Olivia Lee Strickland

April 1, 2012 (I guess we got an April Fools baby after all)

 Weight:  7 pounds
  Length: 21 inches long
  Head:  12 inches around

Wow, I'm finally writing about this sweet little girls Arrival.  Tomorrow it will have been two weeks since Olivia was born.  I have to say this round was so much better compared to the last time.  Okay as good as birthing a baby can be!!!!


On Wednesday I started having some good contractions.  They got to the point (about 10 minutes apart) where I almost called Allen and told him to meet me at the hospital.  Well they stopped as I was trying to find someone to watch Addison.  My mom got here Wednesday night so I was really hoping this girl would come before the weekend was over.  I went to the Doctor on Thursday and I was dilated to almost a 5.  He told me that this baby was going to come any time.  I asked him what if she didn't, would he induce me?  He said he didn't think that would be a problem cause he was on call at the hospital Saturday and Sunday.  Friday I had contractions all day and as they started to get close about 10 min again they stopped.  Okay, this was getting annoying, were my thoughts. Saturday nothing and then later that evening Contractions started up again and were staying about 20 minutes apart.  I called Dr. West and he said to come in around 6am if nothing progressed and he would finish me.  I think our little Olivia needed a push to leave her nice warm home.

Well nothing was progressing fast to say the least, so we headed to the hospital a little after 6am.  I was dilated to a 5 already so they wanted to get me in a steady rhythm before giving me an epidural.  They started me on pitocin around 10am.  Around 1pm I told them I was ready for the epidural.  By 4pm I was at a 10.  My epidural was working really good.  That was one thing I told them coming into this labor...that it better not wear off like THEY LET IT the last time.  I sat there and watched while my doctor suited up, the nurses got everything ready for babies arrival, then we were ready to push.  Pushed for about 15 minutes and she was here at 4:47pm!!!!  She had some battle wounds when she came out but by the time we took her home they were almost gone.  I didn't tear or have to have any stitches but I threw up twice before the day was over.  I guess it was just the after effects. I didn't feel like I was in shock after having her because the epidural worked great.  I needed a birth like this so I would consider having another one.  Allen and I enjoyed her for an hour before both Grandma Strickland, Addison, Gammy and Pops came to visit.  I'm so grateful for a healthy perfect baby girl.

Baby Girl#2...27 Weeks!!

Cort, this is for you. 

I am now 27 weeks.  My belly really popped out 3 weeks ago.  I was hoping this time around it wouldn't do that, but I guess we can be sure it's always going to do it now.  I never have Allen around when I need him to take pictures so these bad shots will have to do.  I will be sorry later if I don't post any pictures. 

Baby #2

Ready or not here I come Mommy!!! This little girl (The ultrasound tech couldn't be 100%, but was pretty sure on a girl) is due April 1st.  Allen is still holding out for a boy!!!!

I wasn't feeling all that great the first of August.  I was nauseous, my body ached, and I had no energy to do anything.  The flu was going around and we had just been around a lot of people.  I decided, what the heck, I'll take a pregnancy test to rule that option out.  Well, the opposite of what was suppose to happen, happened!!!!!














We went to the doctor today.  The baby is doing great.  I thought his was such a cute first picture.  Looks like she is already sucking her thumb!!  I'm 16 weeks and in complete pain, but excited non-the-less.  (the pain part comes from two ovarian cysts...the right side is almost 8cm...I want it out so bad but the doc says to wait!!) if I can make it right
















I'm starting to show so decided it was a good time to fill everyone in. (also since the bishop announced it in PEC....even though we hadn't even told him yet...he wanted to share some good news even if it wasn't his to tell) I guess nothing gets past him!!!  No big deal though, good way to spread the news!!

The Time has come...............

Went to the doctor today and I'm dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced.....So, I'm headed to the hospital at 5pm to be induced.  This could be a long night or a decent one.  I guess we'll see.  I hope it's not bad, but then that's everyone's wish, right.  

How I'm feeling........I would like to think that I'm going to be tough, but I'm a bit nervous.  I don't deal with pain very well, even though I have had a few painful experiences.  I decided though that she is going to come sooner or later and I would rather it be sooner....and I don't want to miss my doctor who goes out of town in 2 days for a week.  So, I know the pain is coming, but worth it right.....I want that fast forward button from the movie CLICK.  No such luck so I guess I will try not to die and wait for the day to pass. 

I can't believe it, by tomorrow about this time we will have a baby.  Allen says that after tomorrow we just can't leave the baby at home like we do the puppy...ha ha!! Yes Allen life is going to change.  He's excited but I know that baby stuff is all new to this guy.  He will be a great dad though, he just doesn't know it yet, but I do!!!!!!!!

