Month 1

This month was really a blur. I REALLY wanted to breastfeed, and it took me weeks to stop being sad and feeling guilty about this loss of bonding. However, I have wonderful people in my life that talked me through the process until I had finally moved past it. Leah was healthy, eating 2-3 ounces of formula, and completely content. I finally came to the mindset that if she was happy, I was doing okay.
Recovering from surgery, sleepless nights, constant diaper changes, and making/washing baby bottles every hour was about enough to put me over the edge! The funny thing is, Leah is a textbook baby. Trevor and I found ourselves questioning how people get through colic, gas issues, projectile vomit, etc. We were utterly exhausted with a really good baby.

I owe my survival of month 1 to the following: my husband who quickly became superdad, my mom who was my shadow in every step I took, and my family and friends (whether they brought me meals, sent me encouraging messages, or listened when I called crying and frustrated).

I survived and am ready for month 2!

Baby Leah has arrived!!

Leah Marie Chapman was born on Thursday March 31, 2011 at 4:06 AM via C-Section. 8 pounds, 19 inches.

I am so completely in love with her! I am making a promise to myself...that I will make this blog my way of remembering daily memories (I've gotten this idea from many of my mommy friends).

Let me take you back a few days to Wednesday March 30. I was induced at 3:00 AM with a Cervidil. Cervidil comes in the form of a tiny pill that is placed on the cervix, in hopes of allowing the cervix to dilate. After 12 hours, and 3 rounds of Cervidil, I was 1cm. No where near 10cm. At this point Dr. Wellman broke my water in hopes that would move things along. At 9:00 PM I was told that Pitocin would be started. After 18 hours of labor, I was ready for the epidural if Pitocin was coming my way. The epidural was amazing! I was comfortable (minus the IV drip, blood pressure cuff, and constant nurse interruptions) through the contractions. At midnight I was dialted to 2cm, but a uteran monitor had to be inserted because my contractions were weakening. Nurses also inserted a heartbeat monitor for Leah (inserted in me, and attached to the top of her head). Oh, and of course I have a catheter because I am numb from the waist down. If you haven't counted, that's 3 things inserted inside of me plus a hand every time I was checked for progress...REALLY thankful I didn't have to "feel" that. Amen to the epidural. Finally, at 3:00 AM, and only dilated to 3cm I was prepped for a cesarean section. This process was so fast, and actually painless. I was calm and ready to meet my baby girl.

4:06 AM, Trevor and I started dating on April 6th, so this was a very perfect time for her to be born. She was beautifully plump and pink. Leah's head was HUGE and her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice. Dr. Wellman told me that a vaginal birth could have been a dangerous outcome. My recovery was amazing. I was up walking (slowly) 6 hours later. Although I was all about the natural childbirth, I am also a true believer in things happen for a reason (even if we don't immediately see the reason).

Right before I left the hopsital I was given a vaccine for pertussis (whooping cough). I had an allergic reaction, and infection to this. My arm swelled to the size of a softball, I had a fever of 102 and chills for 3 days after coming home. Sadly, this caused me to stop breastfeeding. On top of being sick, I became a hormonal mess about this.

As I close this post, all I can feel is thankfulness for my family, health, and happiness.