Happy Two Weeks!!

Hello Everyone!

So Riva is officially 2 weeks old!  I can't believe I've been a mom for two weeks eek. I wish I could say I am getting the hang of it, but everyday seems to be a new experience lol. She used to eat every 3 hours, but now she wants to eat every 2 hours. Breastfeeding is definitely hard work, but I still like doing it. I have been able to pump often. I read somewhere that if you pump after nursing, then your  body will make more milk. I have at least 2 days worth in my freezer :-) I am trying to get ready for her daycare days in January. Co-workers at my job gave me a gift card to Babies R Us, so I used some of the money to purchase milk storage bags and bottles. The hospital gave me some as well, but not enoungh for what I am pumping lol.

On Monday I will be going to Orlando to visit my mother. I am so excited for her to see and meet Riva. I know they are going to love each other instantly. I am a little nervous about traveling on a plan with a newborn, so ant suggestion will be greatly appreciated. I read a blog saying that you should breastfeed or bottle feed during taking off to help with ear pressure. Normally, Riva is pretty 'gansta' when it comes to shots and uncomfortable visits  to the  doctor, so I don't doubt she will be fine. She is a tough sleeper. The other day she slept thorough the blender crushing ice. pretty crazy lol.

I have so much stuff to get together to travel her clothes, my clothes, diapers, wipes blankets, and more and more and more stuff lol. Should I bring the stroller? More stuff I never had to think about before. I will be flying Southwest airlines, so I am hoping they allow people with small children on first lol never noticed if southwest allows that. I did read that I should get an aisle seat so that I can walk up and down during the flight.

Well that is all for now. See you soon!
Sabrina

She is finally here!!

Hello everyone!

As some of you may know, I gave gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on November 7, 2013 at 7:04 pm.

On Wednesday, I was feeling contractions about 10 minutes apart the whole day. When I decided to go to bed early. Around 2:00 am, I was awakened out of my sleep with some intense contractions that were about 5 to 7 minutes apart. That when I decided to time them. By 3:00 am, my contractions were 5 minutes apart and lasting about 90 seconds. That when I decided to go to the hospital.

Its a little after 4:00 am, and I packed up my car checked  my listed and loaded the car seat. The drive to the hospital wasn't bad, but it did  feel like I was catching every single red light on my way there. I entered the emergency entrance and was sent to triage in the maternity wing. After about  an hour of observation, they said I was going to have my baby today and that it was time to move to my delivery room!! Yikes! I was scared and excited. That's when I decided to call my fiance, sister, mom and mother-in-law.

My water was broken about half way through labor, and that when labor got intense!! I mean like out of body intense. My fiance ended up showing up right at 10 centimeters and ready to push. After about 2 hours of pushing and no progress, my midwife and doctor said I had to have a C-section.

Oh I went HAM on them lol. There were a lot of tears. After handling labor that long, I felt defeated that I had to get a C-section. My doctor let try to go vaginal for another hour. Where We tried a bunch of different positions, but nothing worked :-( The anesthetist was called in and before you knew it I was getting wheeled into the operating room. I even had 2 nurses that stayed after their shift to be in the operating room. Big Head was also in the room. I don't remember all the details, all I remember is hearing her cay as soon as they pulled her out and seeing her face for the first time. They called out 7:04 pm. They handed her to Big Head and he went with her to the nursery as I was getting stitched together.

The doctors and nurses were amazed at how well I was doing and sent me home after 2 days. The baby passed all her test with flying colors. I know everyone wants to know her name and stats so here you go:

Riva Symiah
Born 7:04pm November 7, 2013
7 pounds 12 ounces
21 inches long

We are both now home and getting the hang of everything. She cries a lot and the first 2 nights were rough, but we are definitely getting into a routine that I can handle lol. Sometimes I find myself just watching her. I have made the decision to breastfeed and it was a little hard at first, but I am definitely enjoying that bounding time with her. I get to see my mom soon, and I can't wait for her to meet my daughter (OMG I have a daughter).

I hope to update you all on how motherhood is going so please stay tuned
See you soon,
Sabrina

Don't Judge Me!!!

Hello everyone!!

