Words from the Williams

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Meeting Mama

While Grace and Daddy went to get lunch, Mama and Papa Mike came in to meet Laura.

And, of course before they left the hospital, Grace had to come back to say goodbye

We were so excited to introduce Grace to her little sister! Grace had been very apprehensive when we left for the hospital but she was in great hands and I think quickly forgot we weren't there. Mama and Papa Mike took her to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner (yes--it's her favorite restaurant!) and then Saturday morning they went to swim lessons and got donuts before coming up to the hospital. I made sure I was in the room when they got there and Grace brought me beautiful flowers and a donut.

Flowers from Grace in the middle

Grace gave me a big hug but was very nervous about the port I had in my wrist for my antibiotics. She is always so concerned that someone else is hurting--I love her compassion! Only three people are allowed in the NICU at a time so Mark and I took Grace to meet Laura. She was so thrilled to see her little sister but again was very cautious with all the wires.

"Holding" baby

First picture as a family of four!

After a short time, Grace was ready to go so Mark took her down to the cafeteria where she got lunch. Here is big sister showing off her hospital band that said "I'm a big sister!"

Monday, July 16, 2012

She's here!!!

Introducing Laura Susan Williams

Born Saturday, June 16th at 2:40 a.m.

Here's her birth story:

My due date came and went on the 14th. We had a doctor's appointment at 2:00 on Friday and the doctor decided to try to progress things and said that if the baby didn't come that weekend we would induce the following Tuesday. Well, that was not necessary because I was cramping by the time we left the office. Not believing I was really in labor, I went grocery shopping with my mom when we got home. As we walked through King Soopers my contractions were about 3 minutes apart and my mom kept saying, "I think we should go." To which I kept responding (when I could speak), "No, this is good. This is what I need." By the time we left the grocery store and stopped to get gas (of course I had let it get to E), I was fairly certain I needed to go to the hospital. We got home, Mark called the doctor, we grabbed our bag, and headed to Poudre Valley Hospital. We arrived around 7, got checked in and they started monitoring me.

When we arrived, I was 4 cm dilated. The anesthesiologist arrived at 9 p.m. to give me the epidural (I had to have one since I was trying for a VBAC and to be honest--it was amazing! I'm glad I tried it without the first time but would definitely get one again!). Dr. Worford checked me at 9:30 and I was 7 cm. She decided to break my water and when she checked again just after 10:30, I was fully dilated. I pushed for about 10 minutes but the baby didn't budge. They didn't want me pushing too much since I have the scar from the c-section so they told me to take a nap and let my body do the work of pushing the baby out. I never imagined that I would be fully dilated, having regular contractions and taking a nap! They woke me up about every 20 minutes checking things and changing my position. Around 1:30 they noticed my temperature was starting to rise so they decided it was time for me to really push. The nurse we had was amazing, having me try different positions and even tying a knot in a bedsheet and having me pull on it as she pulled the opposite direction. As I pushed my temperature continued to go up and the baby's heart rate also started to spike. Mark and I were both certain that we would end up in the OR again but then the baby started to move and before we knew it, Laura Susan entered the world! It was such an amazing experience! We were so surprised to see her full head of dark hair and to learn that she came out face up (the reason I had to have a c-section with Grace!). I loved having her placed on my chest and getting to snuggle her before they cleaned her and then getting about an hour and a half with just the three of us as she nursed for the first time and we loved on her.

7 pounds 13 1/2 ounces

19 3/4 inches

After our time together, Laura had to be taken to the NICU for observation and antibiotics. With my temp spike and her heart rate increase they were worried that I had an infection in the amniotic fluid that could cause sepsis in Laura. Poor little girl also had two blisters on her forehead (either from the internal monitor or from rubbing on my pelvis) so those had to be monitored for infection. Needless to say, it wasn't what we had hoped or planned for but we were glad that they were being safe. It was just sad to see her with all the monitors. The worst part was the IV line in her little hand for her antibiotics. We stayed in the women's unit and they would call me whenever Laura needed to eat and I would walk down to nurse her--I did that walk a lot!

Getting to visit Laura in the NICU after I got out of recovery

And that is how we went from a family of three to a family of four!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Waiting and waiting and waiting for baby

This baby was a tease! I started having contractions 3 weeks before my due date, yet no baby! My mom and Mike were here to play the waiting game with us. It was fun to get to do things with them and they were kind enough to help us get some things done around the house (kitchen, entry way, living and family rooms all have fresh paint--no more purple or salmon colored walls!!!). But perhaps the most fun was the day trips they were able to take with Grace. Here is what we did while we were waiting...

A trip to Estes Park for fishing followed by fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park

A few trips to Spring Canyon Park

Grace had a visit to Bounce! in Loveland and lunch at Sonic with Mama and Papa Mike

We started swim lessons with daddy

Mama, Papa Mike, and Grace had a trip to the farm while Mark and I had a date night :-)

We hiked to Horsetooth Falls (Yes! I hiked at 38 weeks pregnant--I was desperate to get baby out!)

We got overtired...refused to go to take a nap...and fell asleep sitting up in the hall

(Seriously! She's sleeping here!!!)

We set up the pool and sprinkler in the front yard to cool off from our heat wave (90+ degrees more days in a row than I care to remember--not good for a preggo woman's ankles...oops, I mean cankles!)