Your Arrival

Week 40 came and went. I remember it vividly. I'm not really sure what your father and I were thinking, but we decided a month before your due date to start construction on the basement. We wanted to turn the basement into you and Dylan's playroom. Our goal was to have it complete at least 2 weeks before your due date, but like most house projects, it went way past schedule.

Your due date was May 9, 2012. I stopped working on Friday, May 4th, and took the whole next week as a vacation week. I wanted to get as much rest and relaxation as possible before you arrived. So even though there was still construction going on in the basement, I found myself taking naps, cleaning, watching movies, gardening, and doing all sorts of odds and ends preparing for your arrival. I could NOT wait to meet you. I thought for sure you were going to arrive well before your due date, but nope, the 9th came and went.


It wasn't until Sunday May 13th, Mother's Day of all days, that I started having real contractions. I woke up at 6:30 that morning with my first contraction. At that point they were 45 minutes or so apart, but I knew they were real. It was "hopefully" only a matter of time before your daddy and I could meet you.



By noon time that day the contractions were still only 30 minutes apart. I knew it was going to be a LONG day, since I wasn't even allowed to head to the hospital until they were 5 minutes apart. Your brother Dylan was extremely antsy. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, and all he wanted to do was play outside. Specifically, he wanted to play soccer, run around, go to the park, and ride his bike. Based on how far apart my contractions were I knew it was going to be a while before daddy and I were going to be able to head to the hospital. So instead, we packed up all our bags and headed over to auntie Carrie's house so Dylan could play with his cousins, and I could have some support as I suffered through contraction after contraction.

We spent the entire afternoon there, and it wasn't until around 6:30pm that I thought we might have to head to the hospital. I was giving your brother and Taylor a bath with auntie Carrie, and remember leaning over in SO much pain. I couldn't speak until the contraction was over. At that point the contractions were between 6-8 minutes apart and I knew it was time. Daddy and I left your brother at auntie's house (auntie Karin was going to pick him up and take him home), and headed to the hospital. We got to the hospital around 8pm, got checked in, got examined, and headed straight to our delivery room. I was 4 cm dilated and fully effaced. I had already been through over 12 hours of contractions, so I opted to have the epidural right away.

The next 2 hours went by so quickly. Grama showed up and stayed in the room with us until it was time to push. Both Grama and daddy made bets on when you were going to arrive. Daddy knew it was going to be before midnight, but Grama and I didn't think it was going to be until the next day. Sure enough, right around 11:10pm I started feeling a ton of pressure, and started feeling nauseous. I was having bad pain in my side, so they checked to see how far along I was, and what do you know, you were ready to make your appearance. It was time to push.

Grama went out into the waiting room, and daddy stood beside me and held my hand. I did a couple practice pushes to ensure I was pushing properly, and after just a few really big pushes, our little baby girl, Lauren Elizabeth was born. 5/13/12 at 11:25pm. 7 lbs, 8 ounces, 20" long.

There were no complications, no chord wrapped around your neck, no issues, nothing. You were simply perfect. They put you on my chest and I held you there for as long as they would allow me to before they needed to take you and weigh you, and clean you all up. I couldn't believe what I had just done - again. First with your brother, and now with you. I had just experienced, again, the most beautiful miracle on earth. What could be more beautiful than the birth of a child? I thanked god that evening, and thank god each and every day for blessing me with our healthy children. You and your brother mean the absolute world to me, and I love you more than words could ever say. One day when you are all grown up and have children of your own, only then will you know just how much I love you.

Your father stayed with us in the hospital the entire time, and your brother came to meet you the very next day. He was so very sweet. He brought you a special gift (a glow worm), and in return you gave him a Finn Mcmissle car AND the trampoline that he jumps on everyday in the playroom. It was love at first sight with the two of you. He adores you, and wants to protect you, and you admire him, and follow him around everywhere. It is every parents wish to have siblings who love each other the way you do. I realize things can change, but I can't imagine things any different than they way they are at this very moment.

You are so very loved sweet baby Lulu. We will love you forever and always, and vow to protect you and be the best parents we possibly can be.

