My mom and I had a little too much fun with Charlotte this weekend. We posed her with her toys and she was a perfect model for us. We are not expert photographers but I like how these pictures turned out!
Doctor Who Baby
Muppet Babies and Baby
Musical Baby
Can you find the baby?
Yoda Baby
Filed under Uncategorized
Charlotte Naomi Valdepena was born on July 22, 2015 at 7:26 pm weighing 9 lbs and measuring 21 inches. Yes, 9 lbs!
Disclaimer: I do not do well with surgery and blood and guts type things. Any medical knowledge I have comes from Grey’s Anatomy and I always close my eyes during the surgery part of the show. So this story is from the perspective of a person who knew a minimal amount of information about natural delivery who ended up having a c-section. Thank you, Jesus, for amazing nurses and doctors!
I was scheduled to be induced the morning of July 22, so that day Austin and I picked up breakfast at Whataburger and checked in at the hospital at 6:00 am. Unfortunately, I did not know that I couldn’t eat anything while in labor so it was heartbreaking to watch my husband enjoy my honey-butter-chicken-biscuit while I was offered ice chips. The nurse quickly got me hooked up with an IV and I was on my way. I was dilated to a 3 at this point. By about 7:30 am my doctor came in and broke my water, which was a very strange feeling! Then my contractions began. The nurse bumped up the IV to keep the contractions coming at 2 to 3 minutes apart. Since I was only at a 3 and my contractions were coming on pretty strong, I asked for an epidural right away. The nurse came in and got the epidural all hooked up. I was not aware of what this entailed. I had to sit up, lean over my stomach and sit perfectly still while having contractions. It was tricky but we got it done!
Its all fun and games until someone is actually having contractions!
For the next 4 or 5 hours, I was the most comfortable I had been during my whole pregnancy. The epidural made me sleepy and relaxed, and the catheter made it so I didn’t have to get up and use the restroom every hour like I had gotten used to. I dozed off and slept most of the morning and afternoon while the nurses came in to check on me periodically. I was dilating a centimeter per hour and moving right along! Charlotte was getting a little too comfortable though, so the nurses would prop me up on my sides to get her moving. I felt bad since my body was numb and I couldn’t help move myself. I spent the day napping and talking with Austin, my mom and sister and Austin’s mom and sister. Labor seemed pretty easy!
I’m not sure about the exact time, but I’m guessing around 4 or 5 pm is when the doctor came in and said I was dilated to a 10 but she didn’t think the baby’s head was dropping. She had another nurse check, and both of them agreed but didn’t seem concerned. They sat me up in the bed to try to let gravity do its thing. When that didn’t work, I noticed my epidural wearing off and my contractions were STRONG. I began sobbing and felt like such a baby (ironic). The nurse came back and gave me a shot of something that didn’t kick in right away so I was in pain for what felt like an hour.
When the doctor came back in to check on the baby’s head, it still hadn’t dropped. She asked me to push as hard as I could, and nothing happened. She said we could go through with a natural labor, but we would risk the baby’s head getting stuck and then that would require an emergency c-section to fix it. She recommended going in for a c-section right away since neither I or the baby were at risk for anything and it would be an easy procedure. I trusted her opinion and gave consent and it seemed to only take 10 minutes before I was prepped and in the OR. (The OR was nothing like Grey’s Anatomy, by the way. There were zero sexy glances from doctor to doctor and I’m pretty sure no one was someone’s secret dad.) During the whole pregnancy, though, there was never any talk of a c-section so Austin and I were freaking out. I couldn’t control my crying and I heard later that Austin was pacing the room waiting to come into the OR. I think I may have been on the verge of a panic attack, because I was shaking so much and I could not control it. I just started praying and I knew my family was praying and we would be okay. It was just all so very unexpected and it all happened so fast!
Putting on a brave face for his freaked out wife!
