Elle's Story

I'm back! Big thanks to Spencer for updating the blog with a few pictures while I was preoccupied in the hospital and then sleep deprived at home these past few days. Actually I've been feeling surprisingly great! I've had a much faster recovery this time than I did with Madi. Now that I've been home for a few days, I've been itching to get Elle's birth story recorded. It's amazing how if you ask any mom the details of each kids birth, they always seem to remember exactly what happened- no matter how many kids they've had. Even so, I don't want to forget any details- since this will be added as the start of Elle's blog book which I'll have published for her first birthday. If you're not one to like the labor and delivery details just skip ahead and enjoy all the pics!

From my last post, you already know that I was scheduled for an induction on Thursday, July 16th at 9am. After a morning of waiting around for a call from the hospital (since apparently every expectant mother in Montgomery County, MD was in labor), I got super annoyed and we headed off to the pool. It was two hours of pure relaxation and exactly what I needed. It made me feel better about having wasted the rest of the day away.


We got home, showered off, and just as I sat down on the couch for what I thought might be another couple of hours of waiting, the phone rang! Five minutes later Spencer and I were waving goodbye to Madi and Gram. We checked into the hospital at 6:30pm (only 9 1/2 hours behind schedule:)! As much as I protested, Spencer made me smile for a picture outside the labor and delivery wing.


At 7pm my IV was in and I was feeling great! Of course we weren't the only ones excited for Elle's arrival. Back at home, my mom told me that Madi was playing with her toys and singing, "My sister Elle is coming" (over and over again)!


Finally at 8:50pm they got my oxytocin drip started. I had the feeling that this was the beginning of a very long night. Luckily Melissa stopped by at 9pm. It helped to break up the monotony of sitting in that bed. A little after 11:00pm I could feel the contractions coming on stronger. That, coupled with a pounding headache, made me very uncomfortable. I figured I must have been 5cm dilated by then, but after getting checked, I was disappointed to find that I was still only 3 (almost 4cm). At 11:25, right after a painful contraction, I felt a 'pop'. It was a weird feeling and I asked Spencer if he heard it. It wasn't until I felt the trickle down my legs that I knew that my water had broke! Naturally, contractions started coming on stronger and I put in my request for the beloved epidural. A little after midnight the epidural was in and starting to provide some relief. This epidural didn't seem to numb me up as well as my last one did though. I could feel a lot of pressure with each contraction whereas with Madi, Spencer would have to tell me when I was having a contraction. The left side of my body was definitely less numb than my right side. At 2:20am I was feeling some very intense pressure while feeling that unmistakable need to push! I called for the nurse who quickly checked to find that I was fully dilated, and commented that she could "feel the baby's head"! WOW! I started stressing out, thought for sure that this baby was gonna come flying out! No such luck- at 2:25am I started pushing and continued the grueling task for the next hour! Since my first experience w/ labor (with Madi) only required 3 pushes, this whole 'pushing' concept was new to me. I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but wow- WHAT A WORK-OUT!!! After an hour I was exhausted! My legs were cramping, the pressure was incredible, and I could tell Elle was right there, but kinda stuck. Being what the doctor called, "sunny-side up" (aka- posterior-her head facing up instead down), they knew that just pushing might not get her out. I'm sure the doctor could tell I was tired and unable to keep it up much longer. I gave another push, he made a little snip, and with a help from a suction, Elle came shooting out! What an incredible feeling! 

Here's the team (minus Spencer) who helped bring Elle into the world! What a fabulous doctor and nurse. I couldn't have been happier!

After I was settled into my postpardum room, Spencer headed home to get some sleep. Then he, Madi, and Gram came back a couple hours later. Madi instantly fell in love with her new baby sister. I've been amazed at how gentle Madi is with Elle and how willing she is to help do anything.  We spent the remainder of Elle's birthday just enjoying all her sweetness! Mom and Spencer took turns keeping me company at the hospital. 

Favorite postpartum nurse! Elle and I were fabulously taken care of!

Melissa stopped by (between packing) to visit and of course snapped a couple of adorable shots (along with the first and last pics of this post)! 

Gotta love those lips!

After spending Friday night spent alone, and itching to get home to be with everybody, I asked to be discharged on Saturday instead of Sunday morning.  I got the ok from my doc and the pediatrician and we both came home at 10:30pm.

Since then, "mom instincts" have kicked in and I've been surviving on about 4 hours of broken sleep every night. For someone who usually gets 7 or 8, I don't know how I'm functioning. But I am and feeling quite well, too. I'm sure I'll crash- and probably soon, but with company at the house, it's been hard for me to sit back and let my mom do everything. 

Welcome to our family Elle! You are incredibly loved! We couldn't be happier to have you with us!

Eleanor Bailey Jenkins

Elle has arrived!!
7.17.09
3:40 a.m.
8 lbs. 5 oz.
21 1/4 inches long

Waiting. . .

