He's here! Welcome Dominic Oliver Craun!

Most of you know this already, but Dominic finally arrived on May 16th at 6:29 pm. He weighed 7 lbs 6 oz, and is 21 inches long. Brian and I are so happy and Dom is just the cutest little guy ever! We can't get over how, after only one day, we were so in love with him. Yes, there have been some moments where both of us were super frustrated during these first days home, but mostly we're just so happy!

Choosing his name was so hard! I had never thought of boys' names before, and with my job, I had to rule out a lot of boys' names. I wanted a name that wouldn't make me think of anyone I had worked with. So at first we settled on Oliver, but then my dad and Mitch didn't like it. All Mitch could think of was the tractor brand. After the negative reaction, of course we had to change it. So we decided on Dominic. We each know only one person with the name, and my parents each know of one person with the name so there was very little to associate with it. And it fits him so well! Oliver remained part of Dominic's name because Bri wants to call him DOC.
We went to the hospital late last Tuesday night for me to get some medicine that is supposed to make my cervix thin and dilate. I received that at 11:00 after being tortured with an IV port (I HATE needles). I was supposed to get another dose at 3:00, but the nurse woke me to let me know that I was having regular contractions every 3 to 5 minutes so they couldn't give me the second dose. They obviously weren't strong enough to put me into labor because they didn't wake me from my Ambien-induced coma.

At 3:40 my water broke - seriously one of the grossest things ever. And there was no guessing as to whether it really happened this time! Things get hazy here, but some time between then and 7:00, they started me on pitocin to get labor going. Around 8:00 the doc came in, and noted no progress. They started with a really small dose of the pitocin, but since I wasn't dilating they cranked it up. Then the contractions really started! I think labor officially started around 9ish. Halfway through the morning I started having major back pain. Dominic was face up instead of face down, and his skull was pushing into my back. After trying a few different positions and lots of pain later, they started me on an IV pain med (amazing). Because of his position and some scar tissue from some abnormal cells I had to get removed a few years ago (they wanted to break it apart and it would have been very painful), I got my epidural shortly after they started the pain meds. Many hours and a very large dosage of pitocin later, I had only dilated to a 6. Labor was SLOW - only a half a centimeter every two hours, when normal first time moms dilate a centimeter per hour. The nurse warned me that my doctor would likely say I needed a c-section, and I started crying. After all the lack of progress in the weeks prior, I had already told myself that I would likely need a c-section, but I was still scared nonetheless. Surgery scares me!

At 6:00 my doctor came in again, and after examining me, decided that I did need a c-section. They were unable to break apart the scar tissue that was basically like a super thick rubber band around my cervix. Dominic still hadn't turned the right way, and apparently my pelvis and cervix aren't shaped the way they're supposed to be so delivery could have been dangerous (sometimes things change during labor, which is why my doc let me labor all day). I kept going between calm, rational thoughts about how the c-section would be safer for both D and I and anxious, completely irrational thoughts about the c-section in general. I was shaking so bad my teeth were chattering. I'm so glad my mom and Brian were there to provide some comfort.

Once the decision was made, I was prepped and in the OR within 15 minutes. And within another 15 minutes, Dominic was delivered! It was such a surreal experience. Here I am, lying on a table completely cut open, and I have an anesthesiologist making small talk with me about how he's from Minnesota too. When we first heard D's cry, both Brian and I started crying. Then someone said, "He has so much hair" and we both asked what color it was (like that's the major thing to be worried about at that time!). Bri was so excited to meet him that he started to go over to the other side of the sheet before he got the okay and everyone was like "Not yet!!!" Bri got to see D first, and he came back to me and said that he's so beautiful. When they finally brought D over, I just remember being so in awe that I finally got to meet him, and that he was so perfect.

