Drew Ellyn

Our baby girl is here.

Her name is Drew Ellyn and she is heavenly.

On April 30th at 2:32 p.m. she came into the world and brought the sun with her.

I was monitored very closely with this pregnancy because I had extra amniotic fluid and our little girl was big. Towards the end my doctor told me that because of her size it was a possibility that her shoulders could get stuck on her way out and that if this happened there was a possibility of nerve damage. She was very honest and said that this could very well not happen at all, but that it was a possibility. Because of this she suggested we induce. I scheduled 2 inductions and cancelled them both. I just didn't feel peace about it. I really wanted to go into labor on my own. I thought with all the extra fluid, a baby measuring 9 lbs and my belly measuring 43 weeks that my body would go ahead and get the party started itself, but just like with Westley, my body seems comfortable being pregnant! In the end at 40 weeks and 2 days I finally felt peace about it and we induced, and I am glad we did.

We got to the hospital at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30th for the induction. By about 9 a.m. our doctor broke my water and started me on the lowest dosage of pitocin that any doctor at that hospital gives. I was thankful for her gentle approach. They slowly over time gave me a little more and it didn't take much until labor began and contractions started to roll over me. I sat on the birthing ball and labored for a couple hours. Eventually the contractions started to get stronger and stronger and I didn't want to be on the ball any longer. Drew helped me climb back into bed in between contractions at about 11 in the morning. As soon as I got into bed the contractions ramped up. Drew knew that I wanted to eventually get an epidural. Not only because of the obvious pain of contractions but because if the babies shoulders did get stuck the doctor would have to reach inside the birth canal to release her. Ouch. He mentioned that maybe I should get one ordered since we didn't know how long it would take. The nurse came back to check on me about 11:45 and I ordered it then. Within 10 minutes the anesthesiologist was in the room prepping me. As soon as she administered the epidural the contractions went to a whole new crazy level. Drew said the monitor looked like the very next contraction I had was a super long, strong, monster one, and they continued on that way. I was so very relieved I had gotten it when I did. No shame ya'll.

So at about 1:00 I was feeling good and I told Drew to go ahead and get some lunch. My body was doing its thing and the nurse was super chatty so I was just fine. He left and about 40 minutes went by. The nurse came in to prep the table for the birth just to be proactive. I told her I thought she should check me because I felt significant pressure in my butt. I thought about calling Drew because I knew that probably meant that I was almost ready to go, but the nurse laughed when I mentioned it because only an hour ago I was 4 c.m. dilated. Eventually she finished setting the table and came over to check me. Sure enough I was 10 c.m. and ready to push. That means I dilated 6 centimeters in an hour and a half! Drew came back just in time, the doctor was called and we could not believe that it was already go time. We laughed and I kept saying to Drew, "I'm so excited!" I just didn't know what else to say! We were going to meet our daughter!

My doctor showed up quickly and we got set up. Legs up, coached again on how to breath and push and on the next contraction I went for it. My doctor was such a great coach and told me when to slow down and when to push hard. Drew and the nurses were so encouraging and the energy in the room was so full of anticipation and joy. I felt very strong and confident in myself. I knew that I could do it and I knew we were in very capable hands. I pushed with everything on a couple contractions and saw her little head emerge. It was amazing. Literally nothing in my life I have ever done has been as exhilarating or fun as giving birth. If I could time travel I would go back to the births of my children over and over again for sure. As her head came out I saw the doctor's expression change and get very serious. She explained to me, while she quickly changed to a standing position, that the shoulders were stuck and she was going to reach inside the birth canal to get her out. The nurses exchanged worried glances but I had no doubt in my mind that she was going to be okay. I just had peace. Within moments her shoulders were released and this beautiful little creature burst into the world with a  huge splash. The memory I have of it is like a pop of light and the sound of water splashing and her body being held up, arms and legs spread wide. It was so incredible. The doctor handed her right up to me. There are no words.

She was warm and squishy and so soft. I wiped her face. I touched her cheeks. I cried and laughed and felt everything. Her tiny face finally so close to mine. She had all this golden brown hair! She had these beautiful chubby cheeks, rosebud lips. I held onto her feeling like this must be what heaven feels like. The elation is so vast and deep that everything around you goes quiet. Nothing else matters but right here and now.  At some point they scooped her up to weigh and measure her. 9 lbs 10 oz. 21 inches. So very healthy. She cried and flailed her little arms and legs around (no nerve damage!) and I remember laughing and saying to Drew, "Listen to her cry!". They wrapped her in a blanket and brought her back to me. She nursed right away like a champ. Eventually the doctor kissed my head and left the room and the nurses filed out. Drew and I and little pink Drew Ellyn just rested peacefully there for over an hour, must have even been two.  The only people in the world to know she was on this earth for those two hours were Drew, myself and the doctor and nurses. It was something special.


