Eli is Coming!

April 30th didn't start out as expected. I had been up all night feeling odd & experiencing a few contractions. About 5am that morning we were headed to Labor & delivery. Mind you I read many books, felt like I was ready for what was to come but all that went out the window when I saw blood on my underwear. I flipped out! I forgot what floor we had to go to, forgot what nurses station we had to report to, I was lost. Luckily Travis was on his A game. I was monitored for a while then let go with some medicine to help me sleep. After we left the hospital we headed to Hooper's for breakfast. Little did we know that this breakfast would be the last we would share just us. We headed home, I napped and felt great when I awoke. We had friends coming over to watch the UFC fight. We enjoyed grilled chicken, veggies and the company of good friends. I remember telling Ivey as they were leaving that this may the last get together before our little Eli was here. I wasn't counting on him coming that very next day. Around 9pm I started having regular contractions. I started timing them. We still had friends over so I didn't want to alarm anyone. After everyone was gone I told Travis. Trying to stay true to our birth plan, I laid down. We didn't want to head to the hospital too soon. Around 2pm the contractions were stronger & more frequent. I finally told Travis that we had to head out. We weren't ready at all. Eli's bag was packed but our bag was not. I hurried around and threw some things together. Upon arrival at labor and delivery, we were told I was probably having false labor because Eli wasn't supposed to be born yet. At 5am the nurse checked my cervix and it was dialated to a 3-4cm. We were then admitted and taken to our birthing room. It was pretty surreal when the nurse told us that we in fact were going to have a baby that day. We were both so tired, we hadn't slept much in two days and with the contractions I couldn't sleep even though the nurse advised that we rest. Easier said than done. At 7am I was given the option to receive pain medication. Our birth plan was to have no intervention at all but I really couldn't handle too much more I thought. After being assured that our baby wasn't going to be born in the next hour and be affected by the medication I agreed. I was given stadol (spelling), I felt pretty loopy and would fall asleep between contractions. The calmness lasted for an hour. The cat nap was what we needed to keep on going. The nurse told us we would have the baby by noon. I became fixated with that. In our child birth classes we were told to transport myself somewhere else, or concentrate on something while a contraction hit. I began counting as soon as I felt the pain. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and so on. This really helped me. Around 10am, I was again offered the epidural, I refused and instead got up walked around the hospital floor. We did so many laps. I was against getting in the birthing tub but it really did help the pain. Travis was amazing at keeping me focused. We listened to Adele while the contractions got stronger and stronger. We slow danced every time a big one hit. We tried different positions on the bed, bounced on the ball but the slow dancing is what really eased the contractions. At 11:30, my cervix was dialated to an 8. I thought oh no I can't do this anymore. At 12:30, my cervix was dialated to a 9. At 1:00pm my cervix was fianlly dialated to a 10 but there was still what they called a lip left on the cervix. Meaning I couldn't push yet. Finally at 1:30 pm my very calm doctor came in and I began to push. I wasn't prepared for the pushing part, my legs were up, one was held by Carol our awesome nurse and the other by Travis. When a contraction hit I was instructed to push. I pushed & pushed and our little miracle was born at 1:50pm! When I heard his first cry & caught a glimpse of him, everything changed. I got to hold him immediately afterwards, it was love at first sight. He is my little angel. He was born 8lbs and measured 19.5 inches at 37 weeks. This Sunday he will be a month old. I am not going to lie and say it has all been peaches and cream but I will say that one glance at his beautiful face and all the sleepness nights and nipple soreness disappears. The breastfeeding has been the hardest part for me. I wasn't prepared for the demand, the pain and possible torn nipple if his latch isn't right! In short (well not really this blog is pretty long), I wasn't prepared for so many things. I thought I was, thought I read everything I needed to read about my pregnancy & delivery but I was not prepared for the 17 hours I was in labor. I realized I hadn't read anything about what to do once our bundle of joy arrived. Luckily, motherly instincts really do kick in. I am so in love right now!

Photo Booth Fun

At our first Shower, a Photo Booth was set up for guests to dress up & pose for the camera. Great idea for our little man's scrapbook. I didn't realize this dress made me look so big or that I in fact am that big! Good news is that I am carrying precious cargo around folks!

36 weeks...28 days to go!!!!

Yesterday P'nut & I had an appointment. Things are progressing normally and we are doing really good except for when it's time to get on the scale. Not being a fan of the scale in normal circumstances makes it harder when you are carrying around 20+ extra pounds but I remind myself that our little boy is growing in there. He is roughly 6 pounds and measures 18 1/2 inches long, it's no wonder I can't breathe! He is compared to a crenshaw melon this week. I have never ever heard of a crenshaw melon. At the end of this week little p'nut will be considered full-term! The other night I ate a 6inch sub from subway, a handful of chips & a rootbeer float for dinner but I felt like I had just left a buffet. I read I need to eat smaller meals now in order to avoid feeling like the Goodyear Blimp but friends what I consumed IS a small meal compared to what I normally put away. I guess I need to shoot for smaller :(



Yesterday was also Group B Strep day, it felt a little weird nothing major but it always feels a little weird when I am spreadeagle at the Dr.'s office. We will find the results out next week. We attended a breastfeeding class on Tuesday, I am more determined to breastfeed than ever! It was a one on one type class with a lactation consultant. At first I thought that this wasn't going to work, she opened by saying she didn't have anything planned, she just wanted us to ask questions. 1) I didn't have any questions wrote down, 2) are you kidding me? To my surprise once question #1 was out there I was full of questions, we left with a notepad full of 42 questions and answers plus a few brochures. She was great. We learned about the importance of positioning, we were showed how to cradle hold, cross cradle/over, clutch or football hold the baby. I feel more at ease and confident that we can do this; lots of women work and continue to breastfeed their child, so I am hoping to do the same.



