Lots of tears, lots of sleep, loss of hair

Last night AnnaLynn had a long episode of crying. I think it was about 3-4 hours or more of on again, off again (mostly on) crying. She had gas, was hungry and exhausted, and was too worked up to eat or sleep. We gave her some gas medicine and tried the tummy rubbing method to pass the gas along. Those efforts seemed to work pretty well, but she was still upset. Finally, we decided to try to bottle feed her a little. I pumped 3 ounces and gave it to Tony. He got to feed his daughter for the first time! She very slowly drank the whole bottle. She was then full and dry with most of the gas passed. It didn't take long after that to get her to sleep. It was 10:30 when she finally went down and she hadn't had a decent nap since around 2 pm!! Well, much to our joy, she slept until 4:30 am! Six hours... it was so nice! Hopefully she doesn't feel so bad tonight, but maybe we can keep the 6 hour stretch? yeah right.

Oh, and a few days ago I noticed her hairline looked to be receeding. Yes, infact, she is loosing her hair. She is mainly loosing the hair above either eye, so she looks like she either has a very dramatic widow's peak or a mohauk. But this can easily be disgised with a bow or cut knitted hat from her YaYa.

Labor, Delivery and everything after

On August 8th at 1:49 am my first contraction started. Twelve hours later, we were off to the hospital. I was 3 cm dialated when we arrived. Ten hours after arriving, AnnaLynn was born. She was 7 pounds, 11 ounces, 20.5 inches long and born at 12:12 am on 8-9-10.

The labor was long and challenging, but with the help of Tony and our midwife and nurse staff at Ochsner, we were able to have a natural child birth. It was the hardest thing we have ever done, but well worth it. Just as AnnaLynn was getting ready to make her debute, the midwife asked Tony if he wanted to help. I was thinking she just meant cutting the cord, but he actually got to deliver her! Once her head was out, the midwife told him what to do, and she was born. I cannot say enough about how wonderful Tony did during the entire labor and delivery process. I know without his help and encouragement there is no way I could have had a natural child birth, which is something I really wanted to do. Praise the Lord!

Right after birth AnnaLynn had a hard time getting rid of all of the amniotic fluid that was in her lungs. This caused her to have rapid shallow breathing. So, they took her to the neonatal ICU so she could be monitored. She was there for 15 hours and had improved enough that she could be moved to our room. The second night after she was born, she slept 5 hours through the night! This has only happened once since, but we are looking forward to when it becomes a regular occurance. Come to find out, the reason she slept so well was because they had done a heel stick for a bilirubin test (which I'm sure the screaming and crying she did wore her out), and when she was returned to us she was swaddled very tightly and had her pacifier in her mouth. She was in her happy place.

She did develop a little jaundice that eventually cleared up on its own, but she was quite yellow for a while. Granny and Mom were here for the delivery. They patiently waited 12 hours in the waiting room. The following day, Ms. Linda came down and spent some time getting to know her newest grandbaby. Then Laura stopped by for the weekend on her way home from Florida. And just this past weekend, my dad came and visited. We have had a great time with all the family.

Today was AnnaLynn's two week doctor's appointment. She weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces (she weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces two weeks ago) and is 21.5 inches long (an inch longer than at birth!). She is doing so well: eating well, napping well, etc. She is beautiful and perfect!! Enjoy the pictures.

AnnaLynn's NICU room

Napping with Daddy

Visiting with Granny

AnnaLynn and Grammy

Four Generations

Angell family

Family picture

Aunt Laura AKA Diaper Changing Pro

Daddy admiring his little girl

Paw Paw loving AnnaLynn

The cute dress she wore to her two week dr apt

Update

Tony and I saw the midwife yesterday morning. She said that the 2 cm dialation estimate that I was given last week was generous. :) But at least I'm still a little dialated. She had us go in for an ultrasound to check up on AnnaLynn. Basically to make sure she was doing well, moving, and that the fluid level was high enough for us to continue to let her stay put while she wanted. The ultrasound tech said everything looked good. The fluid is at 13 and she said anywhere from 5-20 is good. So, as far as I know, we will continue as things are going.

