My sweet baby girl!

I thought I would post some pictures of my little Chloe Lynn! She's too cute not to share them!

Recovering... and loving my baby!!!

I'm alive!!! Just so everyone knows... The nurses and doctors at the hospital all said I came through the whole thing really well. I even had a nurse ask me if I really did have a c-section because I was moving around so well by the 20th. I must say I really was not prepared for a c-section. The nice part was that we managed to have her before our anniversary.

We got to the hospital at 11:30 and by noon they had the I.V. in my hand and the pitocin drip going. The I.V. was my second least favorite part of the entire labor and delivery. Preston and I started watching movies while the nurses monitored my contractions and Chloe's heart rate. She kept squirming around so they couldn't keep track of it very well. My contractions never seemed to get really bad either. Meredith, my mom, Patty, and Preston's parents and brother Colin all joined us and we had a pretty good time just talking and speculating what the baby was. (The nurses all said it was going to be a boy because they had already had 6 girls before noon that day. We started to doubt it was really a girl in there!) As time passed everyone but my mom and Patty and obviously Preston left. The contractions started to get a little worse but they were still manageable.

After I had been in labor for 9 hours the doctor came in to check my progress for the third time since we started and I was STILL only 25% effaced and 1 centimeter dilated (the same as I had been since 38 weeks along). I had all of 20 seconds to register that that meant I was going to be there for a LONG time and it was going to be REALLY bad before I heard the word c-section. Instant terror... I was in shock till the doctor left the room to make phone calls and alert the O.R. I started crying as I slowly remembered what that meant. Apparently my pelvic opening isn't big enough to have a baby the regular way, and I will have to always deliver by c-section. Yippee!

There was an emergency down the hall and I got bumped back an hour from the original time they were going to take me in at 10. It was a good thing though because it gave me time to get my head around the idea a little. I was still super freaked out though.

They got me all ready and stopped the pitocin drip though the contractions kept going. They hurt a lot more once I knew they weren't doing anything anymore. It was all mental.

They had me walk myself to the O.R. The second they opened the door and I felt the FREEZING COLD and the saw the REALLY bright lights I started to shiver and bawl. I sat on the table and they took forever getting the spinal block in. THIS was my most unfavorite part of the entire thing. I have a huge bruise on my back from it. Once I felt the meds hit my spinal fluid my whole body went all tingly and limp. It was the strangest sensation. I'm also really short so I was numb from my neck down instead of from the middle of my chest to my knees. The only part I liked was that I felt a lot warmer.

It seemed like forever as they prepped me and put up the screens before they let Preston in the room to sit by my head. Everything seemed so much better as soon as he was there. I made him talk to me so I couldn't hear the conversation of the doctor and nurses. I didn't want to because I was already freaked out enough.

They warned me beforehand that my chest would feel very heavy from being numb and that when they delivered the baby they would press very hard on the top of my belly to help get the baby out and that it would feel like an elephant on my chest for a few seconds. The extra weight of breathing was one thing but I didn't realize the elephant would feel like a truck ran over me. But as soon as the pressure lifted I heard the most beautiful sound in the world! My baby was screaming and I started bawling all over again.

They brought her around the screen so I could see her and I couldn't believe how perfectly beautiful she was. I kept saying "She's so beautiful! She's so beautiful!" They took her away to clean her up and get her measurements and then Preston brought her back around so I could see her again. I'll never forget those moments. My worst day ever turned into the best!

They took Preston and Chloe out of the room while they sewed and cleaned me up. It seemed like forever being alone like that. I couldn't move my arms so I still hadn't held or even touched her but I was so happy.

After that I spent about 2 hours in recovery shivering cold (a normal reaction to the spinal block) holding Preston's and staring at my little angel. I got to hold her as soon as I could feel my hands again, she is the most amazing little person I've ever met. I think she looks just like Preston. She was 8lbs 1oz, 21 1/2 inches long and born at 11:32 PM on the 18th of November.

Chloe and I spent a few days in the hospital with me learning how to sit up and walk with pain in my abdomen and tons of drugs flowing through my system. Good stuff... I don't however like how fuzzy the drugs make me. My brain become very nonfunctional and then I get emotional. It's all getting better. We were released from the hospital on Friday night. Preston and I are now enjoying 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 AM feedings and diaper changes. I love her so much that I don't care at all though. I think of it as an extra excuse to hold and love and kiss her. I am so happy to finally have my baby! She's my favorite part of every day now.

