Graysen 1-3 months

Update on Graysen from birth until now :)

One month : Graysen loves music, his binki, sucking on his hands,  food (really he pounds the stuff), bath time and of course cuddling with Mom and Dad

Two months: 12.8 lbs and 23 inches long! Such a big healthy boy! He loves his binky, music, staring at light, eating and giving nice big burps!

Three months: music, being outside, Color Crew, giggling/cooing, playing with his hands and bath time. He is pro at eating, rolling over (first time on 1/30/15) and following us around the room.

Graysen's Birth Story

Going to blog in three parts, Graysen's Birth, Mother and Baby, NICU stay. So here is part one.

11.16.2014  INDUCTION DAY! (6 days past due date)

Today is the day! We called at 5PM for them to tell us when to come in. 6 PM it was! Holy crap he really is coming! We had eaten at Golden Corral so we were both very very full when we went in cause we both knew we wouldn't be getting real food for a while. We walked in and were welcomed by the nicest lady name Karla. She was loud and super outgoing. We enjoyed talking to her. She got all our paper work going and takes us to our labor and delivery room. Let us settle in and has me change into my gown. We also said a prayer to make sure everything would go smoothly.

Our nurse was Jessica and she was was awesome! We loved her very much. We actually had met her once before when we went in before. She checked my dilation and cervix and I was already at a 3 and 70-80% effaced! She said that since I was already at a 3 and 70-80% effaced that I didn't have to have the cervix medicine that helps with effacement. So we can start with pitocin today instead of Monday morning. YA HOO! . When I went in I  technically was already in active labor but then they still gave me the pitocin to get things going even faster (She only upped me once). When I went in I already were having contractions that were super close together.  So I felt like I was but then again wasn't induced since my body was already in active labor. She put the pit drip in my left hand. Sore and uncomfortable and I had to hold my hand a certain way so it wouldn't kink but it wasn't the worst thing in the world.The only thing that scared me about pitocin was I didn't know how my body would react to it. That part was the unknown but things worked out just fine.

 Then Jessica asks if I want an epidural. I was going to hold off till I was further along but then had the hardest contraction and was like "Nope get me the juice!" ha ha  Jessica said if I have it now or later it doesn't change anything. They started pitocin at 7 PM ish and then had my epidural by 8pm. The anesthesiologist was Dr Grosenbeck. He was super nice! He asked me how many weeks I was and I said 41 weeks and he replies with "BONUS WEEK!" Ha! It was pretty funny. He had me sit on the edge of the bed and hunch my back. John was right there to comfort me. It didn't hurt just pokey. I bled some after but nothing to worry about. He finishes up and from there it was just a waiting game. Which we didn't know at the time but there wouldn't be much waiting.

By 9 PM I was dilated to a 4 and they called the resident doctor to break my water. I don't remember his name but do remember he had an accent. They insert a needing needle hook like hook and broke my water. Because he was so big there wasn't a lot but obviously some. If my water were to break at home I would not of known there was so little fluid. From there I dilated very fast.

By 10 PM I was at 5 CM!

Jumped to a 7 CM by 11 PM!

Then jumped AGAIN to 9 CM by midnight!

During that time they had to change some monitors on me cause lil man was being so wiggly. So instead of the round ones that sit on my belly they had to insert a long one that's internal. Just a long stick looking thing that would monitor his heartbeat..

By the time I got to the 9 the nurse could tell that Graysen was head down but facing up instead of down like he is supposed to be. She called the doctor that was on call and it was our favorite doctor Dr.Thorpe! He cames in and is very "Oh hey" we loved how chill he is. Well he flipped Graysen around twice so he was facing head down. It didn't hurt just felt like big kicks. Then as the doctor was walking out he says "Alright come grab me when your ready"

By 1 PM I was at 10 CM!!!!!!!!!! TIME TO PPPUUUUSSSSSHHHHH!!

