Meet the fam CAM!

After Camden came into the world, Don wanted to go home to be the one to share the news with big sister Kenzie.  He had to wake her up since it was about 6:30 in the morning, but she was still excited to hear the news.  I hung out in L&D for the morning, since I caused a little commotion when I fainted!  No worries, smelling salts are a magical thing.  

Mackenzie couldn't come visit until 11:00, so Don came back for a few hours before going back home to get her.  She was excited to see her "bro" but quickly was more interested in the gifts that he bought her.    

And then our families came to meet the little man.

With Kenzie, Don never left me at the hospital.  He slept there, used the shower there, and I ordered enough food for him.  We knew things were going to be so different for Kenz, so we thought it was best if he went home to stay with her, and come back the next morning with her.  I was dreading being by myself, but since I had been up all night, I figured I'd be able to fall asleep pretty early.  When Kenzie and Don left me Friday night, it was rough.  She cried, I cried.  It was awful.  So I was telling the nurse about it, and she suggested I ask the Dr. to leave Saturday evening, since I had him so early Friday morning.  Great idea, get me the heck out of here!  
Saturday we spent the day loving our little boy and hoping to go home later that night. 

  Yay!  We got the go ahead to go home a day early!!  

Meet your brothers!  You're lucky they didn't bark in your face like they did when we brought Kenzie home!

Camden Brook's Burch Birth Story: Part 2

So here we, about 1:30am and enroute to the hospital.  I was excited we were finally going to meet our babe, but frustrated because I knew I wasn't really having contractions, which meant pitocin was going to be involved, and I might as well been induced.  So I knew I was likely not going to eat, so I knew I needed to stop somewhere.  From our house to the hospital there are about 7 Tim Horton's.  I never eat bagels, but a plain toasted bagel, with butter sounded good.  The 1st Tim Horton's we struck out and all they had were Jalopeno bagels.  Wow, not what I had in mind.  So we stopped at the next TH's, got my bagel and water, and continued on.  Since my water broke, I had a few random contractions, but nothing timeable or too difficult to handle.

Since we didn't take a childbirth class this time around, we were trying to remember exactly what we were suppose to do if we got to the hospital in the middle of the night.  We parked in the same area we did when we had Kenzie, and walked to the front door, only to find they were locked.  At that point the lightbulb clicked and I remembered we had to walk around to the Emergency Room.  I said to Don, man we are lucky I'm not having regular nasty contractions because this would not have gone over well!!
So after a walk through a busy ER, we got up to labor and delivery.  They asked some questions and got us into Labor and Delivery Room #9.  The nurse I had apologized for our wait, since she had a mom come in at 7cm, and things were moving.  I said...oh lucky her!!  Anyway, about 2:00am I had a resident come in and check if my water did in fact break, while my nurse got everything else started. It undoubtably did, and I was also 4cm dilated and 50% effaced.  My nurse asked if I was feeling any of the contractions that were on the monitor.  They were uncomfortable, but not manageable.  The plan was to start Pit at 5:30-6 if they didn't come a little stronger on their own.
So fast forward to just about 4:00am. HOLY CONTRACTIONS.  I was fading fast.  In fact those were the exact words I said to my nurse.  She had suggested sleeping, since she knew I wanted to do this drug-free.  I told Donny I couldn't do it. I was weak.  I had only been there 2 hours and was already begging for the epidural (very similar to Kenz).  Before calling the anesthesiologist, they were waiting on the results of my bloodwork to see if my platelets were high enough for an epidural.  And then..it happened!  Remember when I had hoped my platelets were too low for an epidural?  Well they were too low.  So now I had to wait for them to be hand counted to determine a more accurate reading.  In the mean time, I was dying.  And my nurse realized it and suggested they check to see what was happen.  It was 4:10am and I was 7cm.  7cm--what!!  Maybe I can do this drug free.  My nurse also said, it looked like I'd be having a drug free delivery after all.  So 5 minutes past..5 minutes of doing the ridiculous breathing you see in the movies, and I was feeling a ton of pressure.  They checked, and I was 9cm.  Things started to get hectic.  My nurse and Don were helping me with breathing, rubbing my back, and laying cold washcloths on my head.  They had called Dr. Rush, but were calling for a Dr. Allen (no clue who this is), with the thought that Dr. Rush wasn't going to make it at this point.
The pain and pressure was crazy.  So they got things all set up, Dr. Rush made it and joked about speeding, and 15 minutes and 5 contractions later...he was out!!  The hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but he was here, he was perfect, and the labor and delivery was perfect!!
Camden Brooks was born at 4:44am, just about 3 hours after arriving to the hospital. I still can't believe it all happened so fast and I did it epidural free!  He was a bouncing 9lbs 3oz, 22 1/4in long, and 14in head circumference.  All his stats earned him the nickname "Buba", from Dr. Rush.  We are in love, and so so blessed!

