Um, OK, first of all, we're ready. Kelly Brown. OK, and it is the 13th so
this is like 5:30. OK, so this is for Solis. Yeah, it's recording
interviewing Kelly Brown for the Creative Push project on August 13th at
4:30.
OK. So we're just going to do some audio stuff now, so why don't you just
tell us a little bit about yourself. I'm from Tucson, born and raised,
little tiny family, just me and my sister, my parents, and I just, I grew
up down there and then I ended up going to ASUU, much to my parents'
dislike. My dad works at UA and has for like 35 years. So hearing that his
daughter was going to go to ASU was not, not good news in the family, but
, but interior design and architecture. So and Ue didn't have interior
design, so. Between the program and a scholarship, ASU was the choice. So
, and that's, and I've just been here ever since. And so I met Ian shortly
after I graduated college, which is crazy. I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm
getting so old. And uh yeah, we've been here, just moved around the valley
in different locations and landed, we've been in this neighborhood for
going on 6 years and we love it. So it's just very quiet and secluded. So
yeah, it's really quiet here and that's about it. OK, so, um. Are we good
? Yeah, OK. Um, why don't you just kind of transport us back to the time
when you were pregnant or at the time of conception or anything, if there
was anything memorable, um, you know, if it's like a sweltering summer or
if there were any events happening in your life, you know, it was the last
day that I was in my twenties. That um we know that we accepted. It was
the day before my 30th birthday and it was also Thanksgiving. And so that
was kind of cool just because we had been trying for so long to have a
baby. So it was just kind of fitting. I was like, OK, I'm still young, I'm
still in my 20s and it's Thanksgiving. So it just seemed like it was a
perfect day for that kind of thing to happen. So we were very excited when
we found out was actually we were planning a trip to Nebraska and I was
just feeling so tired, so tired. Like I would come home from work and I'd
be laying on the floor and I'd just fall asleep next to the dog and I'm
like, what is going on? I'd wake up and I'd be like, Did I just fall
asleep? Like I can't be that tired. So, um, and then I had gone to work
and being just an interior designer, I'd opened up a paintbook and I was
like, this smells terrible. Like, why am I smelling all this paint? And so
I was like, I don't know. Something's weird and so took a pregnancy test.
It was the day before we were supposed to travel and it was positive, so
we're like, no way. So of course we like buy all these and I'm taking them.
We still don't believe it. So I like booked an appointment that day to go
to the doctor's office and I'm like, OK, can I get a blood test just to
know for sure. And they're like, OK. And so doctor called that afternoon
and he's like, Yep, you're pregnant. And so it was definitely a very
exciting, exciting. An unexpected time.
So you can see on Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving. Yes. Because I, because
we'd been trying for so long to have a baby, so the conception process,
I've been tracking it. I had an app and so it was all like I was taking my
temperature every single morning and just like watching the whole cycle
and everything because I don't have a normal cycle whatsoever. It'd be
like 45 days in between. So I was like, this app was like my thing. I had
to keep track of that app. And so Yeah, so we knew cause you keep track of
like every little bit of information in that. So, there we go. So it's
pretty easy to tell when. So how did he feel about it because we did that
too, and my husband was like not having it. It was at times I'd have to
catch myself because at times it would be very like too much pressure and
too overwhelming for both of us. Like, OK, you're putting too much
pressure on this and it's hard to not get caught up in that, but I felt
like, I don't know, after you try to not stress out about it, it really
does help. It does, as cheesy as that sounds. And then it happened. I'm
like, oh people were right, I shouldn't be stressing about this. But it's
hard not to stress about getting pregnant and if you can, because
especially if it's taking a long time, you automatically think something's
wrong or something's that's not going to happen and then it's like the
years tick by and you're like, OK, I'm only getting older and birth
defects only rise each year you get older and like your whole. I don't
know. Things, your perspective on things kind of change once you kind of
delve into all that extra information. It's like I, I wasn't aware of so
many different things and it's like, oh, you're odds of this, but by the
time you're 2 years older, it's like quadrupled, and it's like, oh my gosh.