When you're scheduled for an induction, standard procedure is to call labor and delivery an hour before going in. If they're backed up, you obviously can't get checked it and will be placed on the "waiting list". Well, that's exactly what happened to me today. I am currently on the waiting list and super annoyed about it. I hate waiting. I hate not knowing. I have things I'd like to do, but thinking that I might be getting "the call" has stopped me from doing any of it. Living only a mile from the hospital, I'm afraid to go anywhere for fear of  not being ready when they call, or heaven forbid- being put back on the waiting list!

So, NO I am not in labor yet (thanks for all your thoughts, emails, and calls though). And now I'm just hoping this baby will be here by tomorrow! 

I took my last belly shots this morning though- just to be prepared! :) Sorry to those of you who aren't fans of the naked belly shots. It's just so crazy to think that a 7+ pound kid is hanging out in there!

The Last Day!

40 weeks pregnant, still 3 cm dilated, still 80% effaced, and tired of waiting. I'm huge and uncomfortable. I'm ready to have this baby!

So. . . . I'm on the schedule! Tomorrow morning- 9am I check into the hospital to be induced! I really wanted to experience labor, but how much longer would I have to wait?? The thought of it coming as a surprise scares me. I like be prepared. I want to be showered and ready for the day. I want my bags to be packed. I want to feel ready. Last night I was having what I thought were contractions- and lots of them. I couldn't sleep most of the night thinking that I was in labor. Every time I'd wake up (and believe me- it was a LOT) I'd think, "This is it. I better shower and get ready to go to the hospital!" No such luck. Morning came and no "real" labor pains. I got up at 6am and decided to get started with my day. And what a productive day it was!

Here's just a few things I was able to accomplish on my last day of having only one kid:

* 55 minutes on the elliptical, followed by weights and squats (I tell ya, I've been doing everything possible to get this baby out!)

* Hanging out with friends, complete with a train ride around the Rio, interactive music with the kids, and the train table/ story time at Barnes and Noble

* A good solid hour nap

* Grocery shopping- stocked the fridge

* Cleaned the kitchen

* Mopped all the floors in the house (of course on hands and knees- with mom insisting that I stop :)

* Laundry

* Payed bills

* Packed my bag

* Charged all cameras

* And ended the day hanging out with Mom and Spencer, watching movies and getting a heavenly foot rub (thanks mom :)!

I think I'm ready. I'm excited, a little nervous, but definitely feel prepared. Bring on the LABOR!

Help has Arrived!

I'm currently 39 1/2 weeks pregnant, 3 cm dilated, and 80% effaced (well, that was as of Wednesday), but now my mom's here- so life is GREAT! Madi and I picked her up from the airport Wednesday morning and these past 4 days have been an absolute dream! My mom's an incredible help! Since she arrived I've not only had assistance with cooking and cleaning, but she's also been Madi's new buddy. 

With someone at home to help with Madi, I've been able to run errands during nap time, go to the doctor ALONE, attend my YW presidency meeting (again ALONE),work-out every morning, pick up Spencer from the Metro after bedtime hour, get some swim/ lay out time at the pool, and just yesterday- go out on a date with Spencer! And the best thing about it is that she's gonna be here for over two more weeks!! We love you mom! Thanks for coming to help! 

Happy Birthday America!

With Spencer off early from work on Thursday, having the day off on Friday, and Saturday packed full of patriotic activities, I can definitely say we had a very happy (and busy) 4th of July weekend! All during the week I'd been prepping Madi for the 4th- being her daddy's favorite holiday I felt she should have a good, solid understanding of what we'd be celebrating. So our library trip last week included checking out lots of books all about the 4th of July- her favorite being, "Happy Birthday America". On Saturday, when the holiday rolled around, Madi was well prepared! With birthday balloons and a patriotic cake, I think we threw a pretty good birthday party! 

We kept up with the Jenkins' tradition of homemade ice cream (not pictured) and root beer (brewing away in the pic below). Both were quite delicious I might add- by themselves, and together! Way to go Spencer!

We had friends over for a feast in the afternoon while Madi napped. Then a little after 4pm we headed into the city to claim our spot for the evening show. We decided on watching the fireworks from the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), which neither Spencer or I had ever been to. It was a perfect spot with a fabulous view of the Capitol, Washington Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial all lined up! I was very pleased about our spot. Plus, not only did we NOT have to deal with the Metro, but the drive in only took us 25 minutes and getting home (complete with walking back to the car) was only an hour.

Ya, we still had a 4 hour wait between arriving and showtime, but luckily it couldn't have been a more pleasant day. The weather was perfect- warm, a little overcast, and a slight breeze! We sat right in front of the bell tower, giving us additional shade as well. Madi was a champ the entire afternoon/evening. She found lots of things to keep her entertained. 

