Holland Grace Martin

Holland Grace Martin arrived Monday, February 27, 2017 at 5:12 pm.  She weighed 8lb 13 oz, was 20 1/2 inches long, and absolutely perfect!

I woke up at 4:45 am on the 27th to light contractions and some bloody show.  I was too anxious to go back to sleep, so that's how my day started.  Evie woke up at the same time, but she was able to fall back asleep at my feet.

Since I hate being the watched pot that never boils, Daniel went to work and my Mom went to town to go shopping and run errands.  I had contractions all morning, but nothing that really hurt or progressed.  Mom came home at lunch time, and I told Daniel to come home as well, just in case. I went to take a nap about 1 pm.  I woke up a little before 2 pm to a decidedly more painful contraction.  I started timing them and could tell there was a big difference. They were getting stronger and more regular.  Daniel was on a conference call, so as soon as he got done I told him it was just about that time.  I also told Corinne she better come on out. I went and woke my Mom up and told her we were going to go to hospital.  Things were progressing quickly enough that I almost left before Corinne arrived, but we did leave as soon as she got to the house.  It was the longest , but fastest, drive to Tupelo ever! We were both nervous about not making it to the hospital in time.  Modern technology- you can see all the contractions I was tracking from the time I got up to the time we arrived at the hospital at about 3:15pm.

 When we got to the hospital and in to triage, the very young doctor insisted on an ultrasound to make sure she was still head down since she had previously been breech. She was head down and I was about 5 cm dilated.  We waited for a delivery room to be prepared, and probably got in there at about 4pm.  My doctor was not on call, so I met Dr. Kellum who would be my doctor. My contractions were so strong and one on top of the other.  I felt like pushing or like my body was pushing pretty much as soon as I was settled in the delivery room.  When the nurse checked me I was at 7 cm, which disappointed me since I was ready to be DONE! Corinne encouraged me to get out of the bed to see if that helped things along.  HOLY COW I was in pain after that! Daniel helped provide some counter pressure on my lower back while I labored a bit standing up leaning over the bed.  After a few contractions, my water broke.  There was merconium in the water, so Corinne alerted the nurses. They decided to go ahead and have the Nicu on stand by just in case.  I heard all this going on, but truthfully, I was too out of it to really care or be worried- I had other things on my mind. A few more contractions standing up and I told Corinne my body felt like it was pushing.  I got back in bed and they called the nurse in to check me again.  She said it was go time, so they got the bed all set up, got my legs in the stirrups- had me push once.  They called the doctor....but he was next door delivering a baby! So, they had me take my legs out of the stirrups and not push...HA!  There was no not pushing at this point.  I remember Corinne telling the nurse basically that one of them better get a doctor or get ready to catch a baby.  Thankfully another doctor, Dr. Webb, arrived from the clinic.  He ran in and said, "it's me or the janitor".  I think 2 pushes later and baby girl was here. I didn't actually meet Dr. Webb or know who he was until after the baby was delivered.  Once again I was able to deliver without any tears, and baby girl was in great shape and had no need for NICU services.  I would like to say I will not be having a natural, vaginal delivery again.  I don't plan on any more babies, but if something crazy should happen, I want drugs next time.  I'm officially out of super woman delivery powers.

The day after delivery my regular doctor came by and said she looked at the chart that showed I came in at 3:15 pm and had a baby less than 2 hours later, and she wanted to know, "what had happened?!". Dr. Kellum had called her to apologize that he didn't get time to call her to tell her I was there in labor because things went too fast and then he was in another room delivering when I was ready.

I had a lot of tailbone pain after this delivery, and definitely didn't feel like I bounced back quite as quickly as before.  Age and way bigger baby I suppose.

Holland is doing great.  She had gone from 8lb 7 oz (leaving hospital weight) up to 10lbs at her 2 week appointment.  We are still working on getting a consistently good latch, but she's having no problems eating!  She eats every 2 to 3 hours during the day and usually wants to eat several times before bedtime.  Most nights she goes down about 9 pm and sleeps a 5 hour stretch, eats again and sleeps for another 3 hours.  This is the first sleeping baby I've had and it's wonderful!  There is a negative side effect of a sleeping baby though...engorgement.  I had my first ever bout of mastitis on Sunday and it was horrible.  Just like having the flu except you have to keep taking care of a baby!  I went to urgent care and got antibiotics and my mom drove back to help while I recovered.  Mastitis is no joke, but i'm not really sure how to avoid with a sleeping baby.  If i pump to relieve engorgement, I'm encouraging my body to make more milk.  Hopefully, we will get things regulated soon enough.

