very sweet surprise):

I'm also throwing in a picture of our sweet puppy, Willis, who is anxiously awaiting Adaline's arrival and has recently discovered that he can fit comfortably under her crib.

As I mentioned before, Chad and I have been busy busy lately.

We were able to go to a Rockie's game on opening weekend. It was beautiful outside and a perfect day for a baseball game.

We also spent some time in Boulder (where we ordered our stroller) last weekend. I just have to boast that the weather lately has been incredible! Well, except for today. Rain and thunder all day.

Boulder is just gorgeous in the spring.

Getting homemade ice cream, of course. Notice that belly. Ridiculous.

Last weekend, we also got to go to a crawfish boil at Nono's with The Whatley's. My heart and stomach have been craving Louisiana lately--and my stomach is now satisfied after I ate several pounds of crawfish. It definitely put me in a happy place...then the heartburn came and made me crabby for a bit. But, I would do it again every weekend if I could, heart burn and all.

Introducing the Whatley's.

YUMM.

Chad is not a big fan of the deliciousness that is crawfish. Although, and I am proud to say this, he learned how to eat them that day.

Finally, I have a few pictures from week 24 (1/2).

My belly is definitely growing, but I feel great other than occasional bouts of heartburn and some extreme emotions. Pregnancy has been good. And I am so very grateful that i have been able to truly enjoy this time. Now that I have written a book, I'm going to go read Baby Wise--more about this later.

-Mary Allyn

22 Week update

Hello all! With a few friendly reminders, I have finally sat down to blog. :) I'm now 22 weeks and 4 days along in this pregnancy. *picture below* I feel great, too! I had a check up last week with my doctor, and everything is going well! BGA's heartbeat is strong at 145. The ultrasound results were also all VERY good.

Things have been busy busy busy around the Arnold Household, not to mention that BGA is really starting to move now. That is such an incredible feeling. Chad's mom (or Grammy) just left after spending a whirlwind weekend here in Denver. We we were able to look at baby furniture and Chad and her went skiing. It was a good time, for sure!

While Grammy was here, she got to experience two of the first services of Refuge Community Church. Chad and I have been part of a home church since September. We were graciously given the opportunity to start having services at Bethlehem Lutheran in Lakewood for FREE! What a blessing. Our Easter series was really amazing. We are also so very thankful for the community that Refuge offers Chad and I during this crazy transition and always. God has given us such good and genuine friendships here in Denver, when we are so far away from our parents and other dear friends of ours.

In nursery news, we have ordered our crib and it has come in! We will pick it up this weekend and Chad will put it together on Sunday. Pictures to come of the process and the final product). We have also received the tree decal we ordered! It will be a task to put it up, but we think it will be much better than painting. What do you think of the colors we chose to do the nursery in? (note the colors in the tree decal below):

I have been looking for a mobile to put above the crib. Thanks to etsy.com (I love love love this website--its full of amazing homemade and manufactured products. It is also where I ordered the tree decal), I found several bird mobiles that I love. Here is my favorite one so far, what do you think?

In other random news, Chad and I plan to enjoy this beautiful Denver weather and go on a light hike this weekend. I officially do not fit in my (or others that friends have given me) ski pants, so I can longer go skiing with Chad. I was able to go skiing (with the blessing of my doctor) until about 3 1/2 months along.

well, I don't want to ramble on tonight. I feel like I have so much to write about. This is a definite sign that I need to blog more, and I will! More to come, promise.