Birth story- Shelby Lewis

Well, on Hannah's first birthday we found out we were expecting another baby! Although it was mostly planned, I was completely shocked, overwhelmed, excited, anxious, and just positive it was going to be a boy. 

I was not nearly as morning sick with this pregnancy, but had the weakest immune system for the first few months, so I was always sick. Bleh! Just like my first pregnancy, I had regular Braxton hicks contractions from before 20 weeks, on. Always several an hour, sometimes a few minutes apart, for hours. I really hoped I would know when I was in labor. Especially since I was induced with Hannah, so I was still unaware of what "going into labor" felt like. 

July 12, 2014

8 months pregnant

I was due August 12th. 

At only 38 weeks I had been feeling a lot of stronger contractions, nausea, and flu like. I couldn't imagine I would go into labor early, but didn't experience any of this with my first, and was imagining these were signs that labor would be soon. 

Sunday, August 3rd- my mom and grandma were passing through town due to a funeral, and decided to stay for a couple of days, in case I went/to pressure me into labor. That night we walked until I thought I would die. I even jogged a bit. Contractions were not strong but 3 min apart for hours, then they slowed down.

Monday, August 4th- I was at a 3, for the second week in a row. I had my membranes stripped. This made my already regular contractions about 5 minutes apart and uncomfortable for hours, but then slowed down again. So we went out walked/jogging again. I came home and did squats and bounced on a ball. 

Tuesday, August 5th- I woke up really irritated. I was feeling a lot of pressure to go into labor, since my mom and grandma were in town for it. (THEY weren't putting pressure on me, I was on myself). But I was not even 39 weeks yet, so I suddenly wondered why I was even expecting it. I didn't want to talk about or think about my contractions that day. I don't think I did a whole lot that day to push myself. We went shopping at the mall, and I colored my hair that night. More ball bouncing. Contractions were strong and uncomfortable, yet all over the place, all day long. 

I woke up in the night feeling terrible. I had barely slept in several days because of contractions, anxiety, and excitement. It was another sleepless night. But this time I was convinced I was in labor. My contractions were so strong, right in my back, painful enough that I was bracing on all fours for each one, yet they were 8-12 minutes apart. All. Night. Long. I didn't wake anyone, cause I knew I couldn't go to the hospital until they were closer together. But I got up and packed, ate, got dressed, and all ready to go. 

Wednesday, August 6th- Morning finally came and I announced I was finally in labor, only to realize my contractions were stopping. I was so bummed. We went walking again and my contractions were back on, yet not as painful, so we went to the hospital to get checked. I hoped they would admit me and just push me along with pitocin. I was just hurting so much, I couldn't imagine they'd send me home.. Wrong. I was STILL at a 3! I cried the whole way home, and really felt stupid. My grandma went home that afternoon, since it was a false alarm, and since her weekend trip was turning into a very long trip! I figured it would be several more days of false contractions. 

But, within a couple of hours the contractions were starting again, and seemed to be getting closer together. It had never crossed my mind that I could possibly still go into labor that day. It didn't take long before I knew I was in real labor. We ate dinner, put Hannah to bed, and head to the hospital about 7:30pm. I was deffffffinitely in labor this time.  They quickly got me in and sure enough, I was at a 5 and was admitted! 

I was so ready for an epidural at this point, especially after all night of these contractions already! Finally that sweet relief came (most painful epidural ever though!)

I finally started to relax and get excited, when less than an hour after the epidural, I was feeling contractions again. Each one was getting stronger, and I was feeling anxious. Suddenly my epidural alarm started to buzz saying there was air in the track. The nurses assured me that was why I was feeling everything and it would be back to working in a few minutes. Not so! So much for that! Luckily, I was just about ready and my doctor was on his way. When he got there, I pushed for just a few contractions and our little Shelby was born at 11:12pm! She was healthy as ever, weighing 6lb 10 oz, 19.5 inches long. She's got light brown/dark blonde hair, and is so sweet! 

As I was gazing into the eyes of my new little one, I was paying no attention to anything else, and later learned my uterus would not stop bleeding and was hemorrhaging. With some injection of meds they had it taken care of, but man I'm sure glad I didn't have an emergency delivery at home or in the car or something! 

We were quite exhausted.

Little Shelby wouldn't sleep in the night..

I was also extremely ready to go home, even though I wouldn't get to until the following morning.

She had me convinced that she would be a pacifier baby!

Doesn't seem so after all 

Finally, Dad (because he got up and went to school the next morning), Grandma and Grandpa O'Bryant, and Hannah arrived around noon the next day. 

I could not wait for Hannah to meet Shelby!

