Vivian's Birth Story

I woke up Saturday morning (4/17) with cramps. I've being feeling cramps for a few weeks, so I continued with my plans for the day thinking that these cramps would go away soon. I took a shower and started getting ready for Kim's baby shower. The cramps started to get a little stronger and I started having contractions. Kyle called the OB around 7:20pm and I called my mom. Around 8:30am my mom arrived, we handed Jacqueline to her and headed to the hospital. There was a race going on that morning and we had to detour to get to the hospital. Kyle screamed through the window to a cop who was directing traffic: "My wife is in labor!". It was like a scene of movie! :> I got checked in and I was 3cm and 90% effaced. My contractions at this point were strong. Dr. Steveson was the doctor on call. I asked how long should I wait to have my epidural. He said that would be better to wait until I was 4-6cm to increase my odds of having VBAC. When you are in excruciating pain, that sounds like an eternity. I was determine to do anything in my power to avoid another c-section. I followed the doctor's suggestion and waited....and waited....and waited some more...not by choice at this point The anesthesiologist was busy and couldn't give my 'happy juice' until another patient's c-section was over. I waited about 3 hours until I received the epidural. I was probably 6-7cm at this point. I didn't get relief right away. It took a while for the epidural to work and finally I had some relief. Kyle and I were just chilling and talking to Nicole (the nurse). Dr. Stevenson came to check my progress and I was 9-9 1/2 cm. It was around 1pm when I got to 10cm and I labored for another few hours. Dr. Stevenson wanted me to labor down until the baby got to position +2. Everything was looking good and going better than expected. Both nurse and the doctor kept saying how this was the perfect scenario for a VBAC. Vivian's heartbeat wasn't affected by anything that was going on. I didn't want to get my hopes up, but it seemed that I was heading to a vaginal delivery! I asked the doctor if he had done any VBAC's and he said he had 10 years experience! What a relief to be in the hands of someone w/ that much experience. God had orchestrated every single detail. I was praying the entire time for the safety of our baby and that God would make happen whatever it was best. I gave it to God completely and I know His will would be done. Dr. Stevenson came back and wanted me to wait a bit longer before pushing. He said that the best pushers are the ones who can feel a little bit (that meant to feel a bit of pain). My epidural wore off too much and I could completely feel contractions on the right side. This is exactly what happened with my first pregnancy. The anesthesiologist came back and gave me some more meds. As he said: "It's hard to chase the pain". And, yes, he was so right! I got some relief, but I could still feel a lot of pain. There was no time to give me any more drugs...it was time to PUSH!!! It felt so surreal. I had no idea that labor was so hard! I pushed for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Our baby girl was finally born at 6:09pm. I looked at her and wept. It was beautiful moment and I was so glad she was healthy and perfect. I'm was so thankful God allowed me to experience avaginal delivery. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!

8 lbs 8 ounces and 22 inches of pure perfection!

Proud Dad and Wonderful Coach and husband

First time we locked eyes

So happy holding my baby girl!

Jacqueline first time seeing her baby sister

Here is the smile we were hoping for

Showing off her big sister shirt

The Waiting Game

Patience is a virtue. If you know me well, you know that's not one of my qualities. It has being really hard to wait for BK2 to show up. I'm tired of hearing complete strangers looking at my belly and saying: "You're about to pop!". But in reality, they are right! I'm about to POP.
I had my 38 weeks appt this morning (Monday, April 12). I'm 1 1/2 cm dilated and 75% effaced (last week I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced). So, I'm progressing, but it means ABSOLUTELY nothing at all to me since with my 1st pregnancy I was 1 cm dilated all the way to 38 1/2 weeks and my water broke. It's a waiting game.

Yesterday at church, the preacher was talking about how God knows us even before we are ever born ("The Lord called me before my birth. From within the womb, He called me by my name..." Isaiah 49:1). How amazing is to know that God already knows Baby Kuba #2 by name! I don't even know her, but He already knows who she is and have plans for her! My prayer is that she will never know I day in her life when she doesn't know the Lord.
I haven't posted any frontal belly shoots, so here is finally one. It looks like a swallowed a gigantic basketball. Check it out my crocked "linea negra". I had it with Jacqueline and is definitely back with BK2.

Easter 2010

Easter egg hunt in our backyard

A very pregnant ME relaxing and enjoying the afternoon

3 generations of Kubas

"Yeahhhhhhh"!!

Putting her eggs in the basket

I
J drinking from Grandma's glass

Both of our families (Natalie--Kyle's brother's wife is also pregnant- she is due Aug 28)

We went to church on Saturday night at 5pm. It was so nice b/c it was not crowded like the morning services. We went out for brunch on Easter Sunday at Providence Cafe. My parents met us there and we had a delicious brunch! I specially loved the chocolate chip muffins! YUMMY!!!!

Jacqueline was being her usual self---A-C-T-I-V-E!!!!

I had the Belgian waffles and they were pretty good. I ate every bit of it! I tried giving some to Jacqueline, but she wasn't a fan. Oh, well, I didn't mind at all...more for me!

In the way out, I bumped into 2 friends that I haven't seen forever! They have not even met Jacqueline! On my left is Marisa and on my other side is Amy, I met both from mutual friends.

Belly Art

Kyle painted a pumpkin on my baby bump when I was pregnant with Jacqueline, so I thought it would be fun to get him to do an Easter egg for my baby bump w/ Baby Creature.

36 weeks and 5 days

My sweet little bunny and another one in the belly due to "hatch" on April 26