Penelope's Birth Story

Holy crap balls! I'm a mom! One week later, and it still boggles my mind that I created this little human. This has been such a crazy ride and I wouldn't change a thing.

Nella held out. Even though I tried everything to get her out. I walked as much as I could, I ate spicy food, took hot showers and yes we even had sex. Even that didn't work! She was stubborn and had us wait all the way until Friday to be induced. She was a week late at that point. Even though it was annoying and frustrating to me at the time it was actually a good experience  for me. I'm a planner and very organized so being induced actually worked for me. I was able to clean the house, so we wouldn't come back to a pig hole, I got to go to the grocery store and buy some essentials so we wouldn't have to rush out when we got home, I even re-checked our hospital bags. Once there was nothing left for me to do all I could do was wait. I waited for Scottie to get home, once he got home we were off.

We got to the hospital right at 6 o'clock, we got checked in and were sent to labor and delivery. We settled into room 8, I got dressed in that lovely hospital gown, got hooked up to all the monitors and waited. Our doctor came in a little after 7 checked me, still was only 1 cm, and gave me cervidill to get the process going. This pretty much gets your cervix ready for labor and delivery by softening and ripening it. It causes cramping so at around 11 I got a shot that took care of the pain and let me sleep. My poor husband didn't get much sleep that night but he wasn't going anywhere. And my amazing mother stayed all night at the hospital even though nothing was happening, she was afraid if she left she'd miss something. She finally left to get some sleep at 5 in the morning!

Our doctor came in at around 8 the next morning. He checked me, said I was about 2 cm dilated and would start the pitocen. This would start contractions and really get the party started. I really didn't feel anything. The nurse said I was having them but they weren't that painful at all. At around 1:30 our doctor came in checked me and told me I was 3 to 4 cm, then he broke my water. That was the ticket. The contractions started coming one after another and boy did they hurt. I think I lasted an hour before I got the epidural. They checked me again and I was up to 7 cm! Once I got the epidural I was good to go. We waited maybe another hour before I was fully dilated. Scottie was so excited he couldn't stop smiling but I told him to stop it because hello I was in pain! No smiling allowed! I could feel the contractions at this point too, not full on but enough that it hurt.

Our nurse got me ready and I started to push! It was crazy. Every time I felt a contraction I would take a deep breathe and push, I got three pushes in with every contraction. My contractions were far enough apart where once I pushed I could really re-group, catch my breathe and re-focus on giving another good push. I had my eyes closed the whole time, I was concentrating on Scottie's voice, my mom's voice and the nurse's telling me to keep going. Scottie actually watched the thing. I could feel pressure but that was it. Before we knew it she was out. Scottie cut the cord and she was placed on my chest. That's a moment I'll never forget, it was absolutely amazing. So surreal. You've waited so long to meet this little human you created and it's finally here.

Penelope Lynn arrived on November 16th, 2013 at 5:08 pm weighing 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long.
I'm so glad my sister was there to capture these precious moments.

 This was literally minutes after she was born.

 Getting weighed and cleaned up.

 With Daddy.

Not sure why we were making these faces but I love this picture.

There were quite a few a people waiting to meet here so probably about an hour after birth the flood gates opened and everyone got to meet her!

 Grandma and Papa Francisco

 Auntie Julie

 Auntie Julie and Daddy

 Uncle Frank

 Auntie Amanda

 God-mommy Amanda

 Love this picture. My god-mother with Nella's god-mother.

 Cousin Heather

 Aunt Ashley and cousin Adora

 Mimi DeVoe

 Papa DeVoe

Rachel

 Enjoying some alone time.

We were moved that night to our new room where we stayed until Monday morning. Daddy went home to sleep, the recliner wasn't really working for him. I sent my little bean to the nursery so I could actually get some sleep. They brought her back for feedings every couple hours. So far she's doing really well with breast feeding and I am thankful for that. We had some more visitors before we went home. 

 God-mommy's back for some more loving.

 Cousin Kylie.

 Cousin Mackenzie.

 Cousin Kody.

 Cousin Adora.

 Her first outfit.

We love her so much and are happy to be home now. Daddy's vacation is over  which makes Mommy sad but knows he's only a phone call away. We are enjoying being home and look forward to all the adventures this wild ride is sure to bring us.

Birthday Reflections

I can't believe my birthday is tomorrow! I have been so focused on this baby that honestly I completely forgot! So yes tomorrow I will be 26. I am so incredibly happy and feel very blessed to have the life that I do. I know I complain sometimes, but honestly who doesn't?! I have an amazing husband, an amazing family that surrounds me, some very fabulous friends and a little girl on the way. I know I am so fortunate to be able to stay home in these last few months of pregnancy, I almost don't think I could do it every day if I had to go to work. I am very fortunate that my husband has a good job and has been able to kept us afloat.

In other news sadly my days with my little Mario are numbered. Once my little Nella comes he will be going with his auntie full time instead of returning to me. I am sad, he is such a good baby and so easy to take care of and at only two days a week it was the perfect fit, and the perfect amount of extra money we needed. With that said if you know of anyone or you yourself need a part time care giver for your little one let me know! You can find me on Facebook or e-mail me at cait.francisco@gmail.com.

Another sad thing, we had a deal of a lifetime put in front of us as far as cars goes. Great car, great mileage, great shape, great everything! The payment would have been the perfect amount, we could of junked my old car and actually had some savings to get us by while I stayed home with Nella for a month. But sadly the bank couldn't approve the loan, I haven't gotten a chance to actually talk to the lady but I'm sure it has something to do with needing a co-signer, which we don't have! And it sucks. It sucks having such a shitty car and not being able to do anything about it. Hopefully once Nella is here we'll get back to where we need to be money wise, be able to save again and start the search yet again for a decent car. Looks like we'll be going the dealership route, because that seems to be the only way we'll be able to get a car!

Well whatever we will figure it out, like my mother always, "It'll all work out." No big plans for my birthday this year, I didn't want a party or anything, I just wanted to relax with my hubby for the evening. My mom is cooking me a roasted chicken dinner with mashed potatoes though so I'm  super excited about that. All I can think about is Thanksgiving dinner, and all the yummy food which is why my mom is making me that dinner! Super pumped! Other wise, I just want to chill, just relax.

Onto baby news. You want some news?! Yeah well so do I! All I've got is a big fat nothing! This baby is far too comfortable in my belly! My due date is Friday and I feel nothing. I could of sworn last night I felt three contractions, but that was it. Just three, right in a row and then nothing else. So yeah, poo! But we do have a doctors appointment tomorrow, fingers crossed we'll here some good news!

Although I must say I don't think I've ever dusted as much in my life. Good old nesting! I got all of our Halloween decorations down. Today I rearranged the bedroom (a little tip don't rearrange furniture when you're about to pop, you'll hate yourself later.) I'm washing our sheets yet again, and I plan on washing all of Nella's clothes. Why have I not done this yet.....I have no idea. Everything else is pretty clean. I'm just trying to keep myself busy and not focus on the fact that my baby girl is still not here yet! It's a little difficult when you have a huge belly as a constant reminder!

Here's some snapshots from Halloween. Although it was rainy it was actually quite nice out. I didn't really walk around this year but had fun handing out candy (and eating it too!)

 I decided to be a pumpkin this year, I think it was appropriate. :)

 Adora as Cinderella!

 Kody as a Jedi

 Little Copeland as a burrito! Too cute!

 My sweet pumpkin!

Well that's all for now! Hope everyone is having a good Monday and has a good rest of the week! Maybe this week we'll be blessed with our little bundle of joy! Fingers crossed!