Camden Brooks Burch's Birth Story: Part 1

So because I want to remember everything (and since I totally didn't stick with the weekly updates, like I did with Kenzie)..lets start back a few Dr.'s appointments.... 

So I was sitting pretty at about 2cm dilated, 50% effaced for a few appointments, including my 39 week appt (39 weeks 4 days).  I talked to my Dr. about what the plan was, since I was feeling like things were very similar to my progress (or lack there of) with Kenzie.  Since my due date was June 15th, she said the farthest they'd let me go was Monday the 24th, before they would need to do an induction.  Okay, great plan!  I really didn't want to be induced, and was hopeful this babe would come on its own.  Well then 2 days later I get a call from the Dr's office, wanting to schedule my induction for June 20th.  I froze.  I wanted to cry.  Luckily I was able to postpone anything until I could talk to someone at my appointment on the 19th.  Also within this time, those stinkin platelets dropped so low, I had to be put on prednisone to hopefully boost them up before delivery.  I secretly hoped they'd be low, just so an epidural wasn't even an option, since that was my birth plan this time around  (ahhh hindsight).  
So now overdue by 4 days, I had my weekly Dr appointment with my favorite NP, Lisa.  She was the provider I saw the day before I went into labor with Kenz.  I hoped it was a sign, and that she would have the magic touch to get things moving.  She explained to me that one of the Dr's was recommending the induction for the next day, because of my difficult delivery with Kenz.  I stood my ground, and she advocated for me, and we got the induction pushed back all the way until the 28th. Whoo hoo!  So she did my exam and I had progressed to 3cm.  I also asked if she could strip my membranes to get things moving.  We rounded out the appointment with a non-stress test and sonogram.  I was hoping we would have a weight estimate, but they were just checking amniotic fluid levels.  Finally, the Dr. that read my NST said "I bet you'll go into labor in 48hrs"...Yes!! I like the way you think!!  

Okay so here we are Wednesday night and I've got nothing happening.  No contractions, no excitement.  I did a lot of googling, which reported women going into labor within hours of having their membranes stripped.  I was getting frustrated.  I remember saying to Don, I wish that Dr. never even said that, because now my hopes are up.  
So now its Thursday, and Kenz and I are enjoying some lunch on the deck when I feel a "splash."  And I'm like uhh did I just pee my pants.  So I stand up and have fluid running down my leg, in which Kenzie proudly asks, "Mommy, you peeing?"  So I call Don and then call the Dr.  The nurse I spoke with said the Dr. knew even before the nurse told her my name, who was calling, since she was confident I would be in labor within 48hrs.  They suggested I monitor it over the next few hours, and give them a call back at 3.  Over that time, there was no more fluid, so they suggested to stay home and to let them know if it happened again.  So we did some shopping that night, feasted on some Pizza Hut, and finished the night watching the NBA Championship game in bed.  Ok I wasn't really watching the game, I was actually texting with some friends, venting about my frustrations about my lack of ANYTHING! Just as the award ceremony was starting, I felt that same leaking sensation again.  But this time it was a lot!  There was no doubt, holy cow, my water just broke!  
So it's about 11:15pm and I call the on call doctor, Dr. Rush.  She said to head on into the hospital.  So we call up Megan to have her drive up, and I hop in the shower.  Don was like, What? You need to wash and curl your hair?  I said Don, we are having our baby, there will surely be pictures taken!  So I finished getting ready, packed some last minute things, and did some cleaning while we waited for Meg to arrive. 
Then we had to do, what I dreaded most.  It still brings tears to my eyes, thinking about Don and I going into her room, waking her up, and holding her one last time as an only child.  She of course was out of it, so that actually made leaving her a bit easier.  Meg snapped this last pregnant picture, crying eyes and all. (Holy cow was I huge)

 Stay tuned for Part 2...

What have we been up to???

Wellllll....what have we been up to?  Besides loving on a squishy baby boy (which we will get to) I have some major catching up to do.  

The past few weeks dragged on as I was waiting, and hoping to go into labor.  So we spent lots of time with Kenzie, soaking up our final days as a family of 3.  

We took a trip to the Hidden Valley Adventure park which was so fun.  Kenzie loved all of the animals, and they seemed to love her too!

We took a stroll along the waterfront on my due date.  

And took Kenz to a Bisons game...and she hasn't stopped talking about "Bustard T Bison" since.

We Grow 'Em Big

Well I turned the big 3-0 on Wednesday.  I had a pretty relaxing day with Don and Kenz, which included a lunch date, and frozen yogurt for dinner!  

And to kick off this birthday, I was excited to start the morning out with a growth scan of Baby Burch, and the start of my weekly Dr's appointments. 

