Happy Birthday Cora!!!

Little Miss Cora made her appearance on October 27, 2011 at 2:38 a.m.  She weighed 7 lbs 3.5 ozs and was 21 inches long. 

On October 26th I went to Dr. Allen's office for my 38 week check up.  Good thing Paul met me there!  My blood pressure was a little high, my feet were slightly swollen, and my hands has swelling in them...so Dr. Allen wanted to get me monitored for a bit.  So she checked my cervix and I was 3 cm dilated; Cora's heartbeat was in the 120s.  So at 3:30 or so we were off to the hospital we went.  I opted to walk...it wasn't that far, only a half a block. 

After registering, I was wheeled up to labor and delivery.  I was then taken to ultrasound where we got to see Cora.  The tech was great.  She was the same one that did our anatomy scan.  Cora's heart beat was 133 and she scored an 8 out of 8 on the different things they check (heart rate, movement, size, etc).  She showed us her face and she had chubby cheeks!!! 

Back up in Delivery, they hooked me my belly up to the contraction monitor, the monitor for Cora's heartbeat, and a cuff for my blood pressure.  It had been about 45 minutes since my doctor's appointment, but they went ahead and checked my cervix again.  I was 4 centimeters and without hesitation both nurses said honey you are staying.  So I gave three vials of blood and was moved over to the Delivery side of Labor and Delivery.

I got a new nurse, Meredith, whom was due a week from the 26th (she was due a week before me!).  She was great but didn't get to meet Cora.   Heather was our delivery nurse.  She was great.  Hell she almost delivered Cora.  So about 12:00 a.m. on October 27th they put my epidural in at 12:30 Dr. Allen broke my water.  At 1:30 or so Heather put my cathater in and checked me at the same time. I was fully dilated and my cervix was very thin.  She told me to try a push so I did.  She said oh honey, you're ready so I'm going to empty your bladder and take it back out since we take it out for delivery anyway.  So, they came in a set up the table for delivery.  Heather then came back in and we started pushing.  I pushed about 8 times with her and she okay lets not do push anymore, let me get Dr. Allen.  So Dr. Allen came in and said wow you're further than I thought you would be.  Kathy asked if she could come back and I didn't care as long it was okay with Dr. Allen.  Kathy came in, as I was pushing and out came Cora.  I pushed a total of 10 times and it lasted about 15 minutes.  Let me tell you I loved my epidural!!!  Greatest invention in the world lol!  I applaud those do all natural...not happening with this girl!!  So both of Cora's grandmother's got to see Cora enter the world.  Paul was his natural calm self but you could tell he was excited.  He couldn't wait to touch her.  SHE HAD HAIR!!!! AND IT IS RED!!!!!   More to come later. 

36 week check up and Maternity pictures

36 weeks and 2 days (but who's counting right??)

I had an appointment with Dr. Allen on October 12th.  I gained 4 lbs since the last time I saw her :(  I'm glad Cora is growing but wowsers!!  I've had a little bit of swelling in my fingers and feet plus my blood pressure was up (which might account for the idiot driver who tried to run me into oncoming traffic while on my way to see my OB).  They also found some protein in my urine....sooooo this leads to more testing.  Dr. A is worried that I might have preeclampsia.  I'm not allowed to work Friday and have to take it easy, do another 24 hour urine test and then Saturday go to Labor and Delivery at the hospital for monitoring and an ultrasound.

Then later that afternoon, Paul, Mom, Jared, and I went to Community Park in New Albany, Indiana for a photo session.  Crystina took some amazing photos of my big belly and of Paul and I.  I'm madly in love with a lot of them and can't wait to see the rest.  Here's a sneak peek for you:

I can't wait for you to see the rest...heck I can't wait to see the rest!

Hiccups

Had to share...Cora has the hiccups!  So cute! I love feeling her move!

Sanders/Rehmel Shower and less than a month!!

Little Miss Cora Jean could make her appearance in as soon as 8 days!  Holy boogers Batman!!

Saturday, October 8, 2011
My Mom and sister in law threw CJ a shower.  Let's just say I have to expand the house.  We are so blessed and have the most amazing families and friends!  I have to say I'm overwhelmed with the love that Cora already has while she is still cooking!

The shower was so much fun!  Ariah Groan (the little girl that Paul and I used to babysit on Thursdays) modeled all of Cora's outfits that she could get on.  Let's just say if Cora is anything like Ariah, she'll be adorable in all of it!  Macy, Asa, Ariah, Lily, Kelsey, Evie, and Mercedes tried out every toy that they could.  So I know which toys are good ones (like there were any bad ones lol).  Asa and Macy can attest to the great cheese curls!  Ariah and Lily loved the watermelon.  The cake was amazing and so were the cookies!

I think I only have a couple of things left to get for Miss Cora.  I'd like to get her a hamper for her room and I'm debating a diaper pail.  Not that we absolutely need those, but they would be nice to have....I think....

Anyway, I was looking at the calendar and I have less than a month until my due date...WOW!!!  Well that's all for now.  Cora is currently moving her legs around wanting me to stand up and give her room.  OB check up on Wednesday.  We are down to weekly checkups!