Photo Shoot at Winnie Palmer

She is so alert!

Just hanging out in Daddy's hands!

Unbelievably happy!

"Think Think Think!"

Pretty Girl!

Olivia with Puff Puff!

A Labor of Love

Friday May 21, 2010 Ben and I headed out to Winnie Palmer to be induced. We were supposed to go in at 2PM, but at 8AM we received a call that we needed to be there at 9AM instead. Well talk about a rush, all of the last minute things I needed to do would just have to wait. Somehow we managed to make it there in an hour. By 10:30 I had my IV and first dose of Cervadil.

Day 1

We had many visitors throughout the day and I was lucky that until it was time to go down to delivery I was able to eat and drink whatever I wanted. At about 3:30PM I started to have contractions on my own and by about 9PM they were coming about every 2 minutes, but when they checked if I was dilated I was still only 1 centimeter. So over the rest of the night I was given medicine to slow the contractions back down. What a waste all of that work just to have to start again in the morning.

Day 2

At 6:30AM I was given my second dose of Cervadil. Well, Saturday was a very eventful day. Contractions began again and Dr. Peppy came by to see how I was doing. It started off with lots of walking per Dr. Mom, even though I protested they fell on deaf ears. So I walked and walked hoping to progress the dilation. At about 12:30 just after Ben's parents and sister left to pick up lunch and somethings from Target the hospital was placed under lock down. Why you ask? A person called in a bomb threat. Yup, who else would that happen to? So my family's in and Ben's are sitting outside waiting to be let back in. While this was going on I was contracting pretty well. About 2 hours later the bomb threat was cancelled and everyone was back in the room.

Yummy!

It was about 4 when I decided I had enough of the contractions (which were coming every 2 minuets) and wanted to be sent downstairs to get my epidural. Yea!!! So they came and checked me and I had gotten to almost 3 centimeters, finally we were getting somewhere. They fixed up my IV and sent for transport. By about 5PM we were down in Delivery. It moved very quickly from this point. I got my epidural and not to toot my own horn (those who don't know I am terrified of needles) but I did great, didn't move a muscle and just like that it was over and so was the pain. They started the Patosin and I got  my orange popsicle. Now to rest!

OK so there wasn't much resting. Dr. Peppy came in and checked me again and we found out that she was transverse. That means that instead of her being face down she had her head turned to the side. So I got turned every 30 minutes to try to get her to turn. The third time they turned me, I was laying there and Ben was watching TV, when I heard an alarm beeping. I asked Ben if he hit a button or something and he said no. Then my amazing nurse came in and checked the monitors and said to us that a lot of people were going to be coming in and that was normal. Well, she was right and I was trying not to worry, but poor Ben was and had texted my mom to come back before I could even ask him to. Olivia's heart rate dropped and they said it was because since the last time I was checked and was at 3 centimeters, I had gone to 7 centimeters. The quick change was what made her stress a little bit. So they put on a internal monitor to check her heart rate more precisely. Only a couple hours and I went 4 centimeters, fantastic. Well, crisis averted.

I made up my mind that she would be here between 10:30 and 11PM and around 9PM we were ready to push. Yea finally! After a little over an hour of pushing at 11:04 Miss Olivia Marie made her grand entrance. She weighed 7lbs 12oz and was perfect. 

Olivia Marie!!!

Proud Mommy and Daddy with our little Princess!

LOVE!

OMG It's Finally Here!

Tomorrow Ben and I are heading to Winnie Palmer to begin the induction. We have to be there at 2 and should be well underway by 5. With any luck by sometime Saturday Olivia will make her grand entrance into the world right on time on her due date. We will be sure to keep everyone updated on the process and know that we will see many of you by Sunday. 

Just like anything her Mommy does, it will be no small welcome. With the Grandmothers joining Ben and I in the delivery room and the rest of the family, adopted aunts and uncles, and many many friends I feel we may take over the lobby. My motto the more the merrier! The celebration of life is the most amazing feeling that you can have. 

Dear Our Sweet Olivia,

You have not yet arrived and already you are the most loved child! You are so lucky that you have so many people who want to be apart of your life and that you will be able to rely on anyone. Your daddy and I could not be more proud and overwhelmed with what you have brought to our lives already. We know the rest of our lives are going to be filled with only fantastic memories. 

