myla layne

Myla Layne Pearce

born 10.09.13 @ 9:28pm

6lbs 7oz, 19.5 inches long

I figure I had better write out myla's birth story before I forget any of the details! For those who want the short version:

Our baby girl was born on October 9th at 9:28pm after about 5 hours of active labor. She has all 10 fingers and all 10 toes and is as healthy as can be. 6lbs 7oz and 19.5 inches long. I am having a great recovery and Brian and I are thoroughly enjoying being parents to our sweet angel baby!

Long(er) version:

I had been trying for a week to jumpstart labor because at my last appointment I was 2.5-3 cm dilated and 85% effaced. I know that that doesn't really mean much, but I was encouraged that my body was at least making some effort to get the show on the road! So Brian and I walked and walked and walked and walked (all the while dreaming about what she would be like) and I bounced on my exercise ball whenever I got a chance. I had tons of "contractions" that lasted about a minute and were often less than 5 minutes apart... but they didn't hurt so I decided not to worry about them. Well, lo and behold they were actually getting some work done because when I went to my appointment on Wednesday morning, I was a "generous 5" and my cervix was paper thin... My doctor was surprised that I was walking around just fine. He stripped my membranes (wasn't as bad as I had heard) and then asked me if my hospital bag was in the car. I said, "Nope, but it's packed and waiting at home!" He then told me I should get to the hospital because I was considered to be in active labor at 5(+) cm and that when the contractions really kick in, this baby is going to come fast. I had decided before that I wanted an epidural and I definitely did not want to have this baby at home, in the car, at the store, etc etc. Brian and I talked about it, consulted with the doctor again, and decided that the safest move was to go into the hospital - and I am so glad we did!

I got all checked in and my contractions were getting more frequent and more painful. The doctor came in around 4:30 or 5 and broke my water... then things really picked up. The contractions started coming every 3-4 minutes and lasted 1-2 minutes each with very looong peaks. The nurses were pretty impressed by the intensity of the contractions. After laboring through the contractions for a while, I decided that it was time to get some relief... We didn't have to wait long for the anesthesiologist and I think I only had to endure about 6 more contractions before the epidural was in. They checked me and I was at a 6+. The epidural worked pretty well, but there was a spot on my left side about the size of a softball that still had all sensation - so I definitely could still tell when I was having a contraction. They adjusted the meds a little bit and it helped to dull the pain. Once I was able to relax, I started dilating faster. Unfortunately, baby girl wasn't tolerating it very well and kept having episodes of bradycardia. I was put on an oxygen mask and rolled around to different positions to see what she liked the best. She stabilized pretty well for a while with me on my right side and I loved listening to the sound of her little heart beating - I couldn't wait to meet her!

Brian got back from getting a snack and we were listening to her heart rate together when all of the sudden it shot up to 220 and then down into the 70's...60's...50's... I knew that wasn't good and tried to reposition. Then 4 nurses came running into the room and helped flip me to the left (didn't help), flip me back to the right (didn't help), put me up on my hands and knees (didn't help), and one of them gave me a shot of terbutaline in my arm to slow down the contractions. I was having contractions extremely close together and the pressure on my uterus was making it impossible for the placenta to deliver enough blood/oxygen to baby girl... thus her decreased heart rate.

I was trying to stay calm because I knew that I had to take slow, deep breaths in order to get as much oxygen to her as possible, but to be completely honest, I was totally freaking out inside! The nurses called for the doctor that was on the unit and he came rushing in as well. They checked me and I was at a 9.5/10 and it was decided that pushing would be the best idea. So, I started pushing...and the moment I started pushing, her little heart decided to start beating faster. She recovered and we all started breathing easier. The terbutaline made my contractions slow down to one every 8 minutes for a while so there was a lot of waiting in between pushing... so much waiting, in fact, that my doctor was able to show up for the delivery! He was about 40 minutes away when they called him to come in.

I pushed through about 10 contractions (they did, eventually, get closer together again) and out came our perfect baby girl! She started crying before she was even all the way out. The doctor lifted her up for me to see and she had her arms wide out like she was waiting for a hug (startle reflex, I know, but it was so cute!). She only cried for a second and then they put her up on my chest. She was so alert and had her eyes wide open, just taking everything in. We stared at each other for a while until she started getting sleepy. Brian cut the cord and then came up to meet his new daughter :). We did some skin to skin before they took her to the warmer to weigh and measure her... we all had guessed her weight (I guessed 7lbs 2 oz) and Brian guessed it right on! 6lbs 7oz and 19 1/2 inches long. It looked like she was a redhead but later it turned out that it was just all the blood in her hair that made it look that way... she's definitely a brunette. 

