Our little one has finally arrived!
We are so grateful that she is finally here, healthy and happy. I am posting her birth story so that those who care to read it may do so.
On Sunday, May 27th (one week after my due date), Matt and I went to church and were planning to attend a church picnic in the evening. After church, Matt went home to get some sleep and I stopped to get groceries. After I put the groceries away, I relaxed on the couch with lunch. After lunch, I was planning to clean the house and do some laundry. Before I got up after finishing lunch, I started having contractions. This wasn't unusual, so I assumed they would stop once I got up. I started working on cleaning but the contractions didn't stop. They were still spaced quite far apart, but it didn't seem possible that I could be anywhere near labor. I decided to see if I could sleep through any of the contractions, but they were stronger than any of the Braxton-Hicks that I had had previously.
I woke Matt up at about 3:00 and decided to take a shower, get dressed, and start getting our hospital things together. Matt and I ate dinner and got things done in between contractions. We took classes on the Bradley method and we utilized the relaxation techniques that we had learned as I labored. Around 8:30 or 8:45, I took a bath to see if the water would help the contractions, but I wasn't in there long before I realized that we needed to head to the hospital. Matt had recognized this before I even said anything and he was taking care of our dogs so that we could pack the car and leave.
We left for the hospital around 9:00. At this point, I had only been laboring for about 6 hours and I couldn't even imagine how far dilated or effaced I might be (we had decided that I wouldn't get "checked" during my appointments, so I had no idea how far along I was at this point). We arrived at the hospital around 9:30 and checked in. I changed into my hospital gown and felt the urge to push during the contraction I experienced at that point (the contractions had also been double-peaking for some time). When I got on the table to get checked, I told the nurse that, although I had only been having contractions since 3:00, I felt like I was supposed to push. The nurse checked me and confirmed that I was 9cm dilated and that our baby was breech. While waiting for an ultrasound machine and a doctor, they started to prep me for a c-section. It was confirmed that the baby was breech and I was quickly moved to have the procedure done.
Aynsley Patricia McDaniel was born that evening at 10:51pm, weighing 6 pounds and 8 ounces and measuring at 21 1/2 inches. Her name is pronounced like Ein-sley (and we understand if that takes awhile to pronounce correctly; we have been fairly certain that it would be her name for some time now). Even though things didn't go exactly as we planned, we are so happy that our little one has arrived. I was completely blown away by how quickly labor progressed and surprised that she had turned. We have hope to use the Bradley method again through a vaginal delivery next time and we have no reason to think that that won't be possible.
For all the well-wishes and congratulations, thank you! We are beyond blessed and excited about the beautiful new addition to our family.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
A Pregnancy Review
As baby's birth approaches, I wanted to put together a quick post about some of my (and Matt's) thoughts related to the last several months.
1. I had no idea how AWESOME pregnancy would be. Seeing that positive line on the pregnancy test, feeling all of baby's little stretches and kicks, seeing her during the ultrasound, watching my belly grow (and move!), to witness the outpouring of love from our family and friends...It has been amazing.
2. I had no idea how much I'd miss stuff. One of my favorite foods is steak, and I really prefer to eat it medium rare, so the last several months have been difficult whenever I venture to Texas Roadhouse. I also really like carnival rides, and I had to sit one out in the fall. It broke my heart to tell my niece that I couldn't go on the ride with her (and it was one of my favorite carnival rides, often known as the Zipper), but I knew it was for the best. I will probably have some steak shortly after giving birth and we already have an amusement park trip planned for July, so it won't be long before I get to do some of those things I've missed for so long.
3. I had no idea how weird people would think we are. Matt and I knew going into this that we wanted to try the Bradley method, a partner-coached method of childbirth that utilizes relaxation during labor. We took classes, read the material, and did the exercises. I had no idea how many people would think we are crazy and a few were downright rude. Also, I have a low-risk pregnancy and see a midwife, and a lot of people think that's totally weird. A few assumed that I was having a home birth or going to a birthing center, which are not things that I'm opposed to, but we'll be delivering in a hospital. Also, I'm in a 42-week practice, meaning that I could go until 42 weeks before baby is delivered. Matt and I are extremely determined to go into labor on our own, and I will do just about anything to avoid induction, and this has been surprising to many people. I am blessed to still be feeling pretty awesome at 39 1/2 weeks (and still sleeping through the night), so I am in no rush to meet my little girl before she is ready. Anyway, although Matt and I are trying to stay as natural as possible, I have been surprised by how many people have been rude or have been lacking support of our decisions for our family.
