PICTURES!!!!!!!!!

I never got newborn pictures taken of Jessica and I wish I had. So I had my friend Carol (who has taken lots of great photos of Jessica before, and my maternity pictures) come by when Izzy was just one week and take some pics of the girls. Here are some of our favorites (hopefully I can finish uploading them all soon!)

Isabella's NICU Stay

Mommy nursing you, your NICU bed, the pink "kiss" on your face from where the tape held your feeding tube in

You were only 11 hours when the nurse came in and woke us all up to take you the NICU. You had rapid breathing rates for the past few hours, and once the nurse had finally been able to talk to the neonatal doctor, he had said it would be best to bring you into the NICU. Along with the rapid breathing, they were also concerned that antibiotics had not been giving to me in the time that they were comfortable with for my Strep B.
It was 4am, and since we had just finally fallen to sleep I felt like it was a dream. I burst into tears when I realized what was happening, but knew it was for the best. Daddy took you to the NICU while I cleaned up a bit. I cried as I walked the halls to the NICU. It is just so unnatural to have someone take your baby away! They had put a feeding tube in you because they were worried that you may inhale any milk you got while nursing because of the rapid breathing. They were trying to put an IV in you for your antibiotics that you needed because of the Strep B. They were having trouble finding your veins (I think you get that from me) so Daddy and I left the room to not distract the nurses. We stayed with you for a few hours, and then they told me that I should go get sleep and pump some milk while they monitored your breathing. Daddy stayed with you and I went back to our room. I pumped but wasn’t able to sleep- I was so worried about you! Daddy came back at 7 when the nurses were switching shifts, and told me you were doing better. They were going to call when you were ready to eat. I was so happy that I was able to nurse you!!! They still wanted to observe you and make sure everything was ok, but it was looking positive that you would be out soon. The neonatal doctor told us he thought there had been a small tear that caused the rapid breathing, but it was so small it had already healed itself. Your breathing had returned to normal. I came in every few hours to feed you, and daddy and I would switch. At 6pm that night we were able to take you back to our room! You had to stay at the hospital for another day to get the rest of your antibiotics, but you were healthy JThough it was only 14 hours, it was hard and scary for your Dad and me. I can only imagine how hard it is for parents who have to leave their children at the NICU for months. Those nurses are definitely very special people! We were happy that they took such good care of you, but even happier to have you back with us. Two weeks later as I write this you are almost 11 pounds, happy and healthy baby. I love you Izzy J!

