A 38 weeks surprise!

I wanted to type this up before I forgot too much of it, but honestly, I think you're supposed to forget what labor feels like because otherwise, why would you bother to have more children? I'm just saying. 

Since this is my birth story, I'm starting it the Saturday before I went into labor. DEAL WITH IT. (I wrote out this really long description of my Saturday before labor and then deleted it. It was a good day. Here's the TL;DR version.)

We finally got the carseat checked! I didn't think we would ever get that done, but we did and it was highly informative. After that, we went and did all kinds of "family of 2" things. We had brunch (AMAZING!) at The Social House in Fort Worth, checked out the chalk art festival on West 7th, and had a date night with Jennifer and Aulstin that night (Mexican food and games at the house! I loved it!). Sunday was pretty uneventful. Mike went to a baseball game and I honestly have no idea what I did. I probably napped. 

That Monday morning, I went to the chiropractor for the first time the entire pregnancy. I have NO IDEA why I waited so long. My hips and sacrum were twisted like a corkscrew and I had three ribs out of place. No wonder I couldn't get comfortable anymore! Afterward, Grandmother and Granddaddy came to visit, see the house, and take me out to brunch. It was delicious and so good to see them. I took a nice nap until Mike got home and then we went swimming. The chiro told me to go on a walk because that would help my adjustment stick. Well, it was too hot to go walking, so we went swimming instead. I actually swam laps instead of just floating around, and did some lunges. Mike had a long conversation with Evelyn about how to break her water so labor could start and I haughtily informed him that hardly ANY labors start that way, so she probably wouldn't come like that. (Apparently she listens better than I was aware.) 

After swimming, Mike made me his famous pan-fried chicken and rice. It was delicious. We followed the old "get the baby out the same way she got in" advice, but Evelyn didn't seem phased, so I just went to bed. Around 1 am, I got up to pee, went back to bed and tried to fall back asleep, but I was having this weird sensation like I was about to wet my pants. I laid there as long as I could, then suddenly I leaped up and as I did, there was a huge gush of water. I waddled my way into the bathroom, leaking everywhere. Sorry, that's gross, but it's true. I determined it definitely wasn't pee, so I waddled my way to the guest room where Mike was sleeping and started shouting "Mike!" until he woke up. "I think my water broke" is what I said, to which he replied "you think?" This irritated me because there was no other explanation for what was happening. At some point, I started crying because I "wasn't ready for Evelyn to come." Literally and figuratively. 

The obvious solution was to go to walmart. So Mike and I got dressed and headed to Walmart to get supplies. We needed food for labor, depends since I was leaking everywhere, tennis balls (that we didn't even use), and underwear for post-baby life. My contractions started while we were at Walmart at about 2:30 am, so we called the birth center and our doula, Mica. No one answered, so we just started timing them. They were consistently at 40 seconds long, 2 minutes apart. Um...what happened to "contractions will start at about 10 minutes apart?" Nope, didn't happen for me. 

We got home and I found that leaning over the bed and swaying my hips was the most comfortable position for me, so I did that for a long time. Carla - the one midwife we hadn't met yet at the birth center - called us back and said that she had just finished a birth! I was sure Carla was a nice lady, but I was really hoping she wouldn't deliver our baby just because I didn't know her at all. Is that terrible? I'm sorry. At some point we got ahold of Mica as well, which was good because I was super concerned at how fast and regular the contractions were coming. I really expected there to be more time between them and for things to slow down. Instead, they just kept getting more intense while lasting 40 seconds and happening 2 minutes apart. 

Someone suggested I get in the shower and that was the best advice EVER. I could lean over on the seat in the shower and the water hit my lower back perfectly. I wanted to live in that shower. As I got out of the shower, Mike was doing his hair?!?! So I tried to do mine, but then Mica showed up so I gave up. We walked laps around the living room, sat on the yoga ball, and watched Pitch Perfect 2. (My eyes were closed the majority of the movie...I should probably watch it again) After Pitch Perfect 2, we decided it was time to go to the birth center. It was around 7:30 am. 

