My Labor Story

Wow, it has been an amazing week. Words can not even begin to express how much love I feel right now.

My labor story:

We arrived at Central Baptist Hospital (Lexington, KY) at 9 p.m. to get checked in for scheduled induction. When we got there, we were notified that they had just had 6 admissions so we would have to come back at 10 p.m. After a quick trip to Mr. Donald's for a final meal (chicken nugget happy meal).

At 10 p.m. I got checked in & was immediately hooked up to iv & had blood drawn. The Laborist then came in the insert Foley Bulb to mechanically dilate my cervix over night. It worked wonderfully & I was dilated to 4 cm by 2 a.m.  It was at that time they began to increase my Pitocin dosage.

Ready

My contractions were coming regularly (every 4-5 mins. apart) & were becoming uncomfortable. I called nurses station to have them call anesthesiologist & at that very moment in walks my nurses & Dr. Looff to break my water (9:00 a.m.).  Dr. Looff informed me that "this is where it will begin to get uncomfortable & will become hard to be kind." Was he ever right! So much so that I informed mom that "...now is not the time to try & be funny..." (I have no clue what was said now tho. haha)  I officially believe that I experienced the longest 40 mins of my life as I wait for my epidural.  But, man was I ever happy & smiling after the anesthesiologist made her pit stop by my room.

Keeping everyone updated -HA! 

It was a morning & afternoon of turning from one side to the other, increasing & decreasing Pitocin dosage, & waiting.  Mr. Caleb's little heart was not tolerating induction well, yet I continued to dilate at a normal rate (nurse said I was @ 8 c.m.) Caleb's heart rate just out of control way up and bottomed out Dr. Looff informed nurse over the phone that "baby is just not going to tolerate labor and we need to go to OR & get this baby here."

As we were prep'ed to head to the OR for C-section (Josh dressed & me prep'd/informed, & a full Ceserian dose of anesthetics), Dr. Looff came back into L&D room.  He decided the check me again & was thrilled to here him say "...you're complete & you're going to push this baby out right now..."  Josh went out to get mom for her to join us in L&D.

What was hilarious was I had ZERO control of my body from the high dose of anesthetics. One of the nurses dropped my leg and it slammed the table -I didn't mind, I felt NOTHING. But, it made it hard for me to push for I had NO clue of I was actually pushing enough to get this little squirt here.

After having to be coached when contractions were coming & when to push -after only 4 contractions (approximately 10 mins.) we welcomed Caleb Neil Adams into this world at 3:09 p.m.  As nurses took little man to suction him (b/c he had some Merconium) I was listening for his 1st cry, listening to the nurses comments, listening to Dr. Looff's comments, & I turn to realie Josh (who was a WONDERFUL coach through the entire process) was no longer @ my side but was in the seat white as a ghost. Poor guy! After an orange juice he pulled through & left to go down to escort his mother up to the room.

Caleb Neil was welcomed minutes after by his proud parents, proud grandparents (mom, dad, & Josh's mother), and his great granny.  They allowed us the keep him in L&D for quite a while to enjoy him. Love at 1st sight DOES exist.

Welcome Caleb Neil Adams, 7/27/11, 3:09 p.m., 6 lbs. 4 oz., 20 in. and completely PERFECT!

Let's get this show on the road

Checked in, hooked up & ready to roll. Everyone should be mighty jealous of my lovely green attire. Contractions coming pretty regularly already. Sleep meds in my system & hopefully a nights sleep will actually happen.

2

Admitted @ 10 p.m. 7/26/1

UPDATE (10:35 a.m.):

4cm

Epidural in place = me one happy girl

Now, we wait!

Due Date TODAY -NO Caleb in sight

Well, TODAY is my due date (according to my initial scan) & still no baby Caleb.

Saw doctor yesterday afternoon and it looks like it's about time for Caleb to grace the world with his presence.  My blood pressure was way up and caused concern of preeclampsia.  BP has been 120/70 the entire pregnancy, yesterday it was 140/88. Awaiting news about the blood work results.

On another note, was able to see little man yesterday via ultrasound.  He is doing well & measuring in at approximately 6 lbs. 8 oz.

Doc did say several times during appointment that it is "...beginning to look like it may be better environment for baby to be outside rather than inside..."  I am thrilled to hear that, just wish Caleb would decide he wants to come on his own.  But, if he decides he truly is that cozy in there -looks he will be evicted by Sunday.

Hey, at least the little guy allowed me to get my hair cut yesterday. HA!