Well with only 16 days left till my due date, I have been off the vegan wagon. My amazing mom came into town and made me Haitian style oatmeal. It has carnation milk and tons and tons of butter lol. It was sooo yummy!! I also took my mom to Cheesecake Factory. She had never been, so my fiance sent me some extra money to treat her. I had a salad, but we did share a pumpkin pecan cheesecake. Man it was amazing. I almost snapped at the waitress for trying to remove the plate with one more bite left on the plate. Doesn't she know don't mess with a pregnant women and her plate lol. I also went to Popeye's, because I had a craving for biscuits. OMG so freaking good lol.

I promise, I am going to get back on the wagon. It was a minor slip. Had a great week seeing my mom, brother and twin sis!! Those kids are crazy lol. My mom did get to come to my appointment. Still just 1 cm dilated. Ugh!! Sometimes I just want her here already lol. My sister even got to see my stomach move lol It was pretty creepy looking lol. I also got to teach my sis some baking skills lol. We got to make banana bread, sticky buns, and sugar cookies from scratch.

I have been feeling some contractions, but very dull ones. It kind of feels like a menstrual cramp that grows in intensity, but then goes away. With 16 days left, she can come at anytime. I had a friend say there is a full moon next week, so you never know.

I am getting really nervous now. My stomach is definitely getting in the way, and I am definitely feeling slower and tried. It is getting harder to get out of the bed too and I have to say sitting on the toilet is so comfortable lol. My mother-in-law let me borrow her medicine ball and I love that thing. I just watch TV and sit on it, do homework, and even talk on the phone lol.

Hope everyone has a good week. See you soon.
Sabrina

3 weeks to go!!

Hello everyone!!

Well I made it to 37 weeks! I am officially OVER IT! My tail bone pain has been worse, rib pain, and using the bathroom like crazy. My doctor still says I am 1 cm dilated, and I was cleared to travel to my sister's wedding. I have been drinking a lot of tea and water. I think the only reason my feet haven't been swollen is because all the water I've been drinking. My older sis got me a water purifier for my faucet, so no more bottle water needed :-) Now I think it is important for babies to have regular  tap water, so the purifier is really for me lol.

My mom is also in town, so its been nice hanging with her. She was able to go to my appointment and hear the baby's heart beat and meet my doctor. I normally go to those appointments by myself, so it was really nice. And I even had some  Haitian style oatmeal made for me so that was definitely a plus.

I have been very irritable lately. Like people irritate me, full gas stations irritate me, and rude neighbors lol. But hey, I guess that is what come with it all. Baby doesn't move as much with so little space, but she always wants to remind me that she is in there once a day with a large stretch and sometimes a roll.

I am definitely getting really tired and experiencing some dry eye. But I guess if the baby is healthy, who cares what the other stuff is. I am so excited to see her and can't wait for my family to meet her.

3 WEEKS TO GO!!!

See you soon
Sabrina

28 days left!!

Hello everyone,

I am officially in the 9th month of my pregnancy. I had a visit with my midwife that went great. I had the take the Step B test. This test is invasive, and I should have the results on my next visit. I go to an appoint every week now. I also got a cervical exam. I found out I was 1 cm. lol don't worry that is nothing. My cervix is still pretty high and mucus plug is still intact. I am definitely getting anxious!!

I had some awesome gifts come in the mail like a bathtub, hand sanitizer, and a faucet water purifier :-) I am still trying to figure out where to store the bathtub lol, but for now its in the crib lol. Some good news is I was able to find some really cheap, but quality nursing bras at Burlington Coat Factory. A friend of mine also suggested nursing tank tops are a must have as well.

I have a new symptom, ugh. LEG CRAAMPS!! And I mean in the middle of the night. and man are they painful. I also still have lower back pain, tail bone pain, and I am extremely sleepy. I have also been extremely emotional lately. I feel really bad for my fiance, but he has been nice and just says quiet on the phone and lets me go crazy on him lol

Great news, is my mom will get to come to my next appointment. She will hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. I don't know what it is, but no matter how crazy your mom is lol, its always nice to have her and experience my first born with her. I am a little sad I wasn't able to get an appointment when my sister came to town, but I will let her her the baby with my stethoscope.

My older sister is getting married next weekend as well. I was instructed my doctor and midwife that I will need to bring my hospital bag, prenatal history, and my birth plan if I intend to go. You aren't supposed to travel after 34 weeks, and I will make that decision as the days get closer. I was told that I could not drive for a long period of time, that I should be sitting down the whole time, and to stay relaxed. So that is what I am hoping to do. But, like I said anything can happen in a week. I am officially 36 weeks today, so technically next week my baby is full term. My midwife says that first babies either come a week early or a week late, so will will see what time she comes.