After all the lectures I gave Evelyn about not coming during rush hour traffic, we still managed to get stuck in rush hour traffic on our way to the birth center. That was not fun, but I had my pillow and a heating pad so I survived. Mom pulled up at the same time we did, and I was excited to see that Lissa was the midwife on call. Lissa had done my last three appointments and I felt like we had a good connection. 

Labor continued as was. Since my water broke and I have an anxiety disorder, I had asked for limited vaginal checks. But we went ahead and did one, and I was only dilated to a 4. I was super upset about this, but whatever. Lissa took me downstairs for an ultrasound because Evelyn was turned funny. I didn't realize this at the time and I was pretty convinced there was something wrong with Evelyn. Luckily (not really), she was just turned sideways. I guess she had all this room after my chiropractic adjustment and decided to twist around! 

Next, we walked around the birth center, up and down the stairs, did lunges on the stairs, and I sat in the shower for a while. (FYI none of this is in any real order. I'm even looking at the birth notes and it's still foggy.) I was making very little progress and my back was killing me. Someone got me a TENS machine, which helped. Someone also got me a peanut ball, WHICH WAS PURE TORTURE. They look so cute and innocent, like a little peanut. Then you have to lay on one and it causes excruciating pain. This may have just been because Evelyn was fully sunny side up at this point and I guess the peanut ball was supposed to help turn her back around. It didn't. The notes say I was coping but I definitely didn't feel like coping. It HURT. Back labor is no joke. 

We decided to call my chiropractor to come out to the birth center to see if she could get her turned around. She couldn't make it till after lunch. In my head, I thought this was okay because Evelyn would be here by then. HAHA. At some point dad showed up. I was completely miserable and I remember Mica saying something about transition. Well, I had listened very carefully in my birth boot camp class, and Hollie said that transition usually lasts 30 minutes. I was having a victory party in my head. The baby would be here soon! Unfortunately, no one told Evelyn this. 

We checked dilation again, and I was only a 4. STILL. This was hours later. What happened to transition?! Again, I was devastated. The chiropractor showed up and went to work. Evelyn turned around! No more peanut ball? No, more peanut ball. More walking. More lunges. More shower time. I literally have no concept of time after the chiropractor left. It felt like I was in never-ending labor. 

At 9 pm, someone took pity on me and offered me nitrous oxide. YES, I will take that. I passed out, but apparently I had a death grip on it and wouldn't let anyone take it away. I remember at one point I had to stop breathing in the gas because I felt like I was going to pass out but then mom was like "oh she's done" and I immediately grabbed the mask back and wouldn't let go. 

Afterward, I vaguely remember someone saying I could lay on the peanut ball or I could get up and do lunges. I think they expected me to lay on the demon peanut ball, but I would rather die than look at a peanut ball again, so I did lunges and squats and walked around. Contractions were about 70 seconds long, still 2-3 minutes apart. At some point, I guess everyone was concerned that I wasn't going to ever have this baby. When your water breaks first, you're on a 24 hour time clock and we were getting pretty close to the at 24 hour time. They decided that if I wasn't pushing a baby out by 1:30, we'd have to transfer to the hospital. (all of this was told to me afterward, by the way. I probably would have driven myself to the hospital if someone had mentioned this to me, so I'm glad no one did)

I tried laboring in the tub and pushing, but I could not figure it out. We moved to the bed again around 11:45 and I was finally at a 10. FINALLY. (To go back a little - I told you this wasn't in order - I was dilated to a 7 at 6:30ish pm. It took me five hours to dilate those last 3 centimeters. That's horrific. Again, what happened to a 30 minute transition? 

Finally I figured out this whole pushing thing. It's a lot harder than it sounds and I was doing it completely wrong for a while. I pushed for about 45 minutes and at 12:32 am, Little Miss Evelyn Grace Rausch was born. Probably one of the coolest things that happened was that Mike caught Evelyn! We had talked about him doing this, but left it up in the air. Lissa didn't give him a choice, however, and I think this was a special opportunity that not many dads get to have. 

