Introducing......

.....Bret Daniel Stark

November 1, 2007

7lbs 15oz

21 inches

Here's how it all went down - it's going to be a long story:

At about 8:30pm on Halloween, Jason and I decided to go for a walk since it was so nice out and the kids had just wrapped up trick-or-treating. When we got home, I started to feel some contractions but that was "normal" for me after a 2 mile walk.

At about 10:30pm, the contractions didn't subside but getting closer together (about 4 minutes apart). I told Jason that if they didn't slow down by 11:00 then we'd go to the hospital. Needless to say, we ended up going a half hour later. A room was prepped for me and we were settled into it by midnight (so much for an October baby, right?!); my nurse checked me and I was dilated to 6cm and about 85% effaced. I was hooked up to an IV and walked around the L&D area for about 2 hours. My nurse came in around 2 am and said that she was going to break my water. At this point I started to get nervous because I knew there was no turning back. I can honestly say that that was almost the grossest feeling in the world. I felt like I was peeing my pants forever. As most of you know, I wanted to go unmedicated. The contractions were coming fast and furious after my water broke (about every 2 minutes) and I quickly dilated to 7cm. I will be the first to admit - I tried to be really strong and get through labor without an epidural but after laboring for an hour without one, I couldn't do it anymore. Jason kept telling me to get the epidural because he didn't want to see me struggle so much and the pain was so intense; so I did. At 3am, the epidural was administered and I felt like a million dollars. I slept until 6:30am, when I was checked again. My nurse said that I was ready but not thinned out totally. We waited until 7:30am when I started to push. The baby was born at 8:46am. Now I understand what other moms (and dads) mean when they say you can't describe into words what you feel when your baby is born. Very overwhelming and beautiful.

More later - Bret crying.

Nothing new, unfortunately

Jason and I have decided against induction on Monday. I called the DR's office and cancelled, then made my 39 week appointment for Wednesday.....*wishful thinking* maybe he'll tell me to go to the hospital after the appointment. We figured to let the baby bake for another week then make a decision.

We have a pretty relaxed weekend planned....didn't do too much last night, just stuck around the house. Today I'm going to a volleyball tournament (one of my friends is the coach). That should be fun. Tomorrow Jason and I are going to a local orchard to get some doughnuts and cider. I've been dying for some since October 1st!! Question - am I allowed to drink cider if it's not pasteurized?? I can't remember if I asked that already or not. So, not too much to say. Hopefully soon.

Prenatal Appointment #12

Well, I've progressed since last week. The non-stress test showed that the baby is very active today (which is different from the past tests). The 20 minute test records baby's movement, heartbeat and any contractions. The minimum number of movements is two, so if the baby doesn't cooperate, then the nurse stimulates the baby by making me drink ice cold water or, if he's really stubborn, by this thing that looks like a vibrator. I had three contractions during the test (all about 7 minutes apart). The nurse seemed happy because it's showing a pattern- albeit the start of one.

I'm 4 cm dilated but still about 70% effaced. My doctor seemed quite confident that I'm in the final stretch. He said that if we wanted to have the baby today, he'd break my water and I'd probably go into active labor on my own. I think that was too real of an option, so Jason and I declined the offer! The doctor said that he'd be very surprised if I made it to the weekend. He won't be on call at the hospital until Monday, so he may not be delivering the baby. Because of the gestational diabetes concern, he did schedule an induction for Monday just in case I don't go on my own. Jason and I weren't too happy about that because we told him we want to go as natural as possible. He assured us that induction for me, at this point, just meant breaking my water. We were glad to hear that. I promise I'll post a really short note on the day I go to the hospital. Hopefully it'll be before Monday!! Friday would be nice.

Prenatal Appointment #11 - Now It's Getting Exciting!

Had a OB appointment today....Everything went well. I was checked for progression and I'm 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. The doc said that I could go as early as this weekend - which would be good because he's in the hospital this Sunday and Monday. If I don't go on my own by next week, then he said it'll be up to me if I want to schedule an induction. Let's hope I don't have to make that decision because I don't want to be induced and choose the baby's birthday.

The funniest part of the exam was when the doctor said that the baby is really low. He showed us by the middle knuckle of his middle finger when he touched the baby's head. I laughed hysterically when Jason looked at me, after the doctor left the room, and said, "we are NOT having sex anymore." That was the highlight of my day.

So, the time is getting closer and we're feeling more anxious (in a good way). I just can't believe how fast this pregnancy has flown by!

Prenatal Appointment #10 and Other Stuff

Nothing really too exciting happened except that a nurse hurt my feelings. Now, anyone who knows me knows that when my feelings are hurt I don't get sad, I get angry. Here is what happened:

Nurse: Step on the scale, please.
*So I do*
Nurse: Oh my, you've gained 3 pounds this week. Do you feel puffy?
Diana: No. Is gaining 3 pounds in one week a lot at 36 weeks?
Nurse: It's more than we expect. What have you been eating?
Diana: I haven't eaten anything new. The only difference is that I didn't go for my walks last week because it was so hot.
Nurse: Oh.
Diana: *under my breath to Jason* - Bitch.

