Delivery Day

I am sorry it took so long to post this past week, Norah decided to make an early debut. She arrived on Sunday the 25th of January.
She started to let us know she was on her way and it all started Friday morning around 1am we went into the hospital because I was having painful contractions. At 4 am they were still there but wanted to go home to get some rest since I wasn't far enough along for them to admit me. I slept for about 3 hours and the contractions were not as strong or as close together as they were earlier. Dennis and I spent the entire day walking around in hope of getting them back to the painful state I was in just hours earlier, only to not have anything happen. Saturday we went in to check where I was in the process of labor and I was dialated between a 2-3 and 100% effaced. Still too soon for me to be admited, so we left and went to the mall and walked their entire grocery store (the grocery stores inside the malls are HUGE). During that walk I had a terrible pain. Hours later at 10pm I started to get those painful contractions again. I told Dennis I didn't want to go to the hospital until my water broke. At 2am I could barely breath through them, and started to time them, and it was time for us to go in regardless of my water breaking. I was admitted to the hospital at 04:30 and was dilated to a 4 so I was not able to leave at this point. Dennis walked the halls with me for some time. by 10:30 I wanted to know where Norah was. At 11:45 the Midwife broke my water and the contractions got even worse. 30 minutes later she checked me and I was at 5cm. I was told this phase could take hours, but my body had a different plan. That epidural that I wanted went out the window when she checked me and I was at 8cm at 12:40. I asked for anything, and they gave me a little something to take the "edge" off , but still be able to feel when to push. 27 minutes of pushing and Norah was OUT!! It took me few minutes to realize that I just labored entirely natural. Dennis was such a great coach. He helped me keep my breathing, to relax, and best of all,the Midwife let him catch Norah. He was the first person to touch Norah and then placed her on my abdomen. Shortly after they took her to the warmer and that is when Dennis went over there and checked to make sure that she had all her fingers and toes :) I have attached a few pictures of the delivery and after she arrived.Dennis anxiously awaiting for Norah's arrival Norah shortly after her entrance at 13:07

Norah and I ten minutes after her big debut....

I am so happy that I did it natural. I wanted to since the very begining but was afraid of the pain. God knew that I could do it and made sure I was okay through the entire process.

38 Weeks

As of today Norah has not arrived and I have officially moved into my 38th week!! Tomorrow Dennis and I go in for a visit with the Dr. to see how Norah is progressing. During this appt, I will be hooked up to all the monitors to show my contractions as well as hear her heartbeat. As for my contractions, they are 4-6 minutes apart and I have to wait until they are 3-5 minutes or if my water breaks before I should go in.

This weekend Dennis and I will be doing additional walking on top of going to the gym. I feel that my working for so long, spring cleaning the house, and going to the gym have helped Norah progress faster and kept a lot of my potential weight off.

Bella has been like a shadow more than ever these past two weeks, we think she knows something is about to happen and more noise will be filling the house :)

As for my belly picture this week, I feel like Norah dropped but it looks as if she is playing around in there and has risen up compared to the past few pictures.

Dennis and I are ready for her to come whenever she is ready. We are taking a poll (bets) to see who is closest to her weight and date of arrival. We still haven't decided what the winner will get, but I am thinking a few extra hours of sleep may be a good prize.

37 Weeks!!!

I cannot believe I have already reached my 37th week. The time has passed by so fast, it feels like we found out last month that I was expecting! I have had a terrific pregnancy and it is by no means what I have heard other women go through. I didn't have any real morning sickenss, just a little nausea at night. Cravings on the otherhand would have been even worse had I been back in the states. I can tell you one thing I am going to get a slupree and a real dreamsicle. Other than that, I have wanted clementines and have a few everynight.

This last week, I have been either really tired, or so full of energy that I cannot leave a dish in the sink for very long. I must say that the time I have had off work has been a blessing being able to get a few things done around the house before Norah arrives. Dennis has been a big help in helping me get and feel organized for after the big day. We still have a few things we both would like to get done before she arrives........but today she started to show she may come early. I guess we will have to take care of those things this weekend. Especially before I start back into school on the 26th after a nice month off to relax and prepare.

Dennis and I are getting excited to see Norma and Carl in February we re going to show them around Italy. Tyler will hopefully be able to come down in April to meet and spend some time with Norah!! Tyler is such a great big brother to Brady and we know that he will be just as great to Norah. After that I am sure I will be making a trip back to the states to see my parents, family and friends. That's if her passport comes back in time, this is Italy and there isn't a real rush to anything they do, and I have grown accustomed to it.

I will close this now and go get started on my to do list. Oh, I almost forgot to attach the picture for this week.

36 Weeks

I have now reached the 36 week mark in the pregnancy and Dennis and I are getting anxious for Norah's arrival!! I can now clean the house from top to bottom and not worry about where I will be able to deliver. This day means I can have her at the base in their Labor and Delivery Unit, if it is not full when I get there. I can also get the grocery shopping done this weekend (with Dennis' help of course) in case she decides to arrive early I will not feel like I have so much to do. I know Dennis can take care of everything, but I would feel much better if he didn't have to do it all. This week I have added a couple extra pictures of the belly to give a better idea of what I look like "all around". Of course I will keep all information available as the time gets closer and after her arrival.

Happy New Years

Well, First I hope you all had a wonderful New Years!! I wish you all much love, laughter and many blessings this year.

Dennis, Tyler and I went Cosmic Bowling to ring in the New Year. Tyler made a friend (Gavin), he is our friends son. Dennis had to finish up my game because I think I pushed it a little too far and made my hip hurt.

Here is Tyler getting ready to pick up a spare. He did really well, even beat Dennis by 11 points.

Here is Dennis doing a Richard Nixon impression...........or just been a goof!!

Here I am......I had to wear something for New Years!

That night on the way home it started to snow again!! This time it did more than Christmas night. The following are pictures of the Dolomites (Pre-Alps) they are a beautiful backdrop to the base and remind us ALOT of Utah!

35 Weeks

I have now reached my 35th week. One more week to go and Norah will be in the "safe zone" to arrive!! We all are getting anxious for her arrival!!