16 Days Early

Wow what a whirlwind it has been.

I am tired and still recovering so here are the highlights:

We went in for a routine check-up at 12:15pm on Thursday, October 20^th. I was 37 weeks and 5 days.

The Dr. checked me and I was 5 cm and 90% effaced.

Shea and I heard this and looked at each other and were like cool, thinking “one more week or so to go.”

But the Dr. looked at us and was like SOOO... “That means you’re really close to delivering this baby, are you sure you haven't felt any contractions.”

I was like, nope but I have been extremely uncomfortable today.

He told me my water is bulging, which means it could break anytime. And I am really far along.

Then he hit us with the big stuff...

He said “Walk around for a couple hours, eat some lunch, get all ready and head to Labor and Delivery”. He told us if I am not in active labor when I get there he will put me in it, since I am so close it is not worth it to wait and have the panic of trying to get to the hospital on time for an epidural.

YES we were in shock.

We called the families, and spread the news.

First, we drove to Rexburg. Packed for the hospital/Connor’s overnight bag and straightened the apartment.

Next, we headed out for some fast food lunch.

Then we made our way to Shea’s parents and dropped off Connor’s bag. We said some sad “Goodbye’s” to our only child.

Once we got to Idaho Falls we decided to take a walk around the mall, just hoping for a little progress. I was starting to get a little worried, because I was feeling no contractions and no pain. So we were both imagining all the hospital possibilities, mostly involving false alarms and preparing ourselves for a trip back home.

Finally we decided let’s face it and find out what they will say, so we head to the hospital.

Labor and delivery here we come.

We got checked in and got asked a whole bunch of questions.

End result I am feeling no pain, no contractions, and the nurses are looking at me like I am crazy.

I am now dilated to a 6.

They call the Dr. and he says to keep me. So this is it! We are going to meet our baby girl in a few hours, craziness!

Minutes later they ask me about an epidural. I say yes. Even though I am having no pain, I decide ... I don't want any so bring it on.

I am now dilated to 7 cm ... still no pain, no nothing. The screen says my contractions are 2-4 mins apart.  

The anesthesiologist comes and I get the epidural.

Dr. comes and breaks my water, 5:30pm.

I sleep a little, play Phase 10, and do a little waiting. My contractions have now slowed because of my epidural, so they are sporadic. They decide to give me some Pitocin to get my contractions consistent again, 7:11pm.

8:17pm I am completely dilated.

The room is set up and the Dr. arrives, 8:39pm I start pushing. Due to her perfect position, (the Dr. even comments that her nose is in the right spot, which is rare), only ten minutes of pushing.

Bella Marie Stanger is born, 8:49pm!

Bella Report:

She weighed 6 lbs 8 oz  and was 20.5 inches long.

 She was born with some light brown/blondish hair.

Blonde eyelashes and eyebrows.

Dark bluish eyes, baby eyes change, so who knows.

And long little fingers and toes!

She was 16 days early.

She had a little trouble breathing since she was early so they had to press on her lungs and do some exercises with her right away. Nothing scary and she was good to go after that.

She had jaundice. So we had to do a couple blood tests this week to have it checked, to ensure her bilirubin levels were going down. And as they were, we didn’t have to worry.

On the way to Dr. Appt #1, 4 Days Old

Dr Appt #1, Daddy and Bella

Big Brother overseeing the Appt

Mommy and her Girl at the Dr. 

Mommy Report:

What a SHOCK! It has all been. Throughout the whole day of labor I kept waking up and thinking I was dreaming.

I was so impressed with Shea, through it all he was one step ahead. Making sure I was taken care of and not worrying and just being such a huge sense of comfort. Giving me reassurance and support 

The delivery and recovery have all been perfect. I couldn’t have asked for better. It was the most fairy tale birth I could have imagined. No pain and perfect baby and quick recovery, with an amazing husband by your side every step of the way.

Life is good; I am walking around and chasing our Connor while cradling our Bella constantly! It is a busy and crazy life right now but it couldn’t be better.

We are now patiently awaiting the arrival of my family. I can’t wait to show off our little Bells!

Snuggling in bed with Connor, 5 Days Old

Connor Report:

Connor loves Bella and gives her hugs and kisses every chance he gets, a little too much loving sometimes but it’s adorable! 

He loves her so much already and is a protective and careful big brother already. 

Always wanting to know where she is or why she is crying. 

His favorite things is to hold her and with a lot of help he holds her himself, our independent little man.

We are so proud of him.

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One Week Old Photo Shoot

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

Bella Marie Stanger

Born October 20, 2011 at 8:49 pm

Weighing 6 lbs 8 oz, 20.5 inches long

Family is home and all doing well.

Pregnancy Favorites

A little update on my pregnancy:

Uncomfortable... YES!

Tired... YES!

Ready to be done... YES!

Life is crazy and I am trying hard to keep busy, which I am doing. And the time is going relatively fast, but these last few weeks of pregnancy are a killer. I am enjoying my time with Connor as he relishes his last weeks as the solo Stanger child. We are happy and healthy and all in all doing extremely well.

I thought I would share a few of my favorites during this pregnancy like I did last time around. So these are the things that make the top of my list, for daily favs!

