Wednesday, July 2, 2014

{Elodie's Birth Announcements}

Finally getting around to sharing our awesome Minted birth announcements with you all! We sent some overseas and wanted to make sure all of our friends and family got them before I posted to the blog. 

We always use Minted for our Christmas cards, so it was a no-brainer that we'd use them for our announcements, too! I'm so glad we did. I am absolutely in love with the way they turned out! I ended up spending hours designing a bajillion options and finally settled on these (with a few small tweaks the Minted designers executed perfectly!). I felt they were feminine, sweet and I was able to showcase more than one photo from our newborn session with Linnea (because let's be honest, how could I choose just ONE?!). We also ended up going with an envelope liner option, which really completed the package and made everything feel even higher quality. Can't thank Minted enough for the opportunity to partner with them for our birth announcements. It's such an incredibly special memento we'll keep forever and ever!

Monday, May 19, 2014

{Elodie's Birth Story}

Elodie is one month and 12 days old, so I think it's about time I shared her birth story! Toward the end of my pregnancy I was absolutely obsessed with reading other people's birth stories (if you like them too I found the mother load here. Enjoy!), and found myself completely fascinated by how different they all were. Despite learning about what a "normal" birth is like in our baby prep classes, reading all of these stories reminded me that there really isn't such a thing as a "normal" birth. They are all different and unique and completely unpredictable. 

I'll warn you now, this birth story is really long, and more for my memory than for all of you. But if you make it through to the end -- congrats! ;) Without further ado.... 

-------
In the two weeks leading up to my due date I was already 4cm dilated and 90% effaced. I had actually been dilated since my bout with the norovirus at 32 weeks (only 1cm, but still!), and was up to 3cm & 80% by my 37 week check up. This is pretty rare for a first pregnancy (so I was told), so when my doctor checked me at my 37 week appointment, she confidently stated “this baby isn’t going past her due date!”. That must’ve been the moment she jinxed me ;) I had always prepared myself to go past my due date because that is so common for first time mothers, but after a preterm labor scare (in which I was admitted to the hospital and everything) at 34 weeks, I couldn’t help but think that there was a possibility our little lady would come early. But alas, April 3rd (my due date) came and went and still no baby. By this point I was off work and all those Braxton Hicks contractions I’d been feeling for the last few months? All of a sudden nearly non-existent! Wouldn’t you know it. 

The day after my due date I woke up with a cold. Of course, I had to throw myself a pity party on instagram because I was now overdue and sick! How cruel! There were quite a few comments that being sick could actually be a sign of labor, but I didn’t take those comments to heart because when you’re 40+ weeks pregnant, you really do think everything is/could be a sign. That was the worst part of being overdue. Physically I felt totally fine, but mentally and emotionally I was starting to break down. It drove me nuts thinking every day could be the day, and every pain or weird symptom I had might be a sign of labor. By Sunday night (3 days past my due date) my cold was waning away and I had resolved that this baby was not coming on her own. I was mentally preparing myself for an induction (which we had tentatively schedule for that coming Thursday – when I’d be exactly 41 weeks). 

That Sunday night we went over to dinner at Corey’s parent’s house. The whole gang was there – his parents, my mom, his brother and his girlfriend, corey’s cousin, her husband and their sweet baby. We talked a lot about how pregnant I was and how I was feeling, and to be honest I was probably pretty crabby about it all. I was trying to stay positive, but by that point I was pretty much just throwing my hands in the air in defeat. I told them I was expecting to be induced on Thursday, I didn’t feel like the baby was coming anytime soon and that I was fine with that. Period. 

