welcome baby Ethan

I feel like we've been in a time warp for the last few days, especially our time in the hospital.

On Monday, I had my 39 week checkup with our doctor at 9:00 am. I went to work afterward (as usual) and worked through some mild contractions. I had a really hard time figuring out how far apart they were because I was working, so I left shortly before 3:00 so I could rest a little and time my contractions. They came and went sporadically between 3 and 5, so Austin and I went on a walk to see if we couldn't inspire them to keep coming. We were afraid of showing up at the hospital again and having another false alarm (we haven't gotten the bill for that yet, but we aren't looking forward to it!), so we waited on going to the hospital.

At around 8:00, I decided my contractions were way too painful to wait out at home anymore. When we got to the hospital around 9:00, after dropping Bear off with my parents, we learned we'd dilated from 3 cm that morning to 5 cm. Austin, still fearing that we'd be making another trip to the hospital in vain, asked the nurse what the chances are that we could be sent home. She laughed and said that they don't send people home when they're dilated to 5 cm. I'd be lying if I said that didn't make me cry - I was finally going to meet my baby, one way or another!

It took two hours from the time they checked us in until the time I got the epidural. In that time, I dilated another 2 cm to 7 cm, cried like a baby over the contractions, and asked over and over when I would get the epidural. They kicked Austin out to give me the epidural, because husbands become a liability when they see how big the needle is. My back was sore where they put the needle in for two days after Ethan was born!

The contractions slowed significantly overnight after we got the epidural. We didn't change dilation between 11 pm and 3 am. They checked me again at 5 am and I was about 8-9 cm, but my water hadn't broken yet. At 9 am, I was 9 cm, and they broke my water to try to get things going. Ethan hadn't dropped because the amniotic fluid was padding him. At 11:00, I'd dilated to 10 cm and it was time to push. We started at 11:15 and finished at 12:04, when Ethan made his arrival. He didn't cry for five seconds (maybe even less) after he entered the world, but it felt like an eternity waiting to hear him. He scored an 8 on his initial apgar test, and a 9 on the second test (no one gets a 10, so I was pretty happy!).

We struggled with feedings while we were in the hospital up until our last day there. I was glad they kept us those two extra days because the extra time with the lactation specialist has made our lives at home a little easier.

We were not happy campers when we learned Ethan needed to stay at the hospital an extra 5 hours to get phototherapy for his jaundice levels. It was a preemptive attempt to keep up from having to stay another night, but I knew that checking his jaundice again at 5:00 pm meant going home at 7:00 at the earliest. We actually didn't make it home until 9:00 on Thursday, but we were thankful that Ethan's jaundice was under control and that we were clear to go home.

Since then, my mom and Austin have combined to be what I call the "dream team". They take turns soothing Ethan at night (ironically, he does not need soothing during the day..) so I can sleep as much as possible. Between feedings last night, I got around 11 hours! Having labored through the night on Monday night, I feel like a new woman getting this much sleep. I don't know how we'll transition to not having my mom here, or when Austin goes back to work.. but we will cross that bridge when we get to it!

For now, I'm just enjoying my cuddle time with this guy:

And it's time for a diaper change (you know it's going to be nasty when you can hear him doing it on the baby monitor...).

love,

this is the day

Ethan,

I never thought today would come. It's surreal. Your father and I are both having a hard time coming to grips with your birth. We are excited, scared, nervous, and tired! I can't sleep because so much is on my mind, but it's 2 am and I really, really should.

I know my world is going to change in a few short hours and I can't wait to see your sweet face! We have been praying for months that you would be happy, healthy, and love Jesus. Today is when it all starts.  We are so blessed that you're coming into a world of family and friends who really love us and will also love you so well!

I'm so glad the Lord blessed us with you, our little September baby.


I love you!

Mom

week 39

I had a really uneventful weekend, which is exactly what we had planned. We got a ton of rain (about 8") Friday night, along with more thunder than Bear has heard in his entire life. We learned that the poor guy probably needs a Thundershirt, but since we didn't have one, we both cuddled up on the floor with him. It was really sweet! (We also ended up completely covered in white hair!)

Panting through a lightning storm!

Saturday, Austin went dove hunting with Sam, which made his weekend a bit more eventful than mine! He completed his hunter's safety course just before the hunt, so now he can do a lot more hunting with the Strickland guys in the future! I think dove hunting is his new favorite thing... He's even thinking about saving for a shotgun!