So it's Interesting. So how um how was the pregnancy experience once you
found that you're pregnant? It was, I actually had it pretty easy being
pregnant. It was pretty smooth. There was one initial scare right at the
beginning, and we were actually, we took a trip up to Sedona. We love
going to Sedona, and so we just had a little private trip, just the two of
us before Christmas just to kind of like, oh my goodness, let's celebrate
, we're pregnant finally. And I started having these really bad pains down
there. And so of course you start just like thinking, OK, is it, what is I
don't. I remember what it's called the epitopic pregnancy, wherever it's
not actually fully in, um, it's in one of the tubes. And so all my
symptoms were showing that and I was like, OK, I don't know. So we booked
an appointment and it was actually Christmas Eve that we went in and they
did an ultrasound just to make sure it was a viable pregnancy. And it was
, but they're like, OK, just like take it easy, don't stress, like it
should be fine. And so that was like our hiccup at the beginning and then
from then on it was smooth sailing, so. I didn't have morning sickness and
hormones. I, I like to say that I was pretty good and bearable wife to him.
Um, I don't know if he would say otherwise, but it was a pretty smooth
pregnancy. It was just like the tick down of weeks and like getting more
excited each week that went by. How was the weight and the water retention.
Oh my gosh, I had my feet were like whale feet. They were huge. I could,
I had a hard time like wearing any kind of shoes. Thankfully it was
summertime by the time I was 9 months pregnant, but they were huge, so
swollen, like, oh, they were massive. And then weight gain, I gained just
over 30 pounds. So it wasn't terrible. It wasn't terrible. It was the most
I've ever waited in my entire life, which I was like, OK, and I never
owned a scale before and we got a scale. We actually got the scale after I
had the baby, so I'm like, I don't want to know because then I'll be like
obsessed with going into the bathroom and seeing what I was weighing, but
I was just like, you know what, it's all for good cause. Good weight gain
is a good thing. It means baby's baby's healthy. It's a really good. So,
and of course I didn't limit what I ate or anything, so. And uh I'm trying
to think. The one thing that I did have, um, that was painful was she was
on my sciatic nerve for the last 3 weeks before I gave birth, and that was
very, very painful. I couldn't sit. The only time I'd be comfortable was
laying down, but even then I'd be like changing positions. So I was
working from home 2. weeks prior to giving birth, because I was like, I
can't sit in the office all day, guys. Like I would stand up and I'd get
like shooting pains and like my leg would almost feel like it was going to
give out underneath me and I'm just like, this is terrible. doctor's like
, well, he's like, there's nothing we can do. He's like, He's like, it's
gonna be over soon. I'm like, OK, but I'd be getting up like 3 or 4 times
a night taking hot showers because that felt amazing. Like you couldn't
feel any of it. And then the second you get out it was like, oh, so that
part was not fun, but I can't complain because the rest of it was very
easy. So. And that you were working up almost till the very end then. Yes
, I was working the morning that I gave birth.
So I remember because our HR lady had emailed me and I was sitting on her
bedroom and uh um I had the laptop on my lap and I'm just working away and
uh she emailed me and she's like, hey, Kelly, I just wanna check in cause
it was a Monday and my due date was on a Tuesday. And she's like, I just
want to check in and see if you're gonna be working up until your due date
or if you're already gonna just start your maternity leave now. And I'm
like, no, I'll be working until, because I'm like, I haven't like
contractions aren't here. I might as well be working. So it was, that was
at 9:30 in the morning. So I emailed her back that and 10 o'clock
contractions hit. I'm like, oh my gosh, and I was home cause we had a
doctor's appointment at like, what time was it? At 11. And they were
coming really fast. They're like 5 or 6 minutes apart and I'm like, OK, I
think I need to call and see if I need to go to the hospital instead. And
so I called them and they're like, no, go ahead and come on in. We just
want to make certain that, you know, these are actual contractions that
