A Whole New World

On Tuesday, July 3 at 10:40 pm, our lives got so much more incredible. We turned a corner and became what we've both always wanted to be- a mom and a dad.  It was incredible how instantly Nixon Tyler Gibb became our whole world.

At 7 lbs. 13 oz. 19.5 inches long and a big head covered in dark brown hair, he's alert and absolutely perfect.  As with anything miraculous, some hard times led the way. After surely a prompting from an over worried sister, Sunday we made a quick trip to the labor and delivery unit of the hospital. I was having some pain underneath my ribs and with very swollen "Shrek" feet in tow, I needed to be checked. After several bloods tests, heart tracking, and a 24-hour urine test, it was determined late Monday evening that I had mild preeclampsia and was at risk. So at 37 weeks and three days pregnant, we learned we would be induced to have a baby the next morning.

I was disappointed to be induced. I wanted everything to happen "normally" - you know, wake up in the middle of the night realizing its time to go, the mad race to the hospital, the wheelchair into delivery, etc. This seemed so strange. We woke up in the morning, showered, Tyler made waffles for breakfast, we took some pictures, we sang at the top of our lungs all the way to the hospital and walked calmly in (sort of) at 10 a.m. It didn't seem to be happening.  And then it was.

Labor wasn't very difficult in the beginning. We got started about 12 p.m, water was broken an hour later and mostly we just rested and waited. I had an epidural, but they somehow only gave me the initial dose and forgot the drip system. Two hours later when I finally asked if I should be feeling everything, the anesthesia guy came back and told me I was tough. Not by choice, dude. The epidural also tanked my blood pressure so I started losing it and had to have some oxygen. But that shot was way more enjoyable than the IV. I hated that. I was hooked to a bunch of things including magnesium (nasty stuff) and strep antibiotics ( I tested positive for strep). Because of preeclampsia I was considered high risk and had my very own nurse. Not that we needed one, it was slow moving for a while. 

At about 630 things got interesting. I started dilating more quickly. A six, to a 7.5, to a 9. I learned that my doctor was away because his home was being evacuated - another fire in the mountains. So many this year! So Dr. Haskett would deliver Nixon. I was totally happy about this- Dr. Haskett is really cool. He's a jock and funny and smart. I liked him. 

Anyway. I started feeling like my tailbone might break. And then I told Tyler they better come back soon because he was down, down, down and was going to come out on his own. Finally at about 10 they came back and sure enough, his head was past ready. They said women push for an hour and a half to get to that point. I got lucky. 

Nixon was posterior and turns out the kid has a big head, so it was more difficult than the doctor thought it would be. He would get Nixon turned the right way, then baby Nix would just turn right back. However, sparing details, 40 minutes of what seemed impossible and the baby was out! 

They wiped him off and handed him to me, but then things got rough for a while. I wanted to try to feed him right away. I wouldn't get the chance for five hours.  First, Nixon was dehydrated and not breathing super awesome. He was taken by the nurses and Tyler to the nursery for some help.  Then, my doctor vetoed the other doctor's decision to take me off magnesium, saying I needed it at least 12 hours more to prevent seizure or stroke. I don't know if he understood how difficult that made things. My energy was of course gone. But then I started puking, all alone in my room. I had already puked once during labor, so this was straight water. Then they tried to transport me to a new room. I passed out in the chair. Got to the room, passed out, puked some more. I was so out of it I don't remember too much. I do remember my doctor coming and I finally convinced him to half the dose.

That helped. That whole part was hard for me. I overwhelmingly wanted to care for my baby. But I couldn't. I couldn't lift my head off the pillow and with a catheter I couldn't move around and so Tyler played the parent role solo for a while. And he played it so well. Tyler became so much more to me through all of this. He is truly incredible and nothing phases him. He is the perfect dad. The perfect husband. The best support a girl could ask for. 