Things after that were a little hazy. Bri had contacted Megan when they were prepping me, so Megan, Lauren, and Bess were waiting with my mom outside the OR. They all went down to the nursery with D while I was closed up. At some point in time the nurses brought D in to nurse, and we both got a hang of it right away. Later that night I vaguely remember JD stopping by. Throughout the rest of the stay we had lots of visitors, and it was exciting to have everyone finally meet Dominic.

Brian and I got the hang of taking care of Dominic pretty quickly. Recovery from the c-section is going slowly, but surely, and every day is getting better. I love cuddling with Dom, and I feel so blessed that I have such a wonderful husband to take care of us, amazing friends and family to help out, and a perfect little boy who amazes me in every way. I think I've cried at least twice a day out of sheer happiness (and hormones).

Thank you all for the love, gifts, and support!

My first car ride

Little smiles during nap time.

After my first bath.

On the way to my first doctor appointment

My first tummy time, and I actually liked it.

Four More Days!

Because I don't feel like repeating this story 500 bajillion times, here's an update on where things stand.

The nonstress test on Wednesday went okay, and we were in and out of the office in like 30 minutes. Today, different story. First they monitored D's heart rate, my contractions, and my blood pressure. My blood pressure was once again elevated so then they monitored us for awhile longer with me on my side. Then when the nurse came in to check me, she was concerned that he might be breech, so they ordered an ultrasound. And because my blood pressure was still high for me, they also did all the blood work to check for pregnancy-induced hypertension again that they did last Friday.

The ultrasound showed that everything with D is great, but that I still have a lot of amniotic fluid and that my cervix is still "really long". Because it was the first ultrasound I've had at the hospital, the tech did all of the measurements and checks to confirm that everything is normal. Surprise, surprise, D has a big head just like his daddy! :) His head is measuring at 41 weeks, while everything else is measuring at about 38ish weeks. They estimated his weight to be 7 pounds, 4 ounces. She tried to get us a good 3D pic, but once again his hands were blocking his face.

The blood work came back okay enough to send me home, but not okay enough that I'm now on bedrest until he's here. Super. They're concerned that if I'm moving around pre-eclampsia could set in. They would have induced me today, but because my cervix isn't doing what it's supposed to they sent us home. There's still a chance that he could come on his own in the next few days, but if he doesn't, I'll likely be induced Tuesday night so that I deliver on Wednesday. I have another nonstress test and an exam on Monday morning, and we'll schedule the time to be induced then.

Until then, I'll be laying on the couch, avoiding stairs, and being bored out of my mind! Happy early Mother's Day to all you mommas out there!

