Finally a break and finally a post

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted anything here. Oops, guess things get busy when you have a baby. We just got back from a week at a cabin on lake Michigan which was absolutely amazing. It was a breather in many ways, getting away from the house, the city, the routine, the humidity, people and to just spend 24-7 with the three (sorry Cider, I mean 4) of us.
I will be back though, with more to come this week as updates, but for now a quick note with a short video that was too big to be sent through email...

Oranje!

Hello!

Aidan and I just got back from meeting Devon and Baby Iason for coffee. Aidan was all about letting everyone know exactly where he comes from!

So cute I can hardly stand it!

Until the next time ...

CBT, JMT, and Aidan

Like Father, Like Son

Hello Everyone!!

I just had to post this photo that Oma sent me yesterday. This is a side by side comparison of both JM and Aidan in the same outfit, 31 years apart. 1978 was a good year for baby clothes. Enjoy!

Aidan - 2009

Jan-Mendelt - 1978

More to come later today!!

Love,

Christina, JM & Aidan

Week 2 & Aidan's Retro Threads!

Hello,

I hope everyone out there is doing great! I just wanted to post a few photos of week 2 of Aidan's life. Oma (Willy Tillema) had saved some of JM's, Magda's, and Ilja's baby clothes and let us bring some to the States with us for Aidan to wear. Here he is in some great retro threads from the late 70s!

I love how cute he looks in JM's old baby clothes!

Aidan also had a bath over the weekend and he actually semi enjoyed it, even taking a break from crying to enjoy the warm water!

And, last but not least, some photos of Aidan wearing his first pair of shoes. These shoes are Newborn Size and I think yesterday was the only day they will ever fit his giant feet!

Things are going well around here. JM has had to work really hard to make up for staying home with us for a week, but he is so happy to have his little boy around!

Aidan is growing and eating a ton, but is very sweet, minus the cries for milk every 2-3 hours. I am loving having the time to dedicate to him and I am grateful for every moment with him.

More to come soon!

Love,

Christina, JM and Aidan

Our Birth Story - Welcome Aidan!!

Jan-Mendelt and I wanted to let you know that we welcomed Mendelt Aidan Tillema into the world on May 4, 2009 (his official due date) at 3:35 am after 48 hours of labor!! He weighed in at 9 lbs, 5 oz. and 22 3/4 inches long. Huge and healthy (we had no idea he would come out that gigantic! I guess I should have just taken a look at his father!)

Our birth story goes like this …

Jan-Mendelt was taking home call the weekend that I went into labor. Friday evening (May 1), I had dinner with friends until around 11 pm without him because he got called into the hospital. We met at home around 11:30 and were both totally exhausted so we went to bed. Jan-Mendelt’s pager went off around 3:20 am early on May 2. The pager always wakes us both up. I got up to use the bathroom while he was calling into the hospital. As I stood up after using the toilet, I felt a gush of liquid fall onto the floor. It was not very much fluid, but I called out to Jan-Mendelt and told him that I thought my water had just broken. We were not totally convinced that it had, but I felt that there no way after just peeing that I stood up and peed more all over myself and the floor. The fluid was clear and did not smell like urine, but we decided to stay calm and wait to see if surges started. I started to feel a little anxious at the idea of going into labor, but was excited and hopeful that we would have our baby in our arms sometime Saturday evening. Unfortunately, Jan-Mendelt had to make another trip into the hospital within minutes and I tried to go back to sleep, listening to the rainbow relaxation. By 3:40 am I had my first surge and I knew that I was going into early labor. I called Jan-Mendelt to let him know so that he could make plans to get someone to cover him at the hospital so that he could come home.

My surges continued to come every 8 minutes apart, lasting for around 30 seconds. I could sleep in between them, but not through them. I stayed in bed until around 9:00 and then called my doctor to let him know that I was in early labor. We had already agreed that I would stay home as long as possible and periodically check in with him. He was not sure my water had actually broken since I was not having any residual fluid loss throughout my early labor. Jan-Mendelt and I had a light breakfast around 10 am and took the dog on a walk around the neighborhood, stopping by our friends’ houses on our street to say hello. I could still walk through my surges though they were getting stronger and closer together and lasting longer. When we got back home from our walk, I practiced breathing through my surges in some of the different positions we learned about in class. I sat on my birthing ball, got on hands and knees, got in the polar bear position, etc. I was amazed at how good I felt at this point in the labor. I felt that I could really relax through each surge.

