Today, Annabel Drake Lanier was born at 12:46 pm. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and is 19 inches long. She is so precious and perfect! We are in love! She was a little over 2 weeks early, her due date being Aug 12. I blew my nose last night sitting in bed and my water broke, haha!! Wes and I stared at each other then jumped up and started acting crazy. I wasn't sure if it was water breaking or just other stuff. So we grabbed the bags I had just packed and went to the hospital. What I didn't know is that once your water "breaks," it continues to leak until you deliver your baby because your body constantly replenishes it!
The contractions started about an hour later and then they were intensified with a medicine. I tried to ride them out until they got really bad and asked for an epidural. I can't even describe everything that went wrong with the epidural from getting it to it "not taking." I never believed people when they would say that so I guess it was karma time. Anyway, it did not work for the contraction pains but right when it was time for her to come, they put another medicine in it and luckily I had some relief while I pushed. 3 pushes and this girl was here! She has a sweet little dimple on her chin and beautiful dark hair and skin. We aren't sure where she got that but we'll take it because she is GORGEOUS! We can't stop staring at this miracle from God.
She is breastfeeding well (knock on wood!) And speaking of that, I need to run. Thank you for all your prayers, support, and love. We'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
2 Weeks!
2 weeks to go!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited and ready! Tonight I'm going to pack a hospital bag... or 3. There's a lot of stuff on my list to bring. We are almost finished with her room. I'm trying to paint a canvas to go in there, and we have a few more things to get together. I've been so busy between work and getting ready for A's arrival that I have neglected all my wonderful friends who have called me this week and promise to call you back asap! We had a bit of a rough start to the week with your good ol' membrane stripping at my appt on Monday so it took a few days to recoup from that. (If you don't know what that is, consider yourself lucky) It did not bring on any contractions, but they are going to try it again on Monday.
For dinner, I am cooking meatloaf, mashed red potatoes, green bean casserole, and sauteed squash medley. If you aren't a big meatloaf fan, I get it. But this recipe is delicious, mainly for the topping (not your standard ketchup.) If you want it, let me know! Also, someone gave me the tip of using chicken broth instead of milk for the mashed potatoes. I have to say, YUM. Biggest difference ever! Try it!
Also, for an update on the salt-free life... I did stick with it, with very few exceptions. It's tomato season, come on people. The positive is that I realized food can taste good without salt, but my swelling did not actually go down much. So I still watch it, but do allow some exceptions. I think I've found a happy, and Healthy!, medium. Who cares if I'm swollen to the point of being essentially unrecognizable these days. I can take it for 2 more weeks!
For dinner, I am cooking meatloaf, mashed red potatoes, green bean casserole, and sauteed squash medley. If you aren't a big meatloaf fan, I get it. But this recipe is delicious, mainly for the topping (not your standard ketchup.) If you want it, let me know! Also, someone gave me the tip of using chicken broth instead of milk for the mashed potatoes. I have to say, YUM. Biggest difference ever! Try it!
Also, for an update on the salt-free life... I did stick with it, with very few exceptions. It's tomato season, come on people. The positive is that I realized food can taste good without salt, but my swelling did not actually go down much. So I still watch it, but do allow some exceptions. I think I've found a happy, and Healthy!, medium. Who cares if I'm swollen to the point of being essentially unrecognizable these days. I can take it for 2 more weeks!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Go July, Go!
Not too much to report for this post, I am just getting very anxious to meet this little one! I feel like there must be more hours in the day than there used to be, they pass so slowly! We got a good report from the doc today and only 3 and 1/2 weeks to go! I'm making a list of things I need to remember to take to the hospital. We only have a few things to buy before she gets here. My sweet friend Kelley in Memphis sent us a carrier yesterday which was so exciting- Thank You!!!!
Working on plastic surgery this rotation has been interesting. I have gotten to see the usual, botox, breast augmentation, face lifts etc, along with more serious, non-elective procedures. And to the amazement of everyone who knew me in med school, no passing out! Probably due to my increased (but still normal) blood pressure. Its funny when moms come in wanting things fixed because "having kids takes a toll on your body." No joke!
