Final Post

I'm so sorry it's been along time between posts, I've been swamped at home with Noah. Summary is Noah is doing well after a hard start.

He had reflux which was horrid as he would scream and be unsettled all day. It took many doctors trips and different formulas to try help and finally we have some relief & we have a few tricks to help along the way. Another small issue was he had a preferred side to lay on so he was starting to get a flat head. We have been seeing a baby chiro and she is doing wonders - I had no idea babies can get so jammed up during birth, Noahs neck was jammed and only after a few weeks massive improvement has been made. Sleep wise he is doing much better, getting into a routine and stretching out feeds to 4 hourly.

For me the start was rough, sadly I got the baby blues which turned into mild PND. I think it was many things that contributed - me distancing myself from the baby during pregnancy, not wanting to vent or complain about the hard times as I felt so blessed to have a baby after TTC for so long and never really having life experience with babies made it alot more overwhelming. I thought after wanting something so much I failed badly as a mum and I never wanted help as it showed my weakness. Anyway I'm not going to get into the whole issue but wanted to say its improving. I'm not overwhelmed anymore and I've changed alot of things; for example I'm taking time out for myself by exercising which makes me feel great and Aaron and I are going on regular 'date nights'. As Noah has improved and settled into a routine, so have I. Please don't think I'm complaining as I'm far from it, just listing whats been happening. In Summary everything is travelling along much better and we are working well as a team.

My first Mother Day was fantastic, much better than I ever thought it could be. In saying that I do remember what it was like 'on the other side' ... wanting it so much... I felt so bad for the ladies that were sad and upset that day. I remember the last mothers day was when I was waiting to start my IVF cycle.

After the birth I had massive mixed emotions about my TTC journey and the stage I finally got to. I felt on cloud 9 we finally had a child but I still held onto the hurt from TTC for so long.... it wasn't till weeks later I had to learn to let it go. I can't be disappointed or angry anymore ... I need to drop it and move forward ... so this is what I'm doing. I started this blog to help me through my TTC/IVF journey and it worked, it felt great to vent and cry here and no one could judge me. Also my lovely EB crew, I couldn't have got through the last years of ups and downs without them. I know it sounds soppy and aload of shit but its true, I think about everyone there; The original TTC group, the grads group, the AC group, my DIG and most of all the E Team. I wish I could stay on EB forever and talk to the friends I have made but I need to move forward. In saying that I will never forget my friendships made and many will continue on. I realise I may come across this same journey if we ever decide to have another baby but the last years have made me stronger and I know I can do it.

I will leave you with a huge photo bomb of Noah and I ... and please if you want to continue to chat I'm always free by email or facebook.... you know how I love to talk ;) love to you all I will never forget my time with you xxxxx

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone!!!

Photo bomb :)

Photos

Geez I can't believe its been 4 weeks on friday Noah was born, where did the time go? I've been meaning to get on here and post more but getting into a routine is harder then I thought but we are getting there. We seem to be travelling along ok, a few bumps in the road but nothing too bad. Noah is not too great at settling at the moment so sleeping for me at night is limited. For example you think having 4 hours sleep a night would be fine but when its broken it hits you hard. Apart from that nothing new my end. Before I go I will leave you with a few pics of the little guy :)

In his woombie (great to help him settle)

You can see just how small he really is - in his cot

Newborn photos

Now if you know me I'm not into photos, by that I mean I hardly carry a camera around and I hate getting pictures taken of myself...prob because I suck at taking a decent happy snap. However in saying that I always love a good photo, whether it be a stunning wedding, family get together or a new family addition. So of course through out pregnancy I thought it would be a good idea to book a professional photo session as my skills are less than basic.

Since I was at the FS clinic daily when going through the IVF I saw advertising for a local business Dilkarra Photography as they are plastered over the clinic ... the photos on display were stunning and I thought since we are only going to do this photo session once I may as well book somewhere I will be happy with.