Nicole

40 Weeks

How far along?  40 weeks. Today is the due date. So much for that.
Baby Craun's size:  He's the size of a jackfruit. I don't even know what that is.
Total weight gain/loss:  No change from last week
Maternity clothes:  Yes, but I went and bought a few new things that I can wear now and after he's born so at least I can look cute during these final days. I was really bored with the stuff I have now.
Stretch marks?  No. Those marks I thought I had last week are gone this week.
Sleep:  Nope. I'm having pretty regular contractions that have gotten really painful but they still aren't causing me to dilate. I've figured out that if I stay up really late until I'm really tired, then I can sleep for longer chunks of time.
Movement:  Yes, especially when I have a contraction. Some of his movements are painful too.
Symptoms:  Super emotional and tired some days. I'm having "real" contractions that are super draining. I'm so freaking sick of people saying, "You're still here?" or "He's not here yet?" It takes every ounce of my energy to not bite their heads off sometimes, even when I know they mean well. My feet are also super swollen so I'm wearing mostly flip flops now.
Labor signs?  I thought my water broke on Friday (it would be TMI if I told the whole story), so we went to the hospital and spent the evening of Bri's birthday there. First they couldn't get a good baseline on his heart rate because he was moving so much, and then my blood pressure was high, I had a headache, and my feet were super swollen so they did every test to make sure I wasn't having pregnancy-induced hypertension. Four hours later they sent us home, and told me that I needed to basically be on bedrest the whole weekend. Then Sunday night I was up until about 12:30-1:00ish with horrible contractions coming every 2 to 3 minutes. But because I could walk and talk through them, the nurse said it would be best to just wait it out at home. I was able to get a few hours sleep, and they finally slowed down and got less intense around 5:30-6ish. At my doctor appointment Monday, I was still at a 1 and about 50% effaced (apparently that doesn't really matter), but the good thing was that my blood pressure was back to normal. Today I have a nonstress test, then I go back for another nonstress test, this time at the hospital, at 9:00 on Saturday morning, and then Monday morning I have another doctor's appointment for another nonstress test and to schedule a date to be induced. Scary thing about that is, if I still don't dilate with the pitocin when they try to induce labor then I'll probably have to have a c-section...Good news is that they won't let me go past 41 weeks so I have 7 days at most. And since we get to schedule when I'll be induced, hopefully I'll get to schedule delivery with my favorite doctor. She told D on Monday that he needs to come out soon, on his own, so that he isn't that deadbeat son living in his parents' basement :)
Food cravings:  Nothing sounds good, except for when I'm feeling major cramping, and then all I want is chocolate.
Miss anything?  Same as last week - I want nothing more than to be comfortable again. I'm miserable.
Belly button in or out?  Same as last week, part in, part out.
Wedding rings on or off?  Off mostly.
Nursery progress:  Complete.
Best moment this week:  Since all I could do this weekend was lay around, Coco and I got some quality cuddle time in. I swear animals can tell when you need some cheering up. And I'm feeling very very lucky to have such a wonderful support group. Between my mom, sis, and Brian letting me vent, the pretty surprise flowers from Mitch and Julie, and all the support Brian has provided, I've been able to make it through. It doesn't hurt that I got my mother's day present early too!

Weekly wisdom:  I seriously would rather run 2 marathons back-to-back then have to go through these last few weeks again. It wouldn't be so bad if the contractions were actually doing something, or if everyone hadn't convinced me that he'd come early. It's like reaching the finish line, only to find that surprise, you have another couple of miles to run. But my pitty party ended on Monday because there could be worse things in life.
Looking forward to:  This weekend Vi will be in town so I'll get to spend some time with her! I'm bummed that she won't get to meet D, but oh well.

39 Weeks

How far along?  39 weeks - seriously?! I'm ready!
Baby Craun's size:  The size of a wintermelon, which is a little bigger than a watermelon I guess.
Total weight gain/loss:  I lost another pound this week, so now at 22 total pounds. Must be because my new theme song is Walk It Out. I'm trying to walk as much as possible which is hard because I mostly waddle.
Maternity clothes:  Yep.
Stretch marks?  Nope. I think I might have little ones on the top parts of my hips but I can't tell because I can't see them up close - my belly's in the way!
Sleep:  Negatory. I'm so uncomfortable and contractions have been waking me up every night over the last week and a half.
Movement:  Lots. At my appointment Monday the doc had me get an ultrasound because she couldn't tell for sure that he was still head down. So we did it and turns out that he has one of his feet down by his face. He was moving around a lot so we couldn't get a good 3D picture, and his umbilical cord is by his face too (that thing across his left cheek, see below). The ultrasound tech said things are okay now, but he could flip because he's so active and there's a lot of amniotic fluid still. Hopefully he stays head down! In other news, he looks like he has a ton of hair, and I think he really looks like Brinley when she was born. He has the Carlson chubby cheeks for sure.

Symptoms:  Nothing different than last week. Swollen, tired, achy, crabby.
Labor signs?  Definitely having contractions, but still no change in how dilated I am. I almost started crying when the doctor told me this. Four appointments in a row with no change.
Food cravings:  Nope. Food just doesn't sound good. There's no room for food in my stomach.
Miss anything?  Being comfortable in general.
Belly button in or out?  Top part is poking out more now. Bottom part is in just a smidge.
Wedding rings on or off?  If I'm cold, on. If I'm hot, off. I can't sleep with it on anymore either.
Nursery progress:  Done and waiting.
Best moment this week:  My awesome work shower that Megan threw for me. She had some fun games! I'm very blessed to have the amazing coworkers that I have!

