Anyhoozle...us at one month
Everything is going well. We are gearing up for Western Wedding Extravaganza 2012. We leave in 1 week:)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
1 month already?!?
How does this happen? My sister actually had to call me and tell me that yesterday was in fact, March 27, which meant Reagan began her earthly sojourn a whole month ago. I swear I'll just be busy busy busy changing Jocelyn's diaper with Reagan in the Baby Bjorn, scheduling Reagan's 2 month on the phone, and putting clips in Hannah's hair while Ellie quietly waits on the potty for her "BUM TO BE WIIIIIIIIIIIIIPED" (true story)and someone will beep in the phone and inform me that my kids are moved out and grown and have kids of their own and I need to speak now for my room at the nursing home. EARTH TO ASHLEY: YOU'RE LIFE HAS PASSED YOU BY.
Anyhoozle...us at one month
Everything is going well. We are gearing up for Western Wedding Extravaganza 2012. We leave in 1 week:)
Anyhoozle...us at one month
Everything is going well. We are gearing up for Western Wedding Extravaganza 2012. We leave in 1 week:)
Monday, March 12, 2012
What good is a birth story with no drama?
I guess we'll work backwards today.
Here is Reagan today. 2 weeks old! I'm not sure why I bother with "NB" clothes. I actually ripped a hole in the shirt putting her arms in:) Once it was on, it was stayin.
My view from the drivers seat
The following are somewhere from days 6-11.
The following is just for my journal purposes.
Today was my first day flying solo with four little girls. No one died. Thank goodness Nate's parents were able to come for a week and help out! I've never been so glad to be on the OTHER side of pregnancy/delivery.
I was induced 2/27. My Dr took his own sweet time not arriving until 9:10 a.m. to break my water. Whatev. Things progressed from there and I kept telling my nurse I wanted my epidural ASAP. She kept telling me to wait until my contractions got 3-5 mins apart which I knew was already the case but again...whatev. Well, by the time she got anesthesia there I was in agony (I have a very low pain tolerance; I'm down with it). The first epidural attempt was "no good." I don't know why, he just took it out and started over. Mmmkay, Ashdog is starting to lose it here. Second attempt good but I'm getting virtually NO relief. I sort of lost it mentally and the only thing I could think of is "I should have had total relief an HOUR ago." Nurse has to wait 15 mins before calling anesthesia back. I can't believe she put up with me for 15 more minutes but bless her heart, she did. She calls. He comes back (by now it's been 30 minutes of torture but who is counting), and boluses me until I'm convinced my legs are now disassociated from my body but hey, the contractions are less intense. I don't even dare move at this point. 30 mins go by, I ask my nurse to check me. I'm complete. Reagan is born at 1:29. Yay!
An hour later (Pitocin still running) I'm having these weird, painful contractions that my nurse is writing off as "breastfeeding cramps." Okay, these are not "cramps". I don't know what they are. They are intense and I'm D-O-N-E! This goes on until my new nurse (hallelujah) comes in, massages my uterus, and out plops a placenta-size....something. I thought it might be my liver? Not surprisingly, the blasted contractions went away!!! Life is wonderful.
About 10:30 p.m., laying in bed I feel a bit of "pressure" accompanied by another hefty "plop." I'm leaving a substantial trail of blood as I get myself to the bathroom. I call the nurse who comes in and starts yelling for help. I'm thinking "hmm probably not good." My next words are "I think I'm going to pass out." Next thing I know I'm in the bed, upside down, with 10 people around me acting all sorts of excited. Over the next 10 minutes I pass three more heavy duty clots before a series of medications help stop the bleeding. It was actually quite scary...even for this seasoned old nurse:) It is quite different being the sick one on the other side of the bed. Long story short I severely hemorrhaged, my hemoglobin dropped to 6.0 and I was too weak to lift my head off the pillow for 2 days. Two weeks later, we are good to go! Reagan is too sweet sleeping 4-5 hours at a time through the night. The other girls are going on with their lives as usual:) My family is healthy and happy. What more could I ask for?
Here is Reagan today. 2 weeks old! I'm not sure why I bother with "NB" clothes. I actually ripped a hole in the shirt putting her arms in:) Once it was on, it was stayin.
My view from the drivers seat
The following are somewhere from days 6-11.
The following is just for my journal purposes.
Today was my first day flying solo with four little girls. No one died. Thank goodness Nate's parents were able to come for a week and help out! I've never been so glad to be on the OTHER side of pregnancy/delivery.
