1 Month

One fast, exciting, wonderful and tiring month! Every single minute is amazing when spending time with our new daughter. Harper is perfect and we love our new life as a family.

Harper is now 11 pounds, 4 ounces and measures 22.5 inches long. The doctor says she's in the 95th percentile! She should be growing based on the amount she eats! I'm nursing her and she eats every two hours, sometimes less! It's exhausting, but I'm not complaining. She's going to be a big girl, which we knew since the day she was born.

All of Harper's check-ups have been perfect. She'll return in a month for another well visit. At that point, we can begin taking her out in public, which Derek and I can't wait for! It will make running errands and going to dinner so much easier!

We continue to have many visitors and Harper is showered with love, hugs and kisses from family and friends every day. There's still many people to meet, so we will stay busy. She tries to hold her head up and loves to be held over our shoulder, so she can look around. She has a play mat that she likes to entertain her too. I sing to her and she stares at me in wonderment. Maybe she's sending vibes to tell me I'm an awful singer!

Harper loves to look at faces and interact. She's very alert and seems to change every day! She's a blessing! Her cord came off, so she had her first bath a couple weeks ago. With a head of dark hair at birth, it's beginning to fall out. Will it grow back dark or a different color? Her eyes are still blue, but that could change too.
So many things to still look forward to...

She's arrived!

Harper Lynne Newton

Born August 9, 2013 at 1:51am

8 pounds, 14 ounces, 21.5 inches long

Derek and I are so happy to announce the arrival of our little girl! She's the most amazing, sweet child and we look forward to our new life as a family. The past few days home have been wonderful. She's sleeping and eating well. We love staring at her every moment of the day, even if she's just laying in our arms. She seems to change everyday! It's truly awesome.

Her journey here was not so pleasant. After 9 months of an easy pregnancy with no complications, she sure made Mommy work hard her last hours in utero. Labor began on Tuesday with what I thought was my water breaking. I was told by Dr. Mercado to head to the hospital, so Derek and I got there and were put in a triage room where they hooked me up to a fetal heartbeat monitor and a contraction monitor. The nurse tested the fluid, but it was not testing positive for amniotic fluid; meaning my water didn't break. So they kept us in the room for a few hours and kept testing it, had me walk around the hospital for an hour and watched my contractions. Nothing changed and I stayed only 2cm dilated; we were sent home. We were disappointed and confused about why I was having a water discharge but no painful contractions. We had to wait until another day...

All day Wednesday, the fluid continued to flow. We went to bed early because I was feeling really tired. A little after midnight, I woke up with significant contractions. Painful cramps occurring every 3-5 minutes lasting about 30 seconds each time. Around 5am, we left for the hospital. I was already scheduled to induce labor but when I announced that I'd had contractions for the past few hours, they didn't want to start the induction right away. Maybe Harper would arrive on her own terms and we were happy to see if that was the case. Again, hooking me up to a fetal heartbeat monitor and contraction monitor, the wait began. A few hours into labor and I was still only 3cm dilated, so they started the pitocin. The pitocin is used to induce labor, so they started with a small amount and when I didn't progress as the hours ticked by, the amount was increased.

IV in arm, pitocin cranked up to 11 (out of 20), dilated 4cm and it's 2pm. I'm getting tired and Harper is no where closer to being here than she was at 6am. Dr. Mercado found that there was still a blockage and the amniotic sac had not been fully open, so she "broke my water" fully, turned the pitocin up another 2 increments and we were told it should be progressing faster and that our baby should be with us soon. My contractions, even though I wasn't feeling them, were coming every minute now. The anesthesiologist came into my room and administered my epidural. I didn't want to feel the pain when the real big contractions started and didn't want to miss my window if I went into active labor very soon.

My legs are numb, my belly is numb and I'm getting sick of laying in the hospital bed. Derek, family and friends are by my side as we wait. I'm not dilating any further than 6cm and the pressure I feel is not pleasant. The pitocin is now up to 17 and Dr. Mercado discovers upon examination that the baby's head is turned sideways, where she should have her head facing down. For the next 3 hours, I;m put in different positions to try to get her to turn back the right way. Harper didn't move. My blood pressure was getting higher and around 12am, I developed a fever. At 8cm, the doctor does another exam and finds that Harper's head has been too low for too long and that I'm not progressing enough to deliver her naturally. Exhausted, my only option was cesarean.