We've been in the hospital learning to feed and care for baby Nix. After that first night things have been so great. He's an awesome baby. Such a cute round face and alert eyes. Right now he's just sleeping in my arms and it feels so perfect. I am so grateful.  We'll go home in a few hours and real life will begin. It definitely will never be the same. And I'm so glad.  Pictures coming soon!

Training for the Finish

Remind me not to tell people that I loved being pregnant. I have loved some things about it – like the movements of a child inside of me and the sound of his heart. Oh, and the decorating. But pregnancy is incredibly hard – mentally and physically. A few times I have wished I didn’t have to be pregnant, like yesterday when the nausea came back. Or the day before when I could hardly walk because of what felt like a pelvic bone about the crumble. Now, the Shrek foot (just one swells, the other not so much), now that’s just funny. Can’t complain too much about that. Then I remember what a blessing it is and will be my whole life. It will eventually be worth it.

I am getting nervous about the whole giving birth thing. It sounds so hard.


The other day as we were doing laps in the pool before the sun officially came out I felt like I was in tri training mode again. Then I realized I am training – for the most intense physical test of my life so far. I felt grateful that I’ve been able to be physically active during this time of pregnancy, not only for the mental peace it brings, but also because I think I’ll need the endurance I’ve maintained for the task ahead.
 Over the weekend I bought my favorite yellow Powerade for use during labor. I have thought about buying the sports beans or shot blocks, my favorite electrolyte boosts. Probably seems strange to some, but they make sense to me.

I have done hard things, like the triathlons. But this time will be very different – instead of my parents standing on the street corner yelling my name, it will be Tyler by my side, holding my hand. Although there have been times I have prayed for the strength to finish a triathlon, those prayers are nothing like the ones I’m praying now or will pray until a baby is safe in my arms. Five more weeks. It's very real.

Baby Bump Update: 34 Weeks and Counting

My family planned a baby shower for me over the weekend. It was amazing. The theme was “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Amber, my crafty sister, made the decorations, which consisted of banners, balloons and even a monkey on a motorcycle made out of diapers (that was classically awesome). People were so kind. My favorite gift … maybe the monkey on the motorcycle? Maybe the lamp my sister Lindsey thoughtfully searched for for weeks or the car seat cover and receiving blanket my sister Janna spent hours creating? All highlights.

Honestly, what I’ll remember most is having my family and almost all of my closest friends there to celebrate. I was able to catch up with some people I really love. That was the best. I was so exhausted afterwards – not sure why. Tyler teased, “yeah, it’s really hard unwrapping gifts.” But even though I needed a nap and my feet grew three sizes, it was perfect. Better than a dream.

Yesterday I had a funny experience. I went to a doctor’s apt. The doctor asked me a question, and I began to answer. About 20 seconds into my response, the doctor’s eyes rolled back in his head and his eyelids shut. I have seen my dad have a seizure once, and this is exactly what I thought was happening. I kicked into first-responder mode – “Are you ok? Doctor, are you ok?” I began to stand up to get help from a nurse, when suddenly his eyes popped open and he said, “I apologize, I fell asleep. Can you repeat what you were saying?”

Oh man, I almost died laughing. He explained he delivered his daughter’s child in the middle of the night and hadn’t been back to sleep since. I was the last patient of the day. I felt for him, he really looked tired. But, I still thought it was hilarious. Reason #1 I hope I don’t have to have a C-section: It’s possible my doctor has narcolepsy. Yikes.

Anything-but-Relaxing Memorial Day

I would like a re-do of Memorial Day weekend. Actually, I wouldn’t take anything we did back, I’d just add three more days, and good weather ones at that. Those days I’d use to relax and rest after a busy, busy few days of:

My nephews - such boys, so great.



