Birth Story

This is copied and pasted from my online birth club birth announcements page. Sorry it has taken so long to get it up!

Baby's Name: Sydney Hannah
Date of Birth: March 18, 2011
Original Due Date: March 24, 2011
Weeks Pregnant: 39 weeks 1 day
Weight: 7 lbs 2 oz

Height: 20 inches

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I had been having contractions since 34 weeks. I went in at 34 weeks and they had given me shots to stop the contractions, which they didn't help. I continued having them all the way up until the day I went into labor. They would sometimes be every 3-5 minutes even. I had four false labors where my body sent me into a whirlwind of contractions for about 5 hours each time. I was exhausted the last couple of weeks because of this!

Finally, on Thursday the 17th, I went for my 39 week appointment where the doctor stripped my membranes. That was at 9:15am. By about 10:30am I felt a good contraction. Awhile after that I felt another one. They felt just like they did before, so I didn't want to get my hopes up. I went to class (my last semester of college, woo!) from 3:15pm until 7:30pm. During my last class, I could not sit in my chair anymore the contractions were becoming so uncomfortable.

I decided to start timing them and walk around just outside my classroom a little. They were about 5-7 minutes apart. I then went into the back of the class and attempted to pay attention (since I had missed the class twice already due to false labor, ugh!). The professor finally came up to me and asked if I was okay. Haha! I told him I was pretty sure I was in labor and that I might be leaving soon. I left by about 7:30 pm and drove to meet my hubby at Starbucks, which we then went home.

We began to walk around our block and did that for about an hour to make sure it was the real deal. Soon, every contraction caused me to stop, so I knew it was time. We checked into the hospital at 9:30pm and I was at 4cm. : ( They admitted us. I was hooked up to monitors, and within about 20 minutes they had me on oxygen because apparently baby's rate was low. By 1:30am I still had not progressed more than 4cm. I had been planning on an all natural child birth, but they said I have no option and that I had to take pitocin.

I labored on pitocin for another 4 hours and was checked. Still no progress, but man was I dying! I had refused any pain meds, but my pain level was at about 10 already. I dreaded each contraction that was coming...

Finally they checked me again at 8:30am, and still no progress. I had had enough. It felt like my body was being ripped apart. I couldn't help but cry with each contraction at this point, it hurt so bad. I was so discouraged by my lack of progress (especially since I had been having contractions since 34 weeks, you would think my labor would have gone faster : P). I finally asked for something to help ease the pain. They gave me an IV drug, fentanyl or something. All it did was make the next contraction less horrendous, but then they ramped right back up again. An hour later they checked me and I was at 7cm. I begged for more IV drugs, so they gave me one more dose. This time, I felt no difference, but I guess it did something because I was at 10cm within an hour!

I had the urge to push, but the nurse told me to wait because the doctor was still in a C-section. I tried and tried but couldn't wait any longer. She said, "Well, I've delivered babies before!" and then gave me the green light to start trying. I began pushing, meanwhile I was screaming in pain. Apparently my mom and sister were in the hallway crying because they could hear me (oops!). My baby girl popped out pretty quickly, within about 10 minutes, just in time for the doctor to catch her at 10:35 am.

They set her on my stomach but then immediately took her away. We had requested Skin to skin and all that, but they said I was bleeding A LOT and they had to stop it. She basically shoved her arm up there to get the placenta and whatnot out. I tore sideways and upways, but they wouldn't tell me how bad for some reason. I asked and they said, "You don't need to know." oooookay.

ANyways, our baby girl is doing great. She scored 8 and 9 on APGARS. I didn't get to hold her for about 45 minutes, which was such a disappointment as I am a FTM and was so looking forward to that. But hubby got to hold her and see her and everything I wanted to do, so I am happy he has that memory. Also, I am so happy I didn't get the epidural or any hard drugs.

Little girl is getting chunky now, and I love breastfeeding! I thank the Lord for her everyday! God has been so good to us, which is why we chose the middle name Hannah. The first book of Samuel describes how Hannah prayed for a child, and God delivered. Amen, He granted us our little Sydney Squirrel!

Is this for real? Nope, just false labor.....

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to update you all- I had a GREAT AWESOME time at my baby shower at Amy's mom's house. It was so sweet and low-key. I am so thankful for everyone who could come. I am truly blessed to have so many great women in my life, and now Sydney get's to enter into their lives. Awesome cake too ; P

We had a little "scare" two days before the shower though. I had been having some pre-term labor symptoms (which I won't divulge, for your sake : )) Then on Thursday, my body went into Braxton Hicks overdrive. They became very consistent, and started to get really uncomfortable. They radiated through my back, which made me a little more cautious about them. I started timing them (ironically, I had my 34 week appointment that morning and the doc noticed I was contracting). Turns out they were lasting about 45 sec. and occurring every 7 minutes or so. I called Aaron, who was at work, and said I was going to check in to labor & delivery. He drove over, and I stopped by Babies R Us to get a carseat real quick, just in case ; ). I checked in, and once they hooked me up to the monitors, sure enough, I was having frequent contractions.

