Giddy Up...There is a New Cowboy in Town...Welcome Owen Matthew Mahoney!

Our First Mother's Day!

Before Labor

Cousins!

Proud Parents!

Owen Matthew Mahoney

Arrival: May 4, 2011 at 11:25 p.m.
Weight: 6 pounds, 3 ounces
Height: 20 1/2 inches

Our miracle has arrived and we are ecstatic. Owen is by far the best baby and we are VERY proud parents. We could not have asked for a better delivery. Everything was smooth for the most part, especially after the drugs were administered. At 3:20 Wednesday morning Matt and I were awakened by a phone call from the hospital. They said to come on down. So I took a shower, ate as much as I could, and we headed out the door. A pretty surreal moment knowing the next time you come home you will have a baby. The funny part was I drove myself to the hospital, figured it would be a while before I drove again. I was right...haven't driven since!

Once we got checked in I was given cervidel, which is a drug used to induce labor. Our encouraging (or should I say discouraging) nurse told us it could be Saturday before we delivered. We quickly figured out by lunch time that it would not be Saturday, but sometime in the next 24 hours. Contractions were happening frequently, but mom was still smiling. The nurses said if you can talk and smile through a contraction then you are not in "true" labor.

Well, come 3:00 p.m. I was not a happy camper! Let's just say I said a few choice words and was asking myself why I we ever decided to get pregnant. Typically, contractions should look like a bell shaped curve...not mine. They never descended! Contractions are measured on a scale from 0-12 and mine were consistently between 6 and 8, peaking to 11 and 12. I stood and swayed on the end of my bed, while Matt and my mom took turns massaging me. The hardest part was from 4:40 to 5:00 as I waited for Dr. Callahan to come see me. This man is AMAZING! He must have known by the look on my face that I was in PAIN! He checked me, said I was 100% effaced and dilated to a 2. Next thing I knew he broke my water...ouch! I think that was the worst part. Little did I know heaven was coming my way...ITN/Epidural!!! It was smooth sailing from there.

The "true" labor came later when I started vomiting...yay! The nurse checked me and said I was now dilated to a 6.5. Owen was just around the corner! As they monitored me for a few more hours, I tried to relax and get some sleep. But our little man had a better idea, he was ready to get out and he wanted to do it before Cinco de Mayo (and so did I)! I couldn't tell, but Matt said the nurse was watching the babies heart rate very closely and she decided it was time to call in the doctor. By the way, this is the same nurse that told us on her morning shift that I may be there until Saturday! WRONG!

We did a few practice pushes and the doctor arrived. About 20 minutes later we were blessed with the best gift God could ever give us...Owen. We are so incredibly in love with him. There are not enough words to describe the feelings we have had over the last week and a half. You couldn't possibly love anything more than the miracle you and your husband have created. With all this being said, I love Matt more now than I thought I could. He is a great dad and I am so proud he is Owen's daddy.

We are resting comfortably at home and trying to get as many naps in as possible. We couldn't ask for a better sleeping baby! The hard part is making yourself wake up to do midnight feedings. But when I look at Owen, it is all worth it. He is healthy and that is all we could ask for! As far as postpartum for Mommy...I am adjusting. I have relied a lot on my sister and friends for advice on nursing, feeding, pumping, changing diapers...!!! Thank you to everyone who has come by the house to visit Owen and for all of the great meals, which have been delivered! We appreciate it more than you know.

Goodbye April, Hello Owen!!!

Well, this is probably my last official post before Owen's arrival! I went to the doctor today and he has placed me on the induction list. This means it can be any day, any hour, the hospital can call and have me come in. The doctor said it can take 3-4 days, but it can also be today! I am a little anxious, a little nervous, but very excited. I was actively having contractions and he feels like I will be able to have a natural birth based on the way my body is progressing (I will let you figure it out!).

On a lighter note...we spent the weekend celebrating Matt's birthday! Japanese food Friday night, Flatbread Pizza Saturday night, followed by the Chumash Casino. Let's just say the "Chumash" were quite generous to our family! Thank you Matt for making your wife happy! We also took Lucy to the beach on Saturday. We figured this would probably be her last trip without her baby brother...boy, were we right. It has been so nice to enjoy the beautiful weather the last few days! I even got a little bit of color...finally!

Hopefully, I can keep you updated by text messages, but if not, you know who to call (Matt, Ami, Jeannie, or Carol). So long for now!!! We can't wait to meet Owen!


Happy Birthday Matt and Mom!

Matt and Lil' Levi!

Lucy enjoying her new pink pool and giant tennis ball!

36 Weeks---Owen is almost here!

Well, we have finally made it to the 9 month point! Yay! I went to the doctor on Monday and he said I do have cholestasis. I am still a little unclear about when I will be delivering, but it sounds like within the next two weeks! I can hardly believe it. I hope Owen decides to come on his own before then, so I won't have to be induced. I am still being monitored twice a week, so if anything should change I will definitely update the blog. I have been enjoying the last week and a half off of work. Been walking daily, visiting with friends, helping watch Mason, and taking it easy. I will actually be 37 weeks tomorrow, which means I am considered full term!