We got into the OR by 7 pm and Charlotte was out at 7:26. Austin saw her head come out and said, “Wow it has so much hair!” and then he was the first to notice the gender and told me it was a girl! I responded with a sarcastic, “No its not.” I had been so sure it was a boy! When the baby was out Austin left my side and went to see our baby girl. She was crying right away so I just listened and cried along with her. Mostly tears of happiness but some frightened tears as well. While they closed me up, Austin got to hold Charlotte and bring her over to me. That was the best sight in the world, seeing my handsome husband holding our baby girl for the first time. I was so happy! Austin left with the nurses to make sure Charlotte was okay and I just prayed that the surgery would be over soon.
Oh yeah, baby’s are a little bit gooey at first. And yes it is a girl. We’ve checked ;).
First family photo :).
Daddy showing off his baby in the nursery.
Although they numb your body for a c-section, you are awake and you can feel pressure and tugging where they are working. It didn’t feel like pain, but it was uncomfortable for sure. That was probably because I was not mentally prepared for the surgery at all. Also, I thought c-section meant they make a large c-shaped cut around your stomach to get the baby out. So in my mind there was a lot more happening than actually took place. I do remember feeling the pressure of the staple thing and hearing it as they closed me up, though. Freaky.
When I got out of surgery, they brought me to a temporary recovery room and Austin came in with our baby. I put her on my chest and was able to breastfeed her right away. What a strange feeling! So weird, yet natural and Charlotte seemed to know what she was doing. Austin and I were able to have some family time, just the 3 of us, and we sat there for about 20 minutes saying “We have a daughter” “This is your daughter” “I have a daughter??” haha. It took us a while to process the surgery and our baby’s delivery.
We brought our parents back to the recovery room first to meet Charlotte. Since we had kept the gender and our name choices a secret throughout the pregnancy, this would be a fun moment. I wasn’t able to say it without crying so Austin told them the name (which is my mom’s oldest sister’s name and her mom’s middle name) and everyone started crying. Also, they were all so excited it was a baby girl!
The most tired and happy parents!
The nurses then took us to our hospital room and we brought our siblings and my aunt and cousin back to introduce Charlotte. Everyone got to hold her and get pictures with her. After a little bit of family time, they all left and it was just Austin, Charlotte and me. I got to feed her again and then we let Charlotte spend the night in the nursery so we could get some sleep.
Austin and I are so in love with our baby girl. We still have moments where we have to remind ourselves that this is our baby and we get to keep her! It has not been easy having her home this past week (some weight drop issues before my milk came in, we are good now!) and my recovery has been tougher than I expected (which I expected nothing because I knew nothing!) but we have also had the best time getting to know our baby girl. She is the most beautiful baby and she is perfect!
Filed under Uncategorized
Dear 40 Week Unborn Baby,
We made it! We made it to exactly 40 weeks today! Just in case you don’t know, Baby, 40 weeks is the scientific amount of time to grow a baby. So, I am waiting on you to make a move and come out to play! I have done most of my part, which wasn’t much. You grew inside me for 2 months before I even knew you existed. Then I enjoyed eating however I wanted and having people compliment my pregnant body no matter how I looked. Now I’m ready to do the big “push” and get you out of my belly so I can see your face.
Baby, we have had a really lucky run. Aside from the 4 months of morning sickness you put me through, we have had a very healthy pregnancy. Not everyone has that, so thank you for being healthy! Daddy and I are so blessed with what we have experienced during our pregnancy. But now its supposed to be over and its time for a new part of your life.
If I were you, I would be ready to come out. So why haven’t you come out yet? Are you a shy kid? Don’t you know how many toys and books we have for you? We also have diapers and diaper rash cream, if that excites you. And since you have been floating around in that amniotic placenta fluid for 40 weeks (I get grossed out, I don’t know the terms) I’m sure you are ready for a bath in your brand new bathtub with your bath toys! I’m pretty sure you’ve peed in my belly. Please come out and take a bath.
Are you nervous of how you will look in pictures? Don’t be scared of this camera-phone age. It will be like a red carpet event for the first few weeks of your life, but that will die down (maybe). And don’t even ask me for a phone until you have earned your driving permit!
