Saturday, August 24, 2013

Ainsley Marie, A Birth Story

On August 10th Addy, Tim, & I woke up like any normal Saturday morning.  Tim got up and headed to a mid-shift and Addy and I decided to go to the movies to see Planes.  We both enjoyed the movie, even though I had pretty consistent contractions all the way through.  The contractions eventually subsided and Addy & I continued on with our day: lunch, naps, cleaning the backyard, and dinner.  While making dinner I was feeling uncomfortable, but nothing I had not already experienced during this pregnancy.
Tim put Addy to bed while I caught up with my Real Housewives. I noticed the contractions started back up, but I was not too concerned as they were pretty far apart. Tim and I made it through one episode of Orange is the New Black and the contractions were 8-9 minutes apart.  We decided to try and get some sleep, just in case I was really in labor.  I slept for about an hour and at about 11:45 I woke up and started walking the contractions out.  I thought I was being quiet, but Addy came out around 12:15 and wanted me to come cuddle with her.  Kinda hard when I kept having contractions.  Eventually we gave up cuddling and Addy moved onto the couch so I could wander the living room.  With the contractions still 7-8 minutes apart, I was not within the guidelines of going to the hospital but the contractions were getting significantly stronger and lasting longer than the required 60 seconds.  I woke Tim up at 1:40 and asked him to call my mom, sister, & Brad while I got in the bathtub to help with the pain.  At that point the contractions came on fast and furious.  They were coming in about 3-4 minutes apart, but lasting for 90-120 seconds.  Once my family was here to take care of Addy, Tim and I headed to Scripps La Jolla. I was able to send off one text letting the Milton's & Mandy we were on the way to the hospital, but poor Tim had to listen to me moan and breathe through the pain the rest of the ride.  As soon as I was out of the car, I used the barf bag I brought with me.
By the time we were in L & D, I was a wreck. My shirt was destroyed, my flip flops gross, and I was miserable.  I leaned against the wall while I answered all of the required questions.  Pretty sure I scared another expectant mom whose water had just broken but whose contractions had not started. My nurse checked my progress and when she told me I was only at 3 cm, I about gave up.  She could tell I was in pain and asked me if I wanted an epidural.  I only gave her one word, "Now." Since I was so serious, our nurse also decided to be serious.  She skipped over the 20 min NST and got us a room right away.  Alison & my mom were already there when we walked in and after telling them I was only 3 cm, I told them they could head home because it had to be a long night.  I had a long way to go...or so I thought.
I could not tell when the contractions were coming and going and I just leaned over the bed because I could not think of a better way to ride this roller coaster out.  I was in a cold sweat and could not help but hate my family who were just chilling in their chairs.  My nurse, Sunny, worked frantically to get me ready for an epidural and I was not being cooperative.  She wanted to give me an IV and I could not imagine holding my arm straight enough to be pricked with a needle.  About 20 minutes in the room and I had the irresistible urge to go to the bathroom.  I lost control of my bladder and once my bladder was empty I had another urge to push.  My nurse made me get into the bed so she could check my progress-I was at 10 cm and Ainsley was ready to make her appearance.
The next couple of minutes are a blur.  Sunny called out the door for help and several nurses ran into the room to help her with the delivery in case a doctor could not make it.  The nurse midwife was already delivering another baby, so someone had to wake up another OB who was asleep in the on call room.  The OB ran into the room, into a waiting gown, asked for some gloves and asked me to push.  At 3:34 am, I pushed 3 times and Ainsley made her grand appearance, still in her bag of waters and with her cord slightly around her neck.  All I wanted to hear was her first cries and they seemed to take forever to come. Eventually Ainsley started crying and they quickly handed her to me for our first cuddle, her first poop, and my first tears as a mom of two.  At 7 pounds, 9 ounces, Ainsley was (and still is) perfection.
Ainsley came in a flash and has forever changed our lives.  She is beautiful and I still cannot get over how much she looks like Addy.  She cries, but only if she needs something.  She LOVES to cuddle and sleep on your chest.  Even though Ainsley is our second daughter, I cannot believe Tim and I made something so perfect.  We are in love.

First Pictures (taken by Alison & G-ma):






Friday, July 26, 2013

June 2013

June: the end of school, the start of summer, mini vacays, Ainsley's baby shower, and the start of my last couple of months as a mother of one.

