Christmas Party

On Monday we went to Nate's work Christmas party at the Hereford House. We debated about taking her along, but decided everyone would enjoy seeing her and since we are breastfeeding and I haven't been pumping yet, we didn't have any milk for someone else to feed her. So, she came along. She got to wear a cute Christmas outfit and everyone loved her! I left like three times to feed her and then tried to get her to sleep before I went back in to the party, but she just wasn't ready to sleep. So, I missed about half of the party, but oh well it was a fun adventure out as a family. Afterwards we stopped by and said Happy Birthday to Uncle Jacob (14!!!!) and took some family pictures.

Second week at home

Monday morning we went to the doctor to have her billirubin levels checked once again. They had decreased from the Thanksgiving test, so Dr said to stop using the light and see what happens after 24 hours. So, went and tested again on Tuesday, still another decrease, but not quite enough, so we went back again on Wednesday for what we hoped would be the last test. It came back at a 13.2, so Dr said we could return the light. No complaints here. We also had her weighed on Tuesday and she was at 8lbs. She gained 14 oz in 6 days. Way to go! Other than going to the doctor for the first three days of the week, we didn't have too many outings. We did stop by daddy's work after the Dr on Monday and met his coworkers. The best part of the week was Friday. Daddy took the afternoon off from work and we put up our Christmas tree!

Ashley's First Christmas Stocking made by Aunt Wilma

First Thanksgiving

We headed over to Thanksgiving lunch at the Wadsworth's for my families festivities, Ashley wore her adorable Thanksgiving outfit that Gigi bought her. When she bought it, we weren't sure if she would get to wear, we are glad she came early to join us for thanksgiving, and of course she looked adorable in her outfit.

We stayed there for a couple of hours and then headed home for an afternoon nap (for all three of us really). Then for dinner, we went to Nate's parents for festivities with them. Aunt Caitlin and cousin Claira were in town and Ashley got to meet them for the first time. As well as Aunt Debbie (Nate's aunt), and the Grossman's (Caitlin's family).

First week at home

On Wednesday morning we headed to our doctor's office for a follow up on her billirubin levels. They tested her and found she had increased by 4 mg, all the way up to an 18 (this was the highest level she reached throughout this time). We also had her weighed and she was at 7lbs 2 oz. The lowest she was in the hospital was 7lbs, so she had gained 2oz. The doctor ordered for us to have a billi-blanket at home and keep her on the lights.  I was certainly thankful that it was the blanket and not the "bed" lights because we could at least still hold her with the blanket on (as annoying as it was- because of all of the cords). So, she spent all of Wednesday evening/night in the blanket. On Thursday, (Thanksgiving, more on her first holiday in the next post) we had to go to the Wesley ER to have her levels checked again since the doctors offices were closed for the remainder of the week. That turned out to be frustrating because when we got there, they told us they had never received any orders for the test. Nate worked his magic and got us in for the test in no time.
The test involves pricking the heel and then filling a small tube with blood- she hates it, cries every time, I can imagine it hurts, plus by now her heels are covered in scabs because we've done the test close to 10 times. When the doctor called with the results, he said the level had gone down, but only by about .4 of a mg. So, they said to continue with the lights for the weekend and then to have her tested again on Monday morning.

You can't see all of the billi-blanket, but she wasn't able to put her arms down because it came up to her arm pits. Also, notice the red mark on her arm pit, it must have rubbed on her. I felt sorry for her. Although, she does love to have her arms by her face. She has constantly done that since birth, hard to keep her swaddled up.

We kept her on the lights as much as possible, but the lights had to be plugged in, so we stayed home and hung out with daddy for the rest of the week. We had visitors continually stop by, some out of towners got to come and see her since they were here for Thanksgiving, including Aunt Abby who came in from Denver. Nate even braved the Black Friday sales and got a christmas present for me! It was great to have daddy with us all week. We loved all the time he spent with us.

Our never ending hospital stay

We had quite an array of visitors during our stay at the hospital. Nate and I were so exhausted, Saturday seems like a blur, but for the most part all of the (in town) family made it up to see her by the time the day was over.

We did end up sending Ashley to the nursery overnight so that we could try and get some sleep. They brought her back every few hours to nurse, so it worked out well for us to get some sleep. On Sunday, the pediatrician came by and looked Ashley over and was somewhat concerned about her breathing and the fluid that was in her lungs at birth. They said she had quite a bit amniotic fluid in her lungs that they worked hard to suction out. The pediatrician requested us to stay for one more day.

Sunday night, we kept Ashley in our room until about 2am and then sent her to the nursery again. At some point on Sunday evening they began running tests that they typically do at 24 hours old. Monday morning, the neo natologist came by to check Ashley's lungs, and he thought she looked good and the x-ray came by good as well. So, we seemed to be in the clear of any lung issues to keep us there any longer. When the nurse came in, she said that her billirubin levels were high and doctor ordered her to be under lights. So, she spent the day under the lights, this was no fun because we weren't supposed to hold her except when she was eating. She had to wear those silly eye glasses and she was not a fan.

