We have a baby girl!

Baby Allison was born April 5, 2006 at 11:50am. She weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and 20 inches long. She has lots of light brown hair!

Long version:

We went in for an induction at 5am on Sunday. I could come up with a reason for it, but really I was just tired and ready for her to come out. My Dr. said she would induce me b/c it's my second baby and I was already dilated and effaced. So they started the pitocin at 5:30 and checked me, I was 3cm at the time. I thought, great, that is 1 more cm then I was at my last appt, so at least that's progress. I was expecting about an 11 hour labor, half the length of my labor with Odin.

The contractions were tolerable at first, and then got more intense around 8:30. I was checked again, 3-4cm this time so not much more than the first time. The nurses had a hard time monitoring my contractions- they wouldn't show up on the monitor! At 9am I asked for an epi b/c let's face it...with pitocin, it's pretty painful. The epi was great!!! I could still feel my legs and move them around, but no pain! At this point I was wondering where my doctor was, since she was going to break my water. Well, I had already leaked something and had my bloody show, but the nurse didn't think my water had ruptured yet.

At 10:15 I got the catheter in, and the nurse checked me, said I was 6-7cm already! I was pretty surprised by that, as was Adam, since with Odin things took forever. I was thrilled the induction was going so well! My water broke on its own at that time as well.

Finally Dr. Charles showed up, and checked me just to confirm..."Oh she is more like 8-9," she said. I was very shocked at that...I don't know how it happened so fast, but she said second babies are like that. We started watching Twilight- and made our guesses. I still thought it would be another few hours, so I guessed 2pm, 7 lbs 8 oz, 20 inches with brown hair. Adam guessed 12:30pm, 7 lbs 10 oz, 19.5 inches, blonde hair (just to spite me, I think).

I got some ozygen as a precaution, and the nurse checked me again- I was 10 cm! This was not much later, maybe around 11?? We waited for the baby to descend (that's what took so long with Odin). At 11:30, the nurse said she was right there, had me push but said I wasn't quite ready. I started to feel some pain with contractions, which turned out to be b/c the baby was ready to come out! At 11:45, I pushed for 6 minutes and she was out! Dr. Charles didn't have to give me an epesiotomy, but I did tear a little bit. I honestly didn't feel like I had had a baby! The doctor chatted with me a bit, and said I was a very low-maintenance delivery. So it took 6.5 hours to have my little girl, Allison Cay. Her initials are ACE.

She is a good baby so far, sleeps a lot and was eating well at first but now isn't interested, probably b/c my milk isn't in yet. We are supplementing with formula for now, but hoping things go well with nursing soon. I feel pretty good, and we came home tonight b/c I decided I didn't need that extra night at the hospital after all- since my sleep got interrupted by the nurses way too often!

Odin wanted to hold and kiss his sister at first, until she cried, then he started crying and right now pretty much ignores her. He didn't mind when we brought her home, though, and is VERY happy to have me and Adam back!

Still Pregnant

I am nearly 39 weeks now, and I still haven't had the baby. That's normal, I know, but I really want to have her soon!
My family was here this past week, and it went by way too fast. My mom will be here until April 15, so I am hoping that I have the baby by April 2. I guess all we can do now is wait...

Big Boy Bed!

Well, Odin has been in a big boy bed since Monday night. We have had this daybed/trundle in his room, and used it for guests, but now it is his :) He loves it and sleeps great in it! We turned it around so the railing is on the outside. Now we can move the crib, after we finish painting the baby's room. The first picture is Odin's last night in his crib. Also, here is a picture of the dress I made yesterday for the baby! It has a lot of flaws, but I still think it's cute :)

It's March!

I officially have 33 days left...if I go to 40 weeks (i didnt with Odin).

We have not started painting the baby's room but we plan to this Saturday!

I have been working on some sewing projects :)

I submitted my novel to a few agents, going to submit to more this week and next.

I'm excited for a big consignment sale for children's stuff on Friday!

Got a pedicure yesterday, haven't had one since summer ( i usually only get one or two a year anyway).

Let's see what pictures I have for you...

Here is what I mean by sewing project (taggie blanket and burp cloths)

and a new card :)

New Layout!

Hi everyone! :) Do you like my new layout? I got it from thecutestblogontheblock.com. I would love to design my own but I have no idea how to upload my own design- if anyone can help me with that, I'd be grateful! I have made several new handmade cards this week- I just love working with paper and glue! Look for them soon, I plan to take pictures and list them on etsy in the next week or so. I have also begun learning how to sew, which if you know my mom SHOULD be in my blood, but it's not. Thankfully, I'm starting with small things and enjoying it!

As far as daily life goes...I went to the Mad Scrapper with Odin yesterday. Big mistake! I was the only customer, thankfully, but he was running around, pulling things off the shelf. I have been waiting to buy baby girl scrapbook stuff forever, and I didn't get to enjoy the experience too much :( Even snacks didn't distract him- he kept going over to where they have candy for sale and bringing it to me to open (yeah, right). The lady working there was very nice though, but I know I didn't get everything I wanted so I may have to go back without him! We are busy busy in the coming month (s) with all kinds of things...planning a friend's baby shower, various social engagements, a garage sale, getting things ready for this baby (we have not even come close to starting on her room and there are only 8 weeks left!), etc. I love being busy though, so I don't mind!

Here is me 7 months pregnant with Odin looking for his baby sister :)

Brand new invitation!

I have created a new birthday party invitation today, and am quite pleased with it! It's for a girl, but I used a picture of Odin because I don't have any girls to use as models (not until April, anyway!) and also I love this picture :) I can also do this in boy colors, or any colors really. Next I am planning to create a few new banner designs, including one for myself since I have had this banner for awhile and am ready for a change!

Cousins are fun!

Odin has a blast playing with his cousins! I was watching Janelle's boys so she could go to a doctor's appointment, but she was only gone for about an hour so it wasn't much babysitting! It's fun watching these boys together...Odin loves sharing his snacks and whenever we go over there, he points to the backyard and says "car" so he can ride on the green truck. Boys are so much fun! Oh, and Odin also got a haircut- thanks Janelle! I've added a few other pictures just for fun...I'm annoyed because when I upload pictures on here they get posted out of order. Oh well, you can figure it out!