How a Video Monitor Saved Our Daughter's Life

Yeah, we're the typical first time parents that want all the coolest, new things for our baby. We registered for/bought a lot of things that I'm sure people rolled their eyes at and thought, "They'll never use that..." A video baby monitor was one of those items. I heard a lot of comments saying they were unnecessary or that the old ones worked just fine, no video feed was needed. Well....we beg to differ after the experience we had Friday night.

We put Ryleigh in her crib at 9pm, just like we do every night. Everything was normal, she was sleeping like an absolute angel. (She really is a GREAT baby!) We headed to bed ourselves and fired up the new season of Orange is the New Black on Netflix. (Whoo hoo!) Around 11pm, Ry looked over at the monitor and noticed Ryleigh kicking and moving her arms erratically. He asked me what she was doing and when I looked at the monitor, I KNEW something was wrong. She wasn't making ANY sounds and her movements were not normal. We both flew down the hallway to her room and when I pulled her out of the crib she wasn't breathing. She had an unusual amount of spit in her mouth and throat. She was still kicking and her eyes and face were red. I leaned her forward and patted on her back, helping the spit out. Ry then got her and gave her a puff of air in her mouth. She finally took in a gasp of air and started coughing, then crying. 

We called an ambulance to assess her. By the time they got here she had calmed down and was falling back asleep. They advised us to take her to her pediatrician ASAP, but that there wasn't much that the hospital would do except monitor her. 

We followed up with her pediatrician and it looks as though she has reflux.

Thank God. Obviously we don't want our daughter to have issues with reflux, but THANK GOD she's alive. Without the video monitor I don't see how we would have ever known that she was choking. There was absolutely no sound coming from her, so a regular monitor would have never alarmed us of what was happening. I will NEVER tell a new parent that they won't need something that they feel that they need. You never know what will or won't come in handy...or, more importantly, may possibly aid in saving their child's life. 

38 Weeks, 3 Days-Doctor Appointment

Well, today was my last weekly doctor appointment! We did the "pre op" with the doc who will do my c section. We both really like her! I've been seeing midwives my whole pregnancy anticipating a natural birth, but since little Miss Thing has a mind of her own and won't turn, we are getting a cesarian instead. NOT what I had planned, but it is what it is. She is *definitely* still breech, but is lookin' good! Her heartbeat is still great and the doctor guesstimated that she weighs between 6.5-7.5 lbs right now :) She also said that her prediction is that she will weigh 7.12 when she's born lol Guess we will see next week! On a side note, my belly has dropped and I can feel that she's not as high into my ribs as she was even a few days ago. I'm kind of nervous about going into labor..they told me SEVERAL times today that if I had ANY signs of labor to go to the hospital immediately. (Since she's breech, it would be a no-no if I went into labor.) 

Although I'm so uncomfortable and quite honestly feel miserable most of the time, I know that I'll miss being pregnant. I love feeling my baby girl move and knowing that my body is able to take care of/grow her. I thank God every single day for giving me the gift of being able to carry a healthy baby. I am so blessed and our little girl is SO loved already.

Our house is still coming along! We now have our kitchen counters in and some shutters on the outside! I honestly don't see us actually closing on May 12, but I could be wrong...

We also bought our new refrigerator AND our new bedroom suite today! Super super SUPER exciting!! Now we just need a couch and a table! 😊

How far along: 38 weeks, 3 days.

Total weight gain: About 33 lbs.

Maternity clothes: I'm 9 months preggo...yes lol

Stretch marks: Nothin', but not holding my breath! Still rubbin' coca butter on my tummy/hips everyday!

Sleep: Absolutely. Completely. Entirely. MISERABLE.

Best moment of this week: Shopping for furniture with my husband today!

Miss anything: Being comfy. Sleeping normally. Seeing my family.

Movement: Yep!

Food cravings: Snacks.. 😳

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nah.

Have you started to show yet: Yep! & she's dropped! I've really gotten big in the last 2 weeks.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: Contractions. Nothing major.

