A blessed life... is what she called it...: The During and Before our Little Stella made her Grand Entrance... a whole month Early!

Well Its been a year since I first created this Blog. I hope to keep it up this time. A lot has taken place this past year!! So bare with me this is going to be Lengthy, but a good read! Time to play Catch up!!

   The most important part is that our supposed to be Thanksgiving baby was actually a before Halloween baby. Took us all by surprise for sure, but we were blessed with a beautiful , healthy little girl on October 27th 2011 at 7:21am weighing in at 6lbs 9oz and 19 & 3/4 inches long!

As you all know by now we named her Stella Denise Roubicek. The interesting bit to that is we decided on a name in July on our belated Honeymoon/ baby moon in San Diego. We had just eaten at Stella's Pizza Kitchen at Sea world, and I asked Nathan how he felt about that name. He said " I like it, its like the Stella beer" lol, he would say that. I wanted to name her after my Mema who passed in Aug 2010, but nothing seemed to fit. So I decided on Denise for a middle name BC my Mema gave my Mom that middle name and also my sister shared the middle name as well. I also found Peace with the name because Stella- means a Star and the stars are close to heaven where my Mema is :) So there it was our future baby's name. Funny thing is we didn't tell a soul. Her name was a secret literaly till 5:00pm the day she was born. ( I take that back I think while in Labor we told the Nurse on duty because she was well helping us along the way, to meet out baby).

I wanted my mom to be the 1st to know her name and since she decided the come a whole month early my mom had a hard time getting a flight from SC to CA on such short notice. She had originally planned to come November 17th since Stella wasn't due until Nov 22nd. So after finally being able to fly out to us we waited till she got to the hospital before we shared her name. Meme was soo happy. Everyone else , not soo much considering we kept them in suspense soo long and then no name until several hours after her birth. But once revealed everyone loved it. Little did we know that on Nathans dad's side of the family there was a great aunt Stella who was a favorite :) Soo it was just Perfect.

OUR SCARY BUT WONDERFUL BIRTH STORY

I want to share our birth Story, if your still interested in reading. The pregnancy went really well besides the fact I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. So other than having to watch what I ate and having to prick my finger several times a day for a few months it wasn't horrible.

Around week 33 we started our Birth classes in Barstow which is a good 35 min drive from Post. We went once a week for a five week course. It was fun because it was bonding time for Nathan and I before the baby and we were getting to learn all kinds of cool stuff. I felt huge and uncomfortable by this time but that's what everyone said to expect.

At 35 weeks we went to our birthing class as usual. I felt kinda funny and different than usual. Our teacher had us go upstairs and see the actual birthing room of the hospital and demonstrated how to use the bed and all of its cool features. I was standing in the corner of the room and my back was killing me, I told Nathan something didn't feel right and he told me to pay attention... lol. So after the class I told our teacher who was a labor nurse what was going on and how I was feeling. She also said it was normal and that the baby was probably turned with the back her head facing my spine and that was causing the pain. She demonstrated few exercises to do to get her to turn. Little did we know this would be our last class....

The next day was Thursday October 20th. I woke up still in some serious back pain, it later died down a bit. I kept noticing that I was kinda Leaky... I know pretty graphic but its part of the story. So at Lunch time I told Nathan I should call the Labor and Delivery and just ask them about what was going on just to be sure. So I called and explained what was going on. To be safe they asked me to come in to be checked out. We thought OK no big deal. So we went and our worlds were rocked. They thought I was leaking the Amniotic Fluid and they kinda freaked a little, so did I. They were all out of sorts there be cause Fort Irwin wasn't capable of delivering babies early, before 36 weeks, due to the complications that could arise. So there was talk of airlifting me to a better facility and the baby being in the NICU. Believe me I was terrified. No bags packed and I hadn't even taken my maternity photos.. lol yes I did think of this on top of many many other things. After the Labor Doctor was able to meet with me and discuss my options he took another look at the fluid and decided We were fine. He did say I was already 2-3 cm dilated but not to worry most woman stay that why till it was time so at least another 5 or more weeks.So after freaking us out they decided to send us home. You better believe I packed my hospital bag that day!

The following weekend we had planned our maternity shots. On Saturday Morning the 22nd I felt terrible. My back was killing me, I was in tears just laying on the floor or hunched over the chair. I thought to my self, it this isn't labor I'm not sure I can hack it. So I had to postponed our picture's till Sunday then till Monday. On Monday I felt a little better so we decided to get our pictures out of  the way. A friend here took them and did a wonderful Job they were Perfect. While taking the photos my back started up again, I was getting up and down for all kinds of poses and I literally thought she was going to fall out... lol. we finally made it through them and were home at last.

On Tuesday the 25th I woke up again in terrible pain, I waited awhile and then called Labor and Delivery again to ask them why was I feeling like this. No one was available to talk so I left a message for a return call. I decided to take a warm bath and just relax. It seemed to help, so when they called back I told them I felt a little better and didn't think I needed to come in but would call back If it continued. I didn't go and just rested at home.

On Wednesday morning the 26th at 36 weeks 2 days, I actually felt better than I had been feeling. I did notice the sheets were a little wet when I got up but I figured I had sweated or something. So I went about my business. A friend brought some cards over for me to make using my Hallmark card studio. I had to make 8 of them and get them to her by the end of the day. I started on them around 9 am. Around 9:45 I went to the restroom and tinkled and then once I finished I felt the need to go again and once more and I knew something felt different. So I got up and came back to work of the cards. well then I couldn't control it I was peeing all over myself I thought only it was non stop went through my pants and soaked the cushion on the chair and the floor had a huge puddle. I then realized I wasn't peeing that my water had just broken... OMG. I called Nathan several times and he didn't answer. So I sent him a text of a picture of the cushion and puddle on the floor and said MY WATER BROKE. I then called my mom and told her and she freaked a little and told me to go to the hospital once Nathan got home. HE was home rather quickly and I insisted on finishing up the cards soo I did. I had to change three times because I was still Leaking all over the place. We drove to the hospital and I walked down the hall with a towel in between my legs... it was a sight to see. They checked me out and said Yep your In LABOR. It didnt really hit us till then I don't think. We realized we were going to be parents really soon a lot sooner than we had thought. There were all sorts of Emotions Involved.

My mom was freaking out bc she wanted to be there for Stella's Birth and She couldn't find a flight that was leaving till the next day. She had a really hard time excepting that. But it all worked out.

Nathan was Amazing with helping me with contractions and being a supportive partner. He was worn out quickly though. I wanted a natural birth but after staying at 6 cm for soo long I decided to take the EPIDURAL just to get some rest while I continued Dilating. I wanted to be weaned off before pushing. so after about 3 hours it was time. I was weaned off and ready to push. It took 3 1/2 hours of pushing and changing positions and breathing to meet our little Stella.I was miserable and begged for more of the EPIDURAL which they gave me to keep me happy, knowing it wouldn't kick in time. A few minutes before she was Born My Doctor came in and said OK Mrs. Roubicek if she isn't out in 15 min we are going to have to Vacuum her out or do a Emergency C section. That was pure Motivation , because three pushes later out she came :) Her daddy was soo Happy and me too of course But I was soo worn out, it took me a minute to realize she was out. Nathan got to cut the umbilical cord and they gave her to me for literally two secs and whisked her away to check her out....

TO BE CONTINUED....

There's more to this Story But I need a break and you probably do too! I'll continue Soon!! Hope you Enjoyed and I hope you have a Magical Day :) Check out the Photos Below :)

Great Memories
                                                                       at 35 weeks 6 days