Today is the anniversary of the first men walking on the moon. No matter what you hear once you’re out in the real world, it wasn’t a hoax. It would be so cool for you to be born today, by the way, little Baby.
Baby, I am so thankful for you. Daddy and I pray everyday that you are happy and healthy and we thank God for you. You are the best surprise we could have ever gotten! But today is supposed to be your birthday and we can’t celebrate without you. See you soon!
Love, Mommy and Daddy
Filed under Uncategorized
I did not think I would make it to 39 weeks! Its crazy how often my mood is changing these days about the baby. 2 weeks ago I was in tears each day about being pregnant for just one second longer. Last week I was excited about any pain or discomfort because I thought it was a contraction. And this week, I actually woke up and forgot I was pregnant. Pregnancy symptoms don’t phase me anymore. I think this baby is just always going to be in my belly.
I have really been soaking in my time with my husband this past week. I know we are in charge of the baby and I think we will do a good job of balancing kids vs. marriage, but the newborn stage will be a tough adjustment. I really value the time I get with Austin and we just have so much fun together.
Our checkup last week told us that baby is still good to go. Dr told me what to expect and what to do if I go into labor, but has also given us the option of inducing anytime this week. So far we have chosen to let Baby come on its own time. That might change if nothing has happened before next week. We have been taking walks and keeping busy to naturally induce labor. Mostly it just wears me out and I think “well if that brings about contractions, I have no energy left to deliver this baby now!” Haha.
I have been eating lots of random foods this week. Not because of cravings, but because of laziness. I don’t want to do a grocery store trip right before the baby comes and have food go bad and I don’t want to leave anything perishable in the fridge when we are at the hospital. So I have been eating leftover dinner for breakfast and other random things. I just want to eat up what we already have! (Its like I’m planning to be out of town for a week, we will actually be 5 mins away from our apartment for just under 48 hours I’m sure.)
Big news! We found a new apartment! We are moving closer to my parents and our church, and will still be pretty close to Austin’s parents. Austin’s job will be an easy commute as well. The only hard part is trying to start packing. I have done a good job at keeping the apartment picked up for visitors after baby comes, so I don’t want to have boxes just sitting around. Baby’s first month will be a busy one! We move Aug 15.
Here’s something fun, I figured out how to make Raising Cane’s Dipping Sauce! It is very easy and Austin has asked that we just always have some made up now so I make it in bulk and we put it on everything. Also, if you buy a bag of frozen chicken strips, crinkle fries and toast from target, you can get almost 5 regular Cane’s meals out of it. Austin and I are very glad we discovered this! Now if we could just add some veggies to the meal we can make it a weekly regular, haha.
Next week, I hope I am posting baby pictures! And napping when Baby naps ;).
(If we are not already, make sure we are friends on instagram, twitter or facebook for the most recent baby updates. I may not get around to blogging for a while after Baby comes! Just search Jaime Valdepena, or ultrajaime.)
Filed under Uncategorized
Well is that just the cutest face you’ve ever seen?! We got to see all kinds of great baby things at our ultrasound last week. Baby sucking on it’s fingers, blinking, etc. We saw everything except the gender! Baby is head down, with its big butt in my rib cage. That explains my rib pain! (Dr did not say it has a big butt, that is just my motherly intuition.) Dr even pointed out the umbilical cord, but I just pretended to see it. It is so hard to tell what anything is! But I love how clear this picture is. Dr also pointed out the very chubby cheeks! Brace yourselves… I already have a 7 pound baby inside me!
This week is all about staying cool and comfortable as much as possible. Each day I wake up, I think “this is it!” and then I know I will probably do the same thing the next day. We are so ready for baby to be here but we know it could still be 3 weeks away. Good news is, no matter what, we will have a baby this month! I just hope I get to deliver a 7 pound baby instead of a 10 pound stubborn baby who decided to just sit there for the rest of the pregnancy. (Austin was a 10 pound baby and a week overdue… am I allowed to be mad at him for that? This baby already seems to take after him…)
I am all about comfort these days. How could I not be? Stretchy clothes, flip flops and popsicles anytime I have to venture outside. I even have a special headband in my overnight bag for labor. There is no glamor here! Everyone will be looking at the baby anyways. I know I will!
