Levi James

Meet the Cranford's - Family of four.

Levi was Born July 20, 2011 at 3:07pm - 8lbs 19 3/4" Long. 

Welcome to the world, my sweet baby boy! 

Time line:

7:00am - Arrived at the hospital

8:35am - Started me on Pitocin (sp?)

10:58am - Dr. Boyd broke my water

1:15pm - I {finally} got my epidural

2:20pm - 100%, 10 cm {Push Time}

3:07pm - Levi James was born, healthy

I must say that this was a VERY enjoyable labor and delivery compared to what I went through with Cori. Besides the two hour+ wait on the epidural, and Levi deciding he wanted to come out face up (causing him to get stuck under my pubic bone and scare me to death as his heart rate dropped to 90 beats per minute and the Dr. and nurses started using Dr. lingo) - everything went smooth! It was very calm and quiet in the room, I was tired so I was cat napping between pushes. 

I have some funny stories to tell, but they are probably funnier in person - Because the epidural took so long and I'm a wimp, my nurse gave me some medicine in my IV to take the "edge" off and in turn it make me really loopy and silly. I was slurring my words....things seemed to move in slow motion and I would randomly fall asleep mid slurred sentence. I didn't think it was too funny when James and my mom were laughing at me at the time...but now it's kinda humorous. 

They took Levi from my room around 5:20 that afternoon and I didn't get to see him again until 9:30. I was starting to get all "crazy mom" on the nursery...I phone assaulted them every 20 minutes asking when he was coming back. Apparently after his bath he had a hard time getting his own body heat back up so he had to hang out under the warmers for a few hours. 

Picture through the nursery window...he looks huge in this picture. 

Cori was VERY anxious to meet her brother so my mom stayed at the hospital with her until 9:30 - that was interesting. She was beyond exhausted, I was extra beyond exhausted and we both were aggravating each other. 

When they {finally} rolled Levi into the room Cori started making all these crazy furbie noises....she was so excited that she couldn't make a complete sentence. She was jumping and clapping and had no idea what to do with her self or her excitement. It was something I will never forget! 

CC meeting her baby brother for the first time. 

By this point I was ready to go home. I was on a mission to get released the next day and my wish came true. My OB came and saw me at 6am the next morning and said I could go home, if the pediatrician would release Levi. The nurse already assured me that that wouldn't happen and that he had to stay 48 hours. When the Pediatrician came in to take Levi to get circumcised I told him I was ready to go home and that everything was good. He agreed and said after his "procedure" he would release him. WOO HOO we were released by 5pm the next day. I was so glad to get home to Cori and I was relieved she only had to spend one night away from us. 

Proud Daddy

 I'm so in love!

Two Weeks Down

I can't believe how fast the time is going already! Makes me sad! We are all adjusting very well to being a family of four. Cori adores her brother is so involved. She wants to help me with everything which is sometimes okay, like grabbing a diaper or simple tasks, but sometimes it just makes things take twice as long and twice as messy....but I'm trying to be very patient with her and let her help as long as she is interested. Same for James LOL. 

His two week appointment was today - he's "perfect", said the Dr. He is now 8lbs 8oz and a whole inch longer! 

We've had lots of visitors and it's been nice. I'm enjoying this time at home with Mr. Levi.

I am working from home during my leave so Cori is still going to daycare everyday which is good b/c it keeps her in her routine and gives me the same time I had with her with Levi. He is such a doll. I can't believe I can love these two tiny people so much. 

I'm on cloud nine. I don't ever want to come down from this high.

I am so blessed and such a lucky girl.

Thank you, Lord, for my precious children and husband and this awesome life you have chosen for me. I am so grateful.

Bring on the "Not So Nice" comments

So the (in my opinion) rude comments have started coming my way.

• I walk into my dad's back door and he yells "WOAH that bellly showed up 30 seconds before you did"
• I walked into Chili's and this (not so small her self) girl says rather loudly in front of a big crowd "Damn, she's about to pop!" She got a very ugly look from me.
• The lady at Cori's daycare said "I can tell you're getting ready to delivery that baby, you seem to be getting really wide" 
• Cashier at Walmart said "You must be miserable carrying all that weight around, are you past due?" (No Bish, I'm still a week and a half from my due date....is what I was thinking) 
• James laughs when I try to wear a t-shirt and my belly shows at the bottom...that one isn't so bad I guess. 
• My brother pointed out how big my boobs have gotten....he stupidly said something in front of everyone and he has not lived that down yet. My response to that was "you have a big ass" - if you knew my family you really wouldn't think this is weird. He's not a creep, we just have a hard time filtering what comes out of our mouths LOL!!

