Samuel Benson Darquea

Samuel Benson Darquea arrived on October 21, 2011 at 8:13am.

He was 5 lbs 6 oz and 19 inches long.

He has the longest little feet and the biggest hands ever! He is going to be a tall and skinny boy I think! (Just like his Mami!)

3 days old here

So, Sam was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction at about 36 weeks gestation. We did an ultrasound and some non stress tests. Everything appeared healthy and normal except his abdomen was measuring about 2 weeks behind schedule. His head and femur were normal size. The specialist said that because his growth was asymmetrical, it might be wise to induce me between 38 and 39 weeks. So, I went to my regular OB doctor and he said we will induce me the following week at 39 weeks. Of course, I was anxious and worried that my baby was growing properly and I didn't feel like my belly had really grown that much between 36 and 38 weeks and I felt that his movements were not very strong. So, I mentioned this to my doctor and asked him what the purpose was for waiting a week longer if the baby isn't growing properly. He said basically that the only reason we are waiting is to make sure his lungs are fully developed (even though they usually are fully mature by 37 weeks). Then he asked me if the movements have changed from last week to this week. Of course, I wasn't really sure, but after I thought about it, I decided that I thought they were different and weaker now than before.

Because I said that one sentence, the doctor decided that if his movements were weaker than they used to be and because he is measuring small, I should be induced right away.

I went to the hospital about 4 hours later at about 5pm on the 20th of October. Yikes! They gave me Cervidil to soften my cervix and would start Pitocin in the morning.

This labor was quite a bit different than with Luke. I had to sleep on the labor and delivery bed, which was terribly uncomfortable, so I slept horrible! At about 5:30am, they took out the cervidil which dilated me from a 2 to a 3. They let me shower and get ready and would start pitocin after that. Well, I stood up, went to the bathroom and Sam wriggled around and I knew he would be coming out soon! My contractions started up about 3-4 minutes apart as I showered, dried my hair and put on makeup! When I was done at about 6:30am, they checked me again and I was a 6! I asked for an epidural (I didn't want to miss out again!) So the epidural was in by about 7:15am, but it wasn't very strong at all. My contractions still hurt like crazy but I knew that Sam was about to come out ,so I didn't want a ton of medicine only to be numb for 3 hours after sam was out! Anyway, Sam was out after only 3 hard pushes.

It was a fast labor, but it seemed harder and more painful than with Luke. I think it was because of the lack of sleep, having to labor in the hard hospital bed, and being more aware of what was happening. With Luke I was just in so much shock that I didn't remember all the pain and everything.

So that is our story! Sam and I are perfectly healthy and happy. Recovery has been a LOT easier this time around and nursing is going great!

Luke is adjusting pretty well. He is showing signs of jealousy, but he also loves his brother to pieces.

RD Exam, Luke's craziness, and baby Sam

Last Tuesday, I set off to take the biggest test of my life, the RD registration Exam. I was super nervous, but with the strength of a priesthood blessing and earnest prayer, Heavenly Father blessed me. The morning was completely stress free and I took the exam with very little anxiety. The exam actually wasn't really that bad! I was very prepared and felt good about it AND I PASSED! Hooray! So that was the last thing in order to become a registered dietitian! I am so relieved that it is over and happy that I was able to do it before the baby comes. It is crazy to think that I am actually a dietitian now! It's pretty much unofficially official!

 This was me last Sunday (exactly 1 week ago) at 35 weeks gestation. I guess I need a new picture again because this one is pretty much obsolete! The baby is a whole 1/2 a pound bigger! BUT the doc says I am measuring small-- I measured about 2 weeks behind schedule at my last appointment. I am not too worried. He has always measured small; even in my 20 week ultrasound he was measuring a week small. So the doctor says I might have to go see a specialist and get some tests done to make sure the baby is developing fully. He'll decide next week if I need to do that or not. In the mean time, I am doing my best to make sure I get in enough calories for me and the baby. I have only gained 16 lbs so far so I have to stuff my face to make sure that calories is not the problem for poor growth. (I know this sounds fun, but it's totally not. It makes me not want to eat at all. Nothing tastes good anymore.)

I am feeling completely uncomfortable at this point. The baby is way low in my hips and resting right on my pelvic bone. I am getting ready for this one to come out!

 This is Luke building a fort with the couch cushions. He loves pulling off all the pillows and hiding under them. I helped him build the fort and them he would push the cushions over. He loved it. I had a farther back picture up but I realized that his peepee was showing so I removed it. He's still pretty much at the same point in potty training. Running around with no pants at home and then going in a diaper when we are out. BUT he sometimes will go in the big potty and he is getting better at going number 2 in the potty. (He used to wait till he had a diaper on). AND he tells me every time he goes peepee in his diaper, but rarely makes it to the toilet to go. There have been a couple times that he has though!

 The other night when I was folding laundry Luke helped out by trying to put on every piece of clothing he could find. He has a pair of green shorts on that he put on correctly and then layered 3 tee-shirts on top on the shorts. I then helped him put on the sock to complete the outfit. What do you think? I see a new fashion trend making it's way for winter... haha

 These little shoes have been my latest project. I have made this pattern a couple times last year or Luke, so  I had a little experience but I tried to get fancy with the tops trying to make them a simple loafer, which turned out to be a little difficult. I also made them smaller than the original pattern, which made it harder. So the sewing is not very professional but I think they turned out pretty cute!

I hope they will fit Sam at around 2 months. I can't wait!