Cassidy is here!

Cassidy Blaire Lewis was born on August 9th 2011 at 7:46 am. She was 6 lbs 14 oz and 19.5 inches with a head full of black hair.

She was born at 39 weeks, so one week early, good girl :). I was scheduled to be induced that same morning at 9 am because of my gestational diabetes, but there was no need for the induction luckily! I was induced with Alyssa and always heard pitocin makes it so much more painful so I really wanted to go into labor on my own this time.

My doc stripped my membranes at my doc appt monday morning at like 1030 am. She said there was a 50% chance it would put me into labor and I should know within 12 hours, probably less time for me since I was already 4 cm dilated and effaced. I had braxton hicks all day, some were crampy, but nothing different than the last couple weeks. My mom was already in town to watch Alyssa for the induction and we all went out to dinner, target, and ritas (my last time having to restrain from ice cream!). By the time we got home, the braxton hicks stopped. Oh well, at least I knew I had the induction the next morning. We went to bed at like 1030. I woke up at 530 to pee (well and like 5 times before that of course). I could not go back to sleep since I was too excited about the induction. My alarm was set for 745 am and I just had too many things running through my head to sleep. Dave Saw me up in bed at like 545 and asked if i needed anything. he got me a granola bar and the computer so I could facebook and mess around researching last minute labor tips. At 6 I had what I assumed was a more uncomfortable/slightly painful braxton hicks contraction. 6:08 another. I kind of had to sit up to make it not hurt. But still only slighly painful, but more uncomfortable. 6:15 another, little more painful. I woke Dave and told him I thought maybe i was having light contractions. 2 more came 619, 623. I decided I'd shower in case this was labor as I was planning on showering before the induction anyway. I took about a 5 minute shower and had 2 or 3 contractions in the shower. At this point it was about 630 and Dave decided we were going to the hospital. I said no, I wasn't sure it was true labor yet. And if it was it had to be early labor because 1.it just started and 2.they weren't really regular, i had a couple 2 min apart, then one 4 min later. I told him he could go back to sleep until we had to wake up at 745 Dave said no, he was not delivering this baby and we had to be at the hospital soon anyway for the induction so what the worst hat can happen, we wait a little. I figured he was right. I had 2 fears for going into labor on my own. One was that it would be really fast since Alyssa's was only 2 hrs. But the other was that I would show up to the hospital and have them say nope, its not labor, go home. Don't know why i was afraid of the second. Anyway, at 640 I told my mom we were leaving and kissed Alyssa goodbye in her bed. 645 dave called labor and delivery and told them we were coming in. We got in the car and left the house around 6:50. My contractions were 2-3 minutes apart the entire drive. I knew at this point it was labor. I was delivering at the naval hospital, which is on base. Base traffic is horrific in the morning, 7 am . I was starting to get pressure and told Dave maybe we should go to the local civilian hospital because traffic took 1-2 hours sometimes to get on base when its usually a 25 minute drive. Dave decided to just turn on his flashers and ride the shoulder past all the traffic. We made it to the hospital at like 720. We pulled up out front, went upstairs, and they took us to our room. They told me to get in my gown and someone would be in soon to get me ready and check my progress. I told them they may want to do that sooner than later. Dave ran down to get the labor stuff, I stressed run. My OB had just started her shift at 715 and came into the room right away to say hi, saw me have 2 contractions in a couple minutes so checked me. She said "Oh you're 10 cm, let me go hang up my coat, I'll break your water real quick, and we can push". They didn't have time to admit me to the hospital. The rushed to get an iv in and the heart rate monitor on. Cassidy Blaire was born at 7:46, roughly 20 minutes after we parked. I won't say it was "easy" but it was SO different than my labor with Alyssa. It was so calm this time. We talked between pushing. At 745 my alarm went off and I joked that was my alarm to wake up to come to the hospital. The doctor also mentioned how calm and relaxed it was, especially considering the rush. It was so much less painful than delivering with pitocin. i didn't get pain meds either time but with Alyssa I wanted to, it was hard not to. Pain meds never even entered my mind this time, i wasn't even close to needing them or wanting them. So from first uncomfortable cramp/contraction to holding my baby was about an hour and a half, Alyssa was a little over 2 hrs. They said I may want to live at the hospital the last couple weeks if i have a 3rd.

Cassidy scored a 9.9 out of 10 on her apgar score (they don't give 10's because they think its jinxing a baby to say they are perfect). They had to test her blood sugar 4 times the first day. Anything over 45 was fine, hers ranged between 63-68, perfect! No sign of jaundice whatsoever. We were discharged to come home the next day at noon. Everything went SO well, just about perfectly. I had a "dream" labor and sweet healthy baby girl. I am loving having another newborn, so sweet and innocent and snuggly! Off to feed my new little 4 day old Cassidy Blaire :).

Pictures are on facebook...

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.657378042172.2143476.20103801&l=506cd0c456&type=1

Hopefully the first of many posts

I hope to start this blog back up with pictures and updates of the new baby and of course Alyssa too. I go to the doctors in the morning and they are going to try to kickstart labor. If that doesn't work I will be induced on Tuesday! So 2 more days to go! This pregnancy has dragged on and on. Between the throwing up twice a day for the first 20 weeks, the gestational diabetes, and the possible IUGR (intra uterine growth restriction), I can not wait for the pregnancy phase to be over and have my baby girl in my arms finally!

