Samuel David McLaughlin is here! (Birth Story)

December 28th, 2018 - Eviction Day

So when you are being induced, you have to call the hospital at 6 am to make sure they have room for you since it is an elective procedure. I think the possibility of them not having room gave me the most anxiety of the whole day! So I woke up at 5:30 hopped in the shower and then called the hospital. Of course the nurse said actually we are pretty full so why don't you call back at 7:30 and see if anything opens up. I about had a heart attack! I pleaded my case that this is an IVF baby and have been doing weekly stress tests and he really needs to come out today. She told me to call back at 7 when the day nurse manager arrived to see if she could find space for me. I said ok and sat down to wait. Well at 6 am I went to text Dr. Garcia  to see if he could pull any strings and the sweet nurse called me back at the same time. She said why don't you just show up at 7:30 and we will find a room for you. God bless that sweet nurse! We were still a go for the induction! Phew!

So we arrived, got situated in our room, got my IV and started the pitocin to make some contractions happen. At 9 am, Dr. Garcia came in and broke my water to get things moving. I was still only 2 cm dilated. I chose not to get my epidural yet, because I wanted things to get moving along in case it slowed down my contractions. We kept upping the pitocin every 30 minutes and slowly I started feeling things. By 10:45, I was at about a level 5 contraction wise so I decided lets get my epidural before things get too bad and it takes a hour to get an anesthesiologist in. So the epidural was placed and things slowly but surely got better! This epidural was different than my other 2 though because I could still feel pressure and tell when I was having contractions. The past 2 times, I couldn't move my legs or feel a thing! At 11:30 I was 3 cm and was having contractions every 2-3 minutes. At 1:30, I was up to 4 cm. Moving along slowly but surely... Then at 3:00, I was 6 cm. I was thinking ok things are starting to pick up maybe we will have a baby by 5-6 o'clock. Then the real fun began.

I was feeling way more than I would like to contraction wise and pressure wise. I kept asking the nurses should I feel this much and they kept telling me yes it is fine you want to feel some stuff just not pain. Well at 3:15 I started feeling lots of pressure like I had to poop. I knew that usually meant baby was ready, but I was just 6 cm 15 minutes ago so I couldn't possibly be ready. I had them check anyway and I was up to 8 cm. I told them I need more meds and they went to get an extra dose of what my epidural contained for my last few minutes and pushes. Of they went and 10 minutes later, I kept telling the fam, guys I really think this baby is going to come out of me. So again I called the nurses in, she checked me again and said, Yep we are ready to have a baby you are 10 cm! So they called Dr. Garcia to come down and I got my bolus. I surely didn't feel any pain get better but Sammy was ready to come whether I was ready or not. So Garcia showed up and I started pushing. I felt majority of what was happening so I said lets keep pushing instead of stopping in between sets to breathe. 4 short pushes and 2 minutes later, there he was. He had the cord wrapped around his neck once so Garcia unwrapped that quickly and put him up on my chest. He was a nice shade of blue, but he turned pink shortly after off they took him to do his check up. 

I only needed 2 stitches and all was good to go! Samuel was born at 3:55 weighing at 7 pounds 2 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. He scored a 9 on the Apgar test and all looked great! I couldn't believe he was finally here and we were holding our precious son! 

After Samuel was born, we were moved upstairs to the postpartum area and we got a dynamite room thanks to my friend Jessica who works at the hospital. The girls came and met their brother and were instantly so in love!

Stay tuned for the story of our 2nd day in the hospital.

It's Go Time! Baby Samuel arrives tomorrow!

I can't believe we are here and it is officially time for baby Samuel to come out. It is such a surreal feeling full of mixed emotions. On one hand, I can't wait to hold him, see what he looks like, see him with his big sisters, and have him be the missing piece to our family that we have longed for for the past 2 years. But I also am nervous. Not about having 3 kids or even about how things will go once he is here. I am nervous about the actual labor and delivery part. I felt this same way when I had Blakely. I just know things aren't all rainbows and butterflies and the motherly instinct of what if something goes wrong kicks in because I have another child at home to take care of. Blakely cried little tonight when I left her and it just broke my heart.

