All I want is this baby out.



How do I bring on labor naturally?

Give me everything;
the good;
the bad;
the stupid;
the ugly;
the nasty ...

ANYTHING.



I just want two little girls =]

Just to update y'all...

I started being very sick around 3 weeks ago and was unable to keep even water down. Turns out I had late term hyperemesis, like I had with Bella but with her it lasted the entire pregnancy. So I came to Labor and Delivery on Sunday night and have been here since. I am on the mobile so I will make this short and sweet lol

They are inducing me starting tomorrow at 5 PM so I will have two daughters by Wednesday! Myspace and facebook is updated regularly to let y'all know how things are progressing.

::Edit::

SO They started me on the pitocin at 5:30 this morning after my delightful jacuzzi bath :) Contractions are currently 2 minutes apart and slightly painful. At least I get to drink all day today ... I hope I have dialated a little but I am 50% effaced :) Update more soon.

»»Edit #2««

SO I am still here. They unhooked my pitocin a little after 5 last night. Doctors orders were to send me back out to the main floor so I could eat and get some rest. They gave me an

OKAY SO ...

No --- My half siblings are not "courtesy of dad". My dad has been with ONE WOMAN [hard as that is to believe in this day and age] in his entire life. My half siblings are courtesy of my biological mother [whom I have never met.] I have told the story before so; reader's digest version is ...

My Birth Mom who is named Lori had a daughter named Jessica.
Two years later; she cheated on him [or while they weren't together]
and became pregnant with me. Then; she got back with him and had A.J.
I was given up for adoption because I wasn't his and he didn't like that.
[and yes; it was obvious since her boyfriend was a black man and I am all white.]

I have always been aware of my adoption; my parents [who I do not call my "Adoptive Parents" or address them by their first names like some people have asked] never lied to me about anything [this includes Santa and the Easter Bunny --- =)] so being adopted was no secret to me. When I was younger; and even now I always thought it was very interesting. Alot of people didn't believe that I was adopted since me and my Momma look so much alike; my Father and I look alike too and even Isabella favors alot of her cousins. It was never brought up to me in a negative way and I was never treated differently because I wasn't blood.

So; almost 2 months ago; I got a friend request on myspace from a girl named Sierra. I didn't think anything of it because I get alot of random friend requests from pregnant girls or girls with babies. So I added her and asked if she had kids. She said "No; but my Aunt Ashley [Last Name] just had one last year. Your little girl is really cute." I said "Thank you" and just kind of went on. More recently; in the past couple of weeks; two more random girls sent me requests. One was named Ferran and the other named Jessica [Last Name] ... it was the last name that caught my attention and the fact that she lived in the state I was born in; had the same last name as I did; was the right age; and was friends with Sierra and Ferran.

I went to Momma's house to show them and we pretty much figured out who they were. Plus; they were all friends with a boy named A.J. At the time of my adoption; Sierra and Ferran were not born yet. My Mom had heard that my birth mother had another daughter; but we thought her name was Sarah. Mom and Kyle both told me that I should message them and ask if their Mother was Lori. In all honesty --- I didn't know if I wanted to know; but I finally asked Sierra. I explained to her where and when I was born; how I was given up for adoption and how I knew of two of my siblings. Her response was this:

yes everything is true, thats why i asked to be your friend cause
i thought you were my sister because my grandma and i were
lookin at your myspace but we wasnt sure if you knew anything
about being adopted and didnt want to tell you or do anything to
upset you. but if you'd like to contact us or get to know us then
you can. we're more than happy to get to know you an have thought
about you all these years...believe it or not.

It's exciting to go from being the only child for 20 years to having 3 half sisters and a half brother. I think I am more excited about knowing them than I am anyone else ... rude as that may sound; just because I know that no matter what the truth is or what the adults come up with to tell me; that my siblings are innocent in everything. They had nothing to do with what went on in my adoption or my life prior to being adopted.

Momma is being very supportive [like a Momma should!] I think she is excited for me; even though she says she feels threatened a little bit; which she shouldn't at all because SHE is my Mother. I only have ONE set of parents. I don't see them as a replacement --- more of an extension. =] My birth mother sent me a letter too; as did her Mother but this post is long enough now.

This is Daniel Beaty. He was a regular on HBO's "Def Jam Poetry"; which also included Common and Erykah Badu reciting their own poetry. This really spoke to me. I had a wonderful childhood; but it initially had the potential to come to this. This is not the poetry of a black man to inspire a black nation; this is the poetry of a hurt child coming to be his own in this world.

We Are Not Their Choices.

I was induced in my last pregnancy and wanted to be VERY comfortable. So I brought my own pillows [2] and a blanket from home. Most hospitals issue those [uber lovely] maternity gowns so there really is no need for underwear while you're in labor since nurses will be in and out checking on your south side every hour or two. After delivery I wore the hospital issued weird excuses for underwear since my delivery was vaginal & nurses come in often to put ice on your swollen baby-maker. So I didn't actually wear my own underwear until I went home [pack at your liesure; however leave your sexy thongs at home.] Socks are a must [either with treads or not. If not with treads; maybe you should bring your favorite bunny slippers.] I was a fall risk and was helped back and forth to the bathroom; but the slippers helped. Plus; you will be losing blood during childbirth and your body takes warmth and blood directly from your extremities so the socks will help keep you warm. A housecoat is completely up to you; but it is nice to have something to cover yourself with when guests come [and they will ... in swarms.]