you're feeling. Like, don't waste your time going to the hospital and then
have them just like turn you away because they wanted to make certain all
my fluid levels were OK because there was an ultrasound scheduled. And so
, um, I'm like, OK, and so it was like just a little after 10. I'm like,
OK, and they were like getting stronger and I'm like, I don't know if we
should be going to the doctor's office right now, but I'm just gonna trust
them because they know what they're doing. And so, um, We get there at 11
and they take me back to the ultrasound tech room. I'm like, why are they
taking me to the ultrasound tech room? And they're like, well, we, we just
wanna, since you're here and it was already scheduled, like, let's just
make sure everything looks good, your fluid levels could it have been like
, I don't know, 3 or 4 weeks since the last ultrasound. I'm like, OK. So
we go back there and the lady's like doing her thing and she's like taking
all her measurements. She's like fluid levels look great and I'm like, OK
, so uncomfortable because I'm like sitting on this table like having
contractions, which I was like, are these contractions? I don't know. Like
all I know is it hurts. And then she starts doing trying to get that. He
measurement and she's like, Well, it's really hard to hit because she's so
far down there. And I'm like, OK, then why, why are you trying to do this
right now? Like it doesn't matter. So she's like, OK, well, the
approximate birth weight is going to be, she's like 9.5 pounds. So I felt
lost it because I'm like 9.5 pounds. And like you guys told me it would be
like around 7. So I'm thinking like, how the heck did this baby gain, you
know, 2.5 pounds that quickly? Like that's not right. And then I'm like
freaking out because I'm like, that's a big difference, delivering a 7
pound baby and a 9.5 pound baby. Like, don't tell me that right now. And
then she was trying to be all reassuring. She's like, no. Oh, she's like,
it could be wrong. She's so far down there. Like even just a fraction of a
centimeter, like it can set the scale off. And so she was trying to
reassure me and I'm like, OK, you still said 9.5 pounds. Like that's all
I'm picturing now. And so, um, she's like, OK, well, we're done in here,
so we'll have you go to the other room. So they put me up to the machine
and they're like, OK, we'll just have this monitor you for like, I don't
remember what she said, like 20 minutes till they could like get enough of
like the scale of it going up and down. I'm like, OK, so they like have me
in there and I's there and I'm just like watching this machine. I'm like I
don't know what these little lines mean. I'm like, but it's going up
pretty high and then like down low. I'm like. Why are we sitting in this
room right now? So they came in and they're like, OK, well they like took
the paper off the little machine and she walks out and I remember that
room was like freezing cold in there too. It's like this tiny little room
with like the bright fluorescent lights and she comes back in and she's
like, Well, you're having contractions. And I'm like, OK. And she's like,
well now we're gonna have you go to this other exam room. So Doctor Carter
can check you out. I'm like, OK, so in the process from walking to that
room or from that room to the other room that I'm normally in, my water
breaks. And so like I'm like um I think it that my water just broken. I'm
like, I don't know if that's what it was. I had never had it happen. And
she's like, OK, well she's like, it's OK. Just like go to the other room,
we'll have them test it and make certain it is. And it was. He's like, OK.
And so then he checks and he's like, OK, you're at 6 centimeters dilated.
And I'm like, OK, he's like, so we're gonna call the hospital right now.
He's like, just go over there. And thankfully it was like 5 minutes away.
Like even from our house to the hospital it was 7 minutes away. And then
from the doctor's office there was like 5 minutes. So at least it was all
very close. So he's like, go over there. He's like, we'll get you all
ready like you're already pre-registered, just like go over there. I'm
like, OK, because it was weeks prior to that I had been at like 3 or 4
centimeters and he was like, each because at that point they have you come
in once a week for checkups and each time I come in, he's like, you're
still no baby. He's like, each weekend I expect like a beep to come
through that itchy when it's not. And so, um.
