She's here!

Marissa Evelyn Kapraun was born 1/27/2010 at 7:00 AM on the dot. She was 7 lb 4 oz and 19.25 inches.




Tuesday I had my appointment and got a membrane sweep done. Came home and felt some cramping which started turning to contractions by afternoon, and they were about 10ish minutes apart by evening so we called the midwives and decided to head to the hospital. Got there, still at 3 cm, so we walked around for 2 hours till they were about a minute apart. Got checked again and was still 3 cm and contractions slowed WAY down. The midwife gave us the option to go home and see if things start up again, or get a room and rest and see if things picked up again in the morning. It was getting closer to midnight so we decided to stay the night since our big two kiddos were already staying at our neighbor's house anyway and given how fast things went with the other two. Good thing we did! I slept about 2 hours, went to the restroom about 2:30 and never really got back to sleep. At 3:10 I felt a pop and gush and my water had broken. For the next 2 hours I labored sitting in a rocking chair just dealing with contractions getting more and more close together and intense. Then about 5:30 I was checked again and was about 5 cm. After a few more contractions, I was at a stretchy 9 cm and very soon after that my body was pushing whether I wanted it to or not. It took about 4-5 pushes and she was OUT! Right at 7:00 AM. She had the cord around her neck so the midwife cut it and took her over to get her started breathing. She just kind of went "eh!" and started breathing, no loud cry. I had a couple of small tears, but no stitches required. But now I can say I have had three natural vaginal births without drugs too! :) She has a lot of red hair, blue eyes, and is a gorgeous baby if I do say so myself. ;) She latched on like a pro right away and is nursing well. We took her to the ped this morning for a weight check and exam and is down to 6 lb 10 oz, but I think my full milk is starting to come in so she should gain some again soon.



What sucks is Chris and I both have had colds since last Friday (just in time for going into labor, fun, fun, fun!!!). Chris brought Matthew and Michelle on Wednesday to see Marissa at the hospital, and then Thursday morning Matthew wakes up puking and running a fever (which he still has). My parents and sister are visiting, and now today my mom is feeling kind of rotten. Michelle is okay so far and went to preschool today. So now I am just hoping all those antibodies in my milk work so Marissa does not get any of this crud!



Here are some pictures.

Me on Monday (2 days before she was born):

Beautiful baby girl:



Big brother and sister meeting her:




Proud daddy:
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Marissa and mommy:


Marissa and grandpa:


Marrissa and Aunt Karen:

39 week checkup

Had my checkup this morning.  Sunday we had issues with the car overheating (radiator fan relay or something like that), and thought it was fixed, but it was overheating again on the way to my appointment.  So due to stress from that, my blood pressure was up (158/88).  I got a cervical check at 1.5 cm, then she decided to do a membrane sweep due to the high bp reading and the fact that I am due in just 4 more days, and then felt me at a stretchy 2-3 cm and 70% effaced.  I had another bp reading and this time was 128/82, so much better.  I am supposed to go back Friday for another checkup and bp reading if I don't have her before then.  Been feeling crampy and a few contractions since the membrane sweep, but nothing spectacular yet.  Good news is that my sister is coming tomorrow evening to stay for the weekend and hopefully see the baby.  Looking forward to it!

39 weeks

Man, I have not posted in a LONG time.  I have been neglecting things here lately.  We are doing well, and I am now at 39w3d pregnant.  Ready to have her whenever she wants to come out!!!  Right now though I am dealing with a cold which is no fun.  I have lost a few pounds and a little of my mucus plug, so I think I am getting close, but no regular contractions yet.  I have an appointment this morning, and I think they will check progress (hopefully there IS some!) then.  Matthew and Michelle are both doing well...Matthew just turned 7 last month, and Michelle is 4y5m now.  They are showing some signs of anxiety about the changes their baby sister will bring, but are both excited to finally see her and meet her too.  I'll post again after my appointment with an update.

Michelle checkup...she is 4!

Monday last week I took her to the doctor for her 4 year checkup.  She is still little, 37.25 inches and 28.8 lb, which is the 10% for both height and weight.  Bigger than before when she was 8%.  Poor kid was not too happy with shots, but did really well and was very happy with the sucker she got.

Outside play

My kids had fun playing outside in the front yesterday.  Daddy set up the bounce house, and later we saw this little guy in our live oak trees out front.  Then I got these guys to sit on the front porch to take their picture. They are so silly, but really growing! 

4 missing teeth

My sweet boy lost another tooth a week ago, for a total of 4 missing teeth!  Now he has the classic big gap in his mouth which he is proud of.  He has one adult tooth coming in on the bottom.  He was excited to get his 4 quarters from the tooth fairy.  If Matthew shows off his missing teeth, Michelle pipes in with, "I still have all MY teeth!"

20 weeks! It's a .... BABY ... GIRL!!!!

I had my 20 week prenatal appointment on Wed. the 16th, including the anatomy ultrasound. Blood pressure is still good 110/80, urine test was fine, weight I am down 1/2 lb for a total gain of 7.5 lb, fundus is right where it should be at my belly button. Since about 19 weeks, I have been feeling a lot more movement in there so the baby is definitely getting stronger and bigger. All is looking great!!! :)

My kids' reactions to finding out it is a baby sister? Michelle is over the moon excited (she has been saying all along it is a baby girl), and she insists that the baby's name is Sarah. We have not yet decided on a name, but will keep that one in mind. She told me that when the baby comes out, if she cries, Michelle will give her a hug and hold her hand. So sweet! Matthew was hoping for a brother, but I think he will be fine with another sister once she was here. He says we need to have another baby after this so he can have a brother. Chris told him NO WAY! He says we'll have our hands full with these 3.