By Monday evening, her levels had increased and the doctor ordered an additional light to be brought in. I was discharged from the hospital, but Nate and I were both allowed to stay and keep our room as Ashley's "Caregivers." We kept Ashley in the room again until about 2 or 3am and then sent her to the nursery for a few hours rest. She still had to be under the lights in the nursery and when the nurse brought her back she said she broke 2 pairs of the eye glasses she was wearing! I told you, she was not a fan! By mid Tuesday, her levels had dropped some so we were able to take her off of the lights for the rest of the day and then have her levels checked again in the eveing, thankfully she seemed to have leveled off so we were released to go HOME!!!

We made it home about 9:30 Tuesday night and were so thankful to be in our house, in our shower, and in our bed! Nate was certainly ready to get out of there, he didn't have the most comfortable bed, plus there was nothing to do in the hospital all day. I would have to say one of Nate's favorite parts of the stay was the fridge with the sign that said "Food is for mom's only"  :)   His favorite was the blueberry muffins! He ate most of his meals out of that fridge, but in all fairness, I really didn't each much out of there, so he was just having my share.

And the journey begins...

Nate found out he did not have to travel to Topeka on Friday, someone else covered the work for him. I had everything wrapped up at work on Friday, November 19, it was a long day and I had been feeling a little odd all day. I didn't feel like I was having contractions necassirly, or if I was, they weren't all that strong. I was feeling a little achy and maybe crampy would be a good way to describe it. I left work around 3 and had a big smile on my face, knowing that I would be spending the next couple of months with my little one! I went up to the hospital to see Cassie, Jamie, and Tate. Although, I didn't actually get to see Tate ( I was still battling a cold and didn't want to bring any germs in with me). I visited with them for awhile and Nate and I made plans to see a movie (of my choice) at the Warren Old Town. I headed home around 5 and then Nate and I went to the 6:30 show, Morning Glory. All through the movie I was feeling uncomfortable. I was beginning to have some stronger pains and told myself this could be the beginning of labor. I told myself to enjoy the movie, but I still watched the clock and timed the contractions, I only had about 6 during the whole movie. We went home and at 9:00 I was thinking the contractions were a lot more regular, so we started timing them, they were anywhere from 3-5 minutes apart lasting around 30 seconds. We decided to try and get some rest, ( ha ha ) and went to bed. I could somewhat rest inbetween the contractions, but what is 3-5 minutes going to do. Nate had the watch and paper and he was keeping track so it wasn't like he was resting either. By 11:30, we were thinking this had to be it, but my water had not broke, so we knew there was a chance we could be sent home if we went to the hospital now. But, we went anyway. We got checked in and finally at 1:30 they checked and I was at a 4, that was good progress. They let me labor for an hour (it was a fast hour- I did throw up my dinner and felt like I had to pee every 10 minutes) and checked again, still only at 4, maybe 4 and half. They decided to go ahead and admit us since it appeard I was in labor. We moved to the labor and delivery room. I was ready for a change and to attempt to manage the pain in some other ways. Nate and I had already discussed our plan and we did not want to do an epidural. I got in the jacuzzi tub and stayed for about and hour, while in there my water broke, this was about 3:30 am. They checked me again and I was at a 5. I was glad things were moving along. They had a birthing ball so I sat on it and sat in the bed for the next few hours as things progressed. They called Dr. Douthit about 4:30 and let him know I was in labor. It was encouraging to know that I was far enough along to notify him. He showed up about 7 AM and I was at an 8. I felt like I had been at an 8 for awhile and I was really feeling the urge to push. Thankfully Dr let me begin to push a little. Keep in mind neither Nate or I had slept the entire night. Nate stayed by my side the ENTIRE time, he did go to the bathroom twice and he was missed while he was gone. He held my hand through every single contraction and fed me ice in between every single contraction! He is amazing and although I told him in the beginning that I couldn't do it, he stayed strong and encouraged me the whole way through.
By 8:00 am, we were ready to push, We pushed and pushed and pushed. Dr. had another patient in labor so he stepped in and out and by 10:00 he stayed in our room, which I knew meant we were getting close! He geared up around 10:30, and I could not have been more relieved! Ashley was born at 10:56AM on Saturday, November 20, 2010. She weighed 7lbs, 8oz and was 17 3/4 inches long.

I dont' know exactly what I expected this whole experience to be like, but I loved it. It is truly a miracle. God designed birth in a perfect way and it was a special time for Nate and I. We feel so blessed to have this sweet little girl in our family. We also feel blessed with a no complication delivery. The Lord designed this delivery perfectly for us, He gave me strength to go without an epidural, He scheduled our doctor to be on call for that weekend, and He provided us with a great nursing staff.

Baby Stinemetz

Baby Stinemetz through us for a loop! Cassie's water broke on Saturday, November 13. That's 2 months early! She ended up having an emergency c section on Tuesday, November 16. Tate Christian Stinemetz was born at 4:14pm, weighed 2lbs, 13oz, and 15 inches long. Tate was due January 15, he was supposed to be the youngest of the three babies, but he decided he wanted to be the oldest! He was breathing on his own and has not had any major complications. Hopefully he will be home for Christmas, but he should at least be home around his original due date. You can read more about his story and his progress at Cassie's blog.