To B & P:
Before you were conceived I wanted you.
Before you were born I loved you.
Before you were here an hour I would die for you.
This is the miracle of love.
-Maureen Hawkins
I love you two beyond words. I am so blessed to be your mommy.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
P’s Birth Story
Daddy & I went to the hospital at 8am Friday morning for my scheduled amniocentesis. I was a little apprehensive about the procedure but I knew that I was in good hands. My doctor came in and explained everything he was doing step-by-step. The procedure was relatively painless. He removed the necessary fluid and said the more cloudy and filled with particles the fluid is, the better. He said he could see some particles in my fluid and that we would know an answer within the hour.
We went back into the waiting room until a nurse came from prenatal testing to get me so that I could be hooked up to the monitors. After a decent 20 minute wait, I was placed on a contraction and fetal heart rate monitor. I was cramping quite a bit and having some contractions (both completely normal post-amnio). After 25 minutes on the monitors, they said the strip looked great and that we could leave. Marcy, one of the nurses, tried to pull some strings and get an ante-partum room for us to stay in until my c-section. We stopped back by Frances, the receptionist, to ask if we needed to wait around for results or if we could go downstairs so that Daddy could eat. Connie, my nurse, said it was fine for Daddy to eat but that I could only watch. So off we went... I called my mom to let her know that we were waiting on the results and as soon as we stepped into the cafe, I was getting another call - it was Marcy, asking if I had received Lainee's (my other nurse) message to which I replied "no" - she excitedly told me that the results were positive and to head up to Labor & Delivery. I called my nurses back and Connie said that his lungs were mature and to head straight to Labor & Delivery because they were waiting for me. So off we went...
We were met by Karen, the charge nurse, who brought us into our room and introduced us to my L&D nurse, Tabitha. Karen told us that Dr. Robichaux wanted to get me into the OR right away but they had a patient back there already. I realized at this point that we were going to be in the OR much sooner than our scheduled 12pm timeslot... which meant I wasn't going to see B before going back. I called my mom to tell her that she needed to leave immediately but that she wouldn't get to see us before we went into the OR and that she would probably arrive just in time for P's birth. They placed my IV and by 10:35am I was walking to the OR.
The anesthesia team started my spinal and I felt pretty badly afterward. I figured it would pass so I wasn't going to say anything but apparently they could tell because they kept asking what was wrong. I told them I just didn't feel right and they fixed it quickly. I think they almost forgot to get Daddy because at one point the anesthesiologist looked at me and asked if I had anyone coming with me - I told him my husband. He asked the nurses to go and get Daddy and they were oblivious. My doctor told them and finally someone went to get Daddy - by the time he came into the OR, I was already being cut open (I could smell the cauterization going on). I looked up at him and smiled. The team moved rather quickly and the anesthesiologist told me that they had just broken my water and that P would be here soon. They pushed and pushed and pushed and I felt like I couldn't breathe at one point - they got his head out (and that was all that was outside of my uterus) and P was already crying {such a beautiful noise might I add} and they delivered the rest of him. Daddy went to take pictures and cut his cord while my doctor performed a tubal ligation. Daddy and P were able to sit with me for about 25 minutes before he had to be taken to the nursery. My doctor closed me back up and the anesthesia team administered a tap block and I went back to recovery.
I called my mom to let her know that I was in recovery and I asked her to bring B to see me. Around 1:04pm, P was brought in and I was able to hold my sweet little peanut in my arms for the first time. He nursed, not too well, because he was so tired. About 2 hours later we were brought to our post-partum room. On Sunday we were released to go home!
We went back into the waiting room until a nurse came from prenatal testing to get me so that I could be hooked up to the monitors. After a decent 20 minute wait, I was placed on a contraction and fetal heart rate monitor. I was cramping quite a bit and having some contractions (both completely normal post-amnio). After 25 minutes on the monitors, they said the strip looked great and that we could leave. Marcy, one of the nurses, tried to pull some strings and get an ante-partum room for us to stay in until my c-section. We stopped back by Frances, the receptionist, to ask if we needed to wait around for results or if we could go downstairs so that Daddy could eat. Connie, my nurse, said it was fine for Daddy to eat but that I could only watch. So off we went... I called my mom to let her know that we were waiting on the results and as soon as we stepped into the cafe, I was getting another call - it was Marcy, asking if I had received Lainee's (my other nurse) message to which I replied "no" - she excitedly told me that the results were positive and to head up to Labor & Delivery. I called my nurses back and Connie said that his lungs were mature and to head straight to Labor & Delivery because they were waiting for me. So off we went...