Hope everyone is having a good month. If you are not, cheer up its HALLOWEEN  soon. :-)
See you soon,

Sabrina

Awful Start to my week

Hello everyone!!

OMG I've had some crazy stuff happen and it has only been my first day off. So yesterday, while working, I broke a tooth. Yes a piece of tooth came completely off. I know crazy!! So this morning I went to the dentist. I was told I needed a Root Canal and a crown!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! this baby is taking my teeth too lol. If you know me and my family, we love our teeth. I love whitening them, I brush 2 times a day, I even floss every day. So why in the hek do I need a root canal, ugh!! Luckily, I do have dental insurance, but even with insurance it a crap load of money. (note to self: become a dentist). But they are saying if I wait to long the damage could be more severe, painful and even more expensive!! What the hek am I supposed to do. I have left a message for my doctor's nurse to contact me because I am only allowed Tylenol for pain medication, and with this tooth procedure I don't know if that is going to cut it. Now I am just waiting for a call back.

This Thursday will be the last week  in month 8 of pregnancy. So, my due date is definitely approaching quickly. After this appoint, I will have an appointment every week until I give birth. I feel like that is going to make the weeks go by even faster.

Also, this morning I wake up and find a rash on my hip. It doesn't itch but it is definitely red. But there is no rash anywhere else. WTF. My face and feet are also starting to swell. Before you know it, I am going to look think a butter ball with extra butter. Skin has also been extremely oily lately. I find myself touch up my make-up more than usually.

I have been having some back, tailbone and hip bone pain as well. I honestly feel like an old lady (no offense to the elderly). I only have about 5 more Saturdays of class left so I hope my little one wait just a little longer.

Just a quick follow up, see ya soon.
Sabrina

Time is running out!

Hello everyone!

So I wanted to wait to make another post after my doctor appointment. I had one today with an ultrasound. Now, don't get to excited, the baby was moving so much we couldn't even get a good picture. The technician also told me that the bigger the baby, the worse the picture can be. Oh poopie! I was really looking forward to seeing her face. The picture we did get is still cute, and I think she is going to look exactly like Big Head. Yay!!

The baby is also measuring at about 6 lbs and in is the 65th percentile. So I was told she is measuring bigger, but all seems well. The more awesome news is, I didn't gain any weight from my last visit! Woot woot!! And I have to be honest, I have been eating like a pig. I guess walking around Walmart is paying off lol. She is also head down now.

On a serious note, I did have a positive fetal fibronectin test. This test determines if have an inkling to go in to preterm labor (in la min terms). If you have a negative test you are definitely not going to go into preterm labor; if you have a positive test you could go into labor, but 80% of women go full term. I know it's kind of weird. My doctor is not worried, so I am not worried. He says he would like me to go 37 weeks, but if I go early he will be ready lol. I am glad he will I am not so sure I will lol.

I did pack my hospital bag. I was able to go to the dollar store and pick some travel items to take with me. Here are a few essential I have packed:

• toothpaste
• tootthbrush
• mouthwash
• lotion
• chapstick
• face wipes
• slippers
• bobby pins
• hair ties
• deodorant

I also had to pack a going home outfit for me. Just some yoga pants and a loose top. I also had to pack undies, nursing pads, nursing cover, and a blanket from home. I figure I would want something that smelt familiar.

For the baby, I backed her going home outfit, a hat, socks, and 2 blankets. I also packed her diaper bag, just in case we go to my mother-in-law's house (her house is a lot better for receiving visitors, without being cramped in my apartment).

I haven't felt like nesting, so I am taking that as a sign that I have some time lol. I have actually felt the opposite. I have felt like cleaning anything. I am officially  34 weeks tomorrow, and I am pretty sure my baby wants to go to my big sister's wedding to see what the fuss is about lol, but we will see.

I am nervous and excited. I do wish people would stop telling me to relax. I am relaxed, but I don't see people bending backwards to help take my trash out or bring my groceries up the stairs, so for now I still have to do those things. I do want to do a spiritual cleanse in my apartment, so if anyone had done one let  me know :-). I have been drinking 2 glasses of red raspberry tea everyday, so we will see if that helps with labor.

Hope everyone is great!
See you soon.

Sabrina