Austin's Arrival

Anthony and I were told to come to labor and delivery on Tuesday, September 7th to see if I had progressed. My blood pressure started to go up the last few weeks of my pregnancy and would not go back down. I had been on modified bedrest and I was READY to have this baby. When we arrived on Tuesday, I was still 70% effaced and only 1 cm dilated. I was having contractions,but I wasn't making any progress. Dr. Golden told me that Austin still hadn't dropped and I would need to have a c-section. He gave me the option of doing it that day, Thursday, or waiting until Wednesday or Thursday of the next week. I immediately said TODAY!

After I made that decision, I immmediately started second guessing myself. I wondered if it was too early and if Austin's lungs would be fully developed. I was 38 weeks and 5 days, but I still worried that maybe the baby wasn't "ready." I was scheduled to have the c-section at 1 p.m. I was terrified. I called my parents and told them it was time to head to Auburn.

Around 11 a.m. they started prepping me for surgery. I was given an IV and epidural (the doctor on staff didn't do spinals). Before I knew it...it was time! I was rolled into the operating room around 1:20 or 1:30 p.m. They brought Anthony in a few minutes later and Austin was born at 1:42 p.m. His first cry was the sweetest sound I've ever heard! I immediately started crying when I heard him. They brought him over to let me see him and he was beautiful! He weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19.5 inches.

I will save all of the details of how horrible my recovery room experience was...no need to relive that! My parents and Anthony were waiting in my room when I arrived from recovery. The first thing my Mom said to me when I saw her was "Amy, he's beautiful." Anthony and my Dad were both grinning from ear to ear. It was truly the most terrifying, emotional, amazing experience of my life.

I've included some of Austin's pictures from his "Birth Day."

On the way to the hospital

He's Here!

6 lbs. 12.5 oz.

Mommy and Austin

Daddy and Austin

Family of three!

Precious baby boy!

Rewind and Fast Forward

I have seriously considered deleting my blog. It is so far behind and I have missed blogging about so many important things. I decided that I would spend the next couple of weeks rewinding and catching up on all of the important things I missed. The first thing that I need to cover is Austin's arrival! I'll blog about that first thing tomorrow!

An Eventful Month!

Things have been very eventful around our house this month. We have had three baby showers (2 in Auburn and 1 in Dothan), two trips to Labor and Delivery, and twice a week visits to the doctor. I guess I'll start with the trips to Labor and Delivery.

At 32 weeks I started having pain in my lower abdomen and lower back. I wasn't sure if they were contractions, but after almost two days of terrible pain I went to the hospital. When I got there we found out that I was having contractions about every 5 minutes. They weren't lasting long enough to cause labor, but they sure were painful. I was given a shot to stop them and they stopped after a few hours. Our second trip to labor and delivery was because of my increasing blood pressure. I have always had very good bp, but it has started to run a little higher in the last few weeks. Last week it was 145/94 and I was sent to hospital for more tests. They performed a non-stress test and everything looks great. My blood pressure was 109/74 at the hospital....so I was put on modified bed rest. I've been going to the doctor twice a week and today I only dialated 1 cm and I am 70% effaced. The doctor told me that I will probably not make it to 40 weeks...that is fine with me as long as Austin is healthy. (I'm 37 weeks now). We will return to labor and delivery on Monday morning for more tests and hopefully a decision on when (or if) they will induce me.

On to better news....we have great family, friends, and co-workers who have been so generous to us. Austin has had 3 showers and has really gotten so great stuff! We are so excited about diapers, wipes, bottles...all things that would not have excited us a year ago. I have included a couple of pictures below.

Maybe my next post will be about Austin's healthy delivery!

Austin's Nursery

We are almost done with Austin's nursery. I think it turned out super cute! Anthony worked pretty hard putting everything together. Enjoy the pictures below.

The inside of the bedding.

Every child is a story yet to be told.

The little rocking chair was mine when I was growing up

and the big one was my grandparents rocking chair.

His "going home" outfit!

Maternity Pictures

I was a little bit of a "Debbie Downer" during my last post, but I'm better now. You can see a preview of our maternity pictures by clicking the link below....I think she did an amazing job.

http://mariwilkes.blogspot.com/

7 months....3rd Trimester!!!!

All smiles....


but this is how I really feel about my increasing body and swollen face!

How far along are you? Almost 29 weeks

Total weight gain? 16 lbs. (Don't judge me!)

Maternity Clothes? Are getting to be uncomfortable now....I never thought I would feel that way, but I am getting so big that everything feels uncomfortable.

Sleep? Is great between the million trips to the bathroom and battles with heartburn and/or acid reflux

Best Moment of the Month? Taking our maternity pictures. It was really fun and it made it all feel so real.

Food Cravings? Fruit right now, but earlier this month it was sweets (I ate rice crispies, cupcakes, cake....EVERYTHING...which probably helps explain the 6 lb. weight gain!!)

Gender? BOY!!!

Labor Signs? Braxton Hicks. If that is just practice...I'll pass on the real thing.

Belly Button? Not an outie, but barely!

Stretch Marks? Two =(

What I miss the most? Cute shoes, cute clothes, seeing my feet, not being hot, walking like an human and not a duck...etc., etc., etc.

What I'm looking forward to the most? September and getting to meet my sweet baby!

Playing Catch-Up

We have had a lot going on in the Ware house. My brother Tyler graduated from high school last month and we are very excited for him. He is the youngest of the children and of course I cried at his graduation. My cousin, Brittany, graduated as well. We were able to have tons of family there for their graduation. It was miserably hot and I was burning up...hence the red face!


Tyler and the family


Tyler and Brittany with the Aunts (my mom's sisters)

I also traveled to Lexington, Kentucky this month for a conference. I wasn't too excited about flying to Lexington six months pregnant, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined. My hands and feet did swell, but not too much. I also was able to see a friend from high school and my cousins while I was there. It is always good to see people you haven't seen in a while. It was great to catch up with them.


The view from my hotel


The Woodford Reserve

Since my last post I have had another appointment with my OB, but I will save all of those details for my 7 month post. Anthony and I are almost done with the nursery. I'll post pictures of the nursery soon.