Our Little Girl Part 1

It's been a little over a week since our daughter was born!! Audrey Liesel was born on March 12 @ 1842. It was quite the wait to see her! We went in for our doctors appointment on Wednesday morning. At first, my midwife didn't say anything about inducing until half way through the appointment. I was 2cm dilated and 80% effaced and having an awful time with my gallbladder. She called the on call doc for a slot that day but they were booked. So they scheduled me for Thursday morning at 0600, but we had to call at 0530 to see if they had room for us.

Ben and I both left there a little blown away! I really didn't want to be induced and have a planned thing but we talked about it and agreed that it was better for the both of us to do it then let it get really bad. We were in the car and looked at each other and were like-um we're having a baby tomorrow, we get to meet our little one tomorrow! We spent the afternoon together thinking it was the last time it would be just us- that was a little different. We grabbed some pastries and decaf coffee, shopped, and came home to tell everybody the news! I tried to rest the remainder of the evening. We charged the camera, made sure all of our bags were packed and set by the door. It was pretty late by the time we crawled into bed. I had the hardest time sleeping. I was up every hour with pure excitement and racked nerves thinking I'd sleep through my alarm (that I checked over 10 times).

Well, 0500 rolled around and I just stayed up so I could call right at 0530! It turns out that everyone else thought 11th was a good day to have a baby as well. They were full so they said to call back at 0930. I fell back asleep and called at 0930 only to be pushed back again. This time they said it was okay to eat something small and to call again at 1200. Once again I called back to be told they would call me in a few hours. By this time I was getting anxious, irritated, was grumpy, and tired/ God love my husband who was amazing the entire day! He put up with my pacing and grumping and all the lovely moods I went through that day! haha They hadn't called me back by 1500 so we gave them another hour and I was going to call them.

I called at 1600 and was extremely surprised when she said, ooh good- we have room for you, come in an hour! I had already talked myself into the induction starting tomorrow so was blown away when she said to come in! I had to stop and take a minute to think about it! I only had a minute because we had to hurry and drop off Beretta at Ben's buddies house then head to the hospital. Retta was more than happy to jump in the bed of a truck. She was so excited, I was more worried about being away from her than she was. I'm pretty sure she was like " Ben and Jaimie who?" as soon as she got in his truck! haha :)

We got to the hospital, got to our room Delivery Room #4. It was a huge room! I was so excited that there was only one bed per room and that this huge one was just ours! They came in and started my IV but shortly after got hit with 3 babies being born, an emergency c-section, and shift change. We were just sitting around so Ben went down to the shoppett and rented some movies, he grabbed some dinner and snacks, and brought me back a surprise! He bought me the new Beth Moore book and the movies he rented were all girly ones I had wanted to see. I have the best husband-ever. It was nice but a little but of a long wait. I didn't get to see the doctor until 2100. They first tried mechanical dilation to see if it would put me into labor without pitocin. Well... it didn't work and was the most painful 4 hours ever!!

They started the pit around 0200 and just kept turning it up. It wasn't too bad in the beginning. They weren't real aggressive with turning it up until 0700 when day shift came it. The contractions were painful but I was able to rest. I didn't sleep but was able to rest. Ben dozed off and on. Things still weren't progressing, I had been stuck at 5cms for 15hours, so they broke my water around 1445 and after that it because very real! The Pit was up to 36 and I was in active labor. I hadn't slept in over 24 hours and the contractions were every 2 minutes and were the most painful experience of my life-actually the back labor was worse than the actual contractions. I tired to stand and walk during the contractions but couldn't do it. I sat on a ball for awhile and was really struggling. By that time my gallbladder was hurting so much that I had no relief from it. The doctor and nurse both advised rethinking an epidural due to the amount of time I had been in labor, not sleeping, my gallbladder, and how hard labor was with the pitocin. I really wanted to do everything naturally but knew being that exhausted would not be good once the time pushing came around. Ben and I though that getting the epidural would be okay and a good idea. They came to do it around 1545. It was a low epidural so I could still feel the contractions and move my legs. I was able to relax and was starting to drift off when I got so nauseous had got the biggest urge to push!

