Posts in Personal
Baby Talk | Birth Story and 12 Week Update

Julia is 12 weeks old! Or 3 months (last Saturday). However you prefer to count baby time. I am a little late sharing but I like to think its because I am spending all of my time with her. The comparison photos are crazy! I can't believe how plump she is getting but I LOVE it! We struggled at first to get her to gain weight. Since I was trying to boost my supply in hopes of only breastfeeding, I bought a infant scale. If we were able to drop the formula then I wanted to make sure she wasn't losing weight. On the plus side, it means I can weigh her periodically in between doctors appointments. Our girl is almost 12lbs!! Practically doubling her birth weight and its such a relief to see those chubby cheeks.

Just 12 weeks ago we got the call from my OBGYN that they wanted to induce me even earlier than planned. After a routine doctors appointment they noticed my blood pressure was *slightly* higher than they would like. Since I had gestational diabetes during the last trimester, I was at a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia. I was going in for tests twice a week at that point, just to monitor the baby's movement, since I was on medication for gestational diabetes. They noticed my blood pressure creeping up over a few appointments. Nothing serious, but they didn't want it to turn into pre-eclampsia overnight and then have a real issue. 

So Thursday night, July 13th, we checked in to Mercy Hospital to be induced. I was feeling every emotion possible! I had no expectations for delivery other than I would get the epidural when I was ready. I didn't read anything about birth. I get nauseous at medical stuff so I didn't want to make myself more anxious. I trusted the doctors would do what was best and that my body would get things moving. 

By the morning I was feeling contractions and was 3-4 cm dilated. I couldn't believe when the nurse told me I wasn't in active labor yet! What?! Those contractions are no joke and I had 7 more cm to go! I felt like such a wimp when she asked me how much pain I was in. I was already curling my toes in pain and trying to breathe through it. The epidural was a welcome relief and after some adjusting (since it was only on my left side for a bit) it was enough pain management to get a short nap. Although, how much can you really nap when you know you're about to deliver a baby!?!

By the evening, I was ready to push. The nurse looked at Chris and said "Ok, grab a knee". Um, excuse me? Where are the rest of the doctors? Shouldn't a whole team be in here helping? Nope. Just the nurse, Chris and me pushing this baby out. It was the HARDEST thing I have ever done in my life. At points I would doze off in-between contractions. I was so hungry from not eating for over 24hrs. I must have been all adrenaline because I was still pleasantly talking to the nurse at Chris at points and they encouraged me to keep pushing so we didn't need to use any interventions. Towards the end the doctor joined. I wanted to meet her so badly so we pushed a few more times and after 2.5hrs she arrived! It was the BIGGEST relief of my life. The pain was over, the gestational diabetes was over, and I made it through the hardest, scariest, most rewarding event of my life. 

Julia Grace was born on July 14th at 10:48pm at 6lbs 4oz. 

Baby Talk | Julia Grace 8 Weeks

Happy Friday!

Today is my last day of self imposed 'maternity leave'. Tomorrow starts the second half of wedding season and it is full steam ahead until November. Now I actually have to figure out how to work during the day! Any tips? Luckily, she does nap pretty well in her swing or in other similar items. I had planned to start getting her to sleep in her crib for naps while I was 'off' but that did not happen, ha! 

I will do another post soon with a full labor story and baby updates around 2 months. But for now, here is Julia at 8 weeks old! I cannot get over the side by side picture at the end! Stop growing!

Comparison: 8 weeks on left, 1.5 weeks on right

2017-09-08_0012.jpg
Baby Talk | Julia's Nursery

Hello! As you might have seen on social media, our baby girl arrived! Julia Grace Bonadio made her appearance on July 14th at 10:48pm. She was 6lbs 4oz of pure sweetness! What a whirl wind of life it has been this last week and a half since Julia arrived!

I had totally planned on blogging her nursery BEFORE her arrival but things got a little crazy and our induction was moved up a week. So, first lesson in life with kids, you cannot plan anything!  We finally wrapped up her room a few days after she was home. It was mostly little things that needed hung or touched up so nothing major. I'm glad it's done even if she isn't using her crib just yet!

I can't believe how different this room looks now has her nursery. Just a year ago we were turning it into the den. While we loved having an extra room to hang out in, baby girl needed her own space. In my last baby post, I shared a little bit of our inspiration for her nursery. We went with mid century furniture, monochromatic colors and soft decor to transform the den into baby girls nursery. Now that it is complete, we can finally share a peek!