We named Drew Ellyn after her Dad of course and Drew's late maternal Grandma. We were just sitting on the couch talking about what to name her one night (we could not agree on anything for months) when I was about 4 months along. I had always liked the name Drew for a girl, and also thought the idea of naming a little girl after her Dad was so very special and adorable. I truly never thought Drew would go for it though, so I didn't mention it. But much to my surprise, Drew brought it up that night. I think he tentatively asked, "What if we named her Drew?" and I think I said, " I love it." We paired it with Ellyn right away and both got tears in our eyes. And that is how we knew it was hers.

My friend Molly once told me about how her friend prays wisdom over her children because wisdom covers so much ground in life. I think about that often and pray it now too. I believe there is power in our names. Drew means "wise" so I thought, what better than to basically speak the word "wise" over our little girl constantly. Ellyn means "sun ray" or "shining light". Perfect.

Drew Ellyn. Our beautiful daughter. Our wise shining light.

Mother's Day Gift Sets!

 

I stumbled across InifinityMom nursing scarves and just had to have one. I already had a nursing cover already but is always felt too small for the baby and too big for the diaper bag with the boning in it that made in unfoldable. I was so excited to find this company and have been wearing the scarves I ordered constantly even though baby isn't here yet! They are so soft, fashionable & cover up my cleave lately if you know what I mean. So when they said they wanted to team up with us to do a special Mother's Day sale of gift sets I was so excited!

Our etsy shop is currently closed because baby girl will be coming any day now - so this is your chance to get a necklace (and scarf!) anyway as they will be shipping out from Amazon! This means you can get free shipping and we decided to give you a $5 price break too!

Click here to get to shopping!

And don't delay for real, there is a very limited supply!!

Some final thoughts on this pregnancy

 37 weeks

I have obviously said a lot less about this pregnancy than Westley's. I have said a lot less in this forum in general. But I want to remember and have some more thoughts on these last days written down so I am taking this chance while I listen to Westley & Drew play with the beautiful train table Drew made him for his second birthday. To give you an idea of what that sounds like - it is a lot of soft "woo woooos!" from Westley and Drew Jones making a plastic giraffe talk with a high pitched English accent.

So, I was quite big with Westley's pregnancy, but I am even larger with this one. I have been measuring full term since 33 weeks. I am asked daily multiple times if I am having twins. People stare at me and do double takes. It doesn't really hurt my feelings - but it is becoming weird to feel like a spectacle. So much so that I don't really like going anywhere by myself. If Westley or Drew are with me I feel more protected from it somehow, like I can preoccupy myself with them and not notice it as much.

The reason I am so big is because I have extra amniotic fluid and baby girl is large. The extra fluid was discovered at the beginning of my third trimester when I had to switch practices because my midwives jumped ship. The new doctor just wanted to take a look for herself and make sure all was well. And even when she scheduled  a long ultrasound with maternal fetal, set me up for a second glucose test and had me schedule non-stress tests twice a week until the baby is born - I knew that there was nothing to worry about. I felt peaceful. She was concerned about early delivery and gestational diabetes and I strangely did not worry at all. I knew we were fine in that internal mother place that you learn to trust.

And we are. I am 38 weeks pregnant now. No gestational diabetes, no early labor, no problems. Just very very large.

With Westley I had no problem at all being pregnant for as long as he needed. And I still feel that way. But it is different this time. Westley went 8 days over and I was not anxious or impatient about it.

I am more ready for this one to come. I think it has something to do with how big and uncomfortable I am. I mean ya'll remember how I big I was with Westley at the end - those maternity clothes are belly shirts on me now. It is crazy town. I also think it is because I have Westley. I miss jumping off the couch into cushions with him. I miss wrestling him and having no problem getting up and down to play with him on the floor. I am excited to do those things again - I can tell that he misses them too. Thank God for Drew Jones because he makes up for my lack and then some. Westley prefers him now and when I go in his room when he wakes up he cries and shoos me away because he wants his Dad. He knows that he will have more fun with him. It sort of breaks my heart but I understand. We paint and play play dough and build blocks but what he really loves is running around the house like a superhero and I can get about two passes of that in before I'm done for.

So am I at the point of scheduling an induction because of how uncomfortable I am? NEVER! But I am more hopeful that she comes sooner than later. Especially when at our last ultrasound we saw her smiling (yes smiling) chubby cheeks and found out she is already 8 lbs.

And with that I think I am going to sign off. Westley & Drew are currently dancing to Micheal Jackson's Billie Jean and Westley just did a somersault by himself for the first time! Good times up in here.

Something cute in the mail!

We recently got a box in the mail.

This is a pretty typical thing. I shop online for various things and my Mom sends Westley care packages a lot and so Westley has become accustomed to the UPS guy pounding on the door, Scout barking like the world is ending and me dragging in a box for him to stand on top of and eventually open.

So recently we got a box in the mail and when we opened it Westley literally gasped with joy. 

It was a box of hangers ya'll. 

BUT they are these super cute hangers called Hanger Buddiez that are colorful and shaped like animals and monsters! I had no idea that Westley would have such a reaction to them, but he instantly wanted to open up the packaging and play with them. 

So of course we did!

He placed one on every stair and would look at each individual hanger and make the sound of the animal it was and looking to me like DO YOU SEE THIS.

So sweet.

 

Eventually we went upstairs and the play time did not end. WITH HANGERS YOU GUYS.

