Wow. Sorry dear blog. You have been greatly neglected.
Decided I should really start using this thing again. So, how about a picture of our cute son to keep you coming back?
Ezra loves to brush his teef, aka suck on the toothpaste. He was really brushing here (you can tell by the blurry hand) and last week we learned how to spit in the sink (or just making the noise and pretending to actually spit.) 
Alright. Be back soon. I promise it won’t be another year before I post again!
I am hoping to remember as many of the details as I can – even though this was almost a month ago!
On Wednesday September 29, I woke up feeling grumpy and just not right. I just figured it was because I was ready to not be pregnant anymore. I worked the whole day and left like I had every day for the last month – hoping to not be back the next day. Jim and I took a long walk that night and got a good night’s sleep. I wasn’t feeling anything other than grumpy and large.
I woke up the next morning at 7 to get ready for work. I went to the bathroom first and it felt a little strange, but I didn’t think too much of it. So, I went to the kitchen to get some breakfast and then realized that my water had broken. It was more of a trickle than anything, but I could tell what it was. So, I waited until the doctor’s office opened at 7:30 and called. She said to come in and she would check to make sure it really was my water and to see if I was dilated. I wasn’t having contractions at that time. So, I took a shower, packed our bags in case, and headed to the doctor’s office around 9. By then I had some small contractions. While we were waiting for the doctor, I had some larger contractions and my water really started gushing. Let me tell you, that is the strangest thing. I really felt like I had no control over my body. By the time we got to the room, I had officially “wet” my pants and had made a nice mess of the exam table. Ha. I was starting to get embarrassed, but realized that in a few hours I was going to be in a position that involved no privacy or self respect, so I had better get used to it. The doctor verified that it was my water, but I was only dilated to 2 cm. Since my contractions weren’t consistent yet, she sent us home to progress.
So, at home I put a towel on the birthing ball and worked through the contractions. They were coming faster and harder and I was only feeling them in my back. So, the ball or bending over were my best friends. Also, more water would gush out every time I had a contraction. Seriously gross, but seriously strange too. By 11:30, I had a couple 2 minute long contractions a few minutes apart. Jim didn’t want to deliver our baby at home, so he made the executive decision to go to the hospital. I think I would have stayed at home longer, but since this was my first labor experience I didn’t know how fast or slow it would go. We got to the hospital at noon.
We went up to the birthing center and got into our room. I was the only woman in labor, so I got undivided attention. The contractions continued to come close together. The nurse checked me at 2:20ish and I was up to 5 cm. For the next few hours, the contractions kept coming harder and closer together and they were all in my back. Not cool. I walked around the floor, used the ball and also got to use the jet tub in the room. I finally got to 8 cm around 6. Then the transition stage of labor came. Not pretty. Hard core contractions and I lost everything I had eaten that day. I was a sweaty stinky mess at this point. I was definitely thinking about some medication at this point, but didn’t want anything that would effect the baby or slow down the progress, so we just kept going.
I finally was fully dilated at 7 PM and could start pushing. His head started to come out at around 7:50, but my doctor hadn’t made it in yet, so I had to stop pushing and breathe through the next 4 contractions. Oh. my. gosh. Hardest thing ever. The doctor finally got there around 8:10. She did notice that I was probably going to tear pretty badly, so she went ahead and gave me an episiotomy. His head came out and the doctor called him a “her” because of all the hair. She told me one more big push and “she” will be out. I was like what? How do you know it’s a girl already? Well, one more big push and out he came at 8:34. The doctor showed him to Jim and asked him what it was. And I can remember Jim saying, “It’s a BOY!!” Then he cut the cord and the doctor fixed me up. After that my family came in from the waiting room and we made our phone calls.
I fed Ezra for the first time at 10 and he latched right on. Well, he was 9 lbs 6 oz, so he obviously knew how to eat! Jim’s family came after that and met the newest Braam. The first night didn’t include much sleep, but we did send Ezra to the nursery and got a few hours. Those hospital beds are not comfortable by the way!
