Labor Story for Aviela!

At my 38 week appointment I had not dilated or effaced.  I didn't have an appointment at 39 weeks.  Wednesday we went bowling and took Zuri to the park.

 On Thursday night  which was 39 weeks and 3 days around 10pm I started having contractions.  Non painful contractions.  It was quite entertaining have the stomach hardening without any pains.  I didn't have braxton hicks early on that I know of so this was different.  Around 1230am I started getting some painful contractions, but nothing too bad.  It did keep me up, but I was sleeping between the intervals.  I wasn't timing them because they were not super painful.

I woke up Friday morning with more painful contractions.  They were coming at about 8 minutes apart, I only timed them from about 6am until 730am.  I got up with Zuri and had to get her ready for school.  It was kind of entertaining to do while having contractions.   I told Pedro I thought I was likely going into labor but he went back to sleep and said to let him know.  I brought Zuri to school and had my mom go with me just to show her where the school was located in case she had to pick Zuri up.  I told the school my mom might be picking her up because I thought I was in labor.  They said that I looked pretty good to be in labor.

I got home and decided to call my doctor around 11am.  I told them the contractions were not consistent in time, just based on me estimating, since I still wasn't timing them!  I said they were painful contractions though!  They said I needed to come in right away to be checked.  I told them I would come in soon, but really didn't have any intentions of doing so.  I waited and some cereal and then Pedro and I went to pick up Zuri from school.  We stopped and got her some pizza (as per her favorite after school snack) and went home.  I ate a small piece and then we left to go get checked.  On our drive there we stopped to get coffee.  We arrived at the doctor at 2:40pm.  Contractions were still random  but painful.

When I went in the nurse checked me and said "Oh my!! you are 7cm!!"  I laughed.  She said you need to go to the hospital RIGHT NOW.  I said we needed to go out to the car to get our bags and stuff.  She said "NO!" She told me I couldn't even walk to the hospital that I had to be wheeled there.

I was wheeled into the hospital and they looked at me and said that I looked pretty good to be so far along.  I agreed.  I didn't think it would be soon since it was still not at regular intervals (still not timing them).  The doctor came in and commented that I couldn't be that far along since I looked so good.  She checked me and declared me to be 6cm because at 7 it would really be active labor.  She told me to go walk for 2 hours and come back to be checked.

The view from my room...

We walked the halls for 30 minute increments and had to be monitored for a few minutes then sent walking again.  Walking this time felt pretty good and it felt good to be standing during the contractions.  With Zuri walking was terrible during contractions so this was different.  After 2 hours she declared me at 6cm.  I was not pleased.  She told me to walk for another hour.  We did and came back and was declared to be 6cm!  Seriously?  Contractions were much more painful at this time and were coming more frequently.  Pedro left to go get some cookies for himself and they came back in and told me that they would break my water if I would like.  I told them I wanted to wait for Pedro to come back.  Pedro was gone forever and when he came back I told him they wanted to break my water, but I wasn't sure I was ready!  The nurse came back in at 645pm and told me they were about to have a shift change and they would be in at 7:15 to break my water.



At 7:45pm they came in and broke my water.  Then the contractions really came, super painful and frequent.  I told the nurse I would go get in the shower but this is as far as I got:

Around about 8:40pm the nurse came in and told me that I was still at 6 or 7!  Seriously demoralized at this point.  She told me I needed to get in the shower.  I told her I wasn't sure I could get there, it seemed so far away!  Pedro and the nurse got me to the shower.  I was in there for 15 minutes and really felt the urge to push.  I told them that I needed out and that I knew I hadn't been in there very long to have progressed much and if I hadn't progressed there was no way I was making it.  The nurse told me that the shower and standing really could have made me progress that quickly.



I made it to the bed and she checked me and said I was at 9cm!!!!  She suggested I go on my hands and knees.  At this point laying down did not sound good, so hands and knees I went.  It was painful and I told her I needed to push, she didn't tell me I couldn't.  About 3 contractions later she checked me again and I was at 10cm.  She told me I could push and told the doctor to come in for labor.  I was pushing while she was on the phone.  Two pushes and baby Aviela was born at 9:14pm.  It was so quick with the pushing that the doctor had just made it to the room as Aviela arrived!

Aviela Jaidyn Malave
Born on 5/16/2014

6lbs 13oz and 20.25 inches long


Zuri with her new sister!

She has been great with "Baby Sista!"

38 Weeks with Baby A (aka #2)

We are approaching the end of week 38.  Seriously, that means that a baby will be here probably no more than 2 more weeks and she will likely be here sooner.  Every where I go people ask me when I am due, which is a clear sign that it LOOKS like I should be due any minute!