Well that was a complete understatement - we loved the final pictures!! I'm so happy we booked through Brandie as her work is stunning and she is such a lovely person. If you ever need a photographer in WA check her out but heads up you must book in advance as she is very popular .... check out a sneak peek of our photos below :) I'm so happy with our photos!!

Photos of Noah

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT!!

THE BABY IS HERE!

Noah Johnathan Diver entered this fantastic world on 24th February 2012 at 5:11pm via C-Section. Length;50 cm Weight; 5.10lbs  Term; 36+4 weeks

No I'm not joking I swear it true, it feels like a long few weeks since posting but nothing much happened. Finished work, had baby shower and started maternity leave on the 17th Feb. So I will start at the beginning of mat. leave which was only last Monday. I had an OB appt and nothing different I just started to get high blood pressure. The OB said this can happen but doesn't mean too much, I was put on low level tablets and had a check up at the hospital for that wednesday.

Wednesday comes and I head to the hospital, I had a whole day planned as it was my first day hitting the shops etc. on mat. leave so I was looking forward to getting all my odd jobs done you cant really do when working full time. In the hospital I was only there for a simple blood pressure test (4 tests over an hr) to make sure the new tablets were ok and doing the job.... well I did the routine wee test and that showed traces of protein.

The nurse went off and thankfully my OB was in the hospital that day and came up to discuss the test results. He said it looks like I have the start of pre-eclampsia and because I started to get a bad itchy 'all over body' rash (caused by pregnancy) they decided to induce me there and then .... no going home, no finishing my jobs for today, no time to finish packing my bags ... thats right wheel me into the labour ward we are getting started!! I was only 36 weeks so I was worried.

To say I was shitting bricks scared is a complete understatement and to make matters worse the only day Aaron was away for work was that day... he was a good 4 hour drive away when I made the phone call. Lets just say he got to the hospital in record time and I'm praying there were no speed cameras along the way as I reckon his heart was up in his mouth the whole way home and his eyes were not on the speedo.

So to summarise (as I will post about my induction/labour/CS later) they straight away started the gel to try ripen my cervix (3 lots - 6 hrs apart). As this only made a small impact they then tired 'ballooning' my cervix - place a large catheter up your cervix with a balloon on the end and once inserted they fill will water to 3cm to try open. By the way this was so painful I seriously could have passed out!!! this can take up to 12 hrs to work or until it falls out, mine fell out after hrs of contractions. By now it was friday morning - 24th feb. From there my OB broke my waters and started the drip. It was now on like Donkey Kong!!

The Drip was fine, I found it started slow and worked its way up to long hard contractions. The midwives reckons I was doing so well as I hadn't started any pain relief as I felt I had thm under control - don't get me wrong they were fkn killing but I assumed it would only get worse so I wanted to hold off for as long as possible. Then all of a sudden my fetal monitor (machine monitoring the baby - strapped around your belly) dropped and the heart rate was flat lined ... aaron and I didnt notice until 1 button was pushed and hundreds of midwives/doctors and my OB came running in & they seriously flicked my body over onto the side to assess the baby. In the end all was good but it looked like the baby didn't like the drip or active labour so after this heart rate dropping a few times they made the decision to do an emergency C-Section.

So it was only 5 mins time of prep before we were in, gowned up, cleaned down and starting the op. It was so surreal and weird (but again I will go into that later) but in only 5 minutes time we met our new family addition. The suspense was a killer and we still to that day didn't know if it was a boy or girl and if the high risk rating we were given before would be something we had to deal with. Because we didn't know the sex all the docs/midwives had guesses on what it would be and where super excited also.

It was great, the best moment ever when our OB yelled out it was a boy... I was looking into Aarons eyes and I could see the excitement and tears and it was just heaven. A few moments later Aaron brought him over when the docs finished up on my body and we got to look at our son :) it was the most priceless thing ever. We had names picked out and we chose Noah Johnathan (middle name after Aarons brother who has passed away & John is a family name on my side).

I swear after the years of trying to conceive, the cost, time and emotion involved in IVF this moment was worth everything. I will never ever forget what I went through to get to that point and I cried the day after having him thinking some days I wanted to throw in the towel but I'm so grateful I didn't as Noah is perfect.

