Walker James Ward // 4.22.15

Well, I have been MIA for a while now. Since having Walker my weeks have flown by and I can't find the time for literally anything. It's honestly a miracle when I get ready and get us out of the house. It's 5 in the morning and I'm watching little man. For some reason my eyes aren't fighting to stay open so I decided to share a little bit of my birth story. I'm sure I won't finish this this post today, but in between naps I can write a tad bit more.

 At 37 weeks and 1 day I had a doctors appointment and thought it would be the same thing where they take my BP which was high, check my urine which had protein in it, do a non-stress test on Walker, make me another appointment for the week, and send me home. However this appointment was different. I woke up with blurred vision and let the doctor know. My BP was getting worse and my swelling was terrible. I could barely get around and I was so miserable. My doctor didn't feel comfortable keeping me on bed rest any longer because my preeclampsia was getting severely worse. He told me to go home and get my bags packed because he wanted me back in the hospital for induction at 7:00 PM that night. My husband and I were so excited. Even though I was on bed rest I had Dakota take me to the mall because I needed some cute PJ's for the hospital. The time seemed to go literally so dang slow. I had everything packed and I was just watching the clock. Before we headed back to the hospital Dakota and I had a last date at Moe's. It was what I was craving and I knew it would keep me full for a while since the hospital wouldn't let me eat anything. During dinner Dakota and I just kept saying how much our lives were about to change and how excited we were. That this would be the last time we can go out just us and not have to worry about arranging a baby sitter.


Once we checked in the nurse took us to our room. I changed into my gown and got comfy in the bed and Dakota slept on the pull out couch. My mom met us up there and she stayed with me the entire time. They started my IV & gave me some medicine at 8:00 that helps soften my cervix. I would be given this medicine every 4 hours until I was softened enough to start the Pitocin. I didn't sleep at all that night. I was hurting and just really uncomfortable. I tried my hardest to just close my eyes and relax, but in all honesty I couldn't relax. I was super excited, anxious, nervous, really every emotion. After 4 hours went by the nurse checked me and I had softened at all. She gave me another round and a little bit after that my BP sky rocketed and they had to put me on a magnesium drip through my IV which stung the ENTIRE time. It was time to check me again and still no luck. She called my doctor because my BP wasn't going down from the magnesium and I wasn't softening at all. Around 10:00 AM the next morning my doctor walked in and let me know that it wasn't looking good for me. If we kept going the route I had been in for the last 12 hours then I would probably be in labor for another day. He told me that with my sever preeclampsia that I needed to have a C section, but that it was totally up to me. Dakota and I discussed it once he left the room and I was in complete horror. I was so afraid of a C section and from the very beginning of the pregnancy I told him that I did not want to get one. I sucked it up because I was already exhausted and Walker was going to get stressed out.

At 12:00 PM they wheeled me back to the Operating Room. Only Dakota was aloud back there with me. After they gave me the epidural I laid on the bed thinking holy crap.. I'm about to meet my Son. I was so scared and couldn't feel a thing, but my arms. They didn't let Dakota come in until I was all prepped and ready. Even though I was drugged up and loopy I remember looking at him and thinking that he was going to make the most incredible father. As I was locked eyes with him I told him that I loved him and he held my hand. I could smell the flesh burning and them tugging and pulling on my skin. It didn't hurt, but it was a tremendous amount of pressure. At 12:21 PM on April 22nd I heard my Son cry for the first time. I couldn't see him, but I could hear him and tears started rolling down my face. It was such a surreal moment. I wasn't able to see him until they cleaned him up. Dakota brought him over to me and there we were.. a family of three. Walker was absolutely beautiful and I thanked God then and there. We was a healthy 7 pounds and 9 ounces and 20.5 inches long. I kissed him on the forehead and they took him back while they sewed me back up.

In the recovery room they brought him to me and I got to hold him for the firs time. He was mine and I was forever his. My heart melted and still melts every time that I look at him. The nurses helped and showed me how to breastfeed him. I was on cloud nine. Dakota and I got an hour with just us and it flew by. Everyone was out in the waiting room just itching to meet him. Since I had a C section they only let a few people in at a time. I don't really remember all who came to see him, but it was overwhelming. That night my recovery was not good at all. I kept throwing up and I couldn't even eat ice chips. I was so hungry and hadn't eaten since the night before and wasn't able to eat until the next afternoon.


We were in the hospital from Tuesday night until Friday afternoon. The nurses there were amazing and answered all of my questions. We are all home now and even though I am sleep deprived I am loving every minute of it. My Son and husband are my absolute world and I couldn't be more blessed. I don't go back to work until July and until then I am soaking up all the time I can with him. My little man is almost two weeks old!!