Anxiously waiting....

39w

Pregnancy progress:

40 weeks 

Weight: up 23 lbs. -still, can hardly believe it has not changed in 3 weeks

Dilated, still nothing too significant -surprised me

Exhausted & crazy pressure pain -feels like elephant kicked me

Still not sleeping well -5 a.m. has come early this week 

More uncomfortable than I ever have been, I guess when its the week of your due date & its 1st time you've felt bad that I should be thankful for that. 

Hope the share photos of Mr. Caleb Neil w/ next blog. Until then, take care everyone. Love ya -R

Headed in the right direction

So, doc yesterday (7/12) and finally starting to make some progress in the right direction. Nothing to get all amped about yet or anything, but I have started to dilate. It is hard to say when our little man will decide to make his grand entrance though. Still waiting. I want him to bake until he is "well done," but I am getting SO anxious to meet him. I'm ready for the dirty diapers, lack of sleep, crying, baby snuggles, baby kisses -ALL of it (good & not so great). 

Have another appointment scheduled for Tuesday (19th) for exam & ultrasound if he does not decide to come before then. Doc said, "hopefully you will not keep your appointment."  I hope he is right! 

38w

Pregnancy progress:

39 weeks (today)

Weight: up 23 lbs.

Started to dilate

Exhausted

Starting to experience lack of sleep again, but I think it is due to being so anxious

Caleb starting to move less this past week

No real cravings -I could eat anything and everything in sight

Miss Jayla has informed her parents that she will "be Caleb Neil's owner." HA! I think this may be a "pet" that she will be ready to give back. Although, I am not sure...she is pretty excited for his arrival. She is hilarious. She is so amused that babies are born with "no teef, that's why they drink milk."  And, this morning she expressed her concern for Caleb's sock collection, saying "Caleb Neil does not have lots of socks or him does have lots of socks, CarCar?"  Love her silly little heart.

Well, I guess that's about all the news I have to share at the moment. Just anxiously waiting to be able to share Caleb's birth story with you.

Much love to you ALL. 

Until, next time enjoy the latest daily laugh compliments of Miss Jayla & more wedding images: 

Note: "Nutry Club" = Country Club, I simply find it too funny that she calls it that.

Last images I'll share via blog of Lawson-Burton Wedding. To see more images you may "like" R. Adams Photography on Facebook. -ENJOY! 

Doc's Report/Old News is still good news

Well, it was back to the doc today & FULL TERM -Ekkk!

Docs report:

Caleb is still head down

Cervix closed, but slight effacement

"Right where I'd expect you to be at this point" -Doc

Back every week for follow-ups

"Probably" ultrasound in 2 weeks if he has not made an appearance

And his final verdict: 

"You won't be like this forever, promise." -Doc

Caleb is obviously still growing since I've put on what seems to be significant amount of weight from my last reported, or maybe it is all the doughnuts & cupcakes I have chose to splurge and eat since I only have a couple more weeks before I give up all junk. HA!

Pregnancy Progress to Date:

37 weeks 7 days

Weight: up 23 lbs.

Sleeping better, although belly makes is harder to stay comfortable

Caleb ALWAYS has his bum in my ribs

Feel like I'll bust, EVERYTIME I eat -but can't get enough

Current cravings: Bush's Original Baked Beans & still Cupcakes

-----Old News-----

It sure has been an exciting week and a half. Saturday, June 25 I traveled to Kingsport, TN and shot my 1st wedding.  Who would have imagined that a 36w prego had it in her. I fared much better than I, and everyone else thought I would. I am so happy for newlyweds, Mr. & Mrs. Burton. Their wedding was beautiful & perfect. Here's a little peek.

Before leaving for Kingsport I was so glad that I had the chance to drop in on the Blackburn's home & say hello to them. It is ALWAYS great to spend time catching up with Sarah.  Ian kept us entertained with his box drum abilities & introduced me to the Marvel comic super heroes.  It amazes me how much you can learn from a 3 year old. Little Liam napped in my arms. He is so tiny & precious. I just love her boys so much. Ian was not amused by my photo taking, but I was able to get a good pic of little brother anyway.

Got to see the other kiddos this past week too. But, who can get Kylee (7), Bella (4), & Max (2) to sit together & still enough to get a photo? They sure are a hoot!