Well here are 2 pics I have of the little guy, first one is our first picture together as we just got back to our room. Second one is the next day.

33 week - plod plod

Not much happening this end - 33+ weeks. Plodding along counting down the days;

Next OB Appt - 9th Feb
Baby Shower - 12th Feb
Finish Work - 17th Feb

I'm a tad nervous about my upcoming baby shower, I'm not a huge fan of being the center of attention .... but as I've been told people will only attend if they want so it should be good (25 attending so far).  My bestie & I are organising a High Tea with lots of cakes, slices, scones, fruit platter, chocs etc etc. ooohhh yeah don't forget the wine, punch & cocktails - of course I can't have these but I'm sure the others will down a few ;)

Finishing work feels abit weird, I have always worked full time and never really taken much time off so it will be a funny feeling leaving on the 17th - only 2 & half weeks left! I'm excited though for the time off as I will be able to do heaps of stuff around the home & rest up before the big day.

At the moment Aaron & I are getting loads of big jobs done around the house (carpet cleaning, high pressure cleaning outside, gardening etc etc) and hopefully all will be done before the baby shower as its at our house... but we think its a good excuse to have the house all tidy so nothing big need to be done when we are busy. I'm sure during my ime off I will also do some 'nesting' :)

Body wise I'm not feeling so great. Still sick most days and the tummy is just getting bigger & bigger... which leads to major aches/ pains. These are the worst during the night when trying to sleep but once work has finished I think resting up will be good. Also I reckon I walk slower than bloody snails at the moment but apart from that baby wise all is travelling along as to plan. No bump pic today sorry I promise one next time, below is general pregnancy info for this week.

How big is my baby?
Fetal size: crown-rump 32cm (12.8 inches), crown-toe 44cm (19.8 inches). Fetal weight: 2.25kg (5 pounds).

Your baby is now perfectly formed and has the proportions of a newborn. Now it's simply a matter of your baby gaining some weight and doing some further maturing before he/she is ready to be born. It's becoming more cramped in your uterus as your baby continues to mature. Consequently your baby curls up more and starts to move a bit less.

Everything is mature except the lungs, which will continue to prepare themselves for breathing air after birth. Although the lungs aren't fully developed, almost all babies born at 34 weeks will survive, but will probably experience some breathing difficulties.

2012 - Year of the Dragon

If you are into chinese horoscopes you would know that 2012 is the year of the Dragon (from 4th Feb 2012). According to the Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, 2012 is the Year of Water Dragon, the color of Water in Five Elements system is related to Black. Therefore we can say 2012 is a Black Dragon, Water Dragon or Black Water Dragon year.

Below is a small clip about the Water Dragon however since our baby is due in 2012 I wanted to purchase a keepsake or something along those lines to remember it by, upon my research I found a few great childrens books so I purchased the below.

THE SIGN OF THE DRAGON: The key to the Dragon personality is that Dragons are the free spirits of the Zodiac. Conformation is a Dragon's curse. Rules and regulations are made for other people. Restrictions blow out the creative spark that is ready to flame into life. Dragons must be free and uninhibited. The Dragon is a beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant. An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and utterly irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale - big ideas, ornate gestures, extreme ambitions. However, this behavior is natural and isn't meant for show. Because they are confident, fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful. Dragons usually make it to the top. However, Dragon people be aware of their natures. Too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled. Even though they are willing to aid when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others. Dragons' generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart. A Dragon's self-sufficiency can mean that he or she has no need for close bonds with other people.

DRAGON FACTS:  People born in the Year of the Dragon share certain characteristics. The Dragon sign is an abbreviated way of characterizing that individual's personality. Following are features associated with the sign of the Dragon.

