I never thought I would be someone who wanted pictures of myself in labor, in probably the most unflattering moments of my life, but I will forever cherish every image that Alicia captured of Hayes’ arrival.
He is our greatest gift.
Category: Hayes
New Years Day
Somebody wanted to party until 4 am last night.. (I’m not pointing any fingers..)
So, we slept in today.
At The Hospital
After little guy was released from the NICU, I was finally able to take some photos without the cords and probes all over him.
I’m smitten with his chubby, little feet, his hair that flips out on the sides, the features that are clearly from his daddy & his calm, sweet personality.
I can’t believe how much he has already changes since taking these pictures 4 days ago.
Hayes John
Tuesday, November 24th was one of the absolute hardest, yet most rewarding & spiritual days of my life.
For the last 5 weeks of my pregnancy I was going to see my doctor once a week, as well as going to labor & delivery for non-stress tests. My blood pressure had been all over the place ever since week 20, but other than headaches, I had no other pre-eclampsia symptoms. So, I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension. Therefore, I felt super high maintenance having to go to the hospital every week knowing that they would just send me home because my blood pressures would level out by the time the tests were done. The amazing nurses at Lone Peak all knew me by name. 🙂
Last week I got this feeling that I needed to start packing my bag for the hospital & have it ready in the car. We installed the car seat & I had my bags with me whenever I had an appointment. We never knew what my blood pressure was going to be & if it would actually stay high during my stress tests & become an issue. Dr. Smith had told me that if my blood pressure remains high during one of these, he was going to induce me.
Tuesday, November 24th was that day. 10 days before baby’s due date.
Molly, the first of many nurses who helped me that day, was so sweet. She came in intermittently to check me during my test because my numbers were high. She called Dr. Smith, & came back in to the room with the news. She told me that we were going to have a baby today & they were admitting me right away. Clint was at work, so I gave him a call to tell him this crazy news.. I could hear the utter excitement & anxiousness in his voice.
By the time Clint got there at noon, they were working on getting my IV in working order & prepping me to start pitocin. It didn’t take long to get pitocin started. I was at a 1 & 60%.
The next few hours were pretty uneventful. Clint got a little bit more work done & I watched, but mostly just listened to, Pitch Perfect. At 4, Dr. Smith came in and broke my water, put the heart rate monitor probe on baby’s head & another wire in my uterus to better measure my contractions. Around 5 PM they checked me again after I started feeling some slight contractions. I was at a 3.
By 6 PM, my contractions were crazy strong & consistent. I was in so much pain that I threw up all of the delicious cran-apple juice that I had downed earlier that day. I called in the nurse & told her that I wanted the epidural. She came back after calling Dr. Smith with the news that I would need to hold out a little longer. He was concerned about how little I was progressing & really didn’t want the epidural to stint that natural process. Through the next 45 minutes of crazy pressure & contractions, Clint was right by my side through every one, holding my uncontrollably shaking hand & talking me through it. (Ugh. I just love that man.) Molly came in & gave me the most amazing news ever. She had been watching my contractions & couldn’t believe how strong they were. She got the anesthesiologist in there by 7 & I was feeling peachy keen within 30 minutes… Until little guy decided to drop & the pressure intensified. This is referred to as “lightening”. I also had what the nurses called a “hot spot” in the front of my pelvis, which was a spot that for some reason the epidural just wasn’t hitting & there was nothing we could do about it. Yeah, that sucked.
My new nurse, Chelsey, was a freaking rockstar. Her & another nurse Kate would be the ones to help push me through the upcoming hours of the most excruciating pain of my life. The baby’s pressure in my pelvis was so bad I threw up again, only this time my epidural was in full force, so I couldn’t turn myself to the side. I felt helpless while Clint tried to lean me over on my side so I didn’t throw up completely on myself. Chelsey got me hooked up with some pretty awesome anti-nausea medicine after that & also gave me some oxygen as I breathed through the contractions. She kept telling me that this pain was a good thing, that maybe it meant that things were progressing as they should be. She checked me at about 9:30 & I was at a 4. I remember feeling defeated.. Chelsey just kept reassuring me that pressure is a good thing, that baby is getting ready. I guess all of the nurses were pretty impressed with how calm I was through all of this.
Now by 10:30, I was done. Chelsey & Kate, came in & saved the day. Kate explained that she was going to put me in a position that seems kind of strange, but it would help reshape my pelvis & adjust baby’s head position to lessen the pain. They flipped me over so I was almost laying on my stomach. My left leg was on top of a birthing ball that was shaped like a peanut & Kate was up on the bed pushing down on my hip through the contractions. She explained that this would help shape the pelvis into more of an “O” shape rather than an oval. Her pushing on my hip really did lessen the pressure.
