Postpartum

After the delivery, hospital life was pretty routine. It consisted mainly of me stealing Milli's hospital food, a lot of North and South (old miniseries that Milli and I are into right now), crappy sleep, and occasional visits from family and friends. All the while, our little one slept well, for the most part. She started pooping right away, and hasn't stopped. Recently, she's started those breast milk poops, where it sounds like she is blowing her rear end off. I love it. So one nickname she already has is "dumper". The other one is "hoover", because she sucks like a vacuum. Our pediatrician got a cardio consult on her because he heard a murmur (overkill, but hey, every time we have a kid we get a free echo). Otherwise, she's been a gem, and most importantly no oxygen issues (no progressive care nursery this time, yipee!)

As far as Milli is concerned, she has been doing pretty well. She got pretty crampy occasionally in the hospital, but a little naproxen goes a long way for that. I think she would have made a great pioneer.

One of my favorite parts of this whole experience was watching the two girls meet each other. They got each other presents, and Avery wore a T-shirt that she made that says "big sister". I'm not sure if even now she understands what's going on, other than that we have another kid hanging around here, but she was so excited to meet her sister, for about 4 minutes. Then she promptly forgot about her and went about her business trying to destroy the hospital. These next pictures and footage are priceless to me.

My quarters. Any of you dudes who have had to spend 2 nights on one of these bad boys have felt my pain. I think it may be the hospital's way of evening things out a little. I know, all you ladies are now screaming at the computer that it could never be even, but have you slept on one of these? I doubt I'll ever be able to get the dent out of my back.

Lastly, but not leastly, Tam the Gram deserves one more shout out. She's got 5 rings now! Her grandkids couldn't ask for a better grandma. The whole process went so smoothly, and she was constantly behind the scenes helping. In a word, she was wonderful. And she's still working for us right now, as she is on a plane with Avery as I type, taking her back to Utah for a week with family so Milli and I can get to know our newest. We miss you Avery, you be a good girl. This is how Brooklyn spent her first afternoon at home, completely zonked out with grandma. I think she liked it.

Intrapartum

The night proceeded exactly like our first one had, with Milli starting to be uncomfortable shortly before midnight. We had the nurse check her again at about 12:30, and she was dilated to a four. At that point, the epidural was placed. After we got that in, she was checked again, and was a seven. The doc was on his way in, and she was almost complete when he showed up shortly before 2 AM. Quick, huh? That cervadil stuff really works for us!


At one of our OB visits, I asked Dr. Finkleston how involved I could get in the delivery. I asked how often he let the dad deliver the kid. He said he had never done that before, but that he would be willing in our case. When he showed up for the delivery, I wasn't sure if he remembered our conversation, but apparently he did, because he told the nurse that I would be helping out. The staff was nice enough to get me a gown and gloves, and I got my game face on.



Milli only had to push for about ten minutes, maybe about 5 or 6 contractions. She's a good pusher (I wouldn't have expected anything different from her). It helps to have small babies, too. The doc had me stand at his side for a minute while he got a feel for how the baby was moving down when she pushed. After a couple of pushes, though, I moved in as it was apparent it wasn't going to take much. I sat down and had her push for me, and we had a baby within minutes. I've got some good video, again thanks to Tammy the photographer/babysitter/catering service, but Milli wouldn't let me post it because she thinks it's too personal. Well, she's probably right, but I did a great job if I may say so (the doc did), almost as good as Milli. It's funny how when you sit down to deliver a baby, even when it's your own, it's hard to focus on anything other than getting the kid out safely. It wasn't until I handed her to Milli that I realized, hey wait, this one is mine!

When she came, it was obvious she looks more like her mama's side of the family. I haven't seen too much of me in her (???). We think she looks most like her cousin Bella. Freakin' cute. Here are a couple of our first videos of the little one. She is perfect.

Prepartum

With Avery, we had Cervadil placed at 39 weeks because, hey, it was convenient. After the fact, we decided that we would attempt to go into labor naturally, because in childbirth, less is usually more, right? Well, of course, as the days dragged on and Milli continued to refuse to go into labor, we got a little ancy. Milli's mom, Tammy, showed up 2 days prior to the due date, and we realized shortly after that we were going to miss all of her help after the delivery. So on our last OB visit, we decided to schedule the delivery at 40 weeks and 4 days. So maybe next time with the natural thing (yeah, right.)


On the morning prior to D-Day, I went in to work (oh, this is Travis, by the way, sorry I'm not as funny as Milli) and the girls spent the day doing whatever they do. Milli and I happened to show up at the hospital at the same exact time, and were able to walk in together. On the way in, Milli exclaimed "Oh, we're doing this again!" (in reference to the scheduled induction). I was a little faster up on the floor, and walked up to the desk first. The women all looked at me as I plopped my stuff on the counter and said, "I'm here to have a baby." Apparently nobody got that joke, because they all just looked at me for a second. I chuckled to myself, though, and that made it all worth it.


