Since my grandmother's passing in 1999, I haven't really liked the month of November. It is always dark way too early and everything in nature starts looking dead. It just really isn't a terribly pleasant month. However, after the birth of my daughter, I feel I have something GREAT in November to look forward to!
I have always felt that my birthday (4-11) and Josh's birthday (2-11) were something special; like we were meant to be together! I arranged our wedding date so that we could add another 11. We were married on May 11, 2007. I have wanted to be a mother for a few years and had always wanted one of our children to be born in 2011. I thought I might have to compromise for being pregnant in 2011. I had secret hoped that Farah could hold out until January 11, 2012 which would make her 9 days late according to my accurate due date. I arrived 9 days after my due date, so I thought it might be possible. She had other plans; arriving 9 weeks early on 11-1-11. (look at all those 11's) My dad said that she has quite a sense of humor arriving almost as soon as she could in the 11th month in 2011.
Now, this is just my mathematical brain at work but I LOVE it! She was born at 3:08 pm, which I immediately added (3+8=11). She weighed 3 lbs 14 oz, my first thought was pi (3.14); Josh subtracted (14-3=11). And her apgar score at birth was 3 and five minutes later was 8, which again adds to 11.
A couple of weeks before Farah's unexpected entrance, I decided to drop an "r" in her name because I liked the way it looked. I didn't tell this to Josh until he was filling out the birth certificate worksheet. After dropping the r, her name has 11 letters in it (Farah Noelle). I didn't even realize this until my dad asked when I decided to drop an r and why. I told him I liked it better and that's when he told me about the number of letters.
I guess there is a reason Farah arrived early! We may never know the real reason why I had preterm labor. I am sure it had something to do with the number 11! All I know is that Josh and I are incredibly blessed to have this beautiful little girl in our lives! We love her more each day!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
One thing I forgot...
So, during the c-section the doctor made a couple of comments about how amazing my abs are!! I said, "You are kidding, right?" She said, "No really, you need to stop doing crunches/sit-ups!" Josh said that she had to stop a few times to rest her arm and hand! hahaha! Makes a mommy feel good to hear! However, she went and tore them up so now I have extra work to do to get them back! :)
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Farah Noelle Sturgis makes a dramatic entrance!
It all started on a dark and spooky Halloween night...well maybe not so dark and spooky!
Monday, October 31st, I worked a full day of school but was getting around much slower and even complained a few times about what felt like menstrual cramps. We had spent the last 3 weekends traveling to Kansas City, then Nashville, TN for Uncle Kris & Aunt Kelsey's Wedding, then back to Kansas City again for a Halloween party. I just assumed that I had been doing too much and just needed to rest. I knew that things were starting to slow down in our life and I was looking forward to spending some weekends at home.
During my pregnancy, I had been pretty good about walking several times a week for about 30 minutes. With all of these out of town trips, I hadn't been walking very much so I was looking forward to getting back into the habit. On Monday, I stayed after school to tutor some Geometry students until about 5:00pm. I really didn't feel terrible and the cramping was not constant so I didn't really think anything of it. On my way home, I decided to stop at the gym to walk on the track for 30 minutes which went fine. I had been craving some Subway so after the gym I stopped to get dinner!
I spent the rest of the night with my feet up and talked to both our Moms on the phone. With Josh's mom, we talked about when she would be flying here for Farah's birth and decided after Christmas but before New Years. Then I called my mom to ask her about if she had ever had Braxton Hicks contractions when she was pregnant. I told her that I was feeling some cramps but it didn't feel like Braxton Hicks. I also ordered the travel system and extra car seat base which was scheduled to arrive November 2nd. Then. I took some Tylenol and went to bed.
In the middle of the night, I woke up a few times because I was leaking fluid but it wasn't much. At 4am, I noticed a pinkish tint but I think I was too tired to think about it. I remember thinking that it probably wasn't good. When I woke up for school at 6am, it was definitely pink. So, I got out my pregnancy book to look up signs of Pre-term labor. I realized that I was experiencing 3 symptoms of pre-term labor; menstrual cramps, watery pink discharge, and low backache/pain. I was incredibly calm. When Josh woke up, I told him that I thought I was having signs of pre-term labor and that I was gonna head to the doctor's office and that I would keep him updated. I finished getting ready for school, packed my leftover 6 in sub and left about 7:00am.
I called my nurse friend, Lauren, and told her my symptoms and she said I should call the doctor's office and talk to the doctor on call. So, I did! I told my symptoms to the operator who told me that it sounded like labor to her! (not helpful!) The doctor on call asked about my symptoms and then asked what I was doing that day. I told her that I was on my way to work which is also on the way to the clinic. She said I should head straight to the clinic and the first doctor there would see me and decide what to do.
