Birth Preferences

The Husband and I have faithfully been attending our Bradley classes to help prepare us for the birth of baby girl.  My goal is a vaginal, unmedicated birth.  Although our preferences may not have been your preferences, I thought it would be nice to share our plan.   

Disclaimer:  I am well aware, like any plans you make in life, things are subject to change and in the end the heath of our daughter and myself are of highest priority.  

Birth Preferences

o   End goal:  A healthy mom and a healthy baby girl!

o   Overview:  We chose ("name of our hospital") for the birth of our daughter because of your reputation for allowing women to birth naturally. 

o   We understand that situations may arise that would cause deviation from this plan. 

o   We expect that any doctors/nurses/midwives would discuss all procedures with us before they are performed – including why it is necessary, risks, benefits and alternatives in order to help us make the best possible birthing experience for all involved. 

LABOR

o   Our desire is to use the Bradley Method as much as possible to help facilitate our desire for a med-free birth.                                                                       

PROCEDURE                        PREFERENCES

Vaginal Exams            Minimal internal vaginal exams.

                                 During any vaginal exam, I would prefer for my membranes to not be broken.

Augmentation             If baby and mother are healthy, I prefer to go at least 12-14 days over my due date.  If induction 

                                     becomes necessary, I would like to try natural techniques first (with guidance of my practitioner).

IV                              I would prefer a heparin lock over an IV.  Please place it in my forearm. 

Fetal Monitoring          I prefer to be only intermittently monitored to allow for as much mobility as possible during labor.

Pain Relief                  I am prepared to try to handle pain with natural and alternative methods.  Please do not offer pain 

                                    medications.

2^nd Stage Labor          I would prefer no time limits on pushing, as long as baby and mom are healthy.

                                 It is important to me to push instinctively.

                                 I would prefer to tear, rather than receive an episiotomy.

                                 Please use methods such as oils, compression, massage and encourage me to breathe properly for 

                                 slower crowning.

BABY

o   As long as my baby is healthy, I would like for her to immediately placed skin-to-skin on my abdomen after birth.   I would like for her to stay there for a minimum of two hours. 

PROCEDURE                        PREFERENCES

Cord Cutting          Please wait for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before clamping.

I would like for Husband to then cut the cord, if desired, after the pulsing has stopped.

Placenta                 I would prefer for the placenta to be born spontaneously without the use of pitocin.

Breastfeeding         Please do not allow any visitors until after my baby has successfully breastfed on both breasts (at a 

                              minimum of two hours).

                            My baby is to be exclusively breastfed.  Do not offer formula, water, or any artificial nipples

                             I would like to see a lactation consultant for further recommendations and guidance.

Rooming In           I would like full rooming in, no separation, no exceptions, unless my baby is sick. 

                  I would like to have all routine newborn procedures in room. 

Bath                      Please do not bathe my baby.

Eye Drops             Please do not administer eye drops to my baby.  I am willing to sign a formal waiver.

Vitamin K              Please do not administer vitamin K to my baby.  I am willing to sign a formal waiver.

Immunizations       I prefer any immunizations to be postponed to a later time.                   

Any suggestions?  Things to add/delete?  I'd love any additional feedback - as long as it's constructive and understanding that these choices are ours (my husband and myself) to make.       

Pregnancy: 34w, 6d. Nursery Reveal.

Since my last post we I have been in preparation mania for baby girl.  It seems like there is so much to do.  I have been trying to keep my hands busy, so my mind doesn't go into panic about how I will be giving birth within the next 7 weeks, and then about how we have to parent her for the next... well... forever.  Thankfully, I know The Husband is in this with me, and he's the best partner I could imagine.  He's really been a rock star through the pregnancy and seeing him with baby girl is going to be the highlight of my life.  

Over the next few days/week, I have several posts planned.  

• Nursery Reveal Photos - today!
• Baby Gear
• Birth Plan
• Hospital Checklist

All of your experienced mamas lurking on this blog... I would love your feedback, ideas and helpful hints.  I am certainly a researcher by nature, but nothing beats first hand experience!  So comment on the posts or email me directly! I'd love to know what worked for you!  

Now... the Nursery Reveal.  I'll try to include as many details as possible.  If you have any specific questions, leave me a comment and I'll try to look it up!  We tried to keep her (small) room very light and bright, and clearly very feminine.  I didn't really have a vision for the end result... but I love the way everything has come together.  I hope baby girl loves it too.  

View from when you enter her room. 