I am also not sure how I feel about this induction deal. It has been super convenient to clean my house, pack my bags, drop the girls at Gammoe's house, but the anticipation that comes with it is not so lovely. I also know I am going to never be pregnant again so I am just cherishing these last few kicks and the last day of having my belly.

So off we go tomorrow morning to the hospital. I call at 6 am to see if they have room for us first and if they are full they schedule me for another day. I will be so upset if this is the case so please add that to the list of prayers that we get in and get things rolling tomorrow. Then once we are there we will start the pitocin, break my water and hopefully meet Sammy a few hours later. My previous labors were about 12 hours from first contraction to birth. About 8 hours once I was at the hospital so hopefully he will be here by tomorrow afternoon. I would love some prayers that labor progresses smoothly and we welcome a perfectly healthy little boy with no complications throughout the day. Thank you all so much for being on this journey with me over the past 2 years and I have felt the love and prayers throughout. Stay tuned to instagram or facebook for updates on when Samuel arrives and hopefully I will be back next week with a birth story. XOXO

38 Week Bumpdate

Hey guys! I am not doing a full bumpdate with all of the categories I do monthly. I just wanted to touch base with you all and give you an update on how the Doctors went today. I am officially 38 weeks today and I was 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. The dilation doesn't worry me too much as far as going in to labor ahead of time. The effacement does a smidge though. I just have never been this effaced before when checked with the girls so hopefully he stays put. It makes sense that my cervix is shortening and thinning because he is so darn low. Lots of pressure down there. Dr. Garcia said he will most likely see me next Friday unless my water breaks. I have never had that happen so I am sure I will be fine. I really would like him to wait till Friday so we aren't rushing like crazy people to get kids places, bags in the car, all that good stuff. Not to mention this is the busiest time for Dave so having it planned and his coworkers knowing Dave is out next Friday is super helpful. Lets hope it stays that way.

So thats all that is really going on. We had lots of fun this week. Monday Blakely had her Christmas Show and then we went out to dinner at the Loop. Wednesday was Polar Express Day where they got to wear pajamas. Thursday was Delainey's Christmas party and my neighborhood bunco and today was Blakely's Christmas party and the doctor. We are officially on Christmas Break and won't be back to school for 16 days! The fun will continue all this next week too! The 4 granddaughters are going to the movies tom with Gram and Pops, Sunday we have Christmas Eve church and then dinner at Ruth's Chris to celebrate Marcia'a birthday, Monday is Christmas Eve with my family, and then Tuesday is Christmas! Lots of fun and craziness to be had. I  hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas celebrating Jesus' birth! While you are praying I will gladly take a few my way for Sammy to stay put till the 28th and for a smooth quick healthy delivery next week! The more prayers the merrier! I will hopefully be back on Thursday night before we go in for the big day! Stay tuned to my instagram though for my up to date posts. Talk to you all soon! XOXO

9 Month Bumpdate

How far along are you: 37 Weeks now! I took my pics though at 36 weeks.

Size of baby: We had an ultrasound on Tuesday and big boy Sammy was measuring 6 lb 6 ounces. He was head down and all looked great!

Cravings: I am really enjoying some publix sprinkle cookies, cheese and crackers, and still any pasta. I've been doing lots of oatmeal and coffee in the morning. Nothing I am dying for though!

Weight gained: 34 pounds. Gail the ultrasound lady said he should be gaining about a half pound a week so I am attributing 2 of the 4 lbs to him :) I'm thinking I will max out at 38-40 in the end. I am certainly looking bigger though. My face has started to swell my legs are nice and large. Oh well we've only got 2 more weeks.

Sleep: I'm adjusting to the lack of sleep that will come with a baby. LOL I think I get about a 4 hour stretch then it is hit or miss how much I sleep after that. It takes lots of work and pain to flip from one side to the other so sleep isn't the best these days...hence the coffee. :)

Baby Movement: He is still moving good. He is definitely running out of room though so the movements are more dramatic. My stomach will stretch into a square or I'll get a good jab in my pubic bone. It isn't so much flips and spins like back in the day. He still get hiccups a few times a day.

