New Pictures

Labor and Delivery

So here is how it all happened!

On Tuesday morning around 9am I started having contractions about 15 minutes apart...but thought they were Braxton Hicks. So me, my mom, and Isaiah went to the grocery store to pick up a few things.

When we got home I was going to lay down and take a nap but decided to have a snack (good thing I did since it was the only thing I ate until 8:30 at night).

Around 12:30 the contractions started coming about every 5 minutes and were very painful...so I called my doctor and he told me to go to the hospital. I called D to come home from work....when he got there....he wanted a snack and to get changed and take pictures...at the time I wanted to kill him because he was taking so long and I just wanted to get to the hospital!

We finally got there at 2pm and when the nurse checked me I was only 1cm dilated....I was in pain so I asked for the epidural....(which still took about an hour and a half to get since they have to fill you with fluids and take your blood). So finally at 3:30 I had an epidural and I was 3cm dilated.

I could still tell when I was having a contraction but not in pain any more!!

The nurse checked me at 5:20 and I was 6cm...wow! I did not think it would go that fast...so she said that she would call my doctor and have him come check me out....she also said that I would probably deliver before her shift was over (which was at 7pm)....I thought she was crazy!!

Dr. Nish got there at 6:20 and I was 8cm dilated so he broke my water and I was 9cm....He said he would check me in 20minutes and I would probably be able to push then....I was shocked...since my last delivery was 23 hours long!!!

So 20minutes later he came in and we did a practice push and you could see her head....then I had to wait until they set everything up...finally one push and she was out!!! I could not believe it!! He said I was a good pusher! Ha ha!

So the nurse was right...I delieved right before the end of her shift...She was the sweestest lady and she was glad I was there too since I was the only person that was in labor during their shift!!
It was amazing not knowing the sex of the baby and again we were completely surpised...since everyone thought it was another boy.

Labor was only 5 hours in the hospital or 7 hours if you include the time at home...what a difference from last time!

Hope is such an amazing miracle and blessing! We can't wait for you too meet her!

Baby Hope and Family

Here are the pictures that I promised...This one is right before we went to the hospital...our last time as a family of three!!


Here is when we arrived at home and Isaiah saw his new sister.

Nice baby!

Hope Therese Socha

She is finally here. Hope was born on March 27th at 6:50pm. She is 8 lbs and 20 inches long. She is beautiful...and has dark hair like her daddy! We will post pictures in a few days! We are all doing great...just tired! Thank you for all the prayers.

labor

we are in labor! i(dave) am doing fine...a little tired but i am ok.....michele is good too! we will keep you posted....keep praying! love d & michele

ps...we are soooo excited

Our Weekend

Since I haven't blogged all weekend....here is a couple of updates of what we did....

Isaiah had a play date yesterday with Presley. He was not the best at sharing and had a couple of outbursts. But they were so cute together. It was cute to see them

He used to have play dates more often, but everyone has been so sick lately. I wish family lived closer so that he could have more kids to play with more often....and that my sister's also would start families soon so that he would have more cousins around his age...ha ha!

But at least I realize now why babies are brought into this world not able to do anything on their own. If they were born ready to play and walk around....their older siblings would not take it well. At least by the time their younger siblings are able to play with them....they are somewhat used to them and the idea of sharing....unless you have twins and they have to learn early on that they have to wait and share.

It will definitely be interesting to see how Isaiah adapts to the new baby when he or she arrives. I know it will be a challenge at first....but at least we will have visitors to occupy him in the beginning.

And no....I did not have the baby yet....We will definitely call you when he or she does finally arrive. We have our list all made up! 2 days until my actual due date! Yippee!

I thought I had a better picture....but this one will do!

And here is one from the other day when he was playing with Preston and Ella! (Sorry we couldn't get them to look at the camera!)

And did I mention how cute Isaiah is....He loves to hug and kiss the baby in my belly!!

Prayer Request

Without being too specific and telling too many details (since I dont know who reads this)....please pray for D and his company.

If I was not due any day....D would be on a plane to Hong Kong right now to fix a problem he is having with a vendor and an order. It hopefully will get done through phone calls and emails....but I know he would feel much better going over there himself to fix the problem.

I am sure he will be on a plane shortly after the baby is born....but we completely understand! =)

Speaking of the baby...I did start to have some Braxton Hicks contractions last night and a couple this morning....so hopefully something will be starting soon!!! (I never had those with Isaiah but hopefully labor will happen by itself!)

