A Birth Story.................

Isabelle Grace Whalen has arrived! She is 8lbs 10oz and 21 inches long and she arrived on August 28th 2009 at 1:59pm

She is wonderful she has 10 fingers and 10 toes and she smells of sweet newborn baby. I am in love all over again. Her arrival into this world went smoothly, so smoothly that I would not rule out more kids. Give me a couple of weeks I may change my mind!!!!!!!!
Dan and I went to dinner alone on Thursday night before I was to check into the hospital it was strange having him all to myself for a meal. As we left I turned him and said so are you ready to be the Dad of 3 and he said "Bring it on!"

We checked in and they wasted no time getting me set up, they hooked me up to the monitors and found that I was contracting every 3 to 4 minutes and was about 1 to 2 cm dilated. They proceeded to hook up an IV line and give me the Cervidil. After about on hour on the monitors they took me off gave me a sleeping pill and called it a night. Dan and I slept from about midnight to 6am.

At 6:30am the day began, I was hooked up to the pitocine and after about 2 hours went from 1-2cm to 2 to 3cm. I was feeling the contractions but they weren't killing me, I asked about the epidural and when they thought I should have it and before I knew it the man with the magic syringe was there. With my first 2 kids I hated this part, I remember it being painful and very scary, not this time around! Sure it had a little pain associated with it but nothing like the first 2. Within 30 mins I could see the contractions but wasn't feeling them like before.

The morning progressed and I was a 7cm when the pain started to pick up but only on my right side. We could see that Miss Isabelle was hanging out totally on my right side and thought that might have something to do with why I had some pain. They gave me a bit more of the epidural and that still didn't seem to work it's magic. By 12noon I told them I was feeling pressure and they said they would wait for my Dr to check me but that there was nothing they could do about pressure pain. I was pretty certain that by this point I was 10 cm but I didn't insist they check me instead I hung out in a bit of pain waiting for my Dr. He arrived and looked at me sadly saying he was sorryI was in pain and that he would see what he could do. With that he checked me and sure enough I was 10cm, time to push. He asked me to try to push in order to be certain I still had some feeling after being epiduraled to the max and as soon as he knew I could told me to get ready to be a mom for the 3rd time in about 3 min. Man was he ever on the money. Within about 5 min I had baby Isabelle in my arms! As any of you that have kids know as soon as she was placed on my belly all the pain was gone. I was nothing but smiles!

We did have one scare but it was the kind of scare you are grateful not to have known about beforehand. Seems that Isabelle when she was a bit smaller tied her umbilical cord (which even the Dr sad was crazy long) into a knot. Thankfully that knot never got tight as it could have killed her by cutting off her lifeline to me. I was shocked when the Dr. showed me the evidence and relived that we had pressed to have her induced.

We were moved from the Labor room to a private room within about an hour. There I spent the next 2 days caring and bonding with Isabelle. I have never been a good breast feeder. I had a horrible experience with Lauren and with Jackson I only made it about 3 weeks and even that seemed to to be struggle. This time it has been different, Isabelle latches on easily and seems to get what she needs. I hope to continue for a while although I will need to assess once it is time to go back to work. A note about the nursing staff I had caring for me in the hospital they were awesome, I have to say this by far was the best experience in a medical environment I have ever had. It is not often that the medical field asks how they can make you more comfortable Dan kept calling this the "kiss your ass" way to have a child, these women got me whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and did it with a smile. By the time I left I felt as though I had bonded with them.

Last night was our first night home and Isabelle was a dream, she ate at 9:30 went to bed and didn't get up till 1:15 we fed until 2 and then she woke up again at 5:45. I won't hold my breath that it will happen 2 nights in a row but it was a nice homecoming.
Here are some pics of the last few days I hope to have some better pictures in the week to come. Thanks for all the well wishes from my Twitter and Facebook posts it was fun posting and reading the response as labor progressed.

Daddy and Isabelle

Isabelle Grace Whalen

The kids meeting Isabelle for the first time

Me all teary eyed

Mom and baby just after Delivery

SKULL CITY

A few blocks away from all the sexshops at Reeperbahn, in the St.Pauli area of Hamburg, I stumbled over "custom ringz", and finally I got myself a skull ring...
I was happy to find my size, and happy about everything but the price.......
...but I convinced myself that I needed this ring...and back home my boyfriend became a bit jalous. Sadly for him, my ring was too small for him....

