First Trip, Headed Home
Granny, Great Grandma and Rae
Granny, Great Grandma, Me, Rae, Great Auntie Polly, Aunite Em
The NEW Thomas Family, day we went home
Rae and Santa at Bass Pro
Monday, December 26, 2011
2 weeks old
It is hard to believe two weeks have already gone by. Our little girl has already changed a great deal and I'm falling more in love with her each day. So much has happened in her first two weeks of life! She's been to her Auntie Em's college graduation 3 hours away and she's been to Illinois to see her daddy's family and friends. She's been to Walmart a few times. She's been to Bass Pro to see Santa. She's been snuggled up close at home with her Momma and Papa. She's been sniffed by her brothers. She's been in a million outfits, one of which got stuck on her head. :( She's had cloth diapers put on her butt. She's pooped and peed on the bed and made me laugh at her poops and pees. She's had a million pictures taken sleeping and awake. She's cried a few tears and had many silent screaming bouts. (Scares her Momma when she does her silent screams and she doesn't breathe.)
I know I have had a great 2 weeks getting to know Raelynn and watching her smile and scrunch her face. I've had a few moments of sadness and moments where I have no idea what to do next! Raelynn has had a few days so far where she spends the afternoon very upset, but I'm guessing it is because she is overtired. Often I rock or pat her to sleep in the afternoon. I LOVE holding her and snuggling with her. She can always make me smile!
I've been doing good. I'm back into my pre-pregnancy pants for the most part. All the extra skin is still hanging over the top, but my skin stretched slowly for 10 months and it isn't going to go back to place over night. Breastfeeding has been going great! Lately, she's been taking a mouth full and then letting it all fall out, making both of us very sticky! She gained all of her weight back plus 1 ounce in the first week. She goes back at 8 weeks for her first round of shots and check up.
She has been eating about every 2.5-3 hours except some nights she will go 4 or more hours. When she rides in the car she can go longer without eating (about 4 hours). Some nights it is a challenge to get her back to sleep, so her and I rock in the recliner after eating. Often I fall asleep there and we spend a few hours in the recliner sleeping. She HATES her clothes being changed about 90% of the time as well as her diaper being changed. She's had one real bath since her cord fell off, and she didn't like it either. She sleeps on her belly at night because that is the only way she will sleep longer. She has awesome neck and head control so I'm not too concerned with her sleeping on her belly. Plus, I'm going to do what helps us all sleep. (Although her Papa sleeps through her cries.) She still uses her pacifier often. She got a new pacifier this weekend with a caterpillar attached so we can all find it easier. She does great with the dogs barking and sniffing her; she doesn't wake up. She does VERY well in her Moby wrap when we go out. Often she gets in there and sleeps making Walmart trips and eating out very easy!
Her Papa and I are enjoying every minute with our pretty girl!
Happy Holidays,
The Thomas Family
I know I have had a great 2 weeks getting to know Raelynn and watching her smile and scrunch her face. I've had a few moments of sadness and moments where I have no idea what to do next! Raelynn has had a few days so far where she spends the afternoon very upset, but I'm guessing it is because she is overtired. Often I rock or pat her to sleep in the afternoon. I LOVE holding her and snuggling with her. She can always make me smile!
I've been doing good. I'm back into my pre-pregnancy pants for the most part. All the extra skin is still hanging over the top, but my skin stretched slowly for 10 months and it isn't going to go back to place over night. Breastfeeding has been going great! Lately, she's been taking a mouth full and then letting it all fall out, making both of us very sticky! She gained all of her weight back plus 1 ounce in the first week. She goes back at 8 weeks for her first round of shots and check up.
