This pregnancy was absolutely, 100%, worse than my pregnancy with Teddy. In fact, Carrigan will absolutely, 100% be our last child! 2 kids, and one of each, is plenty! The second trimester was ok. I was still really tired all the time, especially chasing and growing, ever-active toddler. The good thing is I didn't have to work for most of the 3rd trimester. I didn't start to gain any weight until about 27-28 weeks. I definitely didn't get as big with her either.
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April 2014
36 weeks
So I do want to share our birth story, because I wrote Teddy's down on here, and it was a MUCH different experience the second time around. I actually really wanted her to be born on July 7, because Teddy's birthday is 8/8 and I thought it would be cool if hers was 7/7, however, my doctor didn't go for elective induction at 37 weeks. After that 37 week appointment by the way, we went to the hospital 3 more times because I was in so much pain from a kidney stone. Wednesday July 9, I was admitted for dehydration from throwing up so much and then the next Wednesday July 16 I was back for pain. I kept telling everyone how much my back hurt and that I thought it was either a kidney infection or stone. FINALLY on the 16th they listened to me and gave me something for the pain and Flomax to help pass it. Wouldn't you know it? The next day, it passed. And it was HUGE. that week was really rough on Teddy too because he understood enough that mommy was in a LOT of pain, and was crying and throwing up. It upset him a lot. I was so glad when it passed and he was too. He is a worrier like his mother!
Anyways, I digress. So Monday July 21, we had our doctor apt and Dr. Jackson literally said as soon as she walked in, "Why are you still pregnant?!" and I replied, "That's what I need you to tell me!" so we set up a date for induction for July 24 at 8am. I was not really too excited for induction because last time it was 2.5 days before Teddy arrived but I was just ready for this pregnancy to be over. Coleman and I got up early, took Teddy to his sitter, and got my last meal at Panera and headed on down to UK. We were the ONLY people at L&D so we were escorted right on in.
Our nurse was super nice and I loved her to death. The doctors came in and checked me, I was still at 3cm, which I had been since Monday. Coleman and I put it on the Today show, got settled in for what we thought would be a few days. We busted out some playing cards, played Rummy. Around 10am, the nurse started me on Pitocin. Last time it didn't work, I never felt contractions and they only came about 5-7 minutes. FALSE, Brown bear. This time Pitocin worked and they started coming every 2-3 minutes almost immediately and they were PAINFUL. Dr. Marcum came in to check me and said she would break my water soon, and to go ahead and request an epidural because I knew I would want one anyways. Around 11:45 the anesthesiologist came in. Epidural wasn't bad, we chatted about how much schooling was needed to be an anesthesiologist and about our favorite chemistry professor at UK. He decided to put me on a low dose for now because I wasn't in too much pain. Which in hindsight, kind of sucked because our nurse came in to do my catheter and I felt every bit of that! My left leg was numb the whole entire rest of the day but I could still feel my right leg. It was just weird because with Teddy, the epidural numbed me from like my diaphragm down and I never felt anything. So to feel stuff this time around was really weird.
Around 3pm, the doctors came in to check me, still 3-4cm. Blah. So they decided to go ahead and break my water. That wasn't as fun as last time either because they had a really hard time breaking it. With Teddy I had a lot of extra fluid. I guess I didn't with Carrigan. Well after that I started to feel really weird and the epidural was not working anymore. I was in a lot of pain and our nurse called back the anesthesiologist. Well guess what? The epidural had FALLEN OUT. No wonder I was in pain! So they had to call him back and he had to redo the whole entire thing. Which, if you've had an epidural, you know that not only did I get a free back wax with purchase, but I got TWO for having two epidurals. Hooray for me. I hate tape. Around 6pm the doctors came in to check me because she wanted to wait awhile to see what breaking my water would do. 4-5cm. I really wanted her to be born on July 24, and there was only 5 hours left! Dr. Marcum was not discouraged, she said it could go really fast or take just a few more hours. She said when you feel like you need to poop, let us know. That means it's time!
At 8pm, an hour later, I started really badly feeling like I needed to push. So the doctors came back in and checked me. There was some miscommunication because it sounded like the doctor said "no change" meaning I was still only 4-5cm. But Dr. Marcum said, "The look on your faces tell me you didn't understand. You're at 10." Hooray! Around 8:30, they got all their gear and the 7 doctors that are in there got me up in the stirrups and ready to go. Dr. Marcum asked how long I pushed with my first and I said about an hour and 45 minutes. She said it DEFINITELY wouldn't take that long this time. I started pushing at 8:35pm, Carrigan was born at 8:50pm. 15 minutes. Done. Boom. I wouldn't say it was quick and painless, but it was definitely quick and I hardly felt any pain at all. Even with the epidural wearing off. It was really easy. I don't know how else to describe it. With Teddy I remember my mom saying, "It's ok to scream if you want to!" but I didn't with her. I feel like I blacked out with Teddy until he was out, but I clearly remember everything this time. I remember Dr. Marcum saying this time, "We can take a break" and I said, "No I just need to push!" and out she came. I didn't even tear. That's how easy it was. I just felt really good afterwards. Like really good.
Just born. 8lbs 10oz 21 1/4 inches
first family photo
So anyways, we got to come home on Saturday around 2pm. She was slightly jaundice but don't worry, she pooped it all out. Teddy has been adjusting really well to being a big brother. He's very helpful putting bottles in the sink, holding her, getting burp clothes and diapers, etc. He's starting to get a little bit of the green-eyed monster at times, and when he gets his feelings hurt he runs to the front door and cries, haha. But I think with only being 2 weeks old, he's doing really well.
He asks every single day to take a picture with her! "Teddy hold her! Take picture!"
The only problem we've had with her is she hasn't gained any weight since she came home from the hospital. She was 8lbs, 5oz when we left and at her appointment on Tuesday, she was still 8lbs 5oz. Some babies are just slow to take off is what they said and they seemed unconcerned. We're going for another weight check next Wednesday. 
My big girl
Theodore's birthday is today. I cannot believe he is already 2 years old. We are having a Thomas themed birthday party with just family tomorrow at our house. He is OBSESSED with Thomas the Tank Engine. He is also potty trained; I will have to blog about that at a later date. We go for his 2 year appointment on Tuesday. I promise I will blog about him and how much he has grown and changed over this spring. He is talking in full sentences, and has been since about April. The babies are waking up now! Happy Birthday Theodore!
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