Belly button in or out: Depends on how I'm sitting lol

Wedding rings on or off: Off :( I'm so swollen!

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy, but nervous. 

Looking forward to: This swelling to be gone!! Meeting Ryleigh! Seeing my family! <3 

37 Week Appointment

I had another doctor's appointment yesterday for Miss Ryleigh! I haven't gained anymore weight, but my blood pressure was a little higher than it has been in the past. Ryleigh's heartbeat is great..146, but, she's still breech :/ So they decided they would call and schedule a c-section with me. Got the call this morning and they scheduled it for May 6th..two weeks from today! I can't believe it's so close!! We can't wait to meet you babygirl! IF she turns before then (I'm realllllly hoping she will!!) then I won't have the c-section and will just have her when I go into labor. Pray that she turns!!

We visited our new house last night..it doesn't look like they've done too much more work on it. I'm wishing they would hurry the process up a bit. I'm honestly not seeing it being done on the 12th of May like they said but who knows..

Our wedding anniversary was on Sunday (Easter). We spent time with our family for the holiday and then went to dinner at Chilis. Afterwards we rented Wolf Of Wall Street...GREAT movie!! It was nice to spend time together just the two of us. Doesn't feel like it's been a year though!!

How far along: 37 weeks, 4 days.

Total weight gain: About 30ish lbs.

Maternity clothes: Pants.

Stretch marks: Nothin', but not holding my breath! Still rubbin' coca butter on my tummy/hips everyday! 

Sleep: Still tossin' and turnin' all night...

Best moment of this week: Our wedding anniversary! 

Miss anything: Being comfy.

Movement: Yep! Now I just need her to turn around!

Food cravings: Ice cream still lol

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nah.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: A few contractions. Not close together though. 

Belly button in or out: Depends on how I'm sitting lol

Wedding rings on or off: Off :( I'm so swollen!

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy, but nervous. 

Looking forward to: Becoming a mommy!

36 Week Appointment...Ryleigh Jordyn has a mind of her own!

Well, we had another doctor's appointment on  Monday..the first of my weekly ones ;) Craziness from start to finish! First, I somehow gained 11 lbs in 2 weeks, which the midwife says is most likely water weight because I've been so swollen. Regardless, I wasn't too happy about it. I've done a pretty good job at slowly gaining weight at a healthy rate. Next, my blood pressure was high, which was kind of weird since that has never happened. I then had to give blood (hate that and I really wasn't expecting it...) After that they tested for a bacteria that some women have and some don't..if you do they give you certain meds during labor, if you don't, they don't.

Thennnnnn, she checked for Ryleigh's heartbeat. Took her a second to find it, which scared me. But, once she did, she said it was perfect. (In the 130s.) The midwife then felt to see if she was still head down andddddd....she is breech :/ She did a super quick ultrasound to confirm, and yep, totally head-up. At that point she gave us 3 options. 

#1, go to the hospital on Friday (when I'll be 37 weeks-full term) and let them do an "aversion." That's where they try to externally turn her with their hands. It's very painful, so they would only try 3x. If none of the attempts work, they would stop. If they got her turned, she could stay head down OR she could possibly flip back breech. If she went into distress, they would give me meds to knock me out and then do an emergency c-section right then. Ry couldn't be in the room either. Ultimately, we decided not to do this option. It just seems very stressful and like we are forcing it. Plus, I would be devastated if something happened and she was born to a room full of strangers. I want Ry and I to both be there, and conscious, for her birth. 

#2, schedule a c-section, assuming she won't turn back around. I can do it anywhere from the first day of my 39th week up to 41 weeks.

#3, wait until my appointment next Monday (I'll be 37.5 weeks) and see if she turns on her own. If not, we will schedule the c-section.

We ended up choosing option #3, hoping she will turn around on her own! Guess we will see at our next appointment on Monday ;)

The house is still under construction. Ry goes by on his way home from school each day to check out the progress lol We are still hoping to close while I'm on maternity leave!

