Cassidy Reese. 1/23/2013.

     So many of you know that Cassidy (Cassie) was born last Wednesday night, but none of you really know the story.  The story starts a few weeks before birth.  See at about 37 weeks pregnant I developed horrible pelvic pain that was debilitating most of the time.  I had a hard time washing my own feet because I would be in so much pain.  I almost peed the bed one night because getting out of bed was the worst thing in the entire world.  This pain never went away and I started begging my doctor for an induction at about 38 weeks.  He said no and there was nothing I could do.  But at my 39 week appointment, the doctor I saw was on board for an induction considering that I was already dilated and over 39 weeks.  And much to our surprise we were able to go in for induction THAT VERY DAY, about 2.5 hours after my appointment.
     After the appointment, Scott and I came home from the hospital and got ready.  I showered.  He handled a few things at work.  We ate lunch- corn dogs and chips (which by the way is not a meal to eat before an induction or labor because about 4 hours into the process I was starving).  We took Maggie to her friends house for a sleep over and then we were on our way.  We left home at a little after noon and arrived at labor and delivery at about 12:35.  We went straight into a delivery room and got the process started.
     I started receiving pitocin at the lowest dosage at about 1:45.  They then increased the dose every 30 minutes or so, unless my contractions were in the correct pattern.  I immediately started feeling contractions, but labored through them pretty easily until about 7:00 or so.  Although I could breathe through the contractions, they were starting to get annoying.  So at about 8:00, I ask for an epidural and received the epidural at about 8:20.  Now the epidural, that process SUCKED.  First off, the insertion of the epidural was pretty painful and took FOREVER.  Then the epidural didn't take on my right side. To get the epidural to take on my right side, I had to lay on my right side.  Then once my right side was numb (or nearly numb), I started getting this HORRIBLE pain in my left side that was not a contraction, but labor related.  This was because the epidural then wasn't working above my belly button on my left side because I was laying on my right side.  Fun stuff, right? (I believe I was still at 4cm at this point.  I honestly don't remember.)
     At 8:51, the doctor broke my water.  This was horrible.  I had soooooo much water that it leaked all the way down to my feet.  The corpsman and mamasan (the cleaning staff, Japanese term) had to change my sheets and such.  After the rupturing of my water, the contractions really picked up and the pressure was ridiculous.  Almost immediately, Cassie descended into position.  Because my epidural pretty much sucked, I had to hold Scott's hand, hold on to the side of the bed and REALLY REALLY concentrate on breathing.  It was the worst pain I have ever been through and hope that I ever go through.  Because these contractions were intense and Cassie moved down, I progressed really quickly.
     Because the pressure was so intense after they broke my water, I did not get the urge to push at first. The doctors and nurses knew I was transitioning to push because I was throwing up (the same thing happened with Maggie).  So at 11:28pm, I started pushing.  I pushed primarily on my own need, as I felt the urge.  I did not need much coaching.  Also, because my epidural sucked, I was able to feel exactly what I was doing (on a reduced scale from an unmedicated birth).  It was intense, but I really concentrated on getting her out.  I wanted the pain to go away.  And so after 17 minutes of pushing at 11:45, Cassidy Reese entered the world with her eyes wide open and screaming her little head off.  She was beautiful and so little!  She has a cool birthday and time (in military time).  She was born 1/23 at 23:45 (all sequential).  
     She was 7 pounds 10 ounces and 19.7 inches long.  (Please remember this is little, Maggie was 9 pounds 6 ounces and 21 inches long).  She was taken to the warmer and cleaned up.  She was given to me at about midnight or a little after and latched perfectly and easily for her first meal.  She received 9 out of 10 on her APGAR tests.
     The best news of it all came the next morning when we finally met with a pediatrician.  The pediatrician told us that Cassie DID NOT have club foot.  The ultrasounds were all wrong and we really have a perfect little girl.

     She is now a week old.  She eats perfectly, although sometimes does not like to latch for a few minutes.  She is already back up to birth weight.  She lost her umbilical cord and so she will receive her first bath tomorrow.  She sleeps wonderfully and loves her bouncer.  Maggie is a huge help and loves her little sister, but refuses to hold her (other than the 60 seconds we got her to hold her in the hospital). She does give her kisses and hugs all the time.  When Cassie cries, Maggie comes running "What's wrong with my baby?".  Maggie also loves getting diapers and wipes for us during changing times.
     Our little family is complete and we love it.  I could not ask for a better husband or better daughters. God has truly blessed me.  And I want to personally (even if through the internet) each of you personally for the thoughts and prayers for Cassie's foot.  It is because of your prayers that she was born without the condition.  Without you guys who knows where we would be right now.

