Getting Gabriel Here

Gabriel Burke Anderson made his appearance on February 16th at 9:50 am. He was 8 lb 9 oz and 21 3/4 in long. He was healthy and strong, with long arms and legs and big hands and feet. His perfect nose, cheeks, mouth, and eyes just took our breath away over and over again. He was absolutely beautiful. 

Some people like reading/hearing labor stories, and I do want to record my experience and feelings so I can remember it well. So, fair warning! It's a long one! This is accomplished while I feed Baby Gabe, which has come to take a huge majority of my time!

I'm not sure how long my labor was. I felt contractions starting around 10am on Saturday, but they weren't bad nor very regular until the afternoon. By 4:00 I knew they were regular but still not too painful. Burke and I started timing an hour later as the pain worsened. We passed the time online shopping for furniture and rugs for our house.

I called the doctor around 9pm (it was one of the 2 OBs in the group that I had not met). Our understanding was to go to the hospital when contractions were 5 minutes apart lasting a minute for an hour, so I told her that's what was up. She said to me, "Are they so bad you can't talk, walk, or anything but breathe through them?" I told her they were for the first 20 seconds or so, but then the pain was less severe for the remainder of the contraction. She told me "You might be in labor, but wait until they are so severe you can't do anything but breathe through them for a whole minute." 

I was frustrated because I'd been in regular intervals of pain for several hours and I might be in labor? And we had been timing incorrectly? I wanted to feel validated. 

At that point things were getting worse. Burke was doing the timing for me but wouldn't time unless he was convinced I was in that intensely severe pain. Which I can tell you made me yell at him a few times. They still weren't lasting very long but were coming more frequently. We tried to rest, but I couldn't. 

By midnight or so I called the OB again. Contractions were lasting 30 seconds to a minute but were coming at least every 3 minutes. The OB said, "Well, if your pain is mega-bad, it's probably time to head in to L&D." I was like, um yes, this is mega-bad.

I feel like the worst part was getting to the hospital and checked in. We had to go through the ER and I was feeling like a crazy lady in labor because I couldn't believe they were making me wait (briefly!) at the registration desk, fill out a form, and wait for a triage nurse, etc. Once in L&D they made me go to a triage room which frustrated me because I'm thinking, yes people, I'm in labor, I am not going home. I had to pee in a cup and change into a gown and lie down on the bed to get my cervix checked and monitors on, all of which were terribly difficult and frustrating to me given my pain. I was 4cm dilated and 90% effaced. Hale-freakin-lujah, the words I wasn't sure I'd ever hear! Progress!

I was moved to my room and had to get back in bed to get the monitors on. I wasn't feeling like I was getting any relief between contractions. My frustrations continued as the nurses asked me medical history questions, etc. They asked if I wanted an epidural, and I said not sure, I wanted to wait. I gave them a copy of my birth plan but said, "I don't even know or care what's on there anymore." I was freaking out quite as bit due to pain and a nurse said, "Well you are in the worst possible position; want to get out of bed onto the birthing ball or something?" And I was like, yes, that's something I intended to use, why the heck am I lying in bed?

Once on the birthing ball I felt like I was finally experiencing a few seconds of relief between contractions, but they were coming fast. All the "comfort measures" we had talked about were long gone. Burke held my hands across the bed (he was worried I was going to fall off the ball) and helped me keep breathing and I tried to use a visual focal point. But I was exhausted. 

Here were my thoughts on meds. I felt like I wasn't opposed to getting an epidural if I felt like I needed it, but I wanted to try and avoid it if possible. It has the potential to slow down labor, which I didn't want, and I didn't think I'd want to be stuck in bed. I also worried about decreased sensation and if I'd be able to push adequately. I've also heard of times when it doesn't work and that just sounds like worst case scenario. But I also understood the huge benefits of being able to rest some before pushing a baby into this world, and I hadn't known really how serious the pain would be. 

I guess it's no surprise that with the above expectations I ended up asking for the drugs. By the time I had been at the hospital for 2 hours I had dilated 3 more cm. That's really quick progress! But I was so exhausted that the thought of having to go 3 more cm was frightening to me.

It was pretty impressive how great it felt to have that pain relief. There was lots of discomfort still, but it was great. Burke got to lie down and sleep at this point. I didn't sleep, I think because I was shaking so much (epidural side effect). An hour later they checked me again: 8-9 cm with a ballooning amniotic sac. The OB came in and broke my water about 4:30. 

