24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 2

 Photo Credit: http://www.therunningshoesguide.com/have-wide-feet-choose-the-perfect-pair-of-wide-width-running-shoes

I am thankful for the ability to be active.  Six months ago, I was on bed rest.  I was "sitting on my nest" for a very long 5 1/2 weeks because little Owen wanted to come too early.  (Side note:  it was certainly worth it.)  Around the first of April, I got the news that I needed to be on "complete bed rest," due to regular contractions at 31 weeks.  This meant I could do N-O-T-H-I-N-G but get up to go to the restroom, and I had to take a special pill to stop the contractions every time they came.  It was so hard to just sit there when my kids were wanting me to be up and play with them.    I could literally feel my muscles turn to Jello.  I vowed that when I was able, I would get active again.  I started working out 6 weeks after my c-section and now I workout 6 days a week.  I can pick up my kids, even two of them at a time, with no problem at all.  I can run up stairs and not get winded.  I can lift weights!  With all that said, it feels so good to be active again.  I know God didn't create us to be sedentary creatures.  I am so very thankful that He has given be the ability and the strength to be active and healthy at this point in my life!

Owen's Birth Story

  For those of you who are interested in how Owen made it into this world, here is the scoop!  During the first few days of April, I started feeling contractions.  I was almost 32 weeks, and suspected that this wasn't normal.  So, with that in mind, I headed to the Labor and Delivery floor at the hospital.  They hooked me up to the monitors which revealed that I was getting regular contractions (every few minutes).  After 6 hours, a shot, and a couple pills, the contractions halted enough for the doctor to send me home.  Due to the fact that I was getting contractions so early, I was put on a pill to stop the contractions every time they started and complete bedrest with "only trips to the bathroom."  I must admit that I had a moment when I sort of "freaked out" about the amount of help I would need with childcare, cleaning, and cooking.  Even though I have seen time and time again how God miraculously provides, I doubted Him for a moment (or two...).  He soon showed me how well He provides!  We were provided with nearly 6 weeks of meals, all the childcare we needed, and enough help with housework to keep my house in order for the 6 weeks I was on bedrest.  Troy and I are so very thankful for the tangible way Christ's love was shown to us through His people!

At 37 weeks pregnant, a day or two before Owen was born.

  Six weeks after being put on bedrest, I had a checkup with my doctor.  I had been uncontrollably itching for the last 5-6 weeks and complained about it for the third time.  I told him Benadryl did not work.  Scratching the itches, mainly on my legs, ankles, feet, arms, and back didn't help either.  In fact, I was itching my skin raw!  The doctor FINALLY decided to look at my file only to discover that the Liver Panel blood test I did six weeks before was "Slightly elevated."  I asked how high the numbers were and the doctor repeated that they were "slighted elevated."  I then asked what the exact numbers were.  I had the same problem with the previous pregnancy and I knew where my liver enzymes were supposed to be.  The doctor reluctantly showed me the numbers.  Perhaps this was because he made the mistake of not telling me before that they were high!  Liver Enzymes are supposed to be 30-40 at the most.  At the time of the blood test, my enzymes were up to 115!  He then decided that I had something called "Cholestasis" and brushed it off as the body just not getting rid of bile as fast due to pregnancy.  I already knew of this condition and knew that it was certainly more serious than that!  He opted for another Liver Panel blood test. 

The doctor called me a couple days later (on Friday, May 13th) and told me he needed to deliver the baby because my liver enzymes had gone up to 146.  I was not suprised.  He was going to schedule a C-section for that evening or the next day.  I decided the day before to stop taking the pill that was preventing me from going into labor.  Even with taking the pill, my contractions were becoming stronger and more regular.  So, by 1pm on Friday, May 13th, I was going into labor.  Of course, feeling contractions off and on for six weeks, I second-guessed myself and didn't think I needed go in yet.  By 4:30, we were packing up the car to head to the hospital.  By the time I got hooked up to the monitors at the hospital, I was dilated to 6 and my contractions were coming ever 2-3 minutes.  It happened VERY fast.  As I lay there in the hospital bed, the medical staff hurried to prep me for the c-section.  I very much regretted waiting that long to go into Labor and Delivery.  I was in pain, but I breathed through the contractions knowing that I would soon see my baby boy!  On Friday, May 13th at 8:30 on the dot, Owen was born.  He was unresponsive at first.  The medical staff in the operating room didn't tell Troy and I this, but we knew because we didn't hear him cry and I could hear the respiratory therapist slapping Owen's back vigorously to try and get the fluid out.  The said they got 10 (I'm assuming "CCs") of fluid out of his lungs, and finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we heard his cry!  Owen was born at a healthy 7lbs and 19 inches long.  I got to hold him a few hours later after being in the recovery room.  Even the third time around, there is nothing like finally getting to hold the child God grew inside your womb!  What a precious gift!

