All about rowanthefrog

Hi! My name is Amy, but you can call me rowan :) My husband James and I met in 1997, but got serious when we reconnected on our "2nd first date" on 12-27-2000.  We fell in love and on March 6, 2004, he proposed to me on the beach in Miami under the stars.  On October 30, 2004 we were married at Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega, Georgia.  Thanks for taking a look around!


So, what do you want to see while you are here?
Wedding         Baby
Anniversary in Puerta Vallarta
Pregnancy 
     Kitties
Other pictures
Madagascar Blog

Our son, Ethan James



Ethan was born on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 5:01pm.  He weighed 6 lbs, 8 oz and was 20 inches long.  He arrived early at 36 weeks 4 days via C-section after 24 hours of unproductive labor.  My complete birth story is below.

My water broke at 36w3d at about 5:30pm on Tuesday, July 29. We had planned to labor at home for awhile, but since my water had broken I was a bit anxious so we went in to the hospital. When I got there I was still only 1/2 cm dilated. We had studied Hypnobirthing and were hoping for a natural-ish birth, so we started walking the halls and walked until about midnight. When I got checked again I was still only 1/2 cm. Doc was a bit concerned since I was 1) early and 2) my membranes had ruptured - she said that since I was still early a lot of times your body hadn't quite built up the hormones necessary to thin your cervix. So I agreed to some cervadil while I slept to see if we could get some progress and good contractions.

In labor


At 4AM I went to the bathroom and lost the cervadil. They wouldn't put another one in for risk of infection. When I got checked at 7AM (14 hrs since water broke) I was only 1cm. At this point, doc explained that they really are uncomfortable letting someone whose water has broken go much longer than 24 hours, due to some risk of infection, and esp. since EJ was early. So, I agreed to a low dose of pitocin to try to get things moving.

I did start to get some contractions, but they weren't great ones. An interesting point to note here regarding the Hypnobirthing. ONce I started the pitocin the contractions were getting stronger and more painful, so DH and I started doing some of our hypnobirthing stuff. It was VERY effective and helped with managing the pain - so much so that my contractions actually lessened - the nurse even commented. The MINUTE we stopped my contractions increased again. At the time we decided not to continue with it, since we needed the contractions to get stronger, but it was pretty neat to see how effective it was on the pain.

Anyway, 23.5 hrs after my water had broken, contractions, cervadil and pitocin, I was still only 1cm dilated.

At that point we talked with the doc and while she said we could go longer it just didn't seem like my body knew what to do since I was early. We made the tough decision to go ahead and get the C-setion. I have to say it was pretty tough and I was not thrilled about it at all, but we knew that since he was a bit early and my risk of infection was increasing by the hour, it was best for our son to go ahead and deliver.

This hospital really has it together, from the time we said, "OK" the anesthesiologist was in here like 5 minutes later and I was wheeled into the OR within 20 minutes. I have to say I was TERRIFIED. I have never had major (or minor) surgery before and it was not something I was even remotely prepared for, but it was like hopping on a speeding train.

But - I got in there, James came in and about 5-10 min later after some tugging out came our son!! He didn't have any trouble breathing and once I was stitched back up they brought me into the recovery room where DH and his mom (who is an admitting nurse at our hospital) were doing all the tests and giving him his bath. I felt like it took FOREVER - he was like 5 feet away from me but I couldn't touch or hold him. FINALLY they brought him to me - and he is just the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.



He has been great - eating well. The pediatrician said that he never would have known he was a 36 weeker - his color, weight, everything was perfect, no jaundice, nothing to worry about.

All in all I am happy with my birth experience.  While I really did not want a C-section, it was the best decision for our son and I'm glad we did it.  Another part where my Hypnobirthing training came in very handy was during recovery.  As you can imagine, I was in a good deal of pain and because of the pain my entire body was very tense, making sleeping difficult and making the pain even worse.  But, I started to listen to the Rainbow Relaxation CD from Hypnobirthing several times a day to help me relax and sleep and it worked so well! I have continued to listen to it since I got home.  So while we didn't get to use our Hypnobirthing training in the way we expected and hoped, it really turned out to be extremely helpful in many different phases of my birth experience.