4. I had no idea that I'd hear everyone's (EVERYONE'S!) opinions. I have heard that, when you are pregnant, you get to hear everyone's opinion about everything, but I had no idea just how true that would be. "You're so small!" "You look like you're about to pop!" "You're huge!" "How can you be full-term?" It's so strange how differently everyone sees me.
5. I had no idea how annoying people would be. I would like to apologize for anyone this may offend, for I know that comments and questions are spoken with the best of intentions. Yet I found so many people annoying! They would ask questions related to my pregnancy and then answer with their own stories before I could respond. Um, please don't ask if you don't actually care. Additionally, I heard waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more birth stories than I ever cared to hear about, often from strangers. Our waitress last weekend was particularly graphic, and I wasn't even sitting down yet. However, the most annoying thing is probably (well-intentioned) comments of "sleep while you can." Hold the phone, are you telling me that having children might interfere with our sleep? My life won't be my own anymore? This is BRAND-NEW INFORMATION. I had no clue. And sooooooooo many people seem to think that's actually helpful advice.
6. I have no idea how this will go, but I'm very excited. I'm not quite ready to meet our little one yet, but I'm so excited to see what she looks like and hold her and kiss her...And put her in all the cute little outfits in her drawers! I'm excited to see Matt with his firstborn child and see our friends and family get to interact with our special blessing. I know that this is going to be a challenge at times, but I also have no doubt that it will be the most wonderful and rewarding thing I ever do.
1. I had no idea how AWESOME pregnancy would be. Seeing that positive line on the pregnancy test, feeling all of baby's little stretches and kicks, seeing her during the ultrasound, watching my belly grow (and move!), to witness the outpouring of love from our family and friends...It has been amazing.
2. I had no idea how much I'd miss stuff. One of my favorite foods is steak, and I really prefer to eat it medium rare, so the last several months have been difficult whenever I venture to Texas Roadhouse. I also really like carnival rides, and I had to sit one out in the fall. It broke my heart to tell my niece that I couldn't go on the ride with her (and it was one of my favorite carnival rides, often known as the Zipper), but I knew it was for the best. I will probably have some steak shortly after giving birth and we already have an amusement park trip planned for July, so it won't be long before I get to do some of those things I've missed for so long.
3. I had no idea how weird people would think we are. Matt and I knew going into this that we wanted to try the Bradley method, a partner-coached method of childbirth that utilizes relaxation during labor. We took classes, read the material, and did the exercises. I had no idea how many people would think we are crazy and a few were downright rude. Also, I have a low-risk pregnancy and see a midwife, and a lot of people think that's totally weird. A few assumed that I was having a home birth or going to a birthing center, which are not things that I'm opposed to, but we'll be delivering in a hospital. Also, I'm in a 42-week practice, meaning that I could go until 42 weeks before baby is delivered. Matt and I are extremely determined to go into labor on our own, and I will do just about anything to avoid induction, and this has been surprising to many people. I am blessed to still be feeling pretty awesome at 39 1/2 weeks (and still sleeping through the night), so I am in no rush to meet my little girl before she is ready. Anyway, although Matt and I are trying to stay as natural as possible, I have been surprised by how many people have been rude or have been lacking support of our decisions for our family.
4. I had no idea that I'd hear everyone's (EVERYONE'S!) opinions. I have heard that, when you are pregnant, you get to hear everyone's opinion about everything, but I had no idea just how true that would be. "You're so small!" "You look like you're about to pop!" "You're huge!" "How can you be full-term?" It's so strange how differently everyone sees me.
5. I had no idea how annoying people would be. I would like to apologize for anyone this may offend, for I know that comments and questions are spoken with the best of intentions. Yet I found so many people annoying! They would ask questions related to my pregnancy and then answer with their own stories before I could respond. Um, please don't ask if you don't actually care. Additionally, I heard waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more birth stories than I ever cared to hear about, often from strangers. Our waitress last weekend was particularly graphic, and I wasn't even sitting down yet. However, the most annoying thing is probably (well-intentioned) comments of "sleep while you can." Hold the phone, are you telling me that having children might interfere with our sleep? My life won't be my own anymore? This is BRAND-NEW INFORMATION. I had no clue. And sooooooooo many people seem to think that's actually helpful advice.