Stand by for the baby announcement! Or stand by for the 39 week post next week…
Filed under Uncategorized
Cravings- Cookies and cookie dough. This is my husband’s guilty pleasure, so he is no help! I’m not sure how much cookie dough we ate last week between the two of us, haha.
Nesting- We have set up our baby bouncer and baby swing, and I found a $10 rug! I love how this little area looks. Its so fun and colorful, and this is just my temporary solution for our current apartment. I can’t wait to officially set up baby’s room. (Also, my mom and I went a little overboard on a coming-home outfit for Baby, they are on the rug. Austin and I narrowed it down to one boy outfit and one girl outfit, though.)
Baby Activity- This baby is starting to kick my butt, literally. Baby’s movements are so strong, and I am getting tons of lower back aches. My stomach looks crazy when baby moves, and it feels like its moving all of the time.
Worries- Will I make it to my due date? I feel like I could go into labor any day…
Frustrations- Okay. I am officially uncomfortable in every way. Up until week 35, I could prevent certain aches and swelling by taking it easy, but now I just wake up hurting. My back and ribs hurt the most and laying down in bed is the only thing that helps, but even that hasn’t been helping the past couple of days. I’m also tired all of the time.
What I Love- I am almost done being pregnant! I am going to hold my baby so soon! And then I can have someone else hold it, and then I can hold it again!
Excited About- Playing in the pool with Baby! We went swimming yesterday at my parent’s house and it was fun to watch Austin playing with my cousins. He is going to be such a fun dad! I enjoyed sitting in the water feeling cool and weightless… now I know how hippos feel! I tried to recreate this picture of my mom being pregnant with me. She looks much more glamorous than I do, haha.
Interesting Tidbit- Everyone tells me I’m having a boy. Even strangers! The clerk at dollar tree even asked to touch my hand, and somehow that let her know that its a boy. We will find out very soon.
Something Fun- Austin and I are enjoying our last days together as just a couple. Here we are eating way too much sugar for breakfast :). I think it will be fun to get baby a special donut from this place instead of a cake for their first birthday. Or maybe I am just looking for an excuse to go back for more donuts…
Filed under Uncategorized
Where did the time go? It feels like just 38 weeks ago I was saying “I do” to the man of my dreams… oh wait, I was! Austin and I were talking this week about our birthdays coming up in August. If I had told him last year on his birthday “by the time you are 23 you will be married with a baby” he probably would have run away from me! Our lives have moved so fast!
36 weeks along! This is a dress I used to look so cute in… makes a great shirt now!
Cravings- Frozen strawberries are my main thing this week. And just food in general. I hope I can go back to normal portion sizes after the baby.
Nesting- We have a baby room! We put our dining table in storage last week just so these last few months in this apartment won’t feel so cramped. So now our dining area makes a great little baby room. Its not a permanent solution, since the “fourth wall” of the room is open to the living room and kitchen, but its perfect for now. The bassinet will go in our room for the first month though, but now we have a place for clothes and toys and toys and toys ;). Of course I want to paint all the brown furniture to be green and yellow and blue but for now this will do. I am also going to try to limit us to just the two green bins for toys… we are already getting out of hand as it is! I love this little baby area. I may have sat in here and looked at all the baby clothes and blankets a couple of times…
Baby Activity- More and more each day still. I have also been feeling lots of pressure in my lower back. Its not painful, just uncomfortable sometimes. Baby must be getting really big in there, because I am feeling it in more places each week. There isn’t anymore room in there!
Worries- Apartment hunting. We have a long list of places to check out, its just a matter of getting there and picking a place. Doing things like that wear me out quickly these days.
Frustrations- Swollen feet and hands.
What I love- My husband! He is so helpful and sweet to me. He takes such good care of me! I love him so much. This baby is going to be so in love with him, too!
