Amelia is 2 months!!!

Dearest Amelia,

13 lbs, 13 oz

24 1/4 in

What in the world?!?  You've been with us for 2 months now and words cannot express our love for you!  Yes, you are hard work.  So is your brother.  But, our hearts are full.

This was a big month!  You did a lot of firsts...

Your first Musician's Corner in our hometown.  You slept the whole time except needing to nurse once.  You and I went to kids' corner with Oliver and I tried to hula hoop while wearing you and it didn't work.  Glad I didn't fall.  Ha!  (More firsts below.)

Your grunting is pretty much gone...yay!!!  Sleeping is improving, though you still eat all the time.  You're not taking a paci (STILL) and so sometimes that's all I know to do.  FEED YOU.  Hey, it works =)

I take a lot of pics of us during the night.  I don't want to forget those sweet, tiring moments.  Plus, I have to keep you upright for a bit after nursing or you'll spit up.  Sometimes PROJECTILE....eek.

You've started giving me a few longer stretches at night, so I thank you!  You're still swaddled, but you can get your arms out and suck on your hands.  Girl, listen to me...you'll love a paci!  I promise.

It's pretty fun to dress you.  Thanks to some friends, you have oodles of clothes.  So much that there are days I don't know what to put you in!  I call this picture: PATTERNS.  =)

We're still trying to get you to take a bottle.  Sometimes you'll take an ounce or so and other times you flat out refuse.  So, we'll see.

You love outside.  You're so calm and alert!  We'd go out more, but the mosquitoes are terrible.

We keep you with us at night, after Oliver goes to bed, and just hold you.  Now's the time to do that and we love it!

You've really started smiling and cooing this month.  It's THE BEST thing ever.  Oliver still yells because he likes to see you jump.  He's in a lot of time-outs because of that.  Bless.  He loves you so much!!  Always saying, "I need to touch Amena!  I need to touch her.  Put her by me!  I need to hold Amena!"  And the other day, he hugged you and said, "Amena, you my best friend?"  Your dad and I got emotional.

You go from totally happy to totally angry very quick.  When I do bedtime with Oliver, your daddy brings you downstairs and I can hear you scream.  He turns on the hair dryer and you stop.

Your brother had strep and I was scared you got it, due to some of your behavior, so I took you to the ER for the first time.  Luckily, it wasn't strep, but you did get your first cold.  Sorry, sweet girl!  Lots of germ sharing is gonna happen around here.

I mean...

We go on walks and as long as I'm moving, you're happy!  And now, you're even looking around and taking it all in.

That cold took us to the doc.  I just wanted to be sure all the flem wasn't in your lungs.  And it wasn't!

You had your 2 month visit and got your shots.  So sad!  But you were calmed instantly by sweet mama milk.  

The doc that saw you (not your usual one) was going over your stats with me.  He pointed to your weight and said, "she's 95th percentile which is a little heavy for her age.  It's pretty normal for breast babies to do that so we aren't going to put her on a diet."  Instead of telling him off and saying, "my girl is perfect and healthy and how dare you say the 'D' word in her presence.  We use words like strong and healthy," I chose to practice restraint and just nod. 

I know he didn't mean anything by it, but I've had issues in the body department, just like most women, and let me tell you something, Amelia...the world will try to tell you you aren't good enough, pretty enough, skinny enough, stylish enough, flirty enough, etc.  The list will go on and on.  My prayer for you, since the moment I knew you were you, is that you will find your worth in Jesus.  That you will have confidence in Him and through Him. 

We love you so big, sweet girl.  May the stars always align for you..

    

Oliver and the Paci Fairy

Oliver loves his 'da.'  That is the name he affectionately gave his pacis.  He took to it as a baby and I kept it going.  They have helped get him to sleep and stay asleep.  They have helped him calm down. They have also shaped his teeth.  And I had no intention of taking it away.  I figured, "hey!  He won't get married with it!"  

Then, Memorial Day morning, we drastically decided to get it done.  We were upstairs and I told Trent, "I don't know which to do first...paci or potty."  In typical Trent form, he responded with a, "Let's just do the paci today.  Get it done." 