Around 8 pm Saturday evening, my surges were coming 3-5 minutes apart and lasting from 45 seconds to 1 minute long. We decided to call our OB and make our way into the hospital. We arrived at Bethesda North around 8:30 pm and went to triage. I had not had a pelvic exam from my OB at all during the pregnancy, so when they examined me in triage, I was happy to learn that I was 3-4 cm dilated and 90% effaced. We were admitted and taken to our labor and delivery room. We dimmed the lights, put on the Earth Mama Angel Baby labor companion CD and gave a copy of our Birth Vision to our nurse. Our nurse was amazing and told us she had two natural births herself. She respected all of our wishes and was very encouraging and supportive. I continued to labor using hypnobirthing techniques over the next hours. We walked the halls, I sat on the birthing ball and Jan-Mendelt and I lied in the bed together to rest in between surges. I found that laying down when a surge started made the surges much stronger and harder breath through, so I abandoned the bed early on. I was checked again around 3 am and had dilated to 5-6 cm. At that point, I got in the tub and Jan-Mendelt sat next to me pouring water on me and talking me through some relaxation. He was an amazing coach and I am so lucky to have him.

Over the next hours we just stayed calm and quiet and made it through the surges together. At 7 am our nurse came in and said her shift was over and that we would have a new nurse. At this point, my surges started to become very irregular both in length and interval. I continued to labor and was checked again around 8 am. I was now 6 cm dilated, but it seemed like something was just a bit off. I continued to hypnobirth until around noon on Sunday, May 3 when I was checked again and was at 6-7 cm dilated. At this point, I had been in labor for over 30 hours and I was getting extremely tired and discouraged at the slow labor progression. I started to cry at that point and I did not know if I could take another 6 hours of labor to gain only 1 cm of dilation. I had been walking the halls all morning, trying my best to move things along, but after such a long period with no sleep, I starting to fall asleep on my feet between contractions. After a few more hours, I was checked again to still be at 7 cm.

We called our OB at that point to discuss the situation, because I was getting emotional. This was really having a negative effect on my ability to breath through my surges. I could not focus effectively anymore and I was getting scared that my labor would last forever. Our doctor called us on our room phone and we discussed what we should do given the length of my labor thus far. We discussed the use of pitocin to help my labor along, and we also discussed breaking my water. (I was certain that my water was already broken and both my nurses confirmed that they could not feel the sack of water around our baby’s head.) We (Dr. Bowen, JM and I) decided to start a low dose of pitocin to help get my labor kick-started again (it had practically stopped!) and I opted to get an epidural at that point as well. I had heard so many horror stories about pitocin and how bad the pain gets that I was terrified to use pitocin without some relief. I was also told that they would not administer an epidural past 8 cm and I did not want to find myself in a situation where the strength of my surges were not natural, but I was trying to cope with them naturally. I cried and was incredibly disappointed and felt guilty. I apologized to my husband for not being able to continue the natural course. Jan-Mendelt was super supportive and made me feel loved and strong again. I was worried about letting everyone down and he erased those thoughts from my head immediately. After nearly 36 hours of natural labor, it was time to get some assistance.

Dr. Bowen arrived shortly after both the pitocin and epidural were administered and attempted to break my water. He was unable to feel a sack of water around the baby’s head, and after a few pokes agreed that my water was indeed already broken. This was around 3 pm Sunday afternoon.

The low dose of pitocin was ineffective and they ended up having to crank it up pretty strong to get my labor on track. I was not totally effaced nor complete until around 11 pm Sunday evening. I finally got the okay to push and I tried with all my might for 2 ½ hours. In the end, I totally ran out of energy (no food, drink or sleep for so long). I actually started to fall asleep during the third breath of each push. I asked for a break and the nurse checked me again and was worried that the baby was not in a good position and called Dr. Bowen to come and check. We found out at this point that the baby was not only posterior, but that his head was at an angle which was making it difficult for him to come out. Dr. Bowen said that at this point, if we could get the baby to rotate, we would be looking at a forceps delivery. He suggested lying in a position called the sim’s position for an hour on each side to see if the baby would turn. It required me to lay ¾ on my stomach with my legs propped up on pillows. In the end these positions did not work and it was clear that our only option left would be a c-section. I was scared of having a c-section, but at this point it was 3 am on Monday, May 4 and I had been in labor for 47 ½ hours with my water broken. There was no other choice but to deliver the baby via c-section.

I was prepped and wheeled into the Operating Room with Jan-Mendelt by my side as we waited to hear our baby cry for the first time. I had pushed so hard and long that Dr. Bowen had a hard time getting the baby out. He was grunting and working hard for about 3 minutes to pull the baby out. Finally, we heard Aidan cry and both JM and I cried tears of joy and relief that he was okay and finally here.

I have cried a few times that I did not get to have the birth experience that I wanted, but I am coming to terms with the reality of a posterior delivery. The Dutch call posterior babies “star gazers” and I have decided to look at the situation in a positive light. My little Aidan is a star gazer, maybe he’s a dreamer and his position reflects that character trait. I guess time will tell.

The most important thing is that he is beautiful and healthy and we are so lucky to have him! He is doing great – breast-feeding well, gaining weight, and sleeping amazing for a newborn (even a few 4 hour stretches!)

Much Love,

Christina, JM, & Aidan

38 Weeks (tomorrow) Update!!!

Howdy Folks,

Well, after a week of being totally knocked out by a TERRIBLE head cold, I am finally starting to feel well again and I am ready to give all of you an update. I missed three days of work last week and barely moved off of the couch for that entire time. My ears were clogged, I was totally congested and coughing and lost all sense of taste and smell for 5 days. After taking it super easy (JM made me stay home and rest!), I am hoping to start the week on the mend.

