Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Story of Sophie

It has been over one week since Sophie was born and I would like to share her story.  It is a miraculous story that involves blood, sweat and tears and that is no exaggeration.  As this is somewhat of a journal to record the important events in our lives, this is one that needs to be told as it is one that will change us forever.  Plus, I plan to use this story when she is 18 and giving me grief so it is best if I write it down now while all the details are still fresh in my mind.

On Tuesday, February 15th at around 11 pm, my contractions started.  Ryan was already fast asleep and since I knew that the first phase of labour could last hours, I did not want to wake him.  I rested on the couch with Baron, who kept me company, while I kept track of how far apart my contractions were.  They were inconsistent so I knew we had lots of time before we needed to go anywhere.  Before I knew it, it was morning and still the contractions were far apart.  Assuming that we couldn't be that far off, Ryan took the day off and stayed home with me.  My doula came over to offer her support as well.  We spent the day trying to keep busy, watching movies and doing exercices to move the labour along.  The only thing that really took my mind off the contractions was when I baked a batch of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for the doctors and nurses at the hospital.  We wanted to stay at home for as long as possible so we ignored the 5-1-1 rule and waited until the contractions were closer together.  The last thing I wanted was to get to the hospital to have them send me back home.  Finally, late that evening, we figured we had waited long enough.  The contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and we headed to the hospital.  Once there, I was sent to triage to find out just how far along I really was.  Sure enough, I was only a couple centimeters dialated and despite all our efforts, they sent me home to get some rest.  The contractions continued through the night but I managed to get some sleep.  The next afternoon, we headed back to the hospital and I was finally admitted.  I had dialated to 6 cm.  Great news for us!  Also, Dr. Grainger, who had been the one following my pregnancy over the last 6 months, happened to be the doctor on call that evening from our clinic.  What luck! 

We spent all that day and evening in the hospital using different techniques to deal with the pain of labour.  I had set my mind on delivering this baby without needing drugs and I was trying hard to stick to this plan, despite the fact that I was going on two days with little sleep and lots of hours of labour.  I spent a great deal of this time in the shower which seemed to really help deal with the pain.  Ryan was a great support from the very beginning and I am so thankful for such a strong and loving husband.  Having a doula as well really kept my energy up, considering the circumstances. 

In the early evening, the doctor came in to check my progress.  Excited to be told we were finally ready to deliver, I was devestated to find out that I had not dialated any more since being admitted to the hospital hours ago.  After two days of little sleep, I was running low on juice and didn't know how much longer I could continue.  The baby was in an awkward position, tilted to one side and was not descending into the birth canal; this explained why the labour wasn't progressing.  Ryan, knowing how much I wanted to do this without drugs, could also see how difficult it was becoming for me to continue.  After a serious talk and a few tears, we both agreed that in order for me to have the energy to deliver this baby safely and not end up needing a c-section, I would need help.  I took the epideral and rested for a few hours while we waited for the oxytocin to help move the labour along.  Finally it was time to push.  Again, Sophie wasn't going to make this easy on me.  Because of her position, it took a number of hours before she decided to finally join us.  Perhaps the best moment of all was looking down and seeing that we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl.  And so, on February 18th, at 3:07 am, Sophie Andree Anne Van Orman was born.


Dr. Grainger was concerned because we had discussed my birth plan several times before this day and she knew that it had not gone at all the way I would have liked.  I told her that I was fine with the way things turned out, and looking back now, I wouldn't have changed a thing.  This was Sophie's way of joining us and I am just so thankful to have a strong, beautiful, healthy little girl.  Ryan says she is stubborn and takes after her mom; I prefer to think of us as strong willed. 


For more pictures of just after birth, click here.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Our new model

Poor Baron.  We don't really take pictures of him anymore. With this little beauty can you blame us?

There are some more pictures of Sophie up for anyone interested in seeing them.

Oh and the basement's drywall and taping are all done. There is even a primer coat on 1/3 of the basement with the lights all hooked up and running.  Starting to look like a basement.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sophie Andree Anne Van Orman

To be honest I don't really feel like writing much, but I did want to get some pictures out for those that haven't seen Sophie yet.
You'll have to forgive any pictures of Nicole and I that aren't very flattering, we're still a little tired.

You'll also need to forgive Sophie her uneven complexion.  She had a pretty rough go at it and so there are some blotches and some serious dry skin.  One day I'll get fancy and clean up her skin tones, but not tonight.

More pictures of our beautiful daughter here.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Getting Old

It sure would be nice to have one of these.

Scooter is now pushing on 3 days late.  I'm not sure if he knows this but I like punctuality.  This is not a great way to start our new relationship.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Are we there yet?

Not quite!  39 weeks as of yesterday and Scooter has taken up every square inch of my belly.  Now limbs are trying to push their way out the front and sides; I'm guessing this means Scooter hasn't quite found the exit yet.  I am having a hard time believing that by the end of next week (let's all cross our fingers), there will be a baby in our arms.  I am so excited as we are so close to the end.  We are ready for Scooter's arrival, down to the baby seat installed in the car and the overnight bag for the hospital packed.  All we can do now is wait... This might be the hardest part yet!

We had a number of visitors last week.  My Mom and Dad came for a couple days at the beginning of the week.  Then over the weekend, Dan, Tina and Madeleine came for a visit.  Julien also came for a night and then we all had brunch on Sunday with Nat, Jen, Shea and Tova.  It was a full house with a lot of little girls!  We enjoyed visiting with everyone and are thankful for such a wonderful and supportive family.  I can`t wait for Scooter to get to meet each and every one of you! 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

308 Pounds

Today I hauled the drywall scrap out of the basement.  As I was carting it up the stairs and loading it into the truck I was sure I had hit my 1000 pound payload limit.  At the dump I was given a pretty good reality check as I actually only moved 308 pounds of drywall.  Seems hard to believe that 692 pounds of drywall fell off the truck as I drove to the dump.

The basement is coming along nicely.  Ray has been hard at work and hopes to have the first coat of mud on by Saturday.



We also have the carpet guy coming on Tuesday to measure for the flooring.  We're leaning towards carpet #1, the darker one.  We're a bit concerned about the dark color darkening the basement too much, but we're also planning on light paint, so maybe it'll offset??


The window guys should also be calling next week to come do the final measurement and schedule the window replacement.

So we may only be a few weeks away from having the basement ready for some furniture and letting us get the baby's room finished.  Of course we are also only days away from having Scooter.  With any luck Scooter likes Daddy working on the basement.