He called us in to the hospital, so. We drive over to the hospital. I
remember I was like we were. I think we tried calling our parents, but
they weren't answering, of course, because it's a Monday in the middle of
the day. And so we're texting them and then I'm like texting work to try
to be like, OK, I am officially out of the office now, guys like I'm
headed to it's happening, headed to the hospital and so we make it to the
hospital and they get us all checked in to the triage section and I
remember the the first nurse I had, you know it's like some people you
like totally feel just like at ease with like right off the bat and then
other ones where it's just like. OK, this is not going to be a good match
for this kind of situation. That was totally this nurse because right off
the bat she's like, OK, are you planning on getting an epidural? And I was
like, Well, I wasn't planning on it. I'm like, I tried to not have it. I'm
like, but I might change my mind. She's like, wait, she's like, Well, have
you had any training for that? I'm like, No. And she's like, well, some
people have to have a lot of training to be able to go through this
without that. I'm like, OK, why are you trying to knock me down? Like
right right as this is happening. And she's like, yeah, she's like, well,
just, you're gonna have to let us know. I'm like, OK. So they're like
having us do all this paperwork. I don't even know what I was signing
cause all I know is I was just having really bad contractions in my back
and I just kept repeating ow over and over again. Like I said, he's like
the whole time I was in labor, that's the only word I could say was ow, ow
, ow. But like the entire time, no other words came out. And I didn't want
him to touch me. Like I was just like, let me be here saying ow. I want
you next to me, just don't touch me. So how was the sciatic nerve at that
point, I couldn't even feel it. Like it was succumbed by, I was having
really bad back labor, so it was like all in my lower back. It was like
really intense cramps. And so that just like I completely couldn't even
feel anything that was going on in my leg. It was just like. Completely
different focus. And I think the fact too that I was like, we're having a
baby, so I am not focusing on this other stuff anymore. Um, and so we were
in the triage place and they ended up switching nurses, thankfully. I was
so happy. And the next lady was just awesome, like wonderful sweet lady
that was just like. Not that the other one wasn't caring, but this one
just came across a lot more caring, which I needed. A little bit more warm
and fuzzy feeling than the other one. and so I don't remember, it's so
hard to remember the time like everything was happening so fast yet it
wasn't. And um I think it was by the time. They were getting ready to get
me to the delivery room. I told her that I had changed my mind. I'm like,
I want to have an epidural. I like I, I just, I have to have it. I'm like
because I didn't know how long it was going to be going on and it was just
getting like more and more intense and I'm just like, I don't know if I'm
strong enough to do this because I remember even being pregnant before
that um it would be like. In the middle of the night getting leg cramps,
and I would wake up and I'd be like, it doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt like
practicing, trying to like make prepare myself for labor. That might have
been a silly thing to do, but just trying anything. And it was oh so much
more painful than a leg cramp. But like I can't do it. I'm not strong
enough for this. And just hearing like friends of mine too, they were in
labor for like 12+ hours, and I'm like, I don't think I can do this for 12
hours. Like I don't have it within me. Apparently I needed to get that
training or practicing.
Um, it would have helped me out. But, so I told them that and she's like,
OK, she's like, let me go, um, talk with the anesthesiologist because they
only have one on staff, which in my opinion, why do you only have one in
staff that makes zero sense. So she comes back and she's like, well, he
was called into an emergency C-section for twins. She's like, so it's
gonna be a little while until we can get him. She's like, OK. She's like,
so let's just take this slow, like just keep calm, like he's gonna be on
his way as soon as he can. So we're waiting forever and she comes back and
she's like, OK, one twin's delivered. I'm like, OK. And so we're still at
the triage area. And she's like, OK, well, but we're gonna need to go
ahead and take you over to the other room. She's like, but as soon as he's
done, we're gonna get him to you. I'm like, OK. So we're like walking the
halls over to the place and she was like, Take your time. Like I know this
is painful right now, like you don't, no hurry. I'm like booking it down
the hall cause I'm like, I just want to get to this other room like maybe
that'll mean that the anesthesiologist will be here quicker. And so we
make it to the other room and I don't know how much time had passed, but
he finally comes and at this point I'm telling him I'm like, guys, I feel
just, I feel a different feeling down there that I've never felt before.
