Still Adjusting

I guess it takes a while to feel like yourself again.  At least is has so far for me.  Just a quick update on Molly.  We went to the doctor this week for her 2 week check up and for the most part, she is doing great.  The only thing we are working on is getting her to gain weight.  She had lost over 10% of her birth weight (7lbs. 8oz.) and is still under where she started (7lbs. 3oz.)  The doctor said I don't have to supplement yet, but to feed her as often as she will eat.  So this weeks goal-gain weight.  

This last week Nick's mom Ali, came for 3 days.  It was so nice to have her here!  She helped with the laundry, cleaning, cooking and even did a few sewing projects for me.  My mom came for a few days before Ali and it was also wonderful!  They are both so loving and show how much they care for not only Molly, but Nick and I.  I love moms!  

I am loving being a mom!!  It is hard, but so rewarding.    

Sweet Mollly

Ah, so cute!  Baby Sleeping...for now anyway.  I am finally up to blogging.  At least at the moment.  To be very honest, the last few days have been a little crazy.  Mostly with me.  Oh the hormones.  Seriously Molly is the sweetest baby.  She isn't very fussy, she eats well, and sleeps good too.  I, however am so tired, got mastitis, and feel like I won't make it when Nick is gone.  I am sure all you mom's out there can relate.  It will just take some getting used to.  

Molly is doing well though.  She was borderline jaundice, so we had to take her in twice to do the billyrubin count, but now she is done with that.  She also lost over 10% of her birth weight in the hospital, so we have had to do frequent feedings to make her gain weight.  I think she is doing better with that too.  She is so pretty.  We love to just look at her.  She makes funny sounds when she sleeps that are so cute!  We love doing her hair already.  

Nick has been the best help!  He has done household things, laundry, cooking and is constantly taking care of me and Molly.  What a blessing!  He has also given me a priesthood blessing for which I am thankful.  We also had my mom and sister come and help us for a few days each.  It is so humbling to have people serving us so much.  We are just so grateful.  

Today I put Molly in a dress.  Not because we were going anywhere, but because it was a preemie size and I was afraid she wouldn't fit in it for long.  She looks so beautiful.  

My side

Hey everyone,

Obviously, Sarah isn't feeling up to writing her summary of the experience so I thought that I would (Nick). My side of the story will be a teaser, because I am not going to tell you all the wonders and the details of my heart. Sit back and relax though... The labor was long, the tears came, the squeals are delightful and the hair... well, you better sit down to take it all in.

Sarah started having good contractions on Wednesday morning at 3 am. I, being an energy conservationist, slept snugly until 5 am. The draining of the tub water woke me up. The bath didn't ease the contractions and they got stronger but more sporadic too. We tried to time them, some were 3 min. apart, some were 10 mins. Soon, around 5:45, we left to the hospital. It was chilly and foggy- we couldn't see the road. It was going to a crazy morning!

We got to the hospital around 6am and the contractions kept coming but we were excited. The Dr. broke her water around 8am. Sarah got a dose or two of Phenol around 9:30 am and then came the Pitocin to speed up the contractions. When they checked her, she was still only at 2.5 cm (1/2 a cm since Monday!) The epidural was next at noon. Contractions got stronger and stronger and Sarah was glad the epidural kicked in. By now it was going steady, she had dilated to a 4.5 then at 3 pm she was a 6. By 4pm, the nurse said she was at an 8 but the doctor came in and said to get ready to push.

I watched as Sarah pushed for an hour. It was then that the Epidural started to wear off. I watched as building pain marked it's way across my beautiful wife's face. She pushed for another 30 min but she wasn't making much progress. the baby's hair was all we could see. Sarah started cried when she felt like her pushing wasn't doing much. The baby was just stuck. The Dr. looked at the heart beat of both her and the baby and decided to get a vacuum. By the next contraction all was in place, poor Sarah grimacing from the mounting contraction- the epidural long since worn off. Push one came, the Dr. pulled and pulled, push two and the head crowned and slowly worked its way out. Molly squeaked as her body came out. Through tears, I hugged my torn and battered wife. The baby Molly was wrapped and placed into Sarah's arms.

I was so, so proud of my wife. My miracle of a baby "girl" (thankfully the ultrasound had proved its credibility) holding on to my finger. It truly was a miracle. Now as I sit staring into the face of my little daughter, knowing she was 5 years in the making, an answer to so many prayers, fasting and dreams. I know creation of life is a miracle I will not ever take for granted. I don't fully understand how it finally just worked for us. I don't know exactly why it happened this way. But, I do know God has surely blessed me and my wife with a miracle. May I ever be worthy of his Miracles if they are always as tender as this one.

Ok, stop crying now, I'm done.