I was induced 2/27. My Dr took his own sweet time not arriving until 9:10 a.m. to break my water. Whatev. Things progressed from there and I kept telling my nurse I wanted my epidural ASAP. She kept telling me to wait until my contractions got 3-5 mins apart which I knew was already the case but again...whatev. Well, by the time she got anesthesia there I was in agony (I have a very low pain tolerance; I'm down with it). The first epidural attempt was "no good." I don't know why, he just took it out and started over. Mmmkay, Ashdog is starting to lose it here. Second attempt good but I'm getting virtually NO relief. I sort of lost it mentally and the only thing I could think of is "I should have had total relief an HOUR ago." Nurse has to wait 15 mins before calling anesthesia back. I can't believe she put up with me for 15 more minutes but bless her heart, she did. She calls. He comes back (by now it's been 30 minutes of torture but who is counting), and boluses me until I'm convinced my legs are now disassociated from my body but hey, the contractions are less intense. I don't even dare move at this point. 30 mins go by, I ask my nurse to check me. I'm complete. Reagan is born at 1:29. Yay!
An hour later (Pitocin still running) I'm having these weird, painful contractions that my nurse is writing off as "breastfeeding cramps." Okay, these are not "cramps". I don't know what they are. They are intense and I'm D-O-N-E! This goes on until my new nurse (hallelujah) comes in, massages my uterus, and out plops a placenta-size....something. I thought it might be my liver? Not surprisingly, the blasted contractions went away!!! Life is wonderful.
About 10:30 p.m., laying in bed I feel a bit of "pressure" accompanied by another hefty "plop." I'm leaving a substantial trail of blood as I get myself to the bathroom. I call the nurse who comes in and starts yelling for help. I'm thinking "hmm probably not good." My next words are "I think I'm going to pass out." Next thing I know I'm in the bed, upside down, with 10 people around me acting all sorts of excited. Over the next 10 minutes I pass three more heavy duty clots before a series of medications help stop the bleeding. It was actually quite scary...even for this seasoned old nurse:) It is quite different being the sick one on the other side of the bed. Long story short I severely hemorrhaged, my hemoglobin dropped to 6.0 and I was too weak to lift my head off the pillow for 2 days. Two weeks later, we are good to go! Reagan is too sweet sleeping 4-5 hours at a time through the night. The other girls are going on with their lives as usual:) My family is healthy and happy. What more could I ask for?
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Reagan!
Reagan Ashley Walbruch was born 2/27 (same as Aunt Jenna) at 1:29 p.m. She slid into 2nd place at 9 lbs 7 ounces. Reagan is healthy and strong and loved very much:) Here are out first few days with our 4 little women. Can you say "craziness"?
Friday, February 10, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
just so I don't forget
For Ellie's bday we were going around the table sharing our favorite memory of her. On Hannah's 2nd go round (She didn't quite "get it" the first time) she said, "My favorite memory of Ellie is when I was sick and we were laying in bed and she snuggled me." It melted my heart.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Three Oh
My birthday was not as scary as I'd imagined.
Not that I am "delighted" about having to answer "30" when people ask my age, but because of a little epiphany I had in the shower (obviously), I am actually looking forward to leaving my 20s in the dust!
Not uncommon, my early 20s were all about a) establishing a career and b) finding a hubby. I happened to totally luck out in both those areas and blissfully sailed through the mid 20s. Wheeeeeeeee.
The late 20s however, as we made a big move, added soon-to-be THREE more children to the batch and true motherhood hit (see previous post), have sufficiently rocked my little world. In a wonderful, very very demanding and challenging way. I just love when older women say things like "Honey, those were the hardest years of my life. Hang in there." Phewsh! Thank you ma'am.
I truly enjoy the majority of moments with my three little daughters, my busy-bee husband, and challenging job but I also expect my 30s to offer a bit of a smoother course. Y' hear that?!? Smoooothie.. I expect to slowly gravitate back to my "self" through various methods.
So, to my 20s: as my baby making days come to a close I bid you good riddance. You have taught me many priceless lessons and I will look back on you withrevulsion fondness.
And to my 30s: (maybe not the first couple) thank you for arriving. I look forward to you with hope and zeal!
This is what I'm telling myself anyway.
Not that I am "delighted" about having to answer "30" when people ask my age, but because of a little epiphany I had in the shower (obviously), I am actually looking forward to leaving my 20s in the dust!
Not uncommon, my early 20s were all about a) establishing a career and b) finding a hubby. I happened to totally luck out in both those areas and blissfully sailed through the mid 20s. Wheeeeeeeee.
The late 20s however, as we made a big move, added soon-to-be THREE more children to the batch and true motherhood hit (see previous post), have sufficiently rocked my little world. In a wonderful, very very demanding and challenging way. I just love when older women say things like "Honey, those were the hardest years of my life. Hang in there." Phewsh! Thank you ma'am.
I truly enjoy the majority of moments with my three little daughters, my busy-bee husband, and challenging job but I also expect my 30s to offer a bit of a smoother course. Y' hear that?!? Smoooothie.. I expect to slowly gravitate back to my "self" through various methods.
So, to my 20s: as my baby making days come to a close I bid you good riddance. You have taught me many priceless lessons and I will look back on you with
And to my 30s: (maybe not the first couple) thank you for arriving. I look forward to you with hope and zeal!
