A Birth Story: Skarlet Denise Makes a Grand Appearance

I've had a few people want to know how Skarlet made her appearance. So here it is, just a glimpse into the day I had my second daughter, Skarlet Denise Privitar.

November 26th 2013 I woke up early in the morning (around 2am) with some contractions but nothing close enough to keep track of. I just went on with my day as normal and still felt wonderful!

I called my mom for our weekly talk at noon and begun to have stronger contractions around 15 minutes apart. I mentioned to my mom that I felt like she'd be making her entrance either late that night or early morning the next day. I even began to slowly lose my mucus plug.

After our phone call I knew they were definitely the real deal and began to keep track of them. I figured walking would be helpful so I went to the grocery store and walked all over while grabbing a few items we needed. Kris made his daily check-up call to me and I mentioned them being 10-15 minutes apart and because he works 40-ish minutes away he began his trek back home just in case and thank goodness he did!

He got home, we headed to the skate park with Elizabeth so I can walk while they play. It was so fun and I was getting excited because I knew the time was getting closer. But even at that point I was still closer to 10 minutes apart.

Once home, I talked to my Doula (Kaylin) to give her an update and get our game plan in place. I told her I was taking a bath and would let her know when I was a consistent 10 minutes apart. After a 21 minute (I had an app to keep track of time and contractions) I jumped to contractions being 3-4 minutes apart! It was time!

At 5pm, we took Elizabeth to a friends while we took off to the hospital. I was in great spirits and joking with my husband. On the way to the hospital, Kris went the wrong way thinking we needed to go to Kadena AF Base instead of Camp Foster. Funny enough, Kadena doesn't even have a hospital! Can we assume he was a bit anxious/excited? ;) He busted a "U-y" and we were finally headed to the right base.

We got there around 5:45 and headed to Labor & Delivery triage with Kaylin. They monitored me for 30-ish minutes and I was only 3cm, so I wasn't admitted. The staff said we can either head home and labor there for a bit until we feel like it's closer or walk around and come back in an hour to re-check my cervix. A part of me wanted to go home and labor until it was closer but we lived so far that if it moved on quickly, I may have had her in the car! Thank goodness we decided to stay because things picked up very quickly!

We headed outside so I could cool off and a-walkin' we did go.

(Holding my baby for the first time. She came so fast we didn't even have enough to change out of my clothes!)

I wasn't as cheerful as before and the contractions were coming on strong. I was beginning to be in a lot of pain and knew it was the best choice that we didn't go home. After an hour of walking we headed back (oh, so slowly) up to triage.

Ready for the gross part? Mucus plug fully came out. No wonder they call it a "bloody show". Ewwie!

I was 6cm and given the green light to be admitted! At this point my pain was so bad that I looked at Kaylin and told her I didn't think I could do it. I really didn't. But she gave me the confidence to think I could and off we went to our L&D room. From the time it took them to roll me from triage, into my room and moved onto my bed I was now 8cm! Kris had to run downstairs to get my bag so they had my birth plan and once back up, I knew I wasn't going to be pregnant much longer.

Just a few moments later, I told them I felt the pressure and needed to push. I looked at Kris and told him that I needed to poop (yup, I'm going there). They said I couldn't walk to the bathroom to use it so I blatantly told them that I'm going to poop on the bed then. Call me crazy, but don't expect me to push a baby out and hold in my poop. Not gonna happen. So there it went. On the "puppy pad" and all. I didn't poop with Elizabeth so I did feel bad for the staff, but what could I do?! Everyone was so great and didn't say a thing. Thank goodness, I was already embarrassed as is!

So now, I knew baby was coming but the Mid-wife wasn't in yet. They tried getting me to hold but I couldn't. Right then the Mid-wife came in and did the best thing ever.

She stood at the end of my bed after getting it lowered and all, crossed her arms and said "Okay, go ahead. You know what to do". WHAT!? I had free reign? Awesome. I sat up, had some help with my legs and bared down.