This morning, our little furbaby wasn't feeling so great. Poor guy had a dry nose and isn't eating. We're watching him to make sure he is okay. He threw up once this weekend (he eats a lot of things he shouldn't eat, though). I think I see a vet trip in our future...

Austin went to work early again, so I opted for the selfie, rather than skipping another week!

How far along? 39 weeks! Let's go, Ethan!

Weight gain: A billion pounds
Maternity clothes? Still loving the dresses...
Stretch marks? Just one over my belly button.
Sleep: I keep waking up in the middle of the night - not fun! I did get to sleep in today, though.
Miss anything? Not at this point!
Movement: I can tell he is running out of room. Come on out, Ethan!
Food cravings: Nothing crazy this week!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Heartburn, if I forget to take my medicine..
Have you started to show yet: You can't tell?
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Nothing right now... we're dilated to 3 cm, though!
Belly Button in or out? It's in/flat. It's definitely not going to pop out.
Wedding rings on or off? On, miraculously!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Tired.
Looking forward to: Ethan's debut!

love,

the vegetarian and the carnivore - happily ever after

Although I haven't eaten meat in over four years (that's longer than I've known my husband, and technically longer than you spend in college) there are still a lot of people who don't know that. Surprise! I don't. It's crazy considering that my father and brothers are some of the most avid sportsmen I know. One of my brothers is obsessed with hunting and fishing. I actually don't think "obsessed" covers it. It's like he works to support his hunting habit. He was literally born that way.

Evidence. A bow wasn't enough so he needed sais and another knife.

So it comes as a surprise to those who know my family when I tell them I don't eat meat. Surprisingly, though, I have no problem with hunting or eating animals (or is that surprising? Our fridge is full of deer meat). I would eat meat it if I could. When I was 19 or 20, my doctor suggested that I become a vegan to combat some digestive issues I was struggling with. I tried the meatless and cheeseless diet for a while, but honestly, I could not give up the cheese. And being meatless was not easy! I doubt that I got the proper amount of protein for a couple of years.

Fast forward to 2010, and I was going to spend six weeks in Uganda. I tried to start eating meat again for this trip to make it easier - I knew that explaining my "aversion" would be awkward and difficult so I tried to acclimate myself to meat and digesting it. About halfway through the trip I decided it really wasn't working, and went right back to my meatless ways. It wasn't fun... I'll leave it at that.

Now here I am - pregnant, and a vegetarian. It makes for interesting entertaining! No meat, no wine. I often get asked what we like to eat, which is a hard question for me. I feel like we eat fairly "normal" food. If I cook mashed potatoes and green beans, Austin gets some deer meat or chicken, and I eat a black bean patty. If I make a casserole that calls for beef, I sub out Morning Star Farms Grillers Recipe Crumbles (it's beef-like but made from vegetables, and really easy to cook with). As a matter of fact, that stuff is an awesome substitute for beef in almost any recipe. It's not gross, but you can tell the difference - I won't lie.

This is what we had for dinner last night (sorry my pictures aren't food-blog-worthy):

You'd think it's beef... but it isn't!

This is just lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, corn, black beans, tortilla chips, and the Grillers Recipe Crumbles sauteed with some taco seasoning (just like you would do with beef). We used a mixture of guacamole ranch and Taco Bell chipotle taco sauce as dressing (that stuff does delicious things to tacos!). It was ready in about 15 minutes, and we demolished them even more quickly.

Typically, I use Pinterest to assemble our meals for the week - my d-licioso pinboard is easily the one I pin to the most, though lately all I've liked, apparently, are sweet foods. I'm not a chef, so I don't plan on posting recipes often, but I felt the need to share this part of our life that isn't very... typical! And Ethan seems to be growing quite fine on my vegetarian diet, too! (No, I didn't crave or eat meat in my pregnancy! I definitely started wanting sweets, though I didn't eat them much previously).

love,

week 38

Baby Ethan is hanging tight in my belly. I have to say, it hasn't been easy. Sleep has been ridiculous - I wake up 4-8 times per night to drink water, roll over, or go to the restroom (or maybe all three). It doesn't make for restful sleep, so my days are long, and I spent a good amount of the weekend napping.

I also will admit that being in the hospital over a week and a half ago with painful contractions got me mentally prepared to meet Ethan, so it was a bit of a letdown when he didn't come that day. It's hard not to put too much hope into each day that this would be the day he chooses to come.

