Our first week

Talk about an adjustment! Now I know why I took my leave from work earlier...to catch up on sleep BEFORE the baby got here. I'm not sure how I've been managing, but I am exhausted! The first couple of days were very rough adjustung to this new lifestyle of mommy-hood. Being up at all hours of the day and night caring for a newborn while trying to get myself back on track. The emotional rollercoaster has been something I never have experienced before. Feeling like crying one minute and yelling at my husband for nothing the next. The only time my emotions keep it together is when I am dealing with the baby. I made the mistake of watching The Notebook on TV the other day...not recommended for someone who just had a baby...just sayin'. For the most part I feel like I have kept it together. It has been nice having my sister and mom around to help out and let me catch up on basic things like showering and brushing my teeth. My husband had to go back to work on Monday and that was hard because I wasn't ready to be by myself just yet and I felt like he was the only one who could make me feel better. My sister spent all day Monday and Tuesday hanging out with me. Mostly just keeping me company and taking care of the baby while I ate and showered. My mom spent all day Tuesday and Wednesday helping me out at home as well. She did so much for me. Not only did she make Chris and I tons of food (enough for the whole week) but she also took care of the baby so that I could sleep and catch up on things that needed to be done (like a load of the baby's laundry...already!). It was hard the first day back at home dealing with the after math of a c-section, but honestly, I would totally do that again with baby #2. Today was the first day that I started feeling like myself again. I was completely by myself today, just me and Will, and it was nice to get up and just start to get into the every day swing of things again. I was even able to start taking his newborn photos.

It has already been an unforgettable experience taking care of Will from the very beginning. I am so very lucky to be able to know what all this feels like, to have a baby and raise him. I look forward to many more days and even longer nights with this boy because even though it takes everything out of me the outcome is so worth it!

(1 week old)



The Birth of William Jacob

My c-section was scheduled for 9am Thursday September 20th. I kept myself extra busy the day before with cleaning, laundry, crafting and every other thing I could think of. I was so anxious to get this pregnancy over with. A small part of me was even a little bit scared, but I couldn't stop thinking about meeting my son in 24 hours! I woke up the morning of the surgery and was just so pumped...not scared one bit! We got ready and left for the hospital. I had to be there by 7 am for labs and prep work. But before we left I had my husband take one last pregnancy picture of me to show off my baby bump one last time. I was 39 weeks and 6 days exactly in these pictures. My original due date was September 21st.

 

When we got to Mercy-Gilbert hospital we checked in and were taken up to the labor and delivery floor. I was taken to triage right away and hooked up to monitors and tubes. I had all of my pre-labor work going and we were just waiting for the doctors and nursing staff to be ready in the OR. My parents, sister Ciara, my grandparents, sister in law Kassie and best friend Nicole were all there in the waiting room waiting to see us after. My parents and grandparents came back to say hi and see me one more time before I went back to the OR. My dad was almost in tears seeing me hooked up to everything, it made me get a little emotional...and I had been doing so well with that! Everyone was finally ready to get this show on the road! I was taken back to the OR and given a spinal and prepped for surgery. After everything was done my husband was able to come back and they began the surgery. I was awake the whole time and I felt sooo good! All I remember is the staff laughing at everything I was saying. I think I even told the doctor that my kid was going to beat the weight of her last delivery of a 9 lb baby. It was a weird feeling to be on the drugs they gave me, listening to classic rock and feeling the pressure of the movements from the operation. All of a sudden Chris says, "Honey! Look, there he is!" and I heard that little baby cry and I started crying. I never felt so happy and so much love for someone before ever! It is true: being a mom changes everything!

 

 

 

Our son was finally here! William Jacob Kelsch arrived on September 20, 2012 at 10:03 am via c-section. He weighed in at 9 lbs 4 oz and measured at 22 inches long. He was so big they even had to suction him out! The doctor said he was wedged inside of me and they needed a little help getting him out. The doctor said, "I don't know how you fit that baby inside of you! You hid it very well." They brought him around to me right away, before they even cleaned him up, and I just remember telling him, "Son, its your mom. I'm so happy you are here! I love you son and mom is right here!" The nurses and Chris went to the nursery to get him checked out and give him a bath. My family that was in the waiting room all got to see him through the window in the nursery. While he was getting cleaned up I was getting stitched up. I felt so tired and was trying to keep my eyes open the entire time. I could feel them tugging and pulling at my stomach, it felt so weird! After they finished I was taken to recovery for about 45 min to an hour. Of course, being a Kelsch, he nursed right away. After I was able to move my feet, after the drugs started to wear off, I was moved to my room. My family came back to visit with the baby and my parents spent all day there with us. It was nice to have them around for such a huge deal in our lives.

 

 

We were in the hospital from Thursday to Saturday and I was released early because I was up walking around and doing very well after a c-section. I was pulling myself out of bed while holding the baby...that's how good I was doing. The hospital and staff were amazing. I felt like we were taken care of and important, not just another patient in a bed. The rooms were large, the food was great and they even had tea time with little cakes and tea in your rooms. I am totally having baby #2 there. Best hospital ever...it was more like a resort than anything else. Since coming home it has been an obvious adjustment. I am very exhausted still and Chris had to go back to work right away on Monday. It has been such a help to have my mom and sister come by the first few days this week. They have mostly been cooking and helping me with the baby while I sleep. But in the end all of this is worth it just to see my baby boy smiling and laughing in his sleep. I am very much looking forward to spending the next 3 months with our little guy at home. Of course, being a photographer, there will be many pictures to come!