Evie, and Sullivan (especially) are totally smitten with their new sister.  Sullivan frequently wants to hold her and runs in to wash his hands as soon as he gets home from school, so he can go love on her.  They have been a big help and other than a little extra clinginess from Evie, the transition in that regard has been easy.  I have no idea how we will ever get all 5 of us out the door and on time anywhere, but I'll cross that bridge when I have to.  

Still waiting...

39 weeks 6 days

I don't know if it's my "advanced maternal age" or third baby or what, but I'm very impatient for labor to start.  I have so much pressure in my pelvis and bottom, and the baby keeps getting on a nerve in my legs that basically dead legs me from the inside- it's painful. I had some swelling in my legs and feet the week after super bowl, but that's all gone away.  I'm going to blame that on all the salty, but delicious, food I had at the Super Bowl party we attended. TMI warning...................................... I lost my mucus plug on Sunday, so i'm really hoping that means i'm close. Besides just being uncomfortable, I'm not too keen on baby getting super big.  Natural childbirth is great, but i can attest it's harder the bigger the baby!  I know I shouldn't be impatient since what awaits me won't exactly be easy either, but at least it will come with a snuggly baby! Next appointment is on Wednesday- my official due date.  I'm ok if I don't make it to that appointment...

We've been enjoying a crazy warm "winter" and this weekend was sunny and upper 70s!  I took the kids to the park Saturday morning and met my sister, niece, and grandmother there.  I think the kids spent most of the entire weekend outside, and it was great!  I even did some sunning on the patio with them. I know come July and August we'll be paying the price for this super warm winter, but it sure beats being cooped up in the house. I had the garden bug bad yesterday, but resisted buying any plants, since I'm sure we'll at least get a blackberry winter before Spring truly arrives.

Final Countdown to Baby #3

I haven't posted in several weeks, but baby girl did turn in a head down position by week 37.  I did everything in the book to get her to turn: guided meditation, inversions, hands and knees, music on low belly, ice packs on upper belly, and even an hour of handstands in the Ole Miss pool.  I have no idea when she actually flipped, but she did!

I'm now past week 38, so just waiting on her arrival.  Yesterday she was measuring about 8lbs, and I've made it to 3 cm.  I'm hoping she'll come this weekend, but since Sullivan came 3 weeks early and Evie a week late, there is no telling what this one will do.  I feel relatively good. I'm awake for a few hours most nights around 3:30 am.  I've got swollen ankles/legs/hands- which I don't think I've ever had before.  I've had lots of contractions or braxton hicks over the last week, but nothing regular yet.

I don't have any pictures from this week, but this is more recent than the last I posted. This was taken at JA Charity Ball.  It was a fun event, and we even attempted a little dancing.

Maybe next post will be after baby's arrival!

Turn, baby, turn!

At my weekly OB appointment last week, baby #3 was head down and looking great. This week...totally had flipped to breech. I've never had a baby flip on me this late in the game, and it's making me a nervous wreck! At my doctor's recommendation, I've been trying  inversions, hands and knees poses, playing music for low belly, flashlight and Daniel talking down there, etc.   Due to my "advanced maternal age" I get an ultrasound every week now, so we'll see next Wednesday if she's cooperated.  She had hiccups early this morning, so from that, it appears she's still head up.  If she doesn't turn by week 37 (2 weeks!), my doctor will attempt an ECV at the hospital.  This can sometimes cause labor to start or break water, so really hope we don't have to go that route.  Glad it's a least an option to try if she doesn't cooperate.  I'm going to be so disappointed if I end up having to have a section after 2 natural childbirths, so say a prayer for my baby girl to turn please!

33 weeks

Christmas, birthday, new years!

Another Christmas break has come and gone.  This year we stayed on the road from the 23rd to the 1st. It was fun, but exhausting! Here comes lots of pics.

We started our trip in Ocean Springs with Daniel's family.  The kids enjoyed spending time with their Nanna and their Martin cousins. Evie's currently outnumbered on the Martin side, but with baby sister and a new baby GIRL cousin coming soon, next year will be even!

Spreading the Reindeer food.

Kids all nestled snug in their bed...

Sums up this Christmas for Evie: pink and princess 

On Christmas Day, we loaded back up to go to Mobile to stay with my older sister and her family. I got basically no pictures while there other than from Evie's 3rd birthday celebration.  My awesome sister ordered her cake from Publix, and it was so cheap and so delicious! I love a low-key family birthday. Evie told me she wanted a pink, sparkle birthday, so I ordered her party dress and we got a pink cake...done and done. She was very proud of both. My little three-nager just seems so grown up, but she's still an excellent snuggler and hugger.

modeling her new kicks from Mimi and PawPaw

with her Mobile cousins

After two days in Mobile we loaded up again to head to Seaside for our annual New Years trip with friends.  As usual we had a little bit of all seasons while there, but started the trip with warm and sunny temps for some beach time. It cooled down the second half of our trip, but not cold enough to stop our walks, bike rides, and beach time. 