She has been eating about every 2.5-3 hours except some nights she will go 4 or more hours. When she rides in the car she can go longer without eating (about 4 hours). Some nights it is a challenge to get her back to sleep, so her and I rock in the recliner after eating. Often I fall asleep there and we spend a few hours in the recliner sleeping. She HATES her clothes being changed about 90% of the time as well as her diaper being changed. She's had one real bath since her cord fell off, and she didn't like it either. She sleeps on her belly at night because that is the only way she will sleep longer. She has awesome neck and head control so I'm not too concerned with her sleeping on her belly. Plus, I'm going to do what helps us all sleep. (Although her Papa sleeps through her cries.) She still uses her pacifier often. She got a new pacifier this weekend with a caterpillar attached so we can all find it easier. She does great with the dogs barking and sniffing her; she doesn't wake up. She does VERY well in her Moby wrap when we go out. Often she gets in there and sleeps making Walmart trips and eating out very easy!
Her Papa and I are enjoying every minute with our pretty girl!
Happy Holidays,
The Thomas Family
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
And... She makes her debut!!!!
December 9, 2011 Raelynn Marie Thomas made her entrance into the world. Weighing a whopping 8 pounds 11 ounces. Measuring 21 inches long. Dark hair, gray eyes, perfect skin, and the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!
And now for her story. We decided to induce on Thursday night, having to be at the hospital at 4:45. I worked all day Thursday and Ryan cleaned house and got things ready at home, then came to pick me up at school. Auntie Em came to school to hang out for the day. We went out and got Arbys for dinner, not knowing when I would get to eat again. Ryan, Auntie Em, and I arrived at the hospital and got checked in. IV was started, but no meds yet, and the doctor came in to insert the Cervidil. (A pill inserted next to the cervix to thin it out.) At this point in time, 6:00 pm, I was dilated to a 1.5. The contractions began and were like all of the other contractions I'd been feeling, not painful, but I could tell they were there. Granny Prouhet arrived at about 7. We all sat around and visited. They had a constant monitor on Raelynn's heart rate and on my contractions. I wasn't aloud to get up and move around much because of the Cervidil. Granny and Auntie Em left about 10 to go home and let the dogs out. We were going to call them and let them know when things were progressing.
About 10, I started to feel more intense contractions that didn't really let up. There was a constant pressure, but nothing more. About 2 they checked me again and I was dilated to a 2 or 3. They called the doctor and she said they could take the Cervidil out and see how things progressed. They were hoping contractions would continue and intensify on their own, but they could also decrease and stop. Well, I got lucky and my contractions increased and intensified. I asked if I could get in the jacuzzi tub and was aloud to get in for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes I had to get out and be on the monitors for at least 20 minutes to check on Raelynn's heart rate. Well, because the contractions were painful by this point, the only way I could get through them was by leaning forward. Leaning forward resulted in the monitors being shifted and not catching her heart rate. So instead of being 20 minutes, it was closer to over an hour. The nurse finally had to come in and hold the monitor on my belly to keep her heart rate on the monitor. By 5:15 am they had monitored Raelynn's heart rate long enough and the nurse was going to allow me to get back in the tub, begin on IV meds, or get an Epidural. I told the nurse I wanted to get in the tub for a while and then start IV meds. She checked me and I was at a 7. The nurse told Ryan that it was probably a good idea to make his phone calls to get Granny and Auntie Em back into the hospital. They got the call at 5:30 ish and were at the hospital at about 6. I went and got in the tub and about 3 contractions later I was back out because I felt the need to push. They checked me at 6 and I was at a 9 to a 9.5. So within about a half an hour I was about fully dilated. They were working on calling the doctor and she was there by 6:30. They set up all of their things. I had been pushing just a little since about 6 and when the doctor got there she said I could push when I felt I needed to. I pushed for a little over a half hour and by 7:08 Raelynn made her debut. She was out in one push, and that was the best feeling in the world! The other greatest thing about my delivery besides getting to finally see our daughter was being able to have her all natural. (Except for getting things started.) I always wanted to have a natural birth, knowing women had been doing so for centuries. Although, if I would have had to go much longer or had not dilated almost fully in 2 hours I would have gone with some sort of medication. I am so proud of myself for being able to live out my dream.