Charlie does really good with her too. He comes up to her whenever we sit down and sniffs her everywhere but I wont let him lick her (though her still hasn't tried to). He mopes a little too when I don't give him enough attention but he seems to be taking it all pretty well as long as Preston take the time to play with him.

Preston is such a good daddy too! He loves to hold her and kiss her and hates it when she cries. Fortunately she's such a calm and content baby that that never happens unless she's hungry or has a dirty diaper. It's so fun for me to watch them together. I LOVE my family!!!

Chloe Squirming

This was Preston posting this!

Chloe Lynn Foster is here!!

This is Chloe Lynn Foster we will post more pictures / videos / stories as soon as Amy is up and blogging again. - Preston

Our Third Anniversary!!!

I can't believe it's been 3 years! It feels like forever and yesterday at the same time. I can't imagine my life without my beloved Preston in it. I love you sweetheart! Happy Anniversary!

Us then...

Us now...

We seem to have misplaced our necks somewhere in the last three years, ha ha!

One more for the road...

Ok so I have one more post before we have this kid.

.

We had a funny moment while we were making our second to last meal as a childless couple:

.

My mom bought us two car seats. We have the better one in the car ready to go and at the moment don't really know what to do with the other. So it's currently sitting in our dining room and unoccupied... or so we thought...

.

As I was putting together dinner I heard Preston yell "Hey, get out of there!" and I looked up to see our "innocent" little puppy had found a new bed... Little punk!

But... but... but... I'm the baby!

One day more!

Today is my last full day of being pregnant. I officially become a mom tomorrow! Every time I say that I hear that little voice in the back of my head go "Riiiiiiii-ght... Sure ya are. Whatever, you're gonna be pregnant forever. Stop messing with yourself. Besides, you can't handle the pain. Just learn to live with it!" Then the happy-excited-Disneyland version of myself comes out and in a fit of excitement jumps up and down on the sarcastic-mean version of myself and shuts her up for a while. At least... that's the episode I imagine when the real me goes back and forth between the two feelings. Seriously, I'm too crazy to raise a child. This poor kid is going to be mental by five just between me and Preston raising it. Should be fun!

I decorated for Christmas yesterday! I figured I won't get another chance and it would be so lame if I never got to. It's just not Christmas without the tree up and all my little trinkets everywhere. The stockings actually have a chimney to hang on this year! We bought another stocking on EBay to go with our Disney ones for the baby. I have a Stitch one, Preston has Mickey Mouse and the baby will have Winnie the Pooh when it gets here.

Charlie is enjoying his last day an the 'only child'. Cept he doesn't know it's his last day. Poor little dog. He's in for it! I'll have to take him into the baby's room and let him sniff everything again just to remind him something big is about to happen. He's just chillin' in the sun coming through the windows right now. Speaking of the dog... he needs a bath... Now I just feel bad for him. He thinks baths are the worst form of torture. Apparently the only place water is allowed to touch him is in his mouth when he's thirsty.

Preston and I think it would be so ironic if I went into labor around 6 tomorrow morning. I can just see us going up to the desk in the OB. "Yes, we're here for a labor induction appointment at 7:30 with Dr. Tutt, but I seem to have started without him." Ha! I wish! But it would be pretty funny nonetheless. Anywho... for reals this time, I'll see you on the other side!

Happy Guestimated Birthday To My Unborn Child!!!

I figured since today is my due date I should commemorate it. I mean I've been waiting for today since March 19th when I found out I was pregnant.

I don't have alot to update on since my last post from last night, but have since found out what a REAL contraction feels like. OUCH! I think I like the Braxton Hicks better, ha ha! Though it's nice to know what I'm looking for now and I know they all serve a purpose. I've also discovered that I find Christmas music incredibly soothing during them. I sit in my new gilder (thanks Richard and Sharon!!! I love that thing!) and sing along to them till one hits. (It drives Preston nuts that they already have Christmas music playing on the radio, and it makes him even more nuts that I feel the urgent need to listen to it whenever I can! Ha ha! Oh the woes of the father-to-be, muah-ha-ha-ha!)