In This Section:

• Pillows
• Blanket
• Underwear
• Socks
• Slippers
• Housecoat/Nightgown

As for personal care; I took one shower [mainly because I was so sore and couldn't stand for long] so just bring travel bottles of Shampoo and Conditioner. A toothbrush would be a great idea and well appreciated by those within a 3 mile radius of you. I took my favorite lotion and body spray; however if you plan on breastfeeding be sure to keep those away from your baby's food spouts. How would you like someone to lotion down your favorite pizza for you? Also; if you plan on breastfeeding; Bring your nursing bra and nursing pads. Even if you do not intend on breastfeeding; the support will be nice for when your milk decides to come in.* I also took chapstick with me [two different tubes!] Something about childbirth dries out the lips, even for those of us who did our lamaze breathing only for the time it took to yell for the anesthesiologist. You are certainly becoming dehydrated, but in addition, you won't be given anything to drink during labor and delivery for fear that it will make you nauseous. Something to put your hair back in is probably ideal for the laboring mother [considering my hair was about as long as Crystal Gale's ... untrue; but still...]


In This Section:

• Travel Size Shampoo and Conditioner.
• Toothbrush
• Lotion
• Lip Balm
• Nursing Bra
• Nursing Pads
• Hair Ties

My husband took my induction as a means of sleeping. So of course; he had a blanket and pillows for himself. He usually doesn't carry cash on him; but bringing cash and coins is smart for those sudden snacking urges and trips to the vending machines. Kyle [Hubby] also brought things for him to shower with and shave; as he did not want our daughter to come out and see "Grizzly Adams" on her first peek at the world. My husband is a basic low maintenance sort of person so just give him control of the remote and a recliner [of which most Labor rooms have both] and he was set. Besides making you comfortable; he may need to occupy himself with something --- [For Kyle it was a Soduko or Sodoku or whatever that impossible thing is called.]


In This Section:

• Cash and/or Change
• More Pillows and Blankets
• Shower Items

I mostly kept Isabella in the tiny shirts and diapers the hospital provided for us [except for her Nursery Photo's and when we went to go home.] If you choose this route as well; do keep something on your baby's feet and head or keep wrapped in a blanket. Most of the baby's heat escapes from the head. We personally chose a pair of feety pajama's for her outfits at the hospital [and we only packed three] considering they were less stressful on us as parents to try and fit a newborn baby into. Also most newborn outfits come with foldable mittens; so it's one less thing to pack. If you plan on using one; and most hospitals will ask permission; pack a pacifier [hospitals usually issue "Soothie" Pacifiers] and a bottle or two of your own choosing. Hospitals also issue bottles and have a specialist assist you on breastfeeding. Burp cloths and bibs may also be necessary for your little one**. Diapers [cloth or disposable] may come in handy; then again most hospitals will provide these for you as well. I used Huggies Special Care diapers that had a dip in the front for Umbilicle cord care. Bring blankets no matter what season your child is born in. Babies always must have a layer or two more than you do; so a blanket serves that purpose.


In This Section:

• Socks for your baby's tiny feet
• Hats
• Feety Pajama's
• Nursery Photo Outfit [hairbands or bows for little girls]
• Going Home Outfit
• Pacifiers
• Bottles
• Formula
• Burp Cloths and Bibs
• Diapers
• Blankets [thick or recieving]
• CAR SEAT! CAR SEAT! CAR SEAT!

A birth plan is entirely up to you and some hospitals provide a checklist for you upon registering with them. A birth plan allows you to make "Guidelines" for your birth but be aware that if an emergency comes up with your birth; this will be thrown out the window. Check them out online or talk to your Gyno about creating one. Included in some birth plans are:

• Music
• Lighting Options
• Minimal Nurse Interference
• Massages
• Jacuzzis
• Minimizing the Amount of Visitors to Your Room
• Birthing Positioning [such as walking or a Birthing Ball]
• Your Choice on "In-Room" Baby [You can insist on keeping your baby in your room at all times]
• Umbilicle Cord Preferences [Who Cuts The Cord]

Also;

• Do Not Forget Cell Phones
• Cell Phone Chargers
• Camera's
• Batteries for Your Camera or Charger
• Don't Forget to take the LENS OFF your camera.
• And make Sure Your Memory Card Has Room On It.

* When your milk decides to come in; no matter how awesome your partner thinks your breasts look --- they HURT and leak like you would not believe. Double up on your nursing pads or take this oppurtunity to pump if it is not time to feed your baby. I found myself laying on a towel on my bed ...


** Isabella was born with Acid Reflux and is just now [at 9 months] beginning to come out of throwing up CONSTANTLY. We have over 30 bibs and 30 burp cloths so some babies will need them more than others. Isabella was never completely dressed without a bib on. If your baby throws up constantly and seems to be in pain from it; alert the pediatrician as this could be a sign of Acid Reflux. If your baby projectile vomits; this could be something known as Pyloric Stenosis which is easily cured by surgery.