A few things I didn't know...

It has taken me a while to want to document what our lives have been like the last 8 weeks because of the fear I would become too negative or just start complaining. Well, I want you to know I am not complaining, I am just informing. Lucy is now 8 weeks old. It has been quite the journey with a few extra trips to the doctor's office, many phone calls with the doctor, 1 trip to the ER, and 8 weeks of absolutely no sleep and 24 hour fussing. Let me share a few things with you that I never knew...

• I didn't think childbirth would be the easiest part of the past 11 months of my life.



• I didn't know I would fall instantly in love with my Lucy.



• I didn't know you could have retained placenta after childbirth...not fun...enough said.



• I didn't know how disgusting Emergency Rooms were.



• I didn't really like the word colic...now I really don't like the word colic.



• I had no idea Lucy would have food allergies AND reflux which would mean major colic!



• I didn't even know infants could have food allergies to food their mothers ate.



• I didn't know food allergies in infants can causing bleeding in the intestines. So scary and sad.



• I didn't know I would need to completely change my diet.



• I didn't think I would have to contimplate weaning Lucy at only 8 weeks - but this may be the best option for her.



• I didn't know hypoallergenic formula exsisted and was so dang expensive.



• I didn't think Lucy would HATE the car and scream in almost every car ride making it near impossible to go anywhere.



• I certainly didn't think Lucy would still be waking up every hour during the night (if you don't believe me, come on over tonight). Her poor tummy.


• I didn't know my mom could stay up ALL night with Lucy. Thanks mom!



• I didn't think Lucy would have red hair.



• I didn't think I would hurt so much when my baby hurts.



• I didn't know Rhett would be so willing to take a few extra shifts at night. I am so greatful.

Well, those are just a few things I have learned...I am sure I can think of many more, but for now that is enough information! We are working very hard to figure this girl out. Rhett and I are so lucky to have great support from the family. Without my mom the past 8 weeks I think I would be a total mess. At least 1 night a week she has stayed with us or I have gone to her house. She has stayed up until 5 am some mornings with Lucy. Lucy is also very lucky to have us as parents because apparently we can handle it!! I was in the doctor's last week and he gave me some encourgement with the old saying "we are only given what we can handle." He told us we must be really good people to be able to go through what we have gone through and are going through. That made me smile.

First Smiles

Lucy started smiling last week - it is so adorable. It is amazing how a simple smile can just melt my heart. These smiles are getting me through the day - and night!! I seam to forget everything that is challenging about motherhood when she smiles at me.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

We love you!! You are the best!

Happy One Month Luce

We have had such a fun month with you and cannot wait for all the months ahead! We love you very much Lucy!

Happy Birthday Daddy

I just want to say happy birthday to my great hubby who turned 27 on June 4th. I am so blessed with such a caring, patient, loving husband. Everyone is always telling me how lucky I am, and I agree! He has certainly surpassed any expectations I had of him being a daddy. He is so good to me and especially to Lucy. He will do anything to show her how much he loves her. It is really adorable to see them together. He has been so incredible the passed month. He is always there for me when I need him - even during the night! He is so good at getting her to go to sleep - he has the magic touch! Thanks babe, we love you!

Lucy's Birth Story

• Lucy is now almost 4 weeks old. In some ways the time is flying by, but in many ways it has been the longest 4 weeks of my life! I have never sacrificed so much for someone else...I am certainly learning a lot!
  
  
• Here is our story...
  
  
• I had a pregnancy that included many nights of contractions. It included many nights wondering 'is this it?' After many of these experiences I realized I may never really be sure if I was in labor or not...and so it began.
  
  
• It was Monday, May 5, 2008. I had been having contractions all night long, but I just dealt with the pain like a champ! At 11:15 we had a doctor's appointment where we learned I was finally dilated to a 1 and 90% effaced!! I was so excited to finally hear some uplifting news, however, I was still very skeptical she would come on her own so I made my doctor set an 'end date', I needed to know this growing belly would end soon! We set it for May 19, 2008...again, disappointment that the date was so far away. My doctor said he was very hopeful she would come on her own.
  
  
• We left the doctor's office only to find I was having really bad cramps constantly and contracting off and on. We needed to run some errands, so again I had to deal with them. We went to lunch at Cafe Rio...I was getting very uncomfortable. While eating my huge salad Rhett mentioned if I went into labor today this salad could very well be coming back up (and it did!). We then went to REI, Babies R Us, and USA Baby. I was very slow and I am sure everyone was wondering what this prego lady was doing.
  
  
• The contractions started to get very regular around 5:00 pm. We were both getting excited and anxious. At about 9:00 we both thought it was time to head to the hospital...but neither of us were all the way convinced. We started packing and after much debate we got in the car at about 10:15 only to get down the street and turn around! We came home for about 10 minutes only to get back in the car and drive off again. Seriously!
  
  
• We got to the hospital and got all checked in. I honestly did not think this was the real deal, but what could it hurt and besides I wasn't going to be able to get any sleep anyway because the contractions were very strong and about 4 minutes apart. The nurse checked me and what do we know, I was dilated to a 1 and 90% effaced. I HAD MADE NO PROGRESS! I was shocked to say the least. The nurse said they would monitor me for about an hour and than probably send me home with a shot of morphine for the pain. Dang.
  
  
• A few minutes later I went to restroom. When I sat back down on the bed I felt a big gush of water, what a strange feeling! My water broke! This was obviously my saving grace. Now the nerves and anxiety really kicked in because I knew this was it. I was told this was prerupture of the membranes so I was going to be in labor for quite sometime...I was prepared with my huge suitcase, pillows, blankets, and everything I could think of to make it the best experience possible.
  
  
• My contractions were starting to get very very strong, ouch! I had to go through a whole bag of saline to get my epidural which was taking quite a while. I finally got it about 2 hours later at 2:00 am. HEAVEN! I was able to relax, until I got really sick and was able to throw up my cafe rio a few times! That part was not so fun. Thank goodness my mom and sister were with me so Rhett could get some needed rest in. I was check again at 3:00 am and I was dilated to a 3. This was pretty good progress I thought.
  
  
• I was not able to rest much because I was so nausious. My epidural was also missing a spot...so I thought. I kept telling my mom I was just hurting and feeling so much pressure. I didn't know whether I was not getting enough medication or what. I buzzed the nurse and told her I was starting to hurt and feel a ton of pressure. She checked me again and I was dilated to a 10 and it was only 6:00 am. I was so excited, anxious, and very sick. They wanted to wait for a while longer to let the baby do most of the work, I did not argue, I was so tired.
  
  
• At 7:00 am my nurse finally gave me some Zofran...I could have used that a lot sooner! I began pushing at 7:15 am. What a wierd feeling, but such a thrill. It was amazing to know this was actually happening and I was able to figure it all out! Lucy was actually turned sideways and her heartrate was really dropping so I was getting so nervous we would be doing a C Section. Lucy figured it all out because at 8:09 am Lucy Ann Germer made her appearance. It was such an amazing feeling to actually hold her in my arms just seconds after she was born. She was so beautiful and I felt so proud. Proud that I just gave birth, I actually did it! Rhett then held her for the first time and got tears in his eyes. It was such a special moment for all of us. Lucy just stared up at him for a few minutes trying to figure us all out. It was amazing that she already knew us.
  
  
• I am so greatful for such an amazing experience. I am so lucky my sisters and mom were there for some extra support. They were so great all night getting me whatever I needed to be more comfortable. Thanks for being there and cheering me on!

Lucy's Newborns

Melissa Sue took Lucy's newborns when she was one week old. Lucy did great and I love the way they all turned out. Thanks Melissa.