By 5:30 I was almost fully dilated and felt the urge to push. I wasn't really feeling the contractions but the pressure was crazy! They sat me up to let gravity help, but I guess gravity also increased the effectiveness of the meds. By 6 I was no longer feeling that pressure. 

I finally slept a little. Around 7am, shift change, I felt really nauseated and lightheaded. While my nurse was working on getting me some zofran, the baby's heart rate dropped. It was a whirlwind but they put oxygen on me and put me in reverse trendelenburg position and came pretty close to giving me a medicine to try and stop contractions. It was a pretty scary few minutes, but his heart rate improved.

The nurse said it was time to push, but not only had I lost the pressure sensation but also most of the feeling in my legs. I could not move them. From 7:30 til 9:30 I pushed, changing positions every half hour. They turned off my epidural but it takes a long time for sensation to return. I couldn't tell if my pushes were effective; it was pretty frustrating. Baby's head was visible but wasn't really moving. I started to get nervous about having to get a c-section, and I was a little freaked out about what all this pushing that I could barely feel was doing to me!

By 9:30 my OB came in and recommended using vacuum extraction to guide his head out. Based on what I had learned before and his explanation it sounded like minimal risk, but it was still a little scary since we had to give permission and they had a neonatal nurse practitioner in the room. We agreed, and things got real as all the extra people came in the room, my OB gloved up, and we were ready!

This time I only pushed for a few contractions. The sensation was back. What was crazy was not pushing in between contractions when there was a baby halfway in and halfway out. I hope I never forget the extreme emotion as I gave it all I had and pushed that baby out. Burke and my nurse, who had already coached me through 2 hours of pushing, were super excited now.

At 9:50 he was born. Burke cut the cord and they put him on my chest. I saw his super long hair and his big hands with long fingers clasped together. I didn't even realize for a bit that I had delivered the placenta and was being sewn up. 

When they took him over to get his measurements he had some retractions so they were briefly nervous he wasn't breathing well, but his oxygenation was good and that resolved. And our sweet boy was back in my arms.

And that's Gabriel's birth story in a lot of words. 

I just have to say, having a baby is rough. I knew and expected that labor and delivery would be painful. I knew there would be recovery there. I had heard a little about nipple pain with breast feeding, and leaking. I had heard a bit about the bleeding and some mention of afterbirth pains. Plus I knew there'd be sleep deprivation. But I wasn't really prepared to have so much going on at once. Breast feeding was excruciating, and it only got more uncomfortable when my milk came in. Every latch made me want to cry (and I definitely did!). My body hurt all over. And besides the physical pain and exhaustion, there was huge emotional stress of trying to learn to care for this baby!

None of that in any way takes away from the indescribable joy of bringing Gabriel into this world. I just want to remember it for the sake of the added empathy I now feel for friends who are having babies. Wow! It's not an easy time!! 

I still look at my boy in wonder, and I expect that feeling will always continue. I can't believe how clearly he comes from both Burke and I. I can't believe how beautiful he is. I can't believe he grew from 2 cells to a baby inside of me. I can't believe the infinite potential he has. I can't believe the huge responsibility that is now mine and Burke's to take care of him and raise him. It is exhausting being a new mommy, with plenty of frustrations and difficulties. But it's the most amazing and joyful experience there is. Oh how we love our boy!

Blessing counter

I just had to get that off my chest. Now that that's done I shall focus on the happy blessings that abound, even amid the most frustrating experience ever.

As we have continually had to put off home prep and moving and readjust plans, it's given time for baby focus. I would love to have my "nursery all set up" as everyone keeps asking me (and making me want to cry), but it's ok. The last few weeks have brought about 4 (can you believe it!?) baby showers. I'm pretty sure there has never been a time in my life when I have been shown so much generosity, love, and support. This baby boy's already spoiled! I fell into complete picture taking fail for all showers, but relying on others I've got a few.

My office threw a surprise "diaper shower" for me. BAM!
It was awesome! It was not awesome trying to get them all home. But I was immensely grateful. I never imagined being so set up with diapers.

My mom, sister, and PA school friend Caitlyn threw me a shower at home in Winston.