Ben called the nurse in and the checked me, I was 9.5 cms!! The nurse laughed and said see what happens when you relax? About 20 minutes later I had to call her back in and said I had to push right now! She checked me and was like ooh my, theres the baby! haha She said I told the doctor he had time to go get something to eat- I better go get him, your ready now! haha I was like yes, please do! I started pushing at 1745 and an hour later at 1842 our Audrey made her appearance!! Ben was amazing. He encouraged me, held me, helped me push, and was the best support, I couldn't have asked for better. The doctor didn't tell us whar she was, I wanted Ben to tell me but when she was born he didn't say anything. He just had this look of shear amazement and I knew instantly we had a little girl. The nurses were like okay Dad what do we have and he didn't say anything! haha I had to look down to find out!

I was really scared at first, she didn't want to breathe much when she came out. She had the cord around her next one time. They put her on my chest first but then took her over to the warmer when she didn't start screaming. They gave her a little bit of oxygen and dried her off pretty good. She started crying pretty good. They were worried at first because her face looked a little blue but after she started crying they realized it was just bruising, poor baby. She looks so much like Ben and had light brown hair with the top blonde. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. I kept looking down, in awe that the little one on my chest was our baby. The baby that had spent the past 9 months wiggling and kicking inside me was now in my arms. Ben and I just stared at her.

The entire 3 trimester all I could think about was how amazing a sub from subway would taste! I hadn't had a cold cut in a super long time and couldn't wait to get my hands on one! During labor I asked Ben if he could get me one after I had the little one. After a 26 hour labor- I WAS STARVING! haha In fact, right before I started pushing I told Ben, I'm soooo hungry for that hoagie! haha SO, Ben being the most wonderful man that he is, he went down to Subway 4 minutes before they closed and got me the biggest sub I had ever had! haha He told the lady to double everything, his wife just had a baby and she was starving! haha Let me tell you, that sub was the best tasting sub to date!! I ate almost all 12 inches!!! 6 right after delivery then the other 6 when we got to the recovery floor.

After the pitocin was turned off and the epidural was out I was able to get in the shower. Ben held Audrey and when I got out the nurse had come in to give Audrey her bath before we went down to the Mother Baby recovery. It almost midnight by the time we made it there. I was so exhausted and hungry. They were completely full and had 2 people to a room. When we got into our room I looked around and saw there was no place for Ben. I felt a wave of panic all the sudden thinking he wouldn't be able to stay with Audrey and me. He assured me he wasn't leaving. He was going to just sleep in the fold up chair but the bed was a little bigger than a twin but not quite a double bed and he just crawled in beside me. Audrey was up nursing about every 1.5-2 hours. It was wonderful. I was so tired but it didn't matter.

Because it was my first baby I had to stay 2 nights in the hospital. We spent the next day laying in bed staring at Audrey cat napping off and on. We had some visitors and Ben went home for a few hours to grab some things, make some calls and post pictures. He was only gone a few hours but it felt like forever!! He came back cuddled with Audrey and I. We had great nurses, I'm so thankful for them! We had a good roommate, I thought it would be weird at first but wasn't bad at all.

Ben and I both were loving the care we were getting. It was awesome not having to worry about much, having my meals brought to me, snuggle time with Audrey all day, we both were like hmm... lets stay a little longer! The second night went well. They were completely full so they were starting my discharge paper work a little that night so they could just ship us out as soon as the doctors rounded. They came and got Audrey around 0318 (I know the exact time because it was the first time she was away from me and I timed it ) for her shot, weight, and assessment. Not going to lie, I cried and then teared up again when they brought her back at 0346 and I saw the little tears by the corners of her eyes. Ben had to keep telling me she was just fine. I was more worked up than she was!

