Hux Ashton Chance

The morning after he was born, we finally took a decent photo. Boy do we look exhausted! 

Wow, it is almost 2 weeks after Hux was born and I am just opening my laptop to attempt to write this post. I don't even know where to start, but I will and hopefully it won't be too long, but you may want to grab some drinks or snacks. :) Edit: it has now been over a month and I FINALLY finishing this post! Oh and here is Charlotte's birth story, which is a drastically different story!

We had a regular OB check on Tuesday, February 13th. I went to MOPS that morning, got my car washed, did a little work and then met Kyle at my doctor's office. I had plans to meet my broker to grab a check and then drive to Toro Park to show a house, but Hux and my doctor had other plans. They took my blood pressure and it was a little high and within the range of pre-eclampsia range (140/90-- I don't think I'll ever forget these numbers). I also was having weekly ultrasounds to monitor my amniotic fluid. Normal range is 5-25, and mine was reading at 26, which is considered polyhydramnios. I was super relived when  I had the ultrasound to know that my fluid level had gone done to 22. Awesome! I was in the clear! I went into the exam room and my doctor drops the bomb that I need to go to the hospital for blood work and for a NST. Um, what? No, I have a house to show and I have bunco tonight. This can't be happening. I really was in shock. He assured me it was just for monitoring and if all checked out, I could go home.

So, Kyle and I drove together to the hospital. On the way there, I couldn't believe that this may be IT! When we arrived to the hospital, I was a little panicky. The nurses were slow to react to us because we weren't an emergency. They got us settled into a room and started monitoring my blood pressure every 10 minutes. Of course, I was super nervous so it was super high. The nurse covered up the monitor so I couldn't see the numbers and I just tried to relax. They took a urine sample and also drew blood (my favorite). Little did I know that I would have blood draws EVERY 6 hours for the next week. Hence the bruises ALL OVER my arms. My labs came back with protein in my urine and my blood pressure continued to be high. Kyle went home to gather our bags (which were not packed) and pick Charlotte up from school. Meanwhile my doctor came to the hospital and gave me the news, I would not be leaving and it was time to induce. I cried. This is not how I had thought this would go at all. Especially after my birth experience with Charlotte. I fought hard and one of my nurses played mediator between my doctor and I while Kyle was on speakerphone. At this point, it was a safety concern for my health and for the baby's. So, with that, we started the Cervadil to start to induce labor, which before that even started, I was having some mild contractions.

Kyle got back to the hospital after dropping Charlotte off at her friend's house. Our friends the Crowells were seriously lifesavers in helping us with Charlotte. We are forever grateful of their help with her. Kyle brought back dinner and we just waited. My doctor had mentioned that the induction could take up to 3 days. Wow! Again, not what I planned. It got pretty late and it was just hard for me to sleep. I was so anxious and didn't know what was to come and then of course, in the back of my head I was just praying I wouldn't have to have a c-section. I was woken up all night by nurses and labs, but finally got a longer stretch of sleep around 2am.

Morning came and I couldn't wait to see my progress from the Cervadil. The contractions had continued, but nothing too painful. At 9am, the Cervadil had been in for 12 hours. It was time to check my progress. Well, I was completely disappointed to find out that the nurse couldn't even reach my cervix. So, we awaited my doctor to see what was next. While we waited, we watched Titanic from beginning to end (5 hours with commercials on TV). My lunch arrived and we were still awaiting my doctor and the next thing I knew, in walked my mom and sister! Wow, I was so surprised. They booked tickets the night before and flew out first thing in the morning. It was so great to see them and totally lifted my spirits. My doctor came and checked me and I was 1-2cm. So excited! Now, when I got to the hospital with Charlotte I was already 5cm, so you can see how different this labor was going.

Laboring and get ready for the big day!

