Nichole Chism

24.3.13

Grandma is Here

Mike and I wanted Avery all to ourselves for the first 2 weeks so no overnight guests were invited

Now that our 2 week mark is over Grandma has finally arrived

What blessing it is to have such an amazing momma

Not only is she a great Grandma,

she is an excellent house cleaner, cook, laundry doer, and errand runner.

What more can a new mom ask for?

We spent an enjoyable evening basking in the beautiful Huntington Beach weather

20.3.13

I have the best and most supportive husband in the world.

I can't thank him enough for his love, comfort, guidance, and motivation through this whole process. I have never been so grateful for marrying this man in my life than while in labor.

Tuesday March 5th, 7 days post delivery due date, we headed to the doctors for our standard check up. In the back of my mind I was dreading the words induction. Last week at our appointment I was only dilated to a 1 and still not softened or effaced so I was hopeful that after of week of intense walking, feet/ankle massages, spicy food, and the good stuff ;) that I would be much further along this time.

Well i went from a 1 to a 1 1/2 half dilated and from a 0 to 50% effaced which in the doctors professional opinion was not good enough; she then recommended being induced that night. My heart dropped and I managed to control the tears that were on the brim of explosion. Induction was one of the last things I wanted.

We were told to go to the hospital at midnight, yes a bizar time but hospital protocol, to start the journey.

The plan: get a dose of Cervidil, a cervix softening and ripening agent, for 12 hrs see what progress was made, then another dose of Cervidil for 12 hrs, and then after my cervix was nice and ripe to start the Pitocin to get the contractions and labor started. So the doctor told us to plan on a 48+ hrs deliver process. Oh boy!

After the news at the doctors we went home and i exploded in tears due to frustration, fear, and being told i had to be induced. Mike was such a comfort; we packed and prepared to go to the hospital, prayed and felt at peace with the decision made.

We checked into the hospital at 1am Wednesday morning ready to start the journey.

What ended up happening: One dose of Cervidil which lasted 11 hrs. Contractions started about the 6th hr and progressively got stronger, my water broke at the 11th hr, and labor officially began.

I was beyond grateful for my body, how it reacted to the Cervidil and went into labor by itself. After my water broke little Avery was born a little more than 8 hrs later.

The delivery couldn't have gone better.

The best support a wife could ask for

19.3.13

You never know how amazing your parents are, especially your mother, until you have your own child.

All day and night feedings

Changing a bucket worth of diapers a day

Soothing fusses and cries

Constant cleaning and laundry

And the list can go on and on.....

I can't express in words my love and gratitude for my mom she is truly amazing. All mothers out there I give you a high five and a huge hug.

Having a child has changed my life in every way; from what I do all day to how I eat to what my thoughts are consumed with. Avery is the center of my universe.

Mine and Avery's first staring contest. She came into this world wide eyed and peaceful.