Some days I am so anxious and just want to have the baby right away...other days I am very content and patient. I think it is when I think about labor that I can wait another day....haha!

Update

Well....I went to the doctor again this morning and nothing new to report....well I am a 1/2cm dilated...haha!

But he did an ultrasound and we got to see the baby again. Everything looks great....lots of fluid around the baby, the placenta looks good, the baby is in a good position, and it looks like this baby may have hair...haha! We will see.

I go back to the doctor next Wednesday...on my actual due date, March 28th...and if nothing is happening then....I have to set an induce date....yuck....Lets hope it doesn't come to that!

Great Movie

D and I actually went to a movie today. My mom watched Isaiah (well he was sleeping for most of it but she still watched him!)

We went to see "The Ulimate Gift." What a great movie! It was really good and we reccommend seeing it. It had such a good lesson in it.

We were excited just to go out and see a movie....I know the last time we went to the theatre was at Christmas time when we saw The Nativity Story (which also was a great movie).

We hope to also get to see Amazing Grace this weekend. We have heard great things about this movie as well. We need to take advantage of seeing as many movies as we can since who knows when we will get to a theatre after the new little one is born.

Isaiah is climbing all over me...so I have to let him listen to some music.

FYI

I know many of you are reading my blog. I know some of you also email me with comments...but in case you would like to post a comment on my blog...here is how to do it:
(I know I wrote this awhile ago...but just to remind you how...)

At the end of each entry there is a comment link....click on this.
Then type your comment in the space provided.
Then chose "other" and type your name (website is not needed).
Then click publish...and you are all done!
So easy!

Hope this helps!

St. Monica's Church

I don't know how many of you know...but Arnold goes to our church. Since he broke his leg in a skiing accident....at the end of church he stands in the back. Well when Isaiah was learning to walk he would walk and grab on to anything. So a couple of times he ended up grabbing on the Arnold's leg and once he even walked to him. Arnold thinks he is so funny when he dances.

So yesterday at church...Monsignor took a picture of all of us together. Enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

No Change

Well...I went to the doctor today and there is no change....meaning I wont be delivering anytime soon. Next week when I go in I will have to start to talk about inducing...yuck! But hopefully it will not come to that.

Since my mom is coming today....I will have more energy during the day so I will be walking a lot more to get this baby moving!!!

These are going to be two LONG weeks! Ha ha!

New Little Ones

On January 4th I listed friends of ours who are expecting this year. Here are some updates:

My cousin Judy had a baby girl, Mai Frances...and Tracey had a little boy yesterday Leo Anthony.

I am the next one due so we will see what I have. (I go back and forth...who knows! Ha ha!)

My friend Sara is due April 29th. Then there are a bunch of people due in July....Jill~July 10th, Carrie and Jen~July 22nd.

I also found out recently that our friends Dr. Brian and Karen are expecting their first on August 10th!! How exciting! Dr. Brian is actually a pediatrician at Val Peds where Isaiah goes. We both go to church at St. Monica's and have become friends through church. They are such a sweet couple.

I also found out another couple is pregnant...but it is very early for them to tell anyone so please pray for them and I will tell you when I can!!

How exciting for all these new little ones to come into this world!! Isaiah will have so many new friends!! Ha ha!

Please keep all these women and their babies in your prayers!! Thank you!! I will give you more updates as they come!!

Without a Word

Last night D took care of Isaiah all night. He woke up at 12:30, 3:30 and finally 5:30. D slept in his room with him all night. Poor Isaiah had a tummy ache!

When Isaiah woke up at 12:30 D went in and gave him some juice and rocked him to sleep. Then he must have stayed with him all night because every time I rolled over he was not there. He didn't even complain once or ask me for help. He just took care of him and helped him sleep.

I am not writing this to hear what a great husband I have (I already know that!)....I am writing this so when I look back on these entries I am reminded of the love, respect and communication we have...even with the lack of sleep. D just realizes how exhausted I have been lately and how I have not been sleeping well at night. He is so understanding and I love him more and more every day. I realize how blessed I am and I hope D knows how much I appreciate and love him!

Great Movie

So....we bought Doug, Carrie and the kids a movie a few weeks ago and they raved how great it was. We hadn't bought it for ourselves or watched it yet...so we finally went out this week and picked it up. We didn't realize how great this movie was going to be.

