Finger Feeding

Rilynn is a very healthy eater but we had some trouble in the beginning because of people telling us different things plus her strong-will to only suck when she was gettin somethin in return continuously. So the lactation consultant suggested this - finger feeding. It encourages her to suck correctly without allowing her to bottle feed.

As much as I don't like her taking formula right now, I'm still pumping so she's getting the colostrum by syringe and we feel pretty confident that once my milk arrives, she'll be just fine. She's always very eager to eat and has latched on correctly in the past.
I thought I might pop a stitch when Septtro attached the container to his hat (lactation actually suggested it). :)

Another one

sweet girl...loves to look around

She's finally here!

introducing our Ladybug, Rilynn Falefou Sene - born 12:49am September 25th weighing 8 pounds 4 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long. more details to come later.

C-section

After two hours of pushing the dr decided Susan needed a c-section...there was some molding on the baby's head and she was concerned about the health of the baby if she continued for a lot longer. She is being prepped for the OR right now. Will try to post when she is born before I go to bed.

Hospital

I am going to the hospital to hopefully get to see this baby girl (only have a small window of time to be gone), so probably won't be able to update right when she's born, but I will update when I get home in case anyone is up late waiting to hear!

9:00

Susan is ten centimeters! She was stuck at six for the longest time, and then she started to be in a lot of pain, so they decided to redo her epidural. The second epidural worked great and she had relief from the pain, then they checked her and she was at ten cm! They are having her wait an hour to push because she isn't feeling pressure right now, but it looks like before the night is over we will have a baby!

Update

Susan has been 6 cm for a while now. The baby's head is not down, but turned sideways. The doctor is measuring the contractions to see how strong they are and whether they will let her continue. Please pray!

4:00

Don't have much of an update for you, Susan got an epidural and was still 5 cm, her mom said all is quiet in the room. She said Susan was feeling pretty groggy and out of it, probably from the pain medicine she took earlier. Hopefully they will both be able to rest some.

5 cm

Susan is 5 cm.....she was given some pain medicine that is supposed to last for an hour...

2:00

Susan's water broke and she is having painful contractions that are close together now...she requested pain med, I don't know how far dilated she is yet, will post when find out more info. Praise God that it picked up!

11:00

Susan is dilated one centimeter and having contractions, but can't feel them all.

Update

Susan wanted me to update her blog while she's in the hospital so everyone can know what is going on. They got to the hospital last night and they inserted the cervix softener. At 6:30 this morning they started her on pitocin, then they checked her around 8:30 and there was no progress. The doctor was pretty convinced that she would need a c-section due to the size of the baby, but he said he was willing to try a 2nd day induction. So, if things still haven't progressed around 3 or 4 today, they will unhook her from everything, let her eat, and try again tomorrow morning. However chances are it won't be effective on the second day, so if things don't progress today they will have to decide what they want to do. Please pray for wisdom and peace for them. I will continue to update as I hear more throughout the day.
~Shawna (sister-in-law)

It's time!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I still haven't made much of any progress. Conditions "aren't all that favorable" is what I was told. I expressed my desire to avoid a c-section if at all possible and be able to go into labor on my own. However, based on previous ultrasounds and my glucose levels, the doctors believe my best chance to deliver her naturally is to be induced (because of her possible size). She did say that Ladybug is engaged so that's a good sign I'll be able to have her naturally - thus the reason for my awful back pain this past week or so.

So I will be induced on my due date - this Thursday. I will actually go in Wednesday evening to get some kind of medicine to help conditions become, let's say, more favorable. Then, on Thursday morning, they will start pitocin.

As much as I REALLY REALLY didn't want to be induced, I just feel I need to trust in God's sovereignty in this situation. He's placed me under their care and this is what they feel is my best chance to have her naturally.

I can't believe I'll have a baby in 3 days. I'm still kind of in shock. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.

Oh the pain

I finally have a break from the past few days of constant back pain on my left side - despite anything and everything I tried to relieve it. It just got progressively worse - starting on Wednesday. Yesterday I went to my doctor because it got so bad I was leaning over a chair in tears in my boss' office (with him not present of course) and I was afraid I might be having back labor. Of course, when I got to the office, the pain subsided and I wasn't having too many contractions. They checked for a kidney infection because the pain was around the middle of my back but that came back negative. I got a prescription for muscle relaxers but the doctor said that might not help. He said I still hadn't progressed any and until she was born, I would possibly struggle with the pain because of her positioning. By the time I got home, I was bent over in pain again. I couldn't even take a deep breath without awful pain. I took a pill but it didn't touch the pain. My mom came to pick me up and took me to her house. She looked up reflexology and massaged my feet in places that would help relieve pain in my back. That helped a little bit. But I honestly was in so much pain, I wanted so badly to go to the hospital and demand they give me a cesarian. I got sick once and almost twice - I think from the pain.

