1 month

Ok, so, it's been 6 weeks.  My goal is to update at least once a month, but taking care of Aubrey is a full time job!  Here are a few mile stones from Aubrey's first month of life...

• LOVES to look at faces.  She loves to stare and study the face of whoever is holding her.
• Lifts her head to look around
• HATES tummy time.  Prefers to do it on my belly where she will push up and look around
• Smiles occasionally, but she has to be in a good mood, and you've got to be very funny!  She will even laugh a little bit
• Likes taking baths, especially being rinsed off
• Enjoys her swing, but prefers to be held ( I may have spoiled her a little)
• Sleeps for 2-5 hours at night
• Loves riding in the car, she falls right asleep, and will stay that way until we take her out of her car seat, which makes it very easy to take her places

Aubrey's birth story

I know it's a little late, and wanted to post this sooner, but, I have a newborn now and free time is hard to come by!  Here is Aubrey's birth story (some may be a little too much information, but it's her birth story.)

Saturday August 4th, I was out shopping with my sister.  I used the restroom while at Academy and lost my mucus plug.  I had read that after you lose it, it can take another couple of weeks to go into labor, so I didn't think much of it.  I was only just past 36 weeks.  I texted Kenny who of course wanted me to get checked out (he's a worrier), but I told him it was fine.  On Sunday I was feeling a little crampy, but nothing too bad.  I figured it was nothing.  I took a nap that afternoon.  I work up at 2:30 and was even more crampy, and my pajama pants were just a little wet.  I was still losing my mucus plug, and on top of that I was having some bleeding.  I wasn't sure if my water was leaking or if it was from the mucus plug.  I called the on call doctor and he didn't think I was in labor because I was only cramping, not contracting.  He said to come in if contractions were 5 minutes apart.  Very soon after that the cramping got worse.  Kenny started timing them and at that point the were 10-15 minutes apart.  I still didn't think I was in labor.  It was just too early.  I called my mom and sister who wanted to come over right away.  I told them not to because I was still not sure I was in labor.  By around 10:00 that night they had gotten to be 5 minutes apart.  We started grabbing our bags (which we had just finished packing that day!) and grabbing a few last minute things.  I finally looked and Kenny and said "Babe, I think I'm in labor!".  We headed to the hospital.  By this time the contractions were getting really strong and it was hard for me to even talk through them.  The didn't admit me right away because I was still early, so I had to go to early labor evaluation for monitoring me.  They were going to monitor me for 2 hours.  When we got there I was dilated 3 cm.  After an hour of really tough contractions she rechecked and I was at 4.  She called the doctor and they admitted me.  She asked if I wanted an epidural.  I was planning to go natural, and still think I could have, but I started to get scared so I said yes.  By the time I got in the room and got the fluids I needed before I could get the epidural I was at 6cm.  The anesthesiologist came and administered the epidural.  I knew it wasn't working.  I could still feel my contractions and my catheter was hurting me.  I knew I shouldn't be feeling that.  She called the anesthesiologist back in.  He said he could take it out, and re do it, but couldn't guarantee a better result.  I said no, I'll just deal.  He put another kind of medicine in and that helped my contractions a lot.  Soon after all of that the dr came in.  I said my water did break, but not all the way, so he broke it the rest of the way.  At this point they realized the baby had already had her first poop in the birth canal.  This could have been very dangerous is she had inhaled it into her lungs.  At that point they called the NICU nurses and told them to be on stand by.  They would have to come to the room when she was born to suction her lungs and make sure she was ok.  I was finally at 10 and we started pushing.  After only 3 or 4 times pushing with the nurse she was ready to come out.  She called the doctor and NICU nurses and everyone came in the room.  I pushed with the doctor for just a few contractions.  My epidural still wasn't working and I was in a lot of pain and ready for her to come.  Finally at 5:52 ( a little over 13 hours of labor!) August 6th, Aubrey Claire Hogan made her entrance into the world, 6 pounds 6 ouncues, 18 inches long.  I can't even explain that moment.  She was perfect.  Because of the meconium in the birth canal we weren't able to hold her right away.  The nurses took her and suctioned her.  Nothing had go into her lungs and she was perfectly healthy.  I was still unable to hold her due to some tearing during the delivery so while the doctor was still working on my Kenny held her and brought her over so I could see her.  She was so beautiful!  It was a little over an hour before I finally got to hold her.  When I did I was able to nurse her for the first time.  It was a moment I'll never ever forget.  WELCOME TO THE WORLD AUBREY!  YOU ARE SO VERY LOVED!