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Sullivan drew a portrait of his stuffed "Froggy" while at lunch at Bud and Alleys.

Having a N.A. beer for sunset.

Enjoying hot chocolate/lattes on the coldest day.

Baby #3 just about prevented my jacket from zipping. 

Looking forward to what 2017 brings. Lots of changes coming our way!

Almost Christmas!

We've been keeping busy during this Holiday season. We celebrated Gigi's 93rd birthday November 19th. Anna, Julia, Evie, and I drove her over to New Albany for the day to visit and have lunch with her first cousin, Beulah (on the left). I just realized that this photo contains two sets of very close first cousins! I sure hope Julia and Evie are still having lunch together in their 90s! 

Sullivan finally lost his first tooth! He pulled it himself at school. If you lose your tooth at school, you get a nifty tooth holder necklace, so I fee certain he planned it this way. He hasn't left the tooth for the tooth fairy yet, but he did leave her a note last night to explain that he will eventually. Daniel says he wants to save up his lost teeth and get one big pay out. We'll see how that works out. 

We decorated for Christmas over about a 2 week period. I love this time of year, and I look forward to having a lazy weekend morning to just drink coffee and stare at my tree. 

I've officially reached the third trimester, although I don't have a photo to document it. Maybe i'll remember to take one tonight. Daniel was out of town for my OB appointment this week, but my Mom went with me. We got to have a sonogram and check out our newest baby girl.  She kept covering her face with her hand, so the picture on the top is the best the technician could capture. I definitely think she looks like Evie (bottom pic)! 

We've been slowly making some changes in preparation of Evie and new baby sharing a room. Below is the current arrangement in there to allow for the two of them to share a room. Still a bit of decorating to do, but it's coming along. I plan to paint the twin bed headboard as well. Can't believe we are in the final stretch! I'm feeling good. I've been taking iron to help with anemia, and it has some side affects...hoping it helps with the restless leg syndrome I've been having. Every pregnancy has definitely been unique. No major food cravings that I can think of. Sleep is so-so. 

Happy 7th Birthday Sullivan!

Happy 7th birthday to my Sullivan! We celebrated this weekend with a party at Pirate Adventures (jumpy place and arcade). He's very in to dinosaurs, so requested a t-rex cake, and my cake lady came through, as usual. Sweet Shenanigans makes adorable and delicious cakes. I don't care how amazing a cake looks, if it doesn't taste good, what's the point? Evie is succumbed to the cold we've been passing around the last week, so we'll be having a family birthday dinner at home tonight. Sullivan has requested his favorite, pasta alfredo! 

So hard to believe it's been 7 years since my first baby was born! Sullivan has his first loose tooth this week, and is getting so tall all of a sudden!  He's reading on a 4th grade level, and is full of trivia knowledge. He loves learning about dinosaurs, bugs, and reptiles. He 's recently gotten in to the pokemon cards thing- apparently that's what the boys on the playground are playing. He still likes to come cuddle on occasion, so we try and enjoy those moments while they last. His best friend is still Jackson Robinson. We are still working on riding a bike without training wheels. My little perfectionist doesn't like it when he can't do it immediately. We've got to get out to flat land more often to practice. All in all, we've been incredibly blessed with a smart, stubborn, handsome, and sweet son.

We took a quick weekend trip to the Coast to help with a family event, so Evie and I took a brief detour to the beach one afternoon to look for dolphins. We plan to hit 30A during the holidays, and I so hope we have a few days of good weather to really enjoy the beach. 

The weekend before Halloween we travelled to Cleveland for my 20 year high school reunion. It was a great time, and I'm thankful for our class president and vp for always organizing these events. Although we were missing quite a few, it was very nice to catch up with those that were able to come. 20 years?! I think we still look pretty good. 

Daniel has all the official Halloween photos, but my kids were Elsa and The Flash this year. outdid themselves with another great candy trail. We did our usual houses in the neighborhood, and that was plenty for us. I may get flack for saying this, but bring on Christmas! I'm ready for Christmas decor, music, food, and family time! 

In baby 3 news, for the first time EVER, I passed my 1 hour glucose test! I won't have to do the horrible 3 hour GTT at all this pregnancy!! Yay!!!! I was so shocked to have passed it. Next appointment will be my last monthly appointment, and we'll get to peak in at baby girl again. Other than the cold I've had, I've been feeling really good.