At this point, we also got to switch rooms, which was also a wonderful thing. The room we were in didn't have a window and was super tiny. So we were very happy with the upgrade! We got all of our stuff moved over and realized it was probably time to get Charlotte from school. My mom, sister and Kyle left to go surprise her at school and I tried to get some rest. The Parkland School shooting was unfolding and all over the news. So sad. I had started feeling stronger contractions and the monitor was showing them between 2-5 minutes apart. I texted our doula, Krista, that maybe it was time for her to come up to the hospital. Shortly after that, my contractions literally stopped. It was so frustrating. She came and brought me a birth ball and hung out for a bit, then headed back home so we could both get some rest. Kyle returned to the hospital, we ate dinner, Facetime'd Char and just waited... I got checked again at 9pm, after another 12 hour round of Cervadil. I was just 2 cm dilated. I was so frustrated. I decided to get in the shower to refresh and relieve some of the pain. Then I bounced on the ball and Kyle and I walked the halls. Kyle was a great coach and helped with the contractions. We would stop at this world map on one of the walls and talk about places we've been to try and take my mind off of the contractions. Around 10:30pm, we decided to call Krista back up to the hospital. This allowed Kyle to get a short break while Krista kept me company and walked the halls with me. Once I would stop walking, the contractions would subside or get further apart. I was really tired at this point and something had to give. I was going on over 24 hours of not really sleeping. I don't recall the time, but I think it was 1am or 2am where I had a breakdown and my nurse, doctor and I decided it was time to start Pitocin, which for me, meant it was time to get an epidural. I hadn't had Pitocin before and really didn't want to have to experience it without some type of pain meds. At this point, my labor literally felt like a bad dream that just wouldn't end. The birth of our son just seemed SO far away.

The anesthesiologist came in and began to prep for my epidural. I was so nervous and just began to cry. He asked me if I wanted to get the epidural and of course I did, I was just a wreck. After prepping my back and placing the plastic wrap on my back, it was time. Thankfully, it was not as bad as I thought it would be and similar to my experience with Charlotte, except this time, it worked and my pain was relieved! I got a catheter and then the nurse and Kyle moved me onto my back and I tried to get comfortable and get some rest. This was challenging as the nurses and lab techs were constantly coming in to draw blood and check vitals. Kyle, Krista and I all got some rest and the next thing we knew it was morning and I was 5.5cm! Finally some progress!

My mom and sister came back up to the hospital and we just hung out and waited for progress, especially for my water to break. I was diagnosed with polyhdramnios ( high amniotic fluid) towards the end of my pregnancy which also meant weekly ultrasounds to look at the fluid. At my appt. on Tuesday, the AFI was finally down within normal range, but I was warned that when my water broke, it would be a lot! Around 11am, I started to prep for delivery! I freshened up, put on some makeup and brushed my hair. I was going on almost 12 hours of being in the bed and was getting a little bored. At this point, I also couldn't eat, but was able to have water. I was checked again and at 7cm. We talked about breaking my water, but needed my doctor so waited for him to get to the hospital. But, that wouldn't  be necessary because it broke on its own! My belly practically went flat! Yes, there was alot of fluid. My doctor arrived shortly after and this is where my labor started to take a turn. At this point I was 8-9 and almost ready to push, but Baby Hux had other plans. His heart started to decelerate with every contraction. Electrodes were placed inside of me and on his head to get a better reading of his heart. Then they put an oxygen max on me. I started to cry. I was so nervous. My doctor placed another set of electrodes on his head and after more decelerations determined that the cord must be wrapped around the baby's neck. He said let's wait for one more contraction, but I declined, I didn't want to wait any longer. The next thing I knew, they were wheeling me out for an emergency c-section.

Oxygen mask on, not sure what was happening at this point, but Hux's heart was beginning to drop.

The next few hours are such a blur. Kyle got suited up and I was taken into the OR. It was cold and bright and there were at least 20 people rushing around. They moved me to the table and put my arms out like a T. At this point, Hux's heart rate was down to 60. The same anesthesiologist came in who did my epidural. My OB pinched my stomach and asked if I could feel him doing that and I could. At this point, I'm pretty sure I was lifting my back/butt off the table because I was so scared and didn't want to feel them slicing me open. The anesthesiologist gave me more pain meds and my OB called for Kyle to come in. The next 3 minutes are some that I don't ever want to have to re-live and I will spare the details of what it felt like to get the baby out. One thing I will say is that his head was already engaged into the birth canal, which meant one of the nurses had to go inside to push his head back up the other way! I didn't feel it, but she told me that later. All was made better when we heard Hux crying. I could see absolutely nothing, but Kyle saw him being taken over to the warmer. He was OK!  Kyle went over to check on him and the process of sewing me back up started.

7lbs 2oz, the same weight as big sister Charlotte!

