Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Matteo's Birth Story
Finally after 3 months, I am ready to tell Matteo's birth story. It all started at my 38 week appointment - my blood pressure had gone through the roof and the OB sent me to the hospital to be monitored. I was in the hospital all Friday (Jan. 29) morning with the baby being monitored. My blood pressure was still very high, but the baby's vitals seemed to be okay. They sent me home on bed rest for the weekend, but I had to return to the hospital on Monday. On Monday (Feb. 1), they decided to do a bio test to see if the baby was in distress, and we found out that in addition to my high blood pressure, baby M's fluids were low - at this point they decided to induce - they put in a Foley catheter (which fell out before I left the hospital), and scheduled me to come in the next morning.
Jason and I arrived at the hospital at approximately 7:00 on the morning of Tuesday Feb. 2nd, checked in, and were led to the high risk birthing area. I was so scared and couldn't stop crying at first as I didn't know what was going to happen. My nurse and Jason were able to comfort me and the induction was started with the Pitocin around 8:00. I received my epidural at around 10:00 that morning (due to the high blood pressure), and had to receive oxygen at that point, as my blood pressure dropped rapidly with the epidural . The next 6 hours or so were fine - I didn't feel any pain, and was able to sleep. Jason and my mom were there for me to support me.
Around 5:00 pm or so, I started feeling a great deal of pressure/intense pain on the left side of my body - they checked me, and I was 10 cm dialated. They had to call in the anithesiologist to give me more epidural medication, as it was wearing off after so long. I was in a great deal of pain - it is definitely indescribabale. At this point, they also realized that the baby was turned. They had me lay on my side to see if the baby would turn back, but unfortunately he didn't on his own. At around 8:00, the decision was made to do an assisted delivery via forceps. I had to have an episiotomy due to this, but the baby was delivered by 8:37 pm. It was such a relief to know that he was safe and out of my body. I will cherish the moment of his birth for my entire life. Meeting my little Matteo was amazing - and he looked just like me! My life and life persepctive changed in that instant - it is hard to find the words to describe that moment - it was just pure bliss! I found this quote that really captured how I felt at that moment of my son's birth:
Jason and I arrived at the hospital at approximately 7:00 on the morning of Tuesday Feb. 2nd, checked in, and were led to the high risk birthing area. I was so scared and couldn't stop crying at first as I didn't know what was going to happen. My nurse and Jason were able to comfort me and the induction was started with the Pitocin around 8:00. I received my epidural at around 10:00 that morning (due to the high blood pressure), and had to receive oxygen at that point, as my blood pressure dropped rapidly with the epidural . The next 6 hours or so were fine - I didn't feel any pain, and was able to sleep. Jason and my mom were there for me to support me.
Around 5:00 pm or so, I started feeling a great deal of pressure/intense pain on the left side of my body - they checked me, and I was 10 cm dialated. They had to call in the anithesiologist to give me more epidural medication, as it was wearing off after so long. I was in a great deal of pain - it is definitely indescribabale. At this point, they also realized that the baby was turned. They had me lay on my side to see if the baby would turn back, but unfortunately he didn't on his own. At around 8:00, the decision was made to do an assisted delivery via forceps. I had to have an episiotomy due to this, but the baby was delivered by 8:37 pm. It was such a relief to know that he was safe and out of my body. I will cherish the moment of his birth for my entire life. Meeting my little Matteo was amazing - and he looked just like me! My life and life persepctive changed in that instant - it is hard to find the words to describe that moment - it was just pure bliss! I found this quote that really captured how I felt at that moment of my son's birth:
"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." ~Rajneesh
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Finished Nursery (almost!)
Thank goodness for time off! Jason and I (well mostly Jason) were able to put together all of the furniture for the nursery, and it is finally done. I'd like to put a few finishing touches/personalization, but, it is ready for Baby M if he decides to come early! Here are some pics from today - I'll post more if we add anything else!
This is a general view of the room when you walk in. The curtains were originally in our master bedroom. I think they look great here.
This is a picture of the tree vinyl wall decal that we ordered from etsy. It took Jason and I about 2 hours to plan out and place all of the dots and circles. I think it looks awesome!
The tree and the dresser/hutch combo that we received as a Christmas gift. You can also see our diaper genie in the corner. I've washed all of the 0-6 months clothes, and most of them are in this dresser, as well as diapering essentials. I'm thinking of putting a smaller basket, and having the essentials out for ease of use.
Our glider - really needs some art on the walls. When you walk into the room there is a little nook that I would like to put a stand/night table and a lamp.
The crib with the bedding in tact. I realize that I'll have to take off the bumpers for Baby M to sleep there, but wanted to see how the whole thing looked. The mobile we purchased at Wal-Mart (I'm never going back!!).
A closeup of the dresser/hutch - you can see I changed the knobs to silver ones - I think it adds some flair. That cool "M" is from my sister - she found it at HomeSense, and the egg piggy bank (his first 'nest egg') is from Indigo (I got it at 50% off during Boxing Week!).
A picture of his (semi) organized closet - I'd love to get a closet organizer, but its just not in the budget at all!
Now all we need is a baby!
