Ebby

Edward James Beesley came to us six days ago at 1:22 pm. He was eight pounds one ounce and 20 inches long! I feel so blessed to have him. Everything is still a little unreal for me but there are a couple of things I know without a shadow of a doubt: I LOVE MY BABY BOY! He and Andrew are everything. I always wondered how it would feel to be a mom. It's better than I ever thought possible. It's wonderful. Every inch, part and fiber of me seems somehow connected to Ebby. I ache for him when he's away from me and it seems like I can never get enough of holding, touching and looking at him. When I think of him every worry, care and worldly whatever just disappear and I'm left with pure joy.
It started on Wednesday when Andrew and I went to the doctor's office. He said I was 2 cm dilated and about 80 to 90% effaced. We also had an ultrasound that showed a healthy eight pound baby. Give or take a pound. Given the gestational diabetes, his possibly high birth weight and the fact that our doctor was going out of town and wouldn't be back until after my due date we decided to induce the next morning.
That afternoon the doctor's office called. Basically the hospital said that they didn't have enough room for me. The office told us to go to the ER that night and say I was having contractions. (Legally they can't discharge me without the doc's consent and he wasn't going to give it.) That was his way of ensuring we'd have a room.
Andrew and I said ok, but we didn't feel good about lying. So we spent the rest of the day trying to get me into labor. We walked a lot, he rubbed my ankles (I still don't think that works), we skipped together in the park, I walked up and down our stairs over and over again, but nothing was working. We even went out to dinner and I stuffed my face with all the pasta, bread sticks and cheesecake I could. I thought if my blood sugar was way to high it would at least be a concern I wouldn't have to lie about. I was shocked (and a little upset) to find that my blood sugar was 95. As it turns out we didn't have t lie. We did not go into labor but they didn't really ask any questions when we went to the ER.
At about 6:30 AM they gave me pitocin and broke my water to start the contractions (after giving me a sleeping pill when we went in and letting me get a good night's sleep). In the next hour I went from 2 cm dilated to 4+. By that time I was practically begging for an epidural. I didn't get any drugs though the IV - I get loopy on drugs and didn't want my mind to be foggy. They tried 3 times and had to stick me twice to get the epidural where it was safe and working. I thought it'd hurt more than it did, but it wasn't too bad. The IV hurt more than the epidural.
Anyway, in the next hour and a half or so I went from 4+ to 9+. We waited for the doctor a bit and put me in different positions to help the baby drop more, then we started pushing. We tried different pushing methods, but the one that worked the best was to give Andrew and me each an end of a bed sheet and tell us to pull away from each other, like we were playing tug of war, during each contraction (our nurse, Amanda, was the BEST!). 3 snips later and a few more grunts and Ebby was out with us. I remember right before he came out (when he was crowning), Mom said, "Oh Joy, I wish you could see this. He's beautiful, and he has so much dark, curly hair." Then the nurse took my hand and let me feel him. It was like magic. I swear I've never tried so hard in my life for anything, the way I tried to push after that. It was like an addictive drug (not that I really know what that's like). I had to have more. It was like I was going to die if I didn't get to see him and touch him within the next minute. And now he's in my arms - sleeping peacefully - and I couldn't be happier.
I have so much love and gratitude in my heart that I occasionally find myself crying - I'm so happy! I never thought that I could love so much. I knew I'd love Ebby, but my love has grown one hundred times more for my Mom, the doctors, and most especially for Andrew. I knew he was wonderful, awesome and totally perfect for me before but bringing Ebby into this world with him and having his friendship, love, confidence and guidance throughout has endeared me to him more than words can say.
I love my little family. I'm grateful for the gospel and that the Savior has suffered so that I can be with my little family forever. And I'm excited for the future and all the twists and turns that will come with it.

Hello Edward!

Just a quick update today, since we're still pretty tired. Edward (middle name TBD) Beesley was born at 1:22pm on June 11th, and weighed 8lbs 1oz. He's 20 inches long and has spent most of his first day sleeping (yay!). The labor was under 8 hours (double yay!). More to come, probably tomorrow.