Finally, I got some tips from my friend Kelli on a few positions to try to get Ladybug to change positions. It worked - I finally felt relief and felt like a completely different person. Unfortunately, later that night, the pain returned. I was having contractions but not regular ones and it seemed every time I had a contraction, my back hurt worse. At about 8:30 last night, I was finally able to sleep for a couple of hours. My husband came to pick me up from my parent's house after his JV football game but decided it'd be best if I just stayed where I was. After I got up, the pain returned and I couldn't go back to sleep until around 1:30. Thankfully, I was able to sleep until around 5:00 and then a few more hours later this morning.

This afternoon, I made an appointment with a chiropractor who many midwives and doulas recommend. He said my hip was about 3/4 of an inch off and was able to correct that. Initially, my back still hurt but once I got home, it felt a lot better. As of now, it still hurts but not nearly as bad. Because of the hormones loosening everything, I don't know how long I'll be able to keep myself from becoming misaligned again but every moment without the excruciating pain is bliss. I also called my lamaze class instructor and she gave me the name and number of a licensed prenatal massage therapist. I'm not sure if I'll go see him (his first opening is Monday afternoon) but he can also give me some exercises to do to try to help alleviate the pain.

I have my next doctor's appointment Monday morning at 8:45. I'm hoping I will have progressed at least a little bit but then again I know that really doesn't guarantee anything. At the very least, I hope that if I'm still struggling with my back pain, that it will exhibit itself while I'm at the doctor unlike it did yesterday.

Ladybug's due date is September 24th...thinking about even going that much longer with this pain makes me cringe. Then I know I could actually go past my due date. But I know it's all very temporary and despite the pain, am thankful God has given me the opportunity to provide a safe place for her until God is ready for her to arrive. Of course, I'd prefer for her to come today. But I know God's timing is perfect and He will give me the strength to get through each day until she's here. Oh I'm so ready...c'mon Ladybug...come see us!!!

to my ladybug

Dear Ladybug,

The time is almost here - the day your Daddy and I get to meet you face to face. I've had so many emotions these past few weeks; thinking about that moment. What will I do? Will I cry tears of joy? Will I shriek in excitement? Will everything seem too surreal for me to do much of anything but look at you in awe? You're a beautiful creation - a precious gift - given to Daddy and I.

All my life, as far back as I can remember, I've wanted to be a mother. Lord-willing, that desire will soon be granted. My life will forever change. I can't wait to be your mom. I can't wait to smell your baby smells, touch your baby-soft skin, and hear your sweet baby coos.

Oh there will be so many times I will make mistakes. I haven't been around babies very much. Please bear with me as I learn how to best provide for your needs (I hear the "motherly instinct" can be MIA those first few weeks).

This will be a growing experience for all three of us. It will be a new and exciting adventure. I must admit, I'm a little nervous - but extremely excited all at the same time. My prayer is that God will use me to point you to Christ; and that He would open your eyes to your need for Him at an early age.

I love you, my sweet baby. I'll see you soon!!

Love,
Mommy

quick update - 37 weeks

**Note: my due date is exactly two weeks from tomorrow but according to the measurements from my first ultrasound, I was exactly 37 weeks yesterday**

I had an appointment yesterday at 11:30. My blood pressure was the exact same as last week - high. But I didn't have any bad dreams this time. I think I was so nervous it would be up again, I freaked myself out again - this time because I was trying too hard not to be nervous. After lying on my left side, again, it went back to normal. But the doctor - who I didn't care for - still wanted to do bloodwork again to rule out pregnancy-induced hypertension. So far, I haven't heard back from the office so that's a good sign. Maybe from now on, I will always be nervous when getting my blood pressure taken. My mom is the same way.

Anyway, we got a surprise ultrasound because they wanted to check the well-being of Ladybug. It was SO fun to get to see Ladybug again. We saw her sucking on her fingers and covering her face - after I said her nose looked pointy...sorry Ladybug, I know things are squished in there. Please don't have a complex the rest of your life now. It really was harder to see everything because she's so much bigger and doesn't have much room left. The pictures we got aren't very clear but I honestly think she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Oh, and she's definitely a girl. I'm glad she checked again because I was a little worried they missed something before. And once again, Ladybug wasn't shy at all when the tech went to take a look. Compliant or immodest? I'll go with compliant. :)

The tech said the fluid levels were great and Ladybug was doing just fine. On another note, the ultrasound gel brought some new stretch marks to my attention. It's on the front side of my belly near my belly button. I'm not surprised. I've gone WAY out. I shall consider it my motherly badge of courage (and secretly hope it eventually fades or I become rich enough one day to get rid of it).

We got our hospital bags packed last night. Her room is almost completely ready. The car got cleaned and polished. Sometimes I get a lil teary-eyed thinking about the day I will finally get to see her face to face and hold her in my arms. My life will forever change and that's scary and exciting all at the same time.

Gerber baby

I'm not sure about you, but I'm thinkin she could quite possibly be the new face of Gerber.