June 3rd 2013 - Pool day

Today was a Monday. A big Monday. Not only does my husband Erik have Mondays off but today we started vlogging, and blogging. Yep, we are diving into the world of daily vlogs and blog posts. Although I already blog, keep an updated facebook page and post videos here and there, I figured this would be the best way to remember our days, and to document our children as they grow. One simply blog post, one simple vlog of the entire day. Instead of little status updates here and there all nilly willy.

Last night I stayed the night at the hospital. If you don't know we had our baby girl on April 14th, 2013 - 10 weeks early. I won't go into much detail here but my birth story is here.

Anyways so I slept in because I had a restless night with Abigail having some bradys (bradycardias where the heart rate drops) That makes us have a 5 day longer stay with each one which is frustrating. Erik and Jaxton came and picked me up and we drove out to Seattle. We went to NikeTown because I got a nike+ fuel band for Christmas but it broke just a few weeks later. They replaced it for me for free and it was quick and easy. I am excited because I am going to start being more active and healthy so I can get my pre-baby body back.

One our way home we went to the mall. We stopped in Macy's so that Erik could look for some shorts because he is outside all day and it is getting really warm out. He didn't find anything but I ended up getting a nursing bra for only $20! And, after trying on bras I came out of the room and Erik had picked out a couple outfits for Abigail (so our of character for him) they were all so cute and I picked out a few too. We also found a shirt for Jaxton and the entire haul was only $40 which was surprising because carter's and macys are just so pricey sometimes.

After the short trip there we drove back to our apartment, we hung out and cleaned up a bit. Its funny how messy your house gets while being at the hospital for 7 weeks. You would think it would stay the way you left it - right? Then we took Jaxton swimming at the apartments pool for the first time. It is heated and was actually really warm which was a nice surprise. They had a tiny roped off area that was just deep enough for Jaxton. It came up to his shoulders while he stood. And let me tell you.. HE LOVED IT. The boys swam and I sunbathed. Getting Jaxton out of the pool was near impossible. Once we carried him home crying we showered and got dressed and headed down to the hospital.

The boys just dropped me off because Jaxton is sick and cannot go up there. I pumped, and held her until her care. She weighed 2,570grams which is 2lbs 10oz. YAY! That means she gets to switch from the HMF (human milk fortifier) and the pregestimil (extra calories 26cal) to neosure which is 24cal and she will go home on that. So she will more than likely switch over to that tomorrow. She took a full bottle from me (49ml) and I put her in one of her new outfits that Erik picked out for her. Leaving her was hard tonight because I just want to be with her. I wish I could just take her home.

Pregnancy Update - 21 weeks

Things this week. It has been an overwhelmingly busy week. Jaxton has gotten better at daycare (but we will see how that resumes tomorrow) I have gotten better at it. I can leave him screaming and not be in tears the whole way to school. Last week was good though and everyday was better for him. I also got to the gym 3 days in a row! (go me right?) yet my weight is still skyrocketing. I have stopped getting on the scale because every time I do it has gone up a pound - so maybe if I stay off it, then it won't go up. I blame it on the baby, all I want to eat is sugary things like ice cream, chocolate, cotton candy you name it anything bad and full of calories is what I want.

I have popped this week. It really shows by the amount of complete strangers who will with no reservation ask me or more like point out that I am pregnant. I get the "you're having a baby!" and "when is that baby due?!" and "congrats on the baby" yeah, thanks I think I noticed. Erik says I should with a straight face tell them I am not pregnant. I don't think I could do that, although it would be funny

Sunday was the superbowl - which I slept right through. I woke up and made nachos and grated my finger. It is pretty brutal looking but I would say the nachos were worth it. I drove all the way to Everett in the dark and got there later than I ever had. And then we ended up watching a movie to the point where I couldn't stay awake. I love being with Erik though and I am counting down the days until school is over so we can be living together again.

