Welcome Mallory Elizabeth!

I didn't realize I hadn't updated my blog for you non Facebook users! Sunday May 3rd we got up very early and made it to the hospital by 5am. I was suited up and in the OR by 7am for my csection. Mallory was born at 7:39am. She weighed 9lbs 6oz and measured 21.5in long. Right as she came out she was screaming! Very vocal child. However her cry was gurgled which ended up being fluid in the lungs which resulted in a trip to the NICU. Not what I had expected at all. I was taken to a recovery room by myself and Luis went with Mallory to the nursery and then to the NICU. He was with her all day and I was away from my baby until about 6:00pm that evening. Of course having sugery I had to get to the point to where I could stand up and not get dizzy, enough to be wheeled to the NICU in order to see her. So that was pretty emotional. Not being able to see your baby or hold her until someone allows you to do so is not what I had in mind. She had room air oxygen in her nose, a tube down her throat and an IV in her hand. Broke my heart. Each day she improved greatly and one by one those were removed. Finally on Wednesday night they told me she could room in with me!! I was so excited. However, that night is when Luis had decided to stay at home with Ashlyn so I was on my own. The next day we were both released to go home! I was so thankful she had recovered so quickly and didn't have to stay any later that I did.

12 days later and here we are! We are doing great. She sleeps better than Ashlyn ever did. I'm trying to adjust to having a newborn again and the lack of sleep it brings. Mallory is a piglet for sure! I am breastfeeding but also having to supplement formula at some feedings because she just isn't getting satisfied. However I have noticed it decreasing as I assume my milk matures. There have been times when I nurse her on both sides, TWICE, and still have to give her a 2oz bottle! I think her nickname will be Piglet. It was cupcake but that my have to change, ha.

I plan on taking her newborn pictures this weekend so stay tuned. (unless I find myself napping instead)

Oh and Ashlyn is doing wonderful as a big sister. She helps out alot and feeds her and rocks her. She loves her baby sister! I am truly blessed with amazing little girls! My heart is full.

Headed to the hospital!

Welcome our baby girl to the world!

First time to see her after the csection

Mommy visiting her angel in the NICU

She has him wrapped already.

Mallory Elizabeth

Finally getting to hold her baby sister

Headed home!

AHHH home sweet home!

One more week!

I had my 38week appointment today. Mallory's heart is beating strong and I am measuring 44 now!! I can't believe I'm still growing but I can feel it in my skin..ouch!
We were able to get the csection date moved up, thanks be to God! So now I am scheduled for May 3rd at 7am!! Luis is off M-W so it worked out perfectly. One week from today and we'll finally be holding Mallory in our arms! We are so excited!!

Introducing Officer Sanchez

He made it!! Luis finally graduated from the Austin Police Department on Friday and is officially a police officer! It's still surreal to me, him being a cop vs. a soldier. Just a new life style I'll have to adapt to now. But as always a job I have to constantly worry about him.
However I am very proud of my husband for sticking through the hard times of the Academy and making it through. Our book of life has started a new chapter and I'm looking forward it!

Shaking Chief Art Acevedo's hand
Our family.... so proud of him.

Luis' best friend, Leo. They went to HS together
and ended up both in Austin and in the academy!

24 more days to go!!!

I had an appointment today. First I had my sonogram. She took all the accurate measurements and end result was Mallory is weighing 8lbs 6oz as of today!!!! She is in the 97th percentile! That is just insane to me! I know I have big babies and they definently run in the family but WHOA! I was 9lbs 7oz; Luis was 9.6, Ashlyn was almost 9 at 8.14. I have cousins, nieces, nephews all in the 9lb even 10lb range. I can tell she is bigger than Ashlyn. She sits right out in front just stretching my skin by the day. I didn't get hardly any stretch marks with Ashlyn and not any on my belly and Mallory has broken that mold, the front of me is stretched out and so tight. And someone I managed to lose 3lbs in one week ha.

So with that said, we have chosen to have a repeat Csection on May 6th. With her size, I'm just afraid of the risk of uterine rupture with vaginal birth and then just not being able to handle her size. And I figure if God wants it another way, I'll go into labor before my csection.

We are very excited and anxious! I can't wait to meet her. Ashlyn is beside herself ready! She's going to be such a big help!

Here she is , side profile, blowing bubbles :)

35 week update

I had my appointment today. Mallory's heartbeat was 150. I'm measuring at 36 weeks. I asked him about a repeat csection vs. vaginal birth and what he thinks I should do. We'll decide on that next week after my next ultrasound to determine her weight.

Things are getting close! I'm very anxious. I still feel like there are many things I need. I still haven't bought any diapers, wipes, soaps, etc. Guess I need to get on that! ha.
I do have her bedding and cradle all set up.

My feet are swelling so bad at this point that I don't even recognize them.
Other than that, just anxiously awaiting her arrival!

update again next week!

33 weeks and counting down!

Well I had my DR appt today with ultrasound. I am 33 weeks. 7 more weeks to go!! Mallory is measuring at a whopping 5lbs already! She's in the 70th percentile so a big baby! Which I expect. My mother and I tend to have big babies and get very big in pregnancy. I forgot to ask what I was measuring. I've had a lot of fluid build up. My hands, feet, nose everything are swelling. So he said to drink even more water and eat more protein or drink protein shakes.
I will probably opt for the repeat csection. With her size and risks of a vbac I think it's best for another csection so I will probably get that date next appt which is in 2 weeks. Oh and she is finally head down now!

Ashlyn is getting very excited as she tells me that often! She thinks Mallory is so adorable and loves going to my Dr appts. She loves feeling her move and kick Mommy. She hugs and kisses my belly every night and tells Mallory "good night" I know she's going to be such a great big sister and a big help to me also. I am truly blessed with such a well behaved, respectful little girl. She is no hassle at all and is always so good. Lets hope this next is the same, haha.

Pregnancy Update

Well I am 31 weeks today! 9 more weeks to go! It's becoming more and more real that I'm about to have another baby! It's been so long since I had Ashlyn. She'll be 4 a month after Mallory is born. It's so surreal. We have wanted this for so long now and now that it's almost here, I just can't believe it. God has blessed us and I'm so grateful.

I had a routine check up today. I am measuring at 33 weeks, of course because I have big babies. I'm betting she's over 9lbs. I am going ever 2 weeks now which I like. I had a csection with Ashlyn and I'm still debating whether or not to have another or try Vbac. But the more I think about it and the size she will be, I'll probably end up having to have another csection.

I have gotten all of Ashlyn's baby clothes out of storage and I'm washing them all today. The smell of Dreft brings back baby memories for sure.

Luis graduates from the Academy in April so we first have that to look forward to and then baby arrives soon after! Things are slowly but surely happening for us. I pray for God's continued blessings.
I need to take more belly pictures. I know 2nd time around you do less with updating and writing everything down, taking pictures etc. I dont know why it happens but it just did. But it's not fair to her that we don't document Mommie's pregnancy with her too. So those to come.

Oh and we finally picked a middle name too. Mallory Elizabeth Sanchez