33 Weeks!

Yesterday I hit the 33 week mark!  Only 6 weeks and 6 days left until I finally get to hold my baby girl in my arms.  I am just so excited to finally see her.  She has been getting bigger and her kicks have gotten stronger.  I can usually feel baby parts sticking out, which is a little strange.  Her new thing is the hiccups.  She gets them about once a day.  It's so cute, and usually makes her start kicking like she's frustrated.  I've been feeling A LOT more uncomfortable the past couple weeks.  I have had a lot of pressure in my pelvic region, especially when I lay down, which makes sleeping not very pleasant.  I also itch really bad, mostly at night. 

I am still working on controlling my gestational diabetes with my diet and it's going really well.  It has been much lower the past couple weeks than it was before, and I'm so glad.  The diet is a bit of a challenge because I still crave things I can't have (I've been DYING for pancakes from KD's!!!).  But, it's all worth it to keep my baby girl safe and healthy.  If things keep going well with my blood sugar My doctor will let me make it to 40 weeks.  If something happens and I am no longer able to maintain it and have to go on medicine he will induce sometime between 38 and a half and 39 weeks. 

Last week was our first prepared childbirth class.  They teach you techniques to cope with the pain of labor.  We have three more.  After this weeks we will take a tour of the birthing center (I am giving birth at memorial hospital for women).  I'm kind of excited about that because it makes it feel like we're almost there!  I'm also taking a breastfeeding class this week. 

I'm also so excited the nursery is done!!  I had such a good time getting it ready and can't wait to see her in it!  It turned out really cute:)

29 Weeks

I can't believe I am 29 weeks already!  My third trimester has started out great, though I have noticed a little more swelling in my feet.  Aubry is super active these days!  When I do my kick counts I usually count 10 kicks in less than 5 minutes.  So blessed that she is a healthy baby and can't wait to hold her in my arms finally!

6/10-Baby shower!  I got lots of really great things.  I am so blessed that my friends and family were so generous.  There isn't much left to buy.  Mostly just small things.  I have also started working on the Nursery I will post picks when I'm done.  I'll also post the pictures from the shower once I get them.  Thanks so much to my friends and family for all that you guys have done:)

6/11-The day after my shower I got a phone call from my doctors office and was officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  I was very upset.  I went yesterday and met with a nurse and dietitian.  They gave me a meal plan and said I should be able to control it through diet.  I have to take my blood sugar 4 times a day, once in the morning, then 2 hours after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I was crushed when they told me and felt responsible.  They assured me it's nothing I did, it's all based on hormones.  My focus now is my diet and keeping Aubrey healthy by eating the right things.

That's pretty much it for now!

25 Week Update

I've been a bad Mommy lately and have been neglecting my blog!  Aubrey and I are both still doing well.  Her heart beat is usually in the upper 140s-lower 150s.  My blood pressure which I have been worried about seems to be ok, and has been around 140/70 ish, which is better than before.  I feel great, though my belly is getting bigger and some tasks are starting to get a little more difficult, like putting on shoes and socks, shaving, ect.  Sleeping is also kind of rough since it is hard to get comfortable, and I have to pee about 5 times a night.  But, I'm not complaing!  This pregnancy has been great, I just can't wait for her to get here!!  Here are a few note worthy developments...

  May 1st-  My co-workers threw me a baby shower!  It was so sweet of them, and I got a lot of really great stuff:)

Co-worker baby shower



May 13th-My first Mother's Day (well, pre-mother's day I guess)

My first Mother's day gifts:)



May 17th-Kenny Felt Aubrey Kick for the first time!!  We were both really excited.  He says he could see it too.

Here are a couple of other fun pics:)

Aubrey's "coming home" outfit





Wreath for Hospital Door

19 week update!

Almost half way there!!!! I had a doctors appointment yesterday and all is well. Babies heart beat
is in the upper 140s. I have gotten to where I feel her kick everyday. Kenny is so anxious to feel her kick too.

My blood pressure has been a little high. At my last appointment it was 150 something over 94, this time is was I think 140 over 92. He doesn't seem too concerned, he just wants to monitor it for now.

My weight gain is about 8 pounds (although when I weigh at home more like 5, I was weighing a little heavier at the appointment). I can't understand how, because my belly is getting big! He said I am gaining slowly, but isn't concerned about that either. All women gain differently, and I'm just on the low side. He measured me and I measured at exactly 19weeks, so he's not worried. He said to make sure I'm not restricting my calories (he obviously doesn't know me very well, lol). I had gained wieght before pregnancy due to the holidays, and also the failed IVF, so I think it is just leveling out. I'd rather gain too little, than too much!

I started my baby registry yesterday, it was pretty fun, but also overwhelming! Daddy of course loves using the gun, and I made sure I let him make some of the decisions (even I thought it was silly). The crib should be here soon, I can't wait!

It's a GIRL!

Kenny and I were both really hoping for a girl, and are so excited! We are naming her Aubrey Claire Hogan, and can't wait until she gets here! LET THE SHOPPING BEGIN!