We were met by Karen, the charge nurse, who brought us into our room and introduced us to my L&D nurse, Tabitha. Karen told us that Dr. Robichaux wanted to get me into the OR right away but they had a patient back there already. I realized at this point that we were going to be in the OR much sooner than our scheduled 12pm timeslot... which meant I wasn't going to see B before going back. I called my mom to tell her that she needed to leave immediately but that she wouldn't get to see us before we went into the OR and that she would probably arrive just in time for P's birth. They placed my IV and by 10:35am I was walking to the OR.
The anesthesia team started my spinal and I felt pretty badly afterward. I figured it would pass so I wasn't going to say anything but apparently they could tell because they kept asking what was wrong. I told them I just didn't feel right and they fixed it quickly. I think they almost forgot to get Daddy because at one point the anesthesiologist looked at me and asked if I had anyone coming with me - I told him my husband. He asked the nurses to go and get Daddy and they were oblivious. My doctor told them and finally someone went to get Daddy - by the time he came into the OR, I was already being cut open (I could smell the cauterization going on). I looked up at him and smiled. The team moved rather quickly and the anesthesiologist told me that they had just broken my water and that P would be here soon. They pushed and pushed and pushed and I felt like I couldn't breathe at one point - they got his head out (and that was all that was outside of my uterus) and P was already crying {such a beautiful noise might I add} and they delivered the rest of him. Daddy went to take pictures and cut his cord while my doctor performed a tubal ligation. Daddy and P were able to sit with me for about 25 minutes before he had to be taken to the nursery. My doctor closed me back up and the anesthesia team administered a tap block and I went back to recovery.
I called my mom to let her know that I was in recovery and I asked her to bring B to see me. Around 1:04pm, P was brought in and I was able to hold my sweet little peanut in my arms for the first time. He nursed, not too well, because he was so tired. About 2 hours later we were brought to our post-partum room. On Sunday we were released to go home!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
P is here!
P joined our family at 11:15am.
He weighs 6lbs 15oz and is 19.5" long.
More details to come later...
He weighs 6lbs 15oz and is 19.5" long.
More details to come later...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Bittersweet Days
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full and well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the Earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139: 13-16
We are all created with a purpose and knowing that part of my purpose here on Earth was to be B and P's mommy is one of the most gratifying things ever. I love all three of my guys with every fiber of my being, every ounce of my body. But my heart seems to burst at it's seems with love for my boys. I've never known a feeling so powerful. Don't get me wrong... I love my husband and my heart wants to explode with the love that I feel for him... but the love you have for a child is so completely different. It's something that you cannot fully experience without being a parent. It's a feeling that will make you happy even on your worst of days. I wish I could bottle it up and hand it out because this world would be a much better place if everyone could feel it.
I have to laugh at myself because one week ago, I know that I didn't feel sad over the ending of this pregnancy. I don't know if it's the hormones or what, but I am having some bittersweet moments this morning and I think they are going to keep coming for the next few days.
It's like I woke up this morning and realized that this was it. It's over. Finished. Complete. After P's arrival on Friday, I will never experience pregnancy again. As much as pregnancy doesn't agree with my body, I am sad that I will never have the pleasure of experiencing this beautiful feeling again. Being pregnant, having life grow within my womb, seeing his heart beat for the first time, hearing that beautiful thumping noise, seeing him on ultrasound and feeling him move within me are moments that I will never forget - I love those moments.
I feel as though this pregnancy has raced by me. I remember finding out on April 26 that we were having another baby. I remember the initial shock of seeing the word "pregnant" pop up on that test. I remember the laughter {albeit the scared to death type} that Daddy and I shared because what else do you do when you get the surprise of your life. I remember constantly telling myself that God wouldn't give us more than we could handle. I remember my OB calming my fears by telling me that God's blessings are never-ending. And here we are today... three days away from me meeting my second baby, second son.
Bittersweet.
I have been blessed.
I am so blessed.
And I know that I will continue to be blessed.
We are all created with a purpose and knowing that part of my purpose here on Earth was to be B and P's mommy is one of the most gratifying things ever. I love all three of my guys with every fiber of my being, every ounce of my body. But my heart seems to burst at it's seems with love for my boys. I've never known a feeling so powerful. Don't get me wrong... I love my husband and my heart wants to explode with the love that I feel for him... but the love you have for a child is so completely different. It's something that you cannot fully experience without being a parent. It's a feeling that will make you happy even on your worst of days. I wish I could bottle it up and hand it out because this world would be a much better place if everyone could feel it.
I have to laugh at myself because one week ago, I know that I didn't feel sad over the ending of this pregnancy. I don't know if it's the hormones or what, but I am having some bittersweet moments this morning and I think they are going to keep coming for the next few days.