We got all the paperwork done and starting getting things ready to go home. We were walking out to the car with the car seat and I couldn't believe it. The day we got discharged, 14 March was our year anniversary! Talk about the best anniversary present ever-bringing our little girl home, it was wonderful. The past year has been the best year of my life. I know everybody says that but really, I've never felt more in place, more happiness, more joy, more love than I have this past year married to the only person for me. Spending an entire year with Ben without deployment or schools that we couldn't be together was such a blessing. Now it also has been the craziest year of my life, by far. Ben gets back from Iraq, one week later gets orders for overseas, two weeks later get married, drive across the entire United States twice, spending 3 months in WA, finding out we were pregnant, brother gets married, moving to Germany, and having our first child. We like to say that we don't mess around and like to get everything big over with. We don't like to waste time! haha

We can't even begin to tell you how much your thoughts and prayers were/are appreciated!! God has blessed us beyond measurement and we are so thankful!

Because this is such a huge post I'm going to break it up. I have soo much more to write about! On to part 2!!!!

Just waiting

No baby yet! We go for my 39wk appointment tomorrow! I'm pretty sure they'll be doing repeat blood work to make sure my liver is still doing okay. I'm going to ask and see if they will measure the baby and my hips just to be sure. They haven't budged yet! Hopefully they'll do it. I'm so glad it fell on the day Ben's off, so he can go with me.

It's been different not going to work in the mornings. I've definitely felt so much better. I haven't noticed my gallbladder acting up after anything I eat, but if I sit for longer than a few minutes- I can't take it. I either have to be standing or laying on my side. My poor little gallbladder is being squished by my big ol' belly.

I still can't believe we're having a baby! When we were unwrapping all the wonderful gifts and reading the cards Ben looked over at me and said "okay, now it's starting to sink in"! haha We have all the baby goodies put away and washed, the rocker recliner came last Friday, the apartment is scrubbed, Retta got her bath so she's nice and clean for the little one, my Mom and Meemaw. Now we're just waiting.

It snowed inches over the weekend and was super cold, now the suns out and melting it all. Hopefully it warms up some more so we can go for a nice long walk! I think I'm going to go grocery shopping tonight just in case they want to induce me tomorrow. I don't think I'll top my coupon high this week, my list isn't too big. We get groceries for 2 weeks at a time so we can save a little more and usually go on the weekend when the commissary has all the sales but I don't want to risk waiting till Saturday. My biggest saving with coupons so far has been $28.45! BUT, I think I would have hit over $29 because I don't think she scanned one of my .75 coupons. haha Its okay. I'm over it.

We'll be keeping you all updated! Thanks so much for all your prayers, they mean the world to us!

Update!

Just a quick update! It is my promise that this blog will be back tom full swing!! :)

I cheated on this though- I just wrote an email and copy and pasted. Sorry, I didn't have all your emails so I thought this would work pretty well!! Love you all!!

Good Morning! Just wanted to update everybody about our little one! I had my 38wk appointment yesterday and for the most part it went great. Baby looks great, heart rate in the 140's, extremely active, I'm dilated 2cms and effaced 75-80%! So it could be any time now or not for another week or two! We have our bags packed by the door, Ben's crossing things off our to do list, clothes are washed, and there's some dinners in the freezer!

Also and the appointment I finally got some answers on some pain I've been having. It started around 32wks-ish with an intense burning under my ribs on my right side that would come and go. The doctor just said with how active our baby was, she thought just some bruising or pulled muscle. Well, it's been getting worse, to the point where sitting is just not an option it hurts so badly. I was starting to feel like a wimp, crying over a pulled muscle! I have also been having quite a bit of nausea but didn't think too much about it since that has been the norm throughout this pregnancy! When I went in and told her about how the pain is worse and is at a constant now, my nurse midwife had the on call doc come in and check me out. The doctor did a ton of blood work checking my liver out and ordered a right upper quadrant screening just to make sure my liver or gallbladder wasn't acting up.