 

 

Yes, I'm pregnant.

Just a few days ago, Troy was talking to our neighbor who sees us all the time because he lives across the street.  Troy mentioned that we only had 9 weeks left until we met our new baby.  The neighbor then said he had no idea I was pregnant.  Ummmm....thanks, I guess, but I'm hoping I'm pregnant with this belly I'm carrying around!  (Picture taken at 30 1/2 weeks)

SOS

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
 
I have never gone several months without a new post on this blog.  I suppose that shows how busy and sick my family and I have been.  Sorry folks.  This blog took the "back burner" when it came to dealing with life!  With a new baby coming, I'm hoping (and praying) to get things back into a routine and going again.  After all, this is the first time we ARE NOT moving 1-2 weeks after having a new baby!  Isn't that awesome???  My goal is to have things as organized as possible for the arrival of baby Owen.  I must say that having this goal in mind has been somewhat humbling because I know I cannot do this myself.  I know that I need God's help.  The verse from Matthew posted above has been a great encouragement, as well as prayer.   However, I need the help of others as well.  This has been hard.  Blame my pride.  It's hard for me to ask for help!  The truth is, I limp around most days because of hip pain from a previous injury that won't go away.  And, of course, there is the exhuastion that comes along with pregnancy.  Oh, and there is the fact that I don't want to end up with HELLP Syndrome again.  So, with all those factors coming into play, I must hush those prideful voices in my head and ask for help.  If you can lend a hand or two, please let me know!  My household routines have fell to the wayside this year because my family has been well for only two weeks out of this year so far.  It sounds ridiculous, I know.  We've never been sick this much, but I guess these things happen sometimes!  I have 10 weeks---if it goes as planned---and we know from experience that doesn't always happen---to get things organized!

And, because I don't like to post without photos, here is one for your enjoyment:

Dos Logos

The other night, we took advantage of the wonderful Spring weather and took an evening stroll around the shops and the lake at Dos Logos. David and Robyn came with us as well. Robyn is now 30 weeks pregnant, so the time for little Ivy to come is drawing near!

We got Pink Berry at the end of the walk. It is a rare treat, but well worth the little walk! Jackson loved Pink Berry's chocolate frozen yogurt!

Aunt Melissa, Uncle Troy

I'm somewhat used to being called "Aunt Melissa" because some of our good friend's kids call me that. However, a few months ago, I found out that I am really, yes, really going to be an aunt! David and Robyn are due to have a baby on August 4th, which means she/he will be just shy of a year younger than Madelyn, and 3 years younger than Jackson. I can't believe it took me so long to post this news! I am extremely THRILLED. I didn't have cousins growing up, but Troy did, and his cousins are still A LOT of fun! So, I am very, very excited that Jackson and Madelyn will have a cousin! Congrats, David and Robyn!

Birth Story

Madelyn at 5 weeks old.