Monday was my ultrasound. We had to get up early, and when we got there they told me I had missed my appointment by a half hour and would still see not my ob because he was in surgery but his nurse instead and I could reschedule my ultrasound. I got back to the room and started crying in frustration, that I wasn't seeing my ob, that I lived 3 hours away and made the trip on my only weekday off of school to have my hour long big anatomy scan that I had been looking forward to for weeks. Luckily they fit me in I had to wait an extra hour but I still got an ultrasound and with the tech that I always make a point to schedule with (she is the best ultrasound tech you could ask for and has done probably 40 or more ultrasounds on me)

Here are some photos (excluding the gender photo):

My appointment went good. I got a prescription prenatal and a disabled parking pass. Baby looked great, and was for the first time ever in both my pregnancies NOT head down in my cervix. The
baby is measuring behind 8 days but thats no big deal, maybe I will get a small baby out of the deal this time. I would like to use newborn clothes for more than a week.. Erik got to find out the gender finally so I don't have to keep my mouth shut anymore. The baby was sucking their thumb in the end and we got a free DVD (our tech Kim loves us <3)

After that we went to IKEA (and walked out with NOTHING) and then to hangout with our friends Hayley and Sean. We stayed at their place and then went to dinner at IHOP. Its great seeing friends when I am over there especially another couple about our age with a son our son's age. We then drove back to Port Angeles and I was nodding off the whole way (luckily Erik was driving separate with Jax and there was no one on the road.)

This morning I had to wake up early as ever and go do a clinical. I got to see a feeding tube get pulled out.. kind of gross. And just shadowed a nurse for 2 hours. I didnt get to sit once and was dying. at one point I started getting really light headed and nauseous and I swear I almost passed out but I left the room and got some ice chips and cold water and just leaned against a wall and collected myself. Afterwards I was having a lot of braxton hicks and was cramping really bad so I went home, cuddled on the couch watched TV and slept. I ended up skipping school but I honestly was in so much pain (still kind of am but the nap helped a lot) Erik and I ran some errands and he left. So that  was the week..

Time seems to be flying by. All the weeks are such a blur, the 3 days that Jax goes to daycare I don't even remember because I am just so busy with school and studying and cleaning and everything. Its a good and bad thing. Good because I want to finish this quarter and move back to Everett and be with Erik and bad because before I know it this baby will be here and I will miss being pregnant. I am trying to slow down and enjoy this pregnancy but it is hard when I am so busy and the days just disappear  I mean we are already a whole WEEK into February?! When did that even happen?! I didn't even realize I was 21 weeks until I looked at my calendar..

Okay so my face looks stupid (I am swelling now great) and my shirt is slowly shrinking as the weeks pass (its maternity too!) and Jaxton decided to "add" to my chalk board. But hey it adds some character so I left it. He is really starting to enjoy coloring.. everywhere.. including the walls...

Weekly survey: 21 weeks

How Far Along: 21 weeks 0 days

Weight Gain: 15lbs

Days until next doc appointment?: I just had one this week, my next is March 4th. Just another ultrasound and checkup nothing big or fancy (although I am sure I will be scheduling my GD test that day but it won't be for about 8 weeks I do not look forward to that ick.)

Innie or Outtie: Innie, but, it is becoming so shallow. I don't remember my belly button being so shallow until the end last time so I am wondering if it will pop out this time. I am kind of hoping it does actually!

Maternity Clothes:  Pretty much. Even some of my maternity shirts that Erik got me for Christmas are starting to magically shrink in the wash. I'm pretty much in sweats and one of my husband's shirts when I am at the house because anything touching my belly is irritating..

Sleep:  I'm doing okay with sleep, the occasional getting up to pee. I forgot my pillow back in Everett AGAIN which really frustrates me. I also have started sleeping with a mini pillow pet under my belly and it is much more comfortable. I don't like using body pillows because when I switch sides it is annoying to take with, but Jaxton is sleeping through the night so that is great.

Stretch marks?: No new ones (only from my last pregnancy which are all pretty invisible) I am *trying* to gain weight slow and drink water to prevent them.. we will see

Pregnancy Perk: Disabled parking pass. Walking far gives me so much pain, gives me contractions and over all ruins the day.

Embarrassing Pregnant Moment: I can't think of one

Baby Purchases this week: Since Erik now knows the gender we bought 2 new outfits. Still keeping things to a minimum since we are moving next week.