I thought I would cry when Evelyn was born, but I mostly look concerned in photos. I think being in labor for 22 hours will do that to you. Evelyn was born absolutely perfect - perhaps slightly coneheaded - and I remember being so amazed that Mike and I had created such a beautiful little girl. 

At the birth center, babies born after the loss of another child get to put rainbow foot prints on the wall. I am so grateful to God for those beautiful footprints, his answered prayer to us. 

"So I tell you; Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." - Luke 11:9-10

Week 37: Welcome Back, Blue Bell...I mean, what?

What do you mean this blog isn't about ice cream? 

How far along? 37 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain/measurements: 40 lbs. Look, I'm really upset that I didn't update this blog last week, because when I went in for my 35 weeks appointment, I had lost a pound! Then at my 36 weeks appointment I GAINED NINE POUNDS?!?! Then today at my 37 weeks appointment, I had lost a pound. Still kind of horrified. 

Maternity clothes: Yes, yes. 

Sleep: I still love sleep. I get at least 6-7 hours a night and if I'm lucky, I can squeeze in at least an hour nap during the day. 

Best moment this week: Blue Bell is coming back? Okay, I don't even really care about ice cream that much. I guess the best moment this week has been NESTING. That's right, I am finally nesting. I didn't think this day would ever come. I wish I had started sooner because it's REALLY hard to get up and down off the floor. Mom is coming to help me tomorrow and I plan to point to things and let her crawl around on the floor. Thanks, mom! Oh and I got a massage. Ahhh. 

Miss anything? My hips and legs not aching all the time. :( 

Movement: So today I did three kick counts by 2 pm because "she was hardly moving all day!" But she has been kicking away since the dr's appointment so I guess I forgive her for being a jerk. Some days she moves SO MUCH and other days she is just like UGH MOM LET ME SLEEP STOP POKING ME. 

Food cravings:  Breakfast food! And potatoes again. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? My scrambled eggs this morning were a little suspect, but I think I just overcooked them. 

Gender: Baby girl. 

Labour signs: After my TWO HOURS of contractions at convention last week, I really haven't had very many since then. Apparently I was having a Braxton Hicks at the dr's office today but it was so mild I didn't even notice it until the midwife pointed it out. 

Symptoms: Same as always: swollen, tired, so hungry, so sore, big belly, and wildly stupid from the pregnancy brain. Poor Mike hates talking to me because I never remember what I'm saying. 

Belly button in or out? As Evelyn sinks lower, my little poky belly button looks a little less poky.  

Wedding rings on or off? Everything is off. Just can't do it anymore. 

Happy or moody most of the time: Probably still moody. I try to be happy, but ... I'm 9 months pregnant. It's hard to be happy. 

Looking forward to: mom helping me finish up the nursery before she goes back to school next week. Meeting Carla - the one midwife we haven't met yet at the practice - next week. Brunch with grandmother and granddaddy next week. 

Last Thursday I was happily driving to the birth center for our 36 week appointment (even though I was really 37 weeks 0 days) when I ran over something big and blue in the road. I have no idea what it was, but I managed to tear up mom's car pretty good. Mike was in the area to meet me at the birth center, so he came and got me. I called mom sobbing hysterically, so she and dad dropped everything and came to the birth center to make sure everything was okay. I love the birth center because they had us come in for our regular appointment so we could hear the heartbeat and find out I was gaining WAY TOO MUCH, but they also let us have an ultrasound. 

Mom and dad hadn't seen Evelyn (or the birth center) yet, so they got to have a quick tour and then come in for my ultrasound. Ultrasounds at 37 weeks are not very exciting..."look at the back of her head! She's all ready to be born!" but LIssa was able to get a good view of her lips and we watched Evie try really hard to get her fingers in her mouth. We all just stood there (well, I was laying down) watching like we'd never seen anything so exciting before in our lives. I love babies. Especially mine. :) 

Week 35: Happy Birthday to Me!