Excited About- Having our own agenda with our own baby. Once we get home from the hospital, it will be the three of us spending time together and being a family. I can’t wait to have my little family of three! (Austin’s input: and using the baby as an action figure)
Interesting Tidbit- Austin is really good at reading to the baby. He does fun voices and everything. Baby moves like crazy when Austin reads to it. Its so cute!
Something Fun- My best friend Jaclyn was in town with her husband and 1 year old this week so Austin and I went to say hi. It was technically my first time meeting Harper, and she liked me! It also helped that I brought shampoo for her to play with, haha. Harper was so fun to hold and watch. She was born at 28 weeks, and weighed just over 2 pounds. Look at her now! And those blue eyes! Austin and I had a great time visiting with Jaclyn and Ricky. Next time we see them, our babies can play together!
Filed under Uncategorized
Throughout the school year, my students performed 9 different musicals and concerts. Here are some I have pictures of!
The 4th and 5th grade show choir got to skip school one day and perform Christmas songs at a shopping center. It was very cold that day and I was so sick from my pregnancy. It was a successful and fun day!
3rd grade performed a Christmas concert and they did great. (My main memory, though, is that I got sick before and after the performance, and then couldn’t even make it to school the next day due to my awful morning sickness. Bleh!)
Kindergarten performed a musical about Dinosaurs in April. It was very cute and the kids loved their dino-masks.
The same night as the art show, the entire 4th and 5th grade class performed a recorder and singing concert. I must have been a tad stressed because this was the night I went to the hospital with fake labor.
My show choir performed a very cute Disney concert at the end of the year. We even performed it 3 times the next day during each of the lunches.
What a busy year! Now for summer break!
Filed under Uncategorized
The last week of school I held the school’s first ever art show! It was a big event to plan. The students worked for months on their projects and it was a great learning experience for me. When each student only comes to art once every 2 weeks, it takes a while to make sure every student has completed their project! Fortunately, each and every student in the school had an art project to display. We even created a collaborative mural that was my favorite part of the show.
This wasn’t my idea, I found it on another teacher blog. But it was great! Parents and friends could leave notes for any student and I loved reading what they said.
This is the collaborative mural. Each student (and some teachers) decorated a 1/4 circle however they wanted. It looks so cool all put together! Can you spot the minion?
I’m happy to say that the first art show was a success!
Filed under Uncategorized
Cravings- Dr Pepper. But I haven’t had any! I promise!! I just want some very badly.
Nesting- This week my project is to make a crib mobile. Of course I can’t find one in stores or online that I like so I have the perfect one in mind to create. I also want to get the new stroller and car seat out of their boxes and put them together.
Baby Activity- Feeling every movement! An Austin-sized baby does not have much room inside a Jaime-sized womb. Even baby hiccups are feeling more intense than ever. I feel like there is a rough and tumble kid trying to break out of my tummy :).
Worries- We only have one month left before baby comes. Its like waiting for an inevitable bomb to go off. Makes me nervous.
Frustrations- My hands have started swelling. My wedding ring almost didn’t come off the other night!
What I Miss- Soda and being able to sleep through the night.
What I Love- My maternity body pillow. Even if I can’t sleep sometimes, at least I am somewhat comfortable! Austin refers to it as my “boyfriend.” I do really love that thing…
Excited About- Playing with the baby. Austin has been moving the baby toys around the apartment and startling me sometimes! Good thing we will have a new friend to play with soon.
Interesting Tidbit- I have been having very vivid dreams the past month about having baby boys. In each dream, the baby looks different but I can see his face clearly, and in most of the dreams we name the baby what we planned and all of our family is there in a perfect way. I don’t ever dream about the labor part, though.
Something Fun- Austin and I went to the movies last weekend for the first time since we have been married. I guess with Netflix and trying to save money, we just haven’t gone out to do that. I made it through the entire movie without needing to use the bathroom, too! Except, at one point I did try to touch the screen to see how much time was left, haha.
Filed under Uncategorized
Ms Jaime's Music Studio 