(Kris Delivering Skarlet)

One of the best parts was Kris being able to deliver Skarlet. He was holding my hand when I first started pushing but the Midwife told him if he wanted to deliver her, he better get over there because she was coming. No time to be wasted! But he made sure to replace his white shirt with a black one so it didn't get "all nasty" (according to him). I find out later that he didn't want me to freak out if I saw a bunch of blood or something. It wouldn't have bothered me but so sweet he thought of my feelings. ;)

A few pushes and out she came. Kris welcomed her into this world and it was beautiful. She came so fast I didn't even get the gown on, no IVs inserted, no papers signed and the staff didn't even get their names on the board! Once Skarlet was out, the staff helped me out of my shirt and bra to get some skin to skin time in.

At 8:29pm Skarlet made her grand appearance. I barely arrived at the hospital around 6, so she knew it was game time! Didn't make us wait too long at all.

So there it is. The day I had Skarlet. The good, the painful and the ugly.

I'm Losing in the Pregnancy Race

This morning I went to see my OBGYN for my 40 week check up and left feeling quite discouraged. Why? Because I felt like I was losing in this pregnancy race I thought we all started when we pee on that little stick and know we're baking a bun in the oven. But then it hit me, why in the world should I feel bad because my daughter hasn't made her arrival yet.

 

(It's been awesome to see so many people excited for her arrival!)

We always here those stories (mine included) about a baby coming a week or two early and BOOM! out two pushes later. We are left to believe that if babies wait till 41+ weeks and labor is hours and hours that something isn't "right". At least I was left to believe that. I felt like what I wasn't doing what I needed to in order to stay in this race. 

But here is the reality, there is no race. I am not losing and my baby is not unhealthy because I'm going to pass my estimated (key word) due date. 

I must say that because my first, Elizabeth, came a week early and was a super simple delivery I assumed that this one (nearly 5 years later) would be just as cut and dry. But I am living proof that each pregnancy is different. This pregnancy has been different from the beginning.

So here is what I learned, no one and I mean no one will make me feel bad or incompetent for not having my baby on or before the due date.

You had your baby at 38 weeks? Fantastic for you! You only pushed once? Kudos! But do not be fooled into believing that those are the only successful pregnancies and deliveries. When my baby decides she is ready to come out I have no doubt in my hormonal mind that it is equally as a successful and healthy pregnancy and delivery.

I will no longer think that I'm losing this imaginary race. I am going to enjoy her moving around in my belly (because lets face it, we always miss it afterwards), enjoy my little family and be content in knowing that I have created such a great environment for my little one that she's deciding to stay in there a little longer. ;)

So with that, I will be relaxing the rest of this pregnancy. I will watch TV aimlessly, grab my keys and leave the house whenever I want, and enjoy the last bit of sleep filled days I have before my beauty of baby joins us in this world.

 

(I definitely think I'm feeling too good for being so far along. haha) 

Hilarity Part Deux

After reading an old entry (You can read it HERE) I decided that new moments of hilarity need to be added. While there are many, many moments that would just crack America up if we had our own TV show, I try to stick to the quick ones that aren't you-had-to-be-there type of funnies.

Let's get this show on the road!

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I join Kris in the car insurance place after grabbing something to drink with Bug. Once I get there, things start kicking up, we crack jokes, and make the Japanese representative helping us laugh. Her responses were classic.

Japanese Lady: You guys are so funny. Your husband looks really mean but he isn't. I was scared of him at first.
Me: Yea, you wouldn't guess but he even plays dolls with our daughter.
Her: *Insert Japanese Giggle* Aww..he's a good daddy. He doesn't look like one at first, but he is.


Side note: After selling our car I had to go back alone to complete some transfer paperwork. The same lady helped me and she remembered me because I had the "Funny, mean looking husband". Yup, that's him ;-)
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I wake up one morning and see this.

You could only imagine the destruction I was a witness to after opening the lid...So bad that we had to call maintenance to come and fix our toilet. I met the two maintenance men at the door and immediately began my small bows and pouring out the "Gomenasai" (Sorry in Japanese). I don't think they knew what they were walking into but I'm sure I terrified them from the get-go.

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After Kris farting and wafting it towards me in bed I began to yell and tell him how much I hated it

Me: I swear that your farts make me angry. Like, literally I go from happy wife to she-hulk. How is it possible that farts make me mad?!
Kris: *laughing*
Me: It's not funny, Kris! There's probably some bad chemicals in it. For a while, I think I got headaches specifically from your farts. Is that even possible?!!
Kris: *Still laughing*

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At a marriage retreat. The men had to answer "What is one piece of clothing you hate when your wife wears?". In true Newlywed Game Show fashion, I had to guess Kris' answer.

