Odin,
You may not want to read this [so don't], but I wanted there to be a record. So often people can't remember the details, and apparently, I won't either. It's true what they say though, once you are here, all the pain and challenges disappear. It's true. I would take all the pain all over again, knowing you were the reward. For the record, I felt this way prior to labor as well.
The story goes, you were technically due on May 7th, but prior to going to the doctor, the internet told us May 8th. We kept our story consistent and told everyone May 8th, also because that was Mother's Day and I could charmingly say that that was your day. Funny thing, that was exactly when you came. I told everyone that you would go over because you were such a peanut (small belly in comparison), but secretly I am so glad you didn't torture me and go over. I was dying to meet you (see all prior entries)!
On May 7th, I started having what felt like period cramps in my back. I didn't think much of it, because I didn't want to get excited and plenty of people get such pains throughout their pregnancies. Low and behold at 1:45am on May 8th, I was awoken with legit cramps. I rolled over to your dad and said, "do you want to know that I am having cramps." and the sleepy love jolted up saying, "Yes, I am your support person." This is how he has been throughout the experience - feeding me well, taking care of me, ensuring both of our health. The cramps were consistent, getting us excited, until I got out of bed... they were then random all afternoon. At about 2pm (after 12 hrs of pre-labor), it all changed like that. Every 5 minutes I was having contractions. I became non-communicative, as your dad read in the book, which gave him much guidance and comfort in knowledge. At 3:15pm we arrived at OMC's Women's Health Pavilion. I was dilated to 8cm. They measured your vitals and both of us were doing well. I labored in the tub for 45 minutes. I didn't want essential oils or music as I anticipated, bossing your dad around to shut everything off. He was so thoughtful to want to help, rub my back, etc. I was incapable of thinking about anything else but the pain, and breathing. I began my labor contractions in the tub, having about three there. I felt my water break and heard a pop. It scared me. They got me out of the tub, your dad and a nurse walking me to the bed. They raised the bed, rushed to get setup, the midwife (Pat Hinck?!) held a rag and sat underneath me. As I stood, I pushed four times, each more painful. I screamed like a beast. Your dad had no idea I could even make those noises. I guess that's where my power comes from. I could only just feel the top of your head. I didn't think I could do anymore, so by push four, you rocketed out in one shot. You were sunny side-up, hence the back labor. Your dad yelled, "It's a BOY!" They placed you between my legs. We nuzzled face to face, waited for your chord to stop pumping, then your dad cut it.
The rest is a blur of cleanups, and stitches and bliss. You were here. That is the only part of the story that mattered. I now had you in my arms, the only place I every wanted you. I will ever want you. If you are anywhere else, it will be too far. I love you, Odin.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
You're HERE!
Dear Baby Odin,
You are lying happily next to me, kicking, throwing your arms wildly as I write this. You are now 11 days old and the perfect boy. You are healthy and lively and funny and easy. We could not have asked for anything more. From night one, you latched like a dream. You came out 6lbs 9oz and 19.25 inches at 4:36pm on May 8, 2016, Mother's Day (right on time, kind of). Since then, you have been a good eater, sleeper, pooper and player. It's funny that those things matter, but they do. They indicate your health in all ways, and that is so very very important.
What I love about you beyond the health and ease are your faces, your many many faces! You are getting dimples now and smiling more every day. You lock eyes with me when I feed you. You make the stinking cutest noises I have ever heard on EARTH! It's like you wrote the book on cute noises. When you sleep, you weeze and your dad and I appreciate that. We love it, because we love you, and we love that you let us know you are breathing. Thank you for your consideration ;) I love that you look like your dad. Your hair is blonde when it's on top is blonde (when clean) and pretty thin. That's normal - don't develop a complex about that, there will be plenty of time for that in your twenties. You look like your dad - he's got a pretty baby face and so do you. You also have his long skinny legs. With those legs you KICK and then snap them back just as quickly. You punch your arms randomly. You wiggle your fingers like I do, in weird contorted ways (it makes me proud).
When you feed, you do the funniest things, again, like you wrote the book on it. You cry to let me know you are hungry, which is just great! You throw your mouth around wildly from side to side until you latch and you make beast like noise. Sometimes your crazy arms block the boob which is also funny as it frustrates you. Your gulps are high pitched and adorable. Often times you poop or fart during this process because it is literally in one out the other. You are so healthy and I am so grateful. You fart like your daddy. It makes me laugh so hard - you make me laugh so hard. You have brought more joy to my life than I ever knew was possible.
