Rylee Grace Strickland

Rylee Grace Strickland

July 18, 2009

10:13 pm

6lbs 15 oz.

Well she's finally here. After what seemed like a lifetime, my nine months is over and the finished product has arrived. On Saturday afternoon after many failed attempts of walking laps around the mall, I came home and got in my trusty recliner for a much needed nap. Robert insisted that we walk around the mall since the doctor had indicated on Thursday that I was 4 cm and the baby was way down and she would be coming any time now. Robert was concerned that he would leave for another week of work and miss his only daughter's birth. Miraculously, during my nap, my water broke. Of course, even though I've been saying I was ready, I wasn't. I spent the next ten minutes walking around my house naked from the waist down (my pants were soaked and I knew that if I put on new ones the same would happen) trying to figure out what I needed to take and who was gonna watch my kids. It was quite hilarious and Alek was pretty confused as to why I was doing this.

We arrived at the hospital right around 5 pm and was immediately admitted. My doc decided to start Pitocin since I wasn't contracting and the anesthesiologist was in to give me an epidural shortly thereafter before I had time to feel any real pain. Then the scare came. A little while into this, my blood pressure dropped dramatically therefore causing the baby's heart rate to do the same. The l&d nurse had me reposition several times frantically before calling in another nurse to help. They finally gave me some kind of injection which raised my pressure back up and helped the baby's heart rate as well. They said sometimes Pitocin does this. The drip was stopped and I was told that we would restart it in 1/2 hours. It didn't ever have to be restarted. Before they were able to do that I felt the need to push and after being checked by the doctor, I was told we were ready.

Funny enough, even though I've had two other kids, I wasn't ready. I guess it doesn't matter how many kids you have delivered, it is still scary. Since all three of my experiences in labor and delivery have been different, I didn't know what to expect. Three pushes later and she was here. My first and only little girl had arrived. She is tiny. Much smaller than I expected. But she is healthy and happy and all is well.

I will admit that I spent most of my hospital stay waiting for bad news. After this happens to you once, you always expect some type of grim diagnosis. Luckily for me, all is well.

We are all smitten with our new addition. Cameron says "baby hold you". It's sooo cute. And Alek had been holding her all day. Now we can't forget that his first reaction to his sister was to say, "she's ugly." LOL. Things are great now. I'm in some pain, not so much from the delivery, but more so from the permanent protection against any further pregnancies. I think now our family is complete and we are all here together this week....even Robert and I couldn't be happier.

Doctors with positive outlooks!

Yea, I know....it's funny! You don't get many of these. In fact, since Cameron was born, there have been a lot of times I have despised doctors and the comments they make in regards to Down Syndrome. Cameron had his 6 month follow up with Dr. Montgomery (neurodevelopmental pediatrician) today. This is a 45 minute drive away from home which includes ridiculous tunnel traffic but definitely a trip I would make if I had to ride a bike. This doctor is so positive about Cameron and other individuals with DS. He takes time to focus on all the areas where Cameron has progressed and he sees the potential of people with DS. After his evaluation, he commented on how well behaved and social Cameron is. He of course touched on the motor delays which we are all aware of, but he says Cameron has minimal delays in the cognitive areas.

It feels good to go to a doctor who sees the bright side of our kids. Someone who doesn't see the issues, rather the joy we find from Cameron. And it doesn't ever hurt to have a professional tell you as a parent that "you are doing all the right things". I think that is one of the things you always worry about being a parent, especially a parent of a child with special needs.

So we're good with this doc for 6 months, but I almost look forward to January so I can see him again and walk out of a doctor's office with a smile on my face rather than the urge to break into tears.

Live and Let Die

Ok so I grew up listening to Michael Jackson. I agree, he is the "King of Pop". He was a great entertainer and there is definitely no one else in the world like him. What I don't understand is why nearly two weeks after his passing, we are still finding coverage of his death on every channel on TV. I'm confused. Our country is experiencing many serious issues right now and our biggest concern is Michael Jackson. Why is everyone so concerned with this? We all die right? The media isn't following Farrah or Billy Mays this way. People die every day. It's unfortunate but it's true. I am just hoping that soon this media circus is over and we can continue to go on with our lives focused on more important issues. GOOD GRIEF!

Cameron likes the baby car seat.....this is gonna be a problem!

Still no progress.....

So I went to the doctor yesterday expecting something. Anything at all. I have been dilated 3cm since Monday a week ago and that is exactly where I am still. I have mixed feelings about this. I don't have to tell anyone who knows me that I am absolutely miserable. And that part of me wants this baby out. The other part of me, the part of me that has a 3 year old crazy kid hopes she stays inside forever.

Anyhow to avoid work Monday, I better get busy following up on all the "go into labor" suggestions I've had. Sex, Cheesecake, walking, cartwheels and squats for me this weekend. Lol. I'll be sure to post what works.