Okay. Here it is. Madelyn's Birth Story! It all started on a plan trip up to Sacramento. It was Troy's birthday and we were heading up there for his Grandma Edith's funeral. She had passed away a week earlier. On the plane trip up there, I got a headache. The next day, I still had the headache and tried everything I could to get rid of it. Never the less, my head was still throbbing. I had remembered that my midwife told me if I got a headache that wouldn't go away, I needed to see a doctor right away. So, after 30 hours of this headache, I decided I would go to the doctor, specifically, Labor and Delivery. Troy and I headed to a hospital in Roseville, just east of Sacramento. I was checked in and they started doing a bunch of tests for toxemia. The results were not looking good. My liver enzymes were high, my blood pressure was high, and my blood platelets were low. That was pretty much the equation of toxemia. The OB/GYN was talking of inducing me. WHAT?!?!! I couldn't have a baby 450 miles from home! Troy and I were worried. I was glad that there were a few other doctors there who insisted that they watch me overnight and re-take all the tests. They also gave me several very strong pain meds via IV to take my headache away. By the morning, all the tests came back normal but my liver enzymes. They let me go on the condition that I would go back to L & D if the headache came back. Phew! Close call! Troy and I decided to high-tale it out of Sacramento ASAP. We took the first flight we could get back home. The day after we flew back home, the headache came back. Like I promise, I went back to L & D...but this time, it was in Riverside. That was WAY more comforting! This time around, I did some more tests. I convinced them to send me home the next night, before the test results came in. My liver enzymes had elevated once more, but my blood pressure was normal. I just wanted to stay at home with my little boy! He wasn't liking all these nights away from his mommy! The doctors sent me home knowing that I had an appointment with my OB/GYN the next day. I woke up that morning with a headache again, but decided to try and get rid and it and wait for the appointment with my doctor. It was 4:30 by the time I saw her, and I have to let you know that I felt like CRUD. Pure CRUD. I had the headache still, but my muscles ached, and I just felt week. Well, you know, like crud. The doctor noticed that I looked like crud as well. She said she wouldn't let me go home without stopping by L & D. I knew the routine by now. I got more lab tests done and within a couple hours, I was diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome...if you don't know what that is, read about it here. The doctor said we would have to induce. She also turned off the lights and the tv, and allowed me no visitors to avoid stimulation (which could have caused me to go into seizure). By 9:00 that night, I was hooked up to Plutocin and the process began. Twelve hours later, Madelyn's heart rate was going down every time I had a contraction. The doctor noticed I was dilated to 10, and asked me to push. Every time I pushed, Madelyn's heart rate nearly stopped. The doctor decided really quickly to get her our via cesarean-section. Hearing her heart rate nearly stop was extremely scary for me. I admit, I started to cry. They wheeled me into the operating room, and within a few minutes, they had Madelyn out of me. It was incredibly fast! Madelyn was born on August 26th at 9:38 a.m.
After the birth, I was put on Magnesium Sulfate, which has got to be the WORST drug you could possibly take. I am convinced of that! I was put on this drug for 24 hours to prevent me from going into seizure. That was worth it, of course, but the numerous side effects were absolutely horrible! I am glad that is over with! And, I have a beautiful baby girl to show for it! :)

Troy's Birthday

On Troy's Birthday, we went to Disneyland really, really quickly to snag the free money they give on birthdays. What a great deal! We rode the train and then left to catch our flight to Sacramento. Jackson liked most of the train ride, but got scared on some parts (which explains the look he has on his face in the photo below!). I was 35 weeks pregnant on this trip.

Recap of Baby Shower

Just to catch up on things, I was blessed to have several friends and family pitch in and throw me a baby shower for Madelyn in July. Here are some pics to sum it up!There was a huge amount of food served there! The decor was beautiful as well!We were so blessed to have so much provided for us through peoples' generosity! Thank you all!My favorite part of a shower is the friends, family, and fellowship. I saw friends who I hadn't seen in ages, and family I hadn't seen in a while, and was able to share the joy of expecting a little one with them. In this photo is (R-L), my Grandma Fran, Me, Jackson, Troy, and Troy's Grandma, Edith. Edith passed away less than a month later on August 12th. I was really glad she got to come to the shower and meet my grandma!

Crystsal Cove w/ "Mike and Tia"

After Troy and I had our one-night get-away for our anniversary, Mike and Genevieve (AKA "Tia" to Jackson) brought our little boy to come to the beach with us. We ate lunch and then we all headed to Crystal Cove, in my opinion, the best beach around! :)... We went to the tidal pools and saw land crabs and hermit crabs and some fish. Jackson really enjoyed that. However, he didn't like the waves, or the cold water. I don't blame him! He LOVED the sand, though, and we are having to teach him not to throw it!Our traditional feet-in-the-sand photo!Jackson's reaction to the cold waves... :(Jackson's reaction to the sand!

Cuteness!Michael and Genevieve (Mike and Tia)Jackson, Madelyn, and I
Jackson gets a good look at a Hermit Crab.Jackson is fascinated with ocean life!
Our family photo @ the beach (ignore the funky hair and Jackson's scared face!)

4 Years of Bliss!

July 2 was our 4th anniversary! We both decided this would be a great oppurtunity for us to take a night away from Jackson (I had never done that before). Michael and Geneveive came to our place and stayed with Jackson overnight. Although he ended up going to sleep around 12am in between then in our bed (he wouldn't stay in his crib), and, reportedly kicked Michael in his sleep all night long (sorry about that!), it turned out good. Jackson had a lot of fun with his "Mike and T(ia)" who took him swimming and when to see the ducks down the street, while Troy and I had a lot of fun spending much needed time together watching the sunset on Newport beach and staying in the Ayres Suites. I enjoyed the R&R so much that I think we need to do this again REALLY SOON!

On that note, Troy, my amazing husband, who I enjoy spending time with so much and love even more than the day we got married, is such a blessing to me. The thing I love about him most is his genuine love for Christ. Because that love is so real, it resounds in every aspect of his life, especially in how he loves Jackson and I. I thank the Lord for the man He has made Troy! He finds joy in everything, even the simplist of things! I love that! I have immensely enjoyed these last 4 years of marriage and look forward to many more! Happy (late) Anniversary, my Love!