Spencer and I were well prepared and brought along an entire backpack of books! 

Madi insisted on going "HIGHER!" Is this high enough Madi!?

Madi's reaction after whipping out her blanket.

She especially loved having Stacie and Scott to hang out with! I think it was the delicious treats they had stashed away in their cooler that lured her in (the peanut M&M's were her favorite)! Sorry Madi, no soda for you!

Once Madi knew she had some buddies who would take her to see interesting things, she was hooked. 

Madi was full of hugs. . . .

And kisses for Scott!

Thank goodness for beautiful weather, good friends, great conversation, and a mellow daughter that made the 4 hours fly by. Here's the gang- waiting for the show to begin (Julie, Todd, Stacie, Scott, Madi, and Spencer).

And of course, one with me! :)

Oh, and here's that promised belly picture (I'm including 2 just to give a feel for the ginormous size I am right now). . .

38 1/2 weeks pregnant! Now THAT'S a belly!

Once it started getting dark, I changed Madi into her pj's, whipped out the binky, and let her snuggle on in for the show. Of course we had to snap a family photo for documentation! 

My favorite thing about the night was not just the fireworks, but Madi's reaction to them. She sat on Stacie's lap for the show and sitting just two seats over I could hear her yelling out, "Whoa, it's SO pretty! I LOVE it!" She kept yelling out all the colors she was seeing in the sky as well as instructing anyone that would stand up to take a picture to, "Please sit down!" I'm sure I missed a lot of the commentary, so you'll have to help me out here Stacie. :) After the show Madi summed it up for all of us by saying over and over, "That was FUN!"

Day out with Daddy!

Most weekends Spencer takes Madi on a special outing. Madi calls it "day out with daddy." Just this past week, while Spencer was at work, Madi says to me, "Mommy, I want a day out with daddy!" She really looks forward to her special daddy time, and as any other mother, so do I! Some days, oh how I wish I could grant her request!! So today was a great day! While Daddy and Madi were off playing, I was lounging poolside! However, a little bit after I get home, I hear the front door open and the first thing Madi says is, "Mommy, I got a fish tank!" And of course Spencer just walks in so proud, with a look like, "isn't this the most wonderful thing ever!!? 

Yup, we've got fish now. 4 of them in fact. 3 guppies and a beta so I'm told. He also told me he almost got a frog too, but that he decided to hold off on that till the fish get "settled in." In a very reassuring tone, Spencer also tells me, "don't worry, I got all males so that our three guppies don't become 300. He then explains to me that guppies are known to make baby guppies at the rate of bunny rabbits. Thanks Spencer, I'm so glad you thought of that-that was my one concern!!! 

To be honest, although I had my hesitations, the fish tank is really cool. I'm kind of diggin it now! There is something soothing to turning out the lights and watching fish swim around. I think I've actually already become attached to our new family members. Let's just hope we can keep em alive!  

Almost there!

I'm 38 weeks today and boy do I feel ready! I am currently 1 cm dilated and 65-70% effaced. I was the same at last weeks check-up, so not really a big deal. I've been trying to remember what I did during those final weeks of being pregnant with Madi. I remember it being relaxing. With the last day of school at my 37 week mark, I had 3 full weeks to myself. I remember sitting outside writing thank yous (I was thrown 5 baby showers, so you can imagine the amount of thank you's that had to be written), eating popsicles, taking naps, washing baby clothes, sleeping in, going to the gym everyday (and being able to stay for as long as I wanted), and watching lots and lots of Baby Story. I definitely was NOT climbing up and down the stairs 30 times a day, lugging around a 2 year old, going down twisty slides at the park, having my belly climbed on by an excited big sister, or doing a LOT of waiting (on my feet) for an extremely slow daughter who insists on walking everywhere, doing it herself, and looking at everything! While I still work-out, I've recently cut back to 3 days a week. I don't care about watching Baby Story (not having cable probably adds to that). And the baby clothes have already been worn and washed! I'll call my first pregnancy the dream and my second- well, maybe a glimpse, cause I know it's not yet reality. Not until I'm pregnant with maybe the 4th and getting NO nap during the day while also having to lug around a couple of kids everywhere I go! 

While I still get a relatively good nights rest, and am able to take naps during the day, I think I can say I'm ready to give it up so that I can have a smaller stomach again. This belly is really getting uncomfortable. I'm tired of sleeping on my side with my legs propped up on gazillions of pillows. I'm tired of being swollen in weird places. I'm tired of achy legs and a weak bladder. I don't know if I'm ready for the sleepless nights yet, so I'll just keep pretending that they're not going to be that bad. I'm excited for my mom to get here next week. It'll definitely be a nice break, having help with Madi.   

A belly picture will be coming as soon as Spencer gets home to take one! :)