Other than that, the doctor didn't have much to say other than my Strep B test results are negative and that he'd start examining me for thinning and dilation at the next appointment.

Friday was my last day of work. YIPPPEEEE! I spent all day yesterday doing baby laundry, trying to clean the house a bit and shopping. Of course I did the shopping first. Headed to Babies R Us to pick up a few things that we didn't get off of our registry. I almost choked when the total came to $450 - but thank God for gift cards!! After using every single one of them, I paid $180. Not bad!!

Today I'm going to take it a bit easy. I woke up today with contractions at 4am. Not bad, but I was praying that they'd go away because I wanted to sleep some more. Lately I've been getting up four times a night to go to the bathroom. What a joke. There are times when I pee like a race horse and times when it's a trickle and I can't believe I had to get up.

Jason and I agreed on a name! I am so excited!! We're not telling anyone until he is born. Sorry. We are currently looking for a pediatrician. Since I'm off work, I figured now's a good time to pick a couple and visit their office to look around and ask a few questions. I'm mostly interested in vaccination schedules. Since we found out we're having a boy, I've been doing some research on autism and the alleged link to vaccines. Jason and I have decided to vaccinate _______, but on an extended time horizon. I was on the American Pediatrics website and the association recommends a certain schedule. Well, I think it's a little much at one time. Since I'll be home, I don't mind going to the doctor's office every month (starting at 2 months) for 2 vaccines. Plus, I don't like the idea of the "cocktails" where the office combines vaccines into a shot to decrease the number they have to give in one visit. Sometimes I feel like I'm being paranoid, but there isn't enough research or agreement in the medical community to totally disprove that vaccines may or may not contribute to the onset or progression of autism. Some articles I've read link autism to a deficient immune system. That may be true too. The statistics alone freak me out!! 1 in every 150 kids is diagnosed with some level of autism. Out of the 150 kids, 4 out of every 5 of them are boys. I wonder why?

Plus, I'm reading Jenny McCarthy's new book about her son being autistic. The emotional rollcoaster is heartbreaking.

What are your views on vaccines? Did you vaccinate on the "recommended" schedule, extend it or not vaccinate at all? I'd like to know.

Precursor to Labor?

I had the night from hell last night. At about 11:30pm, I woke up with really uncomfortable tightness in my belly. I figured maybe it was something I ate or because the baby was really active during the day or because we had sex earlier in the night.

I couldn't get comfortable no matter which side I chose or if I sat straight up in bed. The only thing I found to somewhat soothe the achy, crampy feeling was to drink water and walk around the house. At about 1am, I was so tempted to get dressed and walk around the block. That's how uncomfortable it was for me. This lasted 'til about 3am when I was finally able to fall asleep. Yes, 2 hours of sleep and I am a zombie today.

So, my questions are - is that feeling "normal"? Was that a Braxton Hicks moment? If so, should it have lasted that long?

I want to call my OB's nurse to ask her if I should come in but I don't want to sound like a worry wart. I feel better today though. After last night, I'm beginning to rethink the epidural thing......


UPDATE: I called my OB's office and the nurse said as long as the tightness has gone away, it doesn't hurt when I pee and the baby is moving "normally", then there is nothing to worry about. She said that I'm being prepared for labor. Ok lady....

Prenatal Appointment #9

Yesterday's appointment was pretty cool in an odd sort of way. Started off w/ the standard stuff; also had a NST (non stress test) done. The nurse reviewed the tape and said that there is some activity that the doctor needs to see. She showed us an area where the heart rate looked like the cutting edge of a saw blade (jagged, up and down). She said that that type of heart rate could be from the baby laying on or playing with its umbilical cord or low amniotic fluid. She leaves the room to check w/ the doctor. A minute later she walks in and says we have to get an ultrasound "just to make sure everything is alright".

The woman doing the ultrasound was so cool. She was just supposed to take a few measurements of amniotic fluid pockets (which turned out to be normal), but instead she had us in the room for 1/2 hour doing cool 4D stuff! We saw an awesome 4D image of the baby's profile, arms, legs, etc. He definitely has Jason's nose. He's got super chubby cheeks and full lips. Very adorable :) We left the room w/ like 15 ultrasound pics. She was so awesome. The baby is ~18" long and weighs about 5 lbs 9 oz.

I have 7 days of work left (woo hoo). My last day is on the 12th. So, you can call me, e-mail me at any time!!

We had our baby shower this past Sunday. Surprisingly, we only got two doubles - a lot of fun gifts and gift cards to spend!! The funnest thing I got is a bunch of decorated onesies and burp clothes.....YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! They are frickin' hilarious. Even Jason laughed at the "I've got a gun" onesie. My favorite one is the "Future AGD lil' nut". Thank you!!

Last but not least is a pic of my 35 week old belly. Not the most flattering but I promised to post one. Enjoy.