It's like I woke up this morning and realized that this was it. It's over. Finished. Complete. After P's arrival on Friday, I will never experience pregnancy again. As much as pregnancy doesn't agree with my body, I am sad that I will never have the pleasure of experiencing this beautiful feeling again. Being pregnant, having life grow within my womb, seeing his heart beat for the first time, hearing that beautiful thumping noise, seeing him on ultrasound and feeling him move within me are moments that I will never forget - I love those moments.
I feel as though this pregnancy has raced by me. I remember finding out on April 26 that we were having another baby. I remember the initial shock of seeing the word "pregnant" pop up on that test. I remember the laughter {albeit the scared to death type} that Daddy and I shared because what else do you do when you get the surprise of your life. I remember constantly telling myself that God wouldn't give us more than we could handle. I remember my OB calming my fears by telling me that God's blessings are never-ending. And here we are today... three days away from me meeting my second baby, second son.
Bittersweet.
I have been blessed.
I am so blessed.
And I know that I will continue to be blessed.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Maternity
With B's pregnancy, I snapped a few self-portraits of my belly... I decided to do the same to document P's pregnancy... Enjoy!
My baby sister is getting married
{I feel a bit moose-like in these photos...}
So my baby sister is getting married... December 26 is her "big" day...
Saturday night was her bachelorette party. We went to the House of Blues (New Orleans) for dinner. My partying stopped there since I am 9 months pregnant and all. I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. The food was less than great - with the exception of the rosemary cornbread.
Kelly Clarkson was there for her "end of the year wrap party" - it was a private party in the Voodoo Gardens. A wall and some windows separated our table from her party... we had lots of live entertainment - singing, music, etc from her group. I snapped a few "stalker" photos {you know the ones from afar where you look like you're taking a pic of something else?!}. Then as my mom and I were leaving, I of course had to use the bathroom and guess who we ran into... Kelly. I ended up asking her to autograph a piece of paper for my boys and she happily obliged. She's a really sweet girl and she allowed me to snap a non-stalker photo of her too.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Whew!
Sorry for such a long {unannounced} hiatus... I just needed a break from life in general. I don't think I really got that break but that's ok.
I guess I should quickly catch you up on the past two months of life {brace yourself, this could be long... I know, I know, I said quickly...}
B is the most fabulous little man I've ever met. I fall more and more in love with his sweet and silly antics daily. I really feel blessed that I was chosen to be his mommy! I could just kiss his sweet face non-stop!
{Stats, Milestones, Etc}
* As of mid-November, my little monkey weighs 23.5 lbs and is 32" tall!
* He seems to be very healthy... finally! And we've officially, as of this
past Monday, been cleared by the immunologist! His most recent bloodwork
panel came back "normal" - we are so relieved!
* He has 5 teeth (well his top two are still not fully in... and he cut those in late September!)
* He started walking on Thanksgiving day! He still goes back and forth from
crawling to walking, but seeing him walk is the most adorable thing. His
little face beams with pride as he teeters around. love. it.
* He loves toys - anytime he sees one, he automatically thinks it's for him.
* He waves hi/bye --- every morning, Daddy tells him "Bye Monkey" and starts
waving goodbye and B shakes his head no and smiles - he's such a stinker
not waving to his daddy!
* He says "hewwo" when he hears the phone ringing, especially if it's not
answered quickly. He also likes to hold real phones, cell phones, toy phones,
or anything that may resemble a phone to his ear and act like he is talking...
he mumbles and {incoherently} talks away
* We moved him into his big boy room on Thursday, November 12. He sleeps in
a twin-sized bed now and he didn't give us an ounce of trouble when we moved
him! He went to sleep that night as though he had been sleeping there all
along.
* He LOVES to dance - any time he hears music, he starts to dance.
* He is ALL B.O.Y. --- he climbs, he loves Hot Wheels cars, he's fearless, etc
* His vocabulary is rather limited... we hear "mama," "daa," "hi" and a form of
"kitty" - he is constantly talking, just not in a language we understand!
* His comprehension is amazing... he surprises me with how well he listens to
simple commands.
* He knows several body parts... if you ask "Where's your... {head, tummy,
ears, nose, penis, feet}" he will touch that part. I plan on teaching him the
rest of his basic body parts and then moving on to either shapes, colors or
the ABC's!
* We are waiting to hear from his agency - they submitted him to a client for a
clothing catalog - fingers crossed, he's selected!
P is ever so rapidly expanding the front of my body. His pregnancy has definitely been more strenuous/painful than B's was. I can confidently say that I will be happy to have my tubes tied after his arrival. I am thankful that God gave me the ability to have children but I know that I never want to be pregnant again. I am excited to have all boys - I truly feel as though Daddy, B and P complete my life, my heart.