Grandma and Grandpa spoiled Hannah at the hospital gift shop with a new fluffy white stuffed cat, and a balloon. I wish I had a picture of her when she walked into my room. It was the cutest thing ever. She pretty much ignored Shelby for the first little bit. I think she didn't know what to do, and there was a lot of attention on both girls. But she was very interested in her when I sat down and really showed Shelby to Hannah.

We had been talking about this mystery "baby" for so long!! 

I was so looking forward to having the girls in their matching outfits. Their bows were totally over the top, and I knew it! But I still thought they looked adorable. 

Blogging- here we go again

I try really hard not to have regrets in life, but man alive why did I stop blogging?! I just looked back and read through my posts here, and although I'm sure baby details are boring to most, I sure enjoyed  re-reading it and seeing how far we've come with Hannah. Especially now that we have Shelby- Who is 1 month old today :) 

I'm going to give blogging a go again. But no promises that I'll be consistent, or even interesting ;) especially since I made this major decision only 5 minutes ago

So here we are, 1 month ago! Still can't believe we are old enough to have 2 kids!! Life is truly wonderful. 

Biggest updates lately: 

- Hannah will be 2 on Thanksgiving. Whhaaaa?! How! We really really like her. She makes my day so happy and funny. She has so much energy and is hilarious and the biggest show off. 

- Scott graduates dental school in May. This blows. my. mind. I just felt like it would never come! And that we would be (poor) students forever. But we really will be starting his career next summer. SO excited. 

Here's Scott, and silly Hannah. Cause a blog post requires as many pics as possible

On a side note, Hannah would not walk or wear her shoes on that hike. Simply because she kept getting dirt in her shoes. But then we lost one of her shoes... Guys!! I am still so sad. :( Not because they are even cute, they were hand me downs from someone I don't even know. But she could put them on herself, and she loved them, and they were free, and in dusty rocky Vegas, you need rubber play sandals that are crocs. We have another pair, but she will not wear them. So sad. 

Moving on.. 

- We have absolutely no idea where we will be going when he graduates. This makes me a nervous wreck. But I've finally stopped taking his "decisions" seriously, since it was changing every month, and accepted that we probably won't know until May or later. California, Utah, Texas, Nevada, and Arizona, are on our list. Oh, and Oklahoma, which he just told me. dontwanttotalkaboutit

- We had a baby!! You already know that.. But she is soooo dang sweet and adorable. Shelby was born August 6th, 2014. More on that later! 

- I'm still running my little etsy shop and it is fun and busy as heck. It has come such a long way since I started it just before Hannah was born. One of the best decisions I've made in my life, for many reasons. Thefabricgalboutique.etsy.com 

@thefabricgalboutique on Instagram 

- Scott cut 6 inches off my hair the other day. I've never had him cut more than 2", but I was desperate and knew it would be a while until I got to a salon, since I can't even remember the last time I got my hair cut by someone other than him! I don't have a pic, but it's a nice change. Bring on the post baby hair loss! 

That's all I can think of. Same ol same ol around here!

Lots of fun posts coming to your feed, soon

5 months old!

I feel like this month, especially, little Hannah has grown up!

I look at her pictures from 1 and 2 months old, and I just can't get over how tiny she was! She has really chunked up this month, and come out with all sorts of personality. In many ways she gets easier every month, and in other ways, harder. But either way, she is tons of fun to have around, and when I go to bed at night, I'm excited for the next day with her! 

We started off this month with a trip down to my parent's in California with my sister, Alyssa, and her kids. I was a nervous wreck about driving down there. Every other time we've gone, I've driven late at night so she slept the entire way. This time we were driving in the day. We rarely make it 5 minutes to the grocery store without a meltdown. I truly felt sick thinking about 3.5 hours in the car with her. But we all survived! And she did better than I thought she would :) 

While we were there, Hannah went swimming for the first time, and loved it!

She also went to Sea World, whether she knows it or not. She slept almost the entire time we were there! My 30 minute napper, randomly conked out for almost 4 hours! And yes, I held her, in cradle position, the ENTIRE time! whew! 

Hanging out with cousin Quincee

This month she has mastered grabbing and sucking on her toes, grabbing at everything in front of her, laughing 

                                     

eating rice cereal

Easter was actually this month!

hanging out at an Easter Egg hunt

Sleep- Well, for the last month Hannah has woken up 5-15 times a night... :( And most of the time it is more than 10, for real. I don't know how we are surviving. Poor thing is just wide awake at random points in the night. So often we are up for an hour or more together.. Not only is she up constantly, she also has decided that 5am is morning. I really don't know what else to do except be patient and hopefully it will pass. It has gotten a little better the last week, but we are no where near where we used to be.  BUT the great news is, she successfully can fall asleep on her own now! :) And her naps are finally extending past 30 minutes!! Her naps are now 45 minutes or 1.5 hours. I'll take it!