Since your birth, we have gone to the doctor twice. You had dropped weight, so they wanted to check on that (you're back up sooner than expected). Your belly has filled out, despite being skinny all over, you have a barrel there. You peed in the two places we set you down at at the doc. You got a shot, and I wept like a baby (you did not).
Other than that, we hang out in bed a lot (where we eat and sleep). You chill on your dad's and my chest. We go outside on walks, or lie in the backyard. The weather is perfect now - way to pick a due date. Your dog doesn't know what to think of you [yet], but she will love you when you're walking and giving her food. Speaking of walking, we see you moving in no time. You crawl up your dad's chest and have really strong baby legs. You can practically roll over too.
Slow down. We love you so much, we just want you to stay this way forever. You won't, and apparently we will love the future steps as well. I can't imagine loving anything more than you right now, exactly how you are.
Same goes for your dad... he's so mad about you. He is the peace in your life and always should be. I have never heard him speak so sweetly, softly, and lovingly to anyone or anything. Don't use this against us. We will do anything for you.
All the love in two human's hearts... and then some.
You are lying happily next to me, kicking, throwing your arms wildly as I write this. You are now 11 days old and the perfect boy. You are healthy and lively and funny and easy. We could not have asked for anything more. From night one, you latched like a dream. You came out 6lbs 9oz and 19.25 inches at 4:36pm on May 8, 2016, Mother's Day (right on time, kind of). Since then, you have been a good eater, sleeper, pooper and player. It's funny that those things matter, but they do. They indicate your health in all ways, and that is so very very important.
What I love about you beyond the health and ease are your faces, your many many faces! You are getting dimples now and smiling more every day. You lock eyes with me when I feed you. You make the stinking cutest noises I have ever heard on EARTH! It's like you wrote the book on cute noises. When you sleep, you weeze and your dad and I appreciate that. We love it, because we love you, and we love that you let us know you are breathing. Thank you for your consideration ;) I love that you look like your dad. Your hair is blonde when it's on top is blonde (when clean) and pretty thin. That's normal - don't develop a complex about that, there will be plenty of time for that in your twenties. You look like your dad - he's got a pretty baby face and so do you. You also have his long skinny legs. With those legs you KICK and then snap them back just as quickly. You punch your arms randomly. You wiggle your fingers like I do, in weird contorted ways (it makes me proud).
When you feed, you do the funniest things, again, like you wrote the book on it. You cry to let me know you are hungry, which is just great! You throw your mouth around wildly from side to side until you latch and you make beast like noise. Sometimes your crazy arms block the boob which is also funny as it frustrates you. Your gulps are high pitched and adorable. Often times you poop or fart during this process because it is literally in one out the other. You are so healthy and I am so grateful. You fart like your daddy. It makes me laugh so hard - you make me laugh so hard. You have brought more joy to my life than I ever knew was possible.
Since your birth, we have gone to the doctor twice. You had dropped weight, so they wanted to check on that (you're back up sooner than expected). Your belly has filled out, despite being skinny all over, you have a barrel there. You peed in the two places we set you down at at the doc. You got a shot, and I wept like a baby (you did not).
Other than that, we hang out in bed a lot (where we eat and sleep). You chill on your dad's and my chest. We go outside on walks, or lie in the backyard. The weather is perfect now - way to pick a due date. Your dog doesn't know what to think of you [yet], but she will love you when you're walking and giving her food. Speaking of walking, we see you moving in no time. You crawl up your dad's chest and have really strong baby legs. You can practically roll over too.
Slow down. We love you so much, we just want you to stay this way forever. You won't, and apparently we will love the future steps as well. I can't imagine loving anything more than you right now, exactly how you are.
Same goes for your dad... he's so mad about you. He is the peace in your life and always should be. I have never heard him speak so sweetly, softly, and lovingly to anyone or anything. Don't use this against us. We will do anything for you.
All the love in two human's hearts... and then some.
Friday, May 6, 2016
ANY DAY NOW!!!