How Mom is feeling: I'm doing alright. Movement has certainly slowed down. I walk/waddle much slower. I feel like all my joints are softening and loosening so it is causing lots of pain in my pelvis, groin and even my shoulder. I googled it and I diagnosed myself with something called Symbiosis pubis dysfunction. Basically I am realeasing too much relaxin and stuff is softening to early and causing pain. I am surviving though. Key is taking breaks often and not over doing it. Emotionally I feel great though and am super excited about how soon we will get to meet Sammy.

Miss Anything: Nope. I am going to miss him kicking inside me once he is born though.

Nursery Progress: The nursery is officially done!

Best moment this month: All the fun Christmas activities we have been busy doing. It is making these last few weeks fly by though. The girls are doing a little paper chain counting down the days till he arrives. We have 13 more days till the big day! Ahh! This week alone I had supper club, went to see the Elf at the Alhambra with Delainey, Daves work Christmas dinner, the Nutcracker with the girls today and tomorrow we are doing a  hayride at Emily's house. We got our tree and our house all decorated and have been enjoying all the Christmas movies. The girls have one more week of school with each of them having a Christmas party, Blake has a Christmas program and I have one last appointment on Friday. Lots of fun to look forward to.

Looking forward to next month: I can't wait to see if I am dilating at all at my appointment next Friday. I will be 38 weeks and it will be my last dr appointment. I am scheduled for an induction at 7 am on December 28th. :) Hopefully Sammy cooperates and all goes according to plan since it is all laid out so beautifully. It is just so nice having childcare for the girls lined up and for Dave's work. He would be my child though if he came in and said forget your plans and did his own thing! We are also excited for Christmas and all the excitement it brings for the girls!

Look at how precious this onesie I got from my mom's friend Dawn. How sweet! Can't wait to put him in it!

So this is it for the Bumpdates. I will update you guys next Friday on how my last dr appointment goes, but things are crazy around here so stay tuned to Instagram for more frequent updates on what is going on! Thanks for following along on this journey with me the past 9 months and being the best support and prayer warriors possible! I love and appreciate you all dearly! XOXO

8 Month Bumpdate

How far along are you: 34 Weeks now! What a slacker. This post was supposed to be 2 weeks ago. I am going to give you the stats of what was happening at 32 weeks ago.

Size of baby: Butternut Squash. I had an ultrasound at 32 weeks and he was measuring at 4 lb 10 oz give or take. So he is probably closer to 5 lb now!

Cravings: I have been back into my coffee in the morning. I do about 2/3 decaf and 1/3 caffeine just to give me a little extra energy throughout the day. The weather has finally started to cool off so I love a good cup of hot coffee in the morning. We have been eating so much junk food lately. Things have just been busy so it is like 2-3 home cooked meals and the rest are out to eat. Big Mommas weight is evident of this. I really need to eat more veggies, but we just don't have time to cook at home. My goal is to eat atleast 4 days home these next few weeks.

Weight gained: 30 pounds according to the Dr at my 32 week appt. So with 8 more weeks we are looking at 40 total. I better not be over 40. Darn Holidays lol. I was 32 with Delainey and 35 with Blakely so 40 is par for the course.

Sleep: I'm sleeping good for a 5-6 hour stretch. Beyond that it is hit or miss. For example last night Blakley had to pee and woke me at 4. I couldn't go back to bed till 5:45. Then Dave was up at 6. Then the alarm went off at 6:45 to get the girls ready for school. So not super. Just getting me used to the lack of sleep though I am about to endure.

Baby Movement: He is a wild man and I feel him all day long! He was head down at my ultrasound but she said there is still plenty of room to do flips in there. At my next ultrasound at 36 weeks is when he needs to be ready and in position. I like knowing where he is located though now so I can tell what is happening when I feel movements. He gets hiccups all the time and they are so low in my pelvis, it is interesting.

How Mom is feeling: I'm feeling good. I move around slower, but emotionally feel great. Loving every second of being pregnant and enjoying all the perks of parking in the front and strangers talking to me about it. I could just eat up all the attention hahah, just being honest. I got to ride around on my scooter at Disney and skip lots of lines, people would get out of their seats for me. I truly love the benefits and am going to miss it so much! My feet get sore after being on them for a while, but otherwise fine. And TMI but I feel lots of pressure down in my pelvis, almost like it is cracking. Dave informed me it is just a ligament that attaches the 2 sides so I guess that is stretching. Fingers crossed but no stretch marks yet.