"First time holding him"

"My two favorite guys"

 

Bed Rest// 36 week bumpdate

First off, let me just say that I totally intended on doing a post on Monday and Tuesday but my body had other plans. Monday morning I got up for work feeling weird and had leaked a lot of what I thought was fluid. I didn't think anything of it, but once I got to work I kept leaking and my stomach started to hurt really bad. I told my supervisor what was going on and she asked me if my water had broke? That thought NEVER crossed my mind and I went into panic mode. I immediately called my mom and husband. My mom met me at the hospital where they took me in L&D triage. Fortunately, my water did not break and it was a false alarm.. but I did get bad news. My BP was so high while they had me on the monitors that they called my doctor to look at my swelling and requested a urine test. He also did an ultrasound on Walker to make sure he wasn't breach. Thank goodness he has turned head down and is in my pelvis. However, my urine test did not come back so well and showed that I had some protein in it. They had me monitored until my BP went down and then requested that I do a 24 hour urine sample and turn it back in to them the very next day to test for Preeclampsia. Once they let me go home I had to pee in a jug for 24 hours and keep it chilled. I totally thought that I would pass and that this would all go away, but boy was I wrong. The next day I turned in my urine and went up to my doctors office to ask paperwork for missing work. As they were filling out my paperwork a nurse asked me to come to the back. They received my results and they weren't at all what I had hoped for. The doctor requested that I go in one of his exam rooms and wait for him. He came in and told me that I had Preeclampsia and that he wanted to induce me that very day unless my cervix was not softened. He did the exam and my cervix was just not ready yet. After talking with him and putting me on very strict bed rest I had to go back upstairs to triage and do a stress test on Walker. Fortunately, it all came back good and he is happy and healthy. Tomorrow I have an appointment and I pray that my cervix is soft enough for him to induce me. The longer he's in there the worse my preeclampsia will get and the more miserable I will be. I never thought that I would be put on bed rest because this pregnancy has been so smooth, but honestly the third trimester has been a totally different ball game.


Walker is the size of a Honeydew and hopefully we get to meet him within the next few days!

• He is measuring up to 18.7 inches and 5.8 pounds
• His skin is getting smooth and soft and his gums are rigid
• His liver and kidneys are in working order
• His circulation and immune system are good to go too
• He's making sucking motions to practice for breastfeeding

"Baby has dropped head down in my pelvis"

Gender: BOY!

 

Weight gain: I now weigh 210...... Doc says that it's mostly fluid

 

Maternity clothes: Are out of the window basically. I just stay in oversized t-shirts and leggings. It's the only thing I'm comfortable in.

 

Stretch marks: Starting to get them on the bottom of my tummy & here I thought I would get away with just the ones on my butt and boobs.

 

Belly button in or out: Still in, but I don't know how much longer it will make it.

 

Sleep: I usually get up every hour, but Wednesday I slept a solid 5 hours. It was wonderful 

 

Best moment this week: This week has been pretty stressful. I would say the best moment is just having a good support system. I couldn't get through it without my husband and family.

 

Worst moment this week: Finding out I have preeclampsia and being put on bed rest. 

 

Miss anything: Having my own body. Being 9 months pregnant is just no fun.

 

Symptoms: Swelling, back pain,  and nauseous from the contractions.
  

Movement: Oh yes! I love feeling him kick and roll around in there. 

 

Cravings: Pretty much the same as usual.

 

Queasy or sick: A little sick from the contractions

 

Looking forward to: My appointment tomorrow. Hopefully he will induce me and we will have a baby THIS WEEKEND!!!!

35 Week Update!

Well, here we are folks. 35 weeks and 2 days pregnant with my sweet little boy. SO many emotions going through me right now. I am so over being pregnant and ready to meet him. I can't wait to see him for the first time and kiss his cute chubby cheeks.... but I'm also scared shitless. My life is about to change forever in the next couple of weeks. I'm going to be a mom! I am raising a child with my husband. This is crazy! How will I know what to do? Everyone tells me that your motherly instincts kick in, but what happens if I literally don't know what to do. I sure hope it comes to me and I become a pro because right now I am pretty much an amateur at this whole mom thing. Walker, I do hope that you are patient with me and your daddy. This is a learning process for both of us buddy. I promise we will eventually get it together! Every night I wonder how you will let me know you're coming. Will my water break? Will I have really bad contractions and drive to the hospital? Or will my mucus plug fall out? So many scenarios running through my head! With all that word vomit thrown at ya... here's an update on us! lol