6. I have no idea how this will go, but I'm very excited. I'm not quite ready to meet our little one yet, but I'm so excited to see what she looks like and hold her and kiss her...And put her in all the cute little outfits in her drawers! I'm excited to see Matt with his firstborn child and see our friends and family get to interact with our special blessing. I know that this is going to be a challenge at times, but I also have no doubt that it will be the most wonderful and rewarding thing I ever do.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Years in Review...
In January, Matt and I celebrated our seven-year anniversary. Yes, it was just over seven years ago that Matt asked me out (via IM - super romantic ;) and I started dating my future husband. As we celebrated, just a couple weeks after finding out that a DAUGHTER will be joining us in May, I looked back at the last several years of our life together.
In 2008, Matt and I graduated from college. Shortly thereafter, he was accepted into police academy and we were married a couple of months later. Lots of firsts! First real job (uh, for Matt; I still don't think I've had a real job...), first apartment, first car...
In 2009, Matt graduated from academy and, after weeks of field training, started as an officer on his own. At the end of that summer, I started a graduate program at the University of Louisville.
In 2010, we bought our first house! What a huge relief/expenditure/blessing. A few months later, we went and found our puppies at the local animal shelter, and we still fawn all over them like we just got them.
In 2011, I graduated from the University of Louisville with my MSSW. A few months later, we found out the most amazing news - pregnant!
In 2012, we are going to extend our family and welcome an amazing little one into our family. And...who knows what else!
The past several years have brought a lot of change for us, but we have been beyond blessed to have friends and family who support and encourage us through every step. I realize that we have been through a lot (academy is overwhelming for the entire family, as are many grad programs - mine no exception), but that we have been extremely blessed with wonderful change over the course of our marriage thus far. I know that we won't always have such great summaries of the year, but I am thankful for all that we have been able to do together thus far.
And I can't wait to meet our little one and make some new memories.
In 2008, Matt and I graduated from college. Shortly thereafter, he was accepted into police academy and we were married a couple of months later. Lots of firsts! First real job (uh, for Matt; I still don't think I've had a real job...), first apartment, first car...
In 2009, Matt graduated from academy and, after weeks of field training, started as an officer on his own. At the end of that summer, I started a graduate program at the University of Louisville.
In 2010, we bought our first house! What a huge relief/expenditure/blessing. A few months later, we went and found our puppies at the local animal shelter, and we still fawn all over them like we just got them.
In 2011, I graduated from the University of Louisville with my MSSW. A few months later, we found out the most amazing news - pregnant!
In 2012, we are going to extend our family and welcome an amazing little one into our family. And...who knows what else!
The past several years have brought a lot of change for us, but we have been beyond blessed to have friends and family who support and encourage us through every step. I realize that we have been through a lot (academy is overwhelming for the entire family, as are many grad programs - mine no exception), but that we have been extremely blessed with wonderful change over the course of our marriage thus far. I know that we won't always have such great summaries of the year, but I am thankful for all that we have been able to do together thus far.
And I can't wait to meet our little one and make some new memories.
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Meltdown
It finally happened.
I finally had a pregnancy meltdown. It's not that I hadn't cried in the last four months, but I had good reasons for those tears. Like reading the last Harry Potter book. Or watching the last Harry Potter movie. Or watching a best friend from college marry the love of his life.
But this was brought on by painting. I am trying to get a number of house projects done before the baby's arrival, and I am taking on the paint-related ones on my own (Matt hates to paint). While there had been plenty of spots that needed to be touched up and rooms that needed to be repainted altogether, I hadn't painted since the week we moved in, almost two years ago. Until last month, when I repainted one of our bathrooms and our laundry room.
This weekend, I took on the nursery and our living room. The nursery was fine, but as I was touching up the white ceiling and white baseboards, I fell apart. I realized there wasn't one room in the house that we could consider "done" or "perfect" and that spiraled into "nothing will ever be perfect" and "I just want everything to be perfect for when the baby gets here."
Add the paint drama to the growing to-do list to friend drama to family drama to typical stress to a busy week to an upcoming busy week to a messy house put on hold due to - you guessed it - painting and it hit.
I cried. And said, "Oh, crap, I'm gonna cry a bunch. And I was doing so well."
Thankfully, I have the best husband in the world. Matt offered to take a personal day (a personal night, in his case) in order to help me paint. So he did. And while I am still feeling very upset and overwhelmed, I am reminded that I have a wonderful husband who is with me every step of the way...As he proved today by painting, even though he hates it.
He must love me.