I am so glad we went into the hospital because who knows what would've happened if my water had broken at home and labor went that fast - I am grateful that she was on a monitor and that we knew that she was distressed. The medical team was great - they stayed calm, worked together, and did what needed to be done :)

The next two days flew by and before we knew it we were heading home with our little bundle of joy. We finally decided on a name on Friday morning. The names we were considering were Myla, Claire, Abigail (Abby), Evelyn, and Amelia. We narrowed it down to Myla and Abigail after meeting her and seeing what she was like and finally decided that Myla fit her best. So, she's our little Myla girl! A few people have asked me where we got the name and I honestly can't remember. I think it might have been from a baby name book a while back. It means "merciful." Her middle name (pronounced like "lane"), is her grandma's name (my mother).

Well, we were/are in love! She has been a great baby and eats like a champ (most of the time). She definitely has her days and nights mixed up and that has been interesting, but she's so sweet that I don't really mind being up with her at night. She loves to cuddle, likes tummy time, loves to hear her dad sing her lullabies, loves going on walks, and getting her hair washed!

Her #1 talent at 1.5 weeks: pooping right after getting her diaper changed... 

Now for some pics! Warning - some of them are a little bloody...

Leaving for the hospital

She's here! Holding her for the first time was the best feeling ever!

Getting all cleaned up...

Daddy holding her for the first time :)

First family photo

Grandma Layne came to visit and help out

Going home on Friday afternoon.

baby girl blanket & wall decorations.. and 35 week bump (sort of)

Here's another peek into the nursery - baby blanket and wall decor!

First, Brian and I (with much help from his mom) finished the baby blanket we had been planning on making! We bought the material forever ago, but hadn't gotten a chance to sit down and do it. I love how it turned out and it was really quite easy as far as sewing is concerned (and I am definitely NOT a seamstress - it stresses me out). If you want to know how to make a quilt/blanket like this, just let me know!

I really love how there is texture and the "fraying" around the edges of the squares. Our little munchkin is going to love touching it! The back is soft pink with a cute square design because we sewed around each individual square.

Hard at work! And there's your glimpse of my 35 week bump.

 And here is some of the artwork we will be decorating her walls with. I mod podged the chevron frame by just getting a cheap frame from ikea and some scrapbook paper I liked - I think it turned out pretty good! I got the prints for free from a website online and then mod podged a few of them onto an art canvas with scrapbook paper underneath or just on the sides. I can't wait to put them on the wall!

And lastly, I had been wanting to paint some pictures for her room because I like to paint! This picture does not really do them justice, but I had a really fun time with this! The leaves on the tree, flags, and hearts are actually more scrapbook paper that I mod podged... apparently mod podging was the thing to do this week... Anyway, Brian and I both really like jungle animal themes but couldn't find much as far as "girly" jungle decorations... so I made my own!

how to survive Arizona's summer weather while pregnant

photo credit

Many people have asked me how I am surviving pregnancy in the absurdly warm weather.

This is how I do it:

1. I use the air conditioner

2. I take cold showers. I think I have only taken 1 hot shower since arriving.

3. I go to the pool almost every day.

4. Wherever I am in the house, I try to bring along our portable fan

5. I eat lots and lots of ice cream. Blue Bell recently had a sale and let's just say there wasn't much room in our freezer for much else. Except otter pops - because that is another secret to successful cooling.

6. Sometimes I just spray water on myself and then go sit under/by a fan

7. I avoid cooking hot meals (mmmmm...cereal)

8. Brian occasionally makes me ice packs - like last night. I snuggled with an ice pack until I fell asleep.

9. I always try to park in the shade even if it means walking further to my destination

10. I spend a lot of time out of the house at places with great air conditioning (ie the grocery store, Sam's Club, the library, etc)

11. Water - drink it up!

12. I wear lots of deodorant... because despite all of these measures, it is still hot.

Today I saw something that made me so excited! The weather is cooling down (for the moment)! Check it out... We're going to be in the 90's by next week! That is another way to survive:

13. I try to remember that the winter is going to be heavenly.

34 weeks! And... welcome to baby girl's room :)

Well hello there internet world! I apologize for being a little (or a lot) neglectful of the blog. I guess I've had some different priorities the last little while. Don't worry though, I am feeling more committed again! Especially now that I am miles and miles away from dear friends and family.