It's so hard to believe that within the next six days I will have my baby in my arms, finally. I've been so anxious for so long for this and now I'm a little freaked out to be honest. Being pregnant is easy but being a mom? I haven't changed a diaper since my youngest sister Anya was a baby. And she turns 8 in January!!! My baby is 8! Well, the closest thing I've ever had to being my baby, so far. That scares me! Time has gone so fast, what if I blink and MY baby is turning 8? I'll be old! Preston will be older, ha ha! Okay I'm done reminiscing about the future that hasn't happened yet. I'll whine when it happens k?

Anywho... I'm gonna go and attempt to trigger labor! See you on the other side!... Or not... We'll see. Whatever comes first right?

There's an end in sight!!!

I went to the doctor today... again. For the last time! Well, at least while I'm pregnant. The doctor said I'm still dilated to a one but I am almost completely effaced. Which is good, cause the contractions I've been having are bad and if they had been for nothing I would have been very irritated!

So after he checked me and told me I had made a little progress, we talked induction. Yippie!!! He said he'd be surprised if I don't have it within the week but if I don't we are going to the hospital on the 18th at 7:30AM. It's coming out whether it wants to or not. I know it's comfy in there and all but I'm done!

The end is near!!! I'm so excited!!! I get to hold my baby within the week!!! Yay for modern medicine!

2 days to go! Or less? Maybe?

In case anyone was wondering, I'm still pregnant. I had contractions from 3:30AM till 11:30PM when I went to bed on Saturday. 20 hours!!! Nothing...

They weren't bad ones. At least not bad enough to warrant a trip to the hospital but I thought for sure by that night or the next morning they would have progressed to the kind that would have. On Sunday I expected something similar but only had a few at all. Though I've discovered the strongest ones come when I'm riding in the car (while Preston's driving of course). Now I'm all sore so when I have them they hurt anyways.

I just want to get this show on the road! I know it's going to hurt alot more than this but, the way I see it, the sooner it starts the sooner I'll be holding my baby. Which I still have no idea what it is.

I've been thinking it's a girl for the last little while but last night I had a dream that I had it and it was a boy. I thought it was funny that the most disappointing part of that dream was that I couldn't put it in the cute little girl clothes I have. I kept asking the nurse "Now what am I supposed to do with all those dresses?" Preston was excited but said "He's gonna have to wear pink!"

Stuck... for the moment...

I went to the doctor yesterday. Nothing has changed. I'm a bit depressed about that. I'm still 50% effaced and 1 centimeter dilated.

I'm thinking I need to remember how I feel about this so in the future when others are going through the same thing I can offer helpful words without being irritating or repetitive. I think I was hoping that I would be different than everyone and have a super easy time of it all. (Which in reality I have had about the easiest pregnancy ever! So I really shouldn't complain, especially since I haven't even gotten to my due date yet.) All I've done is frustrate myself... I know I wont be pregnant forever, but right now I feel kinda doomed and really fat and SUPER uncomfortable.

Poor Preston has been such a good sport about me. He deserves some kind of medal/humongous trophy! With an inscription that says something like best ever supporting role and most awesome best friend a pregnant woman could ever hope for!

Isn't it annoying when super blessed people complain? Sorry! I'm just moping, I'll stop now and I promise to be happier in my next post!

Yay!!! They can all shut up!

It's Election Day! The decision will officially be made and everyone will be stuck with our choice and we'll all have to deal with it. All the backbiting and name calling can quit! Woo-hoo!

If you can't tell, I happen to hate politics. No one can have a decent conversation about them. I'm sick of other people's opinions being shoved down my throat. Or if i don't agree with someone I get yelled at. At this time I am not allowed to have an opinion unless I want to make half the people I know very angry at me. Since this whole pile of crap started I just smile and nod and zip my lips when someone expresses an opinion on politics. Yes I care what happens to our country. God designated it to be a free place to have our own opinions and choices. I believe we throw those away like garbage alot of the time but we also have the agency to do so and I am grateful for that.

I never liked either of our choices for president and I believe I chose the lesser of two evils rather than throw my vote away on Mickey Mouse (which I think would be the best choice these days, at least he's not calling anyone a stinky butt face or whatever "politically correct term" McCain and Obama have come up with to make themselves sound like over-intelligent 2 year olds). When I'm trying to choose a leader I don't want to know who is the bad guy and who is the worse bad guy. I don't want to hear "Oh but this guy MIGHT be the Anti-Christ!" (and honestly if he is the Anti-Christ we can't prevent it so lets just get it over with and have the second coming that much sooner, WE NEED IT!) Or "He's the angry guy who'll keep his finger on the the button during the war!" I want to hear who has the better qualifications and experience. I want to hear about the really cool things they've done. I want to know who is the BETTER person.