I'm like, something's happening and they're like, well, well, don't like
do anything like just stay calm, like don't push, like don't do anything,
we'll check you as soon as he gives you the epidural. I'm like, OK. So
give me the epidural and my contractions were happening so fast that they
were like, you've got to stay still when they're giving that to you. And
they were happening like every minute at that point and they're like, OK,
and some of them were like much more severe than other ones. They were
monitoring on the thing and they're like, OK, this should be a last one
coming up, so just like stay calm and they're like telling me how to like
hold myself. I'm like, OK, so they um Do it. And uh he's like, OK, it went
well and I'm like, OK, and then they're like asking if I felt anything and
how I was feeling like, no, I'm definitely feeling better. So then they
check and I was at 10 centimeters. And so. So the guy's like, I would say
you've definitely experienced childbirth, and he's like, and had we
checked before, like you wouldn't have even gotten it. And so I'm like, OK
, but then I was kind of like, OK, well, now I don't have to feel the
pushing part of it. So it's kind of a little blessing. But oh, so then
they're calling the doctor cause they were thinking I was still a little
ways away from it. So thankfully, his office was closed and he was like
expecting it. And so he gets there and I think it was about, so we got to
the hospital around noon, and this was around 3:30, I wanna say. And he um
shows up and I think we only had to, so he comes into the room and it was
Anne, me. I didn't want my parents to be there and my sister, and they at
that point had traveled from Tucson, so they were down in the waiting room
waiting and we don't have any other family in town and I's parents were
just like on, on hold on the phone like just waiting to hear what was
happening and um. I want to say she was born at 4:26, so I didn't have to
push that many rounds. It was I think like 3 or 4 rounds of pushing and
she was out and it was just crazy how fast it was happening. Like I had no
idea of what time it was, like what time of day, what was going on, like
nothing. And there was just one part where it was actually right before it
was while we were waiting for him to come over. There was a drop in her
heart rate wherever she was. And so they had me like repositioning myself
and they had me on oxygen. And I remember that was like it was that was a
scary moment for the entire thing because I was just like, OK, I was just
trying to keep calm inside. Like it's going to be OK. Like you got to stay
positive, like. We've made it this farm like she's a healthy baby, like
they're just taking precautions right now. I remember that was that was a
scary part for me. And I was just like, you always hear these stories of
like these birth stories and how quickly things can change and it was just
like trying to not make my mind go immediately there, which I am so prone
to letting myself do. And so, um. So that was like the one scary moment
and then she was like, OK, she's like, her heart rate's getting back
better. She's like, we'll just have you staying in this position till he
comes. So he came and, um, I the whole time we were always joking like
saying that he was going to be the guy that would be passing out if he was
watching her come out and he did awesome. Like he was just like down there
watching like this is the most amazing thing ever, like so encouraging and
you could just like tell he had like so much joy and like. Just like
disbelief, like oh my gosh, our daughter's gonna be here soon. So that was
, that was a special special moment. And so she came out and she was a
screaming healthy baby. Like I think I forget what that scale is that they
measure it on, um, but she was 9.8 out of 10, so she was very, very like
healthy baby right off the bat. And so she was 7 pounds 10 ounces, no 95
pound baby, which was good. Um, and 20.5 inches long and um 426 is when
she was born. So it happened fast for me, it happened fast because it was
like going from zero contractions that morning to like a baby in your
hands at 4:30 in the afternoon. It was just a surreal experience. It was
awesome. And I don't even know how to describe it. It's like the first
time you see her, it's like. I don't know, it was the coolest thing ever
because also with the ultrasounds previously, they do ones where they can
like do the 3D where you can see their like facial features and stuff.
Every single ultrasound that we have with her, she'd have her hands over
her face, which was, it was annoying at the times we're like we want to
see what she looks like, but then at the same sense we're like, no, it
kind of makes it fun because it's like total surprise then we had no idea
like what she was gonna look like when. She came out even though we knew
she was going to be a girl, so it's still like partial surprise so she was
beautiful, absolutely beautiful, and just like she had so much hair. I
remember not a ton of hair compared to other babies, but I thought she was
gonna be a bald baby like because I didn't have any of those old wives'
tales of like heartburn or all those things supposedly tell you if your
baby's gonna have hair. She had hair. That was like, I was like, oh my
gosh, I don't have a bald baby. This is great.
And so, um, they were doing all their stuff like her um putting her on the
scale and like just checking her out doing all that stuff right after and
Ian had his camera out, so he's taking pictures and um the lady was like,
Well, let me get a picture and she's like, Wait, she's like, it's flashing
at me, no card. And we're like, you've got to be kidding me. So he had
left, he had cleared off the memory card. In our computer the night before
and the little stick was still in our iMac and I'm like, oh gosh.