Speaking of love...Troy got a pedicure with me. We both found it relaxing! Now, that is a REAL man! :)...I don't know if I have a comment for this photo...
My 29 wk pregnant self!After taking pictures of the sunset, we enjoyed shortbread cookies and fresh strawberries! It is was delicious!

All Things Girly!

Yesterday I picked up a baby nursery catalog at JC Penney's. In it, I found THE CUTEST bedding set for a girl's nursery. Of course, that is only a matter of my opinion! I don't like to have EVERYTHING pink for a girl. Its just too much frill. This is perfect because it has some pink, with other colors as well. It also is a darling, delicate design, and has butterflies (a big "plus" in my book!). So without further ado, here it is:
Isn't it pretty??? The set is called Alexis Garden, and I found it on JC Penney's website--- but we aren't going to have a registry there, so I am not sure how that is going to work out. Speaking of registries...I am so happy that we have a Babies R Us in our area now! They have sooooo much more than Target!

Baby Belly...

For those of you who are curious about what my baby belly looks like at almost 23 weeks, it is your lucky day! I just happened to snap a photo of it today!
I know...compared to my last pregnancy, it really isn't that big. Jackson sort of stuck out. I am carrying this one higher.

Oh, and for those of you who were wondering what our little girl looks like, you are in for a treat! This is an ultrasound photo from about 20 weeks...Isn't she beautiful? :)

Maybe...

Babycenter.com listed a few reasons why women tend to have severe morning sickness. I found it interesting because of what I have been going through. The three reasons below I found to be of interest specifically to me. The first two because they are true, and the third because I do have a little hope! :)

• You have a history of motion sickness.
• You have a history of migraine headaches.
• You're carrying a girl. One study found that women with severe nausea and vomiting were 50 percent more likely to be carrying a girl.

Pregnancy Update - 9 weeks!

I am now 9 weeks pregnant. This pregnancy has already been very different than my first. I got sick almost right after I found out I was pregnant (around 5 weeks) and have been nauseous on a consistent basis ever since. Of course, that includes visits to the porcelain throne. Word of the wise: strawberry ice cream tastes wonderful on the way down, but not the other way around. The smell of BBQ sauce makes me want to puke, and of course, that is one of Jackson's favorite things to dip his food in right now. Oh, yes, and I am breaking out like I am 13 years old again! With my pregnancy with Jackson, I had such a clear complexion. Another difference from the pregnancy before is that I am not gaining much weight (yet!). During the first few weeks of my last pregnancy, I gained 7 pounds (I know...that is a whole lot!). I have only gained 1 1/2 lbs this time around. The OB/GYN told me on our first visit last week that sometimes a pregnancy that is a lot different than a previous pregnancy may mean the baby is a different gender. This would mean that we would have broken some HUGE odds of have ALL boys. However, the doctor did add a "But, you never know," after that statement. So, you know what is totally amazing about what is forming inside me? This little baby already has little fingers and toes, and is even growing teeth! HERE IS A LINK to view video of a 9 week old baby inside the womb...it is pretty amazing! This makes all this sickness soooo worth it!

Jackson is going to be a....

So, after much thought on how and when to tell folks this news, Troy and I decided to just tell people. We know that there is a chance of miscarriage. We don't take that lightly at all. This is why we are telling people. In the event of a miscarriage, we would want people to know that we were pregnant in the first place so we don't have to keep two secrets from them or explain the pregnancy and the miscarriage to them. We want people to know so they can join us in prayer for this little one in my womb. We very much value the prayer, concern, and comfort of God's people. (We also respect those who take the position of not telling people due to concerns of a miscarriage.)

So, on a lighter note, WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOO! :)

A question you never ask a woman...

...is "are you pregnant?" I had a woman ask me just that today. Then, she dug herself even deeper and said, "Oh, well, you must have just had your baby, then, right?" I replied to her (almost sarcastically...) "Yeah, like 11 months ago." Then, just when I thought she couldn't put her foot further into her mouth, she said, "Oh, well, you must not have gotten rid of your baby fat yet." WHAT?!?! Who says that kind of thing to someone they don't even know??? I wanted to ask her, "Are you all there?" but, unlike her, I can keep my mouth shut. I just replied with a smile, "Well, I have lost almost 20 lbs since May...I would say that is a start!" All the while, in my mind I was making up words like the father in The Christmas Story. Sigh.