Less than 24 HOURS!!!

I took these pictures last Friday not knowing that I'd be having the baby tomorrow! I'm so excited and so nervous. It's hard for me to think of much else.
So, here's the story.
Andrew and I went to the Doctor on Monday. I was 2 cm dilated and only partially effaced. He said that he wanted to see me again today to see if I'd be ready to be induced. He's worried because the baby is already about 8 pounds and he's only getting bigger. So today we went in and I'm still about 2 cm but now I'm about 90% effaced. Yippie! We're going to the hospital tomorrow morning at 5 am and hopefully we'll have a baby by dinner time. I plan on having pasta. And lots of it!

New Apartment Pictures

Andrew and I have gone through many changes in the past week. We've moved out of our old apartment (unfortunately we still haven't been able to find someone to buy our contract), moved in AND unpacked our new apartment, and I had my last day of work on Friday. We've also seen the doctor and he said that for a first time mom and for being 37 weeks I'm progressing very well. We see him again tomorrow. We also see my diabetic specialist tomorrow. I'm not as excited for that one.
Anyway, here are a couple pictures of our new place. We love it!

Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrushes

Texas definitely isn't just deserts and tumbleweeds.
This wasn't taken this year but it was taken just outside of College Station.
The Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrushes are Texas' wild flowers. This is all nature's work.
Isn't it beautiful?

The Last Couple of Weeks

Pictures from last weekend. (34 weeks)


The last couple of weeks have been really busy and stressful.

Not last Monday but the Monday before I was shopping for a friend's wedding present at Target. There was a terrible storm outside and as I was running to my car I fell. (I know, I was dumb and I ran. Pregnant people should never run, especially in a storm.) I took a big chunk out of my knee. It's pretty disgusting. Other than that I'm fine.

On Tuesday we went to the Diabetic Specialist. We don't like him very much. He doesn't have a good bed-side manner and he's a bit confusing. For example, he told us everything looks really good and we'd only have to see him every other week but then he scheduled us for a visit the next Monday and ordered a bunch of blood and urine tests. He was also an hour behind schedule. Not good for Andrew who had his finals the next week.

On Wednesday we got rear-ended on the way home from school. It wasn't bad but it was still scary and now we have to get a quote for the damage and do all that fun stuff. Also, not good for Andrew and his tests.

On Thursday I twisted my ankle and Andrew got a jury summons. We don't think he'll have to serve because he's not a resident but we'll see.

On Friday Andrew learned of two things that were due that afternoon just in time to miss the deadline. He was very frustrated. But he was allowed to turn them in on Monday and everything was fine.

All last week was crazy with Andrew's tests, my work and my doctor's appointments. But now it's over. Andrew's done with school for the year, both doctor's have given me the 'everything really is going great with the pregnancy' and we couldn't be happier. Now if only we could sell the contract to our apartment and not have to pay double rent for two months.

Mama didn't like what the doctor said.

About a week and a half ago I went to the doctor's to take a glucose tolerance test. I failed and had to go back a couple of days ago to take a longer (3 hour) glucose test. Turns out I have gestational diabetes. Here's a quick summary of what that means, for those who want to know.
When you eat, the sugar that's in the food eventually goes into your blood stream. When the body recognizes this it releases insulin. Insulin is what initiates/promotes cells to take up the sugar (or glucose). During late pregnancy the mother's body becomes more resistant to insulin so the baby gets more glucose. The baby's growth curve becomes more steep during the third trimester and the increased glucose helps establish that curve. Normally the mother's pancreas secretes more insulin so she still has normal blood levels of glucose. Sometimes (like me) the pancreas doesn't.
Both Andrew and I (he's so supportive) have started a diabetic diet and go for a 30 minute walk everyday. We're meeting with a dietitian this Tuesday and we'll go from there. Hopefully everything will be alright.