Grandma Amussen comes to Perth

Ella got to spend time with her grandma for two weeks, and boy did Ella love it!  My mom booked her ticket to Perth on June 10th hoping to make it for the birth, but since Ella decided to join us early that didn't exactly go as planned.  

It almost turned out better this way anyway because I was recovered for the most part (besides being extremely sleep deprived), so we were able to go out and do some fun things together.  It was so nice having my mom out and such a blessing.  Having my mom come visit made me realise even more how much a miss family and wish that I didn't live so far away.  It is nice to have that support close by.  My mom is what I like to call a "baby expert."  Having worked in the newborn intensive care unit for 30 plus years, she has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to babies... and let me tell you I definitely take advantage of it.  Ever since I got home from the hospital my mom would receive daily text messages or phone calls asking for advice, so it was nice to have her staying in the same house, so I could pick her brain 24/7. haha  I also enjoyed chatting with my mom about when Michelle and I were babies and hearing all the funny stories.  Having a baby of your own definitely makes you appreciate all that your mom went through... Especially my mom.  I can't imagine taking care of twins!!!  One baby is handful!  We had a great time together while she was here.  I loved having the company, and it was nice to get out of the house.  Getting out of the house with a newborn is a bit stressful in the beginning I must admit.  There is so much stuff to cart around, a stroller, a car seat and a diaper bag full of all sorts of things.  I feel like i'm carrying around Mary Poppins bag... an endless pit filled with baby items.  There is so much preparation involved just to go run the simplest errand.   Also getting use to breast feeding in public, and dealing with a fussy baby when you are on the go are all things that take practice.  I'm grateful that my mom was here to help me tackle some of these hurtles.  Another wonderful thing about having my mom here was that I got to sleep!  We took turns being on "Ella duty." I usually did the late night shift, and my mom took her from 4:00am on so I could sleep in.  Ella is a bit of a night owl, so this was such a blessing.  The sleep was very much needed, and I really appreciated it.  

I miss my mom so much! I wish that she was still here.  I will be going home to visit at the end of July, so only one more month until I get to see her again.  Until then.... expect lots of phone calls and text messages mom!  ;)  I love you!!! 

Ella Katherine Reese

Ella Katherine Reese decided to join our family a little earlier than expected.  She arrived on Monday May 21, 2012 at 4:51 pm (36 weeks and 4 days).

7 lbs 12 oz 51.5 cm 

Ella's Birth Story

Just to warn all those people that read my blog, this is going to be a LONG post.  I want to write down all the little details for my own personal record so that I don't forget anything. I also know that our families are anxious to hear Ella's full birth story....  So be prepared for a novel!

My Last pregnancy photo... yes, I look huge!!!! Thank goodness Ella decided to come early.