I continue to say that I don't mind being pregnant and really don't even notice until I look in the mirror or realize I only have about one drawer of clothes that fit.  And even then I wouldn't say that some of those shirts really fit me much anymore! I'm pretty sure people don't want to unexpectedly see my lower (under) side of my belly, but I'm sure it happens a lot!  Thank goodness for my one really long maternity tank and my longer workout tanks that have elastic on the bottom.

We are guessing when the baby will come and I had guessed the 11th, which is tomorrow.  Not sure that is going to happen but I am getting more "mentally" prepared that the baby will be here soon.  As every parent says they worry about their first child no longer being an "only child." And Zuri definitely likes being with me every second, but I am sure she will adjust, as we all will.  I think I am getting more ready to meet her.

I am still worried about the first few months and I hope that she will be a good sleeper, but as I have always said I guess I should plan for a difficult time and hope that she will be an easy baby.  I am hoping we can figure out some sort of routine and plan because it is difficult with Pedro's work schedule and my work schedule, but I know we will figure it out.

This week I have had a baby shower, worked out, done a lesson, had practice, met with someone about our new house, had breakfast out with Zuri, went to a Mother's day event at Zuri's school and had a doctors appointment.  We also started potty training (which deserves a post of it's own!!!)  Nothing like a full week!   My doctor's appointment is the last appointment I have (kind of) until my actual due date.  This week I hadn't had enough water and so my "pee" test showed higher protein although my blood pressure was only 95/55 they still made me schedule another appointment just for a "pee" test and blood pressure check on Monday.  When I was checked this week I had not dilated or effaced.  Which I knew would be the case, I figured since I have had a few contractions I wouldn't have progressed any (with Zuri I didn't have any contractions that I knew of and then I was quite far along without knowing it!).

I'm trying to really enjoy the last few days of pregnancy since this will most likely be our last pregnancy, as we plan to have two children.  I really do not mind being pregnant and it is something I will actually probably miss (just not those initial sleepless nights with a newborn, or maybe we have some good nights this time!!).



Baby Info:
Day's till due date: 9!!!
Day's pregnant: 271 days!
Baby size: 19.75 inches (leek)  6.8 lbs
Baby is full term and will probably not grow too much more at this point, but is probably gaining some weight but slowly.

Closing and building...

I officially closed on my first house.  I bought the house back in 2005 and had lived there since.  A lot of changes happened in that house from living with Kory, living alone, Pedro moving in, getting married, having Zuri and now another baby on the way.  I was definitely a little sad to be moving out, but we are excited to start  fresh at a new house with a bigger family!

I would post a picture of our new house but I don't have one yet!  We have been told that closing will happen sometime between the end of May and the end of June.  We were also told about a month ago that it wouldn't be until August, so who really knows!

It has been a lot of work with our new house.  Going to the design center and picking out options, changing options because of their huge mark up on things, figuring out how to get things done that we want on our own.  Plus we need to look into furniture and other house things, which we haven't gotten too far on.  We want to get a lot done before the baby comes because it is already difficult scheduling times to do these things with Zuri, Pedro's work schedule and my work schedule.

One picture I have is of the awesome view we have from our loft!!

That open space area will always be open space because it is part of a wildlife refuge!

Here is to us moving on and moving up!

Zuri 2 years and 2-3 months

So many new things with Zuri the last 4 to 6 weeks.  Her language skills have really blossomed.  She can talk or repeat things that she was not doing before.  She can count up to about 16, however she always forgets 4 and sometimes she repeats a few numbers.  She loves counting.  She also knows what a circle is and will point out circles or tell me she is going to "go circle."  She still doesn't have a lot of FULL sentences but her sentences are getting better.  Words like "good morning mama" and "love you" are some of my favorites.  Zuri likes to say "Stella SIT DOWN!"  Or "mama read book".  We have been focusing on "please" and "thank you."  These make me laugh because she thinks if she says these that automatically she will get what she wants.  

Her adjustment to staying at my parents (nana and papa's) was ok.  I think she was confused about her room being moved from where she has slept here before but has realized where her room is now.  She wanted to carry her "blankie" around for awhile and still randomly does, which is something she has never done before but I assume she was/is just adjusting to a big change.  She loves that my parents have a big yard with nice grass for her to play.  She constantly says "mama outside!"  We took her to the park down the street to fly her first kite!

Zuri also has a new found love for Ashby.  She asks about her all the time and wants to hold her hand and be with her when we have gone with them to the Easter Egg hunt and Easter brunch.  