Today, the doctor gave some really unexpected news. I typically have low blood pressure - it has never been a concern. My blood pressure was up quite a bit today from last week (130/80 as opposed to 112/70). Though it is typical for a woman's blood pressure to raise at the end of her pregnancy, my doctor seemed moderately concerned and asked that I get my blood pressure tested if I have any sign of a headache. Though my blood pressure isn't quite at pre-eclampsia levels, they are running other tests to see if there is a risk for pre-eclampsia.

On the bright side, we continue to receive wonderful presents from family, friends, and neighbors! I think we are going to have the best-dressed baby boy - I may never have to do laundry!

How far along? 38 weeks!

Weight gain: Probably not anything extra
Maternity clothes? Yep, I'm sticking to maternity dresses (mostly)
Stretch marks? Just one over my belly button.
Sleep: I tried to get some extra this weekend, so I feel well-rested, but it may not last long!
Miss anything? Not at this point!
Movement: He is definitely more subdued - space must be getting tight! If the ultrasound was accurate, he is around 7 lbs 12 oz or so right now (likely reaching around 8 lbs on Thursday).
Food cravings: Nothing crazy this week!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Heartburn, if I forget to take my medicine!
Have you started to show yet: You can't tell?
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Nothing this week!
Belly Button in or out? It's in/flat. I don't think it's going to pop out.
Wedding rings on or off? Still on!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody! Not sleeping makes for a moody mama.
Looking forward to: Ethan's debut!

love,

week 37

We are full-term! If Ethan comes now, we're not considered premature (he would have been had he arrived on Friday, though we all know he is a big boy!). The doctor said that since I'm full term I can do whatever I want. You better believe we are going on a LONG walk today! I'm still dilated at 2 cm ("a loose two" as my doctor says) and 50% effaced.

We have been so blessed by the phone calls, emails, texts, Facebook & Twitter posts/messages, and visits (and FOOD!) over the weekend. We're so thankful to have a community of friends and family who care about us!

I got up extra early with Austin this morning so I could catch up on my emails from Friday and prepare for work today. I had a doctor's appointment this morning and I wanted to be sure I was ready to hit the ground running at work afterward (assuming I was allowed to work!).

I didn't get dressed up much this weekend (who would?) so this is pretty much what I looked like:

Bear was so cute this morning. He loves the Monday
pictures we take!

Looks like a thumb in the picture, but that is our chair!

The good news is that we now have a car seat! Though we didn't have a shower this weekend as planned, we had a lot of family members come by and bring gifts, so now we don't have to worry about the swing, carrier/car seat, or the stroller. It's a nice relief!

We're so excited to meet Ethan. Sitting in a hospital room and thinking about meeting your baby really put a new perspective on it. We still think it will happen soon!

How far along? 37 weeks! I can hardly believe we are full term!

Weight gain: I actually feel smaller after our stint in the hospital, but I'm sure that's not true.
Maternity clothes? Yep! Very comfy work slacks my mom modified for me
Stretch marks? Just one over my belly button
Sleep: We caught up on it this weekend, but I was in and out of sleep all night because Ethan made me awfully uncomfortable.
Miss anything? Not at this point!
Movement: Occasional, but not that rowdy. He did get riled up between contractions Friday morning.
Food cravings: I wanted Birthday Cake ice cream, but it didn't hit the spot. The stuff HEB makes has too much chocolate in it.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Heartburn, if I forget to take my medicine!
Have you started to show yet: You can't tell?
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Yep! We keep wondering when it's going to be the real deal.
Belly Button in or out? In, and I don't think it's going to come out.
Wedding rings on or off? On! I haven't started swelling (yet)
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Sleepy lately....
Looking forward to: Meeting our little man!!

love,

our long night

We certainly didn't think that Ethan would come so early, but last night there were lots of signs that he might! After timing my contractions, I determined that I'd had them about 5 minutes apart and I was in a lot of pain. With that much pain, sleep certainly wasn't in the question. I called the on-call line for our doctor's office and they instructed us to go to the hospital for monitoring.

We arrived around midnight, waited for a room, and were monitored all night (long story short there). Around 3 am I got a shot for pain, which eventually helped slow the contractions but I was still in pain for a while. By the time my doctor came to check this morning at 9 am, my contractions had spaced to 10 minutes and were slowing. After determining that my water had not broken and that I had not dilated any more, I was released this morning at 9:45 am on about one hour of sleep accumulated between contractions. I was exhausted, and so was my poor husband. He did manage more sleep than I did, but he was working at the hospital to meet deadlines for today, and being my gofer when I needed more water or had questions.