Working on plastic surgery this rotation has been interesting. I have gotten to see the usual, botox, breast augmentation, face lifts etc, along with more serious, non-elective procedures. And to the amazement of everyone who knew me in med school, no passing out! Probably due to my increased (but still normal) blood pressure. Its funny when moms come in wanting things fixed because "having kids takes a toll on your body." No joke!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Hey Carlisle!
Holla Carlisle! I love my friends! Just found out I have another reader in Carlisle Baker one of my friends who lives in Bluffton. Hope you have a great day!
Baby L and I are doing well. She is about 34 weeks now, growing and kicking as usual. Compression socks plus my husbands strong hands are keeping the ankle swelling down. I went for a walk this morning with a new friend and resident, Charlotte. When I got home, I was feeling pretty good so I decided to weigh myself. Wes had to come in there with me to show me how to use his parent's complicated scale. The number wasn't good, but it was made so much worse when he got on after me and weighed 10 pounds less than I do. Dang endorphins. Why did I think I should get on the scale??
Actually, I'm looking forward so much to the baby that I don't really care about the weight anymore. (Read: In my head I think its all "water weight" and will quickly disappear after delivery) We get a free membership to a gym here and with the help of an amazing personal trainer, I know I'll get back to normal sometime! And if not, my wonderful friends will swear I look great and gush about how they can't believe I lost the weight. As any good friend should lie about that kind of thing! Because gosh knows my mother will tell me the truth... "well if I don't then who will?"
Some truths may be a little overrated, am I right?
Baby L and I are doing well. She is about 34 weeks now, growing and kicking as usual. Compression socks plus my husbands strong hands are keeping the ankle swelling down. I went for a walk this morning with a new friend and resident, Charlotte. When I got home, I was feeling pretty good so I decided to weigh myself. Wes had to come in there with me to show me how to use his parent's complicated scale. The number wasn't good, but it was made so much worse when he got on after me and weighed 10 pounds less than I do. Dang endorphins. Why did I think I should get on the scale??
Actually, I'm looking forward so much to the baby that I don't really care about the weight anymore. (Read: In my head I think its all "water weight" and will quickly disappear after delivery) We get a free membership to a gym here and with the help of an amazing personal trainer, I know I'll get back to normal sometime! And if not, my wonderful friends will swear I look great and gush about how they can't believe I lost the weight. As any good friend should lie about that kind of thing! Because gosh knows my mother will tell me the truth... "well if I don't then who will?"
Some truths may be a little overrated, am I right?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Bless Her Heart
I started work this week... actual Dr. work. I wear a name tag that calls me Dr. Brandi Lanier. Weird! There are three residency programs at my hospital: Family Medicine, Surgery, and Transitional Year for people who will only be there a year and then are moving on, like me, to a subspecialty.
There are a lot of residents who are not from the south in the program. I was explaining to one of them the phrase "Bless her heart." Like, she got her daddy's big nose, bless her heart. Or, the one I get a lot, You're just all swollen up, bless your heart. After she and I talked about it that morning, the phrase had been said twice by lunch by our instructor. Let's face it: If you're going to talk bad about someone in the south, you always end it with a bless her heart.
One resident from the north thought it was funny that the security guard told us we couldn't carry concealed weapons on the hospital campus. He said they just didn't carry guns in the north like we did. Two of us (females) told him that we had shotguns if he ever wanted to go shoot!
Our baby turned 33 weeks old today. She weighs about 4.5 pounds and could be 19 inches long by now. She must be getting strong because she kicks so hard that it takes my breath away sometimes. In the same spot. All day long. I dreamed she had brown hair... but I wonder if it will be red??
A final note, but the most important one, is that God has answered a deeply personal and heart-wrenching prayer of mine. I knew God was in control of the situation but it had become so painful that I wasn't sure how or what to pray for specifically anymore. I just asked Him for a miracle that only He could provide. I stopped caring what the answer was, as long as God would provide one. It was similar in feeling to the time I found out my step father had cancer...the worrying, waiting and uncertainty were extremely difficult. So today I am praising God for what I truly believe is a miracle. If you have ever had a similar situation, I know you will praise Him with me.