We went home and got right into bed – I fell asleep around 9:30 (hey, you go to bed early when you’re 40+ weeks pregnant!). I was fast asleep for an hour and a half when I woke up at 11PM with intense pain in my abdomen. But it didn’t feel like the Braxton Hicks I was used to. In fact, it was so excruciating and foreign to me I was actually convinced what I was feeling weren’t contractions. I paced around our house for 20 minutes trying to figure out what to do. I was sort of still in a sleepy haze and was feeling really out of it. I was standing on my side of the bed when Corey woke up and asked me if I was okay. My response? Whispering…“I’m not in bed, I’m standing up” (um hello weirdo! What was wrong with me?!). He told me he could see that and asked if I thought I was in labor. I told him no that this wasn’t labor but that I was just in a lot of pain and I didn’t know what to do. I laid back down in bed and told Corey I felt like I was hallucinating (still have no explanation for why I was being such a freak of nature!). Corey, being the smart and attentive husband that he is, was way ahead of me. He knew I was in labor. This was it. So he gently tried to convince me that we should finish packing our bags (all the last minute things like toothbrush, makeup,etc). At first I refused. What was the point? I wasn’t in labor and we weren’t going anywhere. Not 5 mintues later, still in so much pain, I decided that we could finish packing the bags if only to distract me from my pain – but still insisted this was not it. 10 minutes into walking around gathering my toothbrush, makeup, etc, I realize that maybe this is in fact labor. 

We start timing the contractions and they are coming quickly. Every 3-4 minutes. And they are bringing me to my knees, literally. The only position that felt somewhat bearable to be in was leaning over the bed hugging a pillow and most of the time screaming into it. Wow, this was intense. I obviously knew labor wasn’t going to feel good, but this hurt so, so bad that I was actually convinced I was going to die before making it to the hospital. I mean, how was I ever going to get in a car like this?! After 20 minutes of timing contractions Corey wants to call the hospital. Me, being the stubborn wife that I am, tell him not to call because we’ve only been timing the contractions for 20 minutes, and I have to time them for an hour before calling otherwise they’ll just think we’re dumb and turn us away. Thank goodness Corey didn’t listen to me and called anyway. After answering a few quick questions (how far apart are my contractions, how dilated was I at my last doctor’s appointment, when was my last appointment, etc) Corey hung up the phone and told me we had been granted permission to come in anytime. Huh? I was so confused. Finally at this point I’m slowly starting to come to terms that we are going to have our baby very soon! Holy crap – this really is it! 

All of a sudden I can think of nothing else than how scared I am to get in the car. I am absolutely convinced that there is no way I can make it through even one contraction anywhere but kneeled over our bed. I cry just thinking about having to labor in the car, even just for the 10 minute drive. This whole time Corey is being so helpful and so supportive through every contraction and he tells me that I will get through it and the car ride won’t take long. Short of calling an ambulance (also another form of a car…) I realize this is something I can’t avoid. So we finish up packing (me taking a break every 3-4 minutes to experience the worst pain of my life) and kiss Henry goodbye (I can’t tell you how much I worried about him seeing me in such pain. He was a little frantic and could totally tell something strange was happening and I hated leaving him behind in such a state). 

In the car the contractions are pretty much just as bad as I thought they would be. Corey is driving like a bat outta hell – which I only know from feeling the acceleration of the car as my eyes are closed this entire time working through my contractions, which are often times coming one on top of the other and giving me no break (we learned later this is called “coupling”. It sucks big time.). I tell Corey I don’t want to die on the way to the hospital to give birth to our baby and he assures me he is being safe. 

We finally pull up to the emergency room parking lot and I now realize I somehow have to WALK inside. But what do I do if I have a contraction? What if they make us sit at the desk and fill out papers or wait for someone to see us? I CANNOT DO THAT I tell Corey. I am paralyzed in the car, by pain, by fear, by emotion. He is standing outside the car while I am still inside, trying to get through my contractions and also convince him that I can’t go in there. Of course I finally do get out of the car and right as I do and am holding my belly crying about how much pain I’m in, two young guys walk out of the emergency room and past us. It felt like the movies! They probably thought I was nuts! Anyways, my fear was all for not. The moment we walked into the emergency room it was very clear to the staff what was going on and that I was in no condition to be waiting around. I got a wheelchair immediately and before I knew it we were being wheeled up to labor and delivery, right into our very own room where I’d be giving birth to our daughter! Hallelujah! 