The doctor decided to give me a shot of terbutaline, which knocked them out quick. In 45 minutes though, they returned, stronger, longer, and closer together. They had discharged us right before the contractions came back, so we waited a couple of hours. They were starting to get painful, so we went back to L & D. They hooked me up, and I was having them about every 3 min. and lasting 1 min. They gave me another shot of terbutaline, which stopped them again. They gave me a prescription for the medicine, and said I could go, but to come back in a week. I wasn't progressing (a.k.a. dilating or effacing), so they were not too worried.

Long story short, I have been having many Braxton Hicks since, but none as intense as that day. Baby decided to "drop" this week as well. I am now 35 weeks, and getting really close to full term (officially 37 weeks). I have my suspicions that baby girl is going to come early, but I will probably end up like most first time moms, and go to 42 weeks. Yikes!

I have worked on the nursery, so here are some pics for you to oggle. It is definitely not "finished", but it is well prepared for baby's arrival, if she chooses sooner than later. It is raining outside, and it is dark, so the lighting isn't the best. I apologize!

The entryway- our countdown/name tracker

The wall directly in front of you when you come in. UPS lost my other window valance over 2 months ago, so I am still waiting for that to come... The rocking chair will hopefully be here.

To your left when you come in- Office/dresser system

To your right when you come in- dresser/changing station

The BEAU-tiful crib our family friends gave us- we are starting a tradition. She wrote her children's names and birthdays on the crib, and I will do the same. I will pass this to whoever is next!

And yes, that is a hamburger pillow... Thank my brother : ) He couldn't resist it on our baby shopping spree. This, and the bubba teeth pacifier ; ) Very cute! I saw a pizza slice pillow the other day and thought I should get it.... maybe later : )

Tiny baby diapers!!! Holy Moly!

The super duper cute pig-in-a-tutu-bank Amy gave at our baby shower. Everyone put in their "2 cents" of advice and we read them while opening gifts. It was so sweet!

Thanks everyone for your prayers!

P.S. My sister Barbie got engaged on Valentines Day!!! I am so excited for her!!! Can't wait to see her in a beautiful dress!!!

And baby decided to send me into another wave of contractions just now... oh the joys!

Make Good Choices!

-Sarah T.

Latest and greatest

Hi friends! It has been quite a month for sure, which would be why it is February and NOW I have time to post.

I think this month has been one of learning patience. Aaron and I have so many needs and ambitions, yet time seems to make things delayed. I also have had to go back to school, which is a little story in itself.

Basically, Fresno State denied me a Leave of Absence, which means that I would either not go to school like I planned (and be considered a dropout, therefore losing my catalog year and potentially taking MORE classes), or go to school and take 12 units and graduate in the spring. I chose the latter. I keep getting the question "What's your plan when baby comes?" To be honest, I don't really have a plan. ALL of my plans this past year have not really "come true", so my planning has gone down to a minimum. I know I will do my best in these classes to finish well. I know I want to breastfeed. I know I don't want my little girl in a daycare. I know I want to have a natural birth. These are my values, but as for everything else, I am hoping and praying they fall into place.

I am nervous about many things, such as nap schedules and breastfeeding schedules while I am in class. I am in class 4 days a week: Moday from 9-12; Tuesday from 3-5; Thursday from 3-9pm; Friday from 10:30am-12pm. I don't really know how I will pump, but it will have to work out. Also, both grandmothers are offering up their sitting services, so I am VERY thankful for that!

But that is future stuff- I have had to turn down many committments I was really hoping to do, such as Pregnancy Care Center and coaching. I really have a burden on my heart for both, but my priorities this semester is my immediate family. It will always be my immediate family; however, this season of life will be extremely consuming with a new little one. I think it is the best decision to stay home with my little girl so hubby can work and do ministry and I can go to school and be there for her in her most vulnerable time.

Hubby is at Apple, and he seems to really enjoy working there. I get to hear awesome stories everyday, some really bummer stories, and some REALLY creepy weird ones of really odd customers. He is still working hard to get a promotion to full-time. We have a couple of other job leads as well, so I will wait to post on those until we have clarity.

I am very thankful for the incredible support systems in our lives. I am blessed with two great grandmothers in town who are there for us. My church body is incredible. I consider them family, not through obligation, but because we have all grown so close. I see no difference between them and my own blood. Our friends are so great to us and understanding of our life situations. My professors are very helpful with the pregnancy- I am so thankful for how God has come beside us in this total transition.