Love

Mommy and Daddy

Patiently Waiting

This is Oakley patiently waiting to find out who this Olivia person is that we all keep talking about. It is so cute that he has become very protective of her room. If anyone goes in there, he is following right behind to make sure that nothing is taken. He knows that the toys, stuffed animals, and socks that are in that room are not his. When I began separating the millions of clothes, bibs, socks, and hats to begin washing them, he took off with pieces all the time. It only took a short time for him to learn what was his and what was Olivia's.

He seems to be taking his duty as a "big brother" very seriously. If you ask him where Olivia is he goes to the front door and just sits there. It's almost as if to say, "I don't know we are waiting for her to get here!" All of the items that come with babies now invade his space, but he doesn't seem to mind.

This is Oakley's baby "Moosey" and he has been practicing taking care of it for the last few days. He takes it outside for fresh air and carries him all over the yard.

Introducing Oakley and Olivia is going to be such an amazing moment, even though we aren't sure how he is going to react. Ben and I are sure that they will be best of friends in no time. Little does Oakley know that we are sure that he will be well fed when she is eating solid foods. We are excited to see how this story will unfold...more to come on the tales of Oakley and Olivia!

My First Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day was absolutely amazing. It was a gorgeous day and we started with brunch at Dexter's then went to Lake Eola to wander around. Even in the heat it was so nice. Then Ben and I went to my family's house to relax till dinner at the bar. It was so special and next year will be even better because Olivia will be here to celebrate.

My Mommy and I on my first Mother's Day! The best mother anyone could ask for. I know that I will be a great mom to Olivia because of her!
My little family on Mother's Day!

All the ladies and almost 4 generations! I guess it really is if you consider Stella!

What a great weekend!

An End In Sight!

Our beautiful baby girl!

Yea! Olivia is scheduled to arrive on May 22...her due date. I have been scheduled for an induction that morning. I could go in Friday to get things started if my cervix is still closed. I hope that it begins to cooperate at some point this week. I guess there is lots of walking in my future...preferably around a nice cold mall.

Today at our appointment and sonogram they did her measurements and she about a healthy 7lbs 7ozs. Dr. Peppy said she will be no more then 8lbs, thank goodness cause she has to come out of me.

Now I can finish all of the projects that I need to get done before she gets here. How exciting!

Maternity Photo Session

At 32 weeks Ben and I were lucky enough to have Cassandra take some beautiful maternity photos of us. It was such a wonderful treat for us especially if you know how much I love photos.

Sweet Baby Olivia's Beautiful Nursery

Her dresser and diaper bag.

Her closet with not even half of her clothes.

Her reading corner...the rocking chair that was mine and the alphabet that my mom made for my nursery. 

We can't wait to see Olivia in her own room. Her closet is full, her dresser is full, and the diaper bag is packed and ready to go. Her room was such a work of love from Ben and I. Especially since it took me forever to decide how I wanted to decorate it. Ben jumped in with both feet and began painting right away. Even though it wasn't blue he was still so excited. I can't wait to see them playing on the floor in here. 

Could Today Be the Day?

Well we have a sonogram today at 1pm and then head to the doctors office for my appointment. He will decide if we need to be induced today or wait till next week. Hopefully this will be the day...my apologies to the family that need to make there way back to town. For the third week in a row I am cleaning and preparing my house for the arrival of our first daughter.

Oakley is so excited about his "little sister". When anyone goes in her room he follows them in there to make sure they don't mess anything up. He is being very protective of her things, very cute. 

We will post more news this afternoon.

38 Weeks and waiting!

Yea! I am officially on maternity leave from work, graduated from Rollins, celebrated my first Mother's-to-be Day, and now we are just waiting for Olivia to make her grand arrival. We have had some set backs but still waiting. We have a sonogram this Thursday and our regular doctor's appointment. There is a chance we will be induced depending on the sonogram, just like the last 2 weeks.

Its official I am a graduate!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Also, Thank you to everyone who has been helping and thinking of us over the last few weeks. It is very appreciated. I hope that everyone is able to make it to the hospital to meet her after she arrives. We will be at Winnie Palmer downtown.