Thank God they had an opening in ultrasound and took be right away! That usually does no happen in a military hospital! Had the ultrasound and the tech that did it was sweet enough so show me the baby! Ben had to be on duty so he wasn't with me. Baby looks amazing... and big!! haha He/she had the little hands on the face and was just kicking like crazy! The tech was having a hard time scanning my gallbladder because the baby was kicking so much in that area! It was really sweet!

So fast forward a few hours and I called to get the results. Here, my gallbladder is full of stones and sludge. My liver function test was back yet so we had to wait becuase that was the deciding factor. If the liver tests would have been bad or elevated they would have brought me back in to induce me since I'm close to my due date then take out my gallbladder. Thank God the liver tests were okay so no inducing. We're just going to wait until after the little on is born then decide what to do from there. Unless the pain gets too bad or I develop a fever.

We're glad to know whats going on now. Please pray that my gallbladder behaves it's self for a little while longer! Hopefully after the baby is born, my gallbladder will appreciate not being so squished and won't get too bad. It really surprised me when she said that was the problem. We don't do high fatty foods or anything like that. So, now I'm done with work and catching up on some things I haven't had the energy to do for awhile. Don't worry, it's all being done from the comfort of my couch or bed!! :)

Thanks so much for your prayers! We miss you all so very much and can't wait for you to meet our little one! We'll be keeping you updated!

Jaimie, Ben, and the little one.

Happy New Years!

It was a little different ringing in the New Years 6 hours and more before family! I can't believe we're now in 2010. This time last year I was talking to Ben in Iraq, counting down the days until he came home! This year we got the chance to spend it together, in Germany, and very pregnant! I read an article from yahoo yesterday day that 3/4 of Americans rated 2009 as a bad year. It's been one of my best and hardest years. We have so much to be thankful for, it's feels wrong to think back/complain about the rest.

New Years in Germany is a big deal! I'm thinking we're considered a little bit of duds, by German standards. haha It's pretty big here to travel on major holidays to big cites or other countries like France to ring in the New Year's. Ben and I, we were cuddling on the couch with Retta at our feet when 2010 made it's first appearance. About three seconds after that, this girl was in bed, eyes closed. Poor Retta was a little anxious. New Years Eve and New Years are the only time in Germany that Fireworks are legal. Let me tell you, they made good use of their one day only! We were at a friend from the kennels house till about 11. I was pretty beat from working all day and wanted to get home before people left different parties. Especially since we had to go home by way of the autoban. We made it home safe and sound! I was praying for safe driving here and at home in the states!

2010 is going to be a big year. I can't believe that in less than 11 weeks, a baby will be here. We hope and pray that 2010 is a better year for those who have had a hard time. We love ya all and miss you!! Have a great day!

Pictures

our bathroom
living room
living room/dining room
living room looking into the kitchen
Ben and Jimmy
Baby's Crib bedding, thank you Aunt Susie!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I'm up super early this Christmas- I'm pretty sure the earliest ever. Ben got up about 3:30am and I climbed out about 20 minutes later! I got up early to make the breakfast casserole and make some calls.

I should have known better than to make a breakfast casserole half asleep and talking on the phone. I put what I thought was everything in the bowl mixed it up and threw it in the oven all proud of myself for being such a great little wife. I made a big 9x13 pan and was thinking how much the guys at the kennels where going to enjoy it. Should have known better. It was about half way done baking when I noticed it didn't look like I thought it would. I kind of brushed it off and went into the bedroom to lay down. I started going over everything in it thinking maybe I left out something and then it hit me. I left out the entire amount of sour cream. 16 ounces mind you!!!!!!!! AHH I was soo frustrated! So I marched into the kitchen grabbed that casserole out of the oven, found the biggest bowl I had, dumped it in, mixed in the forgotten sour cream, and threw it back into the oven. haha Then I called my Mom to tell her what I did. Does anyone else do things like this or is it just me? hhaha Mom said she's done things like that, everyone does, but they just don't tell anyone else. Well, I just pulled the casserole out and it looks good, smells good. I'm just praying it tastes good.