Lastly, this weekend is the babyshower. I am very thrilled to see many family and friends I have not seen in awhile. I am so thankful for everyone's anticipation and support, from before we have been married until now. WHat a great time it is going to be : )

With that, I hope you all have a great week and take the time to think about the many blessings in your life.

Make Good Choices!

-Sarah T.

Lately

So life keeps turning upside down for me lately. One day I am going back to Fresno State, the next day I am not, and then I am again, and now... who knows? I got word that they are not letting me into the one class I need to graduate. Their suggestion: go to summer school and take it. Which is like $1500. Im not thinking so.....

There is a replacement class I can take. It is an internship. An internship makes me really nervous, simply because I feel somewhat unreliable at the moment, cause, by the way, I might go into labor and who knows how that will turn out and I am going to be a first time mom and who knows how THAT will turn out... Anyways, I can't really worry anymore, since God keeps changing my plans. There is no reason to, because there is nothing I can really do. I just hope they let me into the internship class.....

Family is my priority at this moment, and hopefully God will smooth out the wrinkles. I read today in Proverbs, 14:4, that the stable is only clean when there are no oxen at work; however, an abundant crop needs a strong number of oxen. Looks like it's going to be a dirty stable then! I think my abundant crop is graduating and being the SAHM I know God has led me to be (for now). My oxen make a dirty stable, and that dirty stable at the moment IS Fresno State. It is necessary though, and I hope that I can have an appropriate attitude in all of this. I hope I can rejoice knowing this is God's place for me. And I hope I can be obedient to His call on spreading the Gospel even when I have to do unpleasant things.

Until next week, I will do what I have to do Next week classes start, so we shall see if I will be going or not. Who knows at this point???

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11

Annual Gingerbread House Championships of the World!

Hi everyone! I apologize for yet another late posting. Not like I need to update every second, but still. Hubby and I were just reeling from the semester, and we are finally starting to find a rhythm again. (BTW- I got 4th in the spelling bee when I was a kid because of "rhythm" grrrr) Aaron graduated college, and to top it off, got a 4.0 this last semester! I am so proud of him! He pulled several all-nighters and worked his tush. I also MIRACULOUSLY got a 4.0 this semester. My first one! So Aaron is now working for Apple, and I have been at home selling things on Craigslist. It is practically my job at the moment!

That's all for another post though, because we had our annual Gingerbread House Championships of the World at my mom's house about a week before Christmas. Guests and partners were as follows: Diann and Annie; Major and Barbie; Marcia and Kristina; Pat and Aaron; Andre' and Jack; Nick and Sarah (Me). We had to come up with a theme and represent it with our houses. We had an hour and a half to complete and could only use the candy available and what came in our boxes of gingerbread makings. The teams put their heads together, in quiet whispers and darting eyes, and the gun went off!

Annie and Diann raced and grabbed all of the marshmallows!

Kristina and Marcia grabbed the gummy bears and Neccos!

Barbie and Major grabbed, well, everything!

Aaron and Pat grabbed the coconut, Nilla wafers, and a beer!

Nick and I grabbed the Hershey's bars and Big Marshmallows!!

Jack and Andre sat talking!

We competed for a strenuous hour and a half. No one could tell what the other theme was. There was icing and coconut and candy and sick bellies (from snacking on said candy)! It was brutal! The timer went off, and the themes were.....

The Hospital!!! (Made by Sydney's two grandma's, Annie and Diann)

Details: a "welcome Sydney" sign, Sarah pregnant with baby waiting for Aaron to arrive at the hospital, and a custom helicopter. *Special props to Annie and Diann for not only participating in the competition, but making ALL of the icing for construction during the competition.*

The Wizard of OZ! (Made by Kristina and Marcia)

Details: perfectly hatched roof, munchkins, the wicked witch under the house with the red shoes, and a yellow brick road.

A Castle Under Siege! (Made by Barbie and Major)

Details: a drawbridge, two lookout towers, a shot-in-the-face-with-a-pretzel-arrow gummy bear, jousters, and a bleeding out warrior.

A Brewery! (Made by Pat and Aaron)

Details: "inflatable" beer sign, keg, barrels of hops and other miscellaneous machinery, roof sign, and bundles and bundles of ready-to-ship bottled beer.

The White House! (Made by Nick and Yours Truly)

Details: signature marshmallow pillars, fountain, oval office, and an american flag.

Giza! (Made by Andre' and Jack)

Details: Custom crafted Sphynx, two pyramids (possibly with tombs inside :O ), and a true to life mirage of a palm tree.

Last year's winners were Jack and Barbie.

And this year's award goes to......

The Brewery!!!

Congratulations Pat and Aaron on successfully replicating the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.

I hope you enjoyed our competition. I can't wait for next year's........