Addy enjoyed her last couple of days with my mom.  After 3+ years with my mom she will be moving onto preschool.  I don't know who will miss who more, my mom or Addy, but we are so lucky that my mom was able to watch Addy for us for this long. Ready for Ainsley, G-ma? ;-)

The end of school was bittersweet.  Another year down is always great, but with budget cuts and personnel changes, school will be a bit different next year. Here's to hoping we are not missing anyone in our picture next year.
Our annual picture:

Tim & I decided we both needed a break so we took a mini vacation to Palm Springs and then Carlsbad.  Both cities were great, although I think Carlsbad was the favorite destination.  We were so lucky to stay right on the beach in Cbad and enjoyed the sunsets from our patio all three nights we were there.  
The best daddy...
 Swimming in Palm Springs
 Beach girl
 Addy has made Tim a beach dad
 Reading on the beach 
 
Alison, Mandy, & Colleen also threw Ainsley a beautiful baby shower.  I cannot even begin to write how lucky Tim, Addy, Ainsley, and I are to be surrounded by such great friends and family.  When I get nervous about becoming a mommy of two, all I have to do is remember what a great support system we have and can lean on if we need.  
The hostesses & me
The aunts & G-ma
 Mi famila
The Manbert Women (minus Carol who took the picture) 

And some random photos to round off the month.
Our first strawberries...little but delicious.
 Three of my favorite girls @ Maddie's awards assembly
 Del Mar Fair with G-ma, Titi Alison, & we got to see Charli too!
 My loves are famous!!  Sprinkles took their picture and posted it on Facebook!!
 Addy loves her Violet
 The beach for Keenan's birthday
 The beach again with Nonnie & Auntie KT

Thursday, July 25, 2013

May 2013

May was a month full of things we love.  We went to our first Padres game of the season and Addy was SO much fun!  She gets so into the game and definitely knows which guys on the field are ours. (Side note: when we watch the Pads on TV, she tells me she does not like whomever we are playing...)  She almost made it the whole game, but fell asleep the last two (exciting!) innings.
 
To celebrate Mother's Day, my mom and I wanted to celebrate by going to a game.  We had to wait a week, but boy was it worth it.  Such a great game with great company.  
Mom with her girls.
The boys (Tim, Brad, & Tom) were there too, I just didn't take a picture of them. :-(
We also went to a game with our good friends, the Botkins.  Tim and I have known Clayton & Amanda since Clay & Tim worked together at the TJs in La Mesa, but it has been so much fun hanging out with their kids too, Siena & Keenan.  The three kids were almost more fun than the game!
Since we have a backyard this year and room for actual planters, Tim & I decided to try our hands at gardening.  In March we planted 3 types of tomatoes (Big Beef, Seattle's Best, & Golden Jubilee), jalapenos, strawberries, cilantro, and basil.  Addy loved helping us transfer the plants to their bigger planters and by May we had our first little tomatoes!  While we were successful with the tomatoes, we weren't as good with the basil & cilantro. 
/
 
 Being six months pregnant and with less morning sickness also meant food was starting to taste a bit better.  And trust me, we took full advantage of eating.
Miguel's for Mother's Day
 BJ's to celebrate Titi Alison's last day of chemo
 Chocolate malt from the Habit
 Introducing Addy to pizza rolls

Last but not least, Addy & I were able to sneak in a trip to the Safari Park on Memorial Day.  We got there early, before it was too crowded or hot, and had a great couple of hours, just the two of us.



Saturday, July 13, 2013

April 2013

Some of our favorite things were in April: baseball, swim lessons, the Avocado Festival, celebrating birthdays (Tim, Mandy, Micah, & Brody).  Enjoying all of our favorites kept us quite busy all month and we had lots of fun seeing everyone!
Happy birthday Daddy Monster!
 Avocado Festival with the Guerettaz & Burke girls!
 Swimming!
 Happy birthday Titi Mandy!
 Let's Party!
The 3 BFFs at Micah's Princess Tea Party
 The Cousins at Brody's birthday

Phoenix-April 2013

We started April off with a trip to Phoenix to visit the Christman's.  Justin and Jamie let us stay with them so Avery and Addy could have as much play time as possible and honestly, the girls took full advantage.  Addy asked where Avery was as soon as she woke up and the girls finished their days with storytime together.  


Jamie also introduced Addy and I to the Phoenix Children's Museum.  It was amazing and I am sure we will be back someday.  
Going through the car wash
 Cooking in the "kitchen"
 Dragon outside of the museum
We even got to celebrate Jamie's birthday! 

Even though I didn't take pictures, we were also able to go to dinner and breakfast with Uncle Dick & Kay and Jamie & I snuck away for lunch and shopping with Andrea.  We had a fabulous trip to Phoenix and we will be back!!