I'll start from the very beginning...... On Friday  Brandon and I decided to go on a little walk around the park near our house.  I was heavily pregnant, but was strangely ambitious enough to think I could make it around the entire park and back home, which is approximately 3 miles.  We didn't even make it half way before I started feeling some cramping and lots of pressure in my pelvis.  I wasn't too worried about it because I assumed the cramping was braxton hicks contractions, which I had been having off and on since I was around 25 weeks pregnant... these contractions however were slightly painful in comparison to the regular "tightenings" I had been feeling for a few months.   On Saturday I still had some cramping off and on, but for the most part felt fine.  I had a sudden burst of energy and was in full "nesting mode."  I cleaned the house, went shopping for a few last minute baby items and packed my over night hospital bag (thank goodness).  Brandon even put in the car seat... apparently subconsciously we knew Ella's arrival wasn't far away.
I had been asked to give a talk on Sunday at the church Brandon and I attend. Sunday morning I woke up and did some last minute preperation for my talk.  I was able to pick the subject, so I had based my talk on eternal families and the plan of salvation.  Funny enough, a good portion of the talk had to do with Ella joining our family.  As I was getting ready for church the cramping started up again and I noticed I had some bleeding.  This came as a bit of a shock, so we rang the hospital and they told us to come in.  Brandon called our Bishop to let me him know that I wouldn't be able to speak in sacrament (Lucky me, I got out of giving a talk!!!!)  When we got into the hospital they hooked me up to a machine to measure my contractions and listen to Ella's heart beat.  They monitored me for a good 5 hours and then decided to send me home.  My contractions weren't regular and the bleeding was most likely my mucus plug coming out (also called the "bloody show".... a horrible name I know).  They nurse said that this didn't indicate I would go into labor any time soon, in fact  it could be a few days, a week, or even a couple weeks.  They told us to call the hopsital if the cramping got worse and/or the bleeding increased.  So we headed back home, both slightly disappointed...  We had started to get our hopes up that Ella was coming.  Later that evening the cramping started getting worse and the bleeding also increased, so at 11:00 pm we called the hopsital and they told us to come in again.    They told us to bring our over night bag because they wanted to monitor me over night since technically I wasn't full term yet.  Brandon and I were both hesitant to go back to the hospital and were assuming it was yet another false alarm.
Yet again they hooked me up to a machine to monitor my contractions and Ella's heart beat, and they checked on my bleeding.  To our surprise I was having regular contractions, and apparently my water had broken and I didn't even know it.  I always assumed it would be a huge gush...  If anyone has seen the movie "Cone Heads," there is a scene where the mother's water breaks and it floods the room... this is what I had pictured happening when my water broke. haha but my water broke higher up so the fluid was leaking out slowly (sorry for all the gory details).  The nurse told us that I was in the very early stages of labor and that I would be having the baby tomorrow.  We were both slightly in shock... It was really happening.  Ella was on her way!!!!  They gave me a sleeping pill that night, so that I could get some rest and gather my strength for the long day ahead. Feelings of excitement, anxiety and anticipation were at an all time high... and I found it really challenging to catch those much needed z's.  
That morning the nurses came in around 7:00 to check my contractions, and see how much I had dilated.  Unfortunately my contractions weren't strong enough, so I wasn't dilating despite already being in hospital for 8 hours. At his point I started to get a little concerned with the realisation that it could be a really LONG day.  My doctor came in at 10:30 to check on me.  My cervix was still closed at that point.  She broke my front waters (the front of the sack), which was followed by what felt like a never ending waterfall... My doctor told the nurses to start me on pitocin (which is given through an IV drip) to increase my contractions, and speed up my labor.  Because my water had already broken sometime the day before, they were worried about Ella getting an infection if she was left too long inside unprotected.  
The pitocin worked like a charm, and I started having stronger contractions right away.  Brandon and I had discussed the option of having an epidural.  I was open to the idea, but also wanted to make an attempt at going natural (I know... what was I thinking?!?!?).  I wanted to know what true labor felt like, and I wanted to feel like I gave it a shot.  The contractions continued to rapidly increase and by the time two hours had passed I was at my breaking point...  I literally thought I might die.  Because I was on pitocin the contractions came much faster and stronger than they would if my labor had progressed naturally.  I definitely wanted the epidural!!!!!  Unfortunately it took the anesthesiologist a good 30 min or more to come put the epidural in.  Poor Brandon probably thought he was going to lose his hand from how tightly I kept squeezing it.  My contractions were 2 minutes apart and seemed to last forever.  Finally the anethesiologist came in and put the epidural in.  I'm not going to lie... it did hurt, but it was a welcome pain in comparison to the contractions.  The epidural was suppose to kick in after 20 min.... however this was not the case, so after 20 minutes I had another top up which numbed the right side of my body, but not the left.  They had me wait another 20 minutes before they gave me another top up.  Words cannot explain the amount of pain I was in at this point.  Finally after the second top up the epidural took full affect.  I was still able to feel my legs, they just felt tingly and warm and the pain was finally gone.  I went from the most extreme pain I have ever experienced in my life, to falling fast asleep for a good hour or so.  haha Yes, I actually fell asleep in the middle of my labor.  Brandon even managed to fall asleep on the couch. The nurse woke me up because she was trying to adjust the belt they had strapped to my belly, which picked up Ella's heart beat.  They were having a hard time getting a strong heart beat and thought she might have changed positions... they decided to do another examination to see where her head was.  To our surprise I was already dilated to a 10 and they could see Ella's head.  They hadn't expected me to dilate so quickly... I had gone from a 0 to a 10 in less than 5 hours (hence the extreme pain).  I think during natural labor, they expect you to dilate a cm per hour or something like that.  
Luckily my doctor just happened to be in the building at the time, so they got me preped, and within 30 minutes I was pushing.  At his point the epidural had worn off.  The anethesiologist had come in to give me another top up, but because I was in the final stages of labor they didn't let me have it.  It made it easier to feel the contractions and know when to push, but wow did it hurt.  Ella came out 30-40 minutes later.  :)  

Meeting my baby girl for the first time

 Seeing Ella for the first time brought on so many emotions.  I couldn't believe she was here, my little bean, who I had carried for nine months, that I had shared every one of her kicks and hiccups with.  She was so precious to me, and I felt an overwhelming amount of love and gratitude for her.

