1 week old

I can't believe it has only been a week! Time is going by painfully slow right now. Long days and longer nights, but we are getting the hang of this! Eli loves his little brother and is doing great with him. He did look at my stomach the other day and said "do you have another baby mama?" ouch, dissed by a two year old. Mama is working on it.

Ashur Mikael Bauer

Ashur Mikael Bauer

8lbs 6oz 22 inches

10/21/09

1:34pm

Contractions woke me up at 3am on Wednesday morning. I woke Eric up and said, if I have another one like that lets go downstairs. They kept coming about every 10 min. We went downstairs, made some breakfast and timed the contractions. Decided to wake my parents up at 4:30am. Contractions were every 6 minutes lasting about 45 seconds. We called Grandma and Grampa Bauer and Grampa came from work to take care of Eli. We went to the midwife's at 6am, checked in and we all (Eric, Grandma, Grampa Quick, Grandma Bauer and Jeannie) went for a walk to Crema for breakfast. The midwife hesitated to say I was in labor because of how good I felt. We came back from our walk and was examined at 9:30. I was 80% effaced and dilated to 4cm. Eric and I went for another walk around the block and the contractions started to get stronger. We got back to the birth center and had a few more contractions in bed, then got in the tub at around 11am. I was 9cm at 11:40am. I was a little shocked at how quickly I had progressed! The contractions were strong and painful, but much more manageable than the first time around. Against my will my body started pushing at 12pm. Which was the weirdest sensation. I pushed in the tub for a while until I got too hot. Then I got in the bed and labored there. Pushing was extremely difficult and I felt like I had been pushing for days with nothing happening. I cried a little and couldn't figure out why nobody else would help get my baby out! By the last few pushes I had my mom on one side, dad over the top of me letting me reach up and pull on his shoulder, Eric ready to catch, Linda and Jeannie at the foot of the bed cheering. When little Ashur FINALLY crowned I felt relief coming. He was pushed out into his daddy's arms at 1:34pm and immediately came to me. I heard my dad yell out "its a boy!" The midwife told me that pushing was in fact more difficult than it should have been because Ashur was Posterior (facing up and with his chin up vs. tucked down, they call that "Military") I was alittle overwhelmed at how hard it was to push him out, but alittle reassured knowing that it was difficult for good reason. So, in the end I did tear and needed stitches, but my tailbone was unaffected! Immediately after the birth I was in pain, but by a couple hours later felt great. Ashur latched on right away and has been nursing great ever since. The only pain I am feeling know is incredible neck and shoulder pain (like whiplash) from all the strain of pushing- but everywhere else feels great! I had an amazing experience with Alma Midwives, they helped me achive the natural, drug free birth experience I wanted and took amazing care of me, Eric and Ashur! The time at the birth center could be its own post because it has so much to offer! From the beautiful birth suite, to the candle lit birthday cake for Ashur and the 24 hour doula there to wait on our every need. It was awesome! I might even think about giving birth again... maybe :)

no baby yet, folks

Ok, so lets catch you all up. We celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary on Monday, had an ultrasound appointment on Tuesday, and another Midwife visit on Thursday... and still no baby. blah.

Our anniversary was wonderful, our agreement through the years has been that I plan the event for the day and Eric buys me a gift. This has worked out wonderfully (don't tell him, I have the better end of the deal :) Anyways, there were a few years of him planning an evening of dinner and a movie (way to be creative!) and I would get a tad disappointed, so we established the new plan, and it really is fun. I had written him a letter with the events planned out for the evening which he opened the morning of our anniversary. The schedule was as follows:

4:30 Tea and treats at Starbucks

5:00 Check in to Barefoot Sage (a strictly foot massage spa. It is beautiful and serene. They had foot baths, aromatherapy, and 30min calf and foot massages. ahhhhhhhh)

6:15 Dinner reservations at Bombay Cricket Club, Indian food (one of his favorites)

It was a great day with my best friend! I love him so much and can't wait for years and years to come!

Alright the ultrasound. This was ordered after there was alittle confusion about the babies position. The were about 90% sure the baby was head down and after 2 breach birth stories lately from friends- I didn't want to risk that 10% chance. The baby was perfectly head down, with a squishy little wrinkled face. So sweet. Made me so much more excited about meeting him/her any day now!

And finally the midwife appointment (please say that is our last one) Nothing to eventful, she gave me a foot massage and some oils to help bring on labor. We have been meeting in the birth suites, which are beautiful rooms, that make me feel like I am going to a day spa or bed and breakfast instead of the delivery room. I am so much more excited about this birth, I had alot of hard feelings towards Eli's birth. It was hard, chaotic, and very scary. And, it was lonely being so far away, not having family and friends around to come and visit at the hospital. But this time around just feels so much more peaceful- it will still be a hard labor, probably harder than Eli's cause its totally un-medicated, but with so much better support and trust in my bodies ability to do this, I know it is made to go through this pain for a reason. I hope it knows its supposed to start this process soon! Somebody tell the baby to get a move on!

Our trip to the pumpkin patch this year. Hopefully, this will be the last pictures of my huge belly- the one in the baby book that is titles "taken just days before you came"

Baby Poll

As the due date draws near, thought we would get all of your opinions on what you think this little critter in me is... well hopefully its a baby... but lets guess the sex and due date!


~Last midwife appointment was on Thursday and all is looking good.


~She did examine me and said I am 1cm dilated and 30% effaced. So she doesn't think it is anytime real soon.


~My first ultrasound said Oct. 11th, the second said Oct. 15th and based on my missed period Oct. 24th.


If you need any other info to base your bet on, let me know ;)


So leave your comment with a due date and guess the sex of the baby!