Currently I am a little uneasy regarding the state of our house, we are remodeling a few things, the contractor isn't starting until the 2nd week in May. He states it will take him a week but I doubt it. I don't cope well with not being in control. The nursery is almost complete but I can't put up p'nuts clothes or finish decorating until this man is finished. I know it isn't the end of the world if p'nuts nursery isn't complete by the time he arrives but that was my goal. I have been washing his little clothes & storing them in totes for now, his little clothes are so freaking cute! At one of his showers he got a onsie that says....wait for it....."stud (with a picture of a little muffin next to it)". I can't wait to see him in it!



With our due date 4 weeks ago I am starting to get nervous about the labor. Our birth plan is to have a natural childbirth. I have had a few braxton hicks contractions and some pelvic pain that stops me in my tracks here and there. I am trying to stay positive about being able to handle it all. My sweet husband is ready to give all the support I need.



We were talking the other night about this being the last Easter, last Mother's Day before our little miracle is here to share in all the holidays. We are looking forward to the new experiences we will share with p'nut, his first 4th of July, first Halloween, first Thanksgiving and first Christmas. We can't wait to meet him & hold him!

Belly Bump Shoot

These are the contenders. We are going to have one of these shots blown up & hung in the Nursery. Which one do you like the best?

Ay Dios Mio! 32 weeks means 8 weeks to go!

(hands on my cheeks!)

I can't believe my little kickboxer is so big already. I have the belly to prove it now! I don't know exactly how much he weighs right now, he has always weighed more than my readings allow. This week they are comparing his weight to a Jicama. Jicama is a sweet, root vegetable that looks like a turnip. Jicama makes me think of this delicious cold fruit salad that one of my favorite restaurants in Tucson serves. With its giant portions of mango, watermelon, pineapple, jicama all lightly seasoned with lime juice and chili powder. They call it Pico de Gallo, which is a little odd since pico de gallo is a salsa that contains tomato, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. The name isn't important though, just know it is a delectable fruit dish and my mouth is kinda watering right now. Our little guy is making me really hungry these days, all I think about is FOOD (can you tell)! Moving on...P'nut makes me smile everytime I feel him move; it feels so weird now, I know I have said that before but his kicks are so much stronger. Little Cheli got to see my belly move yesterday and she said "wow, that's weird Tia". She is convinced she is going to babysit P'nut while I work. I am a little scared for P'nut because that 4 1/2 year old is something else! On another front; my work clothes are fitting really snug, thank goodness for my BFF Kelly and her mathernity wardrobe hand-me-downs! This Saturday we have our Belly Shoot, I am really excited to pick out the nursery picture. Excitement is everywhere, our baby shower is planned for April 9th and a work shower follows April 15th. P'nut and I feel so loved!

Amati got Married!

It has been exactly one year to the date that my dear friend Gayle Amati moved back home to Las Cruces, NM then relocated to Houston, TX (well Spring, TX). More than a friend she is like a sister to me and I miss her dearly. Lucky for us we got to fly out to be with her on her very special day. Even with all the festivities that caused her to run around like a chicken with her head chopped off, it was nice to catch up with her. It was great reminiscing about her time here in NC. In my pregnant state I wasn't able to hang out too late but the time spent with her was fabulous! Her wedding was beautiful, her and Steve made a handsome bride and groom. I am glad we were able to be a part of her wedding. P'nut flew for the first time and had his first visit to Houston this past weekend. I think he missed our bed and pregnancy pillow but other than that he had a good time!

Holy Moley....10 more weeks!

The fact that I have a little person in my belly that is growing, stretching and kicking; is still very surreal. He is very active these days, or should I say he is much stronger because I feel every move. I feel like he has NO room to be wallering around in there. This week P'nuts stats have him weighing 3lbs and 10oz (at last Dr. appt) and http://www.babycenter.com/ states that he is measuring 17in. Crazy to think about when a full term baby measures 19-21in. I am constantly amazed; right now he recognizes our voices, when Travis talks to him or puts his hand on my belly he starts showing out for his daddy. When someone else tries to feel him move he stops, almost like a button is pushed. He saves all his movements for us! Speaking of movements, his kicking and jabbing really hurt sometimes but all I do is smile, rub my belly to let him know I know he is in there. We have been going to Lamaze Childbirth Classes, they are nothing like TV shows or movies portray them. You think Lamaze and visualize women sitting on the floor, breathing heavily with their partners behind them or at least I did until I read the Lamaze book and attended these classes. I am really happy with our decision to learn about natural childbirth. It really doesn't have to be like an assembly line upon arriving at the hospital. I know many things can go wrong and a birth plan is just that a plan but we will try our hardest to keep it as natural as possible. Friends that have had babies are quick to discourage this notion because of their experience but every pregnancy and delivery is different. Our mindset going in, is that we can handle this, if it proves to be otherwise then we will adapt. I recently witnessed a real life labor and I must say it put things in perspective. I know what I want for our labor but I can just hope it works out that way. The important thing is to concentrate on the end result! Our baby boy!