On the Perils of Fashion

When I first started my tenure-track job at a public university, I was determined to play the part of young academic on the go. I would dress professionally so that I would be taken seriously! I would wear my glasses so that no one would think me too young! I would shop for attractive clothing and wear it in the classroom!

Week after week I would trot out my hand-me-down pencil skirts and silk blouses, my wrap dresses and heels, my beautifully-cut Italian suit (half off at Saks Off Fifth!) that got me through MLA in style. No jeans, no t-shirts, no apologies. I shopped at discount places to find the pieces I needed; I tried to freshen up my blazer/jean/boot look to take myself from grad assistant to prof.

As the months whisked past, I realized something.

People really notice how you dress, particularly and surprisingly in academia. My students, particularly the female students, feel very comfortable exclaiming over my shoes or my dress or my latest hair color choices. A few of the young men have also said things like "You look nice today!" While early on I would thank them before wondering whether they ever complimented their male professors this way, I have since taken to just saying "thanks" and moving on. Colleagues are the same way, it turns out. It became a department joke that I was some sort of fashionista clothes horse. When we were offered lanyards for our uni IDs, the chair of our department mentioned, "Well, I think it's safe to say that Megarita will not be caught dead wearing these!" A few other younger professors raised eyebrows, but they were in the minority as the department laughed at "how true!"

Fashion, especially what might be scare-quotedly termed feminine fashion, it seemed, gave me a label. "Young." "Harmless." "Not serious." The bar for fashion is so low in most departments, most universities, that the sight of a pair of stockings sets off klaxons. I am not a supermodel. I am not a fashionista. I am simply a woman who will wear a dress to work every now and again because it looks nice and more put together than jeans.

This is a not a woe-is-me sixteenth-wave feminism diatribe. It's just a note that we few, we happy few "fashionable academics" are noticeable. I've found this to be to my advantage. I class up the joint! I raise the bar! And I still do it because my clothing is my ethos. My dresses and heels are my uniform to face the slavering hordes in battle for 75 minutes several times a day. One good suit can create more conversations than 10 compelling conference papers. The face I choose to present to my workplace is polished and a smidgen meow. Because I know when it comes down to it, my tenure folder only loves me for my mind.

A Versatile Dress for Summer and Fall

If you like dresses and skirts, as I do, a couple of versatile, dual-season dresses, can really amp up your wardrobe. I wore this dress (Nine West via Filene's Basement) today to the Academic Fair. The colors are fun but not overly loud and are great for summer and fall. Since I freeze in all buildings with air conditioning, I paired it with a chocolate colored cardigan. I also wore my cute new tan wedges. This dress will look great with black, brown, or tan boots and with little jackets in neutral colors, as well.

Of Books and Boots

Books and shoes are probably my two biggest weaknesses. These days I find myself yearning for cooler weather so that I can bust out the boots. *sigh* Boots.... In the meantime, I just added a cute pair of cafe colored wedges to my late summer/fall wardrobe via DSW today. I got them as part of my new reward system. I finished writing my fall syllabi and went to a New Faculty Orientation yesterday. Yes, I deserved that reward. I've already thought of my next rewardable task. I'll be on the market for a new pair of black boots, just as soon as I've finished another chapter of my dissertation. I guess that means I'll be focusing more on the books than the boots for the next few weeks.

Moschi Moschi

I was in heaven when I spotted this Moschino-belt at the market in Hamburg. It might be a very good copy, since I only had to pay 1.50 euro!!!!!!but I think its a Moschino from the 80s..
that old salesman didn`t know what he was selling......

in the hood....

Forget about "dress to impress". From wearing kneehigh boots, fishnet tights and dress at the Thomas Sabo- press lunch yesterday; this is my outfit of the day: casual &comfy. My sleeveless hood is allready a hoodie-favorite; bought it at the flea market in Hamburg, for 2 euro.
and this oversized shirt from BikBok is perfect in combo with the zipped hood, a pair of shiny tights and my boots(bootsstraps from Bodymap by the way..)

cravings

After todays sneak peek on THOMAS SABOs sterling Silver Collection; Black Raven, this massive ring is on my wish list...
and a necklace with a black raven.... Hopefully I´ll get the chance to try the jewellery at the press office later this week...

Well I am finally in the home stretch......

I have made it past all my important dates, what might those be? Well, I was able to have my son's birthday party, I made it to the last day of work (even though I am working from home for now) but most importantly I was able to not have this little girl on my son's real birthday which was this past Sunday the 23rd.

