YOU are here!

you are no longer an unknown variable, so Theta is out and LYLA is here! You were born last week, November 6th, 2010 at 5:23PM. Although, I still say 5:25PM because your daddy was distracted momentarily watching you slide out before looking at the clock and he told me the time before anyone else and so it is cemented in my mind. So, it's told as 5:25 even though 5:23 is the official time. Not that it matters what time, you are finally here! Your birth was very different than I imagined it would be. Here is how I remember your birth:

It started in the middle of the night, I woke thinking that I was peeing on myself and soon discovered my water had broken. That was about 12:30am on November 5th. I wasn’t having any contractions so daddy suggested I just come back to bed because we were seeing the doctor in the morning for our 39 week check and she could help us then; that is if I didn’t start having contractions.


Morning came and still no contractions, I was not in labor despite the fact that my water had broken and I was leaking amniotic fluid. So, we went to the doctor’s office and saw Dr. Kessler who decided I needed to go on over to the hospital to be induced slowly because my water had been broken for close to 10 hours and she was worried about the risk of infection. We walk over to the hospital and get settled in our nice big labor and delivery room. Right away I got hooked up to IV fluids and pitocin. After I’m all settled and resting, Adam goes home to take care of Marley and get all the hospital things we’ll need for the duration of our time. Back he comes and we play the waiting game. Your Mammaw and PapPaw visit as well as your grandma Carle. It helps to pass the time but everything continues on in limbo. I’m just not going into labor. Dr. Parabeck who was on call was very nice and checked on me regularly. But her time passed into the next day and Dr. Wurzbacher came on call next. After 24 hours in the hospital on pitocin and 2 doses of cervix thinning medication, 33 after my water broke, I was still not having any contractions—still no labor for me. Dr. Wurzbacher said if things didn’t start by 5 or 6pm that we were going to have to do a cesarean. After all this time, my body should have started laboring and she was getting worried that infection could set in despite the antibiotics. This was at 12:45; she checked my cervix and I was still only 2cm dilated. She also found my forebag and broke it. She was hoping that having succeeded in breaking the forebag things would kick in and I’d start laboring. WOW, was she right—within 20 minutes I started feeling contractions. And, they came very hard and fast. I never got any little ones, they were intense and very painful from the start. After about an hour of contracting, I didn’t think I could do it anymore. I was in so much pain. Daddy was wonderful and helped me tremendously, but I needed the pain to stop. Despite not wanting an epidural, I thought I was doomed to get one because the pain was just so bad. I couldn’t handle all this pain for the who knows how many hours I had left to contract. That was my thinking. But, daddy kept me away from it, reminding me why I didn't want an epidural. I spent most of the time on the toilet in pain. When the nurse came in to check me, about 2 hours after I started laboring, I was already 10cms dilated. She was amazed and surprised I was so far along. In about 2 hours, I went from 2cms to 10cms. No wonder I was in so much pain! It was time to push you out. Adam and Tonya(the nurse) held my legs for about 2 and half hours while I pushed. It was so tiring and hard to push, almost more than painful. After about 2 hours, I ask if the doctor can pull her out with her fingers since she’s already there stretching me to help the baby’s head fit. The answer was no, silly mama. Then, I ask for an episiotomy because I just don’t think you are ever going to fit out. 30 minutes later, I got an episiotomy and with my very next push, out comes YOU! We have a beautiful baby girl and her name is Lyla--that's YOU! You was placed on my chest right away and I looked at you as best I could and touched your soft skin. My first words to you were: all the other girls here are stars, you are the Northern Lights.I looked up at daddy and saw tears in his eyes. It was just an awesome and lovely moment. Daddy cut the cord and we gazed at you in wonderment and love. Adam and Tara made a baby and you are absolutely breathtaking. I love and treasure you Lyla Carle, and I always will

almost time

You're going to be here in my arms any day now and I can't help but wonder what you will think of me. Of course I will love you beyond measure, but will I love you the way you need to be loved? Will I drive you crazy with my worries and over protection? Will I be the best mom possible for unique you? I hope you will know that I will do my best to give you the things you want and need and not what I want you to have. I love you so much already, I can't wait to meet you.

We're getting close!

Everyone is so excited you will be here soon. We all want to meet you! So I've started a game called: when will Theta get here?!?!! Everyone will write down when they think YOU will be born( date and time) and sex. Whoever is closest will when a prize. Of course, the biggest prize will be to meet and hold you but there will be another smaller prize for the winner since everyone will get to meet and love you. I wonder when you will be ready to come out. I love you

Your nursery

Hi my dear sweet little one, your nursery is almost finished! Your pawpaw has helped so much with the painting since I have limited use of my back.  I hope you love it and feel safe and comfy at each nap and bedtime when you're alone. Daddy and I created for you an extra special Yellow Submarine nursery with the theme: all you need is love. Mommy and daddy will always love you. Everything we offer to you will come from love. So, your nursery is almost complete and ready for you to arrive! We can't wait!!!!!

That's OK

Ok, so you will be pressing my nerve for the last month. I can handle that because daddy and I decided over a year ago that we wanted YOU! Even if mommy's a big wimp when it comes to pain:) I love you!

can I say ouch?!!

