Chloe's Birth Story (I'm published!)

I've been meaning to write a birth account of Chloe, but that kept getting put off. When Amy from The Finer Things in Life requested guest posts on VBACs, I offered to write one since I wanted to put our experience with Chloe into words. So without further ado...Chloe's Birth Story!

A VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) was our delivery desire for Child #2. In a world where medical malpractice suits are prevalent, my OB was hesitant but on board with our VBAC preference.

Read More Here

Published on The Finer Things in Life
Written by Ashley

Our Sunny Side Up Baby

Chloe came into the world sunny side up (medically known as occupant postexterior). In other words she came a bit "backwards," which meant a little extra bruising for us!

Chloe is here...

Chloe was born today at 7:47pm. She weighed 8lbs and 6 oz. 20.5 inches long. She is doing great as is Ashley.

Update

Just waiting and waiting. Epidural in, dilated to 5cm. Feeling good. Ashley is thoroughly enjoying the cable tv (Style and HGTV).

What's up on Wednesday?

Wednesday will mark 41 weeks of pregnancy. Since we're still aiming for a VBAC, our OB has recommended that we be induced on Wednesday to increase of VBAC chances.

So on Wednesday...check-in at Waukesha Memorial at 7AM.

Step One: Begin cervical-ripening serum. Hope labor will happen.
Step Two: Begin low dose of pitocin. Hope labor will happen.
Step Three: Discuss real possibility of c-section.

In the mean time...Katie and I stroll around the cul-de-sac, do speed-walks at Pick N Save and Target, keep active around the house, and try not to eat too many chocolate chip fudge cookies.

He has a way with words

Last night, Bryan and I were talking about our upcoming delievery. I expressed my hopefulness of having our baby by VBAC instead of cesarean, which happened with Katie.

In his typical, blunt manner, Bryan said, "I think they'll have to dig this one out, too."

A Mop, a Broom and Me

We're eagerly awaiting the arrival of Girl #2. Even though I've drastically cut back on my work hours (to about 3-4 hours per week), I'm tired all the time. It seems like there's a constant "to-do" list lurking around the kitchen or the computers.

At least I've taken care of food and snacks for the next week. In the past few days, I've made homemade granola, brownies, peanut-butter bars, spinich dip, and avacado dip.

Katie has become quite obsessed with fruit. One day at lunch last week, she had a banana, an apple and an orange! So yesterday, I made a quick pit stop at Aldi's to get 8 lbs of oranges, 3 lbs of bananas, and a pineapple. Between the three of us, this should last through the weekend.

Today I washed 3 loads of laundry and finished cleaning downstairs (which I started on Thursday). It seems that mopping the kitchen floor is the least motivating task! Hopefully when Bryan gets home, I can find about 20 minutes to quickly vacuum the upstairs and clean the upstairs bathroom. Then we'll be done until our maid gets here! (Can't wait to see you, mom!).

Projects still to do:
Clean upstairs
Pack hospital bag
Re-arrange furniture in Katie's new room
Chop carrots for lunches
Fold clothes

Oh my!

32 weeks photo

We are almost there. 35 weeks this Friday.

Early to bed, early rise makes a girl...what?

Healthy: check
Wealthy: definitely--by the rest of the world's standards
Wise: depends on who you ask!

Bryan and I stayed up until about 10 last night watching Lost. Actually, I listened to Lost as I painted the fireplace. Actually, I sponged the fireplace as a decorative attempt to lighten the room. After all that work, you'd like I'd sleep like a baby!

Which leads me to the fact that it's 4:43AM and I've been up for 2 hours.

There are a few more bricks that need painting, but I'm too lazy to stand on a chair. (Also, Bryan is asleep and wouldn't hear me if I fell).

So here we are...playing around with the blog and reading my RSS updates! (At least Baby #2 is back to sleep). Maybe in a couple of hours I'll make muffins for breakfast.

Ultrasound Update

This morning was the 20 week ultrasound. Everything is looking good. 2 arm, 2 legs, 2 kidneys, 4 chambered heart. Head size 3.5cm X 5.0 cm. Measuring around 17 weeks. So we think that she will be late again.

Oh yea, it's a girl.

---------Edited by Ashley-------------------------
Correction on Bryan's post: this was not the 20 week ultrasound; rather, this is the 2nd trimester ultrasound, which our doctor scheduled us for at 18 weeks, 6 days. And the baby is measuring 17 weeks, which isn't that far behind!

We are excited about the little girl! Now we can dress Katie and Deuce alike and enroll them in dance class together...take them shopping together...have them share clothes... They're going to be two cute little girls!