Zuri definitely understood the concept of gathering as many eggs as possible, pretty sure she had more than any other kid.  Luckily she didn't realize until after that they were filled with candy!

  Yes she had two bags full of eggs!

Easter Brunch!

Zuri and I also colored Easter Eggs for the first time!  She loved it!

One big event for Zuri is that she has started two half days of school a week.  She goes from 9am to 1pm.  She talks about school and tells me she wants to go, but then she hasn't been to excited for me to leave her yet.  But she doesn't want to leave school when I go to pick her up!  I wanted her to have a place where she is getting interaction, communication, active play, listening skills, new songs, sitting down and reading with other people, eating with someone other than me while there are distractions and other fun things for her!  The added benefit will be that when her sister is born that I will have some alone time two days a week with her sister.  I feel a little selfish right now having a few hours to myself (although that time is usually spent at the gym or doing work).  But I know that I won't feel selfish in a few weeks and I didn't want her to equate going to school with her sister.  

Zuri's first "trial day" which was only 2 hours.

Zuri's first real day of school.

Here she is doing puzzles one of her new favorite things to do, she is surprisingly good at them!

Zuri also loves going to the zoo.  Thankfully the weather has been getting nicer and so there have been a few perfect mornings for going.  She loves running around the zoo and looking at all the animals.  She can now say most of the animals and knows what they are when she sees them.  

Right now Zuri constantly surprises me with the things she knows and does.  She also loves singing and like every kid right now loves the song from Frozen "Let it go!"  

We have also had a few bed and nap time issues.  She wants me to read books over and over.  Then once I lay her down she tells me that she wants me to sing "E I O".  So, I sing Old MacDonald had a farm for a few minutes and when I tell her good night she gets mad and keeps yelling "E I O MAMA!!!"

I would say at this age we definitely get random tantrums that I don't have any idea where they come from and happy times that are equally surprising.

Now she has a few more changes to expect coming up soon.  A baby sister and another move into a new house!

Weeks #34, 35 and 36 with #2!

The lack of posts have been because of our crazy last month!  I got everything packed up and moved out of our house.  We were out on the 6th and had to have it cleaned on the 7th and closed on the 8th of April.  We moved in to my parents house and we had a bit of an adjustment period for everyone.  Plus the internet is not great where my computer is set up.  

The pregnancy has been going good.  I feel normal and then I SEE myself and realize that I am HUGE!  It really does make me laugh because when I am first pregnant I think I look so big, but now it is almost funny :)

34 Weeks #2

35 Weeks #2

36 Weeks #2

I had my doctors appointment this week (last one was a month ago).  The doctor said that I measured a week big (37 weeks) and that the baby is head down.  Her heartbeat was 155.  Baby A moves so much.  She also doesn't like when I sit down because she doesn't seem to have much room.  She gets squished up under my ribs, especially on my right side.  The doctor seems to think that this baby will be bigger than Zuri was but of course nobody knows until I actually deliver her!

I get funny looks when I go to the gym and workout and I am pretty sure I have been asked about a million times when I am due this last month, which obviously means that I LOOK like I should have already delivered.  Thankfully, I haven't and hopefully baby girl holds out until her due date or longer :)

The last month we have also checked out two hospitals and we are still undecided which one we will go to when I am in labor.  Each hospital has their upside and downsides.  I guess we really need to figure that out!  We are finally getting our stuff organized for the baby.  I was having some random contractions this last weekend so that made us think we really needed to get ready!  I have a baby shower with my team next Sunday so then I will know what is left to get for our little girl.  I have a feeling she will be born between the 9th and the 11th.

My biggest concern with having Baby A is mostly my worry about Zuri and her reaction to having a sister.  We are really attached and I try to explain she will have to share me with her sister but she obviously doesn't understand that.  I know most second time parents have this concern but I worry because Zuri isn't one of those kids that carries around babies and pretends to take care of them!  Hopefully she will love her sister from the start!

Baby Info:
Days pregnant:  258 days!
Days till due date:  22 more days!
Baby size:  18.75 inches and 5.75lbs crenshaw melon
Baby development:   Baby is gaining weight and getting rounder in appearance.  Baby is considered full term tomorrow.

32 Weeks #2

Looking quite large!  I had my doctors appointment yesterday and they said I was measuring small this week.  Definitely don't think that is really the case.  I am way bigger than my last pregnancy at this point, so not sure how I could be measuring small!  Especially since I have been measuring big.  Anyway, everything is looking good so far.  Baby A's heart rate was 135, she must have been napping, since this is the lowest it has been so far!