By this point it is 1AM and the first thing the nurses do is check to see how far dilated I am. I’m 5cm. Yay! Progress! Clearly still working through the intense contractions they ask what my preferred method of pain relief is. Corey responds “early and often”, which is funny, but I wanted to make sure it was clear – I wanted that epidural and I was ready for it right.now. They got the message loud and clear and ordered it up. It takes a while to get the anesthesiologist in, so in the meantime they hooked me up to an IV (first they blew out a vein in my left arm, but I didn’t feel a thing) and then gave me something to take the edge off a bit. By 2AM I was getting my epidural and by 2:30 it was in. I heard a lot of people say the epidural didn’t hurt – which I will completely agree with. And that the only part that hurt was trying to stay still and in a certain position while it’s being administered – which I will also agree with. But overall… OMG EPIDURALS ARE THE BEST THINGS TO EVER BE INVENTED. Major props to all you mamas out there that have given birth naturally. There is seriously no way I would’ve been able to do that. No way.  My epidural was especially amazing because while I couldn’t feel any pain I could still feel the pressure of the contractions and I could even move my legs (I mean, it’s not like I could get up and walk or anything, but I could wiggle my toes and lift up my legs enough to maneuver myself slightly). 

So now it’s just past 2:30AM and the nurses check me again and I’m 7cm! Holy moly, things are moving fast! We hadn’t even called anyone yet to tell them we were in the hospital because one, there was just no time, and two, we didn’t want to ring any alarms in the middle of the night because then what? We’d just be waking people up to tell them to wait for more news! Once I had the epidural and was settled in for a bit (the nurses told us to get some rest and Corey passed out within minutes, me on the other hand was definitely not sleeping, way too anxious) I did make one phone call to my older sister Cristina in LA. She gave me specific instructions that she wanted to know when we got to the hospital no matter what time it was. So she got the call. It was really nice to be able to talk to someone, it put me at ease and made me even more excited. The epidural made me shaky, so that made it a little hard to talk, but other than that I was so happy to share the exciting news with someone that our baby girl was on the way!
By 6:30AM (and a few hours of sleep for Corey and absolutely zero for me) I’m already at 9CM. Everything was happening so fast despite my preparing myself for a long labor. Everyone talks about how first time labors are long ordeals, so I was preparing myself for that. Of course mine was just whizzing past me and at this point I start to get a little panicky. I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can push, I’m really scared of tearing, I just don’t know! Knowing that the way I’ve been progressing 10CM is just around the corner, I ask our nurse if I have  to start pushing when I’m at 10, or can I wait a little bit? I might be the only person in the history of labors that is actually asking to NOT get this over with :) She tells me that I can let my body “labor down” on its own for a bit, which means that we can let my body just do its thing and push the little lady down into the birth canal (sorry is that too graphic? Not sure how else to say it!) for a while before I need to actively start pushing her out. I’m happy with this answer and feel a little more at ease. 