Update on Walker

• He is measuring between 17.2-18.7 inches and 4.2-5.8 pounds
• His hearing is fully developed, and he responds best to high-pitched noises
• His testes have fully descended
• Most of his organ and skeleton development is complete
• He should be rotating from the breech position, down into my pelvis

Update on Momma

• Extremely swollen all over the place
• Starting to get contractions here and there
• No heartburn & my appetite is through the roof
• Back aches and so does my tail bone
• Bouncing on my ball to get him to turn (he was breech at my 30 week ultrasound)
• Not getting much sleep (waking up every 1 to 2 hours)

We have our third and final baby shower this weekend! I'm so, so excited for it! Check back in on Monday for our weekend recap and then Tuesday for our 36 week bumpdate!

Easter Weekend Recap

Easter weekend was a fast one! I really enjoyed spending time with friends and family.  Here's a little recap of what went on.


Friday after work I headed to the mall to find a baby shower outfit! Last minute I know, but there are literally no maternity clothes out that I like right now. I'm in an awkward stage with my belly and nothing fits that well. I ended up finding a cute cover up to wear over a dress I already had in my closet! Of course I can't go shopping and not buy my son something adorable. He ended up getting more items that me, but that's probably how it's going to be from here on out. I love shopping for little boys. All of the cute plaid shirts and little khaki shorts. My heart seriously melts every time. I also love little girls clothes and can't get over the adorable sandals and bows. My sister in law is having a girl so once baby shower time rolls around I can get some cute girly things. Once I got home I had a surprise waiting for me in my mailbox. Walker's swaddle and cap came in that he's going to wear at the hospital! I ordered it about a month ago and was getting a little uneasy that it might not get here in time for his arrival, but to my surprise it did. I opened it up and couldn't help but smile. It's seriously the cutest thing ever and I'm so ready to snuggle him up in it.

"Purchased this from Posies Handmade off of Etsy"

Saturday Dakota had to work and I slept in. It was baby shower day, but the party wasn't until 3:30. So you know what this momma did? Absolutely nothing. I lounged around all day and didn't feel guilty one bit. I actually enjoyed watching TV with Willow and not have to do anything else. Finally, around 2 I decided to start getting ready. I took my time and it was nice. It's become a serious hassle getting ready everyday. My back starts to hurt from standing and I start sweating from doing my hair. I'm surprised I still get ready for work. There have been plenty of days I just throw my hair up in a bun and walk out the door. Getting off topic here! But once I finished getting ready I walked next door to my granny's house and saw all of the decorations and presents. Seriously, this boy is spoiled and we absolutely loved everything he got. We are so grateful and beyond blessed to have so many people who love him and want to celebrate his upcoming arrival. My mom, granny, and my granny's best friend were the hostesses. They did an awesome job. We played games, had yummy food, and just talked for a while even after the party was over. The theme of the shower was woodland just like my nursery. They did a really good job with the woodland scene and I think the food table was my absolute favorite part. I can't thank them enough for the wonderful shower. I know they put a lot of hard work and effort into it and it really showed. I took a lot of pictures, but didn't like any of them. My entire body is so swollen and in all of my pictures my face is just insanely huge. I'm so ready to have my body back after this guy is done cookin'. Here a few pictures from the shower!

"The adorable food table"

"The present table"

"My wonderful hostesses"

"My momma & her sisters"

"Some of the cousins"

"All of his stuff when we brought it home"

 

Sunday Dakota had to work again and I slept in once again. Once I finally rolled out of bed I ate breakfast and worked on homework for my Ethics class until it was time to go over to my granny's for Easter lunch around 2. The table was full of food and it was just my parents, brother, and grandparents. We really missed Dakota and my cousins, but it was a nice quiet time with loved ones. We prayed and ate good food! We also lounged around the back porch for a while so our food could settle. It was the first time I broke out my maternity shorts and let me tell you... it was amazing. I wasn't hot at all and they were actually super comfortable. I just got them from Old Navy and will probably be going back to get another pair just in a different color. After leaving my granny's house I finished up my homework and then waited for Dakota to get home from work. We ended the night watching Netflix in bed. Walker was kicking me all around and I just can't get over that he will be here in a few short weeks. Our bags are packed and we are waiting for you little man. I can't wait for next Easter when I can surprise you with a bag full of goodies and watch you look for Easter eggs with daddy's help. God is so good and has blessed my life so much.

"Me & my little brother"

"Me & my momma"