Week 1 With Angel Baby

Week 1 With Angel Baby

It's hard to believe Hunter has only been with our family for 1 week! Matt and I both agree that we don't even remember what life was like without him.  This has seriously been the most joyful week of my life, caring for my newborn.  That's not to say it's been perfect though...

Usually a woman's milk comes in 3-5 days after the baby is born.  Having a C-Section shouldn't slow this down, because the milk coming is triggered by the detaching of the placenta, not the actual birth itself. But here were are a week out and I still have no milk. :(  This has been very challenging for me because breastfeeding my baby was such a big priority of mine. I pray every day to have the ability to nourish my little child and it breaks my heart to have to use formula, even though I know it is a blessing to have. 

It's funny how this birth has gone nothing like I planned it to go. All these twists and turns in the road, but I count my blessings every night that my son is healthy and happy.  Since supplementing with formula, Hunter has been a very happy baby.  He sleeps very well and is hardly fussy at all, which makes for one happy mommy! I am not sure if I will get a miracle and my milk will suddenly come in a week late, but if I don't I pray for perspective that, even though breastfeeding is the most beneficial way to nourish your child, the formula will help him to grow healthy and strong and that Hunter will be a force for good in this life.

The Birth Story of Hunter Colin Ott

Born 09-22-2012 at 4:25pm 7 lbs 5 oz 19 & 3/4 in.

The Onset of Labor: 

For me, labor began on Thursday 9-20-12 at 2pm.  I had just gone in to the hospital for a non-stress test and my contractions began to intensify and come regularly.  Although they were painful, I was absolutely thrilled as I was already 5 days over due and had a scheduled induction for Sunday evening that I really didn't want to keep! 

My plan was to go to the hospital around 8pm as long as the contractions were closer together, but by that time, they were pretty far spaced (10 min or so) and not too intense. I got tired and decided to get some sleep. I remember feeling 4 real contractions before falling asleep, and then slept pretty good the rest of the night, waking up with a contraction here and there.

Friday we woke up and began timing the contractions.  They were still coming regularly, but seemed very manageable to me.  I wanted to be in some serious pain and discomfort before I went to the hospital.  So I labored all day from home and my mom's house before finally checking into the hospital at 8pm.

 Here we are leaving my mom's on Friday night to have a baby!

So we check in around 8pm and find out that my cervix is dilated to a good 3 almost 4 (out of the 10 it needs to be).  The hospital will admit you and consider you in active labor when you hit a 4.  I had to be monitored for a little while first, but then I asked if they would let me walk around for an hour before they admitted me.  So I went walkin'! I did squats and lunges along the way and had some pretty strong feeling contractions.  By 10pm when I checked back in, I was a 5 almost a 6! Wahoo! This baby was coming! maybe even before midnight, I thought. (I was wrong...)

 Here I am in active labor! My stomach has monitors on it, which is why I look so massive. Ready for you Hunter!

So I got into my delivery room and it was all pretty surreal. Wow, I thought, this is where I am going to be having my baby! (Wrong again).  I worked through my active labor contractions well.  They started picking up. By 2am I was beyond exhausted...  Ready for my epidural! It was great. No pain, super relaxed, ready to rest.  I got some very good quality sleep thinking this is going to be great, sleep now, then have the energy to push!! At 7am there was a shift change and I got a new nurse.  I was so ready! I got checked and was still a 6! What?! Still a 6?? That just can't be right... I have been a 6 now for 9 hours! I chose to stay positive. I waited this long so that I could go into labor on my own, now I can wait a few more hours for my boy. 

 Thing took a turn for the worse, but I am staying positive because he is still on the way!