*Gulp*

We can do this, right?  We can do hard things.  How bad can it be??

Enter the paci fairy. 

A quick google search provided many fairies but I chose her.  Oliver was instantly interested in leaving his das for the fairy so she could take them to babies in need.  What really got him was the promise of a new toy she'd leave him.  

We talked it up all morning.  He was on board!!!  This will be so easy!!!

Nap time came around and he willingly put them in a bag.

 (Excuse the sheets from the 80s...I was washing his strep infested sheets.)

He willingly walked to the porch to leave them.  

He was so excited!!!  This will be easy!!!

Mommy and Daddy cried at this point.  A visible sign of a growing boy.  I'm getting teary typing.  Ugh.

Then came time for me to put him down for nap and oh my word.  SO HARD to see his tears and hear his pleas for his da.  "Mommy, I can't have my das anymore!"  "Mommy!!  I need my das.  I need them."  He was even telling his stuffed animals about his pain.  I cried with him.  I calmly explained and reminded him about the fairy and how he'll get a new toy for being such a big boy!

I had to go back up with him and sing until he was asleep.  He woke up after only an hour (he normally sleeps for 2-3 hours) and was very sad and fussy.  We walked him to the porch to see what the fairy brought: 

That night was way better and each sleep time gets easier and easier.  He's still sleeping through the night and not screaming.  Falling asleep seems to be a little more difficult for him, but he's doing it!  We're on day 4 and I'm so impressed and proud of him.  He still asks about his beloved das.  Like a, "hmmm...where my das go?"  It's sweet and sad all in one.  Just like parenting in general.  His mouth seems to have already taken on a more big boy look and it's crazy.  

He's always been an adaptable little one, probably due to our lifestyle.  I'm so thankful for that.  I'm also so thankful for Trent.  Without him, I'd be a smother and not a mother.  I'd have major problems being able to pull the trigger on all things growing up.  

Also, just a tip, don't blog about a growing child while listening to sentimental music.  Not smart, mamas.  Not smart.  

Ride the Rails

The day before I went into labor, we took Oliver to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.  It was free (praise hands!) and the attendees could see trains, toys, collectibles, and all things railway.  I was sold.

These trains are still used! They didn't go out on this particular day, though.  We just got to go inside and take a look. In September, Thomas and Friends comes to town at this location.  One employee said it's a madhouse and he's already dreading it.  Haha!  

This one had a sitting area above the train and it was all windows!  So cool.  And of course, I put O in a Thomas the Train shirt.  Duh.

The museum was small and a bit over Oliver's head, but still neat.

This was a great set-up!  Oliver was amazed.  Also, it was so cute to see all the old men with their trains.  I had a vision of Oliver maybe doing that one day.  Ha!

 It was a chilly day but a fun one.  And little did we know...in less than 48 hours, we'd meet our little girl.

Amelia is 1 MONTH!

Dearest Amelia,

My, oh my.  Words cannot express how you make us feel.  You are the perfect addition to our family and we could not be more in love with you.  You, my dear, are something special.  I pray you always believe that.

You make all kinds of noises...the loudest one is grunting.  Just like your brother did.  But, I know it will end so I'm not worried =)

Your brother loves you.  He loves to kiss you, touch your head, and yell to scare you -- which he gets in trouble for.  He cannot wait until you can play and talk!  If he walks into a room and you're not there, he asks, "Mena go?"  Yes, my girl...your nickname is Mena.  We think it's pretty cute.  

Your other nicknames are Little, Sweet Girl, Sister, Girlfriend.  =)

You are a pretty chill baby.  You don't fuss much -- except when you're tired, hungry, or want to be held and you love to be held.  And you eat all the time, it seems.  We are getting to know you and you are getting to know us!  In the early morning, when you're squirming and trying to figure out if you want to eat, sleep, or get up, all it takes is a hand on your tummy and you'll calm down and drift back to sleep.  (Usually.)