40 weeks

The light at the end of the tunnel is bright!! I finally made it to the end. The growth ultrasound showed that Will is measuring at 41 weeks and 5 days and weighing in at 9 lbs. The doctor says that ultrasounds can be around a 1/2 of a pound off but she thinks if that is the case he will weigh more and not less. After hearing this news Chris and I have both decided that a c-section will be our safest and easiest route to have the baby. I think that if he wasn't so big I would have no problem trying to have him vaginally. Chris and I were both big babies and my mother in law had complications with delivering Chris beacuse of his size and weight where as my mom did not have any complications. I just feel that it is what is best for me and Will. I have not effaced any more than last weeks visit and I have dilated at most 1/2 an inch, which can change. The baby has also not moved down any more than where we were at before and is still up a little higher than where we would like him to be. I have had contractions but nothing that has obviously made me have him. I feel like I have progressed as much as possible with his weight and size and my body has just about had enough. I am constantly in pain from my lower back and hips. Everytime he moves it hurts and I just feel bad for my son beacuse he just keeps growing and I cannot make any more room for him. We are just ready for him to be here! Thankfully the hospital had an opening and I will be having my c-section at 9am on thursday September 20th.

I'm swelling a bit more in my legs now that I am getting to the end of the pregnancy. Since I've been home for the most part I do about 1-2 things a day and then just rest and nap. I want to be rested and I usually end up being pretty exhausted by the afternoon. I have gained a total of 33 lbs so far and hopefully that will be all!

I cannot wait to meet my son in less than 48 hours!

39 weeks

Well it looks like this baby is way too comfortable in his mommy's belly. There is no sign of him arriving any time soon. I went to the doctor today and there has been no progress since my last 2 check ups. I am still only 50% effaced and he is only getting bigger inside of me. I am hardly sleeping at night with the horrible lower back and hip pain. And of course getting up every 1-2 hours to go to the bathroom doesn't help. Every time he moves in there I flinch because there is just no more room for this growing baby to grow. My doctor estimates that he will be AT LEAST a 9 to 9 and 1/2 lb baby, if not bigger. She said just looking at me she could tell I was having a big baby. I am glad that he is healthy and growing but it is killing me. The soonest they will induce labor is at 41 weeks (Sept. 28th) and I just don't think I can make it that long. If we switched to a different hospital for delivery, their policy would allow me to be induced at 39 weeks and so many days, which would be next week sometime, based on availability. I'm not sure how I feel about switching hospitals since we have always planned on delivering at a certain one. The doctor also scheduled another growth ultra sound for my next appointment, next week, to talk about c-sections. If he is weighing a certain weight then I may be able to schedule a c-section sooner. There are a few things the doctor wants to go over with me after the appointment, so unless I go into labor between now and next Tuesday everything will be determined off the ultra sound results.

I was pretty upset hearing all of this because I thought for sure he would be arriving very very soon or at least they would induce me at 40 weeks and 1 day, but the thought of having to possibly go to 41 weeks just made me cry. I am that uncomfortable. At least the pumpkin cheesecake shake I had after made me feel a little bit better :)

I am finished working from now until I return in January. That was one of the things my doctor asked me today and she was happy to hear that I am on leave already. She thinks it will help me feel a bit more comfortable resting up. I haven't been doing too much, mostly taking small naps and getting the house ready. My weight is still holding good, about 29-30 lbs total gain. Next week will be 40 weeks (Sept. 21) and I just pray this boy comes sooner rather than later. My next and final doctor's appointment is Sept. 18th and hopefully we will be scheduling a c-section for later in the week.

39 weeks



 



38 weeks

Almost there! I'm down to weekly appointments so I went to the doctor today for a growth ultra sound and check up. The ultra sound was ordered last week because the doctor was a bit concerned about the baby being so big and delivery. Today the ultra sound showed that he weighs 8 lbs so far and all his measurements are at 39-40 weeks. He is over all in the 83 percentile and based on his weight and measurements of the ultra sound, he has a due date of September 10th. My original due date is the 21st...I hope he comes before the 21st! I am also 50% effaced already and hopefully by next week he will either be here or be on his way here. I have also gained a total of 28 lbs. Our friend Mel had her baby girl on friday last week and it looks like my sister-in-law Kassie will be having a scheduled C-section this friday to deliver her baby girl. I am so excited for both of them!

I have been getting zero sleep at night. I'm better off taking about 10 naps in 24hrs instead of trying to sleep through the night. It has been very uncomfortable for sure! I have been cramping a lot and have had some contractions but nothing that is ending with me in labor. The hospital bags are packed, all the baby furniture and clothes are put together and the carseat is in the car...we just need our boy! My last day of work is this friday and I am looking forward to just sleeping and being at home resting up for the baby. His ultra sound picture just makes me want to grab those little cheeks and kiss them like crazy! Can't wait to meet him!

37 weeks

 

38 weeks (Kassie and me)

 

our baby boy