Oh, and our first wedding anniversary is on Sunday (Easter). I can't believe it's already been a year!! & the best year of my life :) We are still working out what we are doing for the big day, especially since it does fall on Easter and we want to see our family. Guess we'll see!

How far along: 36 weeks, 6 days.

Total weight gain: About 32 lbs. (thanks to these last 2 weeks! :/ )

Maternity clothes: Pants.

Stretch marks: Still rubbin' coca butter on my tummy/hips everyday! Reallllllllly worried they will come though :/

Sleep: What's that? There is absolutely no comfortable position...

Best moment of this week: Setting up Ryleigh's temporary crib :) It was daddy's when he was a baby!

Miss anything: Not hurting all the time lol

Movement: Ummm, hoping she moves all the way around, head down!! lol

Food cravings: Not so much anymore. It's hard to eat a meal bc my tummy gets full so fast.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.

Have you started to show yet: Oh yeah. And I'm super swollen! 

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Pressure.

Belly button in or out: It goes in and out depending on my position lol weird..

Wedding rings on or off: Off :( I have a fake set that my MIL got me though and they are really pretty! (And they fit!! lol)

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy, but very tired and uncomfy.

Looking forward to: Our wedding anniversary! <3

34 weeks, 4 days-Baby Shower and Doctor's Appointment!

34 weeks?! What?! How did that happen??? lol! I can't believe it! Just 6 more weeks until we meet our sweet baby girl :) 

Yesterday was our baby shower, thrown by my mom, sisters, mother in law, and sister in law :) We had SO much fun!! We were SO blessed to be able to spend the day with so many of our family and friends! I can't thank everyone enough for coming to spend the afternoon with us :) Little Miss Ryleigh is a very lucky and loved little girl! Thank you thank you thank you all for coming! I wish I could have spent more time with each person, but the day seemed to fly by!

Afterwards my feet were SO swollen, so my sweet husband filled my foot bath up with warm water so that I could soak them...it felt AMAZING! My body has really started to swell a lot and I'm getting pretty uncomfy. 

Today I had a doctor's appointment. Lots of info! First, I haven't gained any weight since my last appointment (whoo hoo!). She check her position andddddd Ryleigh is head down! (She also said that it's rare that they turn back around at this point, so she should stay this way.) She also said that if I have contractions over the next week and a half, I need to drink water and change my activity. If they continue, I need to call them. Buttttt, once I hit 36 weeks, if I go into labor..they won't stop it! I was a little surprised! I can't believe we are 1.5-6 weeks away from meeting her!! My next appointment is in 2 weeks, when I'll be 36 weeks. Then I start going weekly. (Whattttttt?!) This train ain't stoppin'! lol

Our house is progressing at a good rate! We went to our walk through, where they went over each room with us and made sure everything was correct up to this point. We went to show some family a few days later and they were working on the drywall! I couldn't believe how much more "done" it looks with walls! The builder says we are still looking at May 12 for closing, so hopefully Ryleigh will stay put until then!

How far along: 34 weeks, 4 days.

Total weight gain: About 22 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Pants. I don't really like the maternity tops, so I wear regular tops.

Stretch marks: Still rubbin' coca butter on my tummy/hips everyday! 

Sleep: HORRIBLE! My back hurts and I'm sooo uncomfortable :( I can hardly get up out of the bed, too :(

Best moment of this week: My baby shower :)

Miss anything: Normal, comfy sleep...

Movement: A ton! Especially when Daddy talks to her or touches my belly! 

Food cravings: Ice Cream...Every. Single. Day...lol

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely.

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Some Braxton Hicks..nothin' major!

Belly button in or out: Flat? lol Hard to explain! 

Wedding rings on or off: Off :( I have a fake set that my MIL got me though and they are really pretty! (And they fit!! lol)

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy, but very tired. 

Looking forward to: Our house being done and getting Ryleigh's stuff settled!