The next week my friends in our old ward here in Charlotte threw me a shower. I couldn't believe how many sweet friends came!

Then, our Spanish branch had a surprise shower for me. It was very different than the others. :) Tons of ladies, tons of games, tons of food.

They were all fantastic. I never could have imagined the generosity. I never could have imagined the thank you note stack. But seriously, I'm so grateful. If baby boy had come last week all we would have had for him would have been those gifts and his car seat... and we would have been fine!

I've also had a little time this week to start reading up on taking care of newborns. I hadn't made that a priority, but now I can. I think that will turn out to be a great blessing.

I expected it'd be a good idea to take my leave 2 weeks early because we'd have the house and I'd have plenty of work to do, but as that is not the case it's been frustrating that I am "wasting" my leave with no baby and no house. However, the blessing is this: they're giving me 12 weeks and I'm going back to work part-time anyway. I haven't been employed for a year so I'm actually not eligible for FMLA, so simply the fact that they're holding my job for 12 weeks is a big blessing. They've also agreed to let me come back part time. Initially I think they thought that's all they'd need out of me anyway, but now it sounds like they'll probably hire another part-timer to fill the days I won't be there. Which is just another sign of how blessed I am.

What else can I be grateful for these days?

Healthy pregnancy-check.
Time with my husband-check.
Supportive family and friends-check, including of course, as above.
Financial stability-check.

Knowledge that Heavenly Father answers our prayers-check.

Estrés

Oh, hi friends. Today I am what the OB office likes to call "38 and 4." That's 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Funny that we get so specific and particular. Like we even know. Due date is a mere week and 3 days away. And I am here, visiting the ol' blogosphere, because I am out on maternity leave. Which is a decision I wish I could take back. Never thought I'd say that: "I wish I were working."

When I count up stressors in my life lately, I can think of a few. It's almost funny though, because right now I am lazily ok with wasting most of a day. It'll all make sense in a minute (or a few, because this post turns out out to be crazy long). I thought I'd try and summarize the whole situation on the blog since it's been shamefully neglected these past several months, and maybe writing it all out will be somewhat cathartic for me.

In July, while I was pitifully nauseated and hypothyroid, we were shopping for houses. We found a winner; a short sale. We had looked at lots of short sales and foreclosures, but this one was in fantastic condition, considering. It's greatest feature was space!, openness that we weren't finding in other homes in our price range. I was uneasy, much preferring the idea of buying a home we'd be able to close on and move into by the fall. But we went for it; we put in our offer at the beginning of August, right before I started work. The seller's bank had required that we pay for an attorney on the case, so our realtor thought that ought to speed things up a bit. Still short sales can take months, but we thought we'd be the lucky ones that got it through in 2-3 months.

Fast forward to December. Still no word on the house. A few times I really tried to convince Burke that we needed to look at houses again, give up on the short sale. He was pretty sure he couldn't give up on the killer deal we were going to get on this home, so we didn't. Besides, we were super busy anyway. Finally, right before Christmas, we heard from the seller's realtor that the bank was going to approve the sale, and they were accepting our offer, no counter. They requested that we close in 30 days. We did nothing until, about a week later, we got official word from the bank. Still no written approval, but it was from them. Our lender went to work, feverishly collecting documents from us, drafting documents for us to sign, etc. They had a 3 week deadline! We also jumped on the phone setting up utilities in our name and getting our inspections done. Closing was scheduled, a few days prior to the deadline. Found out the day of that, no, the seller's bank did not get the document within 72 hours and we could not close today. Rescheduled for their deadline, Jan. 21st.

January 21st we met at the attorney's office. We signed a folder full of files. Closing day! Then the attorney mentioned, "We're still waiting on one form from the seller's bank. We're on the phone with them. We should be getting it soon. Can't say if it'll be 10 minutes or 2 hours, but we'll get it."

And we left. Congratulations! Sort of? Do we own a house?

No, we didn't own a house. 3 days later, finally that form was sent to the attorney's office, around 5pm Friday. We were assured that probably everything would be fine, they just needed to record it in our name, and we'd be set. The seller's realtor gave us the key, and on Saturday we cleaned and prepped our new place for painting!

Monday. Around noon. Realtor calls. It's simply been too long. We have to draft new documents. The seller's bank requests 5 more business days. We can't close til a week from Tuesday.