The nurse put me in stirrups held my left leg and John had my right. On contractions I would push and rest in between. Push like I was pushing out a big poop. Sounds funny but its what they say to do! I had to remind myself to push downwards and not with my face or I would get bad headaches. We counted to 10 each time I pushed. John was extremely helpful and would encourage me as I pushed. He also would give me ice chips between contractions. They had a tiger's blood flavor that was pretty good actually. I was pretty hungry by then but its hard to focus on hunger when delivering a baby! I saw a mirror that was on wheels in the corner of the room and asked if we could use it so I could watch. Maybe to some of you that sounds weird but it was very encouraging for me. Jessica explained that when you push the baby comes forward and then when you stop the baby goes back. So kinda like a rocking motion to get him moving. I could see his little head and it was so encouraging and motivating to keep pushing. I had my hands on the back of my legs and try and pull them towards my chest.But it wasn't really working. The nurse then had the idea of putting up these handlebar looking handles that came up on the sides of the bed.She said she doesn't use them often but we will see if it helps. I grabbed those instead of my legs and HOLY MOLY it mad the BIGGEST difference. John swears Graysen moved an inch a half just from switching to the handlebars. The handles made such a big difference that Jessica says "WHOA I don't want to delivery this baby let me go get the doctor"

Thorpe comes in and we push a few times and Thorpe performs an episeotomy. Luckily mine was very small and after he was done with it I pushed like once or twice and I swear Graysen like fell out. Ha Ha. I pushed for a total of 1 hour and 55 mins. Average is 1-3  hours for first time mothers. 

 John was able to cut the cord which we both wanted to happen. John said first the scissors kinda bounced off the cord and it was a bit rubbery. 

Graysen had swolled meconium (poop) so they took him to the small bassinet area to get out those fluids and do his Apgar tests. During that time I was being stitched and cleaned up. I wanted to do skin on skin directly after he was born but had to wait till he was clean. 

He weighed 8 lbs 15 oz 20.5 inches long!

We were very lucky with how smooth everything went. We are so blessed by our Heavenly Father that he trust us with such a sweet baby boy!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE! 

Graysen John Webster

It was so cute to see John hold Graysen. Watching him become a Dad and now seeing him with Graysen makes me love him even more.

Family of of 3!! So blessed to have this little family of mine for eternity. So blessed! We love you Graysen and so happy you are apart of our family! 

40 weeks

Sunday we hit 40 weeks, Monday was our due date (Nov 10th) and Tuesday we had our doctors appointment. Tuesday morning I woke up at about 2:30 AM from my stomach hurting. I thought I was probably just hungry and if I ate it would pass. Well I ended up having horrible cramps till about 4 AM! I was balling they were so horrible. I tried Tylenol,hot shower,changing positions from laying down,kneeling,all fours, sitting you name it. Since we weren't sure what was going on we decided to go in. All they did was monitor me and Graysen and check to see if I was dilating during the hour we were there. We have two kind of luck bad luck and no luck. So of course we were sent home Its frustrating I feel my body is only doing half of its job. Its contracting but not dilating. BLAH. They did give me some morphine phenergan (I think that's how its spelled) to help with the pain and to help me sleep. I'm a pretty deep sleeper but when  they gave me that I was OUT COLD! What sucked was we didn't leave the hospital till 6 AM then had to get up  for our 40 week appointment by 8AM. Poor John. He was such a trooper getting me to and from places when I was zonked out. Doctors appointment went well. We had a N.P do our appointment which was fine since it was a quick checkup. Still dilated to a 2 and was effaced 70-80% so just a tiny bit more then last week effacement wise. His heartbeat was strong and all my vitals were good. So now its just the waiting game till he arrives. They have me down for induction for this weekend. We will go in Sunday night to start medicine that will help thin my cervix more then will start pitocin early Monday morning. They don't want me to go past Tuesday so we know he will be here for sure by then! So there you have it. We will keep ya posted if anything new happens!

I also cut off my hair for the millionth time! What a great pick me up!

39 week update! Getting close!

WHAT!?!? 39 weeks! We are getting so close people! Again with this post a lot of girly body parts so stop reading now if you don't care to read about it.