I might get teary about that sometimes. I blame it on pregnancy hormones.

Anyhoo (anywho?)...

We are finally feeling settled in! It was quite the move and I am 100% serious when I say I never want to move again until we are out of dental school. Thanks to the incredible help of my mother-in-law and brother-in-law, we were able to make it out of our old apartment on schedule and head down to the valley of death. Ok, it is not the valley of death. But when I walk outside and I immediately begin to sweat like a pig perspire, I wish I was back in good ol' Utah - or anywhere that gets below 90 degrees at night. 

Minus the heat, I really, really like it here! It is so much greener and landscaped than I was expecting! There are flowers, trees, bushes, and even grass almost everywhere you look! I have no idea how much the city shells out for water, but I imagine it is a pretty penny. 

We upgraded a bit and moved into a 2 bedroom apartment (pictures of that to come). I love that it A. has air conditioning B. has new paint/carpet C. is in the corner of the complex so we have some privacy D. It has a pool/gym/etc and E. It has air conditioning (that deserves double gratitude). It's a great place to live and only 2.5 miles from campus so Brian can bike there in less than 20 minutes. 

Oh yeah, and we have palm trees. I'm a sucker for palm trees!

Now, call me crazy, but I really think that Glendale feels a bit like southern California. Not the weather, but the landscaping, houses, etc. If I pretend that the ocean isn't far, sometimes I can fool myself.

While Brian is away for pretty much the entire day, I am trying to make some new friends before I am chained to the apartment with an infant. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond excited for her to make her debut, but I am realistic enough to know that new moms do not socialize too much. Too busy trying to keep a wee one fed and happy! That said, I've met some really great people already and am excited to meet more!

All right, enough updating. On to the pictures!

34 weeks - taken this morning after swimming. Along with what I see when I look down!

Side note: I was swimming at a new friend's house this morning and I asked one of the little girls if she knew what my name was. She said, "Oh yeah! Your name is 'Belly'!" Haha :)

And... introducing the "project." I won't go into detail about why it has been such a project, let's just say there were some setbacks. But, the room is well on its way to completion!

We painted the walls (gray... or actually "timberwolf" or something like that), put up molding around the ceiling (thanks to our tape job not working as well as hoped), painted the molding, put together the crib and cube shelf, put up curtains, made tissue paper pom poms, found a rug & other decoration, etc.

What's left to do:

Find a reasonably priced rocking chair/recliner

Paint the bookshelves white and hang them

Decide if we need a dresser/buy a dresser if we do

Hang all the artwork we have for the walls

Decide if we want (mesh) crib bumpers or a crib skirt or a mobile

Probably more.

It's been a lot of fun. Now I like to sit in there and just think about a little baby being in there.

It's crazy!

I can't believe I'm going to be a mom! And SOON! 

Time to pack the hospital bag...

24 weeks and 2nd anniversary!

This pregnancy sure seems to be flying by. I can't believe I'm already 26 weeks! TWENTY SIX! That means I only have approximately 14 weeks left to get my act together and be ready for this babe. 

Yikes.

I haven't taken any photos this week, but we did take some on our anniversary trip a couple of weeks ago... so here is my 24 week bump!

She's growing!

I still feel great - it is getting a little more uncomfortable to sleep.

Overall I feel very lucky with this pregnancy. Lucky to be pregnant and lucky to have a good pregnancy. I know I'm exposed to worse-case scenarios at my job and it makes me paranoid, so every time I go I thank my lucky stars that she is healthy, growing, and still in my belly!

Well, we also took our "2nd year" photo (we're trying to take one every year on our anniversary so we can see how we change through the years). Here is last year's...

And this year's!

Awwwww....

Well, things are starting to get crazy. I only have 2 shifts left at work and then we're packing up and then we're moving to hell the desert! 

I really am excited for the adventure, just a little nervous about the heat :)

Update!

So much has been going on lately - it seems like summer is just flying by. Too fast. Much too fast. Good thing I'm going to have a summer that never ends as soon as we move to Arizona I guess :).