Baby,
I went to the doctor yesterday, and they said ANY DAY NOW!!! Annie, the midwife's actual words were, "I would be surprised if you made it through the weekend." It's Friday now, Sunday is Mother's Day, so if you could make me a mother by then, that'd be much appreciated (winky kissy face). This means you may have to share your birthday with my holiday, but for me, there is nothing more appropriate to celebrate.
Yesterday, my cervix had softened to 80% and I was dilated to 2cm. The midwife was so surprised when she reached in, how quickly she felt your tiny little head. You were RIGHT THERE, head down, READY TO GO! No longer are you keeping me up at night with movement, pee breaks, and hip adjustments, but the thought of NOW, maybe now?!
I went to the doctor yesterday, and they said ANY DAY NOW!!! Annie, the midwife's actual words were, "I would be surprised if you made it through the weekend." It's Friday now, Sunday is Mother's Day, so if you could make me a mother by then, that'd be much appreciated (winky kissy face). This means you may have to share your birthday with my holiday, but for me, there is nothing more appropriate to celebrate.
Yesterday, my cervix had softened to 80% and I was dilated to 2cm. The midwife was so surprised when she reached in, how quickly she felt your tiny little head. You were RIGHT THERE, head down, READY TO GO! No longer are you keeping me up at night with movement, pee breaks, and hip adjustments, but the thought of NOW, maybe now?!
Monday, May 2, 2016
May Baby
When we woke up yesterday, your dad said, "looks like we won't be having an April baby." And it's true! You are a Taurus, a May baby no matter what now (I'd be induced no later than May 21st). Speaking of your birthday, would you like to give us a little warning as to when that would be? We are sitting at a very health 39 weeks now, and you are welcome to come into this world any time. I have been very patiently waiting for the almost ten months. Now, I can finally say things like, "I can't wait!" For the longest time, I could wait, I could wait for you to fully develop, because I didn't want you to start off struggling. You are big and strong and fat and fully developed now, so go ahead and start throwing those really painful contractions my way, OK?
Last week, on our way home from visiting your friend Sloane, and your uncle Jared, you were shifting around like crazy, very different shifting. When we finally got out of the car, I could tell you had dropped. This week's doctor appointment, the midwife said that you head was deep down. I was 1cm dilated and my cervix was medium (neither mean a whole lot, besides the ball has started rolling). I also lost part of my mucus plug on Saturday morning. It could still be another three weeks till we get to meet you though. Please don't make me wait that long!
Saturday, besides losing my plug, was a big day. Your uncle Jared and aunt Heather announced that they will be having a baby BOY, Mason Henry Hinkel. Little do you know right now, that nugget of a man will be your best friend and you will grow up together. I've talked about it before, but it's even more real now.
As with everything these days, I question if this will be "my last", my last post to you while you are in my belly. This morning I shaved my legs and painted my toe nails. Will those be the last times I do that before you are here? Although, I look forward to doing both of those when you're hear rather than reaching around you all the time. You dad and I killed it on our chores list this weekend, thinking the whole time, will this be the last time I vacuum without you strapped to my chest, etc. The answer is that only you know. Only you know what gender you are, and when you will finally pay us a visit. Go easy on me on your way out, would ya? ;)
I hope this is my last post...
Last week, on our way home from visiting your friend Sloane, and your uncle Jared, you were shifting around like crazy, very different shifting. When we finally got out of the car, I could tell you had dropped. This week's doctor appointment, the midwife said that you head was deep down. I was 1cm dilated and my cervix was medium (neither mean a whole lot, besides the ball has started rolling). I also lost part of my mucus plug on Saturday morning. It could still be another three weeks till we get to meet you though. Please don't make me wait that long!
Saturday, besides losing my plug, was a big day. Your uncle Jared and aunt Heather announced that they will be having a baby BOY, Mason Henry Hinkel. Little do you know right now, that nugget of a man will be your best friend and you will grow up together. I've talked about it before, but it's even more real now.
As with everything these days, I question if this will be "my last", my last post to you while you are in my belly. This morning I shaved my legs and painted my toe nails. Will those be the last times I do that before you are here? Although, I look forward to doing both of those when you're hear rather than reaching around you all the time. You dad and I killed it on our chores list this weekend, thinking the whole time, will this be the last time I vacuum without you strapped to my chest, etc. The answer is that only you know. Only you know what gender you are, and when you will finally pay us a visit. Go easy on me on your way out, would ya? ;)
I hope this is my last post...
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