It is called Facing the Giants.....it was such a great movie! It is about a football coach who has everything going wrong in his life. It is a movie everyone has to see. We laughed and cried....it was just an amazing movie. I could go on and on about it but you just have to watch it for yourselves. You will not regret it!

Yuck!

I have been so exhausted lately. I nap when Isaiah naps but I am still so tired. I also have been nauseous and have had terrible heart burn. I was never like this last time. It is horrible but...only 2 1/2 more weeks to go....that is what is getting me through the end (the countdown!)

I actually slept so good last night even when I got up with Isaiah...he is a whole different story! We cant figure him out....but D has been taking care of him at night almost all the time...thank God. I don't think I could do it now.

My mom is coming out Thursday and I cannot wait. We moved her trip up a week since I am so tired all the time. Good thing Isaiah is such a good little guy...he plays and reads and walks everywhere. I don't know what I would do if he wasn't such a good toddler!

Isaiah's New Playground

We just bought Isaiah a new playground for our backyard. It has been nice here and he loves to go outside...but I do not have the energy to chase him everywhere. This way he gets to go outstid and it keeps him busy. He actually likes the slide better than the swing which I thought would be the other way around but....i guess since he is moving around so much he doesnt like to be strapped in too long. We still have to be right there since he almost falls off the back if he is not paying attention or gets too excited. I thought it was so funny how he just knew exactly what the wheel and telescope did...it was like he had used them a million times....he is too funny!

Updates

Isaiah and I both went to the doctor today. Here's what we found out:

The baby has dropped but I am not dilated at all. So....I will probably go to my due date. Everything else looks good though. We just have to wait. And now I am so tired during the day....and I toss and turn all night long! Yuck! But it will all change very soon....I am sure I will still be tired though...ha ha!

Isaiah's ear infection is gone completely on one side and the other still has a little fluid in it but....he should be fine and should clear up on its own. He had two shots today since we were a little behind on shots. He cried for the second one...the one that really stings I guess but...only for a couple seconds and then we gave him some milk and he was all better! Yeah! Of course I cant watch and D has to hold his arms down but he was pretty good about it.

Relief

I feel a great weight off my shoulders tonight. I am not due for 3 more weeks but you never know when I could go into labor. This weekend was a little stressful for me and we prayed that I would not go into labor since no one would be around to take care of Isaiah.

My sister left on Saturday afternoon and since then I worried about it. Mr. and Mrs. Socha went to Hawaii for the weekend (we are jealous!!), our friend Jill has been sick, our friends Mike and Maria cannot have dairy in the house (which is most of Isaiah's diet), and Randy and Rachael were down in Anaheim for a Christian trade show. So...I had no idea who we would leave Isaiah with.

My mom would hop on a plane in a second but...that is still at least 6 hours of traveling. Dani would do the same but that would still be a couple hours and...she would have two little ones to take care of.

But now all of that worrying is behind me. I trust that we would have found someone if I really did go into labor but now I dont have to. =)

Patience

I thought I had a lot of patience but...I have never been stuck in traffic in California. And there really is nothing that you can do but sit there.

We took my sister down to Santa Monica to see the beach and shop on Third Street Promenade. We left around 4pm and it took us 40 minutes to drive about 8 miles.

We decided to stop and eat at Cheesecake Factory and wait out the traffic. I am so glad that we did. The ride home was still longer than usual but...at least we were moving. I am so happy that we also brought a DVD with us for Isaiah. He was so good the entire time. It was funny to see him watch Hi-5 in the car...he was in shock like how did they get in my car?? Ha ha! Plus he stayed awake the whole car ride so that I could give him his medicine when we got home. He is such a sweetie!

My sister Kristine's trip ends tomorrow...we are so sad to see her go. I wish I could have shown her more of California since she has never been here but...maybe next time. We had such a great time and Isaiah will miss her so much!

Update

I went to the doctor today. I am past the 36 week mark...yeah! But nothing is happening...so I am sure I will go late again or right on my due date.

So now we are in the waiting period. I remember last time...this last month is the worst because you are ready and you just have to wait until the baby is ready to come.

The only bad thing for me is that the baby is getting bigger and bigger everyday....meaning I could deliver a BIG baby! Let's hope that is not the case.

Thank you all for your prayers! Now you can just pray that we have a safe delivery and a healthy baby!