The door on the left side of the photo is entrance into her closet.  You can see the pink/green/white stripe runs throughout the entire room.

This is the first thing hanging on her wall when you walk in.  It's our family tree.  This was handmade by one of my amazing friends.  It's so special to me.  

Another view from when you take your first step into her room. 

Another step in.

Eventually, I would like to add a small bookshelf, or display case to this area.  I foresee many books being read together in that rocking chair with the owl lamp on.  

That quote that we had painted onto wood (see below for Etsy Shop Info) is quite possibly my most favorite thing in her room.  It really speaks to me, as a mother, and what I want to instill in my daughter.  That quote is something that I hope becomes apart of our baby girl's soul.  I hope our little one is brave, strong, and smart.  

This is the start of her library (sitting on top of the tall 6 drawer dresser)

I stalked PBK for those owl bookends to go on sale.  My patience paid off!  They're perfect.  

This is my very first DIY Pinterest Project.  A headband holder!  See below for details.  

You can see the things on top of the dresser from afar.  You can also see how meticulous The Husband was in making sure those stripes were p.e.r.f.e.c.t.

Changing Table.

In those baskets are cloth diapers, cremes, shampoos, etc.  The bottom box holds all of the sweet cards I received at the baby shower.  Someday it will be more storage.  

My sister found inspiration online and created these three owl canvases.  She used three kinds of fabric and glued them to individual canvases and then had them framed.  I love them.  I was also able to use her extra fabric for that headband holder.  

On the interior wall is her crib.  It was hand painted by my dad and very special to me.  

I just love the bedding.  My mom really wanted to buy bumpers.  I'm not sure if/when we will feel comfortable using them - but because little miss will be camping out in our room for the first few months, they are there to display.  We will re-evaluate in a few months. But they are very sweet. 

We purchased these wooden letters off Etsy, and I love them!  The Husband and I spent a solid hour and a half measuring out everything and making sure each letter was perfectly spaced.  See below for details on Etsy shop.  

 There you have it.  E's sweet room.  I go in there on a daily basis and sit in the rocker and imagine what life will be like in a few very short weeks.  I am so excited, nervous, anxious, and filled with anticipation about my life as a new mother.  Hopefully E will be understanding and patient as I learn.  

Here are the details I can remember off the top of my head.  If you have any additional questions, just let me know! 

Walls:  

• Pink Paint Color:  Behr Ultra "Radient Rose" (we color matched to a Glidden eggshell)
• Green Paint Color:  Glidden "Fresh Guacamole" in eggshell
• White Paint Color:  Glidden base color (nothing added) in eggshell
• Tan Paint Color:  That is the color the builder used throughout the house.  It's called "Montgomery Sand" but I don't know the brand.  

Furniture: 

• 6 drawer dresser:  Ikea Hemnes (we paid $199 on sale)
• Changing Table:  Garage sale find that The Husband and I painted with leftover white paint from the walls (we paid $15)
• Rocker:  Pottery Barn kids Wingback Rocker in green twill (we paid approx $700 for this chair).
• I must say, this chair was a huge splurge for us, but I bought it in green hoping that it would be used with all future children.  I'm not a fan of the wooden gliders, and this chair was incredibly comfortable. We did receive a gift from a family member of cash that enabled us to swing this chair.  
• Night Stand (2 drawer):  Ikea Hemnes 2 drawer dresser (we paid $79 on sale)
• Crib:  My mom bought it for us, and my dad painted it.  (free to us)  I have no idea the name.  
• Curtain:  Pottery Barn Kids, Audrey Chenille Dot Blackout Curtain - Green ($89)

End Table Decor:

• Owl Lamp:  Target (shower gift, and I replaced the shade with an $8 find at walmart).  
• Moon Bank:  Shower gift.  I have no idea where she found it. 
• Purple Christopher Robin Quote:  Etsy Seller "WallBling" ($70)
• Sound Machine:  Babies R Us, The First Years Sounds... ($40)

Dresser Decor:

• Owl Bookends:  Pottery Barn Kids ($19 on sale).  (They don't appear to carry the blue anymore...)
• Faux Wood Mirror:  Homegoods ($29)
• Books:  All shower gifts
• DIY Headband Holder:  Found this on Pinterest (this ended up being free, as I had everything on hand)
• Headbands you saw on the holder:  Etsy Seller: "SnuggleBugBowtique" (and omg, these are precious!) (total cost:  $45)
• Cool Mist Humidifier:  Babies R Us, Crane Cool Mist Drop Shape - Blue  ($40)

Changing Table Decor:

• Changing Pad Cover:  Amazon.com, Carters Super Soft Dot Changing Pad Cover ($15)
• White Storage Cubes:  Target, Fabric Folding Bin - White (shower gifts)
• 3 Owl Photos (on the wall):  Handmade, by my sister (free to us).  I know she found the wooden frames at Aaron's Brothers.