(I think this is the best I have looked in one of these pictures in a LONG time. That's a bonus to taking the picture in the morning instead of right before bedtime LOL)

How far along? 35 weeks, 3 days (look at how "early" we are! It's a miracle!) 

Total weight gain/measurements: 33 lbs until Tuesday when I learn better. 

Maternity clothes: Yes, yes. 

Sleep: Officially up by 6 am every morning because my hips can't take it anymore. This bed is miserable, but I can't get off the couch, so I can't sleep on that. Also, I wake up AT LEAST three times a night to pee, although last night it was SIX. SIX TIMES. That's even more than any time in the first trimester. 

Best moment this week: It was my birthday on Friday! And Joey and Trisha and Josie and Landry are in town! I got Mary Kay spa goodies from the Gilmers for my birthday, a massage and a pedicure from mom and dad for my birthday AND a massage from Mike for my birthday! We got pedicures yesterday...heavenly. And of course, as tradition requires, we went to Joe T's for my birthday lunch today! 

Miss anything? My hips and legs not aching all the time. :( 

Movement: Definitely not as obvious kicks anymore. But I feel every time she rolls over and adjusts herself, so I am not freaking out because it happens all the time. :) 

Food cravings:  Breakfast food! And Mexican food, of course. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really! 

Gender: Baby girl. 

Labour signs: Still having some cramps, but no braxton hicks this week. We think she might be dropping into position. 

Symptoms: Swollen EVERYTHING...sausage toes, giant hands, my nose is swollen?! I pee 833434 times a night. And man, there was something that I was like "oh that is SO a pregnancy symptom, I'm going to put that in my blog" but I have no idea what it was!! :( So, pregnancy brain is still there. 

Belly button in or out? The top little lip is poking out! Mike is SO EXCITED. 

Wedding rings on or off? Everything is off. Just can't do it anymore. 

Happy or moody most of the time: Mike says moody. I threw a giant temper tantrum over wine. Sorry, friends. Also barely refrained from throwing a temper tantrum in Buy Buy Baby because they didn't have my stroller and car seat in stock and neither did the warehouse so it has to come from Britax directly so it won't be here in time for my shower. I might have scared the sales guy. 

Looking forward to: At some point this week we will go to the zoo! And maybe the Perot Museum! And swimming at my pool! So many good things to come this week. 

Week 34...the most boring blog yet.

How far along? 34 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain/measurements: 33 lbs as of my last appointment. 

Maternity clothes: The dress in this picture is not a maternity dress? Everything else I wear is. 

Sleep: Well, last night I went to sleep at 2 am! But that was because we had to pick mom and dad up from the airport at 10:30 in Dallas, then I drove home, then I had to go through my bedtime routine...I took a three hour nap this afternoon to make up for it. 

Best moment this week: Mom is back in my time zone! Mike and I also had two really great date nights this week, after not having one for a while. 

Miss anything? Just the usual stuff...hot baths, margaritas, and being able to turn over in bed.

Movement: Whenever I drive, which is a lot, my forearm rests against my belly and Evelyn just kicks at it. I took my elbow off and Mike put his hand on and she was like nope. Not kicking for you. 

Food cravings:  Breakfast food! I want waffles and pancakes all the time. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really! 

Gender: Baby girl. 

Labour signs: Braxton hicks are picking up a little. Usually during eating? Feeling a little crampy the past couple of days! 

Symptoms: Swollen ankles, lots of kicking, exhaustion...oh I am so tired.  

Belly button in or out? Flat like a pancake. Mmm, pancakes. 

Wedding rings on or off? Engagement ring is off. Not sure how long the wedding band will last. 

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy? I get sad over things but I get over them really quickly. I think I've been mostly happy. 

Looking forward to: My birthday is Friday! I'll be 28! :O Also on Friday, Joey, Trisha, Josie and Landry will be here for a week! This means next week will be full of super exciting updates, unlike this blog which is super boring. Sorry. 