• Attending the Hill Air Force Base air show – cold and rainy, but fun to see the planes overhead and feel a sense of patriotism with my nephews in tow.
• Celebrating my sister’s birthday with lunch and fun with the kids. Mostly we just ate and talked for a few hours. Worth the three hours of driving we did to get to that point.
• Blessing a new baby – Tyler’s older brother blessed their second son. Family came to town and it was great to see everyone. The day was dampened by rain, but nice just the same. I tried to sleep after the festivities were over, but failed. I think I have a sleeping problem.
• Playing tennis, then golfing nine holes, then enjoying a family barbeque and a Heat game and late night Walmart run to finish the night.
• Making three desserts for the events above and doing who knows how many dishes.
• Realizing I have bronchitis. I’ve had bronchitis way too many times in my life. It’s definitely not welcome.

Man, I look so happy in this picture. I really do like to golf, I promise.

I slept little last night on account of the pelvic bones saying I’ve done too much. I promised to never do it again. Probably I lied. I am exhausted, but actually kind of proud of my body for all that it has accomplished. Tonight, I rest. All in the name of a three-day weekend, right?

Almost a Mom

Tyler took me flower shopping for Mother’s Day so I could fill the pots on our patio. We had a really great day together. I can’t wait to be a mom and our kids are so lucky to have him as their dad. It’s getting close and exciting.

They Call it Nesting

I have a sewing machine. Up to this point in my life I have been totally ungrateful about that fact. To my recollection I’ve used it twice. Until now.
Amidst the fabric purchases, new needles, thread and incredible left-handed sewing scissors (Finally something for my side of the world!), Tyler has been left to wonder outloud “why this sudden obsession with craftiness?” He’s not complaining at all, in fact I think he oddly likes this side of me. Just amused and maybe slightly confused. Me too, to be honest.

One day I decided I wanted to make a crib skirt (not that we have a crib yet…). I found some dang cute fabric at Hobby Lobby and after much discussion with the helpers at the fabric counter and a “simple” pattern, I was on my way. One full day of sewing and a half day of unpicking later, we had the “coolest” crib skirt ever. It is so darn cute!

Then I made a skirt (my waist had to be measured and re-measured for this one because I was sure there was some mistake – no wonder my hips feel broken!). And another. I own a double needle now and elastic thread, which I never even knew existed. I spent my fun money on fabric, and I was ok with that. What’s happening to me?

Third Trimester and All is Well

I gained 30 lbs. 

I looked at the scale and looked again, until I had Tyler hide it. I have been within 10 pounds since junior high. And now, I’m just not. I had a few panic moments in my realization that I will never be or look the same. Regardless of the awesomeness of the reward – that fact is a little startling. Then I had a talking to by not one, but all three of my very right sisters. Just roll with it and be happy. There’s growing going on.

Taking their advice brought relief. They're smart, it seems.

Beyond the weight gain, I am really pretty stoked about how this pregnancy thing is going [today]. Granted there are a few things I wish I could do, but can’t:

• I wish I’d gone sky diving before.
• I wish I could run fast and long. The spring is perfect for it. It’s race season.
• I wish I could sleep through the night and sit comfortably somehow, anyhow.

But there are a lot of things I can do.

• I can watch my stomach make waves of its own as our cool baby kicks and rocks and rolls. It’s my favorite pastime.
• I can still exercise four mornings a week and make it to the 7th floor by stairs.
• I can clean – I’m in deep cleaning mode, but get ultra tired, so I stick with one task a day, like vacuum couch Tuesday, wash baseboards Wednesday, wash light fixtures Thursday. I’ll get there.
• I can eat a balanced diet, and I generally don’t get sick. When I do get a little green, a $1 slurpee refill fixes that.
• I can work hard and have fun with Ty.

With the change to May, I feel like the end of pregnancy and the beginning of a new life is much closer. At times I’ve wished to hurry things along, now I’m alright to have it stay this way until July. I think soon I’ll ask for slow motion. You’re only pregnant with your first baby just the one time, and I’m assuming the others are a little harder to focus on. I feel pretty blessed, today. It’s becoming real.