Our Pregnancy

On October 21, 2007, after trying for 4 cycles I took a pregnancy test and.... joy! It was positive! We happily announced to our families and a few close friends and started making plans for our new baby. It was extra special because my younger sister also found out she was pregnant 4 days before me and her due date was a week before mine!!


Unfortunately it was not meant to be, I had an early miscarriage/chemical pregnancy 5 weeks 3 days.

Fast Forward: 12/10/2007 - having a lot of the same symptoms, so I decided that while it was early, I would take another pregnancy test and on 12/11/07, look what I saw!!



So with cautious optimism, we are pregnant again and expecting a baby around August 23, 2008!!!



Here is how I told DH!




BFPs and belly shots


BFP symptoms

2DPO   Creamy CM 
3DPO  Slight cramping in uterus, almost like AF
4DPO  Slight nipple sensitivity, pain on underside of right breast, pain in left ovary area when stretching
5DPO  Slight cramping
6DPO  Heavy feeling in breasts, both are very sore, nipple sensitivity, tired, hot flashes, small pimples on my face
7DPO  Very sore breasts, tired, weird taste in mouth, a little bit nauseous, small breakouts on face, gagging a bit, cramping, hot flash, craving milk, very hungry, a little emotional
8DPO  More nausea, STARVING, cramping all over uterus, stabbing pain in left breast, BFP!!!

My betas (HCG levels)

7DPO 39
10DPO 231
14DPO 2136



Ultrasound pictures

First ultrasound at 4w3d, 12-20-07. You can see the gestational sac and yolk sac - Doc said things look good so far! 
 


Ultrasound at 6w6d on 1/4/08. We saw the heartbeat and you can see the spinal cord here



U/s at 10w3d on 1/29/08, OMG it looks like a human :)



NT scan on 2-18-08, 12w2d - nice profile shot of baby. Results of the NT scan were within normal range.



Look - baby is sucking its thumb!!



Anatomy ultrasound on March 17, 2008 (St. Patty's day!) at 17w2d- profile shot.



Cute little foot!



It's a boy!!



Sisters and bellies and babies - my younger sister at 35 weeks, older sister with Claire, 9 months, my mom, and me at 27 weeks, Memorial day



3D profile - 21w2d - 4-14-08 - Look how much he looks like DH!!



Profile - 21w2d - 4-14-08



3D growth ultrasound at 34 weeks - estimated weight, 5 lbs 11 oz.
EJ at 34 weeks





Want to see more professional maternity pics? Click here



Here are some pics of our temporary nursery until we move into our new home in New Jersey in October.








Anniversary in Puerto Vallarta


Anniversary dinner on the beach - 1 year down!


 


But does it get any prettier than this?


I mean, this was the view from our room!!!


Just wanted to make you jealous :P


Spike it toots!


I wanna go back... sigh


Dreams Puerta Vallarta Review

Got back from Dreams yesterday and I can't stop thinking about going back. We were originally scheduled to go to Tulum, but Hurrican Wilma and the quick action on the part of Steve our travel agent, from Beachbumvacation.com switched us over to Dreams with 4 days notice. We could not have been more pleased.

Location: Dreams has its own private stretch of beach with two hotel towers. We spent nearly all of our days on the beach under the Tiki Huts - no needs to get up early to reserve a space, no fights for towels. There were pools too, but we rarely went up there. The resort itself is surrounded by cliffs and mountains so its quite a striking location.

Rooms: Rooms were very clean and romantic. We left our sliding glass door open at all times and slept to the sounds of the waves. There was a mp3/CD/DVD player in our room so we brought our own CDs to listen to. People have complained about the beds - I didn't see what the fuss was about. I'm a soft bed person and husband loves hard beds and we both slept like babies on our king size bed. I was prepared to request a mattress cover but there was no need.