I'm sorry. Didn't we already close? Doesn't the word "close" signify something final? complete? done?

And that, my friends, is how it's come to be that I'm on maternity leave in a half-packed apartment with a million to-dos that cannot be done. My motherly nesting instincts are screaming.

And that, my friends, is how it's come to be that we may be closing on a home a mere 4 days prior to due date. Of course if baby comes 4 days early, who knows what will happen to that thing they call closing. I do not think it means what you think it means.


I was right; even if no one in the whole world reads this, it was cathartic. 

Being pregnant blows my mind.

No posts in a few months feels like blog neglect to me. As most of my friends who still blog seem to be posting less and less as well, it makes me wonder if this is a fading trend. It also makes me wonder if this blog thing will continue to happen. It is nice to have a place to share thoughts and photos that is seen by a much smaller selection of friends. I guess that's why we have this? In any case, posting less in the past several months hasn't been intentional. It seems that life really has gotten busier than ever. Busier, with less things that seem blog-worthy.

Except, of course, that I'm pregnant. Now that is blog-worthy. Which is one of the reasons I am not taking this hour to nap and am writing instead. There are so many thoughts that I have wanted to record and express and just haven't made time.

This is my first pregnant belly shot, taken at 25 weeks. Is that pathetic?

Being pregnant is the most bizarre thing I have yet experienced. 

My body. It is indescribable to watch and feel my body change on a daily basis. I read and learned all about those physiologic changes of pregnancy while I was in school. But to experience it in my own body is different. I know my blood volume has expanded by 50%, and I can recognize how that fact is changing noticeable things in me. I know how the hormones going through my body are different, and I can see the evidences of this. I knew I'd get big and I knew I'd change shape, but I didn't fully appreciate how difficult it would become to dress myself, and how I would literally need a completely new wardrobe. I couldn't have anticipated how it would feel to have my belly stretch, little by little. I was feeling "full" at 3 months; that's 6 more months of fullness to go! My changing body blows my mind every single day, in one way or another. 

The little boy growing inside of me blows my mind too. I read the week-by-week guides. This week I read that babies at this stage are an average of 2 pounds and 14 inches long. (I bet my little guy is a little longer than average.) I have 3 months of pregnancy left and this child still has lots of pounds to gain. That actually freaks me out a little, to be honest. He's had all of his parts for a long time now, though. He's just hanging out in me, developing his heart and lungs, his brain, his muscles. And is he ever working on his muscles!!

Feeling him move rocks my world. It gets uncomfortable sometimes, but it doesn't matter. One of my favorite things is when we are getting ready to go to bed at night and he starts kicking big time. I love to watch my belly move. It always makes me laugh, which means I shake right back at him. I hope he doesn't dislike it; to me, it kind of seems like a game between us. He kicks, I laugh, shaking up his home. I love for his daddy to put his hand on my belly and feel him move. It is the best thing in my life right now. 

I've heard people say, "I love being pregnant." A few months ago I told Burke that if I ever said that he could remind me real quick that that's not true at all. I really had a tough time this summer, and it wasn't like the tough stuff was over when I hit 2nd trimester, either. Baby boy still has a lot of growing to do, too, so I know that the relatively few physical complaints I have at this stage will expand soon. And even in this very moment I probably wouldn't say "I love being pregnant." 

But I will say this: just experiencing pregnancy itself (since I haven't yet given birth or become a parent) fills me with amazement and wonder and gratitude for the immense privilege I'm being given. 

Expectant

Let's get straight to the point, shall we?

We're expecting a baby, due to join our family next February! But that's probably old news now to any blog readers there may be. We are so excited! And seriously so grateful for the opportunity that will soon be ours to become parents. Even to be at this point, it feels like such a privilege and we don't ever want to take it for granted. 

In all honesty, it's been a really tough summer. I think it's terribly unfortunate that first trimester is hush hush. I totally get why that is, and some people choose to share their happy news broadly much earlier than we did, but I was definitely on board with waiting to announce. It just turned out to be terribly lonesome. I had pretty awful nausea all day every day for many weeks. Even now my stomach feels especially testy, but I am doing so, so much better. But it was during that time that I really felt like I could have used more support, and would have loved to have talked to more people about what I was going through. Now that I have, I realize more and more people went through exactly what I did. It'd be nice if we could support each other better during the rough beginning.