This is what I'm telling myself anyway.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
MC
Well, this is one for the books people.
Let's take a walk, shall we? Back to...say....November. When Mama's Cough (MC) started. The girls and Nate had all had and fully recovered from a cold/cough. I assumed mine would get better too. But as the weeks went on and MC was only getting worse (we're talking HARD, 24/7, vomit- inducing coughing), I finally called my OB and begged for something...anything. I had tried EVERY OTC drug I could take. Although I had never "felt sick" (no fever, green stuff, malaise, etc) he gave me some antibiotics. Well, I was convinced MC would finally pack up and leave.
She didn't.
It is now Christmas and I am really getting tired of MC. I take another round of zithromax and put myself on schedule robitussin laced with codeine. I'm telling ya by about Jan 10 MC had surrendered.
Mmmkay, so in addition to the above condition, I'm also 32 weeks along with my 4th little cherub in less than 5 years. NOT COMPLAINING....JUST SAYIN.
Okay, now I'm complaining: Every muscle, tendon, ligament, cell, corpuscle, fiber I possessed "down there" had been convulsed into oblivion. I then started having this....pain that, within 3 days, progressed to pure agony. I.COULD.NOT.MOVE. This was not "pressure." This was not "Braxten Hicks." This was not "bowling ball between the legs." This was .....insane. I had never even close to hurt this bad...even post postpartum!
Quite the predicament for a working woman trying to take care of a house and three littleuns. I had tried cold, heat (don't ask), and resorted to taking leftover Darvocet from Ellie's birth even though it was recalled for dangerous side affects. Whatevs. Even that did not help the pain...it only make me even more brainless. Sistah here was desperado!! Went to church this way, went to work this way...and had finally caved to the reality that I'd better stop praying for this to go away and start praying for strength to get through it because it was only going to get worse until I delivered this baby. Oh, and how was I supposed to do that might I ask? It's like telling someone who has just maxed their biceps every single day for 2 months that it is now time to head to the worlds toughest arm wresting tournament...and pin their opponent.
So I go to work last Saturday and I am totally taking it easy, but I notice that I don't feel that bad. Hmm? Bonus? Sunday is even better and by yesterday, the pain was pretty much GONE. Wha?!? So, now I'm thinking it was a really bad baby positioning????? I don't know how or why but I am a new woman and you will not hear a complaining word from these lips for the duration of this pregnancy. Nate, not included.
Nothing short of a miracle.
Let's take a walk, shall we? Back to...say....November. When Mama's Cough (MC) started. The girls and Nate had all had and fully recovered from a cold/cough. I assumed mine would get better too. But as the weeks went on and MC was only getting worse (we're talking HARD, 24/7, vomit- inducing coughing), I finally called my OB and begged for something...anything. I had tried EVERY OTC drug I could take. Although I had never "felt sick" (no fever, green stuff, malaise, etc) he gave me some antibiotics. Well, I was convinced MC would finally pack up and leave.
She didn't.
It is now Christmas and I am really getting tired of MC. I take another round of zithromax and put myself on schedule robitussin laced with codeine. I'm telling ya by about Jan 10 MC had surrendered.
Mmmkay, so in addition to the above condition, I'm also 32 weeks along with my 4th little cherub in less than 5 years. NOT COMPLAINING....JUST SAYIN.
Okay, now I'm complaining: Every muscle, tendon, ligament, cell, corpuscle, fiber I possessed "down there" had been convulsed into oblivion. I then started having this....pain that, within 3 days, progressed to pure agony. I.COULD.NOT.MOVE. This was not "pressure." This was not "Braxten Hicks." This was not "bowling ball between the legs." This was .....insane. I had never even close to hurt this bad...even post postpartum!
Quite the predicament for a working woman trying to take care of a house and three littleuns. I had tried cold, heat (don't ask), and resorted to taking leftover Darvocet from Ellie's birth even though it was recalled for dangerous side affects. Whatevs. Even that did not help the pain...it only make me even more brainless. Sistah here was desperado!! Went to church this way, went to work this way...and had finally caved to the reality that I'd better stop praying for this to go away and start praying for strength to get through it because it was only going to get worse until I delivered this baby. Oh, and how was I supposed to do that might I ask? It's like telling someone who has just maxed their biceps every single day for 2 months that it is now time to head to the worlds toughest arm wresting tournament...and pin their opponent.
So I go to work last Saturday and I am totally taking it easy, but I notice that I don't feel that bad. Hmm? Bonus? Sunday is even better and by yesterday, the pain was pretty much GONE. Wha?!? So, now I'm thinking it was a really bad baby positioning????? I don't know how or why but I am a new woman and you will not hear a complaining word from these lips for the duration of this pregnancy. Nate, not included.
Nothing short of a miracle.
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