Just over an hour passes and the doctor on call that morning (not my OB unfortunately) shows up in our room at 7:45AM. As she walks in she sees that Elodie’s heart rate is dropping during contractions as she settles into the birth canal. They help me change the position I’m laying in to make sure it’s not an issue of her chord being wrapped around her neck, etc. and decide that because of her heart rate dropping that there will be no “laboring down” – they need to get her out of there. The doctor breaks my water (but there wasn’t actually any water that came out because apparently Elodie’s head was acting sort of like a cork holding that bag of waters in there!) and then leaves to get ready for delivery. Before she leaves she tells me confidently that she can tell I’m going to be a good pusher. Now the pressure is on! I’m actually not very athletic and didn’t work out much during my pregnancy (pretty much stuck to walking and yoga) so I’m feeling like I might disappoint her! And did I mention she had a c-section scheduled for 8:30AM? No pressure…. 
The doctor comes back around 8ish and starts setting me up for pushing. She gives me a quick run down on how you’re supposed to push and then we waited for a contraction to come so I could get started. At this point I’m full on in the stirrups (great visual, eh?!) and Corey is instructed to help hold my leg back for each contraction as I push. Going into it I was sure that I didn’t want to have a mirror to watch the birth – just not my thing – and I knew I didn’t want Corey “down there” either, but he seemed cool with holding my leg, so we went with it. I wasn’t sure if he would be looking at what was going on, but I was just totally in the zone as I started to push and my eyes were closed the entire time so I didn’t think anything of it. Until it became very clear that he was definitely watching what was going on. You should’ve heard the excitement and amazement in his voice as he helped coach me with each contraction that came. That is actually what brings tears to my eyes. He was so thrilled to be there and to be watching this miracle happen! I can still hear his voice in my head and I hope I never forget what that sounded like. 

Well, apparently the doctor was right about me being a “good pusher” (whatever that means?) because 4 rounds of contractions and only 15 minutes later miss Elodie Elizabeth Denfeld was born at exactly 8:30AM! What can I say about that moment I first laid eyes on her? I was in sheer shock and amazement. She didn’t cry right away and neither did I. I was speechless. She came right up onto my chest for the next hour or so and the nurses told us we had a perfectly healthy baby girl. You have no idea the relief you feel when you hear those words. After worrying for 9 months about this sweet life you’re creating, hoping and praying she will be healthy, that is the best moment ever to hear that she is just that! My heart was so full and so happy. And it’s only grown fuller and happier every day since.


Monday, April 21, 2014

{Elodie Elizabeth Denfeld}

She's here! 

If you follow me on Instagram, you're well aware our little lady arrived exactly two weeks ago today on April 7th, 2014! 

The last two weeks have been such a whirlwind… While at times it feels like her delivery was just yesterday, there are also times it feels like she's been with us forever. 

Corey was able to take two weeks off work, which was seriously amazing. I am certain I wouldn't have gotten through the last two weeks without him. He has been the absolute biggest help. I knew he would be an amazing dad, but he exceeded every expectation and hope imaginable and my love for him has grown exponentially since Elodie was born. 

So, how about that precious baby? She arrived at 8:30 in the morning after a fairly quick (for a first timer!) labor/delivery. I can't wait to share her birth story! She weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long. She was born with the most adorable fat rolls on her arms -- I just wanted to eat them up!

We were in the hospital two days and two nights. I always thought we'd stay only one, but was so glad it was actually two as we learned so much from the nurses, and it just felt really good to be in our safe little bubble with our new addition for those first couple days.

Since coming home things have been a total roller coaster. Some days I am feeling like I'm on the top of the world. I couldn't be happier, I feel like I'm getting the hang of breastfeeding, she sleeps a good stretch at night... And then others I am an emotional wreck. I feel like I'm failing at motherhood and find breastfeeding completely overwhelming. The good news is the good days far outweigh the bad, and from what I hear what I'm experiencing emotionally is totally normal (thanks, hormones!). So we're just taking things day by day over here. As of today Corey is back at work and I am feeling extra thankful we live so close to family who can help me as I'm still getting adjusted to motherhood.

Just wanted to pop in for a quick update on how things were going over here. Hopefully I'll be back sooner than later with Elodie's birth story :) 
{Photos © Liz Denfeld Photography}

Sunday, March 23, 2014

{The Nursery}

I feel like we pulled this nursery together in record time. I had known for a long time certain elements I wanted for the nursery (like the Sharon Montrose animal prints), and we actually bought our crib really early on (like back in September), but getting past that was difficult. I waffled back and forth on the crib, we took forever to purchase the dresser, I could not for the life of me figure out what to do about a rocker/glider. We were just stumped. So we didn't do much of anything with the nursery until I got really sick with the norovirus at 32 weeks. 