Yesterday my godmother and my mom's best friend, Vickie, threw us a lovely baby shower in Louisville, Kentucky at her gorgeous condo. It was 75 degrees and sunny and we had about 15 people show up to celebrate the soon to arrive little tillema. Vickie was also under the weather, but still managed to pull off a great party with great food and great drink and great dessert for a wonderful time. She made some of my favorite things to eat and even had lemon angel food cake decorated with lemon slices and yellow butterflies (this may have been Mom's handy work since she knows how much I love butterflies.)

It was a great day and we were given such wonderful gifts for the baby. We are so lucky to have so many people around us to help us get set up to welcome our little guy. Thanks Aunt Vickie and Mom for all the hard work! We love you and are so happy to have you in our lives and the life of little t!

Below are a few photos of some of our new baby gear. The stroller/car seat combo given to us by Jen & Erin, the baby swing from Aunt Patti, and the ever so necessary pack n' play from Ann, Deanette, Susan, Jeanette, & Nancy.

We also received tons of adorable clothes, books, lullaby cds, a bottle warmer, and so much more. Our entire car was loaded down with things for lt.

I did have a check up with my ob the Thursday before last and everything is still going great. Blood pressure is totally normal, weight gain under control, my group b strep test came back negative and the baby is still head down and seems to be in a good position for the birth which at this point can happen at any moment. JM and I are so excited and can barely wait to see little t. I am so curious to see who he will take after most. I hope he gets his papa's cute dimples!!!

I have another appointment tomorrow at 1 pm. I will go every week from now until the birth. Nothing out of the ordinary, just the routine check in. I will be happy to update here again after my appointment.

On a side note, about two weeks ago Phoebe came over to give me an osteopathic treatment and to do my belly cast so that I can always remember just how big my belly got during this pregnancy. Here is how it turned out!

I have trimmed it since this photo was taken and now I will start to decorate it. I am going to paint it and then store it in a nice box. I just really wanted more than a photo to remember how much my body has changed and this was the perfect way to capture the fullness of being about 36 weeks pregnant!

Last but not least, here is a photo of me this afternoon - growing belly and all! We hope everyone out there is doing great and we will do our best to keep you updated with all the happenings in family Tillema.

Dikke tut,

JMT, CBT & LT

36+ Week Update

Hello Everyone,

Well, it has been a couple of weeks since I had the time to update the blog. As my due date approaches, I realize that I have more projects to finish than possible. I still have a pretty great energy level though, which should help me get through the next 3-4 weeks.

I taught my last class at the community college until after the baby arrives this Monday. I am so relieved! I really need a break from the insanity of running up and down multiple flights of stairs every week with a heavy backpack and purse in tow. Oh yeah, and my "snack pack" of healthy things to eat and drink while teaching so that I can avoid hitting up the vending machines. I have to get my final grades submitted by midnight tonight, but then I am free of students and papers to grade for a while!

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and then I will have one every week from now until the baby is born. Tomorrow I am getting a Group B Strep Test that everyone gets at this point in pregnancy. If I test positive, I will be given IV anitbiotics during labor. Hopefully it will be negative and I can cross it off the list of things to worry about. At my last appointment the baby was head down and seemed to be a good position. I can feel that he is still head down, but maybe tomorrow I will get some more info on positioning, size, etc. I will definitely keep everyone updated.

Spring has sprung in Cincinnati and our yard is blooming wild! We have gorgeous daffodils and tulips coming up, our Bradford Pear Tree is blooming, as is our lilac bush. The sun was out this morning, it was about 45 degrees and everything just looked great! Cider is loving the spring weather and the cats are spending more time outside rolling around in the sun.

Here are some photos of some flowers from our garden and of course a few shots of my baby bump!

I am feeling pretty good considering how big my belly has gotten! Yesterday I got in two walks with Cider and a 1 hour prenatal yoga session. It was great! Yoga instantly eases the swelling in my ankles. Loves it! I thought I would post three shots from this morning because you get a better idea of just how much little tillema has taken over from different angles. The first shot I look super huge! JM took it - obviously the other two I did on my own! Sorry about the funny face on the first photo of me. I look super tired and puffy! Not the best photo - but you get the point!

In other news, our dear friend Phoebe's mother made us the cutest quilt for the baby! She is a professional quilter and does fabulous work. The quilt is amazing and adorable! What a sweet gesture! Here are some photos of the whole thing, as well as a few up close detail shots! The animals are all embroidered on the quilt and the quilting stitching itself is the alphabet! Super adorable!

Last, but not least, here is a photo of the lamp we recently added to lt's room. It matches the rest of the colors perfectly and was super cheap. Thanks IKEA!

I hope everyone is doing well and I will post again sooner rather than later! I promise!

Love,

CBT, JMT, & LT