CHARACTERISTICS

• Enterprising
• Flexible
• Self-assured
• Brave
• Passionate
• Conceited
• Tactless
• Scrutinizing
• Unanticipated
• Quick-tempered
• Innovative

1 month count down for work

Today I'm 31 weeks :) very happy to be this far along but the approx 9 week to go is draaaging. body wise I've slowed down alot and find it a bit difficult  to move around etc. I was meant to be finishing work on 2nd march (approx 38 wks) but after the christmas break its all getting abit much so I have moved my maternity leave forward a few weeks to 17th Feb (approx 36wks).

So I only have 1 month to go now :) let the count down begin!! I've never take more than 3 weeks annual leave at a time so this is a nice big break for me, at the moment I have requested 6 months leave after birth but I'm sure I can always extend that after. For now the last few weeks will be a struggle, I'm feeling all different kinds of pains etc in my legs, feet & tummy area and I think sitting/standing for longer periods is not helping. Also working till 5pm is hard... by 2-3pm I'm ready to go home.

In saying that I would prob be bored at home so staying at work till the 17th feb is the best, I just suck it up and deal with it. I have heaps of work on my 'to do list' anyway and the boss has not replaced me yet so 1 day at a time. Socially its busy as always in Jan - birthdays buy the hundreds! every weekend is busy and full on so hopefully this will make the time go quicker.

Apart from that nothing is happening....just counting down the days :)

30 weeks!!

Sorry for not posting sooner - you know what the christmas/new year period is always like BUSY!!

Yesterday I hit the huge milestone of 30 weeks! I still can't believe it.... it really does feel like June '11 was only yesterday and I remember sitting in the FS clinic shitting myself starting my IVF cycle. I'm still as thankful as ever that my cycle was successful ... I know I'm very very lucky.

So I'm on the 10 week count down now ... excitement overload! I thought I better load a picture of myself to show how big I'm getting, so here is me at 30 weeks. You can see a dip/line across the belly from where my uterus finishes and organs etc are getting pushed up... also my belly button doesn't want to push out yet so I think thats helping the small dip shape lol

My belly is nicely striped with stretch marks now... and because I'm the whitest person on this planet its like red high lighter lines. I'm not that worried about them, I know they will fade later and I'm not a person that flashed my belly anyway so no biggy.... I do like to blame my dad forthe shitty skin type, we have always had crappy sensitive skin - he laughs at me and says suffer lol ... I swear he loves me lol

Because of our high risk factors we were recommended to have a 30 week growth scan to make sure all was traveling along fine inside that fat gut of mine. Below is a picture of the little one, sorry its not very clear this is the only pic we really got and its a 3D one so it looks funny.

You can see the chubby cheeks and cute nose/mouth area :) it really looks like a baby now in the scan ... its amazing. Saying that though when watching the screen it still doesn't feel real... I mean I can feel the little one kick a million miles an hr but its just not real yet - I think upon birth is when the shock will take place.

So in summary the scan was perfect and all high risk markers are fine. my low PAPPA is fine, there is no issues with the placenta or cord and is pumping the blood nicely, all positive news. I have my next OB appt on thursday and i will get my diabetes results then - hope all is ok there.

So now I just need to wait to 10 weeks and hope all goes well. I will pop in before then to post more pics and give an update xxxxx

Booking the hospital & classes

Geez its been a while since I've been posting, sorry so busy lately. Nothing has been happening work wise - busy leading up to christmas break.

Pregnancy wise - Last week we booked our hospital and met with the midwife. We discussed how the hospital runs and what the normal go was. I have also booked the 5 classes which is run through the hospital; birth & parenting, feeding, labour & positions, pain relief methods & hospital tour. At the moment I have more movement but all inside, hubby can't feel it yet.

Apart from that just busy with the general shopping etc. leading up to christmas time.

bump pic

Well thought I would update you on my growing 'fat bits'. Below is a bump shot at 23+3 wks. good thing is I haven't put any weight on since my 12 week check up (before that I did gain weight due to snacking to keep the morning sickness away).

I'm still getting sick and the reflux tablets aren't working that great but I deal with it. Feeling some movements but still not regular - but thats from the front plancenta acting as a cushion.