Working out and everything has been going good.  I have also been really busy with boxing up things in our house now that it is official (99% sure) that everything is moving forward for us to move.  We close on the 8th and so as of today that leaves me 10 days to get everything done!  Which is really hard with Zuri running around calling "Mama, Mama!" all day long.  Plus I have a lot of work for basketball to get done.

With basketball I have had a lot of new people asking what my plan is in my "current situation."  I ask them, what do you mean my "current situation??"  Then they tell me they want to know how long I am taking off or how I will be able to do anything once I have a baby.  I like to tell them that I also have a 2 year old and she is the bigger issue to getting things done as she can't come with me and just sit there!  Plus I have a husband that sleeps most days or is working, besides two days a week (actually one every other week).   I want to tell them that I am not the first pregnant person to work after having 2 children. Nobody said any of it would be easy, it is definitely an annoying question!  I also had another mom and daughter tell me they were "worried for the baby when I was jumping."  Really?  I told them then they really wouldn't like to see me working out or carrying boxes and other things because we are moving!


We toured one of the hospitals we are considering (St. Joes) and will visit the other hospital next week (Good Samaritan) and we are pre-registering at both hospitals.  Both are about 25 minutes away from where we will be living, so I guess depending on traffic and the urgency to get there that will help us make a decision of where Baby A will be delivered.

Needless to say there is so much to be done and so little time in regards to moving, basketball and the arrival of our new family member!


Baby info:
Day's pregnant: 227!
Day's till due date: 53 (oh my goodness!)
Baby size: About 16-18 inches long (large jimaca) and 3.75lbs
Baby development:Baby is plumping up-however will still gain half of it's body weight between now and birth.
Complaints: Heartburn :(
Looking forward to: Being able to get up off the floor easier!  It is hard changing Zuri's diapers on the floor then having to get up!  I am also looking forward to getting this move done and having my basketball "work/finances" stuff completed so I can have some "normal" time before A arrives!

29, 30 and 31 Weeks with Baby A (aka #2)

I have a comparison picture with the first pregnancy, but it is actually quite embarrassing how HUGE I am now!  Again, I swear I have gained almost the exact same weight, but my belly is WAY different this time, so I will spare the shirtless baby bump picture this time!  Not only is it huge out, but it is also wider.  It's pretty scary that I have two more months left with how big I already am!  I think I look about 3 weeks bigger than I did the first time.

31 Weeks and 3 days

30 weeks with Zuri

29 almost 30 weeks in Mexico!

Everything has been going pretty well.  I was having really bad heartburn in Mexico, but since being home it has been a bit better.  Sadly, I can't drink lemonade or any citrus drink without getting heartburn so I have had to eliminate that for the time being.  My stomach muscle still hurts after standing most of the day, kind of like it is being pulled.  Which obviously it is, odd that I didn't have it the first time around.

Working out has been going fine.  Stairmaster is definitely getting more difficult.  I guess I could always lower the level, but that would seem like giving up!  So, instead I just have to take a few more water breaks.  I have been tired in the afternoons, but that is nothing unusual.

Our schedule has been pretty busy with selling our house.  My calendar is a tornado of events coming up between the appraisal, packing things up, moving stuff to a POD, finding stuff for Baby A, figuring out what I might need while we are living in a temporary situation (no idea how long that will be!).  Besides doing stuff for moving, my basketball stuff has just gotten super busy with summer planning.  Then we have to do all the stuff for Baby A.  Including touring two different hospitals since we will be living right in the middle of the two, making a list of things that I need for the baby and trying to organize and buy things we might need.  Although we have another girl, there are still quite a few things that I need (and some things that I just want!!).  Trying to figure out how we will do with a stroller will also be interesting, since we don't have a double stroller and Zuri still rides in the stroller when we go and do things-like going to the park.  We have a wagon, but a dual stroller would be really nice to have.

Last time I had Zuri's room mostly ready to go.  This time we have NOTHING ready to go.  If anything we have a negative amount done since we are planning to be moving soon, assuming everything goes through!  It doesn't mean that I spend any less time thinking about this baby, I probably think more about her because she moves so much!  Way more than Zuri ever did.

I know this baby will have to spend a lot more time doing things out and about because her big sister will still need her fun times.  Zuri is extremely attached to me and so I'm a bit worried about Zuri's transition into having to share my time with someone else.  I know it will all work out, but I am hoping it is easier than what I am imagining!  But Zuri surprises me sometimes!

Baby info:
Days pregnant: 219
Day's till due date: 61!!
Baby length: 16.25-18 Inches
Baby weight: 3.3 lbs
Baby:  Gaining more weight this week and fat is filling out the skin (her's and mine! haha)
Day's till next doctors appointment: 7
Day's till hospital tour: 7 and 14