Ben and I had our little Christmas on Christmas Eve with our gifts since he has to work. We're going to save the gifts from our families until the come in. Ben came home and I had just finished wrapping his last present! haha Between the both of us we used all the wrapping paper I had, about 3 rolls. We're really good at wrapping..... It was so wonderful. We took turns unwrapping making it last as long as possible. This was Ben's first Christmas since basic training that he was with family on Christmas. Beretta had to lay between his legs on the floor beside me. She even helped rip the paper off the gifts. It was really funny, silly girl. Wow, next year I'll be writing about a little one sitting on the floor trying to help open gifts! WOW! We gave her a bone thinking it would keep her busy while we did our presents, but she had it finished in about 7 minutes.

Ben got a much needed boot dryer, socks, a book, knives, almonds (his favorite), little things like shaving stuff, chocolate, t-shirts, camo jacket, clothes hmm seat covers and shorts from my Meemaw Merd, super nice hat and gloves from Mom, oh my some other things I know I'm leaving out. Ben got me a stocking full of chocolate, gum, hand sanitizer (that I desperately needed), a Vera Bradley lunch bag, Office trivia game (soooo excited) picture albums, a purple blanket, a huge Tupperware bowl with a lid, and new hair clippers!!!! I was a good girl this year!! :)

Yesterday, after I made the casserole I got really homesick and sad I called Ben and he came and picked me up. It was about 0630am. I just hung out there all day eating and watching Christmas movies. It was wonderful even though Ben had to work. The other wives brought things for lunch. My breakfast went over well, and we pretty much ate all day long. It was a good day. Ben and I were both soo tired. We called our families, put the rest of the Christmas movie in we didn't finish, and played our Office Trivia game! We are so thankful we could spend Christmas together. It was super rainy and windy all day.

There's no more snow left on the ground and it's finally above freezing!!! Beretta is enjoying her time outside at the moment barking at who knows what. I just finished cleaning the bathroom and running the sweeper. I think Ben and I are going to see if the German version of Walmart has anything fun on clearance when he gets home! Nothing beats clearance!! Hopefully find some fun things to decorate with next year!

We hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas wherever you are and pray for God's blessings on all of you! We miss you!

Such a Slacker!

haha Im honestly embarrassed that I haven't written anything since the 30th... wow. I'm such a slacker, sorry! I mean really, it's not that hard to sit and write. It's not like I go back and spend time proof reading or anything :)

Anyways, time is flying by here in Germany. I'm sure its the same in the States too. I can't believe Christmas is 11 days away. Work is going good for both of us. Ben is enjoying his schedule, all except waking up at 3:30am. It's a really nice schedule getting every other weekend off for 3 days. Jimmy and Ben are working together great. He said that sometimes when Jimmy is acting up or won't listen he said he has to stop himself from hollering "knock it off Beretta" haha!!! Poor guy, he's an awesome handler who works with the most obedient dogs out there and then comes home to our 2yr old wild woman who can barely contain herself. She's doing pretty good too! She loves when Ben has off during the week!

I've been at WIC for almost three whole weeks now! It's going great. I'm enjoying the work, the families I get to interact with, and the girls in the office. It's a definitely a change in pace but a welcomed change at this point in time. I'm not going to lie, I desperately miss the NICU but this is where I'm to be right now. I do not know how those girls worked 12-16 hours 8 months pregnant. I'm in awe, I really am!! Come noon, I'm so uncomfortable and I've only been there 4 /2 hours sitting the vast majority of the time. Then I think of my Mom who did the same thing with all four of us!! Your one heck of a woman Mom!! Wow. It is very nice to know that if I make a mistake it's doesn't have the potential to harm anyone. I'm working a long week this week so we can have Christmas Eve day off.

Our Christmas tree is up!!! Poor little thing. It can't help it's a Charlie Brown tree. I hung as many ornament on it as I possibly could. haha The limbs bend with the weight of all of them. Ben and I have our gifts wrapped and tucked underneath already. I've only managed to give him 3 presents! haha I just can't help it! If he'd let me I would have given them to him as soon as they came in the mail! I've never been able to wait to give someone a gift or tell them about it. It drives me crazy! I just get so excited about it and if they'll like it that I either tell them what it is or give it to them! My Mom is still surprised that I didn't find out what the little one is.