We went home on Saturday and started life as our family of three. It’s been a hard, but rewarding time and are definitely enjoying our little “big” Ezra.
Well, this post is long overdue. Here’s a few pics from 22, 28 and 37 weeks.
The remainder of the pregnancy went really well. I did get really big and uncomfortable at the end, as you can see in the 37 week photo. I didn’t ever swell up too bad, but couldn’t wear my wedding rings at the end. My belly was measuring a couple weeks ahead at my OB appointments at the end. My doctor had predicted at 8 lb something baby. I had thought I would still have a 7 pounder. We were both wrong! I will write about the birth story in the next post.
Where has the last month gone?? Holy cow. Other than the baby and I getting bigger, not much has changed. Still feeling pretty good, but I am noticing I get tired/worn out a lot easier. I have also been told that I am already waddling. Oh great.
This last week, was a great one. Jim got me a card for Mother’s Day from him and Braam berry. It was so sweet. We are going to buy a flowering bush and plant it in our yard. We had gotten a weeping cherry tree when we got married, so the tradition continues. I just want to be sure we can dig those plants up if we ever move!
We had our 4 year wedding anniversary on the 12th. We also had the 20 week ultrasound on the 13th. We got to see our little Braam berry! It’s just amazing. We weren’t going to find out the gender, but couldn’t anyways because the legs were crossed the entire time! We got lots of great pictures. The profile ones are my favorite. After the ultrasound, we headed to South Haven and stayed at the Sand Castle Inn for a couple nights. What a cute town. It was pretty quiet since it isn’t exactly peak season, but still enjoyed the outdoors and their great restaurants. We even hiked a little in the state park and took a bike ride down the Kal-Haven Trail. (Found me some XL bike shorts that fit… yessss!) Needless to say that I passed out pretty early after that day. Can’t take much physical activity anymore. So hard to get used to.
So hard to believe that we are past the halfway point. I feel like I have time and then I start freaking out because we don’t have anything yet. Crazy hormones, I tell ya!
The last few weeks have been good. Still a little tired, but have more energy. It could be the weather, too. Such awesome weather so far!
I started to feel the baby move last Saturday (14 weeks). Strangest feeling. I knew it wasn’t gas and I knew my stomach muscles weren’t freaking out, so it had to be Braam berry. Jim thinks “he” was just getting a bike ride in. I also popped out that weekend. Moving into all maternity pants now; regular shirts are still OK. Still can do the rubber band trick on some pants, but it’s getting a bit tight and uncomfortable. Dresses are my best friend right now. I am sure they will continue to be, especially if we are going to have a hot summer like they have been predicting.
My days of running may be coming an end. Tried this weekend and man does it take everything I have. My hip has been giving me grief, too. I may try again this week, but am not hopeful. I wanted to try the RiverBank 5K in May (knew that could be stretching it), but may try for the 5K Walk instead…
I am going to be starting registering for stuff soon. I think I have my bedding, crib and the stroller/carseat figured out. What a process! There are so many stinkin options. But, it’s fun, too.
Well, this week Braam berry is the size of an orange. This Friday, BB will be the size of an avocado! Maybe I will celebrate with a big bowl of guacamole!
Well technically, I am 12 weeks and 5 days. Better late than never, right?
I believe my belly has grown bigger. I took a picture on Monday, but don’t have enough guts to post it yet. It will come, it will.
Still feeling about the same. Tiiiiired a lot and have to eat small meals every couple of hours.