Miss Anything: Not really. We finally have cool weather so I have busted out my sweaters and boots which makes me so happy to just wear leggings with big sweaters.

Nursery Progress: The nursery is officially done! I organized all my lovely gifts from the shower, had Dave hang my last few things and we should be good to go. I bought some new fancy cameras to act as baby monitors so we are ready for him. Not that he will be in that room though for a couple months. I could still buy a few knick knacks, but it is done for the most part.

Best moment this month: Gosh I can't even remember what happened between 28 and 32 weeks haha. I think the best moment would have to be my shower. It was lovely and I did a whole post about it earlier this month. I also really enjoyed the Great Wolf Lodge Vacay, My birthday, Halloween fun, and we had our family Christmas pics done. I secretly had one taken of me by myself to act as my maternity photo. No need for an entire separate shoot. I will do a post with them. They turned out pretty good considering it was a crazy wind storm!

Looking forward to next month: Well since this month is almost half over I was looking forward to our Disney trip and Thanksgiving but we have already done those 2 things. But I am still looking forward to all the fun Christmas activities over the next few weeks. We are in the process of decorating the house, doing all my Xmas shopping, taking the girls to boat parades, the nutcracker, the Alhambra dinner theater to see Elf. Lots of fun coming up!

I am so sorry this has taken me forever and I really will try to get better at it. I need to just do it every Thursday night like I used to. Check back soon for our family pics post and a Disney recap. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

7 Month Bumpdate

Sorry friends I just completed my whole 7 month bump date over the past 3 days, went to upload pics and it all deleted! :( So here is the short version of what I wrote.

How far along are you: 29 Weeks now! 66 days left till our anticipated induction date on December 28th! AHHH! So soon

Size of baby: Butternut Squash. 15 inches and 2.5 lbs. He was 2 lb 3 oz though 3 weeks ago so she probably is more like 3-3.5 lbs.

Gender/Name: Boy, Samuel David. I feel like we can get rid of this question now.

Cravings: I have been loving cereal, coconut granola bars, pumpkin spice anything, donuts, cookies, still pasta and cold things. Also lately I've been enjoying seafood dipped in butter. :)

Weight gained: 23 lbs according to my home scale. We will see what Garcia says today at my Dr. Appt.

Sleep: I'm starting to slow down. The problem is I go to the bathroom too much so I can only go 4-5 hours before having to pee. Then once I am up it takes me forever to go back to bed. Then Dave wakes up for work so I wake up and then an hour later its time to get the girls so I am not sleeping wonderfully. I nap on days I really don't sleep well.

Baby Movement: I love how active he is. I feel him most when I sit still on the couch or in the car, but he is moving around good in there. I started feeling the hiccups this past week and its so funny to watch my stomach bounce every couple of seconds. Hopefully at my next ultrasound in 3 weeks he will be head down and he will stay that way.

How Mom is feeling: I told Dave the other day, that with the girls I didn't feel this big until about 34 weeks. I am definitely moving around slower. My feet feel like they are flattening and after walking around for a while my body is worn out. (Hence why I rented a motorized scooter for Disney next month haha)

Miss Anything: Not really. I am just enjoying every minute and grateful to be here so I am A-okay giving up whatever.

Nursery Progress: Kel came and gave her vote on how the nursery should be laid out, but good old Dave still thinks the crib should be in the corner. I say just do it flat on the wall so it is easier to hang his name sign. Plus we eventually want all kids upstairs so this nursery will only be temporary for a few years so why make more holes than necessary that would need patching. Hopefully I can get him to hang the last few things soon and have some pics in a week or 2.

Best moment this month: My best moment was having a good ultrasound that I did a post on 2 weeks ago. I also have just been enjoying all the fun that October has brought. We have had lots of soccer & gym, fall festivals, pumpkin carving parties, field trips, supper club, concerts, all 7 of the cousins were in town together, a trip to the zoo, and lots of school and fun in between.