We were supposed to have our appointment yesterday but they had to switch to today. We had Dr Rees again who we LOVE. Same guy as last time. My blood pressure was good and like always I turned around when they weighed me because I would rather not know the number. I'm measuring at 39 weeks and babies HB is strong. He didn't tell us the number but that its nice and healthy. He is still head down and has dropped. I'm dilated to a 2!!!!! WHAT! I'm just happy I'm not at a 1 anymore. YAY! The painful contractions are actually doing something. I'm also effaced 70% when last time I was at a 50%. I'm so glad that my body knows what to do and is doing it naturally. More it does on its own less I have to do once in labor at the hospital. I asked the Doctor if he could go ahead and swipe my membranes. He said lets see where I was dilated to first because if I'm still at a 1 it doesn't make sense to swipe them. He made it clear that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but it doesn't hurt to try. Since I was at a 2 he went ahead and swiped them. For those of you who don't know what swiping membranes is its when the doctor makes a swiping movement into your cervix to try separate the amniotic sac from the cervix . Now it can help induce labor but no guarantees. Then he joked and said to go walk around Wal-Mart because every woman whose membranes he did swipe had their water brake at Wal-Mart. Bleeding,cramping and contractions can come on afterwards and is normal. Then before we left Dr Rees said he is on call tomorrow so go into labor tomorrow. Ha Ha! We sure do like him as a doctor.

 Our induction date is still set for the 17th. Go in the night of the 16th and be officially induced the morning of he 17th. Dr Rees says he doubts I will make it that long. But he also said that we will see cause like we REALLY know when he is going to arrive its just what he thinks. So there you have it! ALL good news! Like I said just happy I'm not at a 1 anymore. Probably gonna do some walking today to try and get things going! Fingers crossed.

38 weeks

Sunday we hit 38 weeks. Had our doctors appointment with Dr Jacob. We had him I think on our 12 week apt. Nothing has changed since last time. Still dilated 1 CM and still effaced 50%. My belly is measuring at 38 weeks and BP looks good. Whats frustrating is I'm having contractions but feel they aren't doing anything when I find out I'm still at a 1. *sigh* Pregnancy is so weird. 

 Graysen's due date is Nov 10th and I'm planned to be induced the night of the 16th (sadly they don't induce on Saturdays) unless he comes naturally or the doctor feels we need to induce earlier for some reason. REALLY? Can he just come today?!?!?! I really don't want to be pregnant THAT long. Its hard because you don't really know when they are coming. I'm just done being pregnant. Some of you may think thats horrible to say but really I just want him here. Carpel tunnel, not being able to sleep, NOTHING to wear etc etc I'm just tired of it all. We are just ready to meet our little guy! Maybe I will do some more walking to get things going.

I'm very thankful for John. This last month of pregnancy has been the hardest. It was been so easy that when its hard it seems even harder. I have been sssooo moody and whiny. Just a pain to put up with I'm sure. He has been so supportive and caring and I just love him so much more for that. He is going to be such a great Dad!

I also have our maternity pictures up and will load them soon! Keep checking back!

NST and fluid levels

Yesterday  we had two tests done. One was a non-stress test (NST) to monitor his heat beat. Then did an ultrasound just to measure his amniotic fluid and if he had created any more. Now amniotic fluid can vary from the position of the baby, its divided into 4 quadrants and measured in pockets. Last Tuesday  he was an 8 (lower but safe) and today 13! WHOO HOO! Way to go Graysen. We then monitored his heartbeat. I  was strapped to two monitors to my belly the same ones you use in labor and delivery. His heartbeat was in the 150's which is healthy! I even had some contractions during the monitoring and his heart rate was fine during those too. They then wanted to do another ultrasound to look at his heart so we changed rooms and got to watch his heartbeat on the big screen vs the tiny computer monitor. Heart looks nice and strong on that ultrasound too! His amniotic fluid was showing 11 which like I said can vary even on babies position. He is still head down and they noticed he does have hair on his head. HOW CUTE! Now when your 37 weeks pregnant everything is so squished that its hard to look at too many details. They did say I was measuring 5 days early  and that he was weighing in at 7 lbs 8 oz and we think we saw 15" long. Give or take a pound on his weight. We have our regular checkup next Tuesday and then another NST that day as well. They just want to make sure nothing has changed and that everything is still looking healthy. So there you go! We are so happy he is doing well in there and can't wait to meet the lil guy!

37 weeks update and hospital stay

Ok I'm gonna to warn you this post is going to include girly body parts,bodily fluids and a lot of well pregnancy Momma stuff so if any of that bothers you I would stop reading aboutttt......now.

