Olivia is a week old today!

There is sooo much to say where do I begin? Olivia is perfect and its such a blessing. She is eating, going to the bathroom tons and gaining weight. She has already surpassed her birth weight by a lot!

We had our first doctors appointment on Tuesday which was our first time out! It went ok in the car then I fed and changed her before we went in. Unfortunately I was not prepared enough...Livy had to go into the doctors naked! She projectile pooed during her change in the car 3 times!! David and I were catching poop with our hands! She left her mark in the car forever, yuck :) It was the most unbelievable thing I have ever seen.

We also took our first walk on Wednesday. It was misty so she was covered but it was still nice. We went too far and I got really tired and sore but I think she enjoyed the ride. We are going out today too and the sun is out!

Thanksgiving was spent at Marianne's (my mother in law's) and it was a big event. There were 13 of us. She did pretty well in all the chaos. Of course my baby looked adorable but I did not take any pictures! I need to work on that, camera on hand all the time. She wore a dress and leggings (thanks Leigh!)

As always, more to come... Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers our way!

Labor

Hi all! I am doing ok, recovering but it feels like its taking forever. Labor was an unforgettable experience. I do not believe that "you forget about the pain as soon as the baby is born" Bull. I did have a posterior baby so it is more painful than a baby in the right position so I am not sure what regular labor feels like, but in my experience there were times when I actually did not think I was going to make it.

They tried moving the baby by rocking my hips and I got sterile water injections in my back which was supposed to help the back labor but nothing worked. I spent a lot of time in the shower because it was the closest I could get to "relaxing". There were times of absolute delirium, exhaustion and I was terrified. Towards the very end I seriously could not remember why I was going through the pain, it was hard to keep my eye on the prize. So when the baby came out I was shocked! It was like "oh my God, oh ya...her!"

I had an awesome labor team, I could not have done it without them that is for sure. I had two doulas and a midwife...they were patient and helped me get through it. If I had a different group with a doc and no doula, I would have probably had a C section which would have devastated me.

Olivia is doing great. I will get back on to blog about her soon! But know she is healthy and we are trying to get everything together here at home!

pictures...

Bringing Baby Home

Baby Olivia is Here!

Got back from the hospital today with your perect little angel.

She was born at 3:18am on the 21st, weighing in at 7lbs 15oz and 21 inches long. Labor was 27 hours long and even though she was "sunny side up" and the back labor was so painful, Jayme delievered naturally.

Mamma got her milk in today so the little one is one happy peanut.

The doctors said that this is one healthy baby, so all is well in the
Raichart household. We just need to sleep!

I am in labor!!!!

Yea! In my robe at 5am with contractions 8-10 mins apart.

Daddy timing and me now 11:56am with 5 min apart contractions...she is looking low! Will be going to the hospital soon I guess. Well wishes my way!!

XOXOXXO

One week left!

I never thought I would be this big...I am so ready! I have contractions and pressure so I am just waiting for something to happen.

I have one child birth class left but it is a potluck and two couples are coming with their newborns to share their birth stories. Last week we learned about infant and mom care after birth, good information for sure!

I am going to stop working this week, the house is clean and the freezer has a few meals in it. I have been so busy it is going to be weird to just hang out. I am sure I will find stuff to do...paint that belly cast, baby book etc. Oooo I just remembered I could clean the shelves of the medicine cabinet!

I went to the beach today and thought about the waves like contractions, it was pretty peaceful... hopefully something I can take with me when my big contractions start coming in.

I am pretty pooped from my day so I am going to go rest with some ice cream ;)

Love to all....xoxoxoxo

Its a full moon tonight...but no baby yet.

I colored my hair to brown so I can be a mommy that doesnt have to keep up with highlights. I like it ok, I will like the money it saves me more. It looks sort of redish in this picture but its not.

I measured today at 39 weeks and I have had a lot of practice contractions! We are getting ready! My blood pressure is back down to where it usually is so no worries there.

I would really like her to come out before I have to get any bigger, I am certain she is large and healthy at this point. I am so ready to have some of my body back!

Come on out!

The doctors was fine, nothing important to report. I go again tomorrow to check my blood pressure again. It was high for me on Monday so its good to watch it.

All of a sudden I feel like my baby weighs 20lbs. Walking is so hard, everything is so hard. My feet don't fit into any shoes comfortably and not being able to wear my rings makes me feel like people are thinking "that poor girl has to raise that baby alone". I am such a head case.

I think I am on my final round of nesting. Today I went to the store and bought things for beef stew, chili, black bean corn chowder and chicken jambalaya and tupperwear. After all the shopping though my energy is not there to cook!

Unfortunatly I have to go feed myself and this baby that I wish would stop growing! Will write again tomorrow!

xoxoxxo

38 weeks!!!

We did a belly cast! It was so cool! When I first got pregnant I thought these things were totally weird but now that I am almost done, I realize I am going to miss it so much. I never want to forget what this experience has looked and felt like. A belly cast is just the thing! I am going to sand it and paint it...maybe put her name and little foot prints on it?? I am undecided about how to decorate it, I may also paint it in such a way it is "disguised".

I am super swollen :( Not only do my rings not fit but my hands are tight and manly, its bizzare. My legs feel hard, look huge, I have canlkles and puff feet. It hurts to walk very long. It makes me wonder if she has dropped and is putting pressure on my legs somehow....although it does not explain the hands. I am going to go into the doc tomorrow to get my blood pressure taken just to make sure everything is ok (ie no preeclamsia!)

Its really crunch time! I need to get Dave cleaning but he is snoring on the couch right now, must be tough to be the expectant dad...piff. Its a busy week coming up for both of us but hopefully we will relax a bit soon.

I will keep you all posted with doctors appointments this week! Stand by!

xoxoxox

She's Ready!

Hello all! I am 37.5 weeks which is full term! This means baby is fully developed and can come at any time. I have a doctors appointment in 40 minutes but last week the check was good...everything is moving along for her to be born on time.

I had crazy dreams last night about forgetting the baby! I left her at home twice, once to go to the store and the other to go out to eat. When I came home to her I had left her on the changing table and it was falling apart. The other time I came home she was sweating a lot, I had left her over dressed. So...I think I am having subconscious doubts about my ability to mommy! Lol.

I am working hard to get to a point I can take off mentally and get prepared for all of this. I am really looking forward to that.

My heartburn is completely out of control nothing helps anymore, they say it goes away the second you give birth. I can't wait.

Have to run... xoxoxo