Meeting Family for the first time

It is our belief that little Dia Cate was with her Grandma and Grandpa Rich up until the moment she came to earth to be with us.  It gives me extreme comfort to know that my baby girl knew her incredible grandparents.  Paul and I have brainstormed ways to have their lives stay a part of Dia's life all along the way.  I am so thankful for my parents influence in my life so that I can have some of the same influences in our little girls life.

Claudia and Norm Rich
AKA Grammie and Pompa

Paul's parents have been so great and supportive throughout our dating, marriage, and now having our little baby girl join our family. They are always willing to help, be it to baby sit our little dog, feed us, or just check in with us to see that we are a-ok. Thank you for your love and support

Grandpa Schultz

Grandma Schultz

  Uncle Darrin and Aunt Holly, & cousins Owen, Olivia, and Mallory love baby girl.  Holly came over early to be supportive and help out with food and meals as well as be at the hospital with us up to the delivery.  We love them so much and all the time and energy there family sacrificed to be there for us during this time.  We are indebted to them for their support, love, and good eats!  All three of the kids adored CC and all wanted to hold her lots and lots.


Cousin Owen, Olivia, and Mallory Rich



Cousin Olivia's precious expression as she holds CC was priceless!

This is the only picture of Aunt Holly we could find...s
he made it impossible for Paul to photo her...
and she isn't even holding the baby!

Uncle Darrin keeping it real with little CC.

 Aunt Sissy (Kristalyn) and Uncle Brad have been strong supports to us as well.  Sacrificing and rearranging schedules and plans to make it possible for Sis to be with Paul and I at the hospital and to spend time helping me in the weeks prior to Baby Dia's arrival.  They have been helpful day or night with questions, worries, and support.  We are so lucky to have such amazing family.  I am grateful for the knowledge I have that my siblings will be my siblings forever.

Aunt Sissy Peterson
* I called Kristalyn Sissy growing up,
so it seems natural to have CC call her Aunt Sissy. 
We'll see if it sticks.

Uncle Brad Peterson
Smiling in his tye-dye

 Kristalyn and Brad's kids didn't hold little CC at the time we were photographing so we don't have evidence that they've met yet.  That will soon change!  We are grateful to them for allowing us to steal their mom and being patient with the changes in their schedules at the end of the summer.


Paul's sister and brother-in-law are in love with little Claudia. Auntie Lauren keeps whipping up gifts and other goods for her and has spent many hours working on secretive projects for our little girl. Uncle Bryan was a baby whisperer from the get go--Claudia loves it when he holds her.



Aunt Lauren Underwood

Uncle Bryan Underwood

Paul's other sister, Aunt Amanda, Uncle Tony, and cousin Rowan live in New Jersey.  They've been supportive via technology, so we don't have any pictures of them together.  Hopefully they'll get to meet in person sometime soon.  Cousin Rowan has been looking forward to "baby cousin" for a long time.  She has drawn numerous pictures for "baby CC" and even picked out a monkey shirt for her!





Hooray for support people!

I know I have mentioned I had a really great crew of folks supporting me throughout the entire pregnancy, during the labor, and now after Claudia's arrival.  We've had many meals brought in, visitors volunteering to help us out, caring friends sharing their advise and reassurance to a couple of new parents.  To all of you we are so thankful for your many many kind acts and we cannot express enough how grateful we are to you all!  You know who you are...and you have blessed our lives in myriad ways!

Thank you so much!  I must do a special tribute though to the one who stood by me all along the way, comforting me and cheering me on.  I am so lucky to have married such a wonderful man and now father to our beautiful little girl.  He was so strong and brave and calm throughout the whole labor, and continues to be a calming influence during my mini-freak-outs as a new mom.

I love you Paul!

Wagers for goldfish crackers

Really new Claudia Cate

Sporting the Jordan gear...already

We were passing the evening away by putting in guesses for the next checks of baby girls progress...As the delivery times all passed by, people were wanting to change their predictions.  When Sarajane joined us and made her prediction, I was like "no way.... tomorrow morning?  Seriously?"