I wasn't having much cramping and no more watery discharge, so I figured that if I was having pre-term labor then the doctor would take care of me and if I wasn't then I would go on to work. I had the teacher next door to me cover my 1st hour class in case I was late.
The doctor I ended up seeing had previously told me how well I was doing and that I was having a "model pregnancy". I sat in the room for what seemed like Forever! The doctor finally made it to the room to check my cervix and told me that I was dilated to a little over 1 cm and 70% to 80% effaced. He said that he wasn't so worried about my being dilated but that my cervix was a little softer than it should be. He also told me that my water had not ruptured. He told me that he wanted to get an ultrasound done and then send me down to the emergency room to be monitored for a couple of hours.
I was in the emergency room and talked to the doctor on call who said she wanted to admit me and keep me overnight so that she could give me a steroid shot that would mature Farah's lungs. I had been in the emergency room about 30 minutes when my water broke! After a while, they took me to my own room to monitor contractions and give me magnesium to help slow or stop the contractions. The doctor also told me that my water breaking would change the game plan a little. They would try to keep me pregnant for as long as they could and the goal was 34 weeks at which point they would deliver Farah. I asked the doctor what the chances were that I would deliver within the next couple of days. She said that the majority of women deliver within 72 hours of their water rupturing, so my chances were pretty good.
Shortly after I was moved to my own room, Josh showed up! I had called him twice to give him updates but he was unable to answer because he was working in a metal building which left his phone with NO signal! Thank goodness our friends, Lauren and Austin, were available. I would call Lauren with an update and she would call Austin, who works with Josh, and Austin would instant message Josh on the computer where he was working.
The nurses started my magnesium which they told me could make me nauseous or very hot; and just like my pregnancy I was very hot not nauseous! Another thing that added to the complications was that Farah was breech and there was concern that if I continued to dilate the umbilical cord might come out first. She said that if I continued to dilate that we would have to do an emergency Cesarean section.
Around lunch time, josh decided he needed some food and it might be a good time to run home to pack somethings for us to spend the night in the hospital. Soon after he left, the doctor came in and said that the magnesium was not slowing my contractions like they hoped. The doctor checked my cervix again and said that I was dilated to 3 cm and approximately 90% effaced. In surprise, I told her to shut-up but not in a malicious way. I just couldn't quite believe what she was tell me! She laughed and asked where Josh was saying, "Don't tell me he went home." which is exactly what I told her! She said that I needed to call him and tell him to turn around and as soon as he got there they would be taking me in for the c-section. She also asked me how I was handling this news because I seemed to be very calm about the whole situation. I told her that I would rather get her out then sit here having contractions!
I was wheeled into the emergency room about 2:45pm. While waiting for my spinal to be administered, I was about to ask the nurses if they knew a friend of the family who was a nurse that was present in many Cesarean deliveries at this hospital. Right after I had this thought, in walked our family friend Susan who would be my scrub nurse for my delivery! She was shocked to see me and immediately asked about Josh. I told her he was out getting dressed for the delivery, so she went to check on him. The delivery went smoothly! Josh watched most of it so you will have to ask him about the details. He said later that it looked like a war movie! He also told me that as soon as she was out, she opened her eyes real big!
On November 1st, 2011 (11-1-11) at 3:08pm Farah Noelle Sturgis was born weighing 3 lbs 14 oz and 16 and 1/8 inches long. I was 31 weeks and 1 day into my pregnancy which makes her about 9 weeks early. She will be in the NICU for awhile but we are optimistic that she will continue to improve everyday. I will try to update as we find out more information.
Monday, October 31st, I worked a full day of school but was getting around much slower and even complained a few times about what felt like menstrual cramps. We had spent the last 3 weekends traveling to Kansas City, then Nashville, TN for Uncle Kris & Aunt Kelsey's Wedding, then back to Kansas City again for a Halloween party. I just assumed that I had been doing too much and just needed to rest. I knew that things were starting to slow down in our life and I was looking forward to spending some weekends at home.
During my pregnancy, I had been pretty good about walking several times a week for about 30 minutes. With all of these out of town trips, I hadn't been walking very much so I was looking forward to getting back into the habit. On Monday, I stayed after school to tutor some Geometry students until about 5:00pm. I really didn't feel terrible and the cramping was not constant so I didn't really think anything of it. On my way home, I decided to stop at the gym to walk on the track for 30 minutes which went fine. I had been craving some Subway so after the gym I stopped to get dinner!
I spent the rest of the night with my feet up and talked to both our Moms on the phone. With Josh's mom, we talked about when she would be flying here for Farah's birth and decided after Christmas but before New Years. Then I called my mom to ask her about if she had ever had Braxton Hicks contractions when she was pregnant. I told her that I was feeling some cramps but it didn't feel like Braxton Hicks. I also ordered the travel system and extra car seat base which was scheduled to arrive November 2nd. Then. I took some Tylenol and went to bed.