Brandon cutting the cord

 Unfortunately when Ella came out she had some gurgling/grunting when she would cry... which meant that she likely had a little fluid in her lungs.  Because they were still concerned about Ella getting an infection since my water had been broken for somewhere around 17 hours, they decided to take her to the neonatal unit and give her some antibiotics.  They said that if she did well she would be able to come up to our room that evening.

First family photo in the neonatal unit

I had my first attempt at breast feeding, but Ella was too sleepy to really be interested in eating.  They decided to monitor Ella over night because she was still grunting quite a bit.  It was really hard leaving Ella in the neonatal unit and going to our hospital room without her.... but we stayed hopeful that she would be in our room the next day.  We woke up early the next morning to go visit her.  The grunting had gone away, but Ella was still quite fatigued and not interested in eating, which is a common problem with premature babies.  They decided to put a feeding tube in to ensure that she was getting enough to eat.  After that I  alternated breast feeding, with having her fed through the tube every three hours.    

Daddy loves his little girl

They decided to keep her in the neonatal unit for 3 days until her feeding improved and they could take the feeding tube out.  This was really hard on Brandon and I.  We hated having her away from us, and I spent a good majority of my time in the neonatal unit by her side.
Finally, on Thursday afternoon we got to give her a bath and take her up to our room.  I was so happy!

She loved her bath.... we have a little water baby! 

Leaving the neonatal unit and going up to our room

 We ended up staying at the hospital for a full week.  Once Ella came up to our room she continued to have some trouble feeding.  We had a rough couple of nights with Ella... where she went through a phase of "breast refusal."  She basically would scream bloody murder any time I tried to feed her.  It would be a constant battle, lasting 30 min or more of me desperately  trying to get her to latch on.  It was so stressful and heartbreaking having her scream and cry, and not being able to help her no matter how hard I tried.  It ended up being a combination of problems... for one Ella was use to being fed through a tube, which required zero effort and would instantly satisfy her.  Breast feeding took more of an effort and Ella was extremely impatient.  Also, her sucking reflex wasn't as strong as it should have been because she was a little early.  Once my milk officially came in (which was around day 4 after giving birth) she finally got the hang of it.  Thank goodness!  Ella had her poor mama on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
On Sunday we finally headed home, ready to start our new life together as a family.  :)

love my little family

First ride in her car seat... she looks so tiny

We have now been home for 5 days.  :)  Things are going really well and I absolutely love being a mom.  There are times where I want to pull my hair out.. especially when she decides to stay up all night long, but overall being a mother has been the most gratifying, special experience I could ever hope for.  I love holding my beautiful little girl and knowing that she is a part of Brandon and I.  She is so precious to us... and has given us a whole new meaning to life.

We are still having a hard time picking out who she looks most like.  It seems like she changes so much every day.  She definitely gets her long fingers and long skinny feet from me.... poor girl.  haha I'm sure she is going to love me for that when she is older.  We call her the little velociraptor.  

           Unfortunately because of Ella's early début my mom was unable to make it out for the birth, but I am grateful that I will have her out in a couple weeks to help me, and I know Ella is looking forward to meeting her grandma.  :)  I am also really looking forward to having my mother and father in-law visit in July.  I am hoping to come home for a visit in September.  I know there are lots of people dying to meet Ella, and I can't wait to show off my little munchkin.

We have had so much support since Ella's arrival.  We have had lots of visitors and meals brought over.  We are so grateful for all the love and support we have been given from our friends out here... they have been like family to us.  Above all I am so eternally grateful to have such a wonderful husband, who is now a wonderful father.  He took such good care of me while I was in the hospital, and was there for me every step of the way.  At a time when I felt scared, vulnerable and helpless... I have never felt more comforted and taken care of.  He was there to hold my hand, to calm my fears and give me words of comfort, to provide a listening ear and loving embrace when I was worried or upset, and a compassionate care giver when I was unable to help myself. I don't know what I would have done without him. I have a whole new appreciation for my husband.  I'm so grateful to have such an amazing partner in life, and Ella is lucky to have such a loving father. Life is good! :)
                     

Announcing......