So what does the norovirus have to do with our nursery? Well, this virus was nasty. I ended up in the hospital severely dehydrated and with a high fever. These things kicked my body into preterm labor. Luckily, once they got my hydration and fever under control my body stopped trying to have this baby and all was well (as well as can be when in recover mode, right?!). But the whole preterm labor scare really kicked us into high gear. After I was healthy again I just started ordering things, making decisions and getting stuff done. The whole thing went from a room full of all our wonderful baby shower gifts to a real-life nursery in the matter of a week or so. 

A little bit about the room... I knew I wanted the room to incorporate elements of travel (we hope to share our love and passion for travel with her from the very start) and animals (I am a HUGE animal lover and I hope I can teach her to love and care for animals, too!). I didn't want the room to feel overly girly/frilly/pink, but definitely wanted it to be bright and feminine. Of course, I wanted the room to be practical and we needed to do it all on a budget (we've pretty much had to furnish our entire house from the ground up since buying it in August!). And here's where we landed (sources for most everything listed after the photos):
{Photos © Liz Denfeld Photography}

Rocker: IKEA Strandmon Chair hacked and made into a rocker (Thanks, hubby!). We used this post to guide the way.
Changing Pad: Keekaroo Peanut Changer 
Animal Prints: Sharon Montrose
Frames for Animal Prints: Pottery Barn
Shelves: IKEA Ekby Jarpen Shelves in White & Ekby Valter brackets in Birch, spray painted gold
Gold Animal Statues: Dwell Studio via Horchow
Wooden Toy Camera: Twig (this color combo sold out now)
And Then There Were Three Zebra Print: SS Print Shop
Diagonal Stripe Frame: Nate Berkus for Target (now sold out)
Gold Glitter Shoes: Juicy Couture via HomeGoods
Teal Vase: Target (can't find online)
Wooden Giraffe and Plush Owl: Gifts
Diapers: Honest Company
White/Wicker basket: Nate Berkus for Target (now sold out)
Pink Pattern Basket: Gift
Watercolor Map Print & Frame: Clover via Society6
Elephant Crib Bedding: Pottery Barn Baby
Faux Sheepskin Rug: IKEA

Saturday, March 22, 2014

{Pregger Update: 38 Weeks}


How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of Baby: She's still the size of a watermelon - 19-22 inches long
and weighs about 7 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes.

Stretch Marks: Fingers crossed... still no...

Sleep: Sleep seems to be deteriorating by the night. Seems unfair, no?
I mean, I know I'll be getting zero sleep once she arrives, the least
my body could do is allow me to get some shut eye during these last
precious weeks! (days?!)

Best Moment of the Week:  Getting the car seat installed. This pregger
may or may not have started crying as I drove away with a car seat in
my back seat. Whoa, this is feeling very real.

 Movement:  There were a few days last week where she wasn't her
feisty self. I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me worry a little
bit. I know the bigger she gets, the less room she has, so she's bound
to slow down on her movement, but I missed it! Happily, she's back to
her active self now!

Cravings: Nothing in particular this week...

Gender: Little Lady!

Belly Button In or Out: I think we're officially in the outtie club.

Wedding Ring on or Off: On! My massage therapist (oh yeah, I've been
treating myself to weekly prenatal massages as of last week -
best.idea.ever.) even commented how I wasn't swollen at all. I credit
that to good genes (thanks, Mom!) and not being pregnant in the
summer. Whatever it is, I'm happy about it!

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Not really. Except all of a sudden
eggs sound disgusting to me, when I've been eating them a ton this
whole pregnancy. Weird!

What I Miss: We've had a couple incredibly beautiful days the last
couple weeks in Portland. I miss sitting outside with a crisp glass of
white wine or a delicious IPA. Soon enough!