In this time, they wanted to hold my legs up so I could get a better push. Well, the nurse had one, and Ryan had the other. But, he didn't make it all the way through. He ended up very white and having to lay down so he didn't pass out. Thankfully Granny was there to help take Ryan's place. All of the nurses throughout the 10 hour labor and delivery were EXCELLENT!!! Actually beyond excellent. They coached me through each contraction and each push. I was surprised they didn't tell me how to breathe or how to push or when to push. The doctor didn't tell me how or when to push either. It was all instinct.
They placed her on my chest immediately and Ryan got to cut the cord. She didn't really cry much until they took her away to weigh her and do their testing. Then she started screaming and holding her breath. All of their testing looked great! They did have to check her blood sugar because she was so big, but all of their tests came back in the normal range.
While they were cleaning her up, the doctor did have to stitch me as I had a 2 degree tear. After feeding RaelynnRaelynn's first bath. There again she was screaming and holding her breath, but she made it through and the nurse was fantastic.
We had a few visitors in the hospital. ALL of the nurses I had throughout our stay were excellent! Very helpful and were able to answer any questions we had. The doctor came in on Saturday and Sunday to check Raelynn out and every time things were great! They actually did more monitoring on me than they did on her. However they had to run all of the tests on her. We got to check out Sunday at about 11.
Our car ride home went well. Raelynn slept the whole time except for when we got off the highway and our bumpy drive through town. Being home that last few days has been wonderful! We're up about every 2 hours feeding in the night, but that is to be expected. My milk came in yesterday and so I don't know if it was the switch in her food or if it was something I ate, but she was very gassy yesterday and crying because it hurt.
She had her first bath today at home and it went well. She does not like to be changed or messed with once she is comfortable. She smiles in her sleep. We can't keep socks on her cold feet.
Immediately after she made her debut and she was on the table being checked she had her fingers in her mouth. She has her fingers in her mouth or near her mouth constantly. It was funny because in all of her ultrasounds she had her hands by her face. Like mother, like daughter! She looks beautiful in her pink!
This week we are hanging out at the house while Ryan works. Auntie Em is coming up today to hang out for a few days. Then on Saturday, Raelynn and I are making our way to Kirksville to watch her Auntie Em graduate from Truman State University.
I'll find some time to put pictures up of her. I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I know I am going to soak up our little girl!
Love,
The Thomas Family
And now for her story. We decided to induce on Thursday night, having to be at the hospital at 4:45. I worked all day Thursday and Ryan cleaned house and got things ready at home, then came to pick me up at school. Auntie Em came to school to hang out for the day. We went out and got Arbys for dinner, not knowing when I would get to eat again. Ryan, Auntie Em, and I arrived at the hospital and got checked in. IV was started, but no meds yet, and the doctor came in to insert the Cervidil. (A pill inserted next to the cervix to thin it out.) At this point in time, 6:00 pm, I was dilated to a 1.5. The contractions began and were like all of the other contractions I'd been feeling, not painful, but I could tell they were there. Granny Prouhet arrived at about 7. We all sat around and visited. They had a constant monitor on Raelynn's heart rate and on my contractions. I wasn't aloud to get up and move around much because of the Cervidil. Granny and Auntie Em left about 10 to go home and let the dogs out. We were going to call them and let them know when things were progressing.
