Three Weeks Old

We are home, settled, and trying to get into a routine. Clint and I both fall more in love with Wynn everyday. Here are a few pictures of my beautiful baby girl.

Lainey Wynn Lowery

All is well that ends well... that is the best way I can describe the roller coaster known as last week.

Monday 9:10 am, Clint and I arrive at the doctor's office. I am 40 weeks to the day and they wanted to do an ultrasound to check the babies progress and see how big she was. As soon as the doctor came in he said, man.... that is one big baby (that isn't an exact quote... this included an expletive). He said she was measuring about 9 lbs and he was worried that if she got any bigger I would not be able to deliver her. So he told us to go and check in the hospital early that afternoon and they would begin inducing labor. (I wasn't dilated at all at this point.) So Clint and I left quite excited knowing that the next day our little girl would arrive. Around 5 they gave me medicine to make me start to dilate. It also made me start to have contractions about every 2 minutes, so much so that they couldn't give me the other 2 doses of medicine that they were supposed to.

That night I began hurting pretty bad. Then they gave me something for the pain. Before it was even completely in my IV I was out. I got a good preview of what I would have been like drunk or high, and it was not pretty.

5 am the next morning they began the pit drip. Contractions still 2 min apart but now much stronger. By 7 am they broke my water. 10:30... time for my epidural... ok... at this points I comment to all those who praise the epidural... I am sure they are wonderful... if they work. 2 people came in to give it to me... turns out one of them was just "learning the ropes" the guy behind her was talking her through the whole thing. I am pretty sure she hit bone at one point. Finally the guy behind her gives it a go. He stuck me 2 times... then finally relief... that lasted an hour.

About an hour later I noticed a whole lot a feeling back in one side and felt my back was really wet. I had mom and clint look at it... my whole back, bed, everything was soaked with this yellow stuff and blood. We showed it to the nurse and told her about the feeling coming back. She had me turn on my side and then said the epidural just needed retaping. So more tape on my back and laying on my side... still in pain... this is all about noon.

Finally around 5 they realize hey... I don't think this is working right. (duh) maybe we should get another anesthesiologist in there to look at it. So, the next lady comes in, she says that it is in the wrong place and they are going to have to redo it... again... Clint is pretty mad at this point. I am pretty tired and still contracting pretty much constantly cause they keep upping my drip cause I am not dilating like they want me to. So, one more epidural. This one works about an hour and a half... then wears off faster than the first one did... by the way... my back is still leaking. (Why were me and Clint the only ones in the room really concerned about that?)

Ok... now... my little nurse (who was really sweet) kept checking me throughout the day and said around 6 I am 8cm dilated, then an hour later the doc came in (not mine cause he had to leave because his house got struck by lightening... that is a whole other story) anyway, new doctor checks me and says... you aren't close to 8... it is more like 4-5... we are going to up the drip again, and then reassess later. Anyway... around 11:30 I had pretty much stalled out at 7 cm. So time for a c-section.

Since my epidural wore off (again) they had one chance at a spinal block. If that worked then Clint could be in the room. If it didn't then they would have to put me out, and he wouldn't get to be in there. I have to say, at this point I wasn't too thrilled about another needle in my back, but I would much rather him be in there and me be awake than be asleep. Thankfully that one worked. On to the delivery room.

Dr. Phillips (who is now one of my favorite people) performed the c-section. He came in and began praying for the procedure he was about to start. When he finished he turned to Clint and said... this is the way it was supposed to be, God will take care of it.

Within 15 minutes she was out and doing well. The doctor said after he delivered her that it was a good thing they went ahead with the c-section because neither of us would have been able to survive a vaginal birth. (She was too big to come out of me) Praise God for taking care of us both.

So, after 36 hours... Lainey Wynn Lowery made her official entrance into the world. She was born at 12:27 July 30th. She weighed 8 lbs 10 oz. and was 21 inches long.

We ended up having to spend a little extra time in the hospital because Wynn became jaundiced. We were released from the hospital Sunday at 4. I have never been so happy to be home in my entire life. Tomorrow we go to the pediatrician to check on the jaundice so keep her in your prayers.

40 weeks

Tomorrow morning we go to the doctor for an ultrasound and my 40 weeks appt. Hopefully we will find out things are progressing a bit more than they have been up to this point. Baby Wynn hasn't seemed to be in much of a hurry so far, which makes questions that stupid people ask like, "so, you haven't had that baby yet?" so much fun! I really think I am going to start saying, "No, we had her a few days ago... i know i didn't lose ANY weight, AND we left her at home." I really think some people are stupid.

Anyway, happier note, I got to see Adam, Dana, Emma, and Chloe last week. They stopped by on their way from Enterprise to Birmingham. I am pretty sure Adam is having a hard time coping with the fact that I am actually old enough to have a baby (he still doesn't think I am old enough to drive). Dana took some pregnant pics of me while they were here. (It is great having a sister in law who is such a good photographer!) The girls are getting SO big. Emma is so smart and social! She kept asking when Wynn's birthday was going to be. I told her I wished I knew. Chloe is the most petiete little speeding bullet I have ever seen. She doesn't look big enough to be walking and talking, but she doesn't let that stop her. I think she is going to be an athlete because she seemed to enjoy playing with baby Wynn's football and basketball toys.

Panther Fans

Apparently I have become crafty. I decided that Wynn needed to be able to support her daddy on Friday nights, and made her this great gameday outfit. Clint loved it, and I am pretty proud of it myself. Now she can show her panther spirit!

What a beautiful face

Today we went back for our redo of the 4D ultrasound. Baby Wynn is now 3 pounds. Her heartrate was 158. She was a bit more cooperative today. We got several pictures of her face. Occasionally the nurse would push on my stomach so that maybe Wynn would move whatever hand or foot was infront of her face... Oh, no... my child just got ticked off and would move another hand or foot infront of her face... Anyway... here is what we saw today!

Thanks George W

Today as I was checking my online bank account, I noticed that balance was significantlly higher than I expected. I scrolled down to see... have they not cashed my rent check... or any other check I have written this month??? Then I saw it. A 1200 dollar gift from the federal government. Now... most of this money is going into a savings acct on Monday; however, I did go ahead and buy our new travel system for baby Wynn today. After much looking, we decided on the Graco MetroLite. It was easy to put together, and looks good too! Guess we will get to see how it works in just over 2 months.

Monday, we go back for another chance at seeing Wynn's face. Maybe she won't hide this time!!! Check back Monday afternoon and hopefully I will have pictures!

Now introducing....

Lainey Wynn Lowery. Today we went for our 4D ultrasound. I know all of you find it hard to believe, but my child was being a bit stubborn, so we are going to go again Monday and try to get some clearer pics. (I love our ultrasound lady!) Anyway, here she is. Most of the time I had to turn away from the screen because of how she was lying, but it was fun because I got to watch Clint's reaction to everything.