He wanted to make them play together and sort them and kept on with the animal noises. Then all of a sudden it was like a light bulb went on and he got up and left the room. I heard him in our bedroom rummaging around in my closet. Eventually he came back in the room with one of my shirts asking with his toddler pantomime if I would help him hang the shirt on the hanger. This kid. I love him.

And also, HANGER BUDDIEZ FTW!

I am hopeful that as he gets older and is able to hang clothes himself these cute little colorful hangers will keep him interested and having fun with chores!

If you want to check out Hanger Buddiez here is their website!

Going to the doctor

Going to the OB & doctor with a toddler is what I do these days.

The OB I see has two locations - one that involves a confusing parking garage and lots of walking and elevator rides and one that does not.

Of course I try to schedule at the office without all the fuss, but they book up fast.

So we do our best to get there at a decent time so Westley and I can navigate our way through the labyrinth - me sweating & out of breath carrying my squirmy toddler so we can check in on time and don't have to reschedule.

Poor Westley has had to see a lot of things.

At the most recent appointment Westley witnessed me get my cervix checked and pee all over my own hand instead of the dixie cup (I don't know where my vagina is anymore ya'll).

I do the American Mom thing and bring books and goldfish crackers. I pray that when I am laying there naked from the waist down he is not touching the red bin at his eye level marked "hazardous waste".
Lord have mercy.

It is so much different than the OB appointments from my first pregnancy. Sitting there with a notepad of well thought out questions, reading the pregnancy magazines, not sweating.

Westley is a well behaved little guy, I should say this for sure. He has also been to almost everyone one of my many quick endocrinologist appointments where they draw blood. And he sits there on my left knee watching while they draw blood from my right arm. I don't think it is advisable to hold a toddler while someone draws blood from you. I get serious with Westley and solemnly tell him to sit very still and he does his best.  All the while the nurse avoids eye contact, I assume because she is thinking "why in the world do people bring their kids?". The answer is because I have about 2 doctors appointments a week - that would either be a lot of favors or money for a sitter we don't have - and so I take him.

When we go he isn't trying to get into trouble, he is just 22 months old. There is only so much time a kid his age can spend in a small grey room with a half naked Mom expecting him not to touch anything before he starts to lose control.

As stressful as all of these appointments together can be, I am more brave with Westley there. Needles and cervix checks can cause me to want to have someone's hand to hold and if not that, someone to be brave for. So because Westley is there the Mom side of me comes out. The side that will not wince at the pain of it. That smiles at him and says, "Mama is giving blood so that the doctors can take good care of baby & me."

At the end of every appointment when I am buckling him in his car seat I tell him "We did it! We survived another appointment!" and he smiles. And I really am proud of us.

Some things I'd like to remember about this pregnancy...

- This little baby is gentler than Westley was as far as kicks go.

- I can't remember Westley having the hiccups in my belly but baby girl does!

- My consistent craving is spicy food. Today I probably ate an entire jalapeno pepper on my lunch.

- I have more cravings in general with this baby.

- Was sick for the first 16-20 weeks again this pregnancy. And even though when people ask I tell them I am doing good - I actually still feel sick. It's just not even close to those first 20 weeks so I don't really feel like mentioning it or complaining about it unless someone seems really interested. I take zofran every morning to help.

- I am much more relaxed in this pregnancy and worry less than I did with Westley. I think because I already have one little heart running around outside my belly to think about.

- People are a lot less negative with me this second pregnancy. I guess they figure I already have gone through it and so they don't give me the no-sleep-for-life pep talk.

- I am much more active this pregnancy having a toddler. I still pick up and carry Westley a lot and we build forts, are up and down stairs a dozen times a day, run around the house pretending to be super man. You'd think that I would gain less weight than I did with Westley except, swiss cake rolls.

- Speaking of weight, just like last pregnancy, I put on the biggest chunk of my weight between November & December. This is not surprising for two reasons: 1. I am finally finally actually wanting to eat again and not just forcing myself to eat for the sake of the baby. SO I EAT AND ENJOY IT AND NOBODY IS GOING TO STOP ME. 2. The nausea blanket just happens to lift over the holidays so yes I will take a piece of both types of pies thankyouverymuch.

- With Westley I was certain I would be late (and I was by a week and a day) with this baby I have no idea.

- I don't have the line down my belly with this pregnancy.

- I had to switch doctors/hospitals in my third trimester because my midwives decided to leave the practice I was going to and I wasn't covered anymore. I gave myself 15 minutes to be upset about it and now am convinced it was for the better.

I know there is more, but pregnancy brain is plaguing me. I might add more as they come to me...

Happy Birthday To Us!

It has been one year since we started our little Lady Lee & Drew Jones business and we decided it was time to show ourselves on Facebook!

And that of course calls for a birthday giveaway right? Right.

It is exclusive to facebook and we are giving away not one but TWO necklaces. One for you and one for a friend! And if "for a friend" means "I am my friend, I'm keeping them both" that is fine by us.

So come on over and check out our new Facebook page. It is super easy to enter!

Facebook! Click here!