Our nurse Sarajane, was the closest winner on the time, of delivery and CC's length.  Kristalyn and I were the closest (but over) on her weight

Claudia Cate's Stats:         5:07 am 9/2/2011    19.5 inches   7 lbs. 8. oz.    dark blonde


Aunt Holly Rich              8:14 pm 9/1/2011    21.5 inches   *7 lbs. 15 oz.  blonde
Aunt Kristalyn Peterson    8:45 pm 9/1/2011    23 inches      *7 lbs. 14 oz.  dark
Grandma Teresa Schultz    6:15 pm 9/1/2011    21 inches       8 lbs. 4 oz     brown
Uncle Darrin Rich            5:30 pm 9/1/2011    21 inches       8 lbs. 0 oz.      
Daddy Paul                    12:01am 9/2/2011    26 inches        9 lbs. 4 oz.   blonde
Mommy Rochelle            9:02 pm 9/1/2011    22 inches      *7 lbs 14 oz.  blonde
Nurse Sarajane              *4:00 am 9/2/2011   *19.75 inches    8 lbs. 6 oz.       

*Denotes winner in each category.

Although there were goldfish crackers to be awarded, no one took them away from the baby mamma as a reward of their good guessing!

Here we are....that was hard work it's time for a nap!

Labor, before labor day...

* CLAUDIA CATE SCHULTZ *

AKA: Canty, CC, or Dia Cate *



Our first family photo:
Daddy, Mommy and Baby Dia Cate

 We had a little wager going mid August of when little CC would be born. 
Paul's Dad and Lauren - Sept 5
Paul - Sept 8
Paul's Mom - Sept 3 or 4th (I can't remember)
Me - Sept 2

I was the winner! My choice of Sept 2 was purely a choice of my work contract already starting so I'd be eligible for three "free birth of baby days" toward my leave of absence.  It worked to my advantage and since I was admitted on August 31 my short-term disability 14 day waiting period began that day!

CAUTION! I'm putting some details of the labor in here,feel free to skip this part if  A) you are not interested or B) you are grossed out or C) you already have the deets, I'm sure there is a D) out there too.



Here we are at the hospital Wednesday afternoon,
waiting for the labor nurse to direct us to our room.
I believe we are both nervously smiling...
when we leave here, we will be parents!



As soon as I was gowned up and monitored I had started contracting on my own.  Needless to say I'm certain I'd been contracting for a few days now that I knew what the contractions felt like. I had been dilated a 1- for a few weeks (about 20% effaced when I was checked earlier that day).  When she checked me I was still a 1.

The "waiting game" began.  At about 6pm on the 31st, I was given Cervidil for 12 hours to "kick start" my dilation and perhaps start contracting stronger. 



Here I am somewhat relaxed early on Wednesday evening.

No such luck.  I remained at the current status for the entire 12 hours with little progress.  In the morning, I was a 1.5 or a 2!  Wow...

Progress was slow for that entire Thursday.  The hospital was busy with women who's babies weren't as comfy cozy in the womb as CC was...so the Dr.'s would pop in here or there, but with no progress on the petocin, we were in it for the long haul.

Around 1:30 pm or so on Thursday (my due date!) the Dr. mentioned breaking my water in an hour or so.  At about 6:00 pm I inquired of my nurse if that was going to take place.  They did, and contractions started coming harder.  I was dilated to 4 cm at approximately 8:22 pm.  It took me 7 hours and 42 minutes to then dilate to a 10.  They had been messing with the pitocin levels up and down depending on how CC was reacting to it. 

Sometime later Thursday evening I got an epidural.  I really wanted to hang on as long as I could, but I was so tired after over 24 hours of contracting, an uncomfortable bed, and they wouldn't let me wander the halls or anything because of my one high blood pressure reading early on Wednesday.  It was too risky Dr. said.  I am grateful they were looking out for me, but I really wanted to be mobile during labor, and that wasn't going to be able to happen. So I opted to get the epidural so I could begin to rest a little bit.

The epidural was immediate relief. I was so relaxed they gave me oxygen since I wasn't breathing regularly.  They upped the pitocin, and as they did that the epidural wore off quickly on my left side.  They called the anesthesiologist back in to try to redose me.  It didn't work.  He had to start over again from scratch on the epidural.  Paul remarked that he thought I was being doped because he saw so many syringes of fluid enter my body.  I had plenty of funny things to say during this time.  Also there is a horrific picture that exists of me clutching the side of the bed with all my might.  I leave it out purposefully for all of your sakes.  But here are a few of my mumblings during the drug induced comfort:

• "You are the greatest person on earth, I just really think you are so nice."  (to the anesthesiologist)
•  I repeatedly thanked everyone for being so wonderful to me.
• "I can't even tell you how great this feels, I can totally see how people get addicted to drugs and alcohol if they feel like this"
• I told the nurse and Dr. about my trip to Bend Oregon with  my sister in 10th grade (random I know...but he did ask me if I'd had surgery and I answered yes and told him about the trip my sister promised me when I was going under for my appendectomy).  I talked about cross-country skiing, horseback riding, etc.
• I asked my nurse Sarajane (who rocked by the way and was my all time favorite nurse while were there and she got to be there through to the delivery!) to get me all the names of nurses and staff that helped me so I could write them thank you notes.
• I told them all that the oxygen mask was "great" because it smelled so strongly of pralines.  I said " I can get used to this!"