About 10, I started to feel more intense contractions that didn't really let up. There was a constant pressure, but nothing more. About 2 they checked me again and I was dilated to a 2 or 3. They called the doctor and she said they could take the Cervidil out and see how things progressed. They were hoping contractions would continue and intensify on their own, but they could also decrease and stop. Well, I got lucky and my contractions increased and intensified. I asked if I could get in the jacuzzi tub and was aloud to get in for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes I had to get out and be on the monitors for at least 20 minutes to check on Raelynn's heart rate. Well, because the contractions were painful by this point, the only way I could get through them was by leaning forward. Leaning forward resulted in the monitors being shifted and not catching her heart rate. So instead of being 20 minutes, it was closer to over an hour. The nurse finally had to come in and hold the monitor on my belly to keep her heart rate on the monitor. By 5:15 am they had monitored Raelynn's heart rate long enough and the nurse was going to allow me to get back in the tub, begin on IV meds, or get an Epidural. I told the nurse I wanted to get in the tub for a while and then start IV meds. She checked me and I was at a 7. The nurse told Ryan that it was probably a good idea to make his phone calls to get Granny and Auntie Em back into the hospital. They got the call at 5:30 ish and were at the hospital at about 6. I went and got in the tub and about 3 contractions later I was back out because I felt the need to push. They checked me at 6 and I was at a 9 to a 9.5. So within about a half an hour I was about fully dilated. They were working on calling the doctor and she was there by 6:30. They set up all of their things. I had been pushing just a little since about 6 and when the doctor got there she said I could push when I felt I needed to. I pushed for a little over a half hour and by 7:08 Raelynn made her debut. She was out in one push, and that was the best feeling in the world! The other greatest thing about my delivery besides getting to finally see our daughter was being able to have her all natural. (Except for getting things started.) I always wanted to have a natural birth, knowing women had been doing so for centuries. Although, if I would have had to go much longer or had not dilated almost fully in 2 hours I would have gone with some sort of medication. I am so proud of myself for being able to live out my dream.
In this time, they wanted to hold my legs up so I could get a better push. Well, the nurse had one, and Ryan had the other. But, he didn't make it all the way through. He ended up very white and having to lay down so he didn't pass out. Thankfully Granny was there to help take Ryan's place. All of the nurses throughout the 10 hour labor and delivery were EXCELLENT!!! Actually beyond excellent. They coached me through each contraction and each push. I was surprised they didn't tell me how to breathe or how to push or when to push. The doctor didn't tell me how or when to push either. It was all instinct.
They placed her on my chest immediately and Ryan got to cut the cord. She didn't really cry much until they took her away to weigh her and do their testing. Then she started screaming and holding her breath. All of their testing looked great! They did have to check her blood sugar because she was so big, but all of their tests came back in the normal range.
While they were cleaning her up, the doctor did have to stitch me as I had a 2 degree tear. After feeding RaelynnRaelynn's first bath. There again she was screaming and holding her breath, but she made it through and the nurse was fantastic.
We had a few visitors in the hospital. ALL of the nurses I had throughout our stay were excellent! Very helpful and were able to answer any questions we had. The doctor came in on Saturday and Sunday to check Raelynn out and every time things were great! They actually did more monitoring on me than they did on her. However they had to run all of the tests on her. We got to check out Sunday at about 11.
Our car ride home went well. Raelynn slept the whole time except for when we got off the highway and our bumpy drive through town. Being home that last few days has been wonderful! We're up about every 2 hours feeding in the night, but that is to be expected. My milk came in yesterday and so I don't know if it was the switch in her food or if it was something I ate, but she was very gassy yesterday and crying because it hurt.
She had her first bath today at home and it went well. She does not like to be changed or messed with once she is comfortable. She smiles in her sleep. We can't keep socks on her cold feet.
Immediately after she made her debut and she was on the table being checked she had her fingers in her mouth. She has her fingers in her mouth or near her mouth constantly. It was funny because in all of her ultrasounds she had her hands by her face. Like mother, like daughter! She looks beautiful in her pink!
This week we are hanging out at the house while Ryan works. Auntie Em is coming up today to hang out for a few days. Then on Saturday, Raelynn and I are making our way to Kirksville to watch her Auntie Em graduate from Truman State University.
I'll find some time to put pictures up of her. I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I know I am going to soak up our little girl!
Love,
The Thomas Family
Monday, December 5, 2011
I see the light at the end of the tunnel...