So at about noon, mind you I had been in active labor now for 14 hours, they started talking pitocin.  This was going to get my contractions going so that we could get more pressure on my cervix, which was STILL a 6... Bring it on. I am ready, I said.  They broke my water at about 2pm and that is when things really took a turn for the worse.  As my contractions peaked, babies heart rate was dropping.  There were clear signs of fetal distress. They pulled the pitocin.  By the time 4pm rolls around, I was in labor for a whopping 18 hours and had not progressed passed a 6.  That was when the "C" word was brought up.  The one thing I did NOT want... a C-Section.  Well, the nurses talked to the dr. and it was inevitable.  Baby was not coming down, my cervix was not dilating, I was getting a c-section.  I started crying. A lot. This was not at all what I wanted. But I just had to go forward.

 Matt gearing up for the C-Section in his scrubs!

So, they prepped me for an emergency c-section and wheeled me into the operating room.  This whole time, try as I might, I just could not stop the tears streaming down my face.  Somewhere in the back of my head I knew I would be meeting my son in just minutes, but I felt it was so unfair that it was happening like this! My body was made to birth this child, I had carried him for 9 months with no complications. Why this? Why now? Why me? 

I layed in the operating room and they strapped me down, put up the blue screen and prepped me for the surgery.  It was all becoming very real.  As I stared up at the bright surgical lights my attitude shifted.  I found an unexplainable inner strength to stop crying and greet this baby with love.  

Minutes later, with Matt by my side, holding my hand tight, we heard the first sweet cries from our child! "Wow, look at these long eye lashes!" was the first thing the nurse exclaimed. I knew right away he had Matt's eyes. They brought my little angel over to the heating lamp and cleaned him up.  Every negative thought was lost in the awe from this perfect little miracle sitting there calm and wide eyed.  

It was all so worth it!! And I would go through it all over again if I had to for him!!

Our 7lbs 5oz angel baby.

All cleaned and handsome!

Our first family picture!! :)

Skin to skin

I felt so lucky to have the experience I had.  Even though a C-section wasn't my plan, I was able to see my baby right away while I was being stitched back up.  Then they wheeled me into recovery where I was able to hold my little guy right away skin to skin.  He latched on right away and his first feeding was so surreal, partially having to do with the amount of meds I was on! ;)

Proud Daddy!

He loves his little boy!

Baby Burrito!

I'm not going to lie, recovery from a c-section is hard.  Getting in and out of bed and trying to maneuver around to get in the right position to breast feed were my biggest challenges. But every day got better and even though I had a couple of break downs in the beginning, I have found the recovery to be very manageable. I was probably one of the few people who actually enjoyed my hospital stay. The nurses were all very kind and we were lucky to have our own room.  

Tired daddy and baby

After 3 days we were finally discharged! Time to take the new addition home! :)

Hunter is so lucky to have a loving family!!

2+1=3! :)

New glider and boppy just for Hunter! Watch out! Mommy has an attitude! haha.

Getting his little swing working. He loves it! :)

He loves his little sling! He feels like he is right back in the womb. Also, see the flowers my wonderful husband got me in the background! :)

So that is it! A whirlwind of emotions all ending in the greatest joy a person can feel. I can safely say my life is forever changed... for the best. <3 

Overdue

Well, here I am, on my first day of being overdue. Never did I dream that I would make it to September 16th with no baby in my arms, yet here I am with the biggest belly I could ever imagine having, still pregnant. 

Some things I have learned: 

1. Induction DOES NOT work! There is absolutely nothing that will get a baby that isn't ready out. When you're this pregnant you get a lot of suggestions, and I'll be polite and tell you that I have/will try it, but IT DOES NOT WORK! Maybe your sister's aunt twice removed swears something totally worked for her, but that is called a coincidence, not a successful induction! ok... :)

2. Patience. While I have had my share of break downs and 'I can't do this anymore!'s, I have been able to find an inner patience that has kept me sane these past few weeks.  I have also learned that even thought I think this baby will come out being my little baby doll that I get to dress up, take care of and mold into the perfect child, it is completely false. He has a mind of his own and will have to make choices that I can only influence, not compel him to do or be anything he doesn't will for himself. 