I sure missed Jayla's constant entertainment while she was gone. But, man she sure has been giving me lots of laughs this week. Her new found attitude is challenging and cute all at the same time. I tell everyone I spend 95% of my day doing one of 2 things while I am with her:  1) Shaking my head 2) Laughing. She is GREAT therapy for those in need of some comic relief. 

I mean seriously, check out the photo below if you do not believe me:

I mean really, she was being so good and acted so content watching Princess & the Frog while having a popcorn snack that I thought "WOW" she must love that movie. Immediately after that thought, I realized that the headphones she was wearing -well, as you can see...not even plugged in. I am not sure I have laughed this hard since the "big daddy boogie" incident (see 4/29/11 blog if you are wondering what I'm talking about). She proceeded to take the headphones off and ask, "What you laughing @ Car Car?" -Another moment where I just shake my head @ her. 

Well, hope everyone had a HAPPY & SAFE 4th of July weekend. Don't work too hard as you all head back to "reality" = work. 

Until next time, MUCH LOVE! 

Latest Happenings

It was so nice to get to see our little man via ultrasound (6/21/11). But, Caleb again decided to be stubborn & make it impossible to get an image of him. I sure hope that changes when he arrives in this world. This momma will take his photo all the time, until he is old enough to tell me "Stop, Mom." Then, I am still likely to pull the camera out way too often.

At previous appointment, I was measuring larger than expected. I was glad/relieved to hear Doc say, "Well, he is a Goldielocks baby -Not too big, not too small, JUST right."  He is weighing in at approx. 5 lbs. 1 oz. right now (well, maybe a little larger since it has been a week).  He is head down and now to wait. So, my hopes for a v-birth still seems likely at the point. 

In the past week bump has continued to grow -it seems like I get larger every single day. It's like 4 weeks away & with a baby growing at a rapid rate (I've read 1 oz./day) it's only going to get bigger.  It simply amazes me. 

So, I attended a beautiful wedding (6/18/11). Congratulations to the newleyweds -Mr. & Mrs. Popkhadze! It was a beautiful ceremony & super fun reception at Acres of Land Winery in Richmond, KY.

I was finally able to get a couple of "family" images while bump is in full force. With this being such an amazing & exciting time in our lives I wanted to be sure to have at least one photo to remember just what pregnancy looked like on us.

I have been missing Jayla this week as they went out of town, but I was able to rest up & prepare to shoot a beautiful couples wedding (6/25/11). It was a PERFECT day for wedding. After a week of seeing clouds, rain, & thunder bolts -we ended up having blue skies & sunshine. I will be working hard to edit their images in the coming weeks (images to come later). Thankful to have something to do as I wait for Mr. Caleb.

CONGRATULATIONS Mr. & Mrs. Burton. Hope your enjoying your honeymoon. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day. 

Hope all is well with each & every one of you who read this blog. I love sharing with everyone. Take care & enjoy this sweet summer weather. MUCH LOVE!

P.S. Please keep the Blackburn family in your prayers.

Weekly Update

Well, another week is coming to a close & it's almost time to head back to the doc -weeks drag by when I know I have an ultrasound scheduled. Can't wait to see Caleb Tuesday.

 I find it hard to believe that "full term" is just right around the corner & my due day is just a little over a month (34 days). Caleb will be here so soon, but I think that I am as ready as I possibly can be at this point.

I have been working on editing images, preparing for photographing my first wedding next weekend, enjoying Miss Jayla's company during the week, & soaking up the sun @ the pool on the weekends. I figure I only have a few short weeks to be a little selfish w/ my time & have tried to rest & take advantage as much as possible.

Speaking of time w/ Jayla...she is SUCH a pleasure to be with everyday. She cracks me up. Her favorite book right now is "Pinkalicious" and she knows every single word. I was finally able to catch her reading it & just have to share:

I am SO thankful that this summer sun has not kept me inside in the A/C.  I am still feeling much better than I could have ever imagined for 35 weeks pregnant.

Pregnancy Progress to date:

35 weeks

Weight: up 14 lbs.

Have had restless night for the passed month. Up every 3 hours (good practice I suppose)

Current cravings: Can't get enough cupcakes

Oh yeah, Wednesday June 22, I have scheduled a "meet & greet" w/ Caleb's potential pediatric physician. I have put this off way too long. Hopefully, my search will come to a close w/ this visit. 

So, I got bright idea to take my own Maternity photos. After about 30 mins I was able to get a couple of photos. I debated over & over whether or not I would share them -considering I am totally weird about bare belly photos. But, what the hey. So, enjoy!