I realize alot of my friends are very political and my intention isn't to make anyone upset or mad at me, this post is purely to celebrate the end of the phone calls, commercials, and irritating people that act like they know what would be best for us. Everyone is so heated over this and either way the smaller half of the country is going to have a problem with the new president. Anger is rampant amongst friends right now when we should be working on a head start with the Christmas spirit.

The only point I've had a solid opinion on is Prop 102. Our bodies were made the way they are for a reason. I'm not saying I don't like the people I know that lean the other way. In all honesty they are some of the more decent and kind people I know. I'm just saying we were made to procreate and I find the idea of homosexuality really gross. I also have a problem with alot of the consequences of legalizing gay marriage. I insist on having a say in what my children are taught and when. That's all I have to say. There's alot behind those opinions but I'm not trying to pick a fight and even if you contradict me now or try to change my opinions keep in mind you are too late! I voted WEEKS ago. I just wish there was a way to tell the commercials and phone calls to stop after I was done. Today they can finally shut the heck up!!!!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am about this!

The only thing that could make me any happier today is if I go into labor, like now. Or now. Or maybe in a few hours. Whatever! I just want it out now!

When everything works against the pregnant woman...

I have a funny story... If you've seen Baby Mama this story will have a familiar ring to it.

So last night my parents were in town and Preston and I spent the day with them. We were getting ready to go see a movie with them and my sisters and we all stopped at Costco for lunch. Yummy polish dogs and pizza! Before we left for the movie all of us girls stopped in at the bathroom. Obviously that didn't take care of what I drank with lunch (two medium sized cups of Sprite) but you know how it is...

We went to our movie and afterwards (me being super pregnant and all) I had to pee again... Of course the line for the bathroom was spilling out the door so I decided that it wasn't an emergency so I held it. (My big mistake...)

We went to my brother and sister-in-law's house after stopping for a quick photo shoot of them and their cute kiddies (Patty is a photographer) for Christmas cards I think. (My mistake was seeming dumber and dumber by the moment) Fortunately for me there wasn't a lot of light left to make the whole thing last very long.

When we got to their house I was the first one in with my sister in law Amy right behind me trying to turn on lights and tell me where the bathroom was while carrying a heavy car seat with her 5 month old Ellie in it. First room I ended up in was the laundry room (wrong turn, oops!) I came back out and then I fell down the random step in the hallway because it was dark and I forgot it was there. I managed to stay on my feet but I freaked Amy out cause I screamed in surprise and she couldn't see me in the dark. I reached into the next room and flipped on the light and (Thank Goodness!) there was a toilet! I closed the door, locked it and turned around to find one of these...

Would the madness ever end?!? All I wanted to do was pee for heavens sake!!! I opened the door again and called out for Amy. "How do you open your toilet?" I asked the still dark hallway. (I never thought I'd have to ask that one.) She came running in "Oh you poor thing!" By this time my stupid pregnancy hormones were starting to kick in and I was on the verge of tears. I probably would have started crying if the whole thing hadn't reminded me of the scene in Baby Mama. I told Amy I didn't think she would appreciate me peeing in her sink and on top of that I didn't think I could get up there in the first place. She laughed and I finally got my much needed relief... Ah, something had gone right!!!

What else could go wrong? Oh please let me tell! When I was finished I looked over to discover THERE WAS NO TOILET PAPER!!! Tears started to well in my eyes at this point. (Who cries over toilet paper???) Somehow I managed to keep myself in check and open the cupboard under the sink. Nothing... WHY ME?!? I started calling the names of the voices I recognized that were going back and forth by the door but my sisters were screaming and yelling so no one could hear me. I looked under the sink again and said a grateful thank you under my breath. There were flushable wipes!

When I came out the door Preston was standing right there and I scared him with the angry look on my face as I asked him how long he had been standing there. He got lucky, he'd only been standing there for like two seconds. I might have strangled him if he had heard me calling for help and didn't respond.

After I recovered, I realized how funny everything that had happened to me really was and had a great rest of the night eating wings and playing with my baby niece. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to spread the laughter. Hope you enjoyed it!!!