I am however...... done! Every ounce of my baby weight has been in my belly and while it was cute early in the pregnancy it has become painful, my back hurts all the time and I am totally unable to get into a comfortable position for more than 30 minutes at a time needless to say sleeping is great fun...NOT!

So last week at my appointment I was not dilated at all however my cervix start to get squishy (Dr. term not mine) it was decided that we would induce due to the size of my last baby and that this one may be about 8 to 9lbs. I am thinking she might be a bit more because I seem to be one of those lucky women who hide their baby's well. Nonetheless induction was in my future. So we have determined that Friday the 28th will be the day...unless of course she decides to take matters into her own hands before then. I have had contractions off and on since Saturday night but nothing has settled into any kind of true pattern.

I have my final appointment this Thursday at which time if I am still not dilated they will admit me to the hospital that evening to start me on cervidil before giving me the pitocine cocktail Friday morning!

So here I am this is the last picture you will see of my pregnant! Enjoy!

Try to overlook that i have no make up on and my hair is not done!


Also it is my hope to twitter about labor so if you twitter look me up (swhln19) Thursday night and Friday day

yesterdays outfit!

Wearing what? vintage RIFLE denimshirt from Hamburg, oversized tee from American Apparel, Vintage boots from SLOW, at Melrose, Los Angeles, sunglasses; Dior Homme, bag from TopShop
& knuckle necklace from Han Cholo- got it as a gift two years ago... almost forgot how cool it is..
and my oh so cool dog Hippie Luella, happy in the park...

I Love Hamburg Vintage!

I`m back from Hamburg, and after two days in the German city I must say; Hamburg is fun and full of surprises. Lots of vintage stores, markets and small core shops.
Yesterday I visitied the Antik and Flea-market at Feldstrasse, (open every saturday from 8-16) and I found a few nice items. I bought this studded fanny pack for 5 euro..
and a pair of well used Dr.Martens.......
one sleeveless hoodie and a belt....

Work stress and disappointment

So I have been a bit slack in posting here lately. In my last post I talked about my work situation needing it's own post so here we go.

I have been working on a rather large project for the last 16 months, this project was going to be my biggest accomplish to date in my working career and it was my hope that is would get me promoted to an officer level VP, needless to say a bit of a big deal.

The past year has been full of long hours, road trips and tough meetings but it was all starting to come together and even though I missed my first target date of July 1st things were still going well that is until July 15th. When road block after road block seemed to appear. The Sr. management of my company changed drastically and suddenly my project was not a popular project. It was very hard not to take it personally but I kept fighting through a) because I believed in what I was doing and b) because I knew this would have great payoffs for not only my family and the company but me as well. To say I was driven and passionate would be an understatement.

My dreams of stardom came crashing down Aug 10th when I was informed by the President (my boss) that my project was being put on hold till late 2010 due to capital (money) issues. Seems that we had a rough 2nd quarter which resulted in a company wide loss and the powers that be were hunkering down and looking to ride out what they perceive as a storm ahead. I was crushed...beyond crushed….. I was devastated. For those of you that know me personally and those of you who have read my blog long enough you probably get that I am a very driven person. When I make my mind up I throw myself into something a 120% add to that I am a very competitive person well it can be a very scary sight. My project it seems has gone up in smoke and I have been told to stand down. So for a week I went through a bit of a grieving process. I kid you not when I say I went from shock and disbelief to anger to shear emotion. (Not good when very pregnant)

I am trying my best to look at this as a glass half full situation, it will allow me to focus on the birth of my daughter without distraction, I can relax a bit while home on maternity leave and hopefully come back to work with a fresh perspective instead of felling like I never left.

All that said it is still not easy to switch gears. I am now working from home because the hour long commute to work was getting the best of me and I plan to work from home till I deliver while it is nice to shift gears it feels very odd and I am doing my best to adjust. Honestly I think I am still in the grieving process just a bit. I am hoping the arrival of our daughter will take some of the sting out of the last week and half, as I need something happy to look forward to.
Tomorrow an update on my baby creating progress and a finally belly picture!

skulls, fingerless gloves & red nails

Im addicted, and totally in love with my black fingerless bikergloves(DIY). Have been wearing them every day this week....ha ha..Skullchain from Pour, red nail lacquer from Lancomè...
After work I did some vintage shopping at Velouria vintage. 20% off today only. Did buy a white leather bag, a sequined skirt and an 80s dress in black&silver.
wearing what?; Diy fingerless gloves, customized pants from Mardou &Dean, boots from topshop and basic tee from BikBok.