I don't think I ever even "announced" on here that we are officially going to Arizona for dental school. Brian will be attending Midwestern Dental School, Glendale and we are thrilled! We are also on the "alternate" list for the Navy HSPS scholarship. To make a complicated explanation short, that means that he will either A) receive a full 4 year scholarship starting in October (we would get back-paid for tuition) B) Receive a 3.5 year scholarship starting in January or C) receive a 3 year scholarship and we would be responsible for paying the first year's tuition.

Obviously we are hoping for alternative A! We are trying to get out of this dental school party with zero debt. I believe they will let us know next month which one we are getting. Cross your fingers (and toes) for us!

Many people ask me what I am going to be doing in Arizona while Brian learns how to inflict pain on people's mouths (kidding, kidding...). Well, with the Navy scholarship comes a lovely monthly living stipend that should be enough to cover our needs. Consequently, this momma isn't going to have to work for the first little while! I am relieved and grateful that I won't have to put our newborn baby girl in daycare. I do plan on going back to work in Arizona, but just not right away. So, I will get to stay home and kiss her chubby little cheeks all day long! I am worried about cabin fever, but more about that some other time.

My last day at the NICU is going to be July 16th. While the prospect of sleeping in past 5 makes me very happy, I am seriously sad about leaving my job. It is such a great job! I love who I work with, the patients I care for, feeling like I'm making a difference, and bringing home the bacon! I don't think I'll ever find a unit quite like the NICU where I work and I'll really miss the friends I've made :/. Luckily there are several NICUs in the Phoenix area, so I should be able to find a job out there with babies. Sorry, adults, but babies are where it's at!

We've had a few adventures this summer already with the latest one being a trip out east to visit Dan & Laura and go to Dan's graduation! We stayed in Princeton, NJ during the graduation shenanigans and then traveled up the coast through New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and into Massachusetts where we stayed for a few days in Cape Cod. We felt very spoiled. Brian, Dan, and I hit up New York City on the way back to Princeton - My first time in a big city like that. Definitely an experience worth having.

Pregnancy is still going great! Brian felt her move for the first time last night and I was glad to finally be able to share that with him - it's my favorite part! I imagine it will be less favorite once she gets bigger and starts kicking my ribs... but for now it's just so cute! She's around 11 inches long nowadays and growing like crazy! I must say, it is a little strange taking care of babies at work who are just a tiny bit bigger than her. We have our fair share of 24 weekers in there. Yikes!

Anyway, this is getting long and I'm going swimming - hopefully I can update more soon!

I love them!

the graduate!! so proud!

19 weeks and belly photo!

Sorry for the lack of updates - but I have a pretty good excuse - I'm growing a human being!

19 weeks and counting - almost to the big 2-0.... halfway!

Symptoms: The nausea is gone except when I work night shifts or eat too much or eat too little... but I have't taken a Zofran in weeks and I feel so, so grateful for that. I know some people are sick right up until they deliver. Yikes. I am still tired, but not exhausted like I was before. My newest friends are leg cramps, dizzy spells, and ravenousness (is that a word?). Yes, I am very hungry and gross myself out every now and then by eating more than Brian. He's a real good sport about it though and even if we've just eaten dinner and 20 minutes later I am back for more, he's supportive :). Hmmm, what else? Itchy. Oh man I just itch all the time! Especially my legs and ribs. Probably going through 1/2 a gallon of lotion a week...I've also been having some pretty crazy dreams. A not-so-crazy one was that I really had a baby boy... so now I'm starting to wonder....

We had a scary moment again on Saturday :/. I started bleeding a bit and had to call into work, call the on-call doc, and get another ultrasound. Now I love ultrasounds, but I was afraid we weren't going to see a heartbeat or something! Horrible feeling. Luckily the ultrasound showed that everything looked a-ok. We were so relieved! Her feet are an inch long :). Couldn't get a confirmation that she is really a girl because she had her cute little legs crossed. So, I was on modified bed rest for the weekend and instructed to take it easy for the next few weeks.

I am finally starting to look pregnant! I felt it more than ever when we were in Cache Valley with my family last week... I think it was due to the insane amounts of food we consumed. I had a real baby and a food baby and boy could I tell. So, I would have to say that I "popped" at 18 weeks and now I feel like I look pregnant if I have the right outfit on. Thanks to my sister and friends who have lent me some of their maternity clothes - I'm about to put it to good use!

Brian and I get more excited for her arrival every day! I can't wait to feel her move around - my placenta is anterior and apparently that makes it so I can't feel her until later on. Can't wait!

Top 3 names: Abigail, Amelia, & Claire. 