30 weeks, 5 days-Doctor Appointment

Another doctor appointment today! Nothing new, they measured my belly (normal) and she checked Ryleigh's heartbeat (130-140s.) Cutest thing happened..she kicked when the doc was checking her heartbeat! :) Cutest little thud I've ever heard!! The doc also felt around on my tummy to see if she was head down, but she is sideways apparently lol

We picked up the crib! Now we just need our house done so that it can be put together ;) We went to pick it up in the Suburban..biggest SUV like, ever. Seriously like a bus. It still wasn't big enough! 

 

We ended up driving with one of the back doors completely open hahaha

We've also ordered/paid for her dressers :) Next I'll be ordering her bedding! Whoo hoo! Only 9.5 weeks to go!

How far along: 30 weeks, 5 days.

Total weight gain: About 21 lbs. (ahh..)

Maternity clothes: Pants for sure. I wear tops that are bigger than I wore pre-pregnancy because I don't like any of the "maternity" tops I see.

Stretch marks: Still rubbin' coca butter on my tummy/hips everyday! 

Sleep: Yeah right..I'm getting bigger and more uncomfortable everyday.

Best moment of this week: watching Ryleigh move around in my tummy :)

Miss anything: My back not constantly hurting. 

Movement: LOTS!

Food cravings: Not too many this week..

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely.

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Experienced Braxton Hicks for the first time!  

Belly button in or out: In but starting to feel hard! Weird!

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy, but very tired. 

Looking forward to: Our house!!

28 weeks, 4 days-Doctor Appointment!

Doctor appointment today was pretty simple! Doc checked my weight and blood pressure..both normal. Then we went back to the room and heard Ryleigh's heartbeat (in the 140s!) and she measured my belly. I'm measuring 27.5 weeks (I'm 28.5), but doc said it was all good. She let me know that I would have one more appointment until my every-2-weeks ones start. At 36 weeks I'll start going every week. She also said we better start getting her room ready, etc. ;) Can't believe we're even close enough to start talking about that!! 

Friday was Valentine's Day. We went to Medieval Times (so much fun!) It was nice to have a night out together! Ry got me my first gun, so I'm excited to shoot it after baby is born! I got him "a date night" to the gun range and out to eat lol 

Other than that this week has been pretty boring! I've just been working a ton and trying to sleep when I can! Ry is super busy with school (papers, reading, etc.). 

How far along: 28 weeks, 4 days.

Total weight gain: About 16 lbs. (ahh..)

Maternity clothes: Pants for sure. I wear tops that are bigger than I wore pre-pregnancy because I don't like any of the "maternity" tops I see.

Stretch marks: Still rubbin' coca butter on my tummy/hips everyday! 

Sleep: Yeah right..I'm getting bigger and more uncomfortable everyday.

Best moment of this week: Valentine's Day with my husband!

Miss anything: My smaller clothes.

Movement: LOTS!

Food Cravings: Anything juicy! (Pineapple, apples, etc.)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Today I was a little naseous. I think that was just being in the car all day though.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely.

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Nope.

Belly button in or out: In but starting to feel hard! Weird!

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy, but very tired. 

Looking forward to: Getting our house DONE!'

Why do people tell you how to raise your children?

I've been thinking about this all day at work. It never fails that every person who wants to discuss my pregnancy/baby gives me their "advice" and SWEARS that I'll be doomed if I don't follow what they say. (Some of these people don't even have kids!) When I first found out that I was expecting, everybody told me that this would happen, and I never really thought it would bother me. Well, while I always appreciate *good* advice, I also wish people would realize that my husband and I are perfectly capable of raising our daughter without random direction. Actually it's sort of offensive sometimes to a first time mom for people to act like you're a blooming idiot just because you haven't had a child of your own *yet.* Aren't all mothers a "first time mom" at some point? (Duh.) 

I WILL make mistakes. I WILL have times where I wished I would have done something differently. I WILL realize that things I thought I would do, I don't..and things that I didn't think I would do, I do. But isn't that the beauty of it? Learning from your mistakes working to become the best parents that we can be for OUR daughter? (Not what "worked" for others?) Regardless of anything, I *know* I'll be a great Mama and Ry will be a great Daddy for our little girl.