I go in on Thursday at 4:45 to begin the process. Paperwork, cervidil, and then pitosin. So Raelynn will be here Friday sometime for sure. And... This momma is nervous!! Right now I'm more nervous about being a mom than I think I am about going birth at this point in time. I'm nervous about how we are going to do everything. I know we will get through it together and I know we will both be great parents. Its not like it's a huge shock that a baby is going to change our lives, I knew the day she was born that was going to happen. I guess now that we have an end date it has hit me hard what is really about to happen. But as nervous as I am, I can't wait to meet our little girl and hold and kiss her and take care of her!
I am also nervous about going birth, as I have been for about 4 weeks. I'm worried about how bad the pain is going to be and if I am going to be able to stick to my natural birth plan. And being induced makes me even more nervous about how much pain I will be able to tolerate. I've heard good stories and bad stories about being induced, but most lead to an epidural. An epidural is something I REALLY don't want. A needle that close to my spine scares the poop out of me!
I will be working all day on Thursday because sitting at home all day would drive me crazy!! Plus, everything is ready. Bags are packed, nursery is prepared, and car seat is in. Plus I want to have all the days possible I can with our little girl instead of sitting around waiting for her. Call me crazy, it's ok!
I know I have the best birth partner I could ask for and the best Papa for my daughter! I also know I have the best mom, sister, grandma, and aunts a girl could ask for too! They will all always be a call away! I am very thankful I get to bring our little girl into such a loving family!
So, be prepared on Friday to get pictures of Raelynn!! I hope she comes on her own before and, but if not, we definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel!
Love,
The Soon to be Complete Thomas Family
I am also nervous about going birth, as I have been for about 4 weeks. I'm worried about how bad the pain is going to be and if I am going to be able to stick to my natural birth plan. And being induced makes me even more nervous about how much pain I will be able to tolerate. I've heard good stories and bad stories about being induced, but most lead to an epidural. An epidural is something I REALLY don't want. A needle that close to my spine scares the poop out of me!
I will be working all day on Thursday because sitting at home all day would drive me crazy!! Plus, everything is ready. Bags are packed, nursery is prepared, and car seat is in. Plus I want to have all the days possible I can with our little girl instead of sitting around waiting for her. Call me crazy, it's ok!
I know I have the best birth partner I could ask for and the best Papa for my daughter! I also know I have the best mom, sister, grandma, and aunts a girl could ask for too! They will all always be a call away! I am very thankful I get to bring our little girl into such a loving family!
So, be prepared on Friday to get pictures of Raelynn!! I hope she comes on her own before and, but if not, we definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel!
Love,
The Soon to be Complete Thomas Family
Shall I ever see the light at the end of the tunnel?
41 weeks today. I thought I wouldn't see 40 weeks, and I NEVER thought I'd see past 41 weeks. Guess Raelynn has a mind of her own and like everyone has been saying, is showing her personality. Maybe she's taking after her Paw Paw Tim, and is going to be late for lots of things. :) Last Wednesday I was supposed to set an induction date, but the doctor was OK with waiting until this week instead. She has said my pregnancy has been a breeze and she has no concerns. So I go back today to set an induction date and see how things are progressing. I've had a few stronger contractions that I had hoped were real, but no such luck. I have noticed more swelling lately in my ankles and fingers, but that is to be expected this late in the game.
This past week was good. It started slow but then speed up. Thursday I had a scare though. About 2:15 my vision went spotty, but I just thought it was going to go away. By 230 my fingers on my right hand were going numb and I decided I needed to go the nurse to have her check my blood pressure. She checked my blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature and everything was within the normal range. By then, my whole right arm was numb and tingly as well as the right side of my face. I could tell my face was funny because then I started to talk funny. (It was like I had just been to the dentist and they numbed my mouth.) So I called the doctors office and had to leave a message. I walked down to my room to get my water and phone so I could call again and went back to the nurse's office to lay down. Shortly after I laid down, the numbness started going away. About an hour after it all started, the doctor's office called me back and said that the doctor wasn't concerned with the numbness, but that I needed to go home and count Raelynn's kicks. If I didn't have 10 in an hour then I needed to have something sweet to drink, and count for the next hour. Well of course as I got in the car to go home she was active again and being her normal self. So she must have been sitting just right on a nerve to make me go numb.