So, but if one thing had to go bad, at least it was that, and we still had
our cell phones. So I remember our first family picture, which is like my
favorite picture ever now cause Aspen is like a little tiny peanut and um
our doctor ended up taking the picture for us on the iPhone. So we didn't
get any of those other pictures, which I was a little upset about, but
looking back, like, it's totally fine. I'd rather that be the hiccup than
something more serious. So, we have it in our memory, and that's the
important part. And so. Yeah, it was crazy, so crazy and so fun. Did you
um nurse or what was the experience after? So I wanted to nurse and do
breastfeeding and that prior breastfeeding was like such a scary thing to
me because it's like, OK, they gave me books at the doctor's office and I
even talked with a lactation consultant before. And because my doctor's
like, talk to a lactation consultant. He's like, it can be helpful with
that. And I remember I had had a lump removed from my right breast um the
year before I gave birth. And so I always had that in my mind too, like
what is that gonna, you know, affect me being able to breastfeed. And I
wanted to breastfeed really badly and so I just had a lot of fears and
anxiety around that whole thing. So it's like everyone builds that up and
it's like, OK, so the nurse, like I remember like handed her to me and
she's like, OK, she's like, go ahead and start nursing. And I remember I
was just like, I don't even know what to do. Like I have this baby. I
don't even remember how to hold a baby and then I'm like this is just very.
It's just uncomfortable because I'm like I don't know what I'm doing. And
I remember the nurse, she was very sweet and was just like, OK, she's like
, it's very natural. She's like the babies, like they just know what
they're doing. It's instinct. And so she was helping me do it and it
clicked like Aspen and I just end up we had different nursing troubles as
weeks went on. But the initial, it was milk came in and it clicked and it
worked, which was awesome. Then we got to deal with other things like
oversupply and then low supply, and then her being allergic to any dairy,
so I got to go dairy free for 6 months, but I'm still nursing now, and
it's a year almost, so we made it through it. But nursing is not easy. I
know it is for some people, but it's not. It's not. It's not simple. Here
is really impressive.
So you couldn't I couldn't consume dairy. Yeah. She was having a lot of,
because you know they have you wash their diapers and stuff like that. And
so It was just not normal breastfed baby diaper output and oversupply was
part of it. And then um it ended up being, she was lactose intolerant too
for, and they say they outgrow it, and now I'm I'm back on dairy and she
can have dairy, she loves cheese and she's fine with it. So it's just
sometimes they have to like, it's too much for their stomach to consume
with the lactose. So. Who knew? It's fascinating how what you eat impacts
them through your breasts. Right. Right. It's so true. Like I still can't
eat broccoli because I know it's going to make her all gassy, and I love
broccoli. I had to stop eating spinach. Did you? I had this intense
craving for spinach. It was like the worst thing to tell me I could know.
Right? It's so so how long did you? to jail.
But by the 6 months, he really didn't he didn't. And see, that's what I
wish. I want her to just self-wean herself because I'm like, I don't want
to, I don't know, it gives me anxiety to for me have to turn it off. I'd
rather her just naturally be like, OK, granted, if that's like more than 6
months from now, then I'll take some different steps and a different story
, but Until then, I'm letting her take control.
No, it's great. It sounds like you have this really healthy outlook and,
you know, just a great attitude about the whole experience. It's, I think
it was the whole fact that it's what we wanted for so long and it was just
I don't know. It was just like it's happening, like let's just be really
happy about this. Don't get me wrong, we had our own separate chaos, the
whole pregnancy we're like trying to get everything done in the house
because it's like, OK, once the baby comes, like you're not gonna be
getting anything done. So we had an asbestos scare in our house. We had
we're trying to tile. We're like living in our living room. It's like a
one bedroom apartment with our two cats and a golden retriever and me with
my swollen feet like hanging out in this like tarped off little room. I
was not a happy camper. I went up 2 ft sizes. Did you? 7 to 90, mine was
just the width. Thankfully, Target had the most amazing set of flip flop
shoes that I wore every single day. I had them in white and black, and
it's funny, I put them on my feet now and they're like so stretched out. I
like, well, at least I know my feet went back to normal. But it's crazy.
