So this is LOVE...

We have certainly had a busy couple weeks here at the Siegfried household. We are adjusting to this new little person who has moved in with us. The first week we survived 5 doctors visits in 5 days. Beau had jaundice and had to go on lights. He had to get his blood tested everyday to make sure he was getting better. Thankfully, he did recover quickly and we only had to have him on lights for 3 days.

My older brother Aaron and his wife Jolene came to visit. It was great to spend time with them and I'm so thankful they got to meet Beau. We went to a birthday party for my precious neice Peyton-Ashley. She turned one on July 1st. I was glad that Beau could be there to celebrate his cousin's 1st birthday.

The first couple weeks of Mommyhood have been challenging. My recovery from giving birth was harder than I thought it would be. Breastfeeding was much harder than I thought it would be. Getting up in the middle of the night, several times a night, has been much harder as well. Thankfully everyday gets a little easier. My body is healing and adjusting to my new sleep schedule. Beau and I are both getting the hang of breastfeeding that is getting easier as well.

As challenging as it is to figure this all out, it is of course, such an amazing time and each day with Beau is a gift. I am so in love with this little boy. I feel like I now have a deeper understanding of what love is, of what it means to love someone, and of how much God must love me.

Here are some more fun pictures from the first couple weeks with Beau.

Beau Aaron Siegfried is here!!!

My baby boy has arrived. Beau Aaron Siegfried was born on Wednesday, July 7th at 9:24 am. He was 19 inches long and 7 pounds, 4 ounces.

Birth Story: Dan and I arrived at St. Joseph Hospital at 8pm on Tuesday, July 6th for our scheduled induction. I was quickly admitted and shown to my labor and delivery room. I got changed into my hospital gown and was given medicine to soften my cervix. I was told that I may have some cramping but would most likely sleep through the night. Well, 15 minutes after I took the medicine, I starting having bad cramping. It came and went and continually got stronger. I was in LABOR!!!

I supposed I am just a big whimp but it hurt! I asked for some pain relief right away. Well no wonder it hurt, I dilated from 2cm to 4cm within an hour or so. I was progressing quickly. I got an epidural, which took a while to work, but when they figured out the right medicine and dosage, I was much happier. I couldn't sleep with the epidural as I could still feel the pressure coming and going and I suppose I was just too anxious to relax enough to get some sleep.

We called my Mom when I got an epidural and she came to the hospital at around 1 am. Then I decided I needed my Daddy to come down too so he came around 3 am. The rest of my family came some time between 6 and 7 am. I was so glad that everyone was there. Around 7am I was 5-6 cm dilated but by 8am I was 7cm and I went from 7cm to 10 cm in one hour (8am to 9am).

By now my epidural was wearing off and and I could feel the contractions again but they didn't hurt too badly. It was just enough that I could feel when to push and push effectively. Around 9am my wonderful Doctor said it was time to go. I couldn't believe it. It was happening so fast. When my Doctor said those words it was like a whirlwind all around me. I was so excited and anxious. I was finally going to meet this baby that I carried inside me for 9 months. The feeling was overwhelming and I started to cry.

The nurses positioned me so I was all ready to push. Thankfully, I was still numb enough that I didn't have any pain in pushing. I pushed for about 20 minutes and out came this perfect miracle at 9:24 am. The Doctor and nurses placed him on my tummy. I just held him and cried for joy! I said "hello", "happy birthday" and "welcome". I told him how much everybody loved him and that Jesus loved him too. I told him how we have all waited for him for so long. I told him that his Mommy and Daddy were right there and were so happy to meet him.

The Doctor and nurses got me all fixed up and cleaned up and we brought the rest of my family in the room to meet Beau. Mom, Dad, Allison, Ike, Kelsey and my mother-in-law Michele were all there. The nurses weighed him and measured him. A perfect 7lbs, 4oz (same as me at birth) and 19 inches long. They cleaned him up and Dan put on his first diaper.

Everyone got a chance to hold him and say hello. We popped open a bottle of champagne and had a toast! Soon after we all gathered together and prayed. We praised and thanked the Lord for this precious gift. I was overcome with gratitude for the Lord, for my family, for everyone who prayed for this little guy.

What an amazing experience! Probably the best day of my life. I marvel at how I can love someone so much that I just met. It is overwhelming. My brother, Pastor Ike, read this verse that morning: Psalm 127: 3-5

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

39 Weeks Pregnant!!! Last Pregnant Post!

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds. The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

Baby is now the size of a small watermelon!!!
















Total weight gain: Up 1 more lb. 30 lbs total for my pregnancy. Exactly what my OB recommended that I gain for my pre-pregnancy body weight and size! I did a good job. :) Now onto losing it all - Yes, I am already thinking about it.
Updates: Still pretty much the same as last week. My 39 week appointment was a little anti-climactic. So it is looking like next week Tuesday 7/6, I will be admitted to the hospital (St. Joseph) at 8pm for an induction. Baby Beau will most likely be born on 7/7/2010.
Sleep: I'm starting the count down for "nights left to sleep while pregnant". I realize that I will go from some sleep now to almost no sleep when baby arrives but even 15 minutes of laying COMFORTABLY in my bed sounds like heaven as does getting up to feed my baby instead of getting up to use the bathroom...again.
Other symptoms: Pretty much the same symptoms as last week. Lots of pre-labor signs, just no actual real labor.
Other Thoughts: Today is my niece Peyton-Ashley's first birthday. One year ago today God brought her into this world to be a part of our family. She stole our hearts immediately. I've been so blessed to be her Auntie. She has brought so much happiness into my life. I think she and I will always share a special Auntie/Niece bond. Also, this is my last "pregnant" post. Not sure when I will be able to post again but I hope to continue my blog with pictures and information about my new life as a mommy! This blog has been such a great way for me to document everything I have been through physically and emotionally. I've really enjoyed posting every week. The next time I post, I will be a mommy!!!
Best moment last week: Got a pre-labor manicure and pedicure yesterday! I might be too tired to do my hair and makeup every single day over the next month but I will have cute feet!
What I am looking forward to: I finally get to say "Delivering my baby!!!" I am actually really scared and anxious about labor and delivery but I have decided that I will be getting an epidural so hopefully that will help facilitate a more calm and peaceful delivery experience. However, since I've never done it before, I have no idea what to REALLY expect. I am just going to pray that after all is said and done, I will have a happy and healthy baby!
39 Week Belly Picture: