Isabella Faye - 1 Week

Oh my goodness. Did I just really write that title. One week old. Isabella has been with us for one week. I have been a mommy for one week. Matthew has been a daddy for one week. That is crazy to think. It is still sinking in that I am a mommy. But it really has been the best week of my life. I wouldn't have changed anything if I had too. We have had a great week of first's:

 

Our First Labor

 Our First Birth

Our Fist Exeperience In the NICU

Daddy's First Touch

Mommy's First Touch

Mommy's First Snuggle

Daddy's First Snuggle

Isabella's First Bottle

First Outfit

First Time Meeting Great Grandmom

First Time With Nanna Nancy

First Cuddle From Uncle Andrew

First Time Out of the Hospital

First Few Moments At Home

First Time Meeting Great Granddad

First Cuddles from Pappa Bobby

First Trip To Church

First Visit to Nanna and Pappa Hughes

First Visit from Grammy

And my favorite moment from the week...

The Most Lovely First Smiles

(sorry I don't know why I can't get it to upload in the right direction)

This week has gone by so fast. I have really loved every minute of it. I just wish it would slow down. Tomorrow Matthew goes back to work. It is really sad and scarey all at the same time. Matthew and Isabella have such a great bond. Her eyes just light up when he talks and she looks around to find him. It is so special in this mommy's eyes to see how great of a father Matthew is. It also helps that he helps out so much. My mom is here to help, but it just isn't the same as the teamwork Matthew and I have together.

Isabella I don't want to foget:

• How full and soft your hair is. I love just rubbing it on my cheek.
• How much you look like daddy. You look even more like daddy with your crooked little smile. (ahh it just makes me melt)
• Your little hands and how you like to touch EVERYTHING. Your hair, your clothes, your face, our faces, my hair. 
• The screams you make when you have your diaper changed. I know it should make me feel bad, but your whimper is just too darn cute. 
• Your sweet smell. I have never smelled anything more sweet. I just want to eat you up.
• That the 0-3 month clothes that I thought were just a waste of money because you would probably wear once, swallow you whole. I know you will grow into them, but I don't want you to. Just stay small, please. 
• Your love/hate relationship with being swaddled. You absolutely love being swaddled, but you REALLY hate sitting still to have it done.
• How much I love you and how great of a gift you are from God. God loves me. I have always known that God loves me, but Isabella is just the ultimate gift and confirmation of his love.

Your favorite things:

• Your pink seat. It snuggles you in all the right places.
• Getting all lotioned up after your bath. It is the only time you lay still while you are nakey.
• Daddy's voice. Your face just lights up when he is in the room.

Isabella your mommy and daddy love you very much and we always will.

  

A long 15 hours...An even longer 24 hours!

On Monday April 4, I had a doctors appointment. Matthew and I had been told the week before that due to my current condition that this appointment would determine if we would continue with the pregnancy or if we were going to induce. Due to my continued high blood pressure the decision was made to induce the next morning. We hurried home to prepare as best as we could for the next day's events but nothing could prepare us for what we went through.
We arrived promptly at 5 a.m. as instructed by my doctor. After getting checked in and loaded up with information and IV's the doctor came and broke my water at 8a.m. I already had a very steady contraction pattern but they started pitocin to increase the intensity. The downfall of this plan is that with the increased intensity (and pain) my blood pressure was going to increase. And sure enough by noon my blood pressure was getting to an unsafe level, but I was only dialated to 4 c.m. Instead of beginning a medicine to control my blood pressue (which I have been told is aweful) I made the decision to abandon my "all natural" ship and opt in for a good ole epidural. The epidural kept my blood pressue down for quite sometime, however by 6 p.m. (and only 6c.m. dialated) my blood pressure was becoming a problem again. Not only was my blood pressue a problem but I had started to have a fever. These are two very bad signs during labor. The nurse had even told Matthew not to leave and eat dinner because she thought a C-section was in the near future. After a dose of Tylenol, a full bag of fluids, my second round of antibiotics, and four (yes FOUR) hours of laying flat on my back I was 10 c.m. dialated. The unfortunate thing was that my doctor was not even at the hospital!! What?! The nurse said, "don't sneeze or cough or she is going to come out!" Finally, around 10:30p.m. my doctor walked in and my nurse started commanding me to push during my next contraction. Five pushes, through three contractions later Isabella Faye Hughes was brought into this world. She was born April 05, 2011 at 11:00 p.m. She weighed 5lbs. 14.2oz. and 18" long.

Five minutes later, the situation was not so exciting. She wasn't as pink, and breathing was really hard for her. Then before Matthew and I could blink, the NICU team came and swept her away. Doctors and nurses continued to reassure us that everything was okay. As much as you want to believe them, you just worry in every inch of your body. What made matters worse is that due to my fever I was now quarrantined from seeing her for 24 hours from the time I became fever free. Are you kidding me?! I can't see my own daughter! This is a joke! I have carried this baby for 9 months and now you are just going to keep her locked away in a little room and let only my husband and other family members see her?! How do you know that they don't have a fever?!

The first night was rough on Isabella. She had to have CPAP to help reinforce to her that breathing was a good idea. It was also helping her breathe easier without having to work so hard to maintain her oxygen saturation. Matthew finally got to see her around 1a.m. and he took pictures for me to see. She looked rough but it made it a reality for me that she needs some extra attention and love. (Like the love from her mommy that is being kept from her for 24 hours, OMG how am I ever going to make it 21 more hours away from her!!)

The next day we had many visitors. Isabella had to be seen by the neonatologist who gave her a very good outlook. She was removed from oxygen and was told to work on her feedings. Matthew kept me updated with fresh videos and pictures every few hours. This helped me maintain some type of sanity while I counted down the time.

Nana Nancy, Papa Bobby, Uncle Andrew, Uncle Andrew, Robert, and Aunt Sherry came by to visit. It was nice to have some company to keep me preoccupied until 12:15 a.m. Not to metion that I just continued to look at my precious little girl in all the pictures and videos that came back from the NICU.

FINALLY at 12:15 (and no later) I was running down the hallway to see her. I couldn't get scrubbed in fast enough and through that door. I just wanted to touch her skin and feel her soft hair and just soak in everything that I had missed in the past 24 hours. It seemed like I had missed 24 days...no weeks...no years. I just wanted to take in every detail of her. I already could tell she looked so much like Matthew. I don't mind one bit that she looks like him. The nurses are just amazed at how much her and Matthew look alike. Here are my thoughts: She has the most silky soft brown thick hair (no suprise), she has long, gorgeous eyelashes just like daddy (yea!), her chin is definately all daddy, she has my long legs, funky toes and the most obvious is the resemblence of my chubby cheeks.

Oh how I still long to hold her. It killed me to leave her in the NICU alone again tonight. I feel like a terrible mother that has just thrown her child into a pack of wolves. I hated it. I cried when I thought about leaving her, then I cried all the way down the hall and for quite a while when I got back to my room and now I am crying again. Hopefully, she will be strong enough that she will be able to handle mommy holding her tomorrow. I REALLY hope so atleast. I know I will probably leave the hospital without her. And for now I have settled into this reality, but I love my daughter and I just want what is best for her. I know that His hands will help guide all of us through this first little speed bump.



35 Weeks 5 Days Appointment

Okay so I know I have been a bad mamma and haven't posted about all my appointments during my pregnancy, or even any major mile stones, BUT this particular appointment was monumental in my book. My last appointment was BAD. No doubt about it, bad! My blood pressure had sky rocketed, I was sweating my booty off. I spilled some proteins (bad in pregnancy lingo). I was swelling...EVERYWHERE. And I was sent off to the hospital with the comment of, "I just want you to get to 36 weeks if possible."

This isn't the best picture but it is obvious that this is the prettiest little girl God ever created!

...Well this appointment I was 35 weeks and 5 days. I was nervous since they had contemplated induction. I knew my blood pressure had been bouncing around the high points. BUT (I like but's in this case) this time my blood pressure "wasn't too bad, it is a little border line but an improvement from the last visit" My doctor told me she was on the fence about induction this week. I wasn't quite 36 weeks, which is where she wanted me to be for induction. My blood pressure had improved. She had decided that she was going to do an ultrasound and if anything was abnormal with my ultrasound she would induce, but if it looked good she would push on! My little girl scored an A+ on her first official test EVER. So being that she is so amazing...Dr. Mann is going to push on for another week. If all is well next week we may even push on for another week. We are just week to week right now, but either way we are going to have a baby soon. We will no longer be a family of four, we will be a family of five. (oh yes, the boys definately count as five)

12 days...

Today we had our 34 week check up.
Previsit Info:
At my last appointment my doctor was a little concerned with the fact that my blood pressure had been creeping up over the last couple of visits. I just knew I was done for when I showed up for this appointment. I had been super stressed over the last two weeks trying to train a new person as well as tie up all loose ends that I have going on. I have been stressing about this. And the cherry on top was the fact that both Luke and Cooter had been diagnosed with a bacterial infection and was pottying blood in the house!! (plus it was going to take a couple of days to clear up - think a really bad UTI) All of this plus just the normal stressors of becoming a mom for the first time. Yeah my blood pressure was up. WAY UP!

I got to the doctor and was slammed with some of the office's "new policies" and signing a stack of forms, Again! As soon as I sit down I have to get right back up because the nurse calls me back to do my pre-visit work up. I get on the scale (yuck). Then the good 'ole pee in a cup, which for those of you women who know is a trick in its self trying to manage the big belly, the cup, and the pee. For some reason the air conditioning is broke and the office is like 90degrees, which I am good with 65 degrees right now. I am pouring down in sweat. Then comes the blood pressure. The nurse makes a face. I ask how bad. She says we will take it again in 15 minutes. I sit in the room waiting on the doctor. The heat light is on from the previous person that had to get undressed so they could be comfortable ya know. I am sweating. She checks it again. Worse face. Doctor comes in with admitting orders to the hospital for observation and explains my new diagnosis of pregnancy induced hypertension.

Off to the hospital we go. Me and Isabella. Matthew joins us after he leaves work. My blood pressure comes down with some rest. The blood work looks good. I get more paperwork and we are now back at home. I get some orders for rest and relaxation. HAHAHA! (Did I mention that my mom and grandma are coming this weekend and that my MIL is throwing me a baby shower tomorrow.) The main info that we found out today, is that she will be inducing me at 26 weeks gestation. If she sticks with this plan that will be March 30th. OMG that is 12 days away!! OMG I have so much stuff to do! Oh wait I am supposed to be resting and relaxing... No wonder pregnant women's blood pressure gets elevated!

On a interesting note: At my baby shower in IL my BFF Lisa picked March 30th for my due date on the baby pool. How interesting. At the time it seemed so out of reach, but now maybe not so much.

An Anniversary I Would Only Remember

Yep I have an anniversary today. It isn't an anniversary most people remember, but I am told that I am not like most people anyways. Three years ago today I packed up and moved on. I moved away from my comfortable lifestyle into the unknown. I was happily employed, a new home owner, and a recent college grad. I had a great circle of friends, knew many people in the area, and wasn't but a hop-skip-and jump away from home (well my mom's home). But I gave all of these wonderful things up. I packed up and moved far away. I rested faith not only in Him but also in him:

Little did he know that so much pressure was on him for everything to be perfect. I had never done anything so impulsive. I was leaving something that was so comfortable for me at the time for something that was so unknown. We had no commitments to each other. I didn't have a job. I had some family in the area, but really I was just stepping out into the biggest risk I had ever taken in my life. But I felt at the time that it was a bigger risk to our relationship for me to stay where I was (6.5 hours away). Three years ago TODAY I put all my things in the back of a 17ft moving truck and moved to Tennessee.

Little did I know where we would be today. Today we have been together for about three and a half years. We have been happily married for two and a half of those years. Our first real child will join us in a few weeks. Who knew that such a big risk would turn out to be the biggest joy of my life!

I know today that I made the right choice. I have known this since the day I said "I do." Matthew is my best friend. He is my strength when I am weak. He is my laughter when I am sad, and well anytime. Many times I take him for granted and for that I should be ashamed because without him I would never be the same person. Each prayer I pray always asks the Lord to bring us closer than the day before. Our relationship is beautiful. Who other than the Lord above could have created such a beautiful thing such as us.

Matthew,
Thank you for being such an amazing husband. You are my super hero! I love that you are my best friend. I love that I can run to you with all my news. Good, bad, happy, sad - you are there! I am excited to start this next chapter of our lives. I couldn't imagine turning this page with anyone else. Happy three year anniversary of one of the first hurdles of the rest of our lives together. I love you.

People said it would never work out

Living our dreams has shattered all doubts

It feels good to prove 'em wrong

Living our love song

Pregnancy. The Good, the Bad, and the Down Right Ugly!

DISCLOSURE: I am very happy to be pregnant. It is a blessing. I find a new joy everyday in being pregnant. However, this is just a few things that all women should be aware of if they ever consider becoming pregnant.

Matthew and I tried to conceive for almost two years before we were successful. I would read so many wonderful blogs about how great being pregnant was and how it was the best experience of their lives. Well...don't get me wrong, I love being pregnant. Isabella is such a blessing. I love feeling her practice her gymnastics in my belly. Watching my belly grow (and grow). And each and every little experience in between. It is just how all those lovely blogs explained it, but they really left out all the extremely wonderful details. So, just let me just enlighten you on all of those wonderful (ehhmm) miracles of pregnancy.

10.  Ahh, so you have finally gotten done with work, dinner, and had your down time for the night. You get all snuggled up in bed. Everything is perfect around you, except as soon as you lay down to sleep it hits you. Yeah thats right, someone is ripping crochet hooks through your shins and every muscle of your leg. Nothing soothes the pain. And I am still waiting for that miracle cure. Oh and don't try to Google it. I have already done that, tried those. FAIL

9.  What bra comes after DD? And where do you find one? And once you do find one, why can't you find one that looks half way decent? I'm only 7 months in and 2 sizes up. Who knows what I am going to have to do once all my milk comes in. I will probobly have to buy a couple tarps to go under the moo-moo's that I will have to wear just to keep these knockers under wraps.

8. I have tried every deoderant in the aisle at Wal-Mart. Spray, gel, solid. But honestly nothing really covers up the funny odor that you aquire being pregnant. And just get used to the pools of sweat that puddle under your arms. Arm pit stains are your new fashion statement.

7. Speaking of fashion statements, don't plan on making any great strides in this area because maternity clothes (that don't cost an arm and a leg) just are not flattering. Not to mention you can buy them to fit one day, but then a few inches later they will be tight or the elastic that holds them up is all stretched out. My plan after baby...find a kick butt diet so I can go back to normal clothes ASAP.

6. You will absolutely love when you start to show. And you will love it even more when you feel the baby start kicking. But what you will not love is so many people touching your belly. I mean it is like a magnet for old ladies to just start rubbing all up on. Scenario: We were at a social gathering. I was sitting down eating. Old lady comes over to talk to and rub on my belly. Okay fine lady. I smile and be polite. But the way I am sitting makes my belly lay really close to my female parts. Okay lady you are getting really close to touching my female parts. Lady touches top of female parts. Yeah it happened. What do you do, really?

5. God did give you one defense mechanism for #6. If at some reason you find yourself in the scenario from #6 just release some of that evil gas that you produce when you are pregnant. If you were ever wondering what killed the dinasours it is the aweful smell that comes from a pregnant humans bottom in the form of a clear, very odor filled, gas. And it only creeps up on you in the worse times, i.e. quiet times in church, while in line at the bank or store, when your OB is getting ready to check your cervix. But unfortunately you can't produce it when your husband is wanting some snuggle, snuggle time. It is the darndest thing.