And... thanks to our little scare the other day, we got an adorable footprint picture!

prince or princess?

We are happy to announce that we are expecting a little

GIRL!!

Measuring right on track and kicking away like crazy! 

The ultrasound tech had a hard time at first 

because she was hiding "the goods" with her cute little foot, but after some prodding 

she relented and let us know she is, in fact, a she. 

We are over the moon!

To celebrate we ate pink ice cream (wearing a pink shirt was purely coincidental - or foreshadowing... either way).

She weighs about the same as this bowl of ice cream (5-6ish ounces) 

Just about 4.5 inches long from her cute little head to her cute little bum - 

She's growing so fast!

thoughts from the first trimester :D!

4 weeks - Feb 6
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I just knew I was pregnant even though when I tested
on the day I was "supposed" to be able to get
a postive, it was negative.... waited a few more
days and VOILA!

It is quite the feeling to stand there staring at a hunk of
plastic that's going to tell you whether or not your life is
about to be changed forever.

We got one line and then...
is that another one? But, it's so faint! How can we be sure?
Luckily I had a digital test waiting around as well and
with that test it was clear...
Pregnant!

To say that we are ridiculously excited

 would be a huge understatement...

My estimated due date is October 15 -

We'll have our own sweet little pumpkin 

just in time for Halloween :D

Costume ideas, anyone?

Naturally, we were/still are a little nervous and anxious. I think every pregnancy brings it's fears. Because we've had two miscarriages, however, I feel like I am more nervous than ever! We are optimistic and praying for the best! Here's to a healthy pregnancy!

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5 weeks

Still feeling great!

A little bit of nausea here and there, but that's about it!

I remember sort of wanting to feel nauseous because

that can indicate a "healthy" pregnancy.

We told our families and that were thrilled!
Finally Gage will have a cousin :)

 Fluctuating between

extreme happiness and crazy nervousness. Just wanting

our little bean to stick around :)

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6 weeks

Now this was a dramatic week!

For various reasons I ended up in the ER in tears
because I was sure I was miscarrying again.

The scans and test were not conclusive

(they never are!).

But, I left feeling hopeful because on the

ultrasound there was a little fetal pole and yolk sac - 

which is more than I've ever seen with

the past 2 pregnancies.

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7 weeks

My first appointment with my OB was rather uneventful.
We didn't learn anything new but I did get labs
ordered and done.

Scheduled another ultrasound so we could make sure our baby was
growing ok - especially because of the threatened miscarriage.
I started feeling seriously nauseated and finally
broke down and got a prescription for Zofran.
Working as a nurse is unbearable when you're nauseated!

Sweet Brian went to the store and bought me one of about every kind of
cracker they carry! Lifesaver :)
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8 weeks

Aaaaaand....

good news!

Our little bean had a heartbeat of 130. It was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.

I might have most definitely teared up.

There's a real, live baby in there! Measuring right on schedule :).

Totally worth almost peeing all over the exam table. This may be tmi, but
I had to go sooo bad... they tell you to come with a full bladder,
which I did. What they didn't tell me is
that they would be running 45 minutes late!
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9 weeks

Craving Sonic Strawberry Limeades all the time.
And hamburgers.
And mac & cheese.
And chocolate.

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10 weeks

Bought some baby clothes because I just couldn't resist!
So bloated - looks like I could be 5 months along by the time I go to bed!
(suck it in)

Told our close friends :)

Since we don't know the gender.... had to prepare for both!
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11 weeks

Signed up for the NuMom2B study and as a result I get extra ultrasounds!
This was probably my favorite moment so far...
Watching our little pumpkin bounce around in my uterus.
He/she looked like a real baby!

Heartrate: 165

Also participating in a sleep study... surprisingly enough I slept great
even with all that gear on (Another testament to my fatigue I guess!).

sexy... right? Brian said it was like snuggling with Darth Vader.
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12 weeks

Surviving pregnancy by:
Napping as much as possible
Delicious food (strawberry limeades!!)
Doing my prenatal workout DVDs... and feeling wimpy because the
ladies on them are like 8 months pregnant and I can barely keep up!
Drinking insane amounts of water... and consequently getting up every night to pee.
Looking at my ultrasound pictures every day.
Did I mention napping?
Lying in bed at night with Brian while we share our hopes and dreams for our little one :)

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13 weeks

Announced our pregnancy to the facebook world!
Thanks for all the congratulations :)