26 weeks.

So I am horrible at these, but at least I am trying... 

Weight Gain: +15

Stretch Marks: No new ones. 

Movement: Little Cassie is a mover.  Yesterday during our ultrasound she even had her foot in front of her face moving it all around.  Scott she will be in gymnastics immediately upon birth.       

Cravings: Cucumbers.  They are all I want.  And chocolate of course.  Oh & I saw a pumpkin pie at the commissary today and I really want it.  Thinking I will buy it Sunday :-)

Sleep:  Pretty horrible.  I am up at least 3 times a night to pee. 

Best moment this week: Scott came home Sunday!!!  And we got to see little Cassie during an ultrasound Wednesday.  Finding out I DO NOT have gestational diabetes. 

Gender: Girl. 

Labor signs: None. 

Maternity clothes: Yes. 

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.  Not being exhausted all the time.  

What I'm looking forward to: finishing her bed skirt & really starting to shop for her next month!  3 months away (96 days until due date)! 

My next appointment: 11/6 for a regular OB appointment.  

Maggie's updated room!

     So in an effort to make my concrete apartment feel like home, I have been doing some updates to Maggie's room.  I made a tutu bedskirt, tutu pom poms, and painted a canvas for her.  We also bought her a rug.

     Here are the updated pictures and links to the tutorials (no pictures of my own).

For a tutorial on the bedskirt, please see Free Stylin'.

I did not do 2 piece of tulle through each hole, but I think I put my hole's closer together.  I also did not add "bling".  I used 6 yards of tulle cut into 6 inch wide strips and 34 inches long (17 inches from top of box spring to floor).  I only put tulle on the two sides of the bed you can see, not all 4 sides.  

For a tutorial on the pom poms, please see Delicate Construction. 

This is just a trial and error kind thing.  I used 1-2 yards of each color, cut in about 6 inch strips that were 108 inches long.  I then used left overs from all colors and bedskirt to make the multi-colored pom pom.  I hung the pom poms from a cord organizer 3M command hook.  

I did paint this by myself.  I started with a layer of the base color (purple and blue).  To add the gradient/ombre effect, I would add a few drops of white to the base every few inches, being sure to blend into the last stripe.  I then let dry and stenciled the letters on and painted with white paint.  

The quote is between Piglet and Winnie the Pooh. 

We got the rug from the AAFES exchange for $38 (6 x 9 feet).  The duvet cover is from IKEA and I think it was between $15-20.  

I hope you like it. 

22 weeks.

     First things first.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my beautiful niece Charlet Michelle!!!  I can't wait to see her, even if she will be a toddler when I do!  Congratulations to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rebecca and Matt.  I wish I could be there to celebrate with you guys.  

Weight Gain: +9

Stretch Marks: No new ones. 

Movement: I can see the baby move without even having to focus on my belly, that's how crazy the movement is already.       

Cravings: Chocolate and Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Sleep:  Pretty horrible.  I can barely keep my eyes open at 7pm, but at 10pm or so I am wide awake. 

Best moment this week: Finding out that the little baby is HEALTHY!!!  The baby does not have any genetic or chromosomal disorders!  We still have to wait until birth to find out about club foot, but we are praying that the baby does not actually have it and it was just the way the foot was laying during the ultrasound. 

Gender: Okay, so every instinct I had was WRONG!!!!  So were most wives tales! So was the whole heartbeat thing! And our first guess was wrong as well.  But Scott and I would like to announce that we are having another little baby GIRL!!!  Her name will most likely be Cassidy Jo (Cassie).  If we stick with Jo, she will be a 4th generation to have the middle name. 

Labor signs: None. 

Maternity clothes: Yes. 

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.  Not being exhausted all the time.  

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the fabric to start decorating her room.  

My next appointment: 10/17 for my second gestational diabetes test; 10/24 for a high risk appointment; 11/6 for my next regular OB appointment

     We are so exited that little girl is healthy and the longer I know that she is a girl the happier I become about it.  Scott is excited that he doesn't have to teach a boy how to pee standing up, lol.
     I have already picked out and ordered all of the fabric for little girls room.  I am excited to get it & the fabric for Maggie's room to start decorating.
     I have also decided that I want a more "natural" birth this time.  I am not ruling out an epidural, but may ask about a walking epidural or just IV medicine to take the edge off.  I am hoping that pursuing this option will allow for a faster, "easier" delivery.
     That is all for now though.

