Introducing Austen Olivia Lowman!

Well, she’s here! In addition to being completely in love, I am also dealing with a whole range of emotions (to be expected). The strangest of them being how I miss being pregnant. Given how ready I was to get over with that phase and into this one, there is this weird sense of grieving for my pregnant self that is baffling me a bit. I think it’s the same for most big events in your life…like getting married. You wait for months and months with anticipation, going through preparations, and then the day comes and goes and you’re left feeling a little nostalgic.

Aside from that, we’re doing great. I’m feeling better than expected and I have to brag a little, already back to my pre-pregnancy weight! The whole labor and delivery process wasn’t too terrible either. I was calm, cool and collected when told at my normal appointment on Halloween they were going to induce me because my amniotic fluid was a little low. I just casually headed over to the hospital (already had the bag in the car!) and Jarrett soon followed.

We got into a room around 1 p.m. and they didn’t place the cervadil (something to help further “ripen” my cervix) until 5 p.m. so we were a bit restless for a while just chilling in the room. They were going to start the pitocin at 5 a.m. but it never happened. I went into active labor before then. The hour or so before I got the epidural was NOT pleasant but then everything was all good. I love drugs. I only pushed for about 30-45 minutes and then Austen was in the world! The timing of everything is a bit of a blur but she arrived at 8:21 a.m. on Thursday, November 1. That’s the important part.

We’re adjusting to life at home pretty well. So far, she’s an angel. She sleeps like a champ and isn’t fussy. I’m aware this could change at any time! The only real challenge is breastfeeding. She had to get introduced to a bottle nipple in the hospital because she was jaundiced and needed a supplement to help clear it. Well, that allowed her to learn that a bottle nipple is less work and now she refuses to nurse. She’s getting pumped milk, which is good, but I want her to nurse so I’m not giving up. We’re seeing a lactation consultant next week and hoping that will help.

Looking back, from the moment the stick was positive until I saw our baby girl for the first time was amazing. I can’t wait to see what our future holds!