Nicholas Kieth Sidwell, I'm my daughter's father and my wife's best friend.

Molly- the Miracle

This is our sweet little Molly, born Jan 15th at 6:46 pm (we went to the hospital at 6:30 am). She weighs 7 lbs. 8 oz and is 21 in. long. We love her... our Little Miracle!

In Memory 2

Today my grandmother passed away.  It has been a bitter sweet as we know that se is no longer suffering, but will miss her so much.  I worry about my mom, aunt and grandpa.  They have been her constant caregivers for the last 2 years.  None of the arrangements have been made so far.  I feel pretty torn as I want to be able to attend the funeral, but don't know when this baby will come.  Do I need that closer or can I just pray for it.  The drive would be 3.5 hours there and 3.5 hours back.  I wonder if it would be easier with the baby in or out.   This is a picture of my grandma at my baby shower in November.  That is the last time I saw her.  She has been my only living grandma that I have known.  She lived just 6 blocks from our home my whole life and has been a wonderful influence and support.  Two years ago in August, mom grandma and grandpa went through the temple for the first time and were sealed to each other and their children.  I am so thankful for that event and know that I will see my grandma again.  What a blessing.

In Memory

One year ago yesterday Nick and I lost our first baby to miscarriage.  It was an interesting day as I remembered all my feelings from that traumatic day.  We, however are amazed at how the Lord has blessed us and how we were given another chance at parenthood.  I still haven't had the baby, but last night I was having lots of contractions and thought it would be so ironic if we had the baby the same day we lost one.  So much has gone through my mind.  Not to celebrate, but in memory of our sweet baby we lost I made this cake.  I want to thank again all our family and friends who helped us get through the infertility roller-coaster, a miscarriage and now a full term pregnancy.  We love you all! 

 

Lastly...the last pregnant picture I will be taking.  39.5 weeks along. 

The Baby Suite

Finally the pictures people have been asking for.  This room has been my "project" since we got here.  Seriously so much of it is homemade, hand-stitched, and handcrafted, but I think it turned out nice.  In fact, I just love it!  (if it turns out that our Molly ends up a boy, we will have quite a bit of work to do to make it less girlie)

The nice comfy recliner.  I will call this the baby kitchen.  Thanks mom and dad for the night stand.  I like that hopefully everything I will need to nurse is right there.  On the back of the chair is a nursing cover I made and the light behind used to be white and with a little brown paint, voala it now matches perfectly.

We found this changing table on craigs list, only to find out that it was my sisters friend selling it.  Then we got an even better deal.  I made the changing pad cover with pink fabric and ribbon. I also did the vinyl flowers and letters with my cricut cutter.  You can't really read what it says in the picture, so the translation, "Miracles-we believe in them."

You have already seen these, but the baby room wouldn't be complete without the curtains. 

Now for the crib.  I love it.  The natural wood was just what we wanted.  It has a nice drawer for blankets under the crib skirt which is nice.  We bought those frames and painted them brown and hung them with pink ribbon on wooden knobs.  

The quilt my mom pieced and hand quilted.  It is so soft and so pretty.  She is making one that is queen size to go on the futon/guest bed too.  I know it isn't a good idea to have stuffed animals and such in the crib, but I figured she would be sleeping in the bassinet with us for a while, so it was okay for now.  

These cute letters my brother and sister-in-law painted.  Yes, painted by hand.  They are so super cute!!  Thanks guys.  The shelf I have had for a long time, but you guessed it, it got painted too.  

Yesterday at the doctors I was dilated to 1.5 and 60% effaced.  I was feeling pretty good about that until people tell me they were at least that far for over a month.  Ah well.  The doctor did strip my membranes-ouch-and I had contractions last night, but they stopped today.  This baby likes her warm environment inside I guess.  Logan is a pretty cold world to come into.  The last 2 days we have had about 7-8 inches more of snow, and temperatures from -1 to 13 degrees.    

No News...Is not necessarily good News

A quick last minute sewing project.  I made a nursing cover for my friend here.  My friend Tisha sent me one as a shower gift and I was able to use that as a pattern to make one for someone else.  
Our friend Jared and Ben.
Ethan and Noah with my dad.  The twins are identical, so for those who want to know, Ethan is in blue and Noah in Red
No baby yet! It has been a while since I posted thinking that any day the baby would be here and we would have some fun things to post about but, but no luck.

We have however, had a great week. We have had my brother, his wife and twin boys here, my parents, and our friends the Bod's, so we have been busy.

We loved having everyone here, but I do admit feeling pretty tired.  

As far as the baby goes, we have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so we will see. Last week's appointment I hadn't even started dilating. This could still be a long few weeks.  

The nursery is almost finished though...pictures this week I promise, unless the baby comes. :)