So I was 36 weeks, 4 days on Wednesday, and our little porker is measuring at 38 weeks, and already 7lbs 6oz.  Baby is head down, back along the right side of my belly, butt right in my ribs, and legs all the way across my belly, with its ankles crossed.  So everytime this babe kicks, its butt slams into my ribs -- therefore explaining all of the back and rib pain I've had on my right side.  

She also thinks this baby takes after big sister Kenzie and has a pretty good amount of hair already.  Now take a look at the "little" peanut.  Looks just like big sister Kenzie right?  Which pretty much means, we've got another baby that looks just like its daddy....Good thing he's cute!

My appointment was good too.  There was no talking of induction, which I was worried would happen since baby is running on the moose size.  She estimates I'll have a baby around the same size as Kenz.  Also just because baby is bigger, it doesn't mean they can come any earlier.  BUT, I am happy to report that at first exam my doctor said I was just not quite 3cm.  She eventually said I was 1-2cm, 50% effaced, and -2 station.  So I'm excited to see what kind of progress we've made this week!

It's About That Time -- Boy or Girl?

Well friends (and any complete strangers that may stumble upon this blog)...It is time to get your guesses in on what this bump has got in there!  
I have a sonogram and appointment on Wednesday, which I'm sure may give us a good idea of how big this babe is, as well as if there are any signs of progression.  (In case you want to cheat a little and wait for an update) 
So if you're feeling confident, guess away.....  Excited to see what you all thing!

I thought before you may feel absolutely confident with your guess, I thought we'd take a look at old wives tales and see where we fall with those!  I'll say for the most part, most people, including complete strangers, are guessing girl.  But these below are for sure, completely science-based, so I'm sure you'll be able to come up with your best guess just by these results alone ;)

Where are you carrying?  Out front = boy

Fetal Heartrate?  Higher than 140 = girl

Morning sickness?  Ugh yes = girl

Female intuition = boy

Basketball or Watermelon? Basketball = boy

Craving fruit? Yes = girl

Craving sweets? Yesterday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, and I told Don I wish we could celebrate everyday! = girl

Moodier than usual? Oh holy cow, YES! = boy

Active baby? For sure! = boy

Graceful or clumsy? Ummm, I don't think I notice anything different, so I'd say Graceful = girl

Chinese lunar calendar = boy

Chilly feet or the same? Same = girl

What side do you sleep on? Left = boy

For the record,... I copy and pasted this same list from back when we did this for Kenzie.  {Full disclosure}....I only had to change 2 (lunar calendar and gracefulness).  So take your best "educated guess."

Baby Burch 2's Baby Pool

35 Weeks 3 Days

So, I'm a tad nervous about our depleting time frame.  I have a small feeling that maybe I'd go early this time.  Maybe somewhere within 38 and 39 weeks?  As exciting as that is, that also means less than 2 weeks to prepare.  Kenzie's room still isn't done, the nursery (Kenzie's room now) hasn't even been touched.  The hospital bag isn't packed.  No baby outfits are picked out.  Or big sister gifts!  
We do have our maternity pictures scheduled for Wednesday.  Hopefully the weather cooperates since we've already had to reschedule.  

How Many Weeks: 35 weeks, 3 days.  It's the final countdown.....

How Big Is The Baby This Week: Baby Burch is as big as a large cantaloupe, about 6lbs.  I'm nervous this baby is BIG, like bigger than Kenzie big!!  I am excited that we have a sonogram scheduled next week to measure this babe, since Kenzie was a bit bigger than expected.  

Weight gain: About 30lbs.  So if you're keeping track, that is up 10 in a few weeks!  Eek!!  I had gained 30lbs total with Kenzie, sooo I'm hoping the weight starts to slow down a bit. 

Sleep? Still sleeping good.  So thankful for that aspect of pregnancy.

Cravings? I text messaged Don today that I wished chocolate chip cookies were calorie free!  They are my fav and would eat them everyday if I could (pregnancy or otherwise).  

Aches and pains? Well this has changed over the past few weeks.  I've got that annoying back/rib pain I had with Kenzie.  I was hoping I wasn't going to get it this time, but it is here, and forceful.  I'm thinking its a foot in my rib that radiates into my back.  Its awful anytime I sit, which makes driving awful!  I do go for an adjustment tomorrow, so maybe its something she can help with too?  

Signs of labor? I'm having some Braxton-Hicks contractions (I think) but thats about it.  Maybe I'll go early this time?

What I miss? I miss being comfortable.  It really wears on me how painful it can be to sit and do work, drive to a workshop, or even just put on my shoes.  I'm trying to stay positive and active as much as possible.     

Reaching Milestones: I am now not doing as many workshops for work, and those I have scheduled, I have a coworker helping me with lifting.