In the middle of the night, I woke up a few times because I was leaking fluid but it wasn't much. At 4am, I noticed a pinkish tint but I think I was too tired to think about it. I remember thinking that it probably wasn't good. When I woke up for school at 6am, it was definitely pink. So, I got out my pregnancy book to look up signs of Pre-term labor. I realized that I was experiencing 3 symptoms of pre-term labor; menstrual cramps, watery pink discharge, and low backache/pain. I was incredibly calm. When Josh woke up, I told him that I thought I was having signs of pre-term labor and that I was gonna head to the doctor's office and that I would keep him updated. I finished getting ready for school, packed my leftover 6 in sub and left about 7:00am.
I called my nurse friend, Lauren, and told her my symptoms and she said I should call the doctor's office and talk to the doctor on call. So, I did! I told my symptoms to the operator who told me that it sounded like labor to her! (not helpful!) The doctor on call asked about my symptoms and then asked what I was doing that day. I told her that I was on my way to work which is also on the way to the clinic. She said I should head straight to the clinic and the first doctor there would see me and decide what to do.
I wasn't having much cramping and no more watery discharge, so I figured that if I was having pre-term labor then the doctor would take care of me and if I wasn't then I would go on to work. I had the teacher next door to me cover my 1st hour class in case I was late.
The doctor I ended up seeing had previously told me how well I was doing and that I was having a "model pregnancy". I sat in the room for what seemed like Forever! The doctor finally made it to the room to check my cervix and told me that I was dilated to a little over 1 cm and 70% to 80% effaced. He said that he wasn't so worried about my being dilated but that my cervix was a little softer than it should be. He also told me that my water had not ruptured. He told me that he wanted to get an ultrasound done and then send me down to the emergency room to be monitored for a couple of hours.
I was in the emergency room and talked to the doctor on call who said she wanted to admit me and keep me overnight so that she could give me a steroid shot that would mature Farah's lungs. I had been in the emergency room about 30 minutes when my water broke! After a while, they took me to my own room to monitor contractions and give me magnesium to help slow or stop the contractions. The doctor also told me that my water breaking would change the game plan a little. They would try to keep me pregnant for as long as they could and the goal was 34 weeks at which point they would deliver Farah. I asked the doctor what the chances were that I would deliver within the next couple of days. She said that the majority of women deliver within 72 hours of their water rupturing, so my chances were pretty good.
Shortly after I was moved to my own room, Josh showed up! I had called him twice to give him updates but he was unable to answer because he was working in a metal building which left his phone with NO signal! Thank goodness our friends, Lauren and Austin, were available. I would call Lauren with an update and she would call Austin, who works with Josh, and Austin would instant message Josh on the computer where he was working.
The nurses started my magnesium which they told me could make me nauseous or very hot; and just like my pregnancy I was very hot not nauseous! Another thing that added to the complications was that Farah was breech and there was concern that if I continued to dilate the umbilical cord might come out first. She said that if I continued to dilate that we would have to do an emergency Cesarean section.
Around lunch time, josh decided he needed some food and it might be a good time to run home to pack somethings for us to spend the night in the hospital. Soon after he left, the doctor came in and said that the magnesium was not slowing my contractions like they hoped. The doctor checked my cervix again and said that I was dilated to 3 cm and approximately 90% effaced. In surprise, I told her to shut-up but not in a malicious way. I just couldn't quite believe what she was tell me! She laughed and asked where Josh was saying, "Don't tell me he went home." which is exactly what I told her! She said that I needed to call him and tell him to turn around and as soon as he got there they would be taking me in for the c-section. She also asked me how I was handling this news because I seemed to be very calm about the whole situation. I told her that I would rather get her out then sit here having contractions!
I was wheeled into the emergency room about 2:45pm. While waiting for my spinal to be administered, I was about to ask the nurses if they knew a friend of the family who was a nurse that was present in many Cesarean deliveries at this hospital. Right after I had this thought, in walked our family friend Susan who would be my scrub nurse for my delivery! She was shocked to see me and immediately asked about Josh. I told her he was out getting dressed for the delivery, so she went to check on him. The delivery went smoothly! Josh watched most of it so you will have to ask him about the details. He said later that it looked like a war movie! He also told me that as soon as she was out, she opened her eyes real big!
