Crosley Bartlette Evans

After a very long, scary, and painful couple days our little miracle has finally made it into the world. God was watching closely over him! I went into labor (on my own!) on tuesday morning at 5:30 am. I labored all day and night (making little progress) and ended up going to the hospital on wednesday morning around 6 AM. The contractions weren't quite close enough to officially go, but my doctor said just go and we will help you along. As soon as we got settled in they went to start my IV and during them putting that in the babies heart rate dropped then for the first time. I saw it go as low as 50. They immediately put me on oxygen, broke my water, and turned me on my left side. They couldn't find the heart beat for a little while. SCARY! When they got the internal monitor hooked up the heart rate had come back up so they continued with the plan. IV, epidural, then pitocin. They put in the epidural and after that I felt nothing! It was a welcome relief after having contractions anywhere from 6 minutes to 30 minutes apart for 24 hours. After they put in the epidural they started the pitocin and the contractions were coming pretty regularly. I had the pitocin running for several hours and the baby kept having episodes where it's heart rate would drop after a contraction (late deccelerations). They were watching it and after several hours and it happening more frequently they decided to turn off the pitocin. (about 6 PM) After the pitocin was turned off I was still having contractions and it was still happening. The doctor called in a OB specialist, he decided to try an amnio infusion (put more fluid in the uterus) They started that and not long afterwards the babies heart rate dropped (as low as 25! but was hanging out about 65) they couldn't get the rate back up, so at that point they decided no choice but to get the baby out NOW! I'm not sure if my epidural wasn't working or if they had another reason but they had to give me general anesthesia which knocked me out. Because of that Chad wasn't able to be in with me either. So neither one of us was able to see the birth! They told us later that when they finally did open me up Crosley had the cord wrapped around his neck, body, and arms. They said they couldn't even pull him out they had to unwrap him slowly. We are so thankful that God kept him safe during this time. This could have been a devistating experience, but God saw us through and saved our little boy. We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!!! Today Crosley had some blood work done and found out that he has jaundice so he is spending the night under lights. We should be going home tomorrow about noon. We're excited to start our new life with the little one! Chad had to go home and make some changes at the house since I did have to have the C section. I'm healing really well, able to get up and walk around with little pain. I sat up on the couch most of the day today and spent the majority of the day out of bed. It felt good! I have been taking meds to help with the pain. And so far it's been very bearable. Breast feeding is going well, after some trouble the first day and a half. We definately need to work on it some more, but it's going much better.

I'll keep you all updated as much as I can!

My venting... I apologize now for it.

I am the first to admit I have had a very easy pregnancy, but these last few weeks have been crap. I am so uncomfortable. I am beyond ready for this baby to come. Some of my most recent symptoms have been...exhaustion, extreme hunger (I could eat non stop), dizziness that just comes on anytime, these stupid occular migraines are coming at least 4 times a week now (the other day I had 3, in one day!), hot all the time (like sweating hot), PAIN in my V area that comes and goes (TMI, sorry), low abdominal pressure (like painful pressure), frequent bathroom trips (like at least three every night), can't get comfortable in bed because my hips hurt so bad if I lay in one spot for more than 15 minutes... so I'm constantly back and forth all night between sides, hip pain when I stand OR sit for any length of time, and a stuffy nose (which could be the season or the hormones, who knows), and above all that I am worried about money, the house staying clean, the birth, and ALL those other things that come along with bringing a new person into your life and home. Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited about this but it is definately a little stressful.
Sorry for whining, but I figured it IS my blog so I can say whatever I want =) RIGHT!
(and I've also been very cranky lately too; everyone ticks me off)

Anyway thanks for letting me vent and hopefully the next time I blog it will be about the beautiful baby I get to bring into this world.

The Room

I worked on and almost finished the babies room tonight...it's been a long process. Now that I am officially finished with my baby showers I can complete the room. I couldn't before because it's never finished until you have all the stuff you're going to have in there. I'm glad to have it finished, now I just have to get my bags packed for the hospital. Then hopefully this baby will decide to come join us!

"Down there"

Just a little FYI...

I know this pictures is GOOFY but it shows how big my belly has gotten...Thanks to my good friend Lar for taking it.

I had a dr. appointment today...good news. I've made some progress down below. Sorry if TMI...my cervix is over 50% thinned out!! YEAY. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever really have this baby. The dr didn't say I would have the baby this week or anything, but she said hopefully by next week I will start dialating. EXCITING! I'm officially 36 weeks pregnant (9months). 4 weeks till my due date...hopefully I will go before.