4. You always hear about your milk coming in after delivery, but NOBODY tells you about your pre-milk. Mine started seeping from my boobies around 5 months. At first I just thought I was waking up sweaty. Please refer to #8 for why I may or may not have thought this. But then I noticed it one day. Of course since I am a first time mom I called my doctors office right away. They laughed at me. I continued on my day. Okay so early "lactation" is normal. But is it normal to wake up to pre-milk dried off your boob in a form similar to an icicle? Just asking.

3. Women are crazy. It is a common saying in our house. (No, Matthew doesn't say it about me. He doesn't have to because I beat him to it) But we as women know that we compare ourselves to each other. I know quite a few of my friends that are pregnant right now and I would occasionally compare my belly to their belly pics. Or I would see if their baby was kicking yet if mine wasn't. You can say you won't or don't do this, but lets just be honest here. But the thing that will drive you nuts is when other women will try an one up your pregnancy milestones. If your baby kicked once, you know for sure that theirs has kicked to the beat of Motzart. And if you are still fitting in your pre-pregnancy jeans, you better believe that they lost a size in jeans.

2. Hold on tight because if you don't you will be changing your panties. That's right peeing in your pants is cool while your pregnant. I didn't have trouble with this until the end of my first trimester. I had a terrible cold and everytime I coughed or sneezed I would dribble a little. It wouldn't matter if I had just gone potty, if I didn't hold on to something, anything left in there was coming out. It hasn't changed much since that stupid cold. Even this past weekend as I walked outside to help Matthew wash my car, I sneezed, I peed, I laughed.

1. If you need to know anything about being pregnant, you should definately know that people develop mouth diarehha when they are around pregnant women. It is like they are all of a sudden experts in obstetrics, pediatrics, nursery decor, and of course how to be a mommy. Yes, don't get me wrong most of them are mommies and they have been there done that. But what they fail to mention is that it was 25 or more years ago. Medicine has greatly changed since then. As well as parenting techniques and nursery decor. I have had a very hard time dealing with this. I am sure it is because I am very hormonal and I take things more personally than I should, but HELLO this is my baby, my nursery, and unless you want to go through #10 - #2 just butt out and respect my darn opinion or belief.

I didn't want to post this to put people in fear of pregnancy, but just keep in mind that all of those fairy tale dream blogs are leaving out some of the most wonderful details. It is crazy what they don't write in pregnancy books either. This is just another example of how much women go through in life. I posted this because my favorite mom blog does such a good job of enlightening me on all the real life dramas of pregnancy and motherhood.

6 Months and Counting...

Okay, this is real now. I am actually starting to show (some days more than others) rather than just looking like the holidays were rough on me. It is a little surreal. Matthew actually said the other day that we needed to actually start doing things to prepare, because it is real now. I guess it just took me getting fat for us to realize that we are actually going to bring a little life into this house. And more importantly the little life that is coming into our house in approximately three months is NOT (in no way shape or form) going to like our relaxed and laid back life style.

Here is a quick 6 month update:

• I finally have a better appetitie. Gone are the days of eating like a bird. I can actually finish a meal. And there are most days that I must have a snack in between meals. I am sure my doctor will be glad to hear this since I am still 5 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight.
• My current foods are: MILK and tons of it! Oranges, cereal, orange juice, apple juice. And the shocking introduction of pickles into my diet.
• I get hot super easy. So if you see me and it is freezing outside and I don't have a coat on, please understand that I am pregnant and I am hot 95% of the time, unlike our house to quote my wonderful husband.
• I don't sleep well. Mainly because I wake up on my back and freak out because that is in my book of no-no's. I have never been a back sleeper, so why am I now?

Matthew says that other than being hot all the time and wearing different pants I haven't changed a bit. Awe, isn't he sweet. I know in the back of his mind he is really thinking that I am crazy, he just won't admit it. Trust me, I know he has to be thinking I am somewhat crazy because we have been working on the nursery together and well...well...we will just leave it at the fact we have been working on the nursery together. LOL (pics to follow)

Here is a picture from Christmas Day. 22 weeks