I finally had a pregnancy meltdown. It's not that I hadn't cried in the last four months, but I had good reasons for those tears. Like reading the last Harry Potter book. Or watching the last Harry Potter movie. Or watching a best friend from college marry the love of his life.
But this was brought on by painting. I am trying to get a number of house projects done before the baby's arrival, and I am taking on the paint-related ones on my own (Matt hates to paint). While there had been plenty of spots that needed to be touched up and rooms that needed to be repainted altogether, I hadn't painted since the week we moved in, almost two years ago. Until last month, when I repainted one of our bathrooms and our laundry room.
This weekend, I took on the nursery and our living room. The nursery was fine, but as I was touching up the white ceiling and white baseboards, I fell apart. I realized there wasn't one room in the house that we could consider "done" or "perfect" and that spiraled into "nothing will ever be perfect" and "I just want everything to be perfect for when the baby gets here."
Add the paint drama to the growing to-do list to friend drama to family drama to typical stress to a busy week to an upcoming busy week to a messy house put on hold due to - you guessed it - painting and it hit.
I cried. And said, "Oh, crap, I'm gonna cry a bunch. And I was doing so well."
Thankfully, I have the best husband in the world. Matt offered to take a personal day (a personal night, in his case) in order to help me paint. So he did. And while I am still feeling very upset and overwhelmed, I am reminded that I have a wonderful husband who is with me every step of the way...As he proved today by painting, even though he hates it.
He must love me.
Monday, January 9, 2012
It's a Girl!
Matt and I were blessed to get a little look at our little one last week!
We were thrilled to find out that everything is looking great and that our little one is a little girl!
That little foot makes my heart melt.
Anyway, we have been looking forward to putting together the nursery and preparing for a lot of pink! The clothes...Oh, the clothes...I can't wait!
We were thrilled to find out that everything is looking great and that our little one is a little girl!
That little foot makes my heart melt.Anyway, we have been looking forward to putting together the nursery and preparing for a lot of pink! The clothes...Oh, the clothes...I can't wait!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The (First) Pregnancy Post
I haven’t posted for so long due to having to keep a BIG secret. Now that it’s public knowledge that we have a baby on the way, I can finally share all of the funny things that have taken place over the last few months! I kept writing down the funny things that happened and the conversations that Matt and I would have, but I couldn’t post without our news being obvious. So now I can share!
-More than once in the earliest month or two of pregnancy, I found myself hungry all the time (actually, that’s still generally true). I needed absolutely no prodding to be the first in line at church lunches, and I found myself glaring at those in line ahead of me, especially if I felt they were taking too long. I apologize to anyone who may have noticed my dirty looks.
-An example of my eating habits:
Breakfast: oatmeal, milk, coffee.
Lunch: cous cous with fresh sautéed veggies (zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes)
Dinner: whole grain pasta, turkey meatballs
Evening snack: large fry from McDonald’s
-(At first prenatal class)
MATT (laughing): I look to my left and this lady [who is obviously farther along than I am] is quickly flipping through the hospital handouts. I look to my right and you’re reading about the Third Reich.
-LAURRYN: I had a terrifying thought this morning, like, what if we screw this kid up?
MATT: Oh, we will.
-I can go from zero to starving in 60 seconds.
-I want fried stuff. All the time. (This isn’t so much true now, but it really was in the first trimester.)
-Matt and I took a series of prenatal classes at a local hospital during the first trimester, and my favorite class was the hands-on one. We were issued a doll, a diaper, a small shirt, and a small container to serve as a “bath.” Matt suggested we practice bathing, changing, and dressing our “baby” together, but I got to say, “I’m a pro at this, and I do most of this for a living now, so this is all you!” Considering he’s never changed a diaper, he did quite well.
-One day, I opened up a can of diced tomatoes for a salsa mix and I wanted to sit and eat the entire thing.
-What I say: “certified nurse midwife.” What people hear: “I’m having my baby in my bedroom and/or a tub and I will go nowhere near a hospital and a doctor is not allowed anywhere near me.”
-The very best part of one of my Saturdays was when one of my best friends, Caitlin, was in town and we went to Babies R Us. We sat rocking in the gliders for a few minutes and I thought I would never, ever get up if I could help it.
-I swore that I would never be a waddler, and then I swore that I was already waddling at 12 weeks.
-I am the stereotype: pickles and ice cream.
LAURRYN: Hm, I want ice cream. Why don’t we have any? Oh, right, because I’d eat half the container in one sitting.