Best quote regarding baby this week: Me talking to my mom after my ultrasound over the phone "It's a ______" (opposite of what we saw the last 2 times) She said "No its not!" hahah we tried to fool her

Gender: Secret

Movement: Movement is getting more and more strong each day. Sometimes it startles me, especially when the baby kicks right into my cervix. Also, movement is getting higher up but is still pretty low. 

Food Cravings: SWEETS. All I want is everything bad that will make me so fat. Mostly, hot fudge sundaes and chocolate.

Food Aversions: Chicken wings

How’s Mama? So sore, in pain, tired, and BUSY. With college and moving into our first apartment and just everything I don't even know how I do it.

Labor signs?: My cervix (although it is starting to "funnel" but not considered funneled yet) is the longest it has ever been!! We are talking a whopping 4.2cm!!! I have never seen it over 3.6-3.8 and have seen it as low as 1.4 so I am THRILLED. I am having a lot of braxton hicks but I don't care as long as I have got a nice long and strong cervix.

What I am looking forward to: Starting the nursery, buying things, gender reveal party, moving, school being over soo much to look forward to

Our Baby in Veggie/Fruit Terms: Pomegranate (yum) 10.5 inches and 12.7 ounces

Introduction

Hello Everyone,
My name is Christine Villovas, I am 19 years old. I am married to my best friend Erik as of July 2012 and we have a son Jaxton who was born on the 16th of August in 2011 and we are expecting another baby in June of 2013!

Erik and I have been together since September 2009 (our freshman year of highschool) and although we have had so many ups and downs things are better than ever and I am so excited to spend my life making memories with him.

In March of 2010 we got pregnant for the very first time. We were young and stupid, I ended up miscarrying on April 28th 2010. I started bleeding and passing clots at school so my mom picked us up and took us to the ER. I had an ultrasound down and there was no baby. I later found out at a post check up with my family practioner that I had a bicornuate uterus which may have been the cause of the loss and may cause problems in the future. I bled and bled for months and was put on a high dose birth control pill (I was taking 3 a day at one point) to stop the bleeding.

I continued the birth control, taking it everyday at the same time not missing doses and not taking medication to tamper with it. On December 1st of 2010 I found out I was pregnant again. I was sure I was just going to miscarry again. January 5th 2012 I saw my little baby for the first time. I got to see the little peanut's heart flickering away. It was a relief but we were not out of the woods. In the early weeks I visited several doctors because we were all in the dark. We didnt know if the baby implanted where my uterus could provide for it, or if my uterus would grow accordingly, or if I would go into preterm labor or what.

I was basically told to take it easy and we would just have to see how it turned out. I had an ultrasound every 2 weeks and everything was looking great. Baby was in my right "horn" of my uterus as they refer to it. So the baby was basically in half the size of a normal uterus and my other "horn" was just empty.

At 19 weeks I went in for my normal 20 week anatomy scan. This is where things got scary. I was told my cervix was short. A normal cervix should be between 4 and 5cm.. Mine was measuring 1.6cm and baby (which we now knew was a boy) was head down against my cervix. I was put on bedrest and had to drop all my classes. The next day I had another ultrasound with a parinatologist over at a maternal fetal place. My cervix had gone down to 1.4cm.. I was too far along to get a cerclage because  the risk of the surgery putting me into full blown labor was too high. I was also having contractions.

Being told "You have to keep this baby in until 24 weeks because that is the point of viability" is quite possibly one of the scariest things ever. I was put on a very high dose of Ibuprofen (which is not recommended in pregnancy) to relax my uterine muscles and a progesterone suppository to help keep my cervix from shortening and dilating. From that point on I had to have weekly (and sometimes twice a week) ultrasounds. Fun right? No. Every single ultrasound has to start off transvaginally to get a cervix measurement. Having that wand shoved up your who-ha is never fun. And then I would have a transabdominal as well to check Jaxton's heart (because of the ibuprofen)

After weeks of ultrasounds, medication, and bedrest I finally reached "full term" I wass so ready to have my son that I tried everything for weeks on end to go into labor. I was in inactive labor for weeks. I had contractions every 5 minutes for days and days and sometimes they would hurt so bad. But my cervix stayed the same.. Full term came and went, my Duedate came and went.