Weeks 38 & 39

We're in the home stretch, and I'm definitely feeling it. She is moving like crazy still, which is a great sign, but like I've mentioned already, it can be rather uncomfortable. I guess I should just cherish it right :) When do you get to feel a little miracle moving around inside you besides when you're pregnant?

So all is going well. Honestly, I'm feeling great, just the normal tiredness, cramping, and uncomfortableness of feeling her move lower and lower, but overall, feeling great. I did have a couple of moments where I thought it might be "time," but it was a false alarm. It was just practice contractions (so my doctor tells me) prepping me for the real thing. She said I'd probably have even more of them, as it's apparently normal with consecutive pregnancies.

At last Friday's appointment the doctor said I was measuring great, and that the baby was "in position" and pretty low. She also said I was about 1 cm dilated, but that could mean nothing. Baby Lulu is going to come when she's good and ready. I can't WAIT to meet her. Aaron and I are getting very very excited. We can't wait to see what she looks like, WHO she looks like, what color hair she has, or even how much hair she'll have. It's all just one big surprise. :)

And what's crazy, is that I so felt that I was going to gain more weight with this one than I did with Dylan. Mainly because I gained the bulk of my weight this time at the very beginning before I was even 20 weeks along. However, it turns out I've gained the same exact weight as I did with Dylan, just 22 lbs.

We'll be sure to keep everyone updated as to Lulu's arrival and share as many photos as possible after she's born. Tonight might just be the night, as she really is going crazy in there right now. As Aaron would say, she wants OUT!

Weeks 35, 36 & 37

I can't believe we're almost in our 38th week. The past few weeks have flown by, and the last couple weeks are going to be here before we know it. I'm praying she doesn't come early, but must say I've been extremely crampy lately, and she feels really low. Almost as if she's kicking or punching my pelvis to try and get out. Sleeping is extremely uncomfortable right now, and my mind won't settle at night as I have so much going through my head. Not to mention, getting up 7 times a night to go to the bathroom doesn't help the sleeping situation either ;-)

I know I've mentioned the Braxton Hicks contractions being pretty bad, but they're only getting worse, which I guess is to be expected. This little girl is taking up every ounce of my belly and stretches from one end to the other all day long. Some of her jabs are actually quite uncomfortable.

As promised, here are some photos of our little girl's nursery. We will need to get letters for her name to place over her crib, but otherwise it's pretty much complete. Cute eh! Sorry Dylan, but it was a bit more fun decorating a little girls room.

And of course, a belly shot. Here I am at 37 weeks and 5 days. At last Friday's doctor's appointment I was measuring perfectly, had gained 22 lbs to date, and all else was good. I do have to say that I'm starting to get nervous about the actual delivery. I haven't really thought too much about it, but it's been on my mind quite a bit lately. And I'm also getting really sad to be away from Dylan for a couple days. I feel like he's going to be so sad, confused, and left out. He'll always be my baby boy - I need to ensure I remind him of this often.

Week 32, 33 & 34

Wow. Is this baby kicking my butt or what? I think she might take after her mother in the kickboxing/boot camp arena. Even Aaron got a little freaked out tonight with the amount of moves she had going on. But I guess that's good right? I get nervous sometimes when I don't feel her enough, but nights like tonight put my mind at ease.

All in all, things are still going very good for baby girl Katz and mommy. She's growing perfectly according to the doctor, and mommy has gained 20 lbs to date. Not too shabby. With Dylan, I gained a total of 22 lbs, so I am expecting to reach 30 with baby Lulu. I thank my mom for the good genes in the baby weight gain department.

According to my latest Babycenter update, she's just about 5 lbs and already 18" long, although her central nervous system and lungs are still continuing to mature.

As I mentioned, in general I'm feeling great, although I've been sick with a cold for over a week now that just doesn't want to go away. However, acid reflux hasn't really been an issue for me this time around. I'm able to eat mexican, red saucess, etc without having any issues, so that's good. I am of course uncomfortable at nighttime, and have to pee ALL the time now, but that's all pretty typical.
Aaron and I have been very busy though. Work is extremely busy for the both of us, and we're kicking off some pretty big house projects at the same time. The biggest being finishing the basement so that Dylan has a place to go and play. He's kind of outgrowing the dining room that we made into a semi-playroom when he was born ;-) He feels very special, and is super excited for his new playroom to be completed.

