Thursday, May 31, 2012

August's Birth Story: Part 2

We were kind of in a rush when we left the house.  It was a few minutes after 7 already.  We went to Chick-fil-A for my "last supper" since it was right across from the hospital.  We only had about 30 minutes to scarf some food down.  As I was trying to stuff the sandwich down my throat, tears welled up again.  I could barely eat.  I didn't finish my sandwich or my fries, as much as I tried.  I knew it would be a while before I could eat again, but I just couldn't fit it in my stomach.  I was so nervous.  I stared out the window of the restaurant at the flowerbed.  For some reason, that flowerbed is one of those flashbulb memories that I distinctly remember.  Does that ever happen to you?  Something big is about to happen, and you just want to look at something normal.  Something that has no idea what is going on?  Maybe I had issues, I don't know.  But I remember that.

At 7:55, we drove across the street to the hospital.  I touched up my face with some powder and lip gloss, and tried to look like I hadn't been crying.  I really didn't want to go into the induction upset.  I wanted to be excited.  We found a parking spot and unloaded our things.  I was proud of how little we packed.  We had a "carry on" sized suitcase that contained both mine and Adam's clothes, a backpack that held my computer,    our Kindles, a couple books, and some snacks, the diaper bag, Boppy pillow, and my purse.  Not bad at all for the way I can pack. :)

We walked into the hospital and checked in.  The lady at the desk seemed impressed that I had already filled out the paper work ahead of time.  She gave me a hospital bracelet with all of my information on it and had us sit in the waiting area.  Sit in the waiting area?  I felt like I was just there for a doctor's appointment.  It seemed very casual to wait in the waiting area.  I'm not sure what I had expected.  So we waited about 10 minutes.  It seemed like an hour though.  Finally, the receptionist called my name.  We gathered up our bags and headed upstairs, following the directions she gave us.

As we walked through the double doors of the labor and delivery floor, we were greeted by two very young and upbeat nurses.  They acted like we were girlfriends from way back in high school.  I tried to act carefree along with them, but Adam and I both knew I was acting.  They casually walked me to my room, asking me if this was my first, and just a few general questions.  They also asked me why my doctor was choosing to induce, and the only thing I could reply with was "I don't know."  A few seconds later I remembered, "He might be 10 pounds.  We're not sure."  They pointed in the direction of the lounge for Adam, showing him where he could get coffee later.  We walked into my delivery room.  It was smaller than I had pictured and a little more medical looking than I liked, but it was nice for a hospital room.  I really liked the big windows it had.  It made it not feel quite as snug.  I sat down on the bed and the nurses asked me some questions and had me sign some paperwork.  Very scary paperwork I might add.  "What is your blood type so we can get you blood if you hemorrhage?  Are we allowed to resuscitate in the event you quit breathing?  Please sign here indicating that you understand that we will do what is best for you first, then what is best for the baby.  What is your religious preference?"  I didn't understand the reason for the last question.  Adam told me it was in case something were to happen and they needed to send someone to talk with us.  Yes, scary and serious questions.

After the paperwork and questioning was over, the nurse gave me a hospital gown and sent me to the bathroom to change.  "Everything goes except for your bra, unless you want to leave it off," she said.  Really?  We're already to that part?  I wasn't ready yet!  I went into the bathroom and changed.  I tried to figure out how I could walk out without my butt showing.  If you know me, you know that I don't show anything.  No nakedness for me, thanks.  I casually walked out of the bathroom, holding the back of the gown closed.  I brought a bathrobe for moments like this, but it was still packed away.  Oh well.  I didn't realize that this was the last moment of dignity I would have for at least a week.

I climbed into the bed, and one of the nurses walked in with the IV hookups.  Adam had told me on the way there that he didn't think they would start the IV tonight.  After all, I was just going to be getting the Cervidil, so there shouldn't be any need for the IV fluids.  I knew better though.  They want you hooked up when you are in the hospital.  The nurse came over and sat on the bed.  She began cleaning the area on the side of my wrist for the IV.
"Big stick!" she said.
Do they all say that?  Just about every nurse says that before they stick you with something.  Do they learn that in school?  I looked away and stared at some cabinets on the wall.  Suddenly I felt the sharpest pain I have ever felt.  My whole body jerked, and my forehead began to sweat.  Was she done yet?  Oh my goodness!
"That just doesn't want to go in there does it?" she said.
"That really hurts!" I gasped, trying not to yell.
After at least a minute of almost unbearable pain she finally said, "Alright, there.  I think it's in.  Don't look down, it's a big mess.  I need to go get you a new hospital bracelet.  That one is a little messy now."  She quickly left the room.
I could have vomited right then.  I glanced down for a split second, and all I saw was red.  I decided not to look down again until she had replaced the bracelet.  I looked over at Adam.  His eyes were big as saucers. Adam does blood.  He's fine with that stuff.  He's been to Iraq twice.  But he didn't look okay with this blood.
"Was that her first IV ever???" he said irritably.  "I thought she would never get it in!"
He later told me that blood was actually squirting up into the air.  I'm so glad I hadn't watched.

While the IV fiasco was going on, the other nurse was standing on the other side of the bed taking my blood pressure.
"What is your blood pressure normally?" she asked.
"110/60, but it's been slightly higher the past few weeks," I answered.
"Well, it's a little bit high.  Higher than we would like to see."
"What is it?" I asked.
"167/99."
"What?!  Are you serious?"
"Let me check it again," she said calmly.
I looked at Adam.  I'm sure it was elevated after having the IV put in, but that was really high, especially for me.
"Hmmm...175/105," she said.  "We are going to have to run some tests.  Your blood pressure is too high.  Try to relax.  We are going to set up a urine test and take some blood."