This last Saturday I did my first “mom” thing and went to a Mom 2 Mom Sale at the DeltaPlex with Michele and another friend that’s expecting. Let’s just say I wasn’t prepared. In all fairness I am not that far a long and we aren’t going to find the gender out, but I really didn’t have an idea of what I wanted to look for. And man oh man there was everything there! If you already have a baby, are having a baby soon and know what you still need, it would be great. Michele got all of Lorens’s summer clothes for a steal. I got a couple onsies and a couple pajamas in the gender neutral green and yellow. And Michele surprised me with some more PJ’s, too. But, I left after one hour. It was starting to get crowded and hot and I had forgotten my water bottle and mid-morning snack. Not a good combo for me. I went home and laid on the couch the entire day. I was done and plus it was snowing that day (yuck). So, if I go again there are two things I will definitely bring: a plan and a snack!
So other than growing a human, us Braam’s haven’t been up to much. But, that will change in the next couple of weeks. Jim’s first bike race is this weekend, then it’s Easter, showers (not mine yet), another bike race, RiverBank Run, a babymoon (hopefully), graduation open houses, more showers (not mine), class reunions, and a couple girls weekends. Phew! I am going to go lay down.
Well, I already haven’t done the best job at keeping a weekly journal of my pregnancy. But, in all fairness, not much has changed. My clothes aren’t fitting, but I can still just wear my regular pants with a belly band over them. I did purchase a pair of maternity jeans and man are those comfy! It’s like jean sweatpants. But, I only have the one pair and don’t want to buy anymore until I have to, so belly band it is.
Jim and I met our baby doctor last Thursday. I really think I am going to love her. She seems to have lots of energy. There was a little tense moment when she was listening for the heartbeat. She couldn’t find it. So, internally I was freaking out. She remained calm (thank you) and went to get the ultrasound. She looked and there it was. Little Braam berry just hanging out. She was able to measure the heartbeat and it was 158. We weren’t able to hear it, but we saw our baby, so that’s good enough for me! I measured about two days later than what we thought I was, but that still puts me in early October for delivery.
The belly is starting to grow, so I suppose I will post a pic soon. I have to take one first.
Here’s Braam berry’s first picture:
Well, I have been wanting to write this post for a while. Most of you that read this blog probably already know this, but for those that don’t…
The Braam family is gaining a member! Somewhere around October 1, the Braam berry will join us. We are very excited and a little surprised. We were trying, but it was taking some time and we were getting a little discouraged. So, when we didn’t really “try our hardest” and got pregnant, it was a little shocking! So when God says stop worrying and give it to me, He must know what He is talking about.
I am writing this at 6 weeks. So, I am thinking I will probably wait another 6 weeks before posting this. Everything is going great so far. I haven’t really had the morning sickness that most get. This morning I was actually feeling a little nauseous, but am hoping it will pass. I seem to feel better after I eat, but that was the case even before I was pregnant.
I have my first appointment with the OB nurse on March 5. I will supposedly be 10 weeks then. It’s so weird not going to the doctor until then. I have these crazy thoughts like what if I am not really pregnant. But then I have those three positive tests and the absence of something pretty significant. And then I want to eat a dozen cookies and something on my body feels weird and I am pretty sure I am indeed pregnant.
So here’s the start of my little pregnancy journal. Not sure I will update it weekly, but would like to keep track of the changes, symptoms, etc. Then once the belly starts to really show, I will probably post belly pics… if you are lucky.
The Straub family gained another member on February 16. Little Jorja Claire came at 8:04 AM and was 7lbs 6 oz and 19 inches long. Just a little peanut. We saw her again last night and she is still small and cuddly. I love that stage!
Well, this poor blog is getting neglected. So, let’s summarize the last few months. The holidays – they were busy and fun. Here’s a recap in pictures:
Christmas Eve:
Haley at the bowling alley - too cute
Jim showing Jonah and Noah the hoop
Lil Jo
Noah and Papa
Jim making Christmas morning breakfast
Mom & I
Jason and Courtney are expecting the first grandchild in the family in June!
Dad & Uncle Rusty
Christmas Day at Mom & Dad Paxson's
So, that’s what we have been up to. Looking forward to what 2010 holds!