& as a side note, if I do have any questions, as a girl, and a daughter myself, I have a Mama who did a pretty great job of raising four children herself that I can ask.  ;) 

So, since everyone likes to hand out opinions and judgements, here's mine to first time mommys (and daddys)..YOU'RE your baby's parents. Nobody else! Do what you know is right for your child, not what Jim-Bob the neighbor told you to do. 

That's all :) lol

25 weeks, 6 days..doctor appointment!

Today I went to the doctor to check on little Miss Ryleigh! Everything was great and she's right on track :) Her heartbeat was around 142/143, so it was perfect. My belly is measuring exactly right..to the day! I had to do the glucose test (again) to make sure everything is normal. The first one was fine, so I'm thinkin' this one will be too. Last time I had a red-colored drink and it was NASTY. Today it was orange and it wasn't too bad ;) I know I need to start thinking about labor/breast feeding classes, but they are so expensive! Are they worth it? Is there an alternative? Does anywhere offer them for free? I'm not sure where to start! Maybe I'll ask some of my mommy friends...

As I said last time, we are officially "under contract" for our house! Our tentative closing date is May 12th :) We are building from the ground up, so we got to pick our own colors/upgrades. I'm sooo excited!! So proud of us :) It's going to be an absolutely gorgeous home and we are so blessed to have it as our first! We are using a VA Home Loan. Anybody used this? Opinions? Advice? This is our first home/loan...lots of paperwork! Either way, we are both so excited!

How far along: 25 weeks, 6 days! I'll be 26 weeks tomorrow!

Total weight gain: As of today, 11 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Pants for sure. Starting to need tops now, but can't ever find any that I like!

Stretch marks: Still rubbin' coca butter on my tummy/hips everyday! 

Sleep: I dream about work every night. Ugh. I also wake up with pretty bad backaches :(

Best moment of this week: Today..my day off after working 9 days straight! :)

Miss anything: This week I've wanted a glass of wine..

Movement: She moves when her daddy talks to her and right after I eat. Also when I'm trying to sleep ;) Daddy and her Aunt Ashleigh are the only people who have felt her move!

Food Cravings: Spicy food and apple juice..weird! lol

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely.

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Nope.

Belly button in or out: Totally in.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: I would say happy.

Looking forward to: Another day off tomorrow! :)

23 Week Update..& We Are Under Contract!

How far along: 23 weeks, 1 day!

Total weight gain: As of my last appointment, 5 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Pants for sure! I never find maternity tops that I like, so I just wear regular ones in a bigger size.

Stretch marks: Still rubbin' coca butter on my tummy/hips everyday! 

Sleep: Bathroom trips all night long! I've also become quite the cover-stealer and talker! lol

Best moment of this week: Signing a contract on our first house! We are due to close May 12th! (I'm due with Ryleigh May 9th lol)

Miss anything: My smaller jeans...

Movement: She's all over the place! Especially when I'm sleeping!

Food Cravings: Still spicy things! (Followed by heartburn!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not so much anymore.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely.

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Nope.

Belly button in or out: Totally in.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Is sleepy an option? lol

Looking forward to: Getting our home built over the next few months! :)

Well, we are officially "under contract" on our very first home! We are having it built, so we chose the lot and signed the papers on Tuesday! We are so incredibly excited and I am SO proud of us! Buying a home is such a huge commitment and one of the biggest decisions we will ever make..guess this means we've officially grown up! lol Whoo hoo! 

We go to the doctor on Monday for a re-do ultrasound since little miss priss wasn't moving very much at the last one. (The ultrasound tech wasn't able to get the measurements that she needed.) I'm thinkin' a Chick Fil A spicy chicken sandwich should do the trick again ;) We are so excited to get to see our baby girl again! It's always amazing to see how much she has grown between ultrasounds! <3