Goodbye work..... hello motherhood

Last Thursday was officially my last day working at Next Challenge.  Next Challenge is a private speech pathology clinic for those of you who don't know.  I was originally planning on sticking it out one more week (today would technically be my last day), but I was really starting to feel run down, and decided it would best to finish a week earlier... Especially if little Ella decides to make her appearance early.  I need to get rest while I can! 

According to my due date I am now 36 weeks, however according to her size/development she is closer to 37/38.  At our last doctors appointment the doctor did her usual scan... and yep our little munchkin is still growing strong.  I think she is anxious to come out and meet her parents.  ;)  The doctor also did a scan to estimate her current weight... and she is 6lbs already.   I couldn't believe it!!!  We are either going to have a little chunkster, or maybe she is just really long.  haha Either way is fine with me, as long as she is healthy.  Plus who doesn't love fat rolls on babies.  :)  Because of her size, and my small frame the doctor is considering inducing me a week early.  That means I only have 3 more weeks to go, unless she comes on her own!   How exciting.  :)    

A few weeks ago we had a work party and went bowling.  We all wore crazy socks (as you can see below).  I absolutely love the group of girls I work with, and I'm really sad to be leaving them.

The Next Challenge gang

Did someone swallow a bowling ball?

Preggo bowling

They also threw me a baby shower on my last day, and spoiled me with lots of adorable gifts for Ella.  I love what I do, and I'm really sad to be leaving the Next Challenge team... but also really looking forward to my new chapter of life as a mum.  Not long to go now! 

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful moms out there!  I wanted to wish a very special Mothers Day to my wonderful mom.  I am so grateful to have such an amazing mother.  She has raised me to be the person I am today.  Now that I am having a little girl of my own, I hope to pass on some of the knowledge and values that my mom has passed down to me.  I strive to be a mother that my daughter will grow to look up to, just like I have with my mom.   My mom is one of the most caring, compassionate, hard working people I know.  She is constantly serving others and a true example of Christ.   I love you mom with all my heart!

This mother's day has really opened my eyes to the importance of family.  My Grandma passed away this past Wednesday.  It was anticipated... She was sick for a long time and although she put up a good fight, her body gradually became too fragile to hold on.  It was heart breaking to hear of her passing, especially being so far away from home.  I was however able to find some comfort knowing that my grandma was in a better place and finally at peace.  It made me so grateful for my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and my understanding of life after death.  Although I didn't get to spend time with my grandma before she passed away, I know that I will see her again soon.  I also know that she is in heaven with my grandpa.
It is a bitter sweet time of life... as I watch someone so dear to me pass away, I am also anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new life.  I like to picture my little Ella in heaven waiting alongside my grandma before she comes to earth.  I know that my grandma is watching over us.  I am so grateful for family.  I am grateful that I can be sealed to my family forever, and that no matter what happens in this life we will be together.  There is nothing more important in this life than family.        

I love you grandma

33 Weeks and counting

Just thought I would write a quick update on baby Ella.  Here is a picture from last week at 32 weeks.  