I know that people don't MEAN to be mean to me and say things that make me mad but it seems like it doesn't take much common sense to know that things you say can be taken in a rude manner rather than a complement! I'm pregnant, I'm sensitive, don't tell me I'm wide! I like to give pregnant women NICE complements - and 95% of the time they are sincere complements. I think pregnant girls are cute, especially the tiny ones that only have a belly!!

I'm feeling really crampy today - just laying in bed with my laptop "on call" for work watching Big Brother afterdark from last night.

I have done a few loads of laundry and cleaned out the pantry and fridge while James grocery shopped this morning - we are stocked up and ready for baby!!

My cleaning lady come tomorrow and I can't wait!

Did I blog that I am not working anymore? I am working, but not at work....from home...its great. I love it.

July 20th

Levi James Cranford will be here on or before July 20th! I went to see Dr. Boyd today and she said that I am likely to go into labor before then but if not, so that we are sure he doesn't get too big, she will induce next Wednesday! I am 3cm dilated and still 50% effaced but she said my cervix is very soft and favorable. I am very excited and nervous. She said that she doesn't think my labor will be near as long as last time (12 hours) so hopefully she's right. Although I would like to go into labor on my own, knowing that my body is ready, the idea of induction is great to me b/c I am a big planner. This gives me the opportunity to plan for myself, my house and dogs and most importantly, Cori. The last thing I want is for her to be scared or feel left out. I think she'll be fine though. We will drop her off at daycare that morning, and either my mom, or depending on how long I am in labor, James can go get her and bring her to see us. All the waiting has come down to one week and I couldn't be more ecstatic. I can't wait to see his squishy face. Pray hard for me that I have an easy breezy labor, as I had a very hard time with Cori.

XOXO

Quick Update

37W 3D

2cm Dilated, 50% effaced & -2 with a "promising cervix" per Dr. Boyd. (Whatever promising means)

I wasn't too sure what the -2 meant so I looked online and found these pictures...It helped me understand better. 

I'm getting excited and nervous and hope he makes his way into the world sooner, rather than later! I'm exhausted and my back is KILLING me. I'm not sure how much more of this I can handle. Tomorrow is my last day in the office, but I will be working from home until he is born, and afterwards until I come back. I'm excited to see how all of that will work out. Hopefully smooth. 

My mom and I were talking and just for fun we were "choosing" what day Levi needed to be born...here is our logic. 

My mom was born Nov 10

I was born Feb 11

My brother was born Dec 27

Cori was born Oct 27

My dad was born July 28

James was born Jan 29

So to keep things in order, Levi needs to be born on either July 9, 12, 26, or the 30th  - with those dates I don't think my Dr will let me go past my due date so the 26th & 30th are out It's already the 7th so I'm assuming the 9th will pass with no baby too. So, LEVI, THIS IS YOUR EVICTION NOTICE....YOU NEED TO BE BORN ON JULY 12, 2011. Your Yaya is old and if you want her to remember your birthday you need to go in order with the rest of us! Love, your mommy! Obviously we are just guessing and hoping and we know that he will come at his own will but it would be cool to keep him in order. 

I am ecstatic....I can't wait.

Progressing?

Yesterday I met with Dr. Boyd. She said the ultrasound looked good and Levi was only slightly larger than he should be at 36 weeks. She doesn't usually check for progress at 36 weeks but since we are still not 100% when my true due date is she wanted to go ahead and check me. My belly measured at 33 weeks this time, and she said that is most likely b/c he is dropping already. We are both so confused as to why my belly measurements keep fluctuating so much each appointment. She said that I am dialated 1cm and 50% effaced. That usually doesn't mean much except that my cervix was exceptionally soft, so she said. When I tried to have "cervix" talk with James last night his response was "Oh, soft cervix, that's so hot...(Rolling his eyes)" She told me not to expect to go 4 more weeks, that 2-3 weeks is more likely. As of now she said discussion of induction is not necessary b/c she doesn't think I'll go far enough for him to get to 8lbs. Of course all of this is just a guess and my body can do weird things and I could have a baby tomorrow, or not until August (God help me to PLEASE have a baby before August!!) I can definitely tell that he is dropping though - my hips feel stressed out and when I walk I feel like an arm or something may fall out. (j/k) I'm sleeping good - extremely hard actually and I do not want to wake up in the mornings. The frequent getting up all night to potty is getting annoying, mostly b/c it is so hard to get out of bed. I'm 6lbs heavier than what I delivered Cori at...that's a bummer but at least its not 20 lbs heavier. I hope only a few more lbs find me before delivery. I can't wait to start getting back into shape. I joke with James that I'll do whatever it takes this time to get some weight off - I'll even resort to a crack habit....who needs teeth if you are skinny?!? HA - I'm kidding!!