I promise to have room pictures in the next post. I just got a couple more pieces from work, so it's now 80% complete. It's going to be super cute, just waiting on a couple small items and her toy chest that my father is working on.

Week 29, 30, & 31

The past few weeks have been interesting. Dylan and I were both sick one weekend. Only Dylan was vomitting, but he was doing so all over mommy. Braxton Hicks contractions have started. And seem to happen all too often. I have strict orders now from the doctor to sit down, rest and drink a lot of water who once they start, but who can do that when they have a 3 year old at home to take care of? And as we begin our 32nd week I can now say that I vividly remember how uncomfortable sleep got during the last couple of months. I actually went out and bought a twin size foam mattress pad for my side of the bed and have started sleeping with extra pillows for support.

Hopefully over the next couple of weeks we'll get the baby's room to a point where I can share pictures with you all. It's coming out very cute, but there's still a few big things left to do. And as promised, here's a 31 week belly shot. Doctor has all good things to say. We're measuring perfectly, heartbeat is great and total weight gain so far is 18 lbs. We're feeling good, and she's moving around all the time. Both Dylan and Aaron compete to see who can feel the baby the most - it's very, very cute.

By the next time I write I'll be seeing the doctor on a weekly basis, how crazy is that. Our little girl Lulu's time in my belly is going by so quickly, however we are hoping she stays inside right up until her due date, May 9th!

Week 26, 27 & 28

Technically, I'm now into my 29th week, but I really didn't want to write for four weeks. That would just mean that I've been completely slacking vs. just a little bit. So things have been pretty good. Overall, I'm still feeling great. Baby girl Katz is moving quite often now, sitting really low, and certainly putting lots of pressure on me, but that's ok. One thing I wish she didn't give me, would be acid reflux. It's starting to kick in really bad, which actually makes a whole lot of sense. It was right around this time that I started having it when I was pregnant with Dylan. I haven't had to cut tomato sauce or mexican out completely yet, but I'm imagining having to within a few weeks. We shall see.

What else? Oh, Ms. Mama Katz was named Super Mom of the week by Big City Moms. I was so honored when they asked me. What a great feeling.

I have another appointment coming up next Friday where I'll have to drink that yucky orange glucose drink. Let's hope all goes well.

We've also started setting up her room, which I think I already mentioned, but will hopefully send pictures through in my next post. It's coming along, but will never truly be finished until after she's actually born.

And Dylan is still doing great with the whole baby thing. He's gentle and really sweet with my belly, and is now starting to ask when can she come out and play. :)

Sorry that this weeks picture doesn't actually show my growing bare belly. Things are so busy at home, that I actually had to have someone at work take the photo vs. having Aaron take it. Plus, I'd rather the picture be of me in normal clothes vs. sweats. It's funny to compare photos and entries from the original blueberry blog. Clicking there will bring you to my 28th week with Dylan. It's crazy to see how similar my pregnancies have been so far.

So hopefully next time I'll have room photos and bare belly shots to share with you all. Thanks for reading...

Week 24 & 25

Less than 15 more weeks to go, I can't believe it. It's a little scary how quickly the time is going by. My goal this week is to hit up Babies R' Us and buy several of the "must-have" things on my list, i.e. diapers, wipes, new mattress, etc. I also need to start washing some of the new and used clothing I have so we have something to put this little lady in when she arrives. I also want to start setting up her room a little bit more than it is. Right now it's just Dylan's old baby furniture with a ton of misc stuff just laying around.
Dylan's doing great though, and his room is coming along. We only have a few more things to buy for the walls in his room, but otherwise he's really enjoying his new room, and he's sleeping very well. Take a look.

So, let's see, what's new with me? I still feel good, getting real tired again though. To the point, where I fall asleep in Dylan's bed with him when putting him to bed at night. She's also moving a lot more each and every day, which Aaron loves. He was finally able to feel her kick which was so nice for him - he's been waiting patiently.

I also had my 25 week follow-up. All is good - gained another 3 lbs in the past 3 weeks, totalling 17 lbs thus far. Our next appointment is in 4 weeks where I get to take the gluclose test.

Not too much else to share this week. Maybe I'll get to share some progress to baby girl Katz's room by my next blog post??? That'll be my goal.