Looking forward to next month: I am so excited about my baby shower in less than 2 weeks! My amazing party-planner extraordinaire has planned a 2nd wedding for my baby shower so naturally everyone wants to come it. So we are going to have a great group of ladies a lot of which are friends and family from out of town. We feel so blessed people love us that much to make the hall for 3rd baby. It is also my birthday on Sunday. The big 3-4 and I think it is going to be a wonderful year! We are headed to the Great Wolf Lodge for the weekend with the girls so they are going to love playing at the indoor waterpark! Lots of fun coming up!

Since we will be gone on Friday I won't do a post, but will try to do one next week to show pics from our trip and the girls Halloween costumes. The weather has finally cooled off and I am loving every second of it! I hope you all enjoy your last few days of October! XOXO

6 Month Bumpdate

How far along are you: 25 Weeks! How is this possible?! I swear I just hit 20 weeks and it makes me sad how fast time is going!

Size of baby: Eggplant. 12.5 inches and weighs about 1.5 lbs. Baby Boy is getting big and so is Mama!

Gender/Name: Boy. I am loving seeing peoples reactions when they find out it is a boy and I already have 2 girls. They are super excited! Sam, Sammy, Samuel, and Bubba are all his names at the moment.

Cravings: I have been eating lots of pasta again. Whoops. I just have been busy and haven't cooked too much lately so veggies and home cooked meals have been few and far between. I am liking: pineapple, pumpkin yogurt flips, cheese, bagels, cookies, coffee, apples and peanut butter, and cereal.

Weight gained: 17 total lbs according to my home scale.

Sleep: I'm sleeping alright these days. I go to bed well, but if I wake up in the middle of the night it takes quite some time to get back to bed. Not really doing naps these days. I am feeling pretty good. I have dabbled into a little caffeine every now and then when I am moving slow in the morning and poor Samuel acts like a maniac when the caffeine hits. LOL

Baby Movement: I feel him most from 10-12 pm. He has a late night dance party and goes crazy for a good 30 minutes. Yesterday David sat there and got to feel him for about 15 minutes. He thought it was so cool. It honestly is my favorite part of pregnancy and every time he kicks I want to just talk to him and tell him how much we already love him!

How Mom is feeling: I am feeling good. Moving around wise, I am starting to struggle. For example getting out of bed is becoming more of a task or after shopping for a few hours, I feel tired and need to sit for a while. So the weight of the belly is starting to slow me down. Also this pregnancy this baby is so low! It has been painful to wear any pants, including maternity pants. I have been sporting dresses most the time because the pants hit right in the middle of him and cut off circulation. My back has been hurting some from arching so much.

Miss Anything: Not really. I'd love to go to the gym but haven't. I am just not used to my legs and booty getting this big but it comes w the territory so I will be just fine. I'd love a beer during a football game haha but truly I miss nothing and am just so grateful to give up anything to be pregnant.

Nursery Progress: We are 90% there! I have all the furniture and have hung a few things but we need Kelli to come help give her opinion on some final placement on some signs. Dave and I can't decide on where to place the crib so we need a 3rd opinion! Haha. Hopefully by next month's update I will have some nursery pics for you!  Here's a sneak peak of a sign I had made for above the crib.

Best moment this month: My best moment this month is hitting 24 weeks. I like to reach tiny milestones and 24 weeks means we have a viable baby that has a 50/50 chance of survival. It clearly would not be ideal, but I like tracking little milestones. When you hit 28 weeks its like 80% survival rate so call me crazy, but I find comfort in them. Praying to make it to 39 weeks though! I've also loved watching D play soccer and the girls do gymnastics. Oh and of course BSF! Delainey goes with Grammy to BSF this year and I am loving doing a morning devotional with the girls every morning during breakfast. They and I am learning so much! It is a great way to start our day! Also I loved getting my baby shower invite in the mail! It is so cute and I can't wait to celebrate Samuel and am so grateful for all the people taking time to plan it. Clearly I am so blessed by looking at this list! :)

Looking forward to next month: I am looking forward to another ultrasound on October 1st. My Dr. is amazing and likes to do lots of checks just to make sure all looks good so I get one at my 26 week appointment. I also have my glucose test so hoping all goes well with that. I will be back after next Monday and let you all know how it went with some ultrasound pics.

I hope everyone is enjoying football and fall even though it still feels hot as can be. Hoping we get some cool weather soon and we can really enjoy all fall brings. Talk to you all soon! XOXO