In other news - Cori is doing GREAT at her swim lessons, she is dunking herself under water with no problems and doing everything the instructors tell her to do. I am so proud of her, and she is so proud of herself! She can float on her back for about 20 seconds by her self too!!

Cherish every minute of your life - We lost a great friend last week to a horrible work related accident. Jonathon just started a new job and b/c of the negligence of a forklift driver he was ran over and crushed by a 110,000 lb forklift. From what we have been told it crushed the lower 1/2 of his body, rupturing a main artery in his upper leg and he bled to death only minutes after arriving at the hospital. Please keep his family in your prayers, especially his beautiful wife, Ashlee of 1 year 7 months! She is so lost and so broken hearted. She needs all the uplifting that she can get! I know in time she will find the strength to make it through this terrible time in her life, but I have no doubt that she will eventually pull through. My heart hurts for her. They were going to start trying for a baby in July, and they have a house that is in the building process that was supposed to be finished next month as well. The service was held last Saturday and it was very nice. Jonathon was so loved and it showed as many of his friends and family stood up to talk about him. He would have been so proud.

I didn't mean to make this a sappy sad blog, but I wanted to put the info out there in case you were wondering from my FB posts last week, and to let everyone know that life can change in a matter of seconds. It's crazy!!

I am so looking forward to my 3 day weekend! Our only plans are to hang out at the house in the pool and eat, soak up some sun, and spend time with family. It's going to be so nice!

Oh, and guess who has a 4 year anniversary coming up next week?!? ME!! I'm so excited although James and I have decided we aren't going to do anything outrageous b/c we need to save $$ - no maternity insurance sucks and we need all the money we have to get Levi out of Layaway at the hospital in a few weeks =)

I can't wait to see his squishy face!

36 Weeks

We went this morning to get one last ultrasound to measure and weigh Levi to get an estimate of how big he is. My Dr. and I have talked and since I had such a hard time delivering Cori, she wants to keep a better eye on him to make sure that he doesn't get too big. (Cori was 8lbs 14oz) I will meet with my Dr. tomorrow and she will go over the ultrasound with me and give me a better idea of if and when she will induce labor early. The ultrasound tech estimated his weight is around 6lbs 5oz (a bit under 6.5lbs) and he should be gaining a 1/2 a lb every week. She kept kept reminding us that this was her best estimate by the measurements she took, but the the Dr. would look at them more closely and give a more accurate estimate. So he could be bigger or smaller. (I guess she is just trained to take the measurements, but not necessarily trained to read them??) This makes me feel a little better, I seriously thought I had a baby elephant growing in my tummy - I am anxious to see what Dr. Boyd says tomorrow. As of now my due date is still July 25th but with the heat and my huge-ness I am praying for a tiny bit earlier than that! I would like to go into labor on my own this time, but I am definitely not against being induced if that means a week or so early!! Besides, I am such a planner that being induced eases my mind and gives me the opportunity to get everything in line and in order....going into labor on my own scares me!! I don't like feeling like things are out of wack! 


I will post tomorrow what the Dr. Says. 


XOXO

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my daddy, Rickey Smith! He's the toughest, strictest (is that a word?), loving, caring, will do anything for anyone type of person! I am who I am today because of the morals he inset in me as I was growing up. I didn't always appreciate him back then, in fact I despised him A LOT growing up b/c he was so protective and strict. Now, I look back and hope I am 1/2 the parent he was and still is. My daddy knows I love him!

Happy Father's day to my husband, James! He is such a great daddy to Cori. He exceeded my expectations long ago. He is a very laid back parent and I see me being the one enforcing rules as our kids get older....but he is by far the best dad I could have chosen for my kids. He is fun and outgoing and he and Cori and play for hours just laughing and having a ball. I can't wait for him to hold his son for the first time!

I asked Cori reason's she loves her daddy and here are a few of her responses:

"I like daddy because he feeds the puppies"

"Daddy is my best friend"

"Daddy drives a white truck"

"I like when daddy throws the pink ball and I can hit it"

"Daddy shares his TV with me"

"I love when Daddy gives me kisses"

there were a few more but they were silly responses b/c I was laughing her her so her silly got worse and worse...I think she said something like "I love Daddy b/c he has stinky feet" 

Father's Day 2009

Father's Day 2010

Father's Day 2011