22 weeks 1 day

21 weeks

Weight Gain: +5

Stretch Marks: No new ones. 

Movement: The kicks are getting ridiculous.  They are going to get VERY painful in the end because they already make me jump a little.       

Cravings: Chocolate and Chocolate Lucky Charms (DELICIOUS!!!)

Sleep:  Same as last week

Best moment this week: Seeing the baby again when I went to the hospital Friday night.  It was moving around like CRAZY! 

Gender: We still have a guess.  

Labor signs: None. 

Maternity clothes: Yes. 

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.  Not being exhausted all the time.  

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the results from the amnio. 

My next appointment: 9/25 for a regular appointment

Sorry for no pictures recently... I know I need to get on that.  Maybe next week.

20 weeks

Weight Gain: +5

Stretch Marks: No new ones. 

Movement: The kicks are getting stronger.  I can feel them on the outside.      

Cravings: Chocolate.  

Sleep: I have hit the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy & can no longer sleep on my stomach or my back, so its been rough.  I toss & turn so much that I pull the sheets off the corner of the mattress.  And I have to sleep with an 3 king size pillows just to get comfortable.   

Best moment this week: Ummm, having Scott home with me as I dealt with the emotions & stress of going through the amniocentesis.

Gender: We still have a guess.  

Labor signs: None. I did think I was having contractions one night (Friday) and even went to the hospital.  Apparently, round ligament pains are worse during a second pregnancy and because of my scaring from my ovarian surgery I am going to have more pain this time. 

Maternity clothes: I am in mostly maternity clothes, but have a few regular shirts that I can still wear.  I am in the in between stage where my regular shirts are too small & most of my maternity shirts are too big. 

What I miss: The excitement of just having a baby.  

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the results from the amnio & my next appointment at 22 weeks.  

My next appointment: 9/25/2012

     I did get the amniocentesis on Tuesday, the day I switched over to 20 weeks.  It was a painful experience, but not as painful as I thought it would be.  I had to rest a lot and thank God that Scott was able to stay home with me Tuesday and after lunch on Wednesday.  This unit is so much better than Tanks in that aspect.  We are now just patiently awaiting the results from the amnio to find out if anything else is wrong and knowing 100% what the sex of the baby is. 

19 weeks.

    This little baby is the newest addition to our family.  I think the baby looks like it's sister, with the Miller nose I inherited from my dad.  You can see the hands and the cute little face, already looking a little chunky.  And while this little baby is perfect, it has a special foot (potentially).
     On Friday September 7th, I went for my anatomy scan to check the skull and spine for defects (I was born with a neural tube defect leaving my children more likely to be born with them).  So far the baby's skull and spine look perfect.  But upon inspection, the baby's left foot is turned in, leading the doctor (Maternal Fetal Medicine) to believe the baby has club foot.  It is singular, but still there.  Because of my history and the fact that club foot can be linked to genetic disorders like Downs Syndrome and Trisomy 18, the doctor suggested I get an amniocentesis.  We go in Tuesday morning for the amnio.  It will take up to 2 weeks for the results.  We are praying that these results come back negative and that the only thing wrong with our little angel is a club foot.
     Club foot is treatable and even famous athletes have been born with club foot (Mia Hamm).  It is also fairly common, happening in about 1 in every 1000 births.  We are optimistic and while it sounds a bit mean, we are praying for nothing to be wrong, but if something is wrong that it is "just" club foot.  We will start meeting with pediatricians and other doctors to plan for treatment, because treatment for club foot starts about 7-10 days after birth, if there are no other complications.
     But now on to my normal update...

Weight Gain: +3 

Stretch Marks: No new ones. 

Movement: The kicks are getting stronger.  I can feel them on the outside.      

Cravings: Chocolate.  

Sleep: It can be good and it can be bad..   

Best moment this week: Seeing our little gummy bear squirm around on the ultrasound on Friday.  

Gender: We still have a guess.  

Labor signs: None. 

Maternity clothes: I am in mostly maternity clothes, but most of my shirts are still a little big to wear. 

What I miss: Right now, just sleep.  

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the results from the amnio. 

My next appointment: 9/11/12 for the amnio & 9/25 for a regular appointment