The Story of Your Birth

The story of the Day Isabella Johanna was born

May 8th, 2009

My pregnancy with you was so different than it was with Jessica. Starting with morning sickness, to not being as tired, to getting WAY bigger but gaining less weight, to being SO over it so much sooner- it was a total different ride. I knew that you would be a different person for sure. Labor was also so incredibly different. This is the story of the day you were born- May 8 2009. Your due date (I’ve heard only 4 – 8 % actually come on their due dates- look at you being on time!). I had been measuring almost two weeks big almost the entire pregnancy, so I thought for sure you were going to come early. I was starting to dilate at 37 weeks! At 39 weeks I was 4 centimeters dilated, 80% effaced, and your head was at –1 station. My midwife stripped my membranes at my appointment and I thought for sure that you would be born soon after! I actually started to have contractions, regular contractions, that night. I got everything ready, but they never got stronger. I was very disappointed when I went to bed and woke up the next morning with no more contractions. That last week was one of the worst of my life! I had contractions on and off all week, I was achy, uncomfortable, hot and HUGE- not to mention still running Shuckleberries and chasing after your two year old sister Jessica! Thank God Nana and Papa were there to help out. When I went to my 40 week appointment, I was hoping I was at least at 5 centimeters or something! I was very disappointed to hear that I was only a bit more effaced. I ended up bursting into tears at my appointment when my midwife brought up inducing me in a week. She swept my membranes again, but I left the appointment feeling deflated and thinking you were never going to come. I took the rest of the day off and hid in my room- and that night Daddy and I decided that I would close the preschool the next week so I could rest these last few days. I went to sleep finally letting go of “when were you going to come??” to knowing that you were going to come when you were good and ready………
I woke up at 5:45 am (for the 3rd time that night, I’m sure) to go to the bathroom, and then as I was walking back to bed I realized my shorts were soaked. I was scared that I had started to bleed- so I went back and turned on the lights. Realized- my WATER BROKE!!!!!!!
I woke up your daddy, and called doula Becky. She had thought my water was going to break since it was a full moon that night. She was right! I called the doctor and he said “Sounds like you’ll be having a baby today!” I hadn’t started contractions yet, so he told me to come when they got stronger. I was relieved, I was worried that they would want me to come in and they would give me pitocin to speed it up.
I watched my tivo-ed Greys’ Anatomy and ate some breakfast while I waited for labor to begin. Jessica woke up and I told her that I was going to be going to the hospital to have the baby! I was surprised at how well she accepted it. She gave me a hug and said “I love you mommy” and skipped downstairs with Nana to have breakfast. Turns out she had her best day at Shuckleberries ever according to my assistants- guess Mommy should go and have babies more often ;)
Contractions finally started around 7:30- Doula Becky arrived a little later, and Daddy, her and I sat around and got some last minute things together and just chatted. By 12:30 my contractions were coming every 3 minutes for over an hour- the thing was, they weren’t’ very intense. I could still have a totally normal conversation in between them. Becky and Daddy thought it was about time to go the hospital, but I was feeling so normal I was scared it was too early. Becky said that I should get to where I was going to birth because when hard labor kicked in it was going to be fast- and they wanted to get some antibiotics in me because of Strep B. So off we went to the hospital! The ride was so much easier than with Jessica. I walked up to the 4th floor at the hospital and had conversations with all the nurses as I checked in. Occasionally I had to breath through my contractions, but was still feeling pretty normal. I was still at 4 centimeters, 90% effaced and –1 station. Once we were done with the nurses, they had gotten my antibiotic IV in (which HURT!!!!!!), and we were left alone to labor- Becky gave us a few exercises to speed up labor. We did “lifts” then tried squats. After my second squat I stood up, felt a POP and a gush of more water and the most intense contraction I almost fell over because I wasn’t expecting it! That was at 3, and hard labor had begun. I asked to get into the shower shortly after. As I was getting ready I could feel the pressure of your head- I had the nurse check me out and I was still on 6 centimeters so I was told not to push. Even though I didn’t have the urge yet, I knew that I would be pushing soon! I got into the shower, sat on the birthing ball and went through transition in the shower. I was in about 15 – 20 minutes and apparently was done being in the shower- it was time to push! And I was right, I was fully dilated! (Went from 6 – 10 centimeters in less than 20 minutes!) I got back on the bed on my hands and knees (the same position I started pushing in with Jessica). This time the pushing contractions were much easier and I knew how to push. I actually looked forward to pushing and could tell I was doing it correctly. I pushed for about 45 minutes- and at one point I did think “Um, Don’t know that I want to do this again” but I never complained once. I knew that you were close! During the pushing phase a midwife offered her services instead of the doctor on call, and she did an amazing job! I never felt pressure to push a certain way or to count to 10 or anything. She encouraged me to turn onto my side (which I also did with Jessica). Turning over was incredibly uncomfortable, but once I was on my side I only pushed two more times, and you came out perfectly!!!! Daddy called it out “It’s a GIRL!!!!!” and I laughed that everyone was wrong- and pulled you up into my arms. I actually had to push out my placenta- turns out it was huge!!!! Probably 5 pounds- everyone was commenting on how big it was. I tore a little bit, a first degree on my scar. Impressive since you were so big! Your birth was just perfect- 9 pounds 13 ounces, 20 inches long (14 cm head!)- Isabella Johanna. So happy to finally have you here!