Speaking of the little one...aka big little one, baby is doing wonderful! Extremely active and growing like a weed. I get asked at least once a day if we're having twins. I just smile and say nope, its just a big baby. If you saw my husband-you'd understand :)! That was one of the first things the nurse practitioner I work under asked me on my first day. She worked in OB/GYN for 10 years and said she would have put money on it. haha I go for another doctors appointment on Thursday. I'm right on track for measurements but I just look huge I guess! We'll see what she has to say.

Ben and I went to our first every Christmas Market last week! It was the one in our town so we didn't have too far to drive. A coworker of mine actually met us at our apartment and we followed her down. The market is in center of town, like a town square but much larger. They don't have malls here so all the shopping is in a different store but for the most part centrally located. We went to some stores on the way to market to check and see if they had any maternity clothes. H&M had some but the style in German is not to this girls liking. haha I'm not really into the short dresses/longer t-shirts that barely cover your bum, worn with thicker pantyhose and high boots. No thank you. Not only would I freeze but I'd probably wear a hole in the bottom of the shirt from trying to pull it down. Not to mention I have no sense of balance or grace so anything with a heel is a no go! haha I did find some black dress pants that work lovely! I'm carry this little one so low it makes it a little difficult to find clothes that are comfortable. My Mom and Mom-in-law got me some awesome clothes before we left but I'm almost too big for some of them :)! As soon as I get home I go to Ben's closet and grab his t-shirts and sweatshirts to wear! haha

Back to the Christmas market... We made our way through the brick streets to the center. There is this old rust colored brick church in the middle that everything surrounds (like it sound be). Vendors were on every branch off of the main center. It was pretty crowded for a Thursday evening, I can't imagine what the weekends are like. The big thing with German Christmas Markets is the Gluhwein (you say it like glue-vine). It's red wine heavily spiced and served warm in a mug you can keep or you can return it to get 2 euros back. Ben had some and I enjoyed smelling his. He really liked it! It's extremely popular. They have stands with wee little tables set up so you can stand around with your gluhwien and mingle. You can walk around with it too. They had all types of little shops selling everything from opium scented candles to wood carvings.

Naturally, we made our way to the food section and stood in awe! The smells were incredible!! They had fresh potato pancakes with applesauce, bratwurst with the most amazing horseradish mustard on fresh toasted buns, whole mushrooms in a cream sauce that reminded me of stroganoff sauce-super yummy, and these baguettes with feta, tomatoes, garlic, and parsley!!! Not even mentioning the roasted, candied nuts, chocolate, and my favorite-nutella crepes!!! I'm a huge fan of German Christmas markets!!

We're in the middle of a cold streak here! The past few days it's been sticking to about 1o degrees. Poor Retta doesn't like the cold! haha She's a little bit of a priss, but then again, I don't like 10 degrees either! Its finally snowed and is supposed to snow a little more tonight. Thank goodness it's only a three day work week! Ben has off Monday and Tuesday then works five days straight through Christmas, but then gets five days off! AND.... I can't forget to blog about Beretta's 2nd Birthday tomorrow. Is it possible for pups to have terrible twos? I'm thinking yes.

I had my 27 week checkup this week. Everything looks good, just slightly anemic. My glucose test went great, and they drew again to make sue I won't need the Rhogram. I'm pretty positive I'm A positive but just to make sure, they drew some blood work. I go back in 3 weeks for my 31-32 week checkup. Baby is very active and has found a very comfortable spot at the top of my belly with prefect access to my ribs.

Well today is a big day, everything that I haven't done all week ( ie cleaning and laundry) is waiting for me. :) I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season. Please say a pray for me, it's been a bit of an emotional time for me. God love my husband who takes such great care of me, even when I have no idea why I'm crying. We miss you all sooo very much and wish you a Merry Christmas!!!