Today at work I found a gift on my work chair. It was from a guy at work and his wife - a lovely hand made blanket and booties. Its the nicest thing I love them!!!

Pram purchase

Nothing new has been happening this end...leading up to christmas & hundreds of birthdays so very busy. Mum and Dad have stated months ago they wanted to purchase our pram for us for a baby gift, since we are so busy at the moment Mum decided we should order it soon.

As you know I was searching around pram wise when TTC as there are hundreds to choose from - they have all different features, colours and designs ... its the hardest pick we have had to make. Aaron and I are people that are easy going so we usually dont shop for long before finding something we like and are happy with - pram shopping a completely different thing for us! There is not 1 pram that has all your wanted features... something is always not right. Another thing is the prices range for a few hundred $ to thousands.

Aaron and I had picked a few prams that we considered the favourites and my personal 'winner' was just way to expensive so we settled for a mamas & papas pram. When I went shopping with Mum and Dad they both preferred my expensive winner pick - the Bugaboo Cameleon. After shopping for hours we ended up ordering that pram - I was so excited as it was perfect .. at the beginning Aaron and I were not happy with the price but they insisted. We ordered it in Grey & Sand (dark cream) by the way it does have a basket and a few extras but you cant see that on the pics below.

I can't wait for it to be in stock (approx 6-8 weeks) and put it together and have a play :) by then I will be over 30 weeks and the count down will begin!

OB appt

Last week we had our 20 week scan follow up OB appt. We discussed the results which was great and the high risk markers are looking fine (which is the biggest relief). We had another scan at the OB appt and the measurements are still looking fantastic and measuring a few days infront.

We went over the hospital booking forms and how the whole process runs. I am a private patient so if my OB can not personally be there he has another OB which will attend (they swap patients on holidays etc.) they other OB is very nice and we are more than happy with this arrangement. Next wednesday 30 Nov we go into the hospital to lodge our application, book our classes and have a small tour of the hospital - I cant wait to check it all out (I have personally been to this hospital but I haven't seen the maternity wing - many friends say its lovely). I should have a personal room after birth, dont get me wrong I really dont mind sharing but its a nice change to have a fancy room :)

At the appt I got given a script for my horrid reflux and apart from that all looks great. He is really happy with the progress. Weight wise I put on a bit of weight in the first 12 weeks (due to needing to snack to reduce morning sickness) but since 12 weeks I haven't moved at all so thats good. Blood pressure is great. Next OB appt is in 4 weeks and nothing happening till then.

Adoption Awareness

This week is Adoption Awareness Week. It has been all over the TV new programs and news websites. Its great it is advertised as its a subject that usually goes under the radar and most people think its as easy as picking a baby/child from a brochure, sending your cheque and you will receive your child in the mail - sorry to inform you but its the complete opposite.

Look I'm not going to pretend I know all the ins and outs of Australia's adoption program but what I do know is its nearly impossible for most couples to adopt. When in the thick of our IVF cycle Aaron and I discussed adoption in great lengths and it was on the table for us if IVF was unsuccessful. So I decided to start researching. Its not until you look into it you realise there is approx yrs of waiting to just get on the 'waiting list' then many more years until you may get a placement. Oh by the way that paperwork, conditions and loops you must jump through is mind blowing... dont get me wrong children should only be in loving homes but to make it this hard is depressing.

I think one of the best articles was from Womens Day with Deborra-Lee Furness (Hugh Jackmans wife) and here is a small bit of it. Ms Furness is heading a campaign to eliminate the bureaucratic obstacles to adoption of overseas children whom she describes as “orphaned, abandoned''.The worst part is Deborra organised a huge launch for NAAW trying to attract many politicians and not 1 attended or addressed the matter.

She posed the basic question: “There are millions of orphans and abandoned and vulnerable children in the world, and so many families that want to take care of these kids. Why is it so hard to adopt in Australia?'' Very good question I say. It goes into more detail here but I would be rambling on for ever.

I hope with more people aware of the struggles of adoption in Australia something can be done to assist the children in need as well as the families wanting to care for these little ones.