Chelsey checked me again at 11 PM & I was at a 9! A NINE!!! Baby was also in a +1 position. Simultaneously, Clint immediately called our photographer & my mom, Jess & Aunt Mary Ann walked in with some food for Clint. They still thought I was at a 4, so when they walked in & saw a nurse on top of me with oxygen on my face, they thought it was going to be a long night. When they started asking the nurses questions about my progress, I realized that they didn’t know about the current situation. I said, “I’m at a 9!” All three of them went “WHAT?!” & immediately got smiles on their faces. They couldn’t believe it. They waited in the waiting room while baby was born. It’s so fun to hear them reflect on that hour of anticipation. Watching the doctors and nurses rush by & hearing his first little cry. Wait, wait! Back to the story! 🙂
After they found out I was at a 9, they called Dr. Smith. Chelsey had me push through 3 contractions. 3 pushes of 10 seconds per contraction. By the end of the 3rd contraction, Chelsey made me stop because in her words, she was “not going to catch a baby tonight.” Breathing through the next 5 or 6 contractions until the doctor got there, was so, so strange. During the 3rd or 4th contraction, I remember Clint & Chelsey reassuring me by saying, “he’ll be here soon, Macquel.” I remember this being the only time where I got frustrated & impatient. I said, “Where the hell is he?!” & we all kind of giggled.
Dr. Smith walked in at 11:40, got ready & calmly came in & said hello to me. He sat down & had me push through one contraction. My epidural had almost worn off. I mostly just had numbness in my legs & feet, but I could feel the contractions again. I think this really contributed to how well I could push. I could feel where the pressure needed to be. I could feel him moving through. Dr. Smith looked me in the eye & said, “Okay, Macquel, this next contraction, we’re having a baby!” I grabbed my legs that next contraction & pushed harder than I ever had. It took two pushes to feel his head & the next push to feel his body.
We welcomed Hayes John Anderson into this world at 11:51 PM.
It was the most incredible feeling to see my little, cone-headed boy laying on my chest. I put my finger in his little hand while they suctioned out his airway & I remember locking eyes with Clint in disbelief that this was actually happening. I heard his first little cry as they put him under the heating lamp. I was in shock. That was our little boy. He was beautiful & perfect. After they took his measurements, I saw Clint holding his son for the first time & my heart melted. He walked him over to me so I could see his face while they were stitching me up (only a few stitches & a really clean tear. Yay!) He laid Hayes on my chest. There are no words to express the amount of joy, relief & love I felt at that moment. I remember saying a prayer & thanking my Heavenly Father for bringing this little boy here safely & allowing me to be his mom.
Shortly after we got our alone time holding the baby, my mom, Jess & Mary Ann came in & got to meet our little one. Then Clint’s mom & brother were on their way home from cleaning the temple & got to meet him within the first hour of his birth as well. It was fun to have everyone there to celebrate with us.
My nurses kicked everyone out so we could do skin to skin & try nursing. Sweet Chelsey was so worried that she hurt their feelings when she was asking them to leave, but I assured her that they understood 🙂 Plus, I didn’t care. I wanted that alone time, dang it! & it was nice to have some quiet time to really take it all in.
Hayes is beautiful. He is nothing like I had imagined, but everything I could have ever dreamed. We are so blessed to have such a calm, sweet & happy baby boy in our lives. Stay tuned for the rest of little Hayes’ story of his stay in the NICU.
Week 36
How far along: 36 weeks! (The extreme close-up of baby’s face was from a non-stress test I had at 35 weeks)
Total weight gain: gained 25 lbs total
Maternity clothes: Always! I’ve kind of given up on wearing pants. I live in dresses these days. Mostly because I’m having some claustrophobia issues. Pants are just so constraining, am I right?!
Stretch marks: Just a few new, little ones on my sides.
Sleep: Hit or miss. Some nights, I sleep like a log. Others, I toss & turn, & have to get up to go to the bathroom at least 2 times.
Best moment of this week: We finally have the nursery all put together! We installed the shelf in the closet to store all the diapers. I have all of his clothes washed and in his drawers or hanging up. We are still missing his crib mattress, but since he’ll be sleeping in our room in a rock & play, we’ll be buying that in a few months. I’m so excited to get some photos of it. I’m sure they’ll be featured here soon 🙂
Miss anything: Last night, I just laid there & watched Clint sleep on his stomach. I was so green with jealous rage.. Soon enough!
Movement: Most days it’s a party in there. He does have random days where he doesn’t move around much, which makes this momma a little nervous at times. He makes sure to make up for it for the next few days though. He loves to hang out in my ribs, which makes breathing a little difficult. I think that’s why I’ve started having claustrophobia issues.