My lovely baby, you have placed your head into my pelvis as you prepare yourself for the huge happy day that will be your arrival. However, you are squashing a nerve and it is causing much back and leg pain. Is there anyway you could please move? I'm serious:)

The concert was so much fun

The concert was awesome and we got to laugh a lot. Hope you had fun hearing the muffled sounds of live music and much laughter. Mama loves you so very much!

Todd Snider tonight

Ok my dear sweet baby, we have another concert for tonight. Todd Snider! But this one will be more subdued as we will be sitting and Todd will be solo and acoustic. Hope you enjoy, Todd Snider is awesome in concert!

The day after

Josh Ritter was awesome and you had fun! At least I think you did as I felt some movement that could probably be considered dancing! We got home really late and crashed into bed to sleep. Hope the concert didn't disturb your routine too much.


Ps, daddy can't wait to take you to your first real concert after you are born. He plans to get you special little headphones so your precious ears will be safe:)

Your first concert

I wonder what you'll think of your first "in womb" music concert. Daddy and I are going to see Josh Ritter tonight and I'm so excited. I love his music and I suspect that you might as well because you listen to it regularly with me. I really hope you have fun dancing and swirling to the music.

Daddy loves his baby

Daddy writes me emails all the time, but it's not everyday I get one specifically about you. Here is what he had to say this morning:

Calling all the stars to fall......


LA

Nothing makes me happier about our baby than this song. Seriously. I could drive a 100 miles an hour with this song blaring in my ears and the wind in my hair and just racing around corners with trees and flowers as far as my eyes could see and that would capture the excitement and thrill of the fact that we are having this loved baby.

Daddy felt you kick too!

Daddy got to feel you kick against his hand. He had such a big smile on his face. He sure loves you a whole lot! It made me so happy. Hope you're doing ok in there. We love you

someone's kicking me!

I'm not sure what you were doing in that tiny dark room of yours but I woke to you kicking me!! I was sleeping, it was early morning and I felt this kick or tug coming from inside the lower part of my abdomin. Normally I'd be annoyed that my sleep was being interupted, but this morning, I woke with a smile on my face. I had been waiting for you to really let me know you're in there and you sure did! Thank you. I can't wait to meet you my sweet baby

Was that you?

I think I felt you flutter this evening. Daddy and I were having dinner and I felt this fluttering sensation in my lower left abdomen. It was like some wings flapping gently across my skin, but from the inside. Hard to explain, BUT, I think it was you. I told Daddy right away and we tried to decide whether or not it was you. We’re not sure. But we were excited it might have been you!

Another visit to the doctor

Went to see the doctor again today. It was a short appointment, but the best part was that daddy and I got to hear your heartbeat again. It was exciting and we were happy to hear you again! After, we went to Tucker’s Restaurant and had a large breakfast to celebrate. I wonder if you’ll love cinnamon pancakes…

Thanks Daddy

While we were away in Arizona, daddy bought us a car! Right now I drive a small 2 door Honda Civic, which is not a good and safe car for a baby. So, we’ve known we were getting a bigger car for you to be safe in. And, daddy found one! I came home to a Toyota 4Runner and it is huge compared to my tiny car. The best thing is that it is big and solid and you will be tucked safe inside when we have to go out into the world. Thanks so much daddy, you’re the best and we love you!

Home from Arizona

So we're back from visiting Ravan. We had a great time, truly wonderful time. But, I have to say, getting there and back home were not good… I was horribly sick and was sick in front of many people more than once. But, we're ok now. I’m just never flying again until you are in my arms and not in my belly!

Visit with Ravan

I’m in Cottonwood visiting Ravan. She is a wonderful and dear friend and she is looking forward to meeting you when the time comes. We’ve had a couple of great days together and get 2 more before I come home. Yesterday, she bought you some clothes! Today, before heading to Sedona, she performed a baby ceremony for you. It was utterly beautiful. I chose some flower essences that had qualities I’d like to gift you in this world. And she had qualities that she wanted to gift you. She sang for you, and we gifted you with different qualities we thought important to have in life. They were: love for yourself and others, acceptance and insight for yourself and others, emotional protection, the ability to restore inner peace, clarity and calm when faced with stressful times, the ability to see the positive in your life, to be hopeful and optimistic, to have a positive self image, to be confident in your abilities, the ability to be playful, joyful, and laugh throughout your life, and to have a sense of balance with healthy priorities. I love you little one and hope that you will be happy and healthy in your life.

Ultrasound

So, I can’t feel you squirming around in my belly but I now know that you are indeed squirming around! We went to do our ultrasound and got our first glimpse of you. Oh so cute you are:) And so teeny tiny. The tech had to poke at you for a little while because when it came time for certain pictures and measurements, you didn’t want to move from your comfy position. But after enough prodding, you moved into a better position. But this extra time getting you to move meant daddy and I got to see you longer! It was a another great day. Mommy and daddy love you so much.

The baby's heartbeat

Today we got to hear your heartbeat. It was amazing and beautiful. Wow. Laying on the exam table while this magic wand(ok, it was a Doppler, no magic involved)worked it’s way around my belly to find the sound of your heart beating. And, then, there is was. So very fast. Daddy recorded it so we could replay it whenever we want. And, of course, you may want to hear it one day as well. We also got to hear you flipping around. There was a ‘blipping’ sound and the doc said it was you moving around in there. Daddy and I were really happy to get to hear you and we can’t wait to meet you. After the appointment, we went to celebrate with donuts!