Lincoln's arrival

On Tuesday morning we headed to the hospital around 7am for my induction and snapped one last pregnancy photo before heading out the door. 

We arrived at the hospital and got all settled.  The doctor come in and broke my water around 8:30 and things were pretty slow most of the morning with just a few contractions here and there.  I actually got to get out of bed and sit on a birthing ball this time around and Ryan and I relaxed by watching some tv and reading a magazine.  Things were going really slow and I started to worry that this might take all day.

The nurse turned up the pitocin and things started to pick up around 11.  I was starting to get some pretty painful contractions so the doctor came in and checked me a little before 12:30pm and I was between a 5 and 6.  I was going to try and skip the epidural this time around but not much longer I was getting to the point where I didn't think I could go much longer and called the nurse in to talk about getting an epidural.  

She checked me and told me it was too late that it was time to have a baby and called the doctor in.  I couldn't how fast everything had happened.  I pushed for about 15 minutes and Lincoln was born at 1:07pm.  Thankfully he was perfect and healthy and doing great other than some slight bruising on the face due to the quick delivery.  Things were a little rough for me afterwards and I had to stay in the room for a few hours to be monitored due to some loss of blood but I was feeling much better the next day and we were able to welcome some visitors.  

The big boys and their new brother.  They were so excited to meet him and did such a great job being gentle.

Welcome to the world...

We are so thrilled to welcome Lincoln John on August 20th, at 1:07pm.  He weighed 6 lbs, 11 ozs and was 18 1/2 inches long.  So far he has been such a wonderful and easy going baby and we are enjoying loving on him so much.

39 weeks

I had my doctor’s appointment and ultrasound this morning and it looks like tomorrow will be the big day.  The baby did well during the NST but the fluid was looking low so they are going to induce me tomorrow.  Kind of crazy to think that we are going to have another baby tomorrow.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly like with Wyatt.  We also found out over the weekend that something is up with the highlander since it wouldn't start yesterday so we had to get it towed to the shop today.  Nothing like good timing!  So glad we are in Iowa right now and have family that can help loan their car and watch our boys the next few days while we’re in the hospital.  Will post all the details tomorrow.  Hard to believe that tonight is the last night as a family of 4.

38 week update

38 weeks today and had my doctor’s appointment and ultrasound to check on the size of the baby.  We were concerned about another large baby and were actually shocked to find out the complete opposite.  The baby was actually measuring really small, only 5lbs 13 ozs which of course brings on other concerns.  Everything looked good on the ultrasound and I had a non-stress test with good results but they still want to be cautious.  I have another NST and ultrasound scheduled for Monday morning and then depending on those results we will probably talk about a potential induction date for some time next week if I haven’t gone into labor before then.  I was at 1 cm on Friday and was 2 cm and 80% effaced today so at least I’m making progress in the right direction.  It will be interesting to see how big this baby really ends up being and will definitely be a new experience for Ryan and I if he does end up being that little.  Looks like we need to go out and buy some newborn stuff since we didn't really use much with Wyatt and none with Gavin.

37 weeks

I’m officially 37 weeks today (full-term)!  I have been absolutely awful about documenting anything about the baby this time around and have probably taken only 3 belly shots, the last one being at 20 weeks. Whoops, I guess you can say we've been busy J.  So now that we have hopefully 3 weeks or less we are down to the wire.  Ryan and I toured the hospital last night and I think it’s finally hitting us that we are going to be having a baby soon!  I've seen my new doctor several times now and really like the place.  They seem on board with my birth plan and we have an ultrasound scheduled for next week to check the baby’s size and hopefully have a better idea of what’s to come.  I would love to go into labor on my own but at least I know that induction isn't awful since I survived it with Wyatt.  I guess only time will tell.

I've been feeling pretty good lately just tired from not getting much sleep and probably the worst part about this pregnancy this last trimester has just been my feet.  They hurt all the time if I’m on them too long so it makes it really hard to get things done.  I've been trying to do more walking especially on the weekends and have been loving this cooler weather.  Not sure I would have made it these last few weeks it if would have remained in the 90’s.  We are slowly getting things ready to go for this baby.  I finally unpacked all the baby clothes last weekend and have started to purchase a few things here and there.  Next thing up on the list is to get the car seat installed in the car and hopefully figure out a way that we can fit 3 in my car.  

Weekend Happenings

We have been loving the nice weather around here lately especially me and have been spending lots of time outdoors! Last weekend we headed to the Farmers Market for the first time. Des Moines is supposed to have one of the best in the country and I would have to agree. It was amazing, lots of great food, vendors and music. We will definitely be going back.

After the Farmers market we headed to zoo.  Wyatt had been asking to go to the zoo all week and was so excited to finally get to go.  The boys loved seeing all the animals and riding the train.  We ended up getting a pass to the zoo and science center so I’m sure we’ll be headed back soon.  Wyatt is still asking when we get to go to the zoo next J.

Since the nice weather continued this weekend we decided to venture out to Grays lake for a walk around the lake and some downtime at the park.  

We made it!

Whew after an exhausting weekend we survived the move all in one piece and things actually went pretty smoothly. The only stressful point was in the beginning when the movers showed up 2 hours later than we were expecting and we had to be in Des Moines by 4 to close on our new house so we had a limited time to get everything packed. Luckily it only ended up taking them 2.5 hours to pack and we made it just in time. The weather turned out pretty nice on both days for moving other than a little rain on Saturday and we had lots of family to help bring in boxes and unpack so we have most stuff unpacked. It’s mostly just the miscellaneous items that are left and overall organization and getting used to all the new space.

The boys have adjusted really well. The funniest part is probably just adjusting to having both of us here all the time because they kept thinking Ryan was going to have to leave or anytime we go anywhere they always ask if we are going to Iowa so we keep reminding them that we are in Iowa now :). They started at their new school this week and so far it has also gone really well. Drop off took a little longer on their first day but no tears or crazy clinging and both were in a super good mood when I picked them up and talked about what a great day they had so that made me feel good. I was probably the most nervous about this transition and hope that it continues to go well.

The boys are enjoying their new home and their new "park" in the backyard. Now here’s to hoping that we can get the last few boxes put away and the house cleaned so I can start getting ready for this baby that’s going to be here before we know it :).