What I am Looking Forward to: Living my birth story. I can't get
enough birth stories, I love reading them. I always have, but now
especially. And every one I read makes me think.. What will my story
be?? How will it all start? How will it end? Birth is such an
incredible and unique thing. No two births are alike. I am dying to
find out how mine goes down... Praying for a healthy baby and safe
delivery. That's all I want!

Labor Signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks still. Found out at my appointment
this week that they're doing their job. Could be any day! But I could
also go past my due date. The anticipation!!!!

Nursery: The rocking chair is done and we got a lamp! I need two more
picture frames and some drawer organizers and then it will really be
done. It's done enough now that I took photos that I'll be sharing on
here soon!! I LOVE the way it turned out :)

Emotions:  Had a rough day yesterday, today I'm feeling good. It's
really a daily thing. Overall feeling really great, happy and excited.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

{Pregger Update: 36 Weeks}


How Far Along: I’ll be 37 weeks Thursday!

Size of Baby: She’s the size of a watermelon – 19-22 inches long and weighs about 6.5 pounds. Whoa.

Maternity Clothes: I’ve definitely bought my fair share of maternity clothes throughout this pregnancy! I just always felt like the maternity stuff fit better and was more flattering – considering it was made for a bump, I think that makes sense! I can still miraculously wear a few pre-pregnancy things, but the number of those items is dwindling by the day!

If you’re wondering, my favorite places for maternity clothes have been:
ASOS.com
Gap
Target
Paige Maternity Jeans via Pea in the Pod

Stretch Marks: Still slathering on the belly butter and still stretch mark free… Fingers crossed…
  
Sleep: Eh, it’s okay! I get up 3-4 times a night to pee, so that’s not exactly fun. But other than that, it’s actually not so bad. Trying to get all the rest I can get before little lady arrives :)

Best Moment of the Week:  Working on the nursery. We’re almost finished! Corey and I pulled it all together really quickly in the end. I am so proud of the room – it’s definitely my favorite space in the house. Just a few more details to add and then I’ll share pictures here!

 Movement:  Good grief this girl is always on the move. I thought by this point she was supposed to be a little more crammed for space, but judging by all the kicks and flips I feel all day long, I find that hard to believe! I do have to admit I really love it. And if I don’t feel her for even 30 minutes I start missing her rolling around in there (and, admittedly, get a little worried).

Cravings: I love eating cereal these days – Honey Nut Cheerios. And I could eat Thai food every single day (but that’s been the case this entire pregnancy). Not loving meat, which is kind of a new thing as of the last month or so…

Gender: Little Lady!

Belly Button In or Out: It goes back and forth. At this very moment it’s out!

Wedding Ring on or Off: On! Knock on wood, I haven’t dealt with a lot of swelling during this pregnancy, so I hope I can wear them until the end.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nausea started coming back for me pretty consistently as soon as the third trimester started. As long as I’m good about snacking and drinking lots of water I’m usually okay.

What I Miss: Being able to stand and walk for long periods of time without having intense back and pelvic pain, being more graceful (getting off the couch or out of bed ain’t pretty), and just generally feeling like “myself”. I want to do everything I used to do when I wasn’t pregnant and I get frustrated easily when I realize I need to slow down.

What I am Looking Forward to: Meeting our baby girl. I can’t believe it’s happening so soon. I just want to know what she looks like and stare into her eyes and finally meet this little lady that is consuming my thoughts and dreams! I cannot wait to see Corey holding her. I daydream about the moment we’ll meet her and it brings tears to my eyes. I just can’t wait.

Labor Signs: Tons and tons of Braxton Hicks contractions – and my body is definitely getting ready for this whole labor thing! My doctor doesn’t think I’ll go past my due date. I hope she didn’t jinx me!

Nursery: Almost done – need a couple picture frames, a side table for the rocking chair and a lamp!


Emotions:  Yeah, they’re all over the place as is to be expected when you’re nine months pregnant, right?! But overall, feeling really great and happy!