For some reason I am not scared or nervous to have 2 at home with me all the time. Alyssa does not go to any sort of day care or "pre-school". I feel as though she will learn way more one on one with me than she would in a pre-school, at least before she is even 3. I may send her somewhere like 1 morning a week, but only for the child interaction and so i can have alone time with the new baby. People keep saying oh just wait, 2 is so much harder. I just feel so much more laid back about everything this time around. I have already done it once, I don't feel as paranoid and I feel like I know what I am doing. I have already breastfeed, made baby food, cloth diapered, sleep trained, potty trained, etc. And I know all kids are different but at least I now have the experience.

And I am not going to lie, I can not wait to eat normally again. I already eat very healthy so my diet wasn't a complete overhaul but I really missed my cereal in the morning and dessert at night. I will also be happy not to have to prick my finger and test my blood sugar levels at least four times a day. A nice chewy brownie, a sonic blast, and some shredded wheat will be the first things consumed! I also miss pasta. So maybe this baby weight won't be coming off as fast as it did with Alyssa. At least I only gained 20 lbs, despite my best efforts to consume as many calories as possible. Its hard to gain weight off of protein and veggies alone. Give me cake and ice cream and pasta, sure anyone could gain weight. So I am just proud I hit the 20 lb mark. Maybe I can pack on another 1 or 2 lbs in the next 2 days!

As much as I can't wait to meet this little one, who is even more active than Alyssa if possible, I can't wait for Alyssa to meet her. She has been soooo excited this whole time and is amazing with babies. She tells me things like "Babies can't eat blueberries when they are little because they are small and round and things like that make babies choke" and "I am going to teach baby how to peepee on the potty, and walk, and play", etc, etc. And to be honest, she swaddles her babies better than Dave. Dave puts forth a good effort and all but Alyssa has been practicing ever since we went to her "Big sister class" where they taught her all about how to help take care of a newborn. Alyssa bought the baby a toy at the toy store to give to her and the baby bought her a couple presents too. I just can't wait for the week (s) ahead! (sleepless nights and all!)

The pack n play is set up next to my bed, the diaper bag is packed, the swing is now sitting in the living room, etc. Now all I need is her! Lets hope for a quick, easy, pain-med free, uncomplicated delivery!

We're back!

So I know I became pretty bad at blogging the last year or so. It seemed like I was just reporting the same things...that Alyssa was getting more grown up and smarter by the day. Well now that baby girl # is on the way I decided to start the blog back up with some alyssa updates, pregnancy updates, and soon to be new baby updates.

I am currently a little over 23 weeks with another baby girl! We are all excited but honestly, I think Alyssa is the most thrilled. She is completely obsessed with my belly! My shirt always needs to be up so baby can watch Elmo with her, or so she can read to her, or sing to her, or tell her how much she loves her. She is always saying "I love you baby girl" and kissing my belly. She thinks it needs bites of her snacks and sips of her milk and she makes sure i eat my veggies because "they make baby healfy"

The pregnancy itself has been another rough one. I was even sicker this time, even though i didn't think it was possible. After throwing up twice a day, having migraines, lightheaded, exhaustion, etc for 17 weeks, I am finally feeling better. I still don't have my normal energy back like i got while pregnant with Alyssa. But I'm thinking thats because I never have a chance to rest this time around since I have Alyssa's crazy active self to keep up with. I have gained roughly 9 pounds i think. So on track as to what I gained with Lys. I haven't been to the doctors in a month so next week i should get an accurate update, my at home scale doesn't match up with the doctor's too well. I just feel huge this time though for some reason. Maybe its because I don't have the energy to formally workout much this time and that just mentally helps me feel good. The other reason I can't workout much is that Alyssa can't be left in a gym nursery since kids can bring their own snacks, which may contain tree nuts.

A couple months after her 2nd birthday we found out she is severely allergic to cashews. She ate them from the time from ages 1-2 and then developed an allergy. We have to do the whole epi pen thing and have very few options to eat out but we have yet to have another encounter with a cashew so thats good. My paranoia mothering is coming in handy!

We are currently in the process of moving Alyssa into the guest room and setting her up a new big girl room. We want to do it long before the baby comes so she doesn't feel the baby stole her room. She loves it but she looks so tiny in a big full sized bed! she is still in her toddler bed at night since she has just started in the last week or two waking up in the middle of the night to get out of bed and pee and hop back in bed. Its easier for her to do in the toddler bed with a little potty right next to her bed. So we are letting her master that first because I am loving not having a single diaper to wash everyday! Even though I have only washed one a day sine shes been potty trained over a year ago, a couple month break will be nice before it all starts back up.

I have been furiously making things for the new baby and a couple matching bows and hats for both girls. I want to get everything ready far in advance since i can only imagine how exhausted I will be at the end this time. I wish I was able to nap and still sleep at night, that would really help me out.

Ok I think thats about it for now. Hopefully I will keep updates coming on days like today where Alyssa decides she remembers how to nap. I am leaving the blog public for now as well. New pictures will be at the top.