Week 33 and birth plans

How far along? 33 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain/measurements: 33 lbs as of Tuesday. Not terrible. I was impressed that I didn't gain a ton in the past two weeks. 

Maternity clothes: I did buy more maternity shirts. I got some cute tanks at Old Navy. :) 

Sleep: I did not sleep well last night. It is so arduous to turn over now. My knee still hurts from falling, so I have to get in bed funny and then when I try to turn over and change positions, it takes like 5 minutes. Once I'm situated, I can fall asleep pretty quickly, but getting situated takes FOREVER. 

Best moment this week: My church shower was this past weekend! There were waffles! And my favorite ladies! It was such a blessing to be surrounded by such good friends who have prayed for Mike and Evelyn and me before Evelyn even existed. 

Miss anything? Hot baths! I don't know how this came up at my shower but I realized that I REALLY miss hot baths. Like steaming hot. So hot, you could probably eat me for dinner. Ugh. Someday I will return to you, bath tub. For now, I hate lukewarm water so I am just avoiding you. 

Movement: She was sleeping at our appointment yesterday and Hope (one of the midwives) was feeling around to make sure she was still head down (she is!). Well, Evelyn did NOT like that at all. When we did the doppler her heart was racing and then after the doppler, she was kicking and thrashing around so I knew how upset she was. Girlfriend, I get it. It wasn't comfortable for mommy either. I'm pretty sure she's using my bladder as a pillow, which is super inconvenient. 

Food cravings:  Breakfast food! Water. That's not food, but I am drinking a ridiculous amount of water. So much so that I asked Hope if I should be concerned. She said no, so we'll just go with it. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? I had random nausea last night?? I hadn't even eaten recently. Pregnancy is weird. 

Gender: Baby girl. 

Labour signs: I keep saying I want her to come early, but I am not at all prepared for another life! Ahhhh. I keep thinking I will get it all together, but it's still not happening. I'm a mess. 

Symptoms: My toes swell up like fat little sausages. I pee ALL THE TIME (bladder pillow). I am the size of a house. You can see Evelyn moving from the outside! I have super pregnancy brain. 

Belly button in or out? Flat like a pancake. 

Wedding rings on or off? I think my engagement ring might have to come off soon. It's a little smaller than my wedding ring, I guess. 

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm having crazy mood swings. Today I was furiously angry, then I texted Mike telling him how angry I was and then that made me want to cry. He's really excited I'm going to mom and dad's tonight and is hoping I can hold off on my daily cry until I'm there hahaha. 

Looking forward to: I'm not really sure. I guess I'm looking forward to mom and dad getting home from vacation next week even though they haven't even left yet LOL. OH! I have free tickets to NRH20 this Saturday! So I will hopefully get to go to that with Mike or someone, if he can't go. 

I've been given a task by my midwife to come up with a birth plan. Instead of coming up with them, I've just been reading everyone else's on the internet. It's hard to make a birth plan for a birth center, because a lot of the stuff that is on "birth plan generators" is for hospital births and they don't really apply. Did any of you have a birth plan? What kind of things did you put on yours? Bonus points for natural births, out of hospital births, and/or even having one. 

PS: this is not the time to tell me about how you wrote this elaborate birth plan and it didn't work out. I'm not an idiot. I know that things happen and I need to be open to whatever. Just humor me. 

32 Weeks aka Mom's Least Favorite Holiday

How far along? 32 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain/measurements: 30 lbs as of the last appointment. I don't even go near a scale unless someone makes me get on one. 

Maternity clothes: Tonight Mike was like "ugh you're always wearing my shirts" so I said "okay fine, I'll just go buy a bunch of new shirts!" and he said "is that really what you want?" and I said "um yes, do you know how much it sucks to wear shirts that don't fit you?" and then he told me to do whatever makes me happy, so I'm going shopping. 

Sleep: I am getting home around 3 pm, taking a two hour nap, staying in bed until Mike gets home around 7 and then going back to bed at 9. I am unhappy with how late I am awake right now. 