Austin sleeping on Ethan's nursing pillow. He said the chair wasn't bad!

We've been home sleeping and resting all afternoon, and look forward to a relaxed weekend. I return to the doctor Monday, when she will check to see if we are any more dilated. The contractions have subsided for the most part, and aren't as painful when they do come. Unfortunately, we decided to call off the baby shower we had scheduled for this weekend, as we have instructions to take it easy and rest, but we have to do what's best for Ethan!

The doctor said it may have been early labor, or just preparations for labor, though early labor can last for days. Needless to say, we're on high alert! (And we learned a couple lessons on our dry run, too!)

We appreciate the prayers, and we will keep you all updated!

love,

week 36.5 ultrasound

I have to say I'm really disappointed... the DVD recorder for the Ultrasound didn't work! However, the technician assured me that this one is harder to see than the 20 week anatomy scan (since he is SO BIG), so the DVD isn't as fun/good. I agreed shortly after I saw the video!

I had guessed that the little man was actually a big man.. and I was right! Right now, Ethan weighs 7 lbs! The doctor walked in the room and said that I was hiding this big baby well. It pays to be tall! To give some perspective, the average baby weighs about 6 1/3 lbs at 37 weeks (or where I will be in 4 days). He is expected to gain a half a pound a week.

Ethan's foot (top of the picture)

Ethan's profile (that's his nose, his foot is in his mouth)

Better profile picture 

His leg is at the top

They confirmed it's a boy! The arrow is hard to see, but it's toward the top right.

I was glad they confirmed that Ethan is a boy! Austin's mom was told that her first baby, his sister, would be a boy. Of course, the machines have come a long way since the 1980's, but it was reassuring, nonetheless!

Some exciting news: I'm currently 2 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. They measured this after I mentioned waking up at 1 am yesterday with sharp contractions that subsided after a few minutes walking around. This could mean something if this has progressed recently, or nothing, as I may walk around like this for a while. Our next appointment is back to being on a Monday, so we will know in just a few days what his progress is.

Unfortunately, my amniotic fluid was low. My doctor told me to drink more water, though I told her I drank over 130 oz yesterday (the average person should drink 64 in a day) and already had 80 at that point today. This could signal complications in delivery (seriously, don't look it up. It is scary), but she did not seem too worried, and just told me to drink more water.

The doctor did give orders for Austin not to travel anymore, as I am dilated, and he was returning from Lubbock today. This may interfere with his plans to bird hunt with my brothers, but fortunately they're being pretty understanding!

That's all the news for now... looking forward to seeing Ethan's progress on Monday!

love,

week 36

Just four more weeks!

Today, Austin leaves for Lubbock... so no matter what happens, I have to hold this baby in this week! He isn't really showing any signs of making an entrance anyway, but I would hate for Ethan to come and Austin be 8 hours away.

This week, we rearranged Ethan's room a little. I'm not a huge fan of the way it looks when you walk in, but we made the decision to move the dresser because 1) I didn't want pee and poo on those pretty white curtains, and 2) I can change Ethan's diaper from a variety of angles this way, rather than just from the side. I personally prefer changing diapers from the baby's feet, not their side. When you're in the room (say, sitting on the bed), the layout makes sense.

You walk in and... bam, there's the dresser!
(And the diaper pail)

The dresser looks really nice next to the crib, though!
Hey, we have a crib skirt! Thanks, Grandma!

It's going to take some getting used to. The rocker will go next to that table
which will soon be re-painted white.

I still prefer the dresser under the window, but I think I'm choosing function over form this time. Ethan won't know the difference!

Blurry...

Much better!

How far along? 36 weeks!

Weight gain: I feel like I doubled it last week.. I feel huge and uncomfortable.
Maternity clothes? Yes, I love these jeans.
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: It's getting more rough. I absolutely can't get comfortable, and my back always hurts.
Miss anything? A good night's sleep. I don't think I'm going to see one of those for a LONG time.
Movement: He still has his crazy bouts!
Food cravings: Last Monday I wanted (and got) Fuddruckers. Lately, I've just wanted something healthy - a fruit and veggie tray would really do the trick.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Heartburn, if I forget my medicine!
Have you started to show yet: Hahaha...
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Nothing major, and hoping to keep it that way at least one more week
Belly Button in or out? In, and we don't think it's going to come out.
Wedding rings on or off? On!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: The ultrasound this Thursday!!! I can't wait to see Ethan!

love,