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| Our first family picture |
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Updates to the Nursery!
| The crib and mattress arrived this week! Today, we put everything together. Here are some new pictures of the nursery! |  |
| I think the only thing new in this picture is the diaper genie |
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| new glider and crib |
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| boppy and teddy bear attached to crib are new |
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| still lots of room in the closet |
Lately, I have been feeling some of the discomforts of pregnancy. She mainly hangs out on my right side and has been pushing pretty hard on my ribs. I went to the chiropractor complaining of some pain in the middle of my back. When I sit up straight, I get a painful, tingly, or numb spot on my back. My chiropractor thought I had a rib out of place. She adjusted me but it hasn't gotten any better! I think that my little girl is keeping my rib out of place with her butt! My ribs have been pretty sore too! I have figured out that if I lay down it eases my pain. So, I have been going to bed pretty early this last week because I couldn't sit up anymore.
Last week, I found out that I failed my first glucose test. The Dr. told me that I could have bacon & eggs before my test, so I did. I only failed it by 4 points so I think that if I hadn't eaten anything that I would probably have passed it. On Friday, I had to take the 3 hour glucose test. I didn't know I would have blood drawn 4 times once an hour! It went pretty well but I don't know the results yet. My guess is that if I don't hear anything this week then I am in the clear! The plan is to eat as much sugar as possible until they call and ruin all my hopes and dreams! While I was at the Dr. office I brought my laptop and tons of grading so it was still a productive day!
I think that is all I have for now! Hope you enjoy!
Monday, September 5, 2011
23 weeks and Nursery complete!
Well, the nursery is painted but not complete! I have posted a belly picture for 23 weeks and pictures of the freshly painted baby's room!
Josh and I went to Subway last night for dinner and the woman behind the counter asked when my baby was due! She is the first person to assume I am pregnant and ask me about it! I guess that means it is obvious. Josh thought this woman was pretty bold to make such an assumption but I didn't mind! At least she was right!
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| It looks like I am carrying her extra high in this picture. |
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| Door and the desk is where the crib will be |
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| the dogs are inspecting the room... |
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| Window seat |
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Presents and a trip to Hobby Lobby
We have started preparing the nursery for our baby girl! A couple of weeks ago, we relocated Josh's man cave to our bedroom. It has made our bedroom a little cramped but we will make it work. Phase 2 of Nursery remodel started this week. Today, we painted the whole room green! I tried to take a picture but since we took the curtains down there is so much natural light that the camera is not picking up the color. Tomorrow, we are going to "try" to paint a purple polka dot border around the top of the wall. I will put up pictures when it is completed!
I have been feeling lots of kicks and punches lately! She is getting much stronger! Last night, she was kicking a bunch so I lifted my shirt and watched my stomach...and my stomach started moving when she kicked!! This is my new favorite pass time!
We have decided on a name!! However, we still reserve the right to change our minds! A couple of weeks ago, I changed the name of my facebook baby sturg album to her name and Josh was worried that would make it official! I tried to reassure him that we could still change our minds and it wasn't official until we sign her birth certificate! Not to mention, no one on facebook has even noticed because I didn't publish the change. Have I kept you in suspense long enough?!? Her name is Farrah Noelle Sturgis! YAY! Josh picked out Farrah and I picked out Noelle so it was a joint effort. Can't wait to hold her, see her, and find out everything about her!
Also, Farrah got a present in the mail from Kyle, Erin, and Elliott Logan! I have attached pictures of her new clothes and accessories! On Friday, I went to Hobby Lobby to find a polka dot stencil to paint the border and found lots of other things, of course! Below are the pictures...Enjoy!
I have been feeling lots of kicks and punches lately! She is getting much stronger! Last night, she was kicking a bunch so I lifted my shirt and watched my stomach...and my stomach started moving when she kicked!! This is my new favorite pass time!
We have decided on a name!! However, we still reserve the right to change our minds! A couple of weeks ago, I changed the name of my facebook baby sturg album to her name and Josh was worried that would make it official! I tried to reassure him that we could still change our minds and it wasn't official until we sign her birth certificate! Not to mention, no one on facebook has even noticed because I didn't publish the change. Have I kept you in suspense long enough?!? Her name is Farrah Noelle Sturgis! YAY! Josh picked out Farrah and I picked out Noelle so it was a joint effort. Can't wait to hold her, see her, and find out everything about her!
Also, Farrah got a present in the mail from Kyle, Erin, and Elliott Logan! I have attached pictures of her new clothes and accessories! On Friday, I went to Hobby Lobby to find a polka dot stencil to paint the border and found lots of other things, of course! Below are the pictures...Enjoy!
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| Outfit from the Logans! Farrah's first pink miniskirt! |
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| From the Logans, the shirt says "beach bound". CUTE! |
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| Hobby Lobby excursion! I couldn't help myself! |
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| I should not be allowed in Hobby Lobby alone! Left to right - white headband with purple ribbon, purple headband with huge green flower, black headband with pink feather poof, and pink headband with pink, orange, and green ribbons! |
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| From the Logans! So excited to put these in her hair! |
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
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