Angie's wedding went really well this weekend. I had a lot of fun being with my friends. I think I did pretty well for being 9 months pregnant. I was absolutely exhausted for several days afterward and my feet and legs were swollen up like balloons. But, it's all good! I was so glad I was able to be there with Angie on the most important day of her life. She handled herself really well! I'm sure she's glad to have it over and done with (not that it isn't exciting, mind you). I know I'm glad I never have to do it again! I hope she's having a blast in Jamaica and that Scott doesn't get too burnt. =)

Here's a pic of my besties at the wedding...

The Nesting Instinct

I am 34 and a half weeks along now. Sometimes I still forget I'm even pregnant. I'd say that means I have had a very good pregnancy. Surragacy for a profit is sounding pretty good about now. I know you can't base life off of movies, but that lady in Baby Mama made $20,000 for being a surragate.
Anyway...life is good right now. I'm taking a week off. I get to go to Cincy and be in a my best friends wedding next weekend. I'm so excited for her, she will be a beautiful bride. It will be fun to get out of town for a couple days.
Work is not quite as bad as it was the first couple weeks. They have worked some of the bugs out of the system. My sanity is temporarily saved. I'm just sick of being here. I'm ready to meet this baby that's growing inside of me. I'm ready to have three months off with it. I'm not so much ready for the sleeplessness that comes along with that. I don't deal well with little sleep. I have a tendency to cry. Not just cry, sob uncontrollably until Chad says "sweetie just go to bed". He's been so cute lately.
I thought I was the one that was supposed to have the "nesting instinct". I mean yeah I want the house to be ready for when the baby comes. But, I've been focused on the babies room mostly. The rest of the house is just too overwhelming. But Chad, he has been so adorable. He definatly has the nesting instinct going on. He folded laundry, first time in 5 years! He cleaned out the laundry room. Cleaned up his side of the bedroom. (let me tell you these two things were no small job!) He's been cleaning non stop for the last week! We got a brand new couch from my uncle (this is what started it all, I think). My uncle said, "we have a couch we just bought if you want it" we were like... "what's the catch?" He said well the problem we have with it is that it isn't deep enough for one person and the dog to lay on it together. So, we got a brand new couch that actually matches our living room. Yeay us!

Little Josie Ann

She is a cutie!! Josie is the smallest baby I have ever seen! She was only 5 pounds 14 ounces! Such a petite little girl. Her momma's black hair, cute as can be!!

Josephine Ann Crawford 9/12/08 5 pounds 14 ounces

Finally and new blog!!

I know, it's been too long again since I've blogged. What can I say? I've been busy. I had my first baby shower last weekend. SO FUN! I got lots of needed items. The two big items were our car seat and stroller. FUN! I can't wait to have the kid to put in them. What's not fun about showers? The thank you notes. It's hard to write 30 notes saying thank you in all of them! I do appreciate the gifts it's not that I have a hard time thanking someone but just the writing UGH. Other news, sometimes in the mornings the baby is like rolling around in my stomach and it moves my whole stomach. You can see it's little parts pushing out of my tummy. ADORABLE! It doesn't hurt, just kinda tickles. I have 8 weeks left till I'm due!! 2 MONTHS, that's crazy! I'm super excited.
In other news the hospital is moving today. I luckily did not have to work. I am excited and nervous at the same time.
On the same note, Patty's little one has held out long enough that she will be born at the new hospital (whenever she decides to grace us with her presence). I'm super excited to meet little Josie. She's gonna be so cute.
I should get back to all the crap I need to do...bills, insurance pre-certification, pre-certification for short term disability, bills, and all that un-fun adult stuff!

Pregnancy.

My lastest and greatest pregnancy picture...

I hit my third trimester and exhaustion hit me full force. The last week or so it's been hard to stay awake! I am SO tired. I don't know if it's cause the baby is growing more or what, but I am exhausted ALL the time. Like last night, went to bed at 11:30 didn't get out of bed till 11:30 this morning and now at 5pm I feel like I should be getting ready for bed again. I have three months more to go. I hope it flies by. I have two showers coming up next month so that will be fun! I've got a few more things to do in the room and it will be all ready. I started working on our announcements for once the baby does come. I am at a standstill though because I need to wait until paper is on sale at Hobby Lobby again. =)

NORTH CAROLINA

We've been here a few days.... having a blast. Here's some pics!!

Lacey trying not to get the ocean water in her face. She's adorable!
The shoreline. =)
Chad has enjoyed the waves.
All the family on the beach playing.

Just a picture comparison...who's cuter??

The here and now

I wanted to show you some of what I've been working on of late...

After going to menards and lowes several times we finally found the right bolts to put the crib together!!! I, of course, was a little overzealous about getting this done so I decided to put it together while Chad was sleeping. It went pretty well until I dropped the crib on my foot. That kind of hurt, but I was too excited to get the bedding on so I didn't let it phase me.