Getting so chubby and cute!

 Shy faces

Always a treat to have Dad home

4 months old!

4 months in a nutshell since my post got deleted before I ever got to post it :(

- 12 lbs 4 oz, 25 percentile. 25 inches, 75 percentile

- First ponytail

promise I didn't try to make her look like a rabbit :)

- First Easter 

St. Patty's Day

- Grandma O'Bryant and Great-Grandma Davis came to visit

- obsessed with... 

blowing bubbles (haha!)

scratching (ouch!)

Baby Einstein

 Playing with toys

bathtime

 the bumbo

- Found her voice one night while we were at In-n-out. Hasn't forgotten about it

- Got pretty good at rolling off pillows, doesn't even attempt to roll on flat ground though..

 -Loved having dad off school for a week!

3 months old!

Time. Is. Flying.

Where is the pause life button?!

I'm just loving every moment lately

this is super long, but it's everything I want to remember! enjoy :)

stats- she was weighed and measured last week, coming in at a whopping 10 lbs 6 oz, and 23 1/4 inches long. 10% for weight, 50% for height. Not even close to fitting into her 3-6 months clothes

eye doctor- Hannah visited the Opthalmologist this month, where she did amazing! She had a complete eye exam and had her eyes dilated. Good news, she's not cross eyed! happy parents, right here

tortecollis- The definition of this word sounds way scarier than Hannah's condition seems. Basically, she favors turning her head to the right, and therefore, is developing a slightly miss-shaped head. She probably had her head to the right while in the womb, and this is the reason. I feel like she has improved over the last month, but when she is straining during tummy time, she will only crank her neck to the right, and won't move it. So her Pediatrician wants her to do physical therapy. Oh joy, I'm sure she will love that!...... I'm glad her Ped is so thoroughly watching out for her though.  

it takes serious concentration to hold your head up! 

she doesn't crank her neck when she's up on a pillow

doesn't hate it

nursing- Nursing is going SO much better!! She has finally stopped crying during it, and will eat a full meal in 10-20 minutes!!!! Used to take 45! She is also no longer taking reflux meds, and still eats every 3 hours.

sleep- Hannah has back tracked, major, with sleep at night... She has slept great from day 1, but now, not so much.. She goes to bed between 7 & 8:30 and sleeps until 6 or 7. She eats 2-3 times at night now, and I usually have to give her her paci a couple of times in between. She often has a grunty/gassy time of night too. Thank goodness for gripe water, gets her calmed and right back to sleep! 

naps- She still loves her 30 minute cat-naps, and can't stay awake for more than 1 hour usually. I've discovered this past week that if I hold her for her afternoon nap, she will sleep longer. If I'm holding her past that 30 minute mark, she may even sleep 2-3 hours!! Woohoo! I've even been able to take a nap! 

california- As my parents were passing through Las Vegas one day, I made a last minute decision to have them drop off my Mom, and have her drive to their house in California with me. That way I could tend to Hannah if/when she cried. We then decided if we drove after she fell asleep for the night, she may not wake up at all! So at 9:30pm we started our drive. Hannah didn't wake up! I stayed a few days, while Scott studied his brains out back in Las Vegas. I drove back home with just Hannah, and tried out our driving late into the night trick again. Worked great! 

Grandma O'Bryant

the cat loved her

favorite things- hasn't tried grabbing toys yet, but loves to watch them as we dance them around her! She loves to watch the TV, occasional Baby Einstein movies, and Skype. Loves going on walks. Loves to talk back and forth with us, and to her mobile. Loves looking at and sucking on her fist. Loves to have on nothing but a diaper. Loves when we sing/play pat-a-cake, or any song that involves moving her arms and legs. Loves to look at books. Still loves her bath, swing, paci, being swaddled, diaper changes, and changing pad. 

oh hey fist

our happy, talkative, crazy haired baby

Two cuties ready for church!

 hanging out in primary with me!

loves bathtime 

loves watching Baby Einstein

 being cute

 hanging out while Dad studies

 out for a walk in the park

first Valentine's Day- The biggest treat of Valentine's Day, was having Scott home at dinner time! This semester, Scott is at school 14-16 hours a day, and several hours on Saturday- so grateful for him! So he picked up some chinese take out on his way home, and some pretty flowers, and the three of us had such a relaxed night just being home, and not doing anything school related!