Crib/Bedding:

• Bedding:  Pottery Barn Kids, Haley (all of the bedding was a gift from my parents)
• Wooden Name Letters above her crib:  Etsy Seller:  "goinggaga" (12 inches) ($76)

Pregnancy: 29w3d

Last week was our specialist's appointment.  All in all, we came out more confident than we went in.  So that's good.

Long story short... Little miss is small all over.  Which isn't surprising since The Husband and I made her.  Basically, all of measurements are calculated and compared against the 'average', and then they are graphed out, within the (wide) span of 'normal' (on the + or - side of the average line).  Our baby's measurements all fall on the small side of average, just within that normal range.  Her head measurements fall just out of that span of normal - but really, not that far away from the rest of her body.  In the end, there are no "disproportionate" concerns.  

The specialist said she really was not concerned and that little miss would probably just be a petite little thing.  Which is fine by me.  I do have to continue to see the specialist once a month to track growth and make sure the baby doesn't fall any lower on that graph.  So grow, baby, grow.   I secretly love the extra ultra sounds and opportunities to see her beautiful little self - but I'd prefer for her to put on a couple pounds, and inches before we return to the doctor!

I'm feeling more and more uncomfortable as the days tick along.  I'm trying to remember that just 10 weeks from now, we'll be at her due date.  Simultaneously, time seems to be flying by and dragging.  I'm not sure how that's possible... but it is, apparently.  I've been a shopping machine lately, and our baby shower is approaching, so our house should start looking like a daycare at any moment now.

Here is her beautiful (smashed) little face.  She's buried super low into my pelvis, so getting an image of her face is tricky!  She's hiding that tiny head very well!

...and sorry if 4d photos freak you out.  Honestly, they kinda freak me out, too... but I'm embracing it, cause, that's my kid and all...

Perfectly Imperfect.

That deep, gut wrenching, stomach churning, pain that is so unfamiliar you can't even begin describe where it came from or what it means...  I assume that's mommy worry.  I've had tough breaks, and stress, and unexpected pitfalls in my life - but the thought that something isn't exactly right for your baby is completely different.  It's a feeling so deep and specific, I know I've never felt it until now.  

So many moms (myself included) spend countless hours creating a nursery that is perfectly designed.  Clothes hang in the closet that have been organized by month and perfectly folded pajamas sit in dressers.  Hours of research go into finding the best car seats, and bedding, and swings... and all the other 'stuff' that makes for a perfect transition into parenthood.

It suddenly doesn't matter if you have concerns about your baby's growth.

Six weeks ago, The Husband and I had our anatomy scan at my regular obgyn's office.  They mentioned she was very low in my pelvis, making it difficult for them to measure her.  I needed to come back in four weeks for another ultrasound so they could get measurements of her head.  I chalked it up to her being her 'father's daughter' and stubbornly hiding.  

At 24w3d, I returned for another ultra sound.  After the ultra sound, my doctor mentioned that our little girl's head measurements were falling behind.  The head measurements were not proportional to her body growth.  At 24 weeks, her head was at least 2.5 weeks behind.  It became clear that they got small measurements at my 20 week, but weren't sure... due to her position.  However, the 24 week ultra sound confirmed.  I've been given a referral to see a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist on September 11th.  

My obgyn mentioned that all babies grow at a different paces.  Just like 12 year olds - everyone hits growth spurts at different times.  There is plenty of hope that her head will catch up and she just has an odd growth pattern.  However, a specialist has better equipment and can give a more detailed report.   It's totally possible we will walk into the specialist appointment and her head growth will have caught up.  If not, The Husband and will be able to walk out more knowledgeable and informed - and hopefully with less fear.  The unknown is scary.  

(Googling is even more scary... I don't recommend it.  Ever).

We are choosing not to post anything about our worries on facebook.  I want to wait until after our appointment and we can get some answers.  I would appreciate any of my FB friends to understand and help protect our fears.  

Here is a photo of our perfect little girl, with her perfectly disproportional head. 

