Auntie Lys

Aunt Alyssa came to visit last week! She was a natural with taking care of our sweet baby girl. She was also a huge help with laundry and cleaning up around the house. It's amazing how quickly laundry piles up with a newborn in the house.
The most exciting news is that she had an interview in Lexington while she was in town and she got the job!
Aunt Alyssa and Uncle Heath will be moving to the Lexington area in mid-October. That's only a few weeks away. We're so excited to have them nearby!

Aunt Marie arrives Tuesday...yay!

Goodbye Grandma!

My mom left this weekend after spending nearly three weeks with us. When she found out I was being induced early, she scrambled to get a new ticket and was by my bedside early the next morning.
We couldn't have survived without her help. She cooked many delicious meals, did mountains of laundry, cleaned up after us and gave Suvi and I lots of love.
Thank you so much for all your help!
We miss you already!

The birth story

Pull up a chair and get comfy. Those of you who know me know I don't tell short stories. Here is the story of Suvi's birth:
I went for my 39 wk. check-up on Tuesday, Sept. 1st. The Dr. said my water was close to breaking and she'd prefer it to be broken in a controlled environment b/c of the excessive amount of fluid I was carrying. (I believe the medical term for this is hydramnios).
We headed to the hospital and checked in at 10:30am. They started pitocin around 3pm, and I started having contractions shortly afterwards. After a night filled w/ awful late night tv programs, increasing contractions, and only 1.5 hours of sleep, I was fully effaced. I took the first dose of pain medicine in my IV at 6am Wednesday, Sept. 2nd.
The plan was for me to get my epidural that afternoon and they'd break my water, which would make me dilate quickly. At 3pm Wednesday afternoon as they start placing the epidural, my water breaks. I can't move as they're putting a needle directly into my spine. Immediately, I feel an extremely painful contraction hit, and I was instantly brought to tears. I still couldn't move b/c they weren't done with the epidural. I endured a few more contractions before the medicine kicked in. The nurse had to talk me through me them as my legs were shaking so bad from the pain. I totally commend women who have natural childbirth...no way I could do it.
I was fully dilated a few hours later, but they couldn't tell if Suvi was face up, which would be bad. Her head also wasn't descending into my cervix as it should be. They continued to wait around and see if her head would drop down. The epidural only took on one side so I continued to feel small contractions on one half of my body. They gave me another dose of medicine around 8pm or 9pm, and I become completely numb. I couldn't feel my legs at all. They rolled me on my side to see if gravity would allow Suvi to turn face down, but it didn't work. I then pushed off and on for an hour or so to see if her head would come down, but it didn't.
Around 10pm Wednesday night they decided to do a c-section b/c I was exhausted, her head wasn't descending, they didn't know if she was face up, and continuing to push could result in more harm than good for Suvi.
She was born at 10:39pm. I was so drugged up, exhausted and experiencing severe shakes from the medicine they gave me that I didn't get to feel the extreme joy and happiness I was looking forward to upon her birth. I just wanted to sleep due to the morphine they gave me at the end of the procedure.
As soon as I got a few hours sleep and some of the drugs left my system I was overjoyed and completely in love with our little girl.
Jarmo was great during it all..he took lots of pictures and was such a proud dad.

Even though her birth didn't happen as I would've liked, I would it all again b/c the end result is amazing.

Suvi Lynn has arrived!

Suvi Lynn arrived Wednesday, September 2nd at 10:39pm.
She weighed 8 lb, 11 oz. and was 21.5 inches long.
She's beautiful and perfect! I've been told she looks like Jarmo. Poor girl.
I'll post her birth story and more pictures later.

SAHM I am

I'm officially a SAHM! I'm still waiting on the baby part, but I'm "retired" from work. It hasn't quite set in. I feel like I'm on vacation.
So, what have I been doing these past few days?
I've been running errands and cooking like crazy. I will say the eggplant parmesan I made last night was worth not being to distinguish between my ankles and knees from standing up all day preparing the delish dish.
Today is more errands and a double batch of muffins to freeze.
Now if only I could be as motivated to clean as I am to cook.

Surprise Shower!

My friends Brooke & Pilvi found out I wasn't having a baby shower in Cincinnati and put together a surprise shower for me yesterday!
Jarmo told me were going to lunch, and we ended up at my friend's house. I walked in to see several of my friends waiting for me.
It was a fun afternoon complete with a pink and brown theme. We played baby shower games and enjoyed delicious homemade cakes and pastries. Pilvi is a genius in the kitchen.
I didn't have a camera, but will post some pics once my friends send them. I only wish Jarmo had said we were going somewhere nice for lunch so I could've dressed a bit nicer.
I'm truly blessed to have met such great friends here!

I'm also officially 37 weeks today...only 3 more to go!

7 weeks and counting

I'm officially 33 weeks today. SEVEN weeks to go, but who's counting, right? I feel pretty good, but am starting to feel worn out. It's humid, my feet always hurt and I could be the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man's stunt double with all the swelling I have. If you poked holes in me and set in the front lawn I'm sure I'd water the yard better than our cheap sprinkler head.
But some positives to looking this pregnant and still have almost two months to go:
1. When shaving I never have to worry about nicking my ankle with my razor because I have no ankles due to the constant swelling.
2. People stare, but move quickly out of my way at the gym. (I think they're afraid I'm going to have the baby right there on the elliptical machine!)
3. It's socially acceptable for me to balance my plate on my stomach to avoid spilling food down my shirt.
4. I got out of going to an after hours work event b/c my boss said I couldn't help set-up tables, etc. and she didn't want me standing on my feet for the 2 hour event. Very thoughtful, indeed.

I also notified work that my last official day would be August 21st. That's five weeks away...I can't believe it! Our lives are going to drastically change soon! But, for the better.