We had a 3D ultrasound of P in mid November and he's a cute little one, too! He looks, so far, a lot like B. The only difference we've noticed are his lips - he has the shape of Daddy’s lips but the fullness of mine.
{What can I say, we make some adorable babies}
{Pregnancy What-nots}
* As of November 5, P weighed 4lbs 1oz. I have another growth ultrasound
scheduled for next Wednesday, December 9
* I've gained 17.5 lbs
* I am still wearing both my engagement ring and wedding band! With B, my
wedding band came off at 5 months and my engagement ring at 8 months...
* I have days where the pain is so bad in my pubic bone and pelvis that I can
hardly walk... when I do move, I am on the verge of tears {but it's worth it}
* I only have one doctor appointment left before P arrives!
* I have a scheduled amnio and a c-section on DECEMBER 18!!! I cannot
wait to hold my sweet bundle of love in my arms!
That's all for now... check back tomorrow for some new pictures of B! For now, I am off to play with my little love muffin that just woke from his morning nap!
Take care...
I guess I should quickly catch you up on the past two months of life {brace yourself, this could be long... I know, I know, I said quickly...}
B is the most fabulous little man I've ever met. I fall more and more in love with his sweet and silly antics daily. I really feel blessed that I was chosen to be his mommy! I could just kiss his sweet face non-stop!
{Stats, Milestones, Etc}
* As of mid-November, my little monkey weighs 23.5 lbs and is 32" tall!
* He seems to be very healthy... finally! And we've officially, as of this
past Monday, been cleared by the immunologist! His most recent bloodwork
panel came back "normal" - we are so relieved!
* He has 5 teeth (well his top two are still not fully in... and he cut those in late September!)
* He started walking on Thanksgiving day! He still goes back and forth from
crawling to walking, but seeing him walk is the most adorable thing. His
little face beams with pride as he teeters around. love. it.
* He loves toys - anytime he sees one, he automatically thinks it's for him.
* He waves hi/bye --- every morning, Daddy tells him "Bye Monkey" and starts
waving goodbye and B shakes his head no and smiles - he's such a stinker
not waving to his daddy!
* He says "hewwo" when he hears the phone ringing, especially if it's not
answered quickly. He also likes to hold real phones, cell phones, toy phones,
or anything that may resemble a phone to his ear and act like he is talking...
he mumbles and {incoherently} talks away
* We moved him into his big boy room on Thursday, November 12. He sleeps in
a twin-sized bed now and he didn't give us an ounce of trouble when we moved
him! He went to sleep that night as though he had been sleeping there all
along.
* He LOVES to dance - any time he hears music, he starts to dance.
* He is ALL B.O.Y. --- he climbs, he loves Hot Wheels cars, he's fearless, etc
* His vocabulary is rather limited... we hear "mama," "daa," "hi" and a form of
"kitty" - he is constantly talking, just not in a language we understand!
* His comprehension is amazing... he surprises me with how well he listens to
simple commands.
* He knows several body parts... if you ask "Where's your... {head, tummy,
ears, nose, penis, feet}" he will touch that part. I plan on teaching him the
rest of his basic body parts and then moving on to either shapes, colors or
the ABC's!
* We are waiting to hear from his agency - they submitted him to a client for a
clothing catalog - fingers crossed, he's selected!
P is ever so rapidly expanding the front of my body. His pregnancy has definitely been more strenuous/painful than B's was. I can confidently say that I will be happy to have my tubes tied after his arrival. I am thankful that God gave me the ability to have children but I know that I never want to be pregnant again. I am excited to have all boys - I truly feel as though Daddy, B and P complete my life, my heart.
We had a 3D ultrasound of P in mid November and he's a cute little one, too! He looks, so far, a lot like B. The only difference we've noticed are his lips - he has the shape of Daddy’s lips but the fullness of mine.
{What can I say, we make some adorable babies}
{Pregnancy What-nots}
* As of November 5, P weighed 4lbs 1oz. I have another growth ultrasound
scheduled for next Wednesday, December 9
* I've gained 17.5 lbs
* I am still wearing both my engagement ring and wedding band! With B, my
wedding band came off at 5 months and my engagement ring at 8 months...
* I have days where the pain is so bad in my pubic bone and pelvis that I can
hardly walk... when I do move, I am on the verge of tears {but it's worth it}
* I only have one doctor appointment left before P arrives!
* I have a scheduled amnio and a c-section on DECEMBER 18!!! I cannot
wait to hold my sweet bundle of love in my arms!
That's all for now... check back tomorrow for some new pictures of B! For now, I am off to play with my little love muffin that just woke from his morning nap!
Take care...
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