After a quick check, Kyle and a nurse brought the baby over to me. The blue drape was so far in my face there wasn't even a spot to put the baby on my chest. I saw his face and tried to kiss him and then they left and went into the nursery. We didn't even get a picture. Kyle said goodbye to me and planned to see me in about 20 minutes...but, my body had other plans.

As I laid on the table and felt them sewing me up, I remember asking one of the anesthesiologists how much longer it would be. He said about 15 minutes. He asked if I wanted something to relax. Yes, that would be great!  He put a nose cannula on me and gave me what I think was fentanyl. But, right before that, I threw up. Throwing up bile while on your back is really not fun. Thankfully I was able to turn my head and get it into a basin. I remember hearing the doctors and nurses ask if they got all of the placenta out and that is really the last thing I remember.

Hux was born at 3:29pm. Once I got the fentanyl, I don't remember anything until I woke up at 7:00pm in the PACU. The first thing I asked Kyle was, "Do I still have my uterus?".

So, what exactly happened? Well here is a recap of what happened during those 3.5 hours once I fell asleep. As they were stitching me back up, my uterus continued to bleed and would not contract, which is a condition known as uterine atony, which is likely related to the preeclampsia. At this point, my platelets were also running low so my blood was not clotting. I was re-opened and a D&C performed as a precaution to ensure there were no placenta parts left. Once you see my placenta, you will understand why. It was mangled and the cord was barely hanging on. Had I had a vaginal delivery, things could have gone very differently. I really believe that God intervened.

My placenta. Not anything how it is supposed to look, with the cord barely attached. 

I continued to bleed and lost 2000cc of blood volume, about half of my total blood volume. After two blood transfusions, things started to turn a corner. At this point I was intubated and under general anesthesia. I remember nothing. My uterus was still floppy and so a Bakri balloon was inserted into my uterus to stop the bleeding and I was finally closed back up.

Waking up in PACU, I was super groggy and delirious. During the time I was in surgery, my family cared for Hux. His first meal was a bottle of formula, I would have never guessed that would be how it went, but it did and he did great! They also weren't given much information about me at all. It was a very hard and difficult couple of hours for them. I really feel so lucky to still have my uterus and to be alive. My doctor and the team of nurses really saved my life. Once the surgery got complicated, there were 4 OBs and 2 anesthesiologists caring for me. I owe them everything.

Finally at 7:05pm, I got to hold my sweet baby Hux! My body could barely move, but he melted right into my body. Holding him instantly restored me. Kyle and I finally took our first picture with him. We were all ok.

I will continue the recovery in another post. I am truly so grateful for all of the prayers and support from friends and family from all over the world. In this huge mess of a situation, I am so grateful for everyone and everything.

Bumpdate: 37 Weeks

Well, we made it to "full term"! Not much to report here, just waiting on baby. Here is my 37 Week Bumpdate with Charlotte. A lot more eventful than this go round. We moved into a different house when Charlotte 10 days old, which was a huge blessing, but I am so happy to not be doing that this time! 

Today I have a doctor's appointment and we will finally check out the hospital and do our pre-registration paperwork, too. Sadly, I've only driven past the hospital, but have no idea where to go when I do go into labor. Once again, second child! 

His room is ready, diaper bag is packed, but still need to finalize our bags for the hospital and Charlotte's bag to go stay with her little friend! We also need to get the car seat installed!