Weekly wisdom:  I'm really trying to enjoy these last days of being pregnant and feeling him move around, but I'm just too fustrated that nothing has changed. I'm needing an attitude adjustment!
Looking forward to:  Him being here already. He looked so cute during the ultrasound (when we could see him when he was still, instead of moving and having a blurry pic) that I can't wait to meet him!

38 Weeks

How far along?  38 weeks. D, I'm ready for you!
Baby Craun's size:  A pumpkin. There's seriously a pumpkin inside me. I'm feeling extra large today.
Total weight gain/loss:  Down a pound from last week so I'm at 23 pounds total gain now.
Maternity clothes:  Mostly yes. My belly is starting to get so huge that the final hold outs of normal people clothes probably aren't going to fit next week.
Stretch marks?  No
Sleep:  Small doses with bathroom trips and some mean contractions in between. I didn't sleep much last night between being hot, the bathroom, and not feeling well.
Movement:  Lots still. He's become a little less aggressive (he probably has no room!), so I'm feeling fewer jabs to my ribs now.
Symptoms:  Nesting, if you consider that a symptom, was in full force Saturday. I helped Brian clear out weeds and vines and old mulch on the north side of our house. We got almost everything cleared out! Other than the nesting, I'm still pretty swollen all the time. Even my nose is fatter!
Labor signs?  The intense contractions are happening more often now. As of Monday, no change in how dilated I am. Boo again. I was pretty crabby on Monday because of this.
Food cravings:  Nope. Although a juicy peach sounds really yummy right now!
Miss anything?  My un-puffy body/face.
Belly button in or out?  The top part is sticking out a bit more but that bottom part is still in so my belly button just looks really weird.
Wedding rings on or off?  The wedding band is holding strong, but instead of being a little loose like it always was, it's now a little tight. If I swell anymore I don't know if I'll be able to get it off!
Nursery progress:  Mom gave us the peepee teepees that she made on Sunday, so I guess now the nursery really is complete. I'm hoping that these really do prevent D from peeing on us when we change his diaper. We'll see!
Best moment this week:  I got almost everything for work that I should get done before the baby comes done this week. Now I have the luxury of doing the things that I wish I had time for!
Weekly wisdom:  This is really testing my patience. I'm so ready for D to be here that sometimes I'm pretty crabby because I can be super inpatient, especially since I've been stuck for 3 visits now at the same place in pre-labor. Everyone keeps telling me to enjoy my last days of freedom - how am I free when I can barely get up from the couch by myself?!
Looking forward to:  Next weeks doctor's visit. Please let there be progress by then!