Food cravings: My latest craving is the Momojito from a delicious soda shop out in South Jordan named Fiiz. It’s Sprite with fresh lime & minty, lime deliciousness.. I honestly might go get one right now.. Just thinking about it is making me a drool a little.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I’ve felt a little nauseous my entire 3rd trimester.
Have you started to show yet: Very much so, but haven’t dropped yet!
Gender: Still a boy!
Labor signs: I have Braxton Hicks every once in a while, but pretty inconsistent. At my 35 week appointment, my doc said I’m completely closed. So we’ve got a long way to go to make this shiz progress.
Belly button in or out: Belly button is still in.
Wedding rings on or off: Off.
Happy or moody most of the time: I’ve been a little crazy & emotional lately. My better half has been such a blessing. Clint is an amazing, doting husband & makes sure I get taken care of, including “cankle” rubs (#spoiled). He keeps me sane, lets me vent & makes me feel beautiful even when I feel far from it.
Looking forward to: Crossing a few more things off our “to-do list” before baby makes his arrival. I’ve got to pack my hospital bag, rearrange our room to make room for the rock & play & my rocking chair, & clean the rest of the house 
Yaaay for nesting!
Week 33
How far along: 33 weeks!
Total weight gain: gained 21 lbs total
Maternity clothes: Always!
Stretch marks: No more than the last check in. Definitely considering myself lucky right now. Although, I’m sure with the 4+ lbs that he’ll gain before delivery, I’ll get a few more. I ain’t scurred! 🙂
Sleep: Getting a restful sleep at night has been quite the feat these days. I’ve been feeling SO uncomfortable. I’ve started getting charley horses in my feet & I’ve had some pretty intense back pain the past couple weeks, which keep me up. I’ve started drinking a bottle of water before bed. It’s definitely helping with the charley horses, but doing no good for my bladder.
Best moment of this week: We took our maternity photos! Take a looksie here!
If I haven’t mentioned before, my sister AND sister-in-law are both expecting, too. My sissy is having her little lady on October 26th & my sister-in-law is due on November 29th with a little girl as well! (Baby boy is going to be pretty outnumbered on my side of the family 🙂 )
All of us decided early on that it would be nice to have some frozen meals prepped so the first couple months of having a baby will be relatively cooking free. Last Saturday, we checked it off our lists! We made a grand total of 42 meals altogether! Some of the meals we prepped were:
- Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Beef Enchilada Casserole
- Spinach, Artichoke & Chicken Lasagna
- Traditional Beef Lasagna
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Beef Pot Pie
- Pasta Fagioli
- White Chicken Chili
- & Jess & Kellie made some Meatloaf!
This is the first time we’ve tried this and I really, really hope that they turn out!
Miss anything: Sleeping on my stomach!
Movement: SO much movement. I am starting to see little limbs and maybe a little bum roll against my belly. He’s definitely running out of room in there!
Food cravings: Gas station nachos, sushi and cold cut deli sandwiches.
Anything making you queasy or sick: It’s strange, but the past couple weeks I’ve been pretty nauseous. I didn’t have any nausea during my first or second trimesters, so maybe this is when mine is going to hit. Who knows!
Have you started to show yet: Very much so!!
Gender: Boy!!
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks, starting in my back. I did not know this, but a lot of women feel contractions in their back first, before feeling the tightness and cramping in their belly.
Because I have back pain practically all the time, it has made me nervous about when I actually start contracting. I’m sure I’ll recognize the difference between the two when I start having actual labor contractions, but it’s freaking me out right now.
Belly button in or out: Belly button is still in, but not by much!
Wedding rings on or off: Off, definitely off. Another one of my not-so-pleasant 3rd trimester symptoms is claustrophobia. Jewelry is out of the question & my bra is coming close to being banned as well 🙂 Just ordered my first nursing bra & it’s wireless, so hopefully that should help.
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy/Moody. The closer we get to finishing his nursery and prepping for his arrival it makes me so happy. However, this onset of discomfort, makes me a little (lot) bit of a whiner.
Looking forward to: Finishing the shelf for the baby’s closet so we can stash away some diaper boxes & clothes, & get the rest of the decorations hung this week! The photo of the stag art above was one of my favorite finds for the nursery to date 🙂 Putting his nursery together has been one of my favorite things & I can’t wait to see it all finished!
Maternity Photos
Little Guys’ Baby Shower
Saturday, my sister & sister-in-law threw me the cutest shower! It was so great to see so many of my aunts & cousins. I feel extremely blessed (& spoiled).
29 Weeks
How far along: 29 weeks!
Total weight gain: gained 16 lbs.
