Olivia is doing well. She had her first doctor's appointment yesterday. She was 7lb 14oz, so basically back to her birth weight. She has been a little yellowish, so they checked her bili, but I think it should be getting better in the next few days. My dad was able to come down for a long weekend, so that was a lot of fun.



My mom is still here, which has been great to catch up on rest. I know I would be exhausted without her here to help with our very busy boy. Last night he was kicking field goals in our living room...



We are enjoying every second with our precious new addition and are praising the Lord for her.

More Pictures of our Olivia

Olivia Ruth Nienhuis

3:30pm - She is here!!!

Olivia Ruth is here!! She was 7 pounds 15 ounces, 21 inches. Marcie did super! She was not able to have an epidural because she was too far along.

2:00pm

6cm, 80% effaced, consistent contractions...the Dr. thinks baby will be here in the next 2-3 hours!

12:00pm

Well, things weren't really picking up so they just started me on a low dose of pitocin. Last they checked I was 5cm and 70%, so not much change. Hopefully this will get things started...

9:15

Well, they finally got in here and broke my water. They will monitor me for about 30 minutes and then let me get up and walk around. Hope things start moving along...

D-Day!

This morning we got a call about 5:30am saying that they were really full and I may have to be rescheduled. They told us to call back at 7:30am to see what to do. I was starting to get nervous because the hospital I am delivering at, I have to have our little girl by 7:00pm in order to do a VBAC. If I am still in labor beyond that, they will do a c-section. Thankfully, they called back at 7:00am and told us that they would work something out (I love my doctor!).

So, here we are at the hospital (7:45) waiting for someone to get in here to get things started. I would appreciate prayers to have this little girl before 7:00pm, but most of all for a healthy delivery. Thank you for your prayers! We will keep you all updated.

Wednesday 8:00am

Well, got a good night's sleep. If she doesn't come today, I will be induced tomorrow (which I'm really hoping to avoid). Anyway, I won't post anything now until something happens, so if this blog doesn't say anything new, that means there is nothing new :) I would really appreciate prayers for some regular contractions to start today. Thank you!

Wednesday 12:00am

There is no real progress to update. Mom and I went to the famous outdoor Oklahoma play to try to kill some time and take my mind off things. I've had a few sporadic contractions, but stopped timing them because it gets frustrating. Anyway, we are going to bed and I will let you know if anything changes.

Tuesday - Update

***Doctor's appointment update: She said I am 70% effaced and 4-5cm dilated. She said she stirred things up really good and thinks I may go tonight! After she stepped out of the room, Landon said, "sissy can come tonight." I was like, "Yeah Landon, that would be great!" So, we will see... I will keep you all posted.

I was having a lot of contractions yesterday evening, but decided to go to bed and they went away sometime during the night. Disappointing, but oh well, we will meet her soon! Today I have my doctor's appointment and she will strip my membranes, hopefully that really gets things going. My mom is on her way down and should be here early afternoon, so we are very excited to have her here! I will update later with the doctor's report. Still hoping to go before Thursday...

Monday

Well, I made it through the weekend, YAY!!! Now, we are ready for her to come whenever. Hoping she will come before Thursday so that I don't have to be induced. I've been trying to get things going. I have already scrubbed the kitchen floor, cleaned the bathroom, done laundry, etc... I have been having contractions, but nothing consistent yet. This evening I think Seth and I will go to the mall to walk around - it's too hot to brave the outdoors! I will keep this blog updated with any new info. We will have WiFi at the hospital so we are excited about that. Hope you are all staying cool in this hot hot weather!

39 Weeks - Baby girl moving

I think our little girl is ready to meet us. Here is her trying to pry her way out :)

Self-Inflicted bed rest

This weekend I decided to put myself on bed rest to try to get this baby to stay put to avoid a c-section. I was having quite a few contractions yesterday. It seems this little girl is ready to meet us. This is the last weekend I have to get through, so each hour I am very thankful for! Come Monday, I will give this little (well... probably big) girl a green light and will be doing a lot of walking and cleaning. My mom and possibly my sister will be coming down early next week to be here when she gets here. I can't believe it's less than a week until we meet her! We are so excited :)

Update

I had an appointment today. The doctor said I was 3 cm dilated and 30% effaced. So, I'm getting there. I have an appointment for Tuesday in which the doctor will strip my membranes and hope to get some contractions going. Otherwise, it will be Thursday the 12th. Please pray for the Lord's perfect timing with the hospital VBAC policies. Thank you!

Landon singing his alphabet

38 weeks & the menu for the Week

Still no baby and not a whole lot of signs that she will come anytime soon. I will have an appointment on Wednesday and hope to be showing signs of progress. We have decided that if she doesn't come by August 12th (my due date) they will induce. The 12th is a Thursday and I figure if I haven't had her by then I would be afraid of going into labor that weekend and then I wouldn't be able to have a VBAC (hospital politics). I was two days early with Landon and I am really hoping that I will be a couple days early with this little girl so that I don't have to be induced. I am praying though for the Lord's perfect timing and direction through it all.

Question for you all: What were some of your favorite songs or Bible verses during labor?
One of the favorites I've found is Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.”

I would like to go without an epidural this time, but I'm not going to be completely disappointed if I have to have one. I have just been thinking that if I can draw my strength from the Lord and focus on Him, that He can help me through it. Any advise in this area? I remember feeling like it was never going to end and that I couldn't take another contraction. I let my mind focus on the pain last time. Anyway, just thought I'd try to get some advise from you all :)


Here is my menu for the week:

Breakfasts:
Blueberry Banana Bread (never got to this one last week)
Baked Oatmeal
Bagels with cream cheese and Smoothies
Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes

Suppers:
M: Chicken Burritos
T: Broccoli Chicken Divan - My sister-in-law will be having baby Aubrey!!!
W: Grilled steak and Zucchini
R: Eggplant Parmesan
F: Calzone
S: Lemon Honey Pasta
S: Jennie’s Heavenly Slow Cooker Chicken