I have no idea how long you are or how much you weigh but I KNOW you are growing.  We went to the doctor when you were a week old and you were given the all clear to wait until the big 2 months.

You're in size 1 diapers, which occurred pretty quickly, and pretty much all 3 month clothes.  Holding your head up by yourself is getting easier and easier despite not much tummy time.  You're just held (and worn) so much that it's happening naturally.  

You're not taking a paci which means I'm your paci.  I've tried a couple different types but you just gag.  So, there's that and that's ok.  You do suck on your hands and wrists so maybe you'll be a thumb sucker...who knows?

You love to hear Daddy play guitar and sing to you.  You instantly calm down.  It's pretty precious.

We told the hospital to only wipe you down (I'm a little granola, you'll soon see) and so it was a little over a week before water hit your body. You didn't like your first bath.  Now you do...most of the time.  We keep the space heater on and you love the sound and the heat.  I'll be honest, though.  You're not bathed a whole lot.  I'm sorry and you're welcome =) 

This first month has gone by so quickly but at the same time it feels like you've always been here.  Such a weird thing to explain. While I look forward to sleeping again, I can't help but hold you a little longer.  I look back at when your brother was a baby and I wish I had, so you're my chance.   

We're soaking up every second of every minute with you, sweet one.  May the stars always align for you...

(That's from your daddy.)

I love you so big, Amelia.

Love,
Mama

Amelia's Birth Story

Oh, pregnancy and labor.  I seem to have easy pregnancies and difficult labors.  Maybe we should have a 3rd to see if I can get it right.  Juuuuuuust kidding.

**A bit of info:  At our 20 week u/s, they discovered I had a marginal placenta previa.  I was put on pelvic rest the rest of my pregancy.  We prayed all the time that my placenta would get to the right spot so I could deliver vaginally and not have a c-section.  I had regular ultrasounds to check its status and by 38 weeks, PRAISE THE LORD,  my placenta had migrated.  YAY!

Since I was past due, the midwives had scheduled an induction for Tuesday, April 12th.  The previous Thursday, I was hooked up to a baby monitor and all looked well.  I was excited to have the weekend and Monday, April 11th to spend time with my boys.  

Saturday, I thought I might be leaking amniotic fluid, but turns out I wasn't.  Then Sunday AM, it seemed that way again.  But, it stopped.   

We played outside that evening and I remember telling Trent that I felt bummed.  That I wanted to go into labor naturally and I didn't want to be induced.  We watched Oliver play and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Also, my outfit was clearly on point.

We went inside, fed the boy, and I started cleaning the kitchen.  I bent down to scrub a spot on the floor, stood up, and WHOA.  That was definitley my water breaking.  It was about 6:30.  Trent said, "what do we do now?"  I called the midwife and she said come to triage, they'll test the fluid and admit me if I'm in labor and get antibiotics going since I tested positive for Group B Strep.  Contractions hadn't started, so I took a shower, we got last minute stuff together, and waited for our neighbors to get back from church so we could drop off Oliver.  

Contractions started at about 7:00 and I was having one here.  Last pic with just us 3. -- Emotions. 

Last pic with just me and the boy.  -- Emotions.  

We got to triage, they tested me, and off I went to L & D.  I was excited and nervous about going about this naturally.  That had been my goal and prayer the whole pregnancy.  

The contractions got stronger and stronger, as they do, and my nurse and other staff complimented my breathing and walking and composure.  I had some music picked out for labor but when Trent turned it on, it annoyed me.  Ha!  I requested a room with a tub...I didn't use it.  

You guys.  Natural childbirth is not what happened.  It seems I'm a wuss. I progressed very quickly and the pain was something awful.  The nurse said I could get checked to see how far along I was.  She said sometimes that gives moms the last push to get through it.  She also said the baby was coming quickly!  The midwife came in and ended up having to help me through contractions.  I was crying, shaking, and all of the things and then I gave up.  I said, "I want the epidural."  Luckily, my midwife was supportive and didn't try to change my mind.  