Also, I've been trying to organize the closet...These are some of the babies clothes from size newborn to 6 months.

Anyway, I'm having a lot of fun with all this adorable stuff. I have lots to do on the room still. But I think I've got plenty of time (4months!). So I guess you probably want to know what I look like most recently...

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm super excited about vacation coming up in 2 weeks. I have a massage scheduled for the 30th and I'm getting my hair cut, eyebrows waxed, and a pedicure before I go too. I've never had a pedicure I'm a little afraid they will make fun of my nasty, callus ridden, dry skin feet.

I haven't actually gone into detail about where we are going...we are going to Emerald Isle, NC. Chad and I are driving down just the two of us. It takes 13 hours to get there. Fun, fun. Our house is about a block from the beach, so that will be nice, it has a pool, theater, game room, hot tub, elevator, all the fun stuff. There will be 20 of us in this house total, 7 of which are kids. This is a little frightening, but that's why we decided to drive. If it gets too nuts at the house we can leave. But here's a picture of where we are staying...

Anyway, I'll try to do a better job about posting!!

PS. FYI. I'm six months pregnant this week!

SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG

I know, I know I started this thing and haven't been keeping up. What can I say, I'm a busy girl. I've been working, attempting to make money to go on vacation. I've been planning a shower for my good friend Ang, which is this saturday. I've been trying to work on my babies room. All in all life is good right now. The best thing that's been happening is that I can feel my little one now. It sure does like to jump on my bladder (not so fun). It's amazing feeling something inside me that's alive! I'm halfway through my pregnancy. Which is weird. I feel like I just found out!
I'm really looking forward to going to North Carolina in August. I really need some time away from Richmond. It will be the last vacation before Chad and I are parents! The house we are staying in is amazing, looking forward to swimming in the pool and the ocean. I'm also looking forward to spending an entire week with Chad. He's working nights and it hasn't been real condusive to us spending much time together. Our 5 year anniversary is August 9th. That's pretty exciting. We're going to take our time coming home from NC and stay overnight in a hotel halfway with a jacuzzi room. It will be great to have time to relax before life gets hectic again.
I'll try to keep up with this blog, and I need to post my lastest pregnancy pic. Thanks for reading!!

No more GYN, YEAY!!

I don't have to go to the horrible dr anymore, yeay!! I had my last appointment at GYN yesterday. It was good only because I got to hear my little one's heartbeat again. Everytime I hear it I am just amazed that there really is something living in there. I'm not sure whether I can feel it or not, so when I get evidence of it's existence it is reassuring. He said everything looks fine, my uterus is growing =) Just one idea of how much of a jerk the doctor was. I was concerned that I have still been losing some weight and therefor have not gained any weight. Yeay I'm a big girl, but I'm pregnant. Well I asked him about it, and he acted like I was an idiot. He said "I'd be glad if you didn't gain any weight your entire pregnancy." Oh, ok. Which whatever, I hope I don't but he was just a jerk about it. Anyway, I am just SO glad to be done with him and that office. I get to see the same dr. as Patty now. She likes her a lot and I'm pretty excited about being excited about my doctor appointments. On another note, I was talking about how I want to have a natural birth. No epidural, up walking around, using different positions, etc. Everyone at work basically laughed at me and said no way, everyone has an epidural. I'm not saying I won't have an epidural I'm just saying I would prefer not to.
On a whole nother note, Chad and I are going to North Carolina in T-minus 7 weeks. I'm extremely excited about this. Extremely.
Also, in T-minus 4 weeks and 4 days I am co-hosting a bridal shower for my good friend Angie. Which, I'm also excited about. I mean who's kidding who, not AS excited about vacation, but still excited. We will be eating good that day. =)

My life right now...

My life right now consists of work...

My wonderful husband Chad...

Thoughts of my child growing inside me...

And thinking I feel bigger than I look!

Pregnancy is a strange thing. I'm waiting impatiently till for the time when I will feel the little one squirming inside of me. I keep thinking I feel it, but I just can't tell. In the baby book it has a section that I can write when I first felt the baby move...I feel like I won't be able to know for sure, and that makes me sad. My body has been taken over by an unusual thing. There are lots of changes already happening. There are many more to come over the next 23 weeks. Chad has been SO great through this so far. I really love him alot. We were talking the other day about how our love has changed over the last 5 years. I knew it would, a wise woman told me so. We are really looking forward to parenthood together. We were riding in the car the other day and I was talking about vacation and saying I can't wait to go! He replied with...I can't wait to hold my baby. To get to actually hold him/her in my arms. To see their tiny face and know that they are a part of me. Well, I of course burst into tears. It was the sweetest thing he possibly has ever said. Needless to say we are both very excited about the future.