She's here!!

Allie McKenna made her grand debut on July 28th, 2009 at 5:38pm! She weighed a healthy 7lbs 10oz, and was 19in long. She has a decent amount of dark brown hair, and looks just like her daddy and big brothers with her chubby little cheeks! I really can't believe she weighed as much as she did! When she was born, everyone in the room was guessing 6-something! We were seriously surprised to see 7 10 pop up on that scale! She doesn't even fit in preemie clothes! Her going home outfit was a preemie, and it's too big on her! She's definitely a petit little thing!

On to the details...

I had been saying since Spring time that I had a feeling about the 28th. My mom asked me one time, "Do you have any date that pops out to you?", and I replied, "July 28th. I don't know why, but for some reason, that date just sticks out in my head!". You can imagine how floored I was when I realized I was in labor on July 28th!

It wasn't too bad for the most part. I did end up getting an epidural when I was around 7cm. I was having bad nerve pain that ran across my bad and down 1/4 of both of my thighs. It literally felt like someone was taking a pair of scissors to every single nerve in that area.

Just like with Aiden, the epi worked for the contractions, but I could still feel everything when It came time to push. I like that in a way, because I know when I needed to and I could feel how effectivly I was pushing. On the other hand, the pressure and the pain are indescribable! WOW...that's all I have to say. I can't believe I wanted to do that more than once, lol

I pushed for about 40min all together - with active pushing being about 15min. As soon as she came out, they opened my gown and put her on my chest. They left her there for about 5min. w/out cutting the cord, and another 20min before bathing or weighing her. It was an amazing time for both of us! No one else in the room exsisted in that moment to me. It was crazy to see her do what she did for just being born! Within 5min of being on my chest, she was rooting around, looking for my breast! She found it all on her own and started feeding right away!

She's a great baby! Typically newborn crying, but all in all, a good baby! I can't complain!

I'm still trying to get this whole "feeding on a schedule" down. We're getting there, but it's hard not to let her on my boob when she's crying and nothing else seems to soothe her. I don't mind it, but it messes with the whole "timed feeding" thing, and the chart that we got from the hospital to fill out. We'll get it!

Some pics for you!

Anytime now Miss Allie :)

Am I allowed to be impatient now?! LOL

20 days!!! Aiden came 18 days before his due date, so I think that's why I'm getting really anxious! I'm trying not to be, because I know there's a chance I could go past my due date (Lord help me if I do!), but I can't help it!

I've been getting this feeling that it's going to be soon, but it's not knowing exactly when that is driving me nuts. I love the suspense and surprise of it, and I know that once I have her, I'm going to miss being pregnant (especially since she is our last), but man! I know I probably sound like a crazy woman right now, but I also know there are millions of other women out there right now that completely understand what I'm saying!

I've been walking more, and doing more stuff around the house. It's nice because we have a 2-story, so I look for any excuse to walk up and down the stairs. That and sex is pretty much all I've got, lol. The sex part hasn't been happening too much since I'm so tired by time Chev gets home, but I need to suck it up! lol

If anyone else has any other suggestions, feel free to suggest away ;). I know she'll come when she's ready, but there's nothing wrong with letting her know that she can come anytime now!

Picture update

First, I just realized I haven't posted a belly pic since like 25wks! So, here's one of me, just shy of 37wks.



And here are some pics of Allie's room - finally finished! Her closet was a mess! It was lime green, the ceiling was falling in, and there was nowhere to hang clothes! This has been our big project for the last two weeks, and I'm so glad it's finally done!

This one I took, and then realized I have to finish the ceiling, LOL. DUH!

This is the other side of her room!

Here's the other side. The bassinet will be going in our room.

36-37wks

Nothing new to report really. We've have a couple false alarms, but nothing too serious to where I thought I needed to go to the hospital.

I've had two episodes of contractions - coming around ever 4-5min, and lasting an average of 1min 10sec. Both times, this went on for about 4hrs! It's so frustrating to have that happen and then just have them disappear!

Had my appointment today, and nothing new. I'm negative for group B, which is great! Still measuring right on, and little Allie is still head down! She's been that way since 28wks, and I hope she continues to stay put! My OB said he would check me next week, which made me happy. I was sort of hoping he'd do it today, but no such luck!

We ended up changing Allie's name. Instead of Brielle for a middle name, we've chosen McKenna. I LOVE Brielle, don't get me wrong, but she needed a little something more since her first name is so short. Not to mention we have a 1-syllable last name, so that didn't make it any better. I think Brielle is beautiful, but I think McKenna flows better with Allie. Plus, when written, there were just too many "I"'s and "E"'s and "L"'s. It bugged me.

She'll laugh one day when she opens her baby book to see Allie, with Brielle crossed out. That, or when she sees her baby shower invites with "Allie Brielle" on there. :P

Ah well, it happens!

35-36wks

Had another weekly appointment today, which included the oh-so-fun groub B testing! I suppose I can't complain though - it's quick, easy, and painless!

I didn't get to see my OB, AGAIN! Apparently they overbooked him, AGAIN. I just don't understand how they keep doing that, and how I keep getting screwed out of seeing him. I make my appointments WELL in advance, so there's not reason that I should be one of the ones who is forced to see another OB. I'm not terribly upset by it, since I know all of the Dr's there. The one I saw today was actually the same Dr. who delivered Aiden. Real nice guy!

He said by the looks of things, and the fact that Aiden was 3wks early, that he's willing to bet I've got about 2wks to go. It was nice to hear, but I'm not putting too much stock into it. Because the minute I do, my little butt will end up going past my due date! lol

Other than that, everything seems to be fine. She's still head down and I'm still measuring right on! I do have to have my blood drawn again to check up on the anemia, but that's no biggie! I figure I'll just pop in there tomorrow and have them do it! Hopefully it's gone up since I've been taking my iron pills. I don't remember to take them every day, but I do get a few down a week :)

We're gettin' there!

34-35 weeks

Had my 34wk appointment. Nothing too exciting, as expected, but that's OK! I enjoy going!

Allie is still head down (has been since about 28wks), and the midwife who felt her said she didn't feel like a big baby at all, so there was no reason for me to be concerned.

I haven't gained any weight in a month, but I figure that's OK because of all of that weigh I supposedly gained that one month. They didn't say anything, so again I'm not concerned! I just think it will be funny if I end up weighing the same with her as I did when I delivered Aiden! I'm about 5lbs away from that, so it should be really close!

We pretty much have her nursery finished. Well, all but the closet! Still waiting for Chev to get that sanded and then I can paint and put up the necessary mounts to hang her stuff! I just wish he'd get going on it! It seems like if it doesn't have anything to do with MMA fighting or the gym, he's not too interested in getting it done. Men!

I'm getting super uncomfortable too. I'm getting that "bowling ball between the legs" feeling, and it's not fun! I'm reentering that tired stage again too! I'm just ready! I want to meet my little girl already!

Here's a pic of the one side of her room with the bed all put together