The midwife told us that we could ultimately go as long as we wanted without being induced, but that they recommend doing it before 42 weeks because statistically the babies are healthier than if you wait longer. We spoke with her about this for a while and Tony and I were both comfortable when we decided to schedule a date after this coming weekend. So, if AnnaLynn hasn't come on her own by Monday night (I will be 41 weeks and 5 days then) we will check into the hospital (around 10 pm) and they will start me slowly on Pitocin (the devil) to start contractions. The midwife said once they have the contractions and dialation where they want it they will turn off the Pitocin and let me go on my own from there. This is all in theory since she may decide to come before then, which is what we are praying for. If we do go in Monday night, then she will be born sometime Tuesday. So, that's the latest that we will have to wait for AnnaLynn. I guess if she still wants a say in when her birthday will be, she needs to make that decision between now and then. :)

The midwife helped answer our many questions. She was very reassuring and we both felt comfortable with what we decided on. Let's just see what happens!!

Due Date, come and gone

AnnaLynn was officially, by medical means, due yesterday. Well, she must have another thing in mind. Not only has she choosen not to come yet, it feels like my body is less ready to give birth today than the previous few days. I know she will come when she is ready, and thankfully, the hospital and midwives we are seeing will allow things to happen as naturally as possible. That means they will let me go as far as 41 weeks and a few days before they induce. Studies show it is not good to wait more than 42 weeks before inducing labor, so I'm good with this.

I have told AnnaLynn that she can come whenever she is ready, hopefully it wont be too much longer. Sorry, I know the wait is hard on all of you, especially grandparents and family wanting to come down for the big event... however, just be glad you aren't the one carrying and waiting, though, it's really not bad at all. I have been very blessed to have had such a smooth pregnancy and even now there is just occasional, mild discomfort. Thank the Lord! We (Tony and I) are very excited to meet the little girl God is giving us to raise!! Praise Him.

Cloth Diapers

Last weekend when Mom was here, we attempted to make cloth diapers. However, the first diaper (and first ~7 hours of work) was a learn as you go, trouble-shooting experience. The diaper that resulted was non-functioning, but we learned a lot. The next day, I tried again and was successful. My goal was to replicate the Fuzzi Bunz pocket diaper as closely as I could. I think I pretty much got it... though we will have to wait a while to know if they work for sure. I am not planning to use these at first, maybe after 6 months, or just when they start to fit AnnaLynn. I figured there would be too much going on the first few months to worry with washing and cleaning cloth diapers. Even with waiting a while these diapers should be cost efficient and hopefully more environmental than disposables. Altogether, I spent about $100 and made 13 diapers with enough fabric left to make seven more (I will wait and see what other size I may need). So, let's say I never get around to making the last seven, they will have cost ~$7.70 each (Fuzzi Bunz retail for about $18 each). If a box of approximately 50 diapers of this size is $15 then I will need to use each diaper 25 times to make up the cost. This can easily be done in two months or less. If I do make the other seven diapers, they will have only cost $5 each and I will need to use each diaper 16 times to make up the cost. If they don't work, then I have spent a good chunk of change and a lot of time for nothing, but hey, it's worth a try to me.

Actual Fuzzi Bunz diaper, which I based my diaper pattern off of.

My diaper - waterproof outside so no diaper cover is needed.

Open diaper

Pocket where soaker pad goes in to do the absorption.

38 Week Check-up

No significant changes noticed during the 38 week check up. The midwife doesn't expect AnnaLynn to come this weekend. We still have two weeks until she is "due." Hopefully, she wont be too long after that; I really don't want to be induced! Either way, I'll let her and God decide which day will be her birthday.

Everything else is going well. I'm still feeling well, except a little discomfort when I sleep if I stay too long on one side. That's not much to complain about, I've really had it pretty easy so far. Mom is coming in town tomorrow and we are going to attempt to make some cloth diapers for AnnaLynn. If they work out, I'll post pictures of them.

Our house is a very, very, very fine house...

Finally, pictures of our house in Louisiana. Enjoy!

Guest bath

This is the guest room/Tony's office. It is where you will stay when you come to visit. :) We still need to get a few things for it, such as a new bed spread and head board, but the bed itself is brand new.

This dresser was given to us both a couple in the church who own an antique store. It is beautiful and very spacious. I love it!

Our bedroom has a large window that looks out into the backyard (to see backyard, see previous post).

AnnaLynn's closet is already full of clothes not including the ones in her dresser or the ones that are 12 months or greater, which are in storage bins. She also has a shelf in the bottom of her closet to hold all her shoes and a basket (temporary until Tony makes her a toy chest) to hold her toys. Thanks to all our generous friends and family, this girl is lacking nothing, I assure you! :)

Tony putting up the wall art in AnnaLynn's room. It says "Every good and perfect gift comes from above. James 1:17" I love it!! Found it at Hobby Lobby (half off)!

727 Lynn Dr!

Tony, being domesticated... picking up after his dog in the backyard. He bought this shovel specifically for this purpose, and I'm sure it will get plenty of use.