A thousand words

As always, Bella Baby Photography did a phenomenal job with the newborn photos. Our photographer was able to capture the first moments of the big kids meeting their new sister.

To view the photos go to Bella Baby Photography and enter the password Lyou0301franklin.

Oh, and have a tissue ready. You've been warned!

She's Here!

Baby Quattro is here! More details, including a name, to come! We are all doing great, and so in love! 

Baby Update: 40 weeks 4 days

I went in for another NST today, and baby did great - very strong movement and heartbeat!  Hooray!  We bought ourselves another few days.  My next appointment is scheduled for Monday morning.  If baby doesn't come over the weekend, I will have my regular appointment with NST, followed by a trip downtown for an ultrasound to check fluid levels, placenta, etc.

After that, things start to get down to the wire.  Though, I know a few people who've gone beyond, 42 weeks is pretty widely (though NOT completely!) accepted as the end of pregnancy.  Since I've chosen to have a hospital birth with an OB, I guess I've agreed to this (as opposed to a birth center or homebirth - midwives tend to be a bit more flexible with going beyond the 42 weeks).  But, I have to say, I NEVER thought that I would have to be even remotely concerned about a pregnancy of mine going too long!

Inductions are really common, and many people opt for them, even before their due date.  And most of those have no complications and result in a healthy baby and mom.  But, it's just not the experience I want to have.  Especially since I've had THREE spontaneous vaginal deliveries!  I KNOW my body can do this on its own.

Not only that, and this may sound crazy, but I actually enjoy labor and childbirth.  Sure, it's painful, and a little scary.  But, it's also exhilarating and empowering, especially when I get to do it the way that I want to.  I love my hospital because they are very supportive of allowing women to labor how they want.  I've had great experiences there so far.  I'm really hoping to have one more great experience.

Even if I end up being induced, hopefully I will have at least given my body enough time to begin the process on its own, and I'll only require the smallest dose of drugs.

And of course, in the end, all I really care about is holding my new baby girl! 

When you have a seven year old brother

So, we have this talking Abby Cadabby doll. Here is an actual conversation that we overheard the other day between Sam and Abby.

Abby: It's fun to learn a new word every day!

Sam: Yeah!

Abby: What word did you learn today?

Sam: Buttcheeks Robot!

Ps. Still pregnant. 

We have a winner!

Well, Baby Quattro is the first Franklin baby to officially make it to her due date (and beyond!).  I guess, as the youngest, she wanted to make her mark early.  

I saw my doctor today, and she had me do another non-stress test, which baby passed with flying colors.  Then, I headed to the hospital for an ultrasound to measure amniotic fluid, check the placenta and umbilical cord, and observe baby's movement.  Everything looked absolutely perfect!  

And now, back to waiting.  If she's still not here by Thursday, I'll go back in for another NST.  And if she's still not here by the end of next weekend, I'll see my OB again on Monday for a check up and another NST.  

I'm not really in a rush, though I am excited to meet her (and have room for my insides again!).  But, I'm terrified of the possibility of having to be induced.  So, cross your fingers and toes, and anything else you can, that my body kicks things into gear soon!  

Here are some photos Jeff took of me on Sunday, at exactly 40 weeks.  After all, this is a pretty momentous milestone!  And yes, it's been as beautiful outside as it looks, with sunny weather in the mid-upper 50's.  (Sorry, friends and family on the east coast and midwest!)

The Waiting Game

I have a love-hate relationship with the very end of my pregnancies.  I love my pregnant belly.  I love feeling the baby kick and wiggle.  I love that she's so easy to care for right now - no middle of the night breastfeeding or changing poopy diapers.  And, mostly, I love the way I feel.  However, it is becoming a bit crowded in there.  Important internal organs are smooshed beyond recognition, and often, beyond function.  I'm looking forward to being able to climb a flight of stairs without feeling like I'm going to pass out at the end.  And OH! to eat a full meal again without suffering from terrible, terrible reflux.  And seriously, I cannot wait to take a full sized pee again!  Though, this issue is infinitely better than last time around, now that I have my own bathroom and no longer have to trek downstairs in the middle of the night.

And then there's the waiting.  It's exciting - wondering when it will happen, what the labor will be like, and how fast things will progress.  It's also nerve racking.  Will I be able to get a hold of Jeff?  Will someone be available to take care of the big kids?  Will I make it to the hospital in time??

I had my weekly OB check up today, at 39 weeks 2 days.  There's really not much to report.  Everything looked perfect!  My doctor wants me to come in twice a week for non-stress tests for the remainder of the pregnancy.  She didn't have me do one today since I just had one done at the hospital on Saturday:)  I have my next regular appointment scheduled for Monday.  If I make it, I will be 40 weeks and 1 day, which would be the longest I have ever been pregnant!  Just for reference: Marley = 32 weeks, Amelia = 38 weeks 4 days, Samuel = 39 weeks 5 days.

Anyone want to place bets? :)

Happy birthday to me

I'm so glad I wrote that wonderful post about my kids when I did, because their behavior yesterday and today really tested my mommy-patience.  I'd have a hard time thinking of anything endearing to say about them today.  The last 24 hours have been pretty much non-stop fighting, yelling, whining, and tantrums - and that was just me!  Seriously though, I haven't been this exasperated with my children in a long time.

And the award for worst behavior goes to Baby Quattro.  She decided to sleep in late today, and not respond to any of my normal tricks of getting her to move around.  It was concerning enough for me to call the on-call OB for advice.  As I suspected he would, he told me to come in so they could check things out.

My friend, Nancy, rushed over to stay with the kids so Jeff and I could head to the hospital.  (Thank you, Nancy!)  After over an hour of monitoring, they determined that baby's heart rate and movement were totally fine.

I have to admit that it was nice, at least at first, to have some peace and quiet away from home. But, at the same time, it was kind of depressing to be in L&D and not actually be in labor. Especially knowing that any day now we'll be back for the real deal!

I guess I won't be having a Valentine-Birthday baby, so instead, here's an Amelia quote from way back in the summer after I braided her hair one day.

Amelia: Dad, do you know how to braid?
Jeff: Nope.
Amelia: That's okay, maybe you will learn when you're mom's age.

This is so fitting because Jeff's birthday is exactly one week after mine, so it always feels like I'm older for just one week of the year.  He loves to give me a hard time about it, too.  So, now I'm kind of hoping baby waits until next week to make her appearance so we can be the same age:)