You can read Jessica's Birthday story here

Just when I thought I couldn't wait any longer..........

Introducing

Isabella Johanna Post

Born Friday, May 8, 2009 at 5:10 pm

9 pounds 13 ounces

20 inches long

She arrived on her due date! And just in time- I was about to lose it. Water broke at 5:45 am, labor started at 7:30 am- and Izzy arrived at 5:10 pm! We did the all natural Bradley method again- sooooooooooooo much easier the second time around! (I'll post my labor story later)
Jessica is loving being a big sister, and I'm so proud of how she's doing.

We are loving having Izzy J. home :)

Different Baby, Different Pregnancy!

My nine month picture, taken at my Baby Shower. That is one HUGE belly!

As this "journey" winds down to the end (which is hopefully very, VERY soon) I thought I'd jot down some of the memories I have of this pregnancy, and how different it was from being pregnant with Jessica!!!!!

Started off- before I even knew I was pregnant- with CRAZY intense craving for frozen yogurt, or "yo-yo" as Jessica called it then. You know it was crazy because I would take Jessica, who was like a week into potty training, to different frozen yogurt places around San Marcos (they all of the sudden popped up everywhere last summer!) almost every night. She thought it was great :)

Took a test that said I was NOT pregnant. But it was wrong. Took another one 2 days later- crazy that those 2 days made a difference!

Morning sickness. Bleck! The most horrible thing ever! And I know I didnt' even have it as bad as some people do. From week 7 to 11. Never threw up, and was usually better by evening. But NOTHING sounded good, but eating was the only thing that made me feel better. Lots of carbs in the morning!

Popped out SOOOOOOOOOO early I was positive I was having twins. Positive. And very frightened. I was showing before I was even telling people!

Never had the big adversion to chicken that I did with Jessica, but wasn't into eggs or spring mix type salads.

I also didn't get crazy tired. It was weird. Continued to work out and everything! Didn't start needing daily naps until the last few months.

I didn't get "puffy." Seriously, with Jessica my nose changed. I was much rounder. People told me I didn't look pregnant from behind, that I was all belly- they LIED. This pregnancy I really feel like I am all belly- it goes out WAY further than I did with Jessica. Its scary. But I don't look round.

I feel more attractive this pregnancy too. Probably cause I didnt' get puffy, and I also decided to do highlights/foils the whole time so my hair looked MUCH better.

Braxton Hicks. Most annoying thing ever!!!!! Been having them the last month, maybe longer- sometimes they're hard for me to tell if its baby dos pushing or a braxton hicks. Also another thing I did not experience with Jessica at all.

Contractions. That lead to nothing. More annoying that the braxton hicks. I had one evening of consistent contractions every 5 -7 minutes, was positive I was going in to labor- till I fell asleep and woke up the next morning with my huge Budda Belly still there and no baby. GRRRRRRRRR. Hopefully I'll be able to say that I only had them for a few days before Baby Dos' arrival.

Went to prenatal yoga, but not as consistently as with Jessica. For some reason my life just is way busier (I'm sure having a 2 year old has something to do with it)

Could wear my wedding ring till 9 months. But I stopped wearing it around 6 months just in case. Which worked out nicely for Steve when he decided to get me a new diamond for my wedding ring for my 28th bday :)

SOOOOOOOOOOO sore sooo much sooner at the end! I felt like I was for sure going to have baby dos early since i had all the aches and pains so much earlier.

my tummy goes out WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY further than it did with jessica. its kinda scary...........

i'm crankier this time? well, i'm sure i was just as crabby the first time around, but i don't remember it as much. maybe its because i also have a 2 year old to chase around

Was for sure a second pregnancy- much more relaxed about everything and didn't really think too much about it. I was actually feeling bad that I wasn't in the begining, but it got better.

I'll add more to this list as I remember it......