Chap-stick and Lotion
...for all the dryness that comes with pregnancy



Bella Band
...for keeping my tummy supported and my pants up

Roasted Asparagus

This is my favorite meal to make lately, it is so easy and I have cravings for asparagus all the time. So it is at least weekly and sometimes I wish it was daily. Connor loves the salmon and especially asparagus so he snipes large portions of this meal too. 

Lemon Garlic Oven-Roasted Salmon with Asparagus

Salmon fillets

Asparagus bunch

1-2 tbsp. olive oil

Shredded parmesan

Salt and pepper, to taste

Garlic salt, or 1-2 minced cloves

Lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 400. Lightly drizzle baking pan(s) with olive oil. I use a separate pan for asparagus and salmon.

2. Wash your asparagus and snap (don’t slice!) the ends off. Put asparagus in a med size bowl and add a tbsp. of olive oil; season with salt and pepper (and garlic salt). Mix lightly with your hands. Lay the asparagus on the pan and sprinkle with parmesan.

3. Season both sides of salmon fillets with garlic, salt, and pepper and any extra seasoning you want (I use Basil, Oregano, and Parsley). Then place your fillets on the pan.

4. Pour a little lemon juice over both pans.

5. Then I put both pans in the oven. Salmon for 9 mins and asparagus for 12mins, depending on how you like it cooked.

Blue Powerade

... drink of choice, all the time!

Snickers Ice Cream Bars
...Yum! I have been into lots of frozen chocolate treats this time. I will take a frozen Hershey Bar any day!

AND

Of course what has made this pregnancy go by the fastest is Connor! He makes all the little hard parts worth it, because even though he tackles me and gives me rough love. I look into him and see all that love and happiness and it just makes me all the more excited for the new little fairy princess were about to have.

Plus he is constantly giving me hugs and kisses lately, it makes me think he knows something is about to change.

This is pre-haircut... 

Time for a Buzz

If you haven't noticed Connor's hair has been getting adorably long. And as much as we love his curls. We started getting the "Oh she is so cute! Look at the pretty hair!", comments and so we decided it was getting to be time for a buzzed boy cut. Recently his hair has gotten so bad it would be too long in the front, bothering his eyes, or it wouldn't curl up in the back so it would a frizzed mullet. So we made the plunge.

And SURPRISE we buzzed our Connor's hair. Daddy did the cutting, and he did a mighty good job.

BEFORE

A little nervous, right before.
(With chapped/cracked lips, poor boy.)

DURING

AFTER

All in all Connor did great and he is enjoying his new boy cut! And as much as we miss his curls we are loving our handsome little man's short hair.

Getting SO Big

A few weeks ago at the doctor Connor had his 15 month check-up. It was a "shot free" appointment and Connor was glad to not be poked by the nurses this time. (This is the first doctor's appt without shots, since he's been born).
He is doing great, it was a short visit.
Here were the results:
Height: 31 Inches (40%)
Weight: 23.4 lbs (29%)

Connor is now 16 months old and we did a little photo shoot today. It was very hard to keep him still. He is such an ACTIVE kid now and he loves to jabber on and on. I love it and we can't resist swarming him with hugs and kisses. 

I love that he still has his chubby cheeks.

Reading to Mommy

My pants are too big!
(He runs around too much and now no weight stays on his waist)

Dancing

His waist is to small for his pants.

Connor is growing and learning all the time, there are new things everyday. Here are a few updates on his

Connor has mastered:
- Walking/Running
- Scribbling with crayons/pens/etc.
- Walks backwards
- Running away from trouble
- Recognizes simple commands
- Turns the pages of a book, (brings book to you when he wants to be read to)
- Climbing
- Understands the use of telephone, computer, tv control
- Riding toys
- Picking up after himself, when Mommy helps
- Giving hugs and kisses
- "Saying sorry" with hugs
- Being gentle with other kids, we are over the hitting stage!
-Taking off shoes and socks

These are a few things Connor's working on:
- Drinking from a sippy cup during the day, and a bottle only at night. (We're trying to wean him from the bottle.)
- Sleeping in his own bed for nap time, and occasionally bedtime
- Expanding his vocabulary, jabbering mostly to himself although there are 10 words or so that he says on a regular basis (wow, oww, da, ma~more/mom, uh oh, go, bye, no, there, here, ba~bottle, yeah, ank ou~thank you, quack like a duck, roar like a lion, etc. )
- One minute Time-outs
- Listening and obeying directions
- Drinking from a straw and a big kid cup
- Taking shirt off and on

LIKES:
- His favorite brown blanket, he carries it around the house with him and cuddles it when he is tired
- Stuffed animals are silly and fun to play with, he like to hug them lots
- Playing in the kitchen cabinets when Mommy's not looking
- To get in and out of the tub by himself, but this scares Mommy, so he gets lots of help

DISLIKES:
- All the basics; diaper changing, getting dressed, being sick, getting time-outs, etc.
- He hates when someone is crying, he tries to console them with a pat on the back or he will cry too, most times
- Too many kisses
- When Daddy leaves for work

We just LOVE when CONNOR does this:
- Raises both hands up in the "I don't know" motion, but for him it means "all gone" or "all done" when he's eating
- Points to things, or mostly he points to the sky
- Waves bye, bye or hello (it is occasional though, most times he is too busy)
- Dances to music and songs, he bobs his head shakes his arms/body, and laughs lots!
- Spins around in circles, over and over