I'm so in love.   

Pregnancy: Week 26

The Husband and I have conquered the Ikea furniture!  At last! 

I was so excited I didn't even bother picking up all of his tools before taking these photos.  

(that changing table to the right will eventually be painted...)

When it's all said and done, we're pretty happy with our purchases from Ikea.  I had heard good things about the Hemnes line and there was a sale that allowed me to buy new (vs. craigslist) and not feel guilty about the money.  Although I would have re-finished/painted something from Craigslist, I think this saved us a lot of time, energy and money.  I like the white more than I even expected in her room and the design is simple enough to (hopefully) last her a long time.  

My only complaint is that one of the backs of the drawers wasn't included in our box.  This meant I had to drive back to Ikea (it's a long drive...) and get a replacement part.  I could have waited for them to mail it - but I was getting antsy to check this off of the "to do" list.  

 I also picked up a few of Ikea's drawer organizers.  While her things are still so tiny, I think these will help keep the socks, hats, headbands, pacifiers all separate and organized.  

I do love that these dressers come with a design on the bottom of the drawers.  It's a nice touch.  

I've also got The Husband on board with the cloth diapers.  His only request was an all-in-one style.  I can't blame him, as these are the most like disposable, without actually disposing of them.  

We went to a store and looked at several styles and brands, but we came home with a clear favorite:

Bum Genius Freetimes

They have two 'flaps' inside each one is connected to the diaper on the respective end.  They allow for additional stuffing (for heavy wetters, or overnight).  We also preferred the snap vs. velcro - as we're hoping these diapers will get us through more than one kiddo.  

We went ahead and purchased our first three cloth diapers.  I just love them!

Because these are AIO, I don't anticipate them fitting baby girl as a newborn.  Our plan is to start with disposables as we get our footing as new parents.  Once she's big enough - we'll start the transition into cloth.  That's why we're holding off on purchasing too many CD  items now.  I want to make sure they're going to work well for her - and that it's something realistic for us.  

The Husband also installed our fancy new light dimmer/fan dimmer switch.  He did it one night while I worked late - and said it wasn't too much of a hassle.  

I really like the functionality of this, but my only complaint is that the fan seems to have a "hum" when the light is on.  That wasn't an issue before this was installed.  I'm not sure what is causing the humming, but it's annoying.  I haven't decided if it's a deal breaker or not.  Asking The Husband to un-install it doesn't sound like I want to do quite yet.  

This is the new light switch.  The final plate (that covers the screws) hasn't been installed.  The Husband wants me to be *sure* it's going to stay first. 

In non-photographic news, we attended our first Bradley class this week.  I think it's going to be really good for us.  It was nice to carve out two hours in the middle of the week for The Husband and I to focus just on each other and our growing family.  

I hope she likes stripes...

...until she is 18 years old.  

Because mama isn't interested in painting over these, ever.  

It started out as a simple pink stripe idea.  And like wildfire, it grew into five stripes, with three colors.  

The entire project took us two weekends of fairly constant work (measuring, leveling, re-leveling, taping, painting, second coats...).  Also, our laser level only works on two walls - and this room is oddly shaped so we were constantly checking to make sure everything lined up perfectly.  

It was certainly a labor of love - and in the end - I love the result.  

This next photo will give you a better perspective on how high the stripe sits on the walls.  

(and how oddly shaped the room is.  The door on the left is the door you enter through.  The door on the right is her closet.)

The entire width of the area painted is 31''.

The green stripes are each 4''

The white stripes are 2''

and the pink center stripe is 19''

The Husband also installed a ceiling fan.  All of the bedrooms were boxed and ready for ceiling fans, but we didn't feel like paying the builders an extra $150 per room to pick them out and install them for us.  We purchased three matching fans a few weekends ago (one for baby girl's room, the guest room, and the playroom) and we will slowly get them all installed.  

We also purchased a little gizmo that dims the lights, and changes the speed of the fan through the wall switch.  We haven't gotten around to doing it - but I'm excited to see how it works.  I am way too short for pull chains in this house.  Our ceilings are too high - and the chains have to dangle awkwardly low. I think the wall switch will be a perfect solution.  

Pregnancy: Week 23

Things are moving right along these days.  Finding out the sex of this baby finally put a lot of things into motion.  We have started the nursery transformation... and let me tell you... it's sloooooow going.  

We have two guest rooms that flank either side of a playroom.  We ended up picking the room that was a bit smaller for the nursery, so we could keep the queen in the other guest room for when people come over.  We only had a full sized bed in the nursery.  