Hit 37 weeks Sunday and had our weekly apt Tuesday. We had a new Dr this time. Dr Rees and once again really liked him! Super outgoing. So far only one doctor that we don't care for. Luckily the Dr's are really only there to catch. He came in and did the usual. Measuring exactly at 37 weeks and still dilated at 1 CM. Cervix has thinned out some more. Was 50% effaced last appointment. My vitals were good and everything looked great. He did push on my belly to again make sure he was head down which he still is but when he did he said "Whoa that is a good size kid in there!" My family tends to have big sized babies so not surprised by that at all. He was able to feel the head which I do think is so cool that they can.

A little bit after the appointment John had said something that made us laugh and I literally thought I had peed my pants. I looked at him like "uummmmmm I think I just pissed my pants" I thought its was nothing. Just the usual pregnancy laughing leak so I just sorta shrugged it off. We came home because we still had time before John's train left. So we came home and I noticed I was still really wet from earlier . Went ahead and changed and decided to take a quick nap. Fell right asleep and about half and hour later woke up to more watery liquid. Looked at John and said "Uumm I think my water broke" he looked at me like "Wait really?" so I changed again so I was dry to see if I continued to leak. Did leak some more and thought okay we should probably go in. Our nurse at our pre-natal class said "When it doubt get checked out" so we decided to follow that advice and head in. I mean worse they can say is " Your crazy and just peed your pants" so I packed some essentials and off we went. We got to the hospital and headed to labor and delivery. After registering we got our own room and changed to the oh so lovely hospital gowns. I had just changed in the bathroom and John suggested we say a prayer. So right there standing on the cold hospital floor in my oh so flattering night gown we said a prayer. The power of prayer is amazing and calmed us both down. Nurse Chrissy I believe her name was came and and hooked me up to the monitors. One for my heart beat and one for Graysen's. She asked us a ton of questions (cause of Ebola etc) and then started testing. First test was one where they get a swab and wipe it on a PH paper to see how alkaline the fluid that is leaking is. Amniotic fluid is very alkaline so the paper should turn blue if amniotic fluid is leaking. She wasn't able to get an accurate reading so decided to let us hang out a little longer (so more fluid would leak) and do test #2. During that time we took this lovely photo. In case Graysen was going to make his debut today we wanted at least a couple photos.

I'm just gonna say it at least my hair is curled and was looking fairly decent. haha

Look at that HUGE BELLY!

So she came back in and did test #2. She used this metal crank looking tool that John said looked liked was from the mid evil era. It was pretty much to open me up while she swipes the inside for a sample to look under a microscope. This test was PAINFUL! I made sure John was right next to me holding my hand the entire time. Now whenever I have contractions John always says "Your Okay, Your Okay" I told him he needs to find some new encouraging words like "Your doing awesome, or keep breathing you got this" he started joking that he started to sound like Juan Pablo from the Bachelor. "Es Okay"

The nurse came back and had talked to Doctor Bennett and she wanted us to do an ultrasound to check my fluid levels. So I got to sit in this ridiculous looking wheelchair and get hauled down stairs to the ultrasound rooms. I have a picture of me in the wheelchair but I look so ridiculous I'm not even gonna post it. Ha ha. So John, the nurse Christy and the ultrasound tech and I are all in the room watching the screen. They divide your belly into four quadrants and measure the fluid from there. I did loose amniotic fluid but still in the safe zone as far as fluid goes. I'm on the lower end but baby is still safe. At a level 8 and 5 is danger zone. After that ultrasound I was like "OH MY GOSH IM NOT CRAZY!" Just confirmed that I didn't pee my pants. The results from the 2 test did come back before the ultrasound but wasn't 100% clear which is why we headed to the ultrasound. Anyways. We headed back to the room and the nurse left again to talk to the doctor onto weather I stay or head home. We ended up heading home which we weren't too surprised but I do have to watch any leaking that may occur. Consistency and amount. We don't want to keep going in every hour every day and get turned away. So like I said watch for the amount and consistency of the fluid I do leak. They are going to have me come in next week for a non stress test and to check my amniotic fluids again. 

So there you have it! Kinda crazy but we are doing well and enjoying some Netflix. Laying low just until he decides to make his grand arrival!