And 3. Lucky for me, today is Sunday, so I am reminded of a famous quote spoken by the late Joseph B. Wirthlin: "Come What May and Love It."  I have loved carrying this child of mine for the past 9 months. It has been an adventure I'd always dreamed of. If I get the pleasure of doing it a few extra days (or even weeks) why should I feel sorry for myself?? He is a miracle and will be here before I know.

All trials are easier in hindsight. I am definitely looking forward to this one being behind me, but I just need to love it, because God's greatest miracle is happening within me. Who am I to rush it along?

Pregnancy

Well today I am 37 and a half weeks pregnant. It's been a long journey that is very soon coming to and end.  But the end is just the beginning of the rest of our lives!

(All 3 of us!!)

 Here are some pics documenting my growth. (And I still have 3 more weeks potentially!)

9 Weeks! Announcing our special news to the world!

12 week tiny bump!

16 Weeks, It's a boy!!!

20 Weeks... gaining a little momentum! 

24 Weeks, first Prenatal Yoga class!

27 Weeks, Maternity Pics

By Sara. :)

30 Weeks! 3rd Trimester

 35 Weeks and about ripe!

 37.5 Weeks AND COUNTING!!!

How many more weeks to go??? Only Hunter knows! :)

Our First Anniversary!

Our First Anniversary!

We had a wonderful first anniversary down in San Diego.  We flew down to Orange County and stayed the night Matt's Dad's house, then drove down to San Diego.  We started off our anniversary right where we were a year ago that day- the Temple.  Only this time we were in the BEAUTIFUL San Diego temple! It was absolutely breath taking! (Literally!!) After that spiritual high, we headed to the beach to enjoy more of God's miraculous creations. It was great bonding time.  Then we found this cute little place called Seaport Village and ate some yummy seafood at a restaurant right on the bay. We walked around and enjoyed our time together. 

 Then on our actual anniversary, June 4th (which was a Monday) we cut the top of our cake which had been frozen in my parents freezer all year! The frosting was a little freezer burned, but the cake itself still tasted pretty good!! 

Although no relationship is perfect and we've both had our adjustments, Matt and I both agree it has been the very best year of our lives.  Nothing can top the constant love and companionship we have felt towards one another this past year and it can only grow as our family does this next year!! 

(We also thought it VERY ironic that it rained on our anniversary AND our wedding day! Double luck!!)

Oh What's in a Name?

Oh What's in a Name?

I feel like today is a good day to tell the story of the name we chose for our son, Hunter Colin Ott.  Matt and I agreed that if it was a boy, he would get to pick the name, and if it was a girl, I would.  So, as much as I was hoping for a girl, I am really glad it's a boy. And here is why:


Five years ago, to the day, Matt was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Matt's road to baptism was a very rocky one, yet miraculous, to say the least.  One of the most influential people in the process was Matt's best friend, Colin Hare.  Colin was a member of the church who was working at re-flaming his fire of faith in a very pivotal time in Matt's life.  Matt was introduced to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ down in Southern California, with Colin by his side.  


But the plan God had for Matt wasn't in Southern California, it was up here, in Northern California.  So after meeting missionaries down in Southern California once or twice, Matt made his big move to Roseville and put those two young men in their white shirts and ties and name tags in the back of his mind.  Little did he know, the reason he thought he was moving to Northern California, to make techno music, would all fall in shambles and he would have to hit rock bottom before he could climb up again.  And two of the people that would act as mentors, or guides in that climb, would be two more guys in white shirts and ties with name tags. 


Elder Johansen and Elder Schwarz were there for Matt in a time when it seemed like no one else was. And Matt was the most attentive and enthusiastic investigators a missionary can only pray for.  There was no denying the hand of God in Matt's life that led him to this great day- April 20, 2007, the day Matt chose to take upon himself the name of Jesus Christ and enter into a covenant with Him, to live the rest of his days as a witness of Him, that He lives and is the Savior of the world.  


