One month

Our baby is one month! I can't believe it! She has changed so much and I love watching her grow. We had both sets of grandparents come and visit. Many friends have stopped by and met our little bug. So much has changed around here. Our pets have adjusted to Hailey and I think they like having her around except when she cries. They both give me this look like "hey can you tell her to stop" Haha.

1 month:
 -7lbs 14 oz
-becoming a wiggle worm
-awake a lot more during the day
-still has her night and days mixed up
-smiling
-still wearing newborn clothes and diapers
-loves laying on our chests
-loves moms and dads kisses

Love her so much!!!!!

Hailey Ann

Life with a newborn is pretty busy. I wouldn't trade it for anything. On October 26 our lives changed forever! We welcomed our baby girl Hailey Ann Schrader. Here is the story of her beginning:

I had come off of bedrest at 37 weeks and was cleared to go back to work. I was so glad because I was going  a little stir crazy. At my last appointment I was 3cm and 90% and my doctor didn't think I would last very long at work. I went in at 38 weeks and was still the same. No change with my cervix. I had been feeling contractions all week especially at work. Friday morning after working 3 shifts, I was still feeling contractions and they were getting stronger. I decided we needed to go to the hospital. We stopped and got some breakfast at one of the only places that was open at 6am haha. I knew that if this was real labor, I wanted some food in my belly since I know I wouldn't be able to eat for a while. We made it to the hospital and they hooked me up to the monitor and I was for sure having contractions about every 3-4 minutes. They weren't terrible but close enough to admit me. They started some pitocin to get things moving. We were going to have a baby!!! And my doctor was on call so she would be the one to deliver Hailey which I was really excited about it. So Chris and I got settled in and made our phones calls to family and friends. We walked, watched movies, and played cards. About 1pm my doctor came to check me and I was 5cm and ready for my epidural. I got in the jacuzzi tub while I waited for the epidural which was amazing! It really helped with the pain. The contractions were strong to a point where I had to breathe through them and I was getting very quiet because of the pain I was in. The epidural was amazing! Such a weird feeling of your legs being numb and so heavy. I was in a much better mood! Around 5pm or so my doctor came back in and checked me and I was 7cm and she decided to break my water. Once she did that I could see the contractions getting closer together on the monitor. I felt the pressure of them but no pain. I swear like an hour later, I felt a ton of pressure. It was so fast once my water was broken. They wanted me to "labor down" for a bit so that Hailey would come farther down meaning less time for me to push. I was all for that! Everything was getting set up and the doctor was getting all ready and it was time to push. Chris was such a good labor coach! He was so positive and encouraging which is what I needed. I maybe said 10 words during the whole pushing part. I was focused :) When Hailey's head was almost out, they said they couldn't find her heart rate which of course freaked me out. They used a probe on her head to get her heart rate but was having trouble getting it on her head. I told them Please just let me push!!! we were missing all these contractions while she was putting this thing on her head. I just had this feeling that one more and I could get her out. They said ok go and I DID! I pushed for about 40 minutes and here was our baby girl. They put her up and on my chest which was an incredible feeling. I just looked at her and she cried and then I cried and it was AMAZING! After 9 long months here was our baby girl! I was so glad to be holding her! She is perfect. 10 fingers, 10 toes. She was 18 inches and 6lbs 8 oz. We were all surprised about her weight. I had been measuring ahead the whole pregnancy and Chris and all his siblings were 10 pound babies. My doctor even guessed that she would be atleast 7 almost 8 pounds haha. I love my little peanut. It is an amazing love we have for this little girl. She brings so much joy to our lives. I had an amazing birthing experience. My nurses were amazing and I was so grateful for that (especially since I work with them sometimes :)) My doctor was great and really listened to me and what I wanted. We are so glad to have our baby girl!!