Me: Ummm...I can't think of anything but I do have these pair of yoga pants that have a hole in the butt and I still wear them around the house.
*Everyone Laughs*
Kris: Nope. I hate when she wears a bra.
O_o *Silence*
Kris: It's because she makes me massage her boobs every night and I have to wait for her to take it off.

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My first time driving in Japan meant I had to drive on the opposite side as I was used to in both the car AND the road. Kris felt like he needed extra protection.

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Just a few photos that crack me up

 Big guy and a little rabbit.... *To the same tune as in Tommy Boy...don't know what I'm talking about? Watch THIS *

Big guy in little pants.... *Same tune hah!*

Oh, and let us not forget this little gem. He'll be ecstatic that I still have it. 

Hope you enjoyed just a little, tiny portion of the funniness we experience daily. :)

I will be sure to add more that I have forgotten. I sure love my life!

Wingin' It Momma: DIY Nautical Shelf

As most of you know, I am doing a nautical theme in Baby P's nursery. I am very excited about this and it's been coming along so well.

Along with my nesting phase kicking in, my husband has been away for training so I've had the house all to myself to destroy with crafty goodness. So with that motivation, I finished a project I have been eye-balling on Pinterest for WEEKS now. A simple, nautical two tier shelf.

Here is where I found my inspiration. The Shed by Pet Scribbles

The Finished Product <3

 

I will do my best to explain how I did it.  But keep in mind, I did just "wing it". So with that, I don't have measurements to give. Sorry!

Here's what you need:

-2 wooden planks

-Roll of rope (The one I bought was roughly 30ft and I had plenty left over)

-Smaller twine/rope **Optional

-Hardware to hang on. I used two curtain "hooks".

*Option twine not shown

 

When you purchase the wood, get it cut at the hardware/lumber store. I live in Japan, so I can't say whether your local place offers it or not. But I do know Home Depot, Lowes etc will drill out any size hole you need. :)

Step one: Figure out how far apart you want the shelves from each other. I did this by standing them up on the floor to eye ball the distance. Remember, once you get them on the rope you can always lower/raise them.

Step Two: Lie the rope onto the boards as if it were looped in to get an idea of length.

Step Three: Cut the rope, then cut another piece of the same length.

Step Four: Loop the rope into the holes. One rope on each side.

Step Five: Knot the bottoms of the rope under the bottom shelf.

Step Six: Move the top shelf to where you want it, use twine to tie additional knots so the top shelf doesn't slide down. Tie on bottom, wrap to the top of shelf and knot again. *Shown in photo*

Step Seven: Mount hardware to wall then hang up the shelves!

If you made the top too long (like I did haha!), it's okay, just make knots at the top and ta-da! All better. I realized it was good in case I wanted to move the shelves and add a third. 

 

I am so excited about how it turned out! I also did the set of matching frames for under $7 by using gift bags and dollar frames! I will be changing the items on the shelves as soon as I find something new, but had to fill the empty space somehow. :)

Hope someone learned something! Next: Nautical Wooden Wall Decor!

I'm Back From the Blogger Grave

Welp, remember when I said I would keep up with my blog back when I started it. Yea...look how far that got me. Anywho, no grudges, let's just move forward with our blogger affair.

There are many instances where something hilarious happens and my husband tells me "you've got to post that". I have thought about posting every single funny thing that happens in my life but then I probably wouldn't have very many Facebook friends. So, enter my blog. I can rant, rave, laugh and type as much as I want and no one can hate me. I mean, you're here on your own accord so BOOMA! Can't complain.

I will be sure to use my blogger power for good and to give you a deeper view into our lives. I know some people are thinking "why the heck do you want people all up in your life?" and my answer would simply be that we have so many loved ones we want to keep in the loop and this is a great way.

It is even simple enough for my 50-something year old mother to keep up with!


We have a bunch of exciting things happening in our lives and I want to be able to share them till my fingers fall off. Or until I fall off the blogging bandwagon again. Whichever comes first.

As you all know (maybe), we are expecting our baby #2 and very excited about it! We are expecting a baby girl and more than half way done.

I will be blogging photos of her nursery as I complete projects.

I'm excited! And now have a 4 year old asking to be fed. So off I am. Motherhood beckons!