I now have doctor appointments every two weeks.  My most recent check up was on Thursday.  As usual, my doctor did a quick scan and took measurements to see how Ella was growing.  It appears our little girl has had a growth spurt, and she is finally catching up with her long legs!  Her head and body are now measuring at 35 weeks (2 weeks ahead), and her legs are measuring at 36 weeks.  My scans have always shown that Ella was growing slightly ahead, but normally it was only a few days or so.  The doctor didn't adjust my due date, which I thought was odd.  I know in the US they typically adjust your due date even if you are a few days ahead.  I guess it's because ultimately it doesn't really matter.  Full term is any time between 37-40 weeks, and with only 5% of births actually landing on the exact due date I guess changing the due date doesn't make a huge difference.  That's just my assumption though, who knows.
The thought that I am now 2 weeks further along makes  me realise just how soon our little girl will be here!!!! I have to admit I wouldn't mind if she came a couple weeks early (as long as she was finished cooking), because I am getting SO excited to see her little face.
Brandon and I have been attending our birth/parenting classes for a couple weeks now.  Monday will be our last class.  This probably won't come as a huge surprise to most of my readers, but initially I was stressing out over going to the birth/parenting classes... I hate hospitals and everything involved with hospitals.  I know, not the best phobia to have when you are about to bring a baby into the world.  I have been reading about labour and the whole experience to try to desensitize myself to the situation.  When it came time to start taking the classes I said a little prayer that I would be calm, and tried to remind myself that this was all for Ella.  It definitely helped, because I have felt calm through all of the classes, and have even started looking forward to the process...  Not the screaming intense pain part, but the part where I get to have a beautiful baby girl.  I know all the pain will totally be worth it.  Funny enough I think Brandon is struggling more with the classes than I am.  He seems to get more freaked out with each class we attend.  He just doesn't want to see me in pain and feel helpless.  I know that he will be such a great support system for me though.  I know that  I can get through anything with him by my side.
I am definitely starting to feel like the pregnancy is taking a toll on my body.  Up until a few weeks ago I felt like I could tackle the world, and had hardly any complaints.  Now days the littlest thing, such as going to the grocery store or going shopping feels like it takes all of my energy.  Sleeping is no longer a pleasure due to back pain, leg cramps and heart burn.  Oh and those lovely varicose veins seem to keep popping up.  Last weekend I had to go into the hospital because I was having pain near my belly button and felt a small lump.  I assumed it was a hernia or something, but it turned out to be a harmless limpoma.... which is essentially a fatty growth inside my abdomen.  It is really small, maybe the size of a small grape.  It isn't affecting Ella, and is most likely something I had before I got pregnant, I just didn't notice it until my stomach grew.  They are usually painless, but if pushed up against a nerve can be quite painful.  This past week it has been perfectly fine, so i'm guess the pain before had to due with the way Ella was positioned or something.  Well I don't really want to complain, because every little ache and sleepless night is totally worth it.  In the long run I absolutely love being pregnant, and it is one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced.  I love watching Ella's little foot skate across my belly, and feeling her bounce when she has the hiccups.  I already love her so much, and whatever toll she takes on my body is fine with me because for now this is her home until she comes out.
Well yet again my "quick update" has turned into a lengthy post... but I know the grandparents want all the little details.  So there you go.  :)
  

Michelle's visit to Oz

Last month Michelle got to come to Perth to complete fieldwork at the Multiple Sclerosis society. Lucky for me that meant that I got to have my sis visiting for 2 1/2 weeks. :)

Michelle getting ready to go to her fieldwork

Unfortunately Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30 Michelle had to be at field work and I had to work, but we made the most of the time we had in between. For Michelle's first weekend in Perth we went on a girls trip to Rottnest island. Which is personally one of my favourite places to visit in Western Australia. There are the most beautiful beaches and I knew Michelle would absolutely love it. We got up early Saturday morning and took a short ferry ride over to Rottnest and spent all day Saturday and Sunday exploring the island, soaking up the sun on the beach and relaxing. It was a much needed getaway and I loved getting to spend some quality time with my sis.

Beauty and the whale

We also got to see the Hunger Games together! We have both read the books and were really excited to see the movie. To be honest I wasn't too impressed by the movie, it was entertaining.. but didn't compare to the books. I do find this picture humorous.... Hunger games for the always hungry pregnant lady.

We also hit up San Churros (Michelle's favourite) for some churros and hot chocolate. yum!

On Michelle's last day we went to Caversham wild life park. Michelle's Australian dream was to a.) feed a kangaroo and b.) hold a koala. Well we definitely full filled the first wish and came pretty close to fulfilling the second. Caversham has an area where you can feed kangaroos... There has to be close to a hundred or more kangaroos and they are all out in the open. I have never seen Michelle so excited. It was a great way to end the trip!



Oh and funniest moment of the trip.... I told Michelle to go stand next to the Emu so I could get a picture. Seriously within seconds of me taking this picture the Emu tried to peck Michelle's head. Can you see the fear on her face? haha I have never laughed so hard. So glad we could capture this moment. Any time I'm feeling down I will just pull up this picture for a good laugh.

Michelle got to pet a koala and get a picture with one.... I'd say that's pretty dang close to holding one!

And did I mention we got to pet a giant wombat?!?!. Awesome!

All in all it was an amazing trip and I'm so glad that I got to hang out with my sis. Even though it was a short visit and most of it was spent working, I still cherished every moment spent with her. Even if we were sitting watching a movie, or driving to fieldwork it was great just having her with me. There is no friendship in this world that can compare to the bond shared between sisters. I love her so much and am so grateful to have her as a sister. Thanks for visiting Chell. I miss you!!!