How far along? 37 Weeks
Maternity clothes: Yes and I got to wear dresses over the last week because the weather has been soooo nice!
Total weight gain/loss:  up 15 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight! I've gained more than I did with Charlotte and I'm definitely not making excuses, but I have a high level of amniotic fluid that is also a contributing factor. Normal range is 5-25 and last week I measured at 26! I seriously feel like I am about to pop lol!
Stretch marks? Still none! I thought I had one the other day, but it was an indentation from the tights I was wearing! When I woke up the next day it was gone! Continuing to lather up with lotion!
Sleep? I have sadly started snoring (like really loud). Kyle even has a video recording to prove it! It's so bad and has caused me to pretty much have a permanent sore throat. I definitely am not sleeping well. Up 4-6 times a night to use the bathroom and then not being able to get comfortable. Either Kyle or I have been moving to the baby's room during the night, which makes me SO happy we decided to keep our daybed in there! 
Miss Anything? Moving, walking without feeling like the baby is going to fall out, WINE!
Movement: Yes, lots of movement. 
Food cravings? Girl Scout cookies! Did you know that there are different varieties on the east vs. west coast, also like most things our cookies are more expensive here! Surprise, surprise! 
Gender: Boy! 
Symptoms: Shooting pain down my legs, back pain, my rib isn't as numb constantly which may be a sign he is dropping. 
Belly button in or out? Out!
Wedding rings on or off? On, but tighter. I am definitely swelling a little as some of my shoes feel a little tighter. 
Happy or moody most of the time? Pretty happy knowing the end is in sight!
Worst moment this week:  Not sleeping very well!
Best moment this week: The weather being absolutely amazing and having visitors in town! We had Kyle's best friend Rob and his girlfriend and Kyle's dad simultaneously, but it was a blast and Charlotte loved all the attention! We did some exploring and spent most of our time outside. If the weather was like this all the time, I could handle living here. 
Looking forward to: His arrival! I can't believe we are in the home stretch. This may be the last bumpdate I do!
Labor signs? Things are definitely moving towards that!
Anything making you sick or queasy? Eating too much and getting too full. With all my fluid I already sometimes feel like my stomach is in my throat!
Baby info: He's the size of Swiss chard, weighing in at about 6 1/3 lbs. 

Baby Boy's Nautical Shower

All of the ladies! Thanks Gretchen for snapping this photo and taking photos of the shower!
Photo Credits: Captured by Christopherson

Baby Showers are one of my favorite things. Well, really any chance to plan or attend a party is fun for me! My sweet friends in Monterey threw me a baby shower last weekend and it could not have been more perfect! Since I am doing a nautical theme for the baby's room, they followed the same theme for the shower!

We played a few games, including measuring my belly, Don't Say "Baby" and the Candy Diaper game!

Yummy Cookies and Cake by Baked Sweetly by Lizzy Rae! She's the best! 

 

My favorite flower, Stargazer Lillies

My friend, Morgan, made this adorable diaper motorcycle!

Char made a special appearance and was so excited!

All of the details were so beautiful!

A HUGE thank you to Jessica, Gretchen and Mariam for hosting the shower and to my friends who attended. It meant so much to me! We received some awesome gifts for baby boy and I think we have enough diapers for the first few months!

Bumpdate: 35 Weeks

35 Weeks

I was super sad as we were taking my 35 week photo, because I had major pregnancy brain and totally forgot to buy a honeydew for these pics! Such is life and and I decided we wouldn't be retaking them, so no fruit this week! :( 

Here is my 35 week bumpdate with Charlotte. I think I actually look similar in size. If anything, baby boy looks a little more round and more high. 

At this point, I am tired, uncomfortable and complaining a lot. My rib has been numb since Christmas and my upper back has had a constant pain since then as well. I sometimes get a little relief, but inevitably it always comes back. I also was fighting a cold and sore throat over the weekend. With all of that, I am trying to embrace and enjoy the last few weeks of this pregnancy as I may never be pregnant again! Baby boy is super active and I'm just so excited to see his little face! We have a check up today and then I start my weekly appointments. I did have an ultrasound over the weekend for a training exercise. He definitely looks squished in there! 

Little face with his hand up by his eye.

Profile! Looks like he is kissing or blowing bubbles

How far along? 35 weeks 

Total weight gain/loss:  up 12 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight!
Maternity clothes: Yep, it's been chilly too, so just bundling myself up! 
Stretch marks? Still none and I am shocked because it is SO stretched!
Sleep? Sleep hasn't been great. I know that when I have a dream, I must have gotten a decent stretch of sleep in. I've spent a few nights in the baby's room because I couldn't sleep or Kyle was snoring. All preparing me for baby, right? 
Miss Anything? Wine and being able to touch my toes or bend down to reach things without hurting!
Movement: Constantly moving and kicking! 
Food cravings? Love my sugar and sweets, lol! I am obsessed with Double Bubble gum. It has created a bad habit for Charlotte too, she loves gum like her mommy too, but we try to limit it! Anything making you sick or queasy? Public restrooms! YUCK!
Gender: Boy! 
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks and the other day at the grocery store I literally had to stop walking, my breath was taken away several times by what I think was lightening. I think this baby is coming early, but that is just me!
Belly button in or out? Out!
Wedding rings on or off? Still on and still loose!
Happy or moody most of the time? I'll be happy when I can sit up straight in a chair and not be uncomfortable!  
Worst moment this week:  Just being uncomfortable and not able to do my normal duties. I am pretty much always doing something, so to have to stop and lay down because I am in pain is hard for me to accept. 
Best moment this week: Kyle got back from his trip to Florida for his grandfather's funeral and we were able to spend MLK day together as a family!
Looking forward to: My sweet friends are throwing me a baby shower this weekend! I am very excited and grateful for them! 
Baby info: He's the size of a honeydew melon, weighing in at about 5.5 lbs and his kidneys are fully developed now. 