On this eventful day, Matt chose Elder Johansen to be the person who physically baptized him.  He chose a member friend, Mark Madsen, to give him the gift of the Holy Ghost.  And in the excitement of the moment, he made a solemn declaration to his other Elder, Elder Schwarz, that he was going to name his first born after him! A promise that he truly intended to keep! Elder Schwarz first name is Hunter. 


So while I'll admit, Hunter wasn't my first name of choice, I do fully support Matt in his choice to name our son Hunter Colin Ott because of the significance of the story behind the name and because of the great examples my son will get to live up to.  Hunter (our son) has an amazing father who lives a righteous life patterned after the teachings of Jesus Christ, but he didn't become the man he is on his own doing.  It was through the friendship and example of many that molded him into the man he is today.  And Hunter's name is a tribute to a few of these great people. :) 




Matt with Hunter

 Matt with Colin

Living the Ott Life: Catch Up!

Living the Ott Life

First post! So exciting! 

Let's catch up with our timeline, how this family came into being:

June, 2007:

THE FIRST TIME WE MET!
We met through mutual friends at this party. Matt was 24 and I was 20. We sat down next to each other and started talking and didn't stop for 3 hours!! 

August, 2008-

August, 2010:

CALLED TO SERVE.

Matt served a two year mission in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June, 2009-

November, 2010

SISTER LOVE <3

I made the decision to serve as well and spent a year and a half in the Thailand, Bangkok Mission. This is me on a P-day on the Chao Pri River. It was so hot! I wish I could have gone swimming!! :)

December, 2010

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT? or... resight?

This was the party Matt confessed his interest in me. I was intrigued. 

New Years Eve, 2011

ENCHANTED

Everything changed that magical night when we fell in love at midnight. It was the beginning of the best year of our lives! 

January, 2011

INFATUATION 

With me just off my mission and Matt off school, we managed to spend just about every waking moment together.

February 14, 2011- 
Valentines Day

 ENGAGEMENT
So it didn't take long, but we already knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. And on the day of love, Matt asked me to be his forever. And I said YES!


April, 2011




 PLANNING THE WEDDING
We made a few trips down to So. Cal to take our engagement pictures and for me to get to know my new family! Planning our wedding was fun and exciting!

 June 4, 2011 

 

THE BEGINNING OF FOREVER

Although it rained most of the day, our wedding was absolutely perfect. I've never been so happy in my life.

July, 2011
                                   HONEYMOON IN PARIS We had the amazing opportunity to see Matt's sister Mandi's wedding in Paris and spend some one on one time in Rome. 

September, 2011

VIVA LAS VAGAS                                                                  
                                                We got to reminisce our honeymoon a few months later in Vegas overlooking the Eiffle Tower!

October 31, 2011

HALLOWEEN!                                                            .                                                                                                     Our first Halloween together.  I was a bunny and Matt was a blue person... his costume got a lot of laughs.  He really enjoyed scaring the trick-or-treaters! 

December 25, 2011   

 OUR FIRST MAGICAL CHRISTMAS!                   We were so lucky to spend our first Christmas at the Happiest Place on Earth! We didn't know it yet, but our little baby was already coming into being!


January 8, 2012


IT'S POSITIVE!
We found out there was a 
little one in there and told my parents they were going to be grandparents for the first time. See the tear in Dad's eye?

January, 2012

BAHAMA MAMA!               We got to go on a cruise to the Bahamas and had a great time soaking up the sun! At that point I was 5 weeks pregnant and not sick! ...YET


February 14, 2012- Valentine's Day 

GOING PUBLIC!                  One year after our Engagement day, we announced to the world that there would be a little Ott coming to fill those shoes!

March 30, 2012

IT'S A BOY!
At 16 weeks, we went in to an ultrasounds clinic and found out that we will be having a boy! We were so excited and wore blue for the occasion! 




So that pretty much brings us up to speed! As I was doing this timeline, I realized how much fun it would have been to make these posts as they were happening, but, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!! :) 


I am now in full mommy mode and am excited to blog my experience carrying and raising my first child. :)


Keep checking back! Although we can be a little odd, Living the Ott Life is great!!