There are a lot of residents who are not from the south in the program. I was explaining to one of them the phrase "Bless her heart." Like, she got her daddy's big nose, bless her heart. Or, the one I get a lot, You're just all swollen up, bless your heart. After she and I talked about it that morning, the phrase had been said twice by lunch by our instructor. Let's face it: If you're going to talk bad about someone in the south, you always end it with a bless her heart.
One resident from the north thought it was funny that the security guard told us we couldn't carry concealed weapons on the hospital campus. He said they just didn't carry guns in the north like we did. Two of us (females) told him that we had shotguns if he ever wanted to go shoot!
Our baby turned 33 weeks old today. She weighs about 4.5 pounds and could be 19 inches long by now. She must be getting strong because she kicks so hard that it takes my breath away sometimes. In the same spot. All day long. I dreamed she had brown hair... but I wonder if it will be red??
A final note, but the most important one, is that God has answered a deeply personal and heart-wrenching prayer of mine. I knew God was in control of the situation but it had become so painful that I wasn't sure how or what to pray for specifically anymore. I just asked Him for a miracle that only He could provide. I stopped caring what the answer was, as long as God would provide one. It was similar in feeling to the time I found out my step father had cancer...the worrying, waiting and uncertainty were extremely difficult. So today I am praising God for what I truly believe is a miracle. If you have ever had a similar situation, I know you will praise Him with me.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
So long, salt
Wow, 30 weeks has come and gone quickly. The major development of this checkup was water retention. It went something like this: "Dr, do you think we can induce even earlier, maybe?" "At the rate you're swelling, we're going to have to." I see it as a silver lining... getting the baby even earlier. Just kidding... I ugly cried the whole way home. What have I DONE to get this swollen?
Anyone who knows me well knows that my first love is salt. I could give up sweets with no regrets, but not being able to salt the yummy pot roast my mother in law made yesterday is just wrong. Or eat pickles. My mouth just started watering thinking about it. So, the doctor said I should cut back and I'm on day 2 of not adding salt or eating salty things. The withdrawals aren't as bad as I thought they would be... I haven't died yet. I also haven't un-swelled yet...
But, he also said that "some people are just swellers." So bring on the compression stockings. Bring on the water bottles And the salt-free diet. I guess if I have to give up salt (sigh), there's no one else I'd rather do it for than a 3 pound cutie pie.
Anyone who knows me well knows that my first love is salt. I could give up sweets with no regrets, but not being able to salt the yummy pot roast my mother in law made yesterday is just wrong. Or eat pickles. My mouth just started watering thinking about it. So, the doctor said I should cut back and I'm on day 2 of not adding salt or eating salty things. The withdrawals aren't as bad as I thought they would be... I haven't died yet. I also haven't un-swelled yet...
But, he also said that "some people are just swellers." So bring on the compression stockings. Bring on the water bottles And the salt-free diet. I guess if I have to give up salt (sigh), there's no one else I'd rather do it for than a 3 pound cutie pie.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Litchfield
This past week, Wes and I went to Litchfield for the dual purpose of getting away one last time since "you're life will never be the same" and for Holly and Andrew's wedding. Holly was my roommate for our M1 year, and Andrew is also a new doctor. It was really great to spend some quality time with the hubby. We went to Creek Ratz the first night to eat and ran into a lot of friends from med school who were there with Holly and Andrew. It was such a fun coincidence!
Because I have started retaining water like the Hoover dam, I was trying to stick to salads during the week. (Ok, well I did bring some cheezits because I'm a huge salt-a-holic.) So I kept thinking, gosh I can't believe we are at the beach and I'm not getting seafood. We went to a really good restaurant and I actually ordered fried shrimp and flounder, then changed my mind to grilled salmon and zucchini. It was good... I guess. But I kept talking about oysters and crab legs all night.