Boxing Day with the in-laws
As always, we had a casual Boxing Day dinner at my in-laws and all the kids (10 in total from ages 8 months to 14) had an opportunity to open gifts! It is so much fun to see the little ones at Christmas! Here are some pictures of all of the fun (and craziness)!
The kids having fun!
J's Nonno Rodento
Hailey
The twins (Aleta and Leah) having fun with my father in law
Baby M will definitely have loads of cousins to play with! What a lucky kid!
Christmas 09 Recap
J and I had a great holiday break together this year. He didn't have to work too much, so it was nice to have him home. We celebrated with my family Christmas Eve - this year we forewent the traditional fish dinner and had Turkey at my Uncle Pete and Aunt Jen's house - it was a great meal. My Aunt, Uncle, parents sand Nonna Donna surprised us with such a generous Christmas gift - Baby M's dresser. J and I were thrilled!
Afterward, we went over to my Nonni's place to open gifts and eat some Christmas Eve treats (no alcohol for me this year, but I did have a big glass of milk and some of Nonna Navina's delish German Coffee Cake). Here are some pics from Christmas Eve:
Jason and I in front of the tree
Gift opening in full swing!
Nonno Tony
After this, J and I went to my parents to open gifts. On Christmas day, we were back at my parents for lunch and went to J's Uncle Julie's for dinner. Here are some pictures from lunch at my mom and dad's:
Michael and Jason and
My Dad - bringing in the BBQ!
My sis and cousins!
all of us cousins (holy moly do I look pregnant!!!)
Kat and Erica
J and my mom
My mom and dad in their wino aprons! So cute!
Nonno, Nonna Navina and Nonna Donna
Erica and her boyfriend Kevin
My two Nonnas!
Uncle Pete in conversation
Nonno Tony and Nonna Navina
And of course... all of the desserts!
Christmas day was great this year - I can't believe that next year we will have a 10 month old! It is truly amazing!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Traditions
J and I were talking today, and we are so excited to share our next Christmas with baby Matteo - it is hard to believe that he will be 10 months old at Christmas next year! We'll have to think of some Christmas traditions that we can start with the baby. Some of our Christmas traditions (that have been in the families for generations) are:
- decorating the tree the last weekend in November - its funny because we realized this year that our tree is too short for the cathedral ceilings in our home - hopefully we'll be able to find a tree boxing day this year - and when we eventually finish the basement we can have a "kids tree" down there with all of the homemade ornaments (this is something that my parents when we were young). Here is our tree this year (not great, but festive!). The first pic is the tree in our new house (with 12 ft ceilings a 6.5 ft tree looks Charlie-Brownish)
This pic is the tree in our old house - no cathedral ceilings - the tree looks bigger, therefore - we need a bigger tree!!!
- attending Midnight Mass at St. Anne's in Tecumseh with my parents and sister (the church where I grew up, where we got married in 2006, and where our children will be baptized) - Father Couture's rendition of "Oh Holy Night" is not to be missed...Ha
- having a fish dinner on Christmas Eve with the Valente clan (it is a traditional Italian Christmas thing) at Nonna Donna's house - J just loves that baccala!
- Clementines in our stockings! (A "Maurina" Christmas tradition")
- Boxing day at my in-laws - with all the hustle and bustle of Christmas day - this is a nice relaxing day, just to focus on fun for the kids (10 in total, #11 on the way!)
There are some traditions that we'd like to start on our own, as we are becoming our own family unit now... here's some we'd like to do:
- pick out a special ornament for each Christmas
- bake cookies together and give away as gifts (we've already started this one!)
- read "T'was The Night Before Christmas" and the Christmas Bible Story on Christmas Eve to our kids
J and I are excited to start new family traditions with our new family!
- decorating the tree the last weekend in November - its funny because we realized this year that our tree is too short for the cathedral ceilings in our home - hopefully we'll be able to find a tree boxing day this year - and when we eventually finish the basement we can have a "kids tree" down there with all of the homemade ornaments (this is something that my parents when we were young). Here is our tree this year (not great, but festive!). The first pic is the tree in our new house (with 12 ft ceilings a 6.5 ft tree looks Charlie-Brownish)
- attending Midnight Mass at St. Anne's in Tecumseh with my parents and sister (the church where I grew up, where we got married in 2006, and where our children will be baptized) - Father Couture's rendition of "Oh Holy Night" is not to be missed...Ha
- having a fish dinner on Christmas Eve with the Valente clan (it is a traditional Italian Christmas thing) at Nonna Donna's house - J just loves that baccala!
- Clementines in our stockings! (A "Maurina" Christmas tradition")
- Boxing day at my in-laws - with all the hustle and bustle of Christmas day - this is a nice relaxing day, just to focus on fun for the kids (10 in total, #11 on the way!)
There are some traditions that we'd like to start on our own, as we are becoming our own family unit now... here's some we'd like to do:
- pick out a special ornament for each Christmas
- bake cookies together and give away as gifts (we've already started this one!)
- read "T'was The Night Before Christmas" and the Christmas Bible Story on Christmas Eve to our kids
J and I are excited to start new family traditions with our new family!
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