You don't expect that. Like I could see zero bones on my feet. They were
just like. Huge. It was embarrassing and my ankles too. I'm like, oh, this
is awful. So it's lots of long dresses over the summer. Like being
pregnant in the summer is just brutal here. I remember people were like,
oh, you will reach because of the whole pregnant. I was like, no, I really
don't mind being pregnant. It's not that bad. Like it's really not. I'm
having it like fairly easy considering the other stories that I hear.
They're like, oh, you'll reach that point. And I'm like, no, I don't
think I'm going to. Oh, as soon as August hit, I hit that point. Like we
were going swimming at the pool, like, OK, like just trying to keep active.
I remember. We went because Target's just down the street. So I remember
it was the Friday before I gave birth. We're like, what do we do? I'm like
, let's just go to Target and walk around because they're open till like
10. So we walked around Target for 2 hours. I don't even know what we did
there for 2 hours, but it was just like walking. And then that week we
went to the mall and we're just like walking. It was like that Saturday,
just walking the mall because it's so hot to go outside. So I couldn't
just like sit here and do nothing. I'm like, OK, we got to get this thing
moving, especially after hearing your doctor be like, oh yeah. Baby's
gonna come this weekend and then it's like weeks keep going. At least I
didn't go past my birthday. That I was not, that's the thing I was
stressing about. I'm like, I don't want to have to be induced. I didn't
want that to happen. So thankfully it didn't happen, thankfully. Because
they're like, Well, you should start feeling like, you know, some
contractions like leaning into it and I wasn't feeling anything. So I'm
just like, oh no. But she came a day early. Can't can't go wrong with that.
No, it sounds like you had a really actually quite a good experience. I
would have had a lot more anger and resentment over the doctor visit
personally, I think. Looking back now, I just find it to be very humorous.
The day of being in it, I was like, oh, like you've got to be kidding me.
Why am I getting an ultrasound? Like, hook me up to the machine first.
Tell me if it's legit. And then if it's not, OK, I'll suck it up and go
through the ultrasound, but not, not when I'm having contractions like
laying on the. table and her doing all her little measurements and it's
like you'll measure the head in like 8 hours when it's out of my body.
Right, right. And the fact that it's that far down there means that it's,
you know, this is legit. Like, let's keep this moving. Like you do not
have to be a perfectionist at this measurement right now. I, I wish she
would have kept that weight comment to herself, because that's definitely
was in my head for a while. I'm just like 9.5 pounds. Like, what's going
on?
No, I'm like, that is a big baby. And then I'm thinking, I'm like, OK, at
my last weight check for myself, I gained an extra 1 pound. So is that her
, not me? So I'm thinking.
Well, but she wasn't. She's completely normal size for what I was
expecting, so it was good. So we've been asking women, as you've been kind
of categorizing these into themes, if they can kind of come up with a word
or a phrasing of words that kind of encompasses their experience. That's
challenging question. That is a very challenging.
It's OK. Mine, I'm surprised mine hasn't. If you might have to edit that
out.
There's not going to be a lot though. Um,
I don't know. I would say that we are just very like. We felt very blessed
and like. Hopeful
And I don't this is probably not even exactly what you're looking for, but
I just remember the whole time we were just saying like we want her to be
healthy and happy. Like those were the two words that like we both just
kept focusing on like health was like our number one thing. Like we just
wanted to have a healthy baby and then just to all be happy. So. Does that
answer your question? OK. Yeah. It sounds like you got that. Yeah, so far
, yes, she is an awesome little baby. She is very happy too. And so far,
knock on wood, she's been healthy too. So it's good. It's all you can hope
for. It's true. It's so true. So many other things just do not matter. And
I think that kind of puts it into perspective. The whole pregnancy thing
does. And it's just, it's amazing to go through and it's like such a
personal thing for each person too, and it's like, each story is so
different and uh. It's just fascinating. It's like, oh my gosh, what our
bodies can do and just like how everything's like a week by week basis and
it's like, oh my gosh, they're developing this. It's just, it's crazy what
the human body can do. It's amazing. It really truly is. And then it's
like at the end you've got this little baby that's both you and your
significant other, and it's just an amazing thing. So yes.
I think that's great. It's true. I was obsessed with that like week by
week you'd see like it's true what size.