We ended up pulling everything out of the room and stashing it in the playroom.

Now, the playroom looks like this:

We purchased three ceiling fans at Home Depot a few weekends ago.  (one for guest room, one for nursery, and one for the playroom).  Ask me if I'm surprised that they're sitting on the floor instead of hanging from the ceiling....

...The answer is NO.  The Husband keeps swearing he can and will take care of it.  We shall see.  

This is what is supposed to be a changing table.  It's turned into quite the 'catch all'.  

On top there are a pile of more girly clothes.  We scored those from a neighbor for about $15.  There are also tu-tu poms that I plan on hanging.  

Under that box of poms... you would find these.  

tiny UT socks.  I dieeeeeeeeee. 

We went to the UT co-op and went a *tiny* bit crazy and came home with those socks, three outfits, and these precious pacifiers.  The girl will bleed orange.

If you look hard enough in the first playroom shot, you can see my most favorite baby item (folded up and on the floor).

the BOB revolution CE

I have been pining for a BOB since, well, before I got pregnant. ha. 

Amazon had a great deal a few weeks ago - so we jumped.  And I love it, as expected.  

(as much as a person who doesn't even have a baby yet, and strolls around the house with an empty stroller, can love a stroller...)

It's plum.  And to all you negative-nellies out there saying "why would she pick plum??? Go gender neutral!!!".  I say "Plum is cuter".  Argument done.  I win.  

In the last post, I mentioned we were going to get the Ikea Hemnes 8 drawer dresser.  Lucky us, they went on sale and I talked The Husband into driving there to buy.  Low and behold... That dresser is TALL!  I'm 5'2'' and The Husband is 5'10''.  It would have certainly worked to put a changing pad on top of the dresser for him... but I don't think I could lift a kid (past infant stage) that high to change them.  After a lot of discussion, we ended up going with the Ikea Hemnes 6 drawer dresser in white.

We changed plans for a few reasons:

1.  The 8 drawer is too tall to reasonably use for a changing table.  Eliminating the "double duty" usage.  

2.  The 6 drawer is tall, and takes up much less floor space - a pro in the small bedroom.  

3.  Once this baby is potty trained we can get rid of the changing table, and that will free up floor space, where as the 8 drawer dresser will always take up more space... even past the diapering phase.  More room to play = good.  

With the money saved on the dresser, we purchased the matching chest with 2 drawers to use as a nightstand.  We still need to paint the current changing table... but what's another weekend 'to do'?  Right, husband????  Oh, and let's add "spend 10 hours assembling Ikea furniture" to that list - mmmkay?

As I said before, her room is slow going.  I had the genius idea to have horizontal stripes.  I thought it was brilliant because our ceilings and walls are the same color (thanks to the builders).  It's a darkish beige that I actually like.  My thought was if we paint the walls - the ceilings going to look random and dark... so we would need to paint the ceiling white, too.  And that felt like too much work.

bahahahahahaha.

bahahahahahahahahahaha.

We could have painted the room and ceilings on three different occasions in the time it has taken us to get to where we are with the stripes.  I was so naive.  

Here was the plan that The Husband and I worked up (on power point):

Tan walls remain the same.

Green stripe 4'' on top and bottom.

White stripe 2'' inside of the green stripes.

17'' pink stripe in the middle.

and yes, you're getting a sneak peak of her name.  This isn't facebook, or email, or spread the word news - por favor.  Most of my own family doesn't know what we picked... and this blog is even private from them - so if you know me in real life.  shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

But, we love it.  It's sweet, feminine, classic, and has some great nickname options.  

We typed in her name (off center... oops) to show that we will have her name cut from wood and displayed within that pink stripe over her name.

So, cute idea, right? 

After two weekends... this is what we have done:

sigh.

 The dark green is 'frog tape'.  We spent several hours trying to ensure that the outside borders were perfectly level, then we primed the entire 31'' span, then we taped out the bottom stripe (just another 2-3 hours of making sure it was level...) and painted it green.

Then we put 2'' tape where the white stripe will be to "protect" that area.  Once The Husband finishes taping out that top stripe, we'll be good to paint the green stripe on top and the pink.  Then, we'll have to go back through and finish off with the white stripe.  

I have total faith I will love it when we're done... but right now... it's a pain in my side.  

Want to know what else is painful?  The tap dancing that is currently taking place on top of my bladder.