Best moment this week: We had my camp shower on Sunday! Everyone was so sweet and really blessed us and baby Bluebonnet (that's her camp name...adorable!). Also, I got to see Allison and Cody!!! It's been almost a year since I saw Cody and about 10 months since I saw Allison? Love them! So excited Allison will be here for my shower this weekend. :) 

Miss anything? Still miss sleeping however I want. But mostly, no. Life isn't that different pregnant vs. non-pregnant except for the giant belly. 

Movement: Evelyn kicks and kicks when I wake up from my naps. I like to think she's glad to see me return to the land of the living. 

Food cravings:  Fruit. Nom nom nom. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really! 

Gender: Baby girl. 

Labour signs: No, thank goodness. Too soon. Wait a few more weeks, baby girl. 

Symptoms: Heartburn...after sleeping, not eating. Weird. My ankles are swelling a little less since it's not quite as hot. 

Belly button in or out? Pretty flat! Still not out, to Mike's disappointment. 

Wedding rings on or off? On! But they come off after summer school. About half a day is long enough for them. 

Happy or moody most of the time: Still pretty moody. That seems to be normal for girl moms though. And me. I am just moody. 

Looking forward to: my church shower is this Saturday! It's a brunch, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE brunch. And my church friends. And baby stuff. It's just a win win. 

FYI, I hate the Fourth of July. It is loud, noisy, and potentially deadly. But I think my for real least favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because I hate Thanksgiving food. It's true. I know I'm like the only person in the world who feels this way, but turkey and pumpkin pie are disgusting. 

And, in case you're wondering, here's me in the same dress at 16 weeks, 24 weeks, and today. Notice that today my belly no longer fits in the frame. I'm the size of a house. A HOUSE. And lol at how I look more and more tired each picture. 

31 weeks

How far along? 31 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain/measurements: 30 lbs. Happy to report I went to visit the midwives today and in the past two weeks I only gained 2 lbs! Not sure why because I did literally nothing differently. 

Maternity clothes: Yes, always. 

Sleep: I am about to go to sleep as soon as it hits 8 pm. I was stressed out this morning and have been up since 3:30...no good for this tired mama. 

Best moment this week: We went to our first prenatal visit with the midwives today and I am SO HAPPY with our decision to change practices. We got to see Evelyn and watch her flop around. I feel so comfortable with the two midwives I have met and I am eager to meet the other two as well. Just the whole vibe at the practice is totally different. I love it! OH and we had our maternity pictures taken, which was so fun. I can't wait to see them! 

Miss anything? I miss sleeping in any position I choose. :( Especially on my back, but occasionally on my stomach too. 

Movement: Evelyn was having a one person mosh pit inside of me today. You would think a one person mosh pit couldn't do much damage, but you would be wrong. It was super painful. Then we got into the birth center and she settled down like nothing had ever happened. I have no idea why she suddenly went crazy there. 

Food cravings:  Fruit and cookies. :( I give in to the fruit one all the time...trying to give in to the cookies less! 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Having some heartburn after eating now and also when laying down. I am not a fan and it makes me a little queasy. 

Gender: Baby girl. 

Labour signs: Had some intense Braxton Hicks the other night in the shower. I drank a LOT of water and laid down and they eventually stopped. But nothing else, thank goodness! 

Symptoms: Swollen feet and ankles...thanks summer. Heartburn...wish that had never started. That's a new one this week. One person mosh pit...also new. 

Belly button in or out? Closer and closer to flat! Looking a little bruised too? 

Wedding rings on or off? On! Victory! 

Happy or moody most of the time: I just cry all the time. We showed up a day early to my appointment and I cried. I cried this morning because I thought we were poor. I cried the other day because I thought it was bedtime but really it was only 8 pm. I'm a mess. 

Looking forward to: so much to look forward to, but I feel like I should save it for my next blog post, which will be on time and will even feature the chalkboard door! We are hardly ever home and when we are, both of us are sleeping. So, the chalkboard has taken a back seat to life...I'm just happy to have some sort of picture documenting each week of pregnancy!