Saturday was the wedding. It was so beautiful at a church on the water in Murrell's Inlet. Then the reception was at Wachesaw plantation, on the water. Gorgeous, just like Holly! For about an hour and a half, there was a cocktail hour. The food was covered, and since I couldn't drink, I was naturally curious about what was under those white linens. Ok, let's face it, I would have been just as curious if I had been drinking. I love wedding food. There's a little bit of everything, you know?
There was an ice sculpture that clearly was going to have shrimp cocktail under it. Yes, finally some seafood! When the chefs opened up the tables, would you believe that not only were they serving shrimp cocktail, but they also had crab legs (already cracked and peeled) and oysters?? And shrimp and grits. I hope we go to a lot more weddings on the coast.
It was, of course, just as great to see all my doctor friends one last time and to see some friends from college! Mostly, I got "Wow, look how big you are!" Yes, yes I am, thank you.
And, another great thing was that Wes let me buy a yellow boat to play with in the ocean. I'm pretty scared of the ocean (well, all the things that live in it), so I don't really get in past my knees. But I knew with this boat, a lot of things were possible. When he was blowing it up, he noticed that the weight limit was 120 lbs. I asked him why he was laughing, and he finally told me. He shouldn't have told me why he was laughing. That's an example of when you can lie to me Wes.
I think he was embarrassed carrying it down to the ocean since we clearly did not have kids. But we (I) had a lot of fun with that thing... out where the big waves are! It totally held me by the way.
I couldn't help but think... the next time we are at the beach, Annabel will be here with us! The next time we see these friends, they can meet her too! And maybe my ankles will be a normal size by then :) I bet she'll like the yellow boat, too!
Assuming the position...
to get rid of these...
Blowing up my boat
Super excited about it
On our way out to eat
After the wedding at the church
Our view
Our Rolls. Just kidding. Holly and Andrew's getaway car.
Wes at Wachesaw
The gorgeous cake
Because I have started retaining water like the Hoover dam, I was trying to stick to salads during the week. (Ok, well I did bring some cheezits because I'm a huge salt-a-holic.) So I kept thinking, gosh I can't believe we are at the beach and I'm not getting seafood. We went to a really good restaurant and I actually ordered fried shrimp and flounder, then changed my mind to grilled salmon and zucchini. It was good... I guess. But I kept talking about oysters and crab legs all night.
Saturday was the wedding. It was so beautiful at a church on the water in Murrell's Inlet. Then the reception was at Wachesaw plantation, on the water. Gorgeous, just like Holly! For about an hour and a half, there was a cocktail hour. The food was covered, and since I couldn't drink, I was naturally curious about what was under those white linens. Ok, let's face it, I would have been just as curious if I had been drinking. I love wedding food. There's a little bit of everything, you know?
There was an ice sculpture that clearly was going to have shrimp cocktail under it. Yes, finally some seafood! When the chefs opened up the tables, would you believe that not only were they serving shrimp cocktail, but they also had crab legs (already cracked and peeled) and oysters?? And shrimp and grits. I hope we go to a lot more weddings on the coast.
It was, of course, just as great to see all my doctor friends one last time and to see some friends from college! Mostly, I got "Wow, look how big you are!" Yes, yes I am, thank you.
And, another great thing was that Wes let me buy a yellow boat to play with in the ocean. I'm pretty scared of the ocean (well, all the things that live in it), so I don't really get in past my knees. But I knew with this boat, a lot of things were possible. When he was blowing it up, he noticed that the weight limit was 120 lbs. I asked him why he was laughing, and he finally told me. He shouldn't have told me why he was laughing. That's an example of when you can lie to me Wes.
I think he was embarrassed carrying it down to the ocean since we clearly did not have kids. But we (I) had a lot of fun with that thing... out where the big waves are! It totally held me by the way.
I couldn't help but think... the next time we are at the beach, Annabel will be here with us! The next time we see these friends, they can meet her too! And maybe my ankles will be a normal size by then :) I bet she'll like the yellow boat, too!
Assuming the position...
to get rid of these...
Blowing up my boat
Super excited about it
On our way out to eat
After the wedding at the church
Our view
Our Rolls. Just kidding. Holly and Andrew's getaway car.
Wes at Wachesaw
The gorgeous cake
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