This weekend we went grocery shopping on Saturday and relaxed together. (Probably one of our last days to do so.) Sunday Ryan worked and so I just hung out around the house, cleaned, read a book, napped and waited for Comcast to come fix our box. (Which he never did come...) Other than that it was pretty boring. Fifth weekend in a row at home without a baby kind of sucks.
This week we WILL be having a baby! My doctor won't let me go into my 42nd week, so this week is it! I'm REALLY hoping to go into labor on my own, but Raelynn just might have other plans. Other than that, we have no plans for the week. This Sunday is Ryan's Christmas party at work, and I know he wants to go. It might just be him going to his Christmas party, depending on how I'm feeling and how old Raelynn is.
Every day I walk into work someone says something about how I'm still here. Yep! I want to spend every day of my leave with my little girl and not any time sitting at home with just me. I've spent the last 6 weekends at home and I don't need to spend any week days at home.
So for sure, this week we will be holding our little girl in our arms. I've waited for this for over 9 months, and thought about it for years. And in all honesty, I'm scared shitless! I'm anxious. I'm nervous. I'm excited. And I'm scared. I know we will be great parents, but the unknown is hard. I'm so glad I have family and friends who are there for us when we need them. I'm also so glad to have a husband and father like Ryan in my life! I know we will be able to get through anything together!
I hope everyone has a great week! Be looking forward to the text of our Raelynn Marie!
Love,
The Thomas Family
This past week was good. It started slow but then speed up. Thursday I had a scare though. About 2:15 my vision went spotty, but I just thought it was going to go away. By 230 my fingers on my right hand were going numb and I decided I needed to go the nurse to have her check my blood pressure. She checked my blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature and everything was within the normal range. By then, my whole right arm was numb and tingly as well as the right side of my face. I could tell my face was funny because then I started to talk funny. (It was like I had just been to the dentist and they numbed my mouth.) So I called the doctors office and had to leave a message. I walked down to my room to get my water and phone so I could call again and went back to the nurse's office to lay down. Shortly after I laid down, the numbness started going away. About an hour after it all started, the doctor's office called me back and said that the doctor wasn't concerned with the numbness, but that I needed to go home and count Raelynn's kicks. If I didn't have 10 in an hour then I needed to have something sweet to drink, and count for the next hour. Well of course as I got in the car to go home she was active again and being her normal self. So she must have been sitting just right on a nerve to make me go numb.
This weekend we went grocery shopping on Saturday and relaxed together. (Probably one of our last days to do so.) Sunday Ryan worked and so I just hung out around the house, cleaned, read a book, napped and waited for Comcast to come fix our box. (Which he never did come...) Other than that it was pretty boring. Fifth weekend in a row at home without a baby kind of sucks.
This week we WILL be having a baby! My doctor won't let me go into my 42nd week, so this week is it! I'm REALLY hoping to go into labor on my own, but Raelynn just might have other plans. Other than that, we have no plans for the week. This Sunday is Ryan's Christmas party at work, and I know he wants to go. It might just be him going to his Christmas party, depending on how I'm feeling and how old Raelynn is.
Every day I walk into work someone says something about how I'm still here. Yep! I want to spend every day of my leave with my little girl and not any time sitting at home with just me. I've spent the last 6 weekends at home and I don't need to spend any week days at home.
So for sure, this week we will be holding our little girl in our arms. I've waited for this for over 9 months, and thought about it for years. And in all honesty, I'm scared shitless! I'm anxious. I'm nervous. I'm excited. And I'm scared. I know we will be great parents, but the unknown is hard. I'm so glad I have family and friends who are there for us when we need them. I'm also so glad to have a husband and father like Ryan in my life! I know we will be able to get through anything together!
I hope everyone has a great week! Be looking forward to the text of our Raelynn Marie!
Love,
The Thomas Family
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