(Then I saw an ad for pickles a few minutes later.)
LAURRYN: Do we have any pickles?
MATT: I’m not sure…Yeah, we probably have some spears.
(I searched in vain. To no avail.)
LAURRYN: You’re a liar.
MATT: Did you check the pantry?
LAURRYN: Yep. So I’ll add it to the grocery list, but I won’t be going shopping for TWO WEEKS!
(Seriously, it felt like the end of the world. And when I finally got pickles, I ate a lot of them. An embarrassing amount.)
-I was already getting belly pats at 13 weeks – this is really happening?!
-Matt watched the movie “Insidious” and the “ghost” in the house was talking through the baby monitor.
MATT: Are you sure you want to have a baby? We’ll have to have the monitor on all the time, thus increasing the likelihood that we’ll discover that the house is haunted. Are you sure that’s a road you want to travel down?!”
To answer a few of the more popular questions we get…
How far along are you? I am 18 ½ weeks along.
What’s your due date? Baby’s due date is May 20th.
Will you find out what you are having? Assuming all goes well, we find out if baby is a boy or girl on January 4th (but we’ll be keeping it a secret for a few days).
Do you have names figured out? We haven’t talked about names, but I doubt we’ll make anything public prior to our little one’s arrival.
Will you still watch Gwen? I will still watch my favorite Gwen on weekdays, but I will take a little time off.
How have you been feeling? I have not been sick at all, but I have been hungry. I spend much of the first trimester being exhausted, but I have energy now. Still constantly hungry, though!
We are so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
My Ridealong
Now, maybe I'm not so modest when I say that I think I'm pretty hardcore for going on a ridealong with my husband. In an actual city. In the bad area of town. During the midnight shift. ON THE NIGHT THE POWER WENT OUT.
All that's true, but I wasn't scared or anything. Matt knows what he's doing, I have shot a gun before, etc. I cruised with Matt on a ten-hour shift and we barely had time to stop and take a bathroom break! (I'm pretty sure I was the only one that needed one, though.)
Anyway, these are some of my thoughts on my very (VERY!) eventful night.
1. Hm, why are kids up so late? Like, these are little kids. Running around. And it's late.
2. Uh, that guy just called my husband a "mofo." I'm feeling defensive...
3. Okay, it's 3:30 in the morning and there are a LOT of people at this gas station. And not many of them are getting gas. You couldn't pay me to get out of bed and hang out at 3:30 am.
4. Oh, this is fun. My husband must love getting to pat down a bunch of grown men who act like children. Such fun!
5. We are driving very fast and there are lights going and sirens blaring and my coffee is spilling and burning my leg. Ow, ow, ow. This better be worth it. Ow!
6. My husband doesn't get paid enough to deal with some of this crap.
7. My husband gets paid way too much. Look how much fun he's having!
8. How does he do this without coffee?!?!
Anyway, I had a good time and I got to wear a bulletproof vest. And I looked silly in it. Most importantly, I got to watch my husband do what he loves, and he's good at it. I came home with a new respect for him and what he goes through every night.
And then I passed out from sheer exhaustion.
All that's true, but I wasn't scared or anything. Matt knows what he's doing, I have shot a gun before, etc. I cruised with Matt on a ten-hour shift and we barely had time to stop and take a bathroom break! (I'm pretty sure I was the only one that needed one, though.)
Anyway, these are some of my thoughts on my very (VERY!) eventful night.
1. Hm, why are kids up so late? Like, these are little kids. Running around. And it's late.
2. Uh, that guy just called my husband a "mofo." I'm feeling defensive...
3. Okay, it's 3:30 in the morning and there are a LOT of people at this gas station. And not many of them are getting gas. You couldn't pay me to get out of bed and hang out at 3:30 am.
4. Oh, this is fun. My husband must love getting to pat down a bunch of grown men who act like children. Such fun!
5. We are driving very fast and there are lights going and sirens blaring and my coffee is spilling and burning my leg. Ow, ow, ow. This better be worth it. Ow!
6. My husband doesn't get paid enough to deal with some of this crap.
7. My husband gets paid way too much. Look how much fun he's having!
8. How does he do this without coffee?!?!
Anyway, I had a good time and I got to wear a bulletproof vest. And I looked silly in it. Most importantly, I got to watch my husband do what he loves, and he's good at it. I came home with a new respect for him and what he goes through every night.
And then I passed out from sheer exhaustion.
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