Service: Service was great - they refilled the mini bar, room service was delicious and prompt. Sometimes they were a little slow bringing us drinks out on the beach, but James and I would take turns going to the bar, it was never a big deal.

Food/Drinks: YUM YUM YUM. I think our fav restaurant was Portofino - husband is Italian and refuses to eat at Italian restaurants but we both loved the food, quality and service. Truly felt like we were dining at a 5 star restaurant. We loved Oceana and the Pumpkin Cream soup at El Patio is not to be missed!! We usually ate at Seaside Grill for lunch and had room service for breakfast. Most things were delicious and there were a few things to die for. If we had been eating like that at home we would have spent well over $1000 for the 5 days we were there and it was all included! Drinks - some of them were a little weak, we usually remedied by getting the waiter to suggest tequila shots and these were high quality shots! I loved the Mango Margaritas and James adored the Pina Coladas. Of course there was lots of Corona!

Actvities: We did the Dolphin Encounter (wish we had spent more for the whole swim with dolphins experience) but - the encounter was fun - 2 dolphins playing with just four of us - they are so cool! Also, Roberto was at the resort every day with his fishing boat. He took us out one day and we went trolling for albacore tuna and caught two, along with a big one that got away. Dreams cooked our tuna for us for the anniversary dinner and it was delicious! Snorkeling was fun - visibility was limited but there were TONS of fish at Las Animas. We heard the ATV tour was incredibly fun and the Rhythms of the Night was neat too - we'll have to try those next time!

Staff - Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. We brought $100 in ones and tipped even though we didn't have to - they appreciated it and it felt like the right thing to do.

Overall - I'm so glad our trip was moved from Tulum to Puerto Vallarta! I can't imagine the other place would have been as amazing. WE can't wait to go back. It was incredibly romantic, relaxing, fun and perfect.


 

This little guy is tattooed on my back. I'm such a rebel.



Random pics from my files

April 2006 at my 10 yr reunion



May 2006 at the Kentucky Derby

In Costa Rica in November


This is what I look like with red hair - thinking about dyeing it red again, what do you think? I'm naturally blonde and I'm bored with it.


Having dinner with Ali and Sharam of Deep Dish


Who are Deep Dish? They won a Grammy a few years back - big house music DJs - very famous!


Sharam and I - I look like I have a potbelly, but its my shirt, I promise


DH and I with Ali and Sharam at the end of the night



ASW5/21/05 and I at my RD


At a vineyard in Switzerland


With my sister in Egypt


 

My e-ring by A. Jaffe from Solomon Brothers in Atlanta. My center stone is a little smaller than in the pic.


Want to see my wedding album? Click here

Wedding Pictures


Waiting Patiently

My beautiful bridemaids

The flowers

Around the fountain

 

Boys just in from the golf course, finishing off those beers

The weather was threatening, but the sun kept breaking through, it was a gorgeous day

The boys making sure DH doesn't run off :D

My little cousin from Switzerland - could he be any cuter?

Bridal Party - yes it was big, get over it....

Handsome DH

Flower girls and their "fall" baskets with leaves

BM escorting the groom

Its almost time! My dad did such a good job keeping me calm

Walking down the aisle

He sees me for the first time, he looks pretty happy :D

Our parents "giving us away"

The Ceremony

 

James reading his vows to me

Right after the ceremony - we're finally married!

A Little Time Alone in the Vineyard

 

 

 

Wolf Mountain Vineyards Lodge - Reception Site

 

 

DH's fraternity brothers - they enjoyed the open bar!

First Dance


My favorite picture

 

The Dip and the Kiss

Dancing with Our Parents

 

NICE ROCK!

The flip flops I made for the BMs - they loved them!

DH was thrilled we had a "black" wedding cake - it was a gorgeous fall cake - yummy too

 

The End!


The Monsters

Jambo

Henry

Beatrice, a.k.a. "Bea"

Look how pretty my little rescue kitty is!

This is what she looked like before!

Henry thinks he's a Calvin Klein model

DH sleeping with Jambo on the ugliest couch in the world which is now in the DUMPSTER!"




 



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