Baby Girl = Bella Marie

There's obviously more to post soon - and I'm almost embarrassed that it's taken this long to announce her arrival - but Isabella Marie joined us late last night after *only* 15 hours of labor at 10:45 p.m. We were expecting a 7 lb - 7 1/2 baby so we were just a little surprised to learn she is 8 lbs 15 oz and just over 20 inches. We've never been around many babies before so she still seems tiny to us! more to come soon...

Baby Bail's Birthday (Hopefully)

This is Justin... just in case you can't tell by my less creative writing style, and frequent use of graphs...

Update:
- Came into the Fairview Hospital Yesterday at around 5:00 pm
- The Doctors started Dana on some medication to help her body prepare
for today.
- This morning at 7:00 am, they started the Pitocin which is a substitute
for Oxytocin which is released before/during pregnancy and causes the
contractions.
- It is now 11:54 and Dana is still having contractions approximately 3-5
minutes apart.
- We are currently waiting on a measurement to show us where she is at...
- We are hoping for some progress pass the last measurement at 6:30 am of
1.5 cm.

Quote of the Hour
- from Dana between contractions, " FRICKIN 1.5 !#@!@!!!!!"















To do List
- Pick a name for BabyBail (gonna be tough since we forgot the book at home)

- J -

oh baby where art though?

I'm sure those who have been through this before think I'm being dramatic - but Baby Girl is still late. I know it's only two days, but I cannot even express to you how much I know she wants out! Everyone keeps telling me she's not come yet because she's not ready - this girl is ready! I'm also ready, it's my stupid body that's not cooperating with us.

I had my last OB appointment on Wednesday and she had good news for me, I'd dilated one centimeter!! I returned her look of excitement and encouragement with a "what kind of crazy pills are you on?!" ONE CENTIMETER?! I'm not trying to be all Negative Nancy on everyone, but I keep hearing stories from women who were 1-2 centimeters for weeks on end, and I was finally at one just a day before her due date. Apparently there were more changes she was optimistic about (I'm much more effaced) and she wouldn't be surprised if Baby Bail came on her own sometime this weekend. It's already Saturday night and not lookin' good for tomorrow (although talk about stealing the thunder on Mother's Day!)

I'm scheduled to be induced on Tuesday, May 13th if she doesn't come on her own before then. I'd much rather her come completely naturally, but my parents are here to help with everything because Justin won't have much time off work afterward, and if she's two weeks late, they'll be gone and I'll be a mess. So the induction is scheduled for Tuesday and I have to go the hospital Monday night to get the process slowly started. The more I think about the actual labor, the more I panic so I still try not to think about it and just handle it as it comes. Anyway, that's all I have for now - anxious to meet our baby and our world to flip upside down. We'll keep everyone updated on our blog, check often!

come out come out wherever you are!

There’s a baby pool going on at work right now for Baby Girl’s assumed arrival date. It’s been pretty fun but this morning I was a little shocked when I saw one of my friends first thing and instead of the usual hello I got “damn it!” I stared at her, more than a little confused, and she reminded me that she had Sunday afternoon’s slot for the pool – so she lost. I laughed and apologized that Baby’s taking her time… it’s fun how into this people at work are getting. Even the play-by-play commentators for the local TV broadcast already have ways to work in mentions of her birth into their broadcasts!

My latest OB appointment was Thursday and resulted in tears: I’m not dilated. at all. even a little. not almost. I’d been having irregular contractions for a little over a week and what was getting me through the discomfort (read: awful pain) was knowing it serves a purpose and we’d get to finally meet Baby Girl soon. Hearing that not only am I not dilated and barely effaced, but will likely be late, was frustrating to say the least.

She’s been more active than ever right before the contractions come, when I look down at my stomach as she’s playing Dance Dance Revolution in the womb, it’s more weird than precious. I feel like I’m not in control of my body and it’s not necessarily a part of me anymore. Before with random kicks and summersaults Baby and I were a team – coexisting together and enjoying each others company, now I seriously almost feel like I’m disappointing her because the girl is out of room! The inn is closed! She knows it and I know it, but nothing’s happening! She wants out and my body is the stupid thing restricting her and denying her what we both want right now.

I’m definitely ready for her to come now (I’m not at all prepared, but I am ready!) and I’m even willing to share her, which I think is a big step! Justin could not be more excited to meet her, and my mom says daily how anxious she is to hold her. I want to see her and hold her and be completely overwhelmed with her. It’s completely insane to think that she’ll be here within the week – hopefully. the contractions still hurt.

a wish list of sorts

As the countdown begins to Baby Bail's arrival (only 7 days!) my emotions bounce around quickly and erratically from excited to nervous to scared to anxious to thrilled to hopeful… I’m sure this is normal for first time mothers, right?! I feel like it would be so much easier right now if I just knew when she was coming! I’m currently disregarding the contractions because my doctor said to expect them irregularly, but I’m also nervous that I wouldn't be paying them the attention they deserve and I’ll wait too long to go to the hospital and end up delivering in the car.

I’m hoping to post more frequently in this next week to document the range of emotions and stories… for now I wanted to share a card I got from one of my dearest friends in college. Camille was my first friend at Geneva and although we’re completely different we seem to share this kindred spirit and we will remain friends in spite of the opposite characteristics. Anyway, she sent a card awhile back that makes me think about what Baby Girl is going to be like someday including which traits she’ll reflect that Justin and I have, and which she’ll develop on her own. Kiki’s speculations:

From Justin – "a strong will to succeed and a sense of humor"
From me – "an ability to remember it’s the small things, an ambitious ambition"
From both – "creativity, inspiration, and love"

This got me thinking of traits in our immediate family that if I could handpick, our children (Baby Girl and those that *hopefully* follow) would inherit:

From Mom – her artistic ability (she’s an amazing artist!) and independent spirit
From Dad – the desire to constantly seek ways to put family first
From Will – an addictive charm, quick wit, and steadfast hold to values
From Andrea – willingness to accept new roles asked of her… and succeed
From Briana – a forgiving heart and youthful spirit

From Jeff – a strong sense of family and actively engaging in each others lives
From Miriam – creativity and the ability to let the little things slide
From Nate – the passion and joy he has in his relationships
From Danielle - a fun and energetic way of life