Yesterdays news;

Red HOT lipgloss from LANCOMÈ ....my new best friend.......
Studded cuff from Fred Segal & vintage bracelet from my grandma
Ready for KOMA 5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Wearing what?; lacedress, Gina Tricot, vintage jacket with big shoulderpads from Velouria vintage. Shoes; Won Hundred & studded clutch; London..
and yes- i know my wardrobe is a mess... he he...

KOMA/Mardou & Dean

He looks like an angel...Raymond modelling for Mardou & Dean
No birthday without a cake..fashionstore Koma- 5 years anniversary
Smashing Ida in a lovely sequined dress and vintage Chanel bracelet...
inspired by the 80s tv-series Dynasty; Silje pedersen; minmote.no in a funky vintage dress..

Like A Virgin

Lace bra from LINDEX with leather details, 199,- & cross from Pour, Tatler, 550,-
Sign your name across my heart.. i want you to be my baby..... remember that song by Trent D'Arby? anyways. Still working on topps anniversary issue, and Im so into the 80s these days. Could not resist buying this cross from Pour at Tatler the other day, and lucky for me- it was on sale! hurray!

yesterdays bikeroutfit

Dagene flyr- i går dro jeg rett fra Fams motevisning til Øya-festivalen for å få med meg MEW. Fam var fantastisk!Fikk ikke knipset så mye bilder, men Side2 tok mange fete catwalkbilder. Gisle fra 730 tok dette av meg under visningen.
Hadde på meg avklippede bikerhansker med nagler på(DIY),og vintagejakke fra Fretex Unika som jeg stod i kø for i fjor, for dere som husker den posten. yesterdays outfit; Oslo Fashionweek/ Øya festivalen picture by 730

Snapshots; fashionistas - Oslo Fashion Week

back in black! muse, model & it-boy Raymond and his designerfriend Golnaz Adham Kha. Bikbok-designer: Nina Granerød- in her hot vintage zipped denimdress from Berlin.
beautiful singer/songwriter Maria Mena and her new best friend; Alexander Wang....
Blogger Mari(left) mmarisblogg ; with Rodarte inspired tights, army boots & black dress. fashionista & blogger Maria in her DIY-blazer with amazing shoulderpads. Check her blog to be inspired. vanillascented.com

Tok noen snapshots under åpningen av Oslo Fashion Week på Oslo kongressenter i går... mye bra å se; både på catwalken og blant publikum...

This and that......

Well a lot has been going here in the house of Whalen........

Last you heard from me I had an incredible surprise baby shower hosted by dear friends, I have finished all the thank you notes and put away all the lovely things and I am officially ready for baby business. Now let's just hope and pray that the child is a girl because a boy is going to feel very out of place in pink and purple clothes and the pink room we have ready!

My work colleagues also surprised me with a shower where they were kind enough to provide me with $225 dollars worth of gift cards as well as a gift certificate to a local spa! Talk about spoiling a girl!

We have also celebrated my 37th birthday. Surprise of surprises both my mother and my husband bought me the exact same thing ... a telephoto lens for my Nikon. One of course went back and earrings were given as the replacement, another really cool gift too.

This past Saturday we celebrated by son's 5th birthday even though it is not till the 23rd I wanted to be sure that he was not cheated out of a birthday party should I go into labor. We had a blast and I have the pictures to prove it. I had a face painter come and she did an amazing job. If you are in the DC metro area and need an idea for a party I highly recommend her (http://www.facesbyarla.com/) Check out her incredible work.

Jackson as Batman

Jackson blowing out the candle

Jackson as Batman with his Alien Ballon hat

Lauren as a Butterfly Princess

Now check out what she talked me into doing... I am not one for showing off my prego belly as a matter of fact I never took any prego pictures before this pregnancy but Arla was able to not only get me to show my belly she got me to take pictures of it up close and personal. I have had several people who have told me I should make this my profile picture on Facebook and that I should make this the first page of the baby's baby book. I just think it is way cool !!

My belly at 37 weeks!

I am on week 37 of pregnancy and still no sign of movement hence no induction date to be set. I am hoping for new this Thursday when i go to my appointment. Also since this week has already been a trying week at work I am hoping the stress has made my cervix say enough time to start opening! On the work front I will post about that separately because I think it deserves it's own post. Hopefully I will get to that tomorrow.

Till then look for my posts on Twitter (swhln19) and facebook Stephanie OToole Whalen who knws I might tweet while in labor!