Finally at 40w4d I talked my doctor into setting an induction date. I had gained 50lbs and been on my butt for months I was so ready to meet my son. This was a Monday. He stripped my membranes for the third time, set my induction date for 6am on Wednesday and sent me on my way. Of course after having my membranes stripped I started getting really bad contractions (again) as the day progressed they were so bad I was in tears. I finally headed off to the hospital that early evening. Once I got there all the rooms were filled and so was triage so I had to wait around in the lobby in the most pain ever.

They finally got me back to be checked and said that I was exactly where I was that morning so I wasn't in labor. They tried to send me home! I told them no, I was over due and to be induced in a little over a day so I was no leaving without a baby. They suggested I get up and walk around the hospital and get checked again in an hour. So thats what we did. I walked around and felt almost like I was leaking but honestly no more than the normal crazy amount of discharge you have your whole pregnancy.

So, when I went back I mentioned it... hoping that it would be an excuse to stay. They checked me and not only had my contractions slowed down so far that I was feeling great but I had not changed at all. So again I mentioned the leaking and the annoyed nurse (who was at the last maybe half hour of her shift) said she would check to see if I was leaking fluid.

As they were preparing my discharge papers the test came back. I WAS LEAKING. To everyone's surprise and I mean everyone I was having a baby. I was not leaving without my son. So around 7pm I was admitted!! They got me back into a room and 2 new nurses started their shift. They got an IV going and started pitocin because I wasn't having contractions anymore. I walked around and things weren't really going anywhere.. so I decided to take a bath. Right before getting into the bath they bumped my pitocin. I got undressed and got in the water and no more than a minute later I was hit with the worst contraction of my life.

The rest was a blurr.. I don't remember much. I remember being told to sit still for an epidural but saying I was in too much pain to sit still.. and the guy had to do it 3 times because I kept getting a shooting pain in my left side. After that I fell asleep and felt better. I woke up to intense pressure. I told the nurse and she said she would check me soon. I told her no, I needed to be checked now because the pressure was unbearable. She checked me and I was at a 9 and a half! It was time to push.

Pushing didn't hurt, and I felt like I was doing a good job. I was annoyed that they kept wanting me to move to my side which is nearly impossible when you cant feel your legs and they feel like foreign objects that weight 1,000 pounds each. Then I got more annoyed when they told me not to push. NOT PUSH?! are you crazy? you have no choice but to push, you just can not, NOT push.. Then I remember being asked if they could use a vacuum and I said yes. Next thing I knew he was out and taken away.

Erik didn't get to cut the cord and I didnt get him placed on my chest. But what I didn't know was that he was face UP and his heart rate kept dropping dangerously low. He turned out to be a healthy 7lb10oz 21.25inch boy. He was a little jaundice but not bad.

We went home a few days later and then when he was about a week old he stopped breathing. I ran to my parents room holding him screaming "he isn't breathing!" my mom jumped up and called 911. By the time they got to my house he was breathing again. They checked him out, said he was fine and started to leave. As they were leaving he stopped breathing again. I ran into the street and the firetruck had left but the ambulance was still there. They saw him not breathing and got him breathing again.

We rode the ambulance to the ER. They did so many tests including a spinal tap.. which is so hard to see your week old baby get. I was a mess. He stayed in the hospital for a few days and everything came back clean. Now he is almost 18 months old and the healthiest boy you could meet.

We decided months later we wanted another. So I stopped birth control.. I didn't get a period for 60 days, then again in 80, and then again in 100. I got diagnosed with PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome) which basically means you don't ovulate. I started tracking my temps and taking opks with no luck. So we started clomid. Clomid is a drug that makes you ovulate. We were told it could take up to 6 cycles without working. But, my very first cycle I got pregnant!

Again, we were scared because of my uterus. Would I be on bedrest? Would I need a cerclage? Would I miscarry early? Luckily the baby is in the right uterus again, which is good because since that uterus has carried a full term baby once it should be able to again (and be easier, with less pressure on my cervix)

I am now 20 weeks and we havent had any problems. My cervix is short but good at 3.4-3.8cm. I am not on bedrest or pelvic rest. Although - I must say this pregnancy is SO PAINFUL!

Anyways, I am making this blog to document my pregnancy, my life, and all the crafts in between.