Life is good even though I have a bump in the road........

I really shoudn't be traveling, but you know me!!!!

Well....Allen's sister is right in the middle of building a house and he needed to go down and wire the house for music, theater, central vac, and other things before the sheet-rock goes in.  I haven't had the baby yet so .........the holiday weekend was it.

Depending on how I felt, I was going to go because I didn't want to stay home 4 days all by myself.  We went down on Friday evening and stayed until Monday night.  I took it really easy and only had a few contractions.  Maybe I shouldn't have cause it's now Thursday and the baby still isn't here........Grrrrrrr.

You have to walk up a small incline to get up to new house, so I choose to ride...and so did everyone else.

Sierra, Connie's Youngest is 9 months old.  We watched her on Sunday.  Allen needed some practice.

Before we left Pocatello, we went and bought fireworks on the reservation so we could have a good show.  WE wanted some big fireworks and not the small, barley get of the ground ones.  We definitely had a good time.

      

WHAT I've Been Up TOO!!

I have to say that the last weeks of pregnancy are the greatest......and I still have three to go.  Those are the ones that should be miserable, I'm sure they will be. Ha Ha (It doesn't sound like I'm staying positive, but I really am)

I've definitely stayed busy this JUNE!!!!  A wedding, Baby showers, baby's room, blanket making, flower planting, house cleaning and frankly I don't have the energy anymore.  I sure try to have the energy, but lets not kid ourselves....it's just not there!!!

Here are some picture from the last months activities!!!!

BaBy ShOwEr:

I wasn't feeling the greatest at the baby shower but such is life as a pregnant lady right!!!  

 I want to thank everyone that supported me!!!!

  Sarah, my cousin (who is practically a niece) took these pictures of the shower in Utah......

I don't think I can ever look cute PREGNANT......

Getting Addie's Room Ready:

I've had a hard time deciding what colors I wanted for the baby room.  I was going to go with pinkish mauve and brown, then Baby pink, green and a red pattern....but ended up choosing purple and pink.  I'm usually not much of a purple person, but the pattern is really cute.
         

I'm not finished yet, but here is what it looks like so far.....................

 

 

  I'm trying to find a cute shelf to put above the changing table, and we haven't decided on a glider yet but that will go where the swing is now..........

Making Blankets and a few more bows....just cause it's fun!!!!!!

FLOWERS....I love planting every year....but this year.....where is my energy????

Almost Over, Right!!!

Okay, here is a picture at 34 weeks.  I really don't like the picture, but it's the only one I have.  Allen took it of me inside after we went to a wedding for one of his friends this last Saturday.  

I forgot my camera in the hotel room.  What a bummer because the Temple was so pretty with all the flowers and sunshine.  As soon as I can get a hold of someone that actually took some pictures of us, I will post those as well. 

..........Okay now that it's six months later....I have the other pictures.

34 Weeks!!!

Well I went to the doctor yesterday and we are right on schedule, 6 weeks to go.  I was kinda hoping he was going to say that I was ahead of prediction and only had 4 weeks.  I never have the luck.  I have been having braxton hicks like crazy...not so fun.  My cyst on my right side keeps getting bigger and more painful, but the one on  the left side remains small.  I guess that's lucky if you want to look at it that way.  Maybe since I haven't had the easiest pregnancy, maybe I'll have a better delivery???? (probably wishful thinking)

I've been quite busy the last month, driving to Utah for weddings, going and helping friends when they need something or support (I guess it would be nice if they lived in the area of Pocatello, but they don't), keeping up with my calling as RS meeting leader, and the doc is ready to put a stop to that.  He said it's time people come to me if they want to see me!!! I have a sealing to go to on Saturday in West Jordan, Utah but then no more traveling by myself.  I agree with him but needed someone to help me make that decision.  

Really for the most part I can't complain about things.  I am really excited to welcome Addie into our home.  I just hope her Mama can make it that long??...I will...  Good thing it's not hot yet or maybe I wouldn't.  

Finally had the energy to finish the babies room!!

......Before painting, everything was white and blah!!!  Now we have something going.  I'm so excited to put in the carpet and get set up!!!!

BEING PREGNANT....

For me, BEING PREGNANT ISN'T ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE, AT LEAST AT THIS POINT IN TIME!!! I feel like I've had the wind knocked out of me and I can't catch it again. I guess that's normal for the first trimester......AND THEN SOME more FOR ME!!!! I am a person that goes and goes and goes, and that hasn't been the case and is drivin me a bit crazy.

THIS LITTLE LADY IN MY BELLY IS ALWAYS MOVING. She must get that from her mama!!! Ha Ha. I know, "it'll be all worth it in the end!!!!", Since it's winter and cold.......I awaite warmer days...right!!!