The anesthesiologist came into my room and I'm given more numbing. The world was spinning. Derek and I were so tired that the next few hours are a bit of a blur. He's given a full set of scrubs and I'm rushed into a surgical room surrounded by at least 10 people. I don't feel anything below my chest. We are told about all the prep and what I will and won't feel during the c-section. We were told it would be done in 30 minutes. Laying on the bed with a big blue curtain in front of my face, the only thing I want to do is talk to Derek and look at him. We are both tired, scared and nervous, but extremely anxious!

Before we knew it, we heard her cries. Harper was out and healthy! The nurses and Derek took her to a table to clean her up and tag her. Derek was given a tag like hers and took pictures of our baby being measured and weighed. I'm given my tag as I'm being stitched up. They lay Harper on my chest for what felt like seconds before having to take her away again. When I'm done, I'm rolled into a recovery room where Derek and Harper are waiting for me. Tears filled our eyes as we say our first 'hellos' to our little girl.

We finally were taken to our room at 4am. The family and friends who were still at the hospital got to see Harper very quickly before going home. She had so many visitors and she is one lucky girl to have so many people love her so much even though she's only days old! At the hospital, our room was filled with visitors who couldn't wait to meet Harper. It was such a great feeling to be surrounded by so many. Harper stayed in our room with us the entire weekend. She continued to be monitored and checked, along with me, on our condition and were able to go home Sunday.

Being at home the past few days has been great. Harper is an excellent eater and sleeper. She's cried only a few times, hungry and being impatient and then when we gave her a sponge bath. We can't wait to keep everyone posted with how she's doing, so stay tuned...

40 Weeks

Harper! Lynne! Newton! Get out of there!

Here we are. Staring my due date in the face, and baby still isn't here. We know it's an estimation, but this past week has been long and we're looking forward to meeting her! The anticipation is killing us! Derek and I went to have a nice dinner out on Friday night. I've got food prepared and stocked in the freezer, the bag's been packed and we cleaned the entire house this past weekend. This whole "nesting" stage is complete and we're running out of things to do to keep ourselves busy. I've eaten the spicy foods and walked multiple times a day this past week too.

Harper obviously just wants to be fashionably late to this party!

Comfortable? What's that? Haven't felt it in about 2 weeks. Sleep? Not a good nights rest for 2 nights in a row for at least a couple weeks. I've gained another pound since last week. That's a total weight gain of 35 pounds! The doctor examined me and said I'm really not anymore dilated than I was last week. Our hopes of Harper being born this weekend are dwindling. My contractions are random and don't hurt at all, just feel like cramping in my lower abdomen. They are never strong enough or consistent enough to make me think I'm in active labor either. So we wait!

We go to see Dr. Mercado Monday. I'll have a sonogram again to check the fluid around the baby. They will also check her vitals and monitor her to see if we should schedule induction. They don't let pregnancies go past 41 weeks anymore, so at this time next week, we will be happy, lucky, tired parents!

Most babies who make it to 40 weeks are estimated to be around 8-9 pounds and about 20 inches long. Her movements are definitely slowing down because she's running out of room! She's fully developed, so the only thing she can do this week is fatten up :)  

39 Weeks

1 week to go! Maybe more...maybe less! Baby is keeping it exciting, that's for sure. At the doctor this week, she said that I am about 1cm dilated and 50% efface. That being said, Harper could be here anytime. Sleep has been rough this past week. I can't get comfortable, then when I do, I have to get up to pee. I wake up with my back aching, no matter what position I try or how many pillow props I use. My belly is getting heavy too. Laying on my side I can feel the weight of Harper's chubbiness. Also, I really notice how much she's weighing now when I get out of the pool!

I will see the doctor again this week. Hopefully she finds that I'm a little more dilated. Or maybe I won't even make it to that appointment. My Braxton Hicks contractions are really noticeable now. Sometimes I wonder if it's just the baby moving and putting pressure on bottom of my belly. Either way, my body is getting ready to be wonderfully tortured :) Tiredness is setting in with these restless nights. Guess I better get used to that!