Besides that, because we didn't talk about it with the people around us (except our immediate families) for a while, there was much less focus on the happiness and excitement of the coming baby than there is now. I expect that will only increase as my belly gets bigger (when even every single stranger will decide to talk to me about it, touch my belly, etc.).

Those months were tough, but the very best part was the early ultrasound. We saw that tiny little heart beating like crazy. We saw our baby, at 9 tiny weeks gestation, wiggle around. There was nothing like it. And that's what I had to keep going back to in my mind when I felt such frustration about being so sick.

I started my new job, my first job as a PA, 2 weeks ago. I was so nervous about having that conversation, you know, that I'm having a baby in 6 months, but it went amazingly well. They were so unbelievably supportive. I'm not sure what's going to go down after the baby comes, but I know Heavenly Father had a major role in me getting into this particular job and the timing of everything, so I'm really grateful. We'll see how things go!

When I was so sick I couldn't wait until this part would be over and I'd be showing and everybody could know that I'm pregnant, as opposed to looking completely normal yet feeling so miserable. I think it was literally the weekend before I started work that I decided I might actually be starting to have a bump that I could notice. And sure enough, every day that week when I would put on my dress pants that I hadn't worn all summer, I'd find them just a bit too tight. It turns out it's kind of stressful! I'm barely even showing so I feel crazy to buy maternity clothes, but I'm really having major trouble with the clothes I currently own. It's an interesting phenomenon to have my body change so much so quickly, and this is just the beginning.

We've been excited to become parents for a long time, but that excitement seems to grow daily nowadays. Can't wait for every change and every step along the way! 

Summer trippin'

The end of June took us to Utah and Idaho, because it's cheaper to fly to UT than ID and because we love the chance to see Grandma and Grandpa, Beth, Ian, and Emma, any chance we get. It was a busy trip centering around this lovely occasion in Boise.

Bride and Groom. They are so beautiful.

I spy Bonnie... 

Burke loves to be with his brothers.

 Next up was a very short weekend trip to Atlanta to see the Escobars. Life is super busy for all of us so we just had about 24 hours there, but we loved every bit of it. Of all the Atlanta attractions we picked a Braves game and a hike up Stone "Mountain." But the main attraction was catching up with these lovelies! Thanks for putting us up, we loved getting to see you!

And then it was our upstate NY trip. Whew. I think I'm still not far enough removed from it to forget how terribly much driving it was and how terribly hot it was up there, which wouldn't have been as big of a deal if places had AC. The occasion was a family reunion near Palmyra. We spent some time with some distant family (cousins of my dad, etc) and our closer family (my own cousins, aunts and uncles, etc). I was really looking forward to Niagra Falls which I vaguely remember seeing when I was about 5. It was so fun. Burke and I got to spend some time exploring super rural Amish country around Lake Ontario while Mom and Dad helped out with Youth Conference for their stake which happened to be the same week up in Palmyra, but we didn't take any pictures there.

We walked up these stairs next to the falls after our boat tour...

...And got completely soaked. There was no helping it.

Before we headed out of town we took a beautiful hike near Lake Seneca.

But this picture pretty well sums up the trip. 

And in case you hadn't heard, this is the year of the wedding in the Anderson family so our summer travels will wrap up in a few more weeks with a trip to Wisconsin/Chicago for Becky's wedding! Wow, three new sibs in one year!
In the meantime we are enjoying being home. sigh.

He's home!

Is there anything more fun than having a missionary come home? Aaron came home from his two year mission in Monterrey, Mexico complete with a sweet little Mexican accent. We were so happy to welcome him home! Beth, Ian, and Emma came out from Utah for a short trip so they could be here too.

The next day we packed up and headed to Virginia to a nice campground on the New River to spend a couple of days of quality time camping. 

On Friday we drove to Mt. Rogers to what must be my family's favorite hiking spot. Seriously, this place is beautiful and unique in so many ways. 

Usually the wild ponies are hard to miss, but we had to go looking for them this time. But we found them! And when we did, they started following us. They must get fed a lot.

Before we left we did some canoeing, kayaking, and tubing on the river. So fun!

It was kind of a whirlwind, but we loved being in some beautiful places and being together. And of course we loved chasing around this firecracker.