Day 1 at Sacred Heart Medical Center

We arrived at 10am from Lifeflight St. Lukes to Spokane, WA. Got to ride shotgun in the emergency vehicle to the hospital. Got her all check into the hospital. I met with Dr. Anderson and her nurse Kathy. They were so welcoming and accommodating. They gave me meal voucher tickets for the cafeteria. I sat with Alexa for a little while and decided to get settled into my hotel room at the Madison Inn across the street. Security drove me over there so that I wouldn't have to carry my bag over there. Got checked into my room and laid down for a bit. Packed up my backpack and headed back over to the hospital. I can't stress it enough how nice ALL of the nurses are here. Kathy made me feel super comfortable as I sat next to Alexa holding her hand. I called it a night shortly after 5pm and went back to my room to skype with my family back home and to get some rest.

Getting ready for the transport

Holding Daddy's hand

Almost ready

Mom watching was we begin to depart for Spokane

Loading up to head to the Lifeflight plane

Alexa's Birth

So I'm finally getting around to blog about Alexa's birth. I woke up at 3:30am to get ready for the day and finish packing. We were out the door by 4:30am to head to the hospital for my scheduled induction at 5am. We waited about 20 mins in Triage until they pulled me back into my room. The nurse got me hooked out to the pitocin by 6:15am and about 30 mins later got my epidural. I was a little anxious about getting my epidural because with Sienna when they placed the catheter into my spine it zapped me pretty good. Nothing bad, just startled me. This time the anesthesiologist went slow so that wouldn't happen. Worked beautifully. Dr. Lowder came in at 7am and broke my water. By 11:34am I was ready to push. After about 15 mins of pushing Dr. Lowder called his office to let them know this was gonna take a little while. The little stinker was SO big and was having a heck of a time coming down. We were worried about shoulder dystocia. About 25 mins or so into pushing I got sick and threw up. This was a first for me. Finally about 45 mins into the pushing and the nurses pushing on the top of my belly and on my pelvis to get Alexa out she made her debute. Weighing in at 9lbs 13oz and 20 3/4 inches long. They assessed her and said that her shoulder was not broken just very bruised but she was blue and having trouble breathing. They took her to the NICU and after about 4 hours an x-ray and echo they figured out that she had transposed great arteries. The only cure for this was open heart surgery. Not what you want to hear, but at least they could fix it and the surgery has a 95% success rate.
She and I flew out Sunday morning on life flight to Spokane Washington. It was such a surreal experience. They had to give her a medicine that kept a hole in her heart so that her blood would still mix. The medication makes them feel irritated so they kept her sedated so that she wouldn't be in any pain. We arrived in Spokane about 10am and get her checked into Sacred Heart Medical Center. The doctors and nurses here are amazing!! They have been super supportive and helpful through this whole process.

Last belly pic

Getting assessed

Super puffy from the grand entrance

Trick or Treat

Saturday evening our ward had a 'trunk or treat'. My costume was the 9 month pregnant lady. It only took me 9 months to make the crazy costume. Bruce took the girls and Collin around trunk or treating while I stayed at the car passing out candy. Jordon had a great time running around with her friends. Sienna was a little grumpy because we had to wake her up from a late nap.
On Sunday the kids went trick or treating with Bruce's childhood friend Joe and his daughters. Sienna tuckered out after about 45 mins but Jordon kept going a little longer. They had a great time! When they got home they loved helping me pass out candy.

Grumpy Jessie, Strawberry Shortcake and Zombie Pirate Collin

Strawberry Shortcake

Jessie the cowgirl

Sienna, Jordon, Juliann & Ashlyn

Carving Pumpkins

Saturday afternoon we carved pumpkins. Jordon was at a birthday party so Collin & Sienna carved theirs together and Jordon did when she got home.

Dr. Appointment at 38 weeks

So I'm super excited. My plan worked like a charm. I waited until I was 38 weeks which is today to see the Doc instead of going on my usual Wednesday afternoon. Partly because I had a plan and the other part because Bruce was in Cali. Anyway, Doc checked to see if I was dilated. I asked if he would please strip my membranes and like a good Doc he did. I'm dilated to a 1 which is far better than nothing at this point. The baby decided to stick her butt way up in the air while we listened to her heartbeat. His eyes got so big and he said 'Oh my gosh she is SO big'! I told him yes I already knew that not only by the size of me but how heavy she is. He is guessing she is 9lbs already. Holy crap!! If they gain a 1lbs a week she could be a 10lbs baby. We discussed scheduling the induction for Friday the 5th of November. Because I have gestational diabetes we can go ahead and induce at 39 weeks. I can't tell you how happy this makes me. Not only to finally have only 1 week left, her weight issue and the fact that we can plan everything out for having G&G come and take care of Jordon & Sienna.

Corn Maze/Pumpkin Patch

Well with Bruce gone in Cali this week I figured I better keep the kids entertained so I don't go nuts. Tonight we went to Linder Farms. We played some games and walked through the corn maze. Then they rode some rides and had dinner. We wanted to get the hay ride in but it was getting pretty cold outside and we had been there 2 hours already so we called it a night. Came home and got in the tub to warm up and then headed to bed.

Dr. Appointment at 36 weeks

Had my Dr. appt today and he checked for dilation. Of course nothing ... boo hoo. That's okay though because Bruce is leaving Sunday for 4 days to work in California. Hopefully next weeks appointment is a little more promising. :)