Labor signs? Nothing official yet!

Babymoon for Baby #2

32 Weeks with Baby Boy

We were so blessed to be able to get away for a babymoon while my mom and sister visited earlier this month. Charlotte didn't miss us one bit and Kyle did a great job of planning our babymoon. I planned most of our babymoon with Charlotte when we went to Kauai, so it was nice to have him do some of the planning for this one. Here is my blog from our Babymoon with Charlotte. Boy, we were busy! This babymoon looked way different, but was super relaxing!

We didn't go far, just about 45 minutes north of Monterey to a small town and resort in San Martin. This area is known for its wineries and vineyards and also, Rosewood CordeValle, where we stayed. This was our first time staying at a Rosewood property and the service was absolutely amazing! From the moment we arrived, they treated us like royalty and it was so special!

Kyle used our American Express Platinum card benefits to book this trip and it was so worth it! I love this card and even better that the annual fee is waived for military! Just for booking with American Express, we received $60 in breakfast credits daily, $100 spa credit or 2 free rounds of golf (we chose the spa credit), free room upgrade and late checkout until 4pm. The best part is that the room rate was the exact same if we booked directly with the resort! If you want a referral link for this card, let me know! It's awesome!

Upon arrival, we got checked in and taken to our room via golf cart. There are no cars allowed by the bungalows, so we would either call for a ride or take a walk depending on how cold it was. When we arrived the sun was shining (a rare occasion here in Monterey) so I immediately put my bathing suit on to get some sun! I actually had tan lines after sitting outside for an hour or so! I can't tell you how excited I was! We were greeted with some Martinelli's Sparkling Cider and chocolate covered strawberries, so I snacked on that while I enjoyed the glorious sun! Our room had a fireplace, which we pretty much had on the entire time! It was perfect and so cozy! The rest of the day we just lounged in the comfy bed and watched some of the New Year's Day football games. We headed down to dinner at the restaurant and of course by about 8:45 I was tired, so it was back to the room to lounge, which was perfect for me! Every night there was a turn down service, chocolates on our pillows and we were spoiled with a Nespresso machine in our room too. I think Kyle had 20 coffees during our stay there!

The next day we had a yummy breakfast in our room and then headed to the gym for a little workout before we went to the spa for massages. It was so nice to relax! We had lunch by the fire pit on the golf course and then decided we would do a 3 mile hike around the resort. I knew it might be challenge, but I thought once we got to the top, it wouldn't be too challenging. 1/4 mile in Kyle was telling me to turn back because I couldn't go very far up the hill without getting out of breath. Of course this motivated me to press on and I am so glad I did! We saw a deer and I did some yoga poses on the yoga deck! I was definitely tired at the end, but glad we did it! The resort also had a heated pool, but we never made it there!

If only this was breakfast every day!

We headed to dinner at Odeum, a mediterranean restaurant in the cute town of Morgan Hill, north of San Martin. We had the most amazing hummus and assorted dips and then shared the Pork Saltimbocca which was amazing! We were so full, we couldn't do dessert, but on our way back to the resort, I had a craving for a milkshake, so we made a quick stop! We seriously didn't do much, but it was so nice to relax!

Quartet of dips at Odeum

Quick stop for a sweet treat!

The next day we woke up to rain which was a huge bummer. We wanted to check out the winery, Clos La Chance, that is on property. We had breakfast again in our room and then headed over there on the golf cart. It was absolutely beautiful. A perfect place for a wedding. Kyle did a wine tasting and we bought some wine for my and sister as a thank you for caring for Charlotte. We made a quick stop at the outlets in Gilroy on our way back and then it was back home and back to reality! Such a great trip and one I will cherish and remember!

The vineyards at Clos la Chance

Next up on the blog a 34 week bump date (maybe 35 if I can't get my pic taken soon) and Baby Boy's Nursery Inspiration and Room!