Thankfully the weather has been a lot more tolerable this past week and next; keeping my ankles under control! I gained another 2 pounds since the last check-up. I've still only gained a little over 30 pounds, so that's nice. Obsession this week: Lucky Charms and Watermelon! I was also really craving fried chicken, and still am because it's so freakin good! I think we may have to get some more this week.

Watermelon: Mmmmmmmm....watermelon! How convenient! Anywhere from 19-20 inches long and weighing more than 7.5 pounds; baby keeps growing, despite being so crowded in there! Baby continues to build a layer of fat to help control body temperature after birth, and the outer layers of skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. By week 39, she's probably able to flex her limbs. Her brain is still rapidly developing and she's getting smarter by the week!

38 Weeks

This past week was so hot! Upper 90s every day. I did have the lovely opportunity to know what it's like to have swollen ankles in pregnancy! So attractive. UGH! Only two more weeks to go though! Derek and I saw the doctor Monday and Friday. Monday's appointment was very quick, heartbeat was strong and my belly measured 37 inches. No dilation at all. To get an idea of a length and weight of the baby, the doctor requested up to come in Friday for a final sonogram. During that appointment, we found out that Harper is head down and in great position! They measured her head circumference, her femur and the amniotic sac. All perfect! They estimate that she's about 19 inches long and weighs 7.5 pounds.

I did gain weight this past week, so the doctor was happy to see that. Just to make sure I won't lose again, I've been snacking more often. Still eating lots of fruit, especially watermelon! This weekend Derek and I went to the Nationals game. It was hot in the beginning, but once the sun went down and I had a funnel cake, I cooled off :)

Pumpkin: At 19 inches and 7.5 pounds, baby is good to go! She has a good grasp, which we will soon be able to test when we hold her little hand for the first time. Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. We really can't wait to see if she has hair and what color her eyes are. The anticipation is killing us! Hurry up, Harper!

37 Weeks

Baby is full term. Meaning that she is big enough and ready for the real world! We are ready too. The hospital bag is packed, we're registered at the hospital and we've got a plan set up to contact everyone when the day comes!

This week I should have seen the doctor for a weekly exam, but due to something with their scheduling, they rescheduled the appointment from this past Friday to this coming Monday. They did say that the results of the Strep B test is negative, so that's great! Unfortunately, my iron is higher, but still lower than what is expected. I'm taking the supplements and trying to eat things with more iron; I guess Harper is just taking all of it, which is fine with us :)

Alissa and Erin came to visit this past weekend. One last weekend, just us "sisters", before they become aunts! They are super excited for the baby to be here and hoping to start babysitting soon. Just like I did for them! We went to Sonic, because they'd never been to one. For some reason, someone giving you food on roller skates is very exciting.... Our burgers and tater tots hit the spot though!

Our baby girl likely measures around 19 to 20 inches and weighs about 7 pounds. She'll continue to gain about a 1/2 ounce a day too. During week 37, baby's practicing some skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking. If I went into labor now, her lungs a mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

36 Weeks

One month to go. I start seeing the doctor once a week now. On Friday's visit, Harper's heart was beating at 150 beats per minute and my belly is measuring up just fine. She's growing right on schedule, so that's good. I've gained another 4 pounds. I got my blood drawn, one last time, to make sure my iron count is ok. This appointment I was also swabbed for the Strep B bacteria. It's not uncommon for many mothers to be a carrier, so for precautionary reasons, they test for it. Even with no symptoms, a mother can carry the bacteria and transfer it to the baby during birth. I should have my results soon. If it's positive, I am given antibiotics when I go into labor.

I'm getting a bit more uncomfortable sleeping at night or even sitting on the couch. Needless to say, when I do get comfortable, she moves around and kicks my ribs or squishes down on my bladder. I can really tell that she's running out of room fast! I've noticed that she may be pushing into my stomach too because I can't eat as much as I was the past 8 months. So, I just eat more often! Watermelon is still like a drug. I seriously think my eyes roll back into my head and I sink into oblivion for a millisecond when it touches my taste buds!

Honeydew: Baby is still packing on the pounds - at the rate of about an ounce a day. About 18 inches long and just under 6 pounds, our baby girl is almost full term! She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own. Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid. Her liver and kidneys are in working order. Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.