We got put in a nice room with a view of one of the parking lots as we waited for the sun to go down and for the doc to come place the cervadil. I enjoy that evening at the hospital before the induction, when everything is chill and before Milli is uncomfortable. It feels like vacation. But Milli was bored, so we played some skipbo. I've never been owned in skipbo like that before, I was pretty upset. So shortly after we finished that dumb game (I'm never playing it again), the doc showed up and got the process started. At that point, she was dilated to about a 2, and having an occasional BH contraction.



Tammy and Avery came by soon after, and we had fun with the little one for her last time as a single child. She was cute, and as you would expect, acted like she owned the place. Imagine trying to keep the most inquisitive, adventurous child in the world from touching all of the hospital gadgets. Between watching part of the state of the union and keeping Avery from triggering a code blue, it was a bit exhausting.

It didn't take long before Avery was mostly naked. It's hard to keep clothes on her these days. I'm hoping that changes sooner than later. Tammy was indispensable in caring for Avery through this whole process. She took Avery to our friend's house after an hour or two so that we could rest.

I started to get a little video of the whole experience. Check this out to see Milli's reaction to my filmmaking.

Brooklyn Mae Charles

Welcome, little one, to the world! Born in Overland Park, Kansas at 2:27 AM on January 26th, 2011, Brooklyn weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. The next few posts will give some of the highlights of our first little journey together.

Last post?

Not ever, hopefully its the last post before our baby is due!

I really have wanted to update more often, but man, can I just say that January SUCKS!!! There is not much to talk about and my placenta brain is blocking any wittiness I can come up with.

Speaking of placenta, I don't know why I thought I was going to have this baby early, but its not happening! I was only a one plus at my last Dr's appointment last Thursday. This is the most pregnant I have ever been, well by one day. I had Avery when I was 39 weeks and 2 day, and I'm 39 weeks and 3 days!

This is my dilemma, my Dr is open for induction, but I really don't want to get induced if I can help it. The health benefits are one reason, but the real reason is I seriously want to experience the real life thing that we all see in movies where my water breaks and I look over at my husband and say, "honey, its time." We didn't really get that experience with Avery. The problem is, my mom is coming in town on Thursday and will be here for 9 days, so I kind of want her help while she is here. I just can't decide what to do!!! Any suggestions on how to get things moving is appreciated(besides the obvious one, pervs).

Anyway, I think I'm all ready for this baby. I washed a million baby clothes, sanitized my whole house, finished up her room and pulled out the huge amounts of baby items that we use. For a little 6 pound thing, they sure require a ton, I forgot!

I think Avery is understanding that a baby is coming soon as well. We talk about baby sister all of the time. She wants to name her "goo goo ga ga." We will see. Its seriously going to be a crazy experience with two!

I'm really hoping that I don't have to take a 40 week picture and that this will be my last!

Avery is going through this fun stage right now. She is obsessed with getting married. Not for the boy, but for the pretty dress. She asks me everyday about getting married and the temple and wearing a pretty dress. Whenever she sees anyone in a pretty dress she asks if they are going to get married. Lately, she has been watching our wedding video. I snuck a picture of her wearing the dress she wore at Sadie's wedding while watching our wedding video. Check out her cool shoes!

She is going to marry her little buddy, Jude. We are cool with that!

Yeah, so hopefully the next post is a million pictures of our cute baby girl! I'm due on Saturday! Peace out!

37 weeks and New Years!

So can you believe that it is 2011. I'm going to have my 10 year high school reunion this year! Time seriously flies! Ten years ago from now, I was a freshman at BYU living the Vida Loca! And now look at me, I'm pregnant with my second girl, living in Missouri!

Our New Year's Eve was a blast! We went over to the Taylor's house and played some way fun games! So I didn't realize this, but I'm totally into pop music. I have always been more of an acoustic rock girl, but they played 'name that tune' from the 2010 pop billboards and I pretty much owned the game. I may need to reevaluate my music selection, or maybe I'm just trying to stay hip the older I get... who knows?

New Year's Eve was fun! I remember when I was younger, and I would have these high expectations for New Years Eve, and it was pretty anticlimactic and disappointing, but now days its amazing if I can stay up past midnight, so my expectations are pretty low, yet for the past couple of years I have really enjoyed the holiday. Perspective is a funny thing! I'm excited for 2011!

Here is my 37 week shot, it was taken on New Year's Day! Only 3 more weeks!!! This baby always has the hiccups. I think she is running out of room because there is always an elbow or a foot trying to come out of me! We are really struggling in the name department. Our top choices are 1) Brooklyn 2) Eleanor 3) Mae 4) Ayla or 5) Afton. Please help us out and vote for which one you like best. In the end, it's Trav's turn to name our kid, but maybe your votes will sway him?

PS One of my resolutions is to post more often, even if its a lame post, so before I start this, I had to catch up on all of the things I needed to post on. There are several posts to check out, so make sure you scroll down a ways!

Happy New Year!