I'm sure there were more, but a week later, my mind is foggy and Paul can't recall right now either.

After the second epidural and before I was checked to see that I was dilated to 10cm, I was instructed by Sarajane not to push if I felt like pushing but to do the whole panting thing.  She left the room, Paul fell asleep and I spend 45 minutes trying not to push.  It was soooo hard not to, it seemed the only way to relieve the pressure.  But I listened to my nurse. 

Sarajane came in to check me again and I was ready!  I was incredibly limber in my medicated state, I was able to move my own legs the entire time.  She called the Dr. who was about to scrub up for a c-section and since I'd been so slow to progress, the Dr. said she'd pop in to see how I was doing, but most likely I'd be pushing after she performed the c-section.  Dr. McFadden, the on-call Dr. came in as Sarajane and Paul had me oxygen-ed up, ice chips between contractions, and had already started me pushing for little CC's arrival.  Her head had begun to crown before Dr. McFadden arrived. 

Dr. McFadden walked in kind of non-chalantly, until she saw baby CC's head and then she quickly gowned up and said, "Somebody tie me, somebody tie me!"  48 minutes of pushing like a champ ( Dr., Paul, and nurses words not mine) we had our little one!

Paul was so great, he fed me ice chips between pushings, he kept encouraging me to push and gave me updates on her progress.  They had me feel her head in the middle of the ordeal which made me want to push even harder because I could tell she was on her way!  The Dr. was so nice too!  I was so grateful for the people that supported me.  We had decided that we just wanted it to be Paul and I in the delivery room and I was a little nervous about only having support on one arm, but honestly, it was perfect!  Paul and I were thrilled to be able to share those moments together.  I know my mom and dad were present with us in the room as I felt the comfort of all my family during the labor.

I immediately asked about her ears (two of them and they both work great!) and her fingers and toes as they placed her on my tummy and Paul was preparing to cut the cord.  I was so relieved and happy to see her I was almost distracted enough not to notice I was clearly being stitched up extensively south of the equator.  (no more details needed there...2nd degree tearing)

See the deets on labor on the bottom of the whiteboard

So, they call my labor length 9 hours 34 minutes  (from when I was dilated to a 4 until delivery)

So the contractions from Wednesday at 4:30pm until Thursday late evening didn't get me any credit dang it! :)

We feel so blessed.  She is happy, healthy, little one that has brought us so much joy already!  Here are a few pictures to enjoy of her first few moments on earth.

 

7 pounds 8 ounces, 19.5 inches, circumference of head 13.8
and just beautiful!



Ahhhh...the relaxation!

Proud Daddy in his Daddy scrubs

Wow, I look beat!  Gotta love the hormones doing a number on my skin...
Claudia Cate was worth every minute!



She's so cute and tiny!



Hearing Screening Results!  She passed in 2 minutes 34 seconds!



A surprise super blowout poo gave Paul the opportunity to 'scrub her down' at the sink with the nurses assistance on Day 1.  When Paul opened up the diaper he said, "Woah I'm going to need to get rubber gloves for this"  It quickly resulted in CC getting poo on her hand, feet, tummy, etc.  I was in bed so the nurse suggested they go rinse her off in the sink.  Paul was the one to scrub her up.  She also got a litle scalp massage with the brush.



Look how tiny she is compared to the sink...and Paul's arm!

  I didn't believe Paul at first that she had created such a mess.  I thought he was trying to be funny...It was quite laughable AFTER she was all cleaned up!









And here we have B-A-B-Y S-C-H-U-L-T-Z, winning her way to fame...

So 7:45 am August 31, we headed out the door in Superhonda 2.0 to my OB/GYN appointment in North Everett.  Paul had me drive because we were running a little late to be on time and he didn't want me to whine he wasn't going fast enough  (haha!)


The plan for the rest of the day was a great adventure as husband and wife and the union meeting on our contract.  Big whoop, right?


So we check in, I give my "sample,"  greeted by someone who maneuvered the locked door open while I'm "sampling" and then landed in room 7...first door on the left.