The anesthesia team came in to prep me and I remember them being very loud, talking, and it was annoying the crap out of me!  Someone also dropped a metal tray and I about came unglued.  The epidural was placed and once it kicked in, I was so happy.  I didn't even care that I had not met my goal of no meds.  It was sweet relief.  

About 10 minutes later, I told my nurse I felt light-headed and my arms were tingly.  She wasn't concerned but came over to check my blood pressure.  I'm not sure how low it dropped, but it was low enough to bring in other staff and it dropped Amelia's, too.  I was so out of it at the time, I wasn't really paying attention to the poking and prodding.  

I was put on oxygen (just like with Oliver) and they continued to check my blood pressure.  They gave me something in an IV to raise it and it finally "took" and they all seemed satisfied.  So, we made it through that scare...even with the oxygen and blood pressure cuff messing up!!

My midwife came in to check me shortly after and I had progressed to an 8!  I was kind of surprised I made it that far.  Pushing happened shortly after and I pushed for an hour (which is how long I pushed total for Oliver) and nothing was happening.  They tried all different positions and she just wasn't moving.

  They decided to let us rest and to let my body and Amelia do the work for a little while.  Of course, there was no resting and my pain meds were wearing off and I asked for more.  They got me enough to be comfortable but I could still feel pressure.  I pushed for TWO HOURS and she still wasn't moving.  During that time I was also put on pitocin to speed things up.  By this time, it was 7:00 AM and time for everyone's shift change.  I was exhausted, couldn't make sentences sound right, shaking, blah.  I was upset and the pain was starting again.  We had been up for over 24 hours.  Terrible.  

The new midwife came in and explained what was going on.  She told us she had spoken with one of the doctors and it was looking like they needed to use forceps or a vacuum to assist the birth of our sweet girl.  I remember being scared.  Looking at Trent, wondering what in the world that all meant.  She said they were about to have a meeting and then she'd bring in the doc to explain.  

They all came in (I hate when a bunch of people come in - it means serious stuff) and the doctor explained the situation.  He said 98% of babies are born within 4 hours of pushing.  But that if she didn't come by then, we need to use the forceps and then if that doesn't work, a c-section.  They explained the risks of using forceps.   

They checked her position, because they thought she might be in a weird place, and it was the most painful thing ever.  Shortly after, I got a little more pain meds and then they said she was sunny side up and that it's a little more difficult for babies to get out that way.  

I pushed for another hour.  I threw up on myself.  Trent had to focus and look away so he didn't throw up.  Amelia moved a little bit but not enough to forego the impending intervention.  I was sad.  I was worried.  I was beyond exhausted.  We agreed to the forceps, I signed c-section paper work just in case, and we prayed.  A WHOLE BUNCH of people came in to prepare for the procedure.  They said I'd do 90% of the work and the forceps will do 10%.  Okay, whatever, just give me my baby!

They got the forceps in the right position, I waited for a contraction, I pushed for a bit and then they placed that beautiful, crying baby on my chest and all was well.  

Amelia came out ready to nurse and had an amazing latch.  Trent cut the cord, they saved my placenta so my hippie lady could encapsulate it, and a nurse brought me a turkey wrap that was the best thing I had ever eaten. 

Sweet nugget.

Family of 4 pic!

Amelia brought Oliver a big brother gift!  Such a thoughtful little lady ;-)

I stayed at the hospital by myself and Trent kept Oliver at home.  We wanted it to be as normal as possible for him.  It was a special time for Amelia and me and it was for Daddy and Oliver as well.  I'm glad we did it that way.

If I look tired, it's because I am.  Also, I had just finished crying because Trent and Oliver brought me a sweet card and a bag of yummy snacks!

Oliver is so sweet with his new sister!

Going home!

So big.  I can't even.

Amelia Donn Monk

April 11, 2016 at 9:11 AM

9 lbs, 4.5 oz // 21 3/4 in
(born at 41 weeks, 4 days) 

You were worth every bit of 14 hours of labor, sweet girl.  You are a precious gift!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:7