Avery and Dada and then more Avery

Avery loves to help in the kitchen and Travis loves spending time with his girls and I love to eat Trav's goodies, so this seemed like the perfect idea!

We also love going home and staying in real houses. I mean, we love our little town house, but nothing compares to our parent's lovely places. Their tub is a million times bigger and they took full advantage! Also, his parents haven't installed blinds for their new house, so the neighbors may have gotten a show, but still well worth it!

After Avery's first hair cut, we decided to tackle another hurdle and take her to her first real movie in the big theaters. We went and saw Tangled. I won't lie, I kind of wanted to see it, so I came up with the realization that maybe it was time for Avery to join this new world. We actually bought popcorn because we felt we had to make it a real movie experience, but we did pilfer the candy in my purse. Lets be honest, its just that time of year where everyone has ample sweets around, I wasn't going to pay 4 bucks for a box of Mike and Ike's. The movie was a hit, for the most part. She got ancy towards the end and probably sat in old gum off the floor, but I wasn't too worried. I think we will do it again some time.

Here are just random pictures of the little turd

She loves bathing with her friends

She also really loved egg nog this season, oh and she learned how to open the fridge... bad combination!

She is one funny girl!

We were home for Christmas for a minute

Travis miraculously got 6 days off for Christmas, so we got the crap out of Missouri and went home to Utah. It seriously felt like 5 minutes. I would have stayed longer with Avery, but I might pop any day now. I was a little nervous to fly home at 36 weeks, but Trav reassured me that he knew what he was doing if I were to go into labor on the plane... sadly, I was still nervous (love ya babe).

So I always have a plane story, and so I won't disappoint. We were flying on a pretty small plane from KC to Utah, one with only 2 seats per row, so our seats were 2 together and 1 across the row. That seat across the row had my name on it. I was ready to sit, read my book and relax and let Travis handle Avery. We get to the row our seats are on, and this guy is sitting in my seat. He wanted to sit by his sister and wanted to know if we could switch seats with him. It was kind of awkward, because we all wanted to sit by each other, and his seat was a window seat a row back that looked really uncomfortable to squish into, especially when you have a belly. I didn't want to be a jerk and tell him no, but I also didn't want to squish into that seat. So I reluctantly told him yes, then turned to Trav and said that he could go and sit in the cramped seat and that I would sit with Avery, we had brought a DVD player, so I thought it would still be relaxing, and that I would be able to read my book. When we got up in the air, I went to put the DVD player on, and IT WAS DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to entertain a very busy 2 year old for two hours all by myself!!! This is what we did.

Don't ever fly without band aids, stickers and candy. There always needs to be a contingency plan in these situations. I'm happy to report that Baby Patty is alive and well today.

When we arrived in Utah, my parents picked us up and we went to see Temple Square. Avery is obsessed with temples and we had to show her the beautiful lights.

Good ole Utah!

The next day was Christmas Eve, so we went up to Park City to Tracie's house! She is due with her 3rd boy about six weeks after me, yet she still managed to host a party, make 15 different desserts,make dinner and have the place sparkling! The ambiance was pretty amazing, but I'm gonna have to say that I probably ate about 5 thousand oreo truffles, those are my weakness!!! Thanks Tracie (that was meant sarcastic and genuine)

This was the sweetest picture. Avery hasn't seen her cousin's since August and we came down and found her and Maddox cuddling. We sure love them all! And Maddie, if you never get a little sister, you can always beat up Avery's boyfriends!

That night, we drove back down to Draper and spent the night with my parents and Sadie and Devin. Santa remembered we were in Utah, and did his job. Avery must have been a good girl, because she got a pretty good stash! Seriously, we had to take a break from opening presents, because she was over it.

This is before we saw the tree

Avery loves her Grandma!!!

So Santa brought her some princess dresses because Avery is obsessed with dressing up. She does not play with them!!! She plays with her old ghetto ones that we have at home, and these amazing dresses just sit in the box. Is this normal? I called Santa up today in front of Avery and told him that he could come and pick up the dresses because Avery didn't like them, and she was cool with it. GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! That trick didn't work!

The rest of Christmas vacation was fast! We went back and forth a lot, got Avery out of her schedule and she was very crazy the rest of the trip. It was tough, but well worth it!

Here are a bunch of random pictures... I wasn't really in the mood to take a ton of pictures, but Travis was #1 video taker.

Avery had fun with momo

One of these things don't belong, although she could be Maddox's sister, they have the same almond eyes.

We miss our cousins!!!

Intense game of scrabble

Sorry about the fake kiss and sneeze on your cheek Antie Titi

6 days were a whirlwind. I can't even tell ya what we did, but it went by fast and we are home now... wait I do have a recollection of one loco night of bunco at Sid and Tam's and gosh, did someone really start teaching Zumba? It's never boring when the Butler's are involved, I've got some pretty weird aunts and uncles!

We had a very good Christmas. We really tried to show Avery the real meaning. She knew that it was Jesus's birthday and she sang to him all by herself before opening presents. Hope everyone had a great Christmas!