37 Weeks - Full Term!

How far along?  37 weeks. He's officially full term.
Baby Craun's size:  He's the size of a watermelon. Holy bigness!
Total weight gain/loss:  24 - I'm super swollen again this morning so let's hope it's that again
Maternity clothes:  Mostly
Stretch marks?  No
Sleep:  No different from last week; however, I've discovered that sleeping in my own bed is much better than sleeping in a hotel's bed. The last two nights, I slept like a rock during the times that I did sleep.
Movement:  All the time. It doesn't seem to phase Coco when she gets kicked by him. Hope that transfers to when he's here, and that they become buddies. It's funny to feel him hiccup too.
Symptoms:  Heartburn, some nausea when I have a contraction, some LOTS of swelling - I have the fat pregnancy face now!
Labor signs?  My Braxton Hicks contractions really suck. They hurt pretty bad, but I'm a weenie. I've had a few real ones that are like stop-me-in-my-tracks painful. At my doctor appointment on Monday there wasn't any change from last week. Boo. Apparently he's content in there.
Food cravings:  No. I'm just making myself eat whatever Bri decides to make mostly. Nothing really sounds good.
Miss anything?  Carefree traveling, like there ever was such a thing with Mitch Jr. that I'm married to :) But any inkling of carefree traveling is gone now. When we went to Cedar Falls this weekend, we had to drive separately from Jamie and Mark because my doctor said last week that if I feel any contractions we need to get back to DSM just in case. And that required bringing the hospital bag (good thing I already had this ready) and everything else we'd need, just in case. Once D gets here, then we'll be packing all his stuff - diaper bag, pump, bottles, clothes, bibs, toys/books, etc. I'm very thankful for the extra pack and play so we won't ever have to haul that to Sergeant Bluff!
Belly button in or out?  Sticking out just a little bit more.
Wedding rings on or off?  Off
Nursery progress:  Mom finished the pillows for the bench so now it's officially done.
Best moment this week:  My surprise shower by my wonderful teammates! Great cupcakes, great gifts, and best of all great company. I have the best teammates ever and they are seriously the only reason I like my job some days!
Weekly wisdom:  Pregnant women can't shrink back into the crowd and go unnoticed. Sometimes I don't want to have to socialize (especially if I'm in pain!), but everywhere I go someone has to stop to talk to me. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I'm just kind of missing the times when I don't have to fake a good mood to talk to a stranger.
Looking forward to:  Monday's doctor appointment. REALLY hoping things are further along then.

36 Weeks

How far along?  36 weeks (28 days until D-Day!). His 30-day eviction notice was served on Monday.
Baby Craun's size:  He's the size of a coconut, who likes to settle his feet in my right ribs. 
Total weight gain/loss:  19.5 lbs total.
Maternity clothes: Yep. My belly's getting pretty big so I'm down to limited options.
Stretch marks?  Nope.
Sleep:  Pretty decent until about 4:00, and then I toss and turn until 5 or 6. Then Brian gets up and I don't fall asleep again until 6:30ish, and then it's time for me to get up. I miss my sleep. I love it when people tell me to get as much sleep as I can now - really?! I didn't know that. Aside for instituting nap time at work, how do you propose I get this sleep?
Movement:  Lots still. At Bess' birthday lunch on Saturday everyone was staring at my stomach because he moves around so much after I eat. As Lauren said, it looks like I have an alien in my stomach. This is why when I first found out I was pregnant all I could think of was Space Balls. I'm also pretty certain that he'll like hip hop/ R&B because every time I listen to 99.9 loudly he starts moving. Hopefully he'll have some sweet dance moves!
Symptoms: Heartburn, swollen cankles and fingers (though much better than last week!), plus difficulty sleeping, breathing, getting up from laying down, picking up things from the floor
Labor signs?  Continued contractions.
Food cravings:  Some more red velvet pancakes from I-Hop. Mom, Dad, Brian, and I went there on Sunday and those things are so good!
Miss anything?  Sleep and all those other things I was missing last week.
Belly button in or out?  No change from last week.
Wedding rings on or off?  Wedding band on, engagement ring off.
Nursery progress:  Grandma Hindy (as Laney calls her) finished the cushion for the bench (see behind me in the picture)! It turned out awesome, even though she doesn't think so. Given the fact that she didn't have a pattern, it's pretty amazing, because I could never do that. I think it looks way better than anything we could have bought for like three times the amount of money.
Best moment this week:  I know that I'm nearing the end of pregnancy so I'm really savoring those times when he's moving around a lot. Last night, after Brian was feeling D hiccup, Brian said something along the lines of that's so cool that I get to feel D moving all day. And it really is! I think I'll miss that.
Weekly wisdom:  Family is so important to me, and life is too short to miss big, important moments (like weddings) because you don't like something they did/are doing related to that big moment. I just don't get it, and I know that I don't ever want to live my life like that. I want to make every effort to be there for those big moments.
Looking forward to:  Next week's doctor appointment to see if I'm dialated any further!