Something else to celebrate this week...Matt and my Mom's birthdays! Birthday season is in full swing for both of our families. Owen has plenty of chances to land on someones birthday! We went to dinner last Saturday at McClintock's to celebrate my Mom before Mike went back to work. As for Matt's birthday dinner...who knows we may be eating at the hospital cafeteria.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A GREAT HUSBAND (SOON TO BE DAD) AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL MOM! I AM BLESSED TO HAVE YOU BOTH IN MY LIFE!

Owen's Nursery

The nursery is complete and now we are patiently waiting for the little prince to arrive. I am officially off of work now and plan on spending the next few weeks catching up with friends, resting, and doing last minute cleaning. I hope you enjoy the pictures of the nursery. We are very happy with the way it turned out. Thank you to everyone who helped make Owen's nursery what it is. He is a lucky little guy!

Had to throw this one in too...he is so stinkin' cute!

Occupational Hazard---35 weeks

Well, I have made it to my last week of work...phew! Let me tell you it didn't get started off to well. On Tuesday I was working at Miller (Carol's school), when at the end of the day, out of no where, a soccer ball came flying and slammed me in the stomach. Needless to say, it knocked the wind right out of me! With that being said, you know what came next...tears! I was so scared for Owen. I went straight to Carol's office and she called the doctor for me. I immediately rushed to see him and was placed on the fetal monitor. In the meantime, Matt was conveniently driving out of town for a work meeting.

After being monitored and assured that everything looked good, I left. Still a little shaken, but much more comfortable. So the next day (Wednesday) was my actual doctors appointment, which Carol accompanied me too, since Matt was still out of town. Lying there with the fetal monitor strapped to my growing belly, I started to feel some discomfort. Carol asked me if he was moving a lot because she had noticed the change in his heart rate. I said I had some lower pressure, but assumed it must have just been his head. Come to find out I was actually having contractions and they were occuring quite regularly. Let me just say that text message definitely got Matt's attention. After being on the monitor for quite some time, the Doctor gave me a shot to stop the contractions. They quickly subsided and he checked a few other things (????) just to make sure labor wasn't around the corner. He also advised me what to do if I were to feel the contractions come back, since it still isn't the ideal time for Owen to be delivered.

I came home feeling grateful that Carol was there with me, but feeling sad and lonely to not have Matt near me. I prayed for his safe return and hopefully not for a midnight trip to the ER. Well...we made it through the night and I felt good today. So we are back on schedule for our appointment next week. I will keep you posted and will also post the new 3D's that Esther spoiled Carol and I with! Owen was not shy this time, but he still loves his hands by his face (sounds like dad already)!

33 weeks---Owen's Nursery

Grandpa Lambert and Matt have been working very hard to prepare our house for Owen. Thank you so much Mom and Mike for all of your hard work on the weekends. Whether you are working in the garage, painting, organizing closets, and baby clothes or just hanging out, we appreciate all the time. This is what Owen's nursery looks like prior to organizing any of our shower gifts. This is an organized mess. Since I took this picture we have definitely made progress. We both are hard at work over the weekend still organizing. I will post his new pictures as soon as the nursery is totally completed. I can't wait to see the finished product...I love it already. I have a hard time not looking in there when I walk by. Every morning I go in to open the blinds and I smile. I can't wait to say "Good Morning" to Owen! Two sentences to describe how I was feeling hear...It was 92 degrees in Santa Maria! Two days later it was 60 degrees!

Presenting...Owen!

Well, here he is...!!! This is the miracle that has been growing for 8 months inside of me. It was so great to get this ultrasound today. Matt and I were really looking forward to getting to see how much he has changed. It is unbelievable how he went from looking like an alien to a bundle of love that we can't wait to meet. After having the ultrasound it almost makes the waiting even harder. According to his measurements, Owen is already 4 pounds and is still expected to be due May 20th.

Although, that will not be the case according to our doctor. At 35 weeks I will have my blood drawn again to check my liver levels and begin seeing the doctor twice a week for non-stress tests. Ultimately, it would be ideal to not have to be induced because the risk of c-section is higher, but we will do what has to be done. If everything goes as planned, and I don't have any complications or start labor on my own, 38-39 weeks delivery is planned. Which means only 6-7 more weeks! Yikes, but so exciting for us! Tonight Grandma Carol, Grandma Jeannie, and Grandpa Mike stopped by to meet their newest grandson. We also watched the DVD from our ultrasound. So much to look forward to in the future! I am already so proud to show him off. He looks adorable to me, of course. I don't know who he looks like, but it seems that the consensus is Matt. Which of course I think is great, but didn't I have something to do with this???? Such a sleepy guy! He really tried hard to hide from us! Esther (our friend and u/s tech had to really work hard to get him to move his hands and FEET away from his face)!! He is a stinker already, but a flexible one at that.