Maternity clothes: Recently, I’ve been circulating through a few different shirts and leggings & it’s gotten really frustrating. Let’s just say it’s not contributing much to my self-esteem either. Old Navy had 50% off sale on all maternity clothes the other day, so I may or may not have gone on a little online shopping spree. I bought a new dress for my first baby shower next week. 😀
Stretch marks: A few little ones on my sides/ribs.
Sleep: This week has been a rough one, but not because of baby or pregnancy. I woke up on Tuesday with HORRIBLE tooth pain on a tooth that I’ve already had a crown and root canal done. I thought maybe I just had something in between my teeth so I spent the next couple days flossing really well & brushing, but nothing would relieve the pain. After spending the majority of the night sobbing, I went in to the dentist on Thursday morning, because I just couldn’t take it any more and they said that I would need to go to an endodontist to have them take a look at how extensive the abscess was and what the next steps would be. They put me on an antibiotic and with the approval of my OB, I got some pain meds.
I was taking the pain meds and compressing with ice & heat, but NOTHING was relieving the pain. I slept for a total of two hours on Thursday night. I went in to the dentist Friday morning & he gave me a local anesthetic to numb my jaw & tooth. I cried so many happy tears because the pain was finally gone! If not for just a little while. I explained to my dentist that problems with this particular tooth runs in my family & that I’d rather just pull it now to save myself from more pain and money down the road. He agreed that it would probably be the best decision.
Clint & I headed to our ultrasound & I actually got to enjoy seeing our little guy because I was so numbed up. 🙂
After the ultrasound, we went straight back to the dentist & they pulled my tooth. As I laid there & felt them yanking on my tooth & jaw, I couldn’t help but just think about my little guy & his cute little movements that I got to see just an hour before. It definitely helped get me through that moment &, again, reminded me that this crappy, crappy moment of pain would pass!
Oh, & I slept MUCH, MUCH better last night, even though I had to sleep in my rocking chair to keep my jaw above my heart.
Best moment of this week: Right here, right now. I’m feeling the baby kick, watching “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” & I can’t feel my heart beat in my face! It’s a friggin’ miracle.
Miss anything: Still missing sleeping on my stomach & also Coke. I’ve cut back on caffeine because of my high blood pressure (&… it’s better for the baby, I know 🙂 )
Movement: SO much movement. This little guy has so much personality already.
Food cravings: I have different cravings every day. Yesterday was pad thai, & the day before that was pho (a Vietnamese noodle soup).
Anything making you queasy or sick: I’m still pretty sensitive to smells.
Have you started to show yet: Why, yes, I am. I’m feeling larger and larger by the day.
Gender: Boy!!
Labor signs: I haven’t had any Braxton Hicks yet, nor any pelvic pain. I’m sure they’ll both make an appearance within the next couple weeks.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Happy or moody most of the time: Feeling a lot happier right now than I have all week. Seriously guys, I thought that tooth was going to be the death of me.
Looking forward to: My family baby shower next week.
Week 25
How far along: 25 weeks!
Total weight gain: gained 11.4 lbs total
Maternity clothes: This little guy is growing and growing fast, so dressing myself has been pretty interesting. I just ordered some new full panel maternity pants from Old Navy and I’m super, super excited about them. No more feeling like my belly is cut in half.
Stretch marks: Luckily, not any more then at 21 weeks. Wahoo!
Sleep: Nights have been a little rough lately. I fall asleep on my side and 2 hours later, I wake up laying on my back. So, I roll over on my side, fall back asleep and the cycle continues. Then, there’s the matter of going to the bathroom once or twice a night. Overall, let’s just say nights are rough..
I read this article on Baby Center about sleep positions and it really helped me gain perspective on what’s best for me and baby.
Best moment of this week: I found powder ranch mix in the fridge and a jar of jelly in the cupboard yesterday. Pregnancy brain at its finest!
Miss anything: Sleeping on my stomach and getting off of the couch or out of my bed with ease.
Movement: SO much movement. I’m still so paranoid that something could go wrong or is wrong. It’s such a relief to feel those not-so little kicks any more and know that he’s doing okay. Every single time he moves, I pat my belly and tell him thank you.
I had the edge of my laptop propped up on my belly the other day and my whole laptop moved with his kicks.
Food cravings: Fried Pickles always sounds good. Yes, I’m that pregnant lady.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really. I know that when my stomach is empty, I have a stronger gag reflex. Oh, & smells.
Have you started to show yet: Yeah! Finally!
Gender: Boy!!
Labor signs: Not yet.
Wedding rings on or off: On, on the days that I actually wear them..which I am trying to do more these days so I don’t look a floozy 😉
Happy or moody most of the time: So happy, but anxious. Time is going by really fast & there is still so much left to do. Thinking about all the projects, & labor, & life after baby, it’s only slightly overwhelming.
Looking forward to: Hitting my third trimester in 3 weeks!
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