Baby's heart rate was steady and no deceleration.  I was prepared to ask Dr. Wong if I could have my membranes stripped to potential kick start me into labor.  The medical assistant left and we waited for Dr. Wong.


There was a bit of protein in my urine and my blood pressure was borderline so he said, the only way to solve this problem (if it is Preeclampsia for sure) is delivery!  So he went to find out from the Dr. on call when I'd come in for induction!


He mentioned that we could do a definitive test over a 24 hour period and depending on the results may still result in induction, or we could just schedule it and go for it.


So we met with the amazing nurse  Pamela, who answered all sorts of questions for me and Paul and then were on our way at about 9:00am to rest and return to the hospital at 4:30 for admitting and then i'd be induced early in the morning on Thursday.I

We were startled, because I hadn't had any contractions I figured she'd come some time next week on her own, so was planning on attending work on Thursday to save my sick days!


We arrived at home called siblings and Paul's parents and then we both without saying a word, quickly started cleaning!  I got out my steamer and cleaned the sink and counters in the kitchen, filed papers, payed bills, and picked up laundry and my sewing machine mess.  Paul started vacuuming (like he always does) changed our sheets on our bed, washed towels, mopped the kitchen and bathroom floors.  I headed to our bathrooms and cleaned the toilets, sinks and counters, contacted a few peeps, called Human Resources at work and then realized I was hungry.


Paul went and got his hair cut and brought me home a milkshake...yum!


And here we are...

Beach combing and enjoying the last days of the Schultz "pair"

Written:  8-31-11  Paul and I have been really interested in enjoying the last few days before the Canty appears.  We spent the better part of two days this week (August 30 and one earlier) at Mukilteo State Park, under the umbrella in our camping chairs, watching the water, boats, birds, and just enjoying each others company.  The best part is discovering creatures in the rocks while the tide is low.  We found tons of sea snails, hermit crabs, a myriad of rock crabs of many many colors and a baby eel...at least that's what we think it was.  it flipped and flopped when we bumped it with rocks.

We think this is an eel...but we aren't sure, it flailed a lot.

We also spent an afternoon at Meadowdale Park in Edmonds, Paul tested out his rock crawler against a steep rocky, dusty, full of tree roots slope while I sat in my camping chair reading a magazine and making our grocery list.

We have been joking about how since Paul's summer term got over, we've been like a retired couple...both of us not working and our schedule being so flexible.  It has been great for us to spend quality time together and make up for the times when our lives were so busy that we barely saw each other!

We've been able to spend time with friends, family and have thoroughly enjoyed some local events as well:

Paul took me to the Heritage Flight Collection (Paul Allen's museum in Everett) to see some static displays of aircraft.  We watched some of the informative videos as well as saw the visiting planes from Arizona (i can't remember what kind they were...sorry boys)

We also spent time with Paul's Grandpa Bud and other extended family on several occasions at Uncle Ed and Aunt Katie's house.  It was fun to catch up with the events of everyone's life and spend time together as a family

I started pretending that I can sew.  My friend Becky and my sister Kristalyn, helped me gain a eensie weensie bit of confidence on the machine.

I had some really great celebrations of Canty with friends and family at baby showers!  I can't thank people enough for their generosity and support of our new bundle of love.

Darrin and Holly (my brother and sister-in-law) came to visit twice this summer.  The second time last weekend, I went to the Josh Groban concert with them and Kristalyn and some of their friends.  Paul didn't go...I only knew one song and it was during the encore!  I enjoyed the show though his band is very talented.

Paul and I also are on our HOA board so we did some planting, meeting, and planning for the appearance of our property with the other board members.

We saw several movies--I LOVE sitting in a/c with my feet up in a dark theater since I've been pregnant.  I loved it before I was pregnant..but my love was amplified during this time.

We ventured to the Willis-Tucker Park Farmer's Market, where Paul procured local honey, kettle korn for me and some beautiful farm fresh flowers.

My dear friend Emily took maternity pictures for us at the lighthouse park in Mukilteo (photos to come soon!)  last week.  It was so much fun and we reminisced as we took our engagement photos there too!

We have enjoyed summer USA network shows thoroughly and are thankful for our DVR.

Paul set up a work-station in the garage for him to work on his RC stuff as well as other projects.  Our storage space is super full, so making a place for him to work was challenging, but he did it!

We had many many more memories and fun times this summer.  But the anticipation of our Canty's arrival has been forefront in our minds and hearts.  We are so excited to be parents!  Hurry Canty and grace us with your presence!