Take some blood?  Seriously?  Why don't you just mop it up off the floor?  That should be more than enough...

August's Birth Story: Part 1

Wow, every time I go to write this, something comes up!  Even now, I have laundry that needs to be put away, clothes that need washing, a sink full of dirty dishes, a dishwasher full of clean dishes, a baby crawling up my shoulder, a diaper Genie that smells like death, and a dog that smells like death 50 years later.  But, this story is important to me, so I will make time!  August is 4 weeks old today, so I think I better write his story before I forget any more of it.  There is already so much I don't remember, but I think God makes it that way for a reason.  Seriously, no one would ever have more than 1 child if they remembered everything about labor, haha.  So a lot of what I will tell you was told to me by my husband.  My birth story is not a natural one or an uncomplicated one, but it's mine.  It's how August came into this world, and for that, it is beautiful.

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 was the date of our scheduled induction.  I was 40 weeks and 2 days pregnant.  We slept in until about 11 that day, knowing it would be our last chance to sleep in for a long, long time.  I woke up a nervous wreck.  I cried in Adam's arms as I anticipated the induction.  I never wanted the induction, and I was still trying to make peace with it.  It was just so unnatural to force August out.  Is that what God would want?  Surely it wasn't His plan for me to have something so unnatural, so not according to His plan for childbirth.  Why were we inducing again?  I couldn't remember.  They said he was big, but was he too big?  Women deliver big babies all the time. What was the other reason?  My PUPPPS rash.  That's right.  It was unbearable, but was I being selfish?  Surely I could endure this rash until it was time for him to come.  But, and this was the burning question in my mind, what if I make it to 41 weeks.....42 weeks.....and he doesn't come?  He is just sitting in there putting on weight.  Then I really may not be able to get him out.  How many more sleepless nights could I endure with this rash?  I didn't know.  This is the conversation I had with myself in my head every day, if not every hour. But today was the day it stopped becoming a conversation in my head.  We were going to be induced.  It was set.  Today was the day.

I didn't have to report to the hospital until 8:00 p.m.  So we had a full day to get things done.  We had a pretty big to-do list: sweep and mop the floors, clean the bathrooms, deep clean the couches (they smelled like dog), pack our last minute hospital things, and write out instructions for our neighbor to take care of Heidi (our spoiled dog).  I was ready to get going on our list, but Adam insisted we go out for breakfast.  Seriously?  How could he think of food on a day like this?  Who needed food?  I was running on adrenaline.  Reluctantly, I agreed to go to Cracker Barrel.  After all, once we got to the hospital, it was no more eating for me until August arrived.

I ordered my favorite meal there- blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup with a side of eggs and bacon.  Tears ran down my face as Adam blessed the food.  He thanked God for blessing us with August and prayed for peace and safety for the delivery.  It was one of the sweetest, most genuine prayers I have ever heard.  When the waitress returned to check on us, I knew she could tell I had been crying.  (What is it with me crying in front of people in the food service industry?)  I didn't care though.  If she only knew, she would understand.  Today was the day.

When we finished with breakfast, we headed to my parents' house and to my grandmother's house.  My grandmother had a "Simple Green Machine" that we were going to use to clean the couches, and my parents had the cleaner that went with the machine.  We stopped by my grandmother's and got the cleaner.  She gave me some very sweet words of encouragement and a hug.  As we pulled in my parents' driveway, the tears started again.  My dad could see that I was crying, but he kept a cheerful manner.  He told me it would all be okay and that we would all get to meet August soon!  I tried to smile, but emotion had already taken over.  We took the cleaner and headed on our way.

When we got home, Adam started on the couches, and I got started on the bathrooms.  If I could give you one piece of advice it would be this: get all of your cleaning and household things done BEFORE the day of your induction.  I'm not sure what we were thinking.  The cleaning took longer than we thought it would, which was stressful.  We should have been using the time for rest.  We didn't know just how much we would need it.

After the packing and cleaning were done, it was finally time to head out.  I couldn't believe it.  Surely it wasn't time yet.  Right?  I walked through the house, making sure we hadn't forgotten anything and making sure everything was in its place.  This would be the last time we would be together in this house without a baby.  It was kind of bittersweet.  I paused and listened to the quiet.  Adam took a picture of me before we left.


Our sweet neighbor who looked after Heidi took this picture of us as we were leaving.  You can see the nervousness in our faces.  We were both scared to death.  I had asked Adam why he was acting so serious.  He is usually trying to lighten the mood.  He told me he was nervous for me.  I told him that didn't help!   I needed him to tell me that this was no big deal, so he did.  I didn't believe him.


Sunday, May 27, 2012

40 Weeks...a look back.

I know I haven't blogged lately!  I'm sorry!  I am adjusting to being a new mommy, and free time has been a special occasion that I usually spend sleeping.  I have been looking back through my pregnancy pictures, and I thought I would share them with you.  I can't believe how much my body changed in such a short amount of time.  I also can't believe how "back to normal" it is getting...almost like nothing happened (minus the stretch marks!  I like to call them my tattoos.)  I really enjoy looking at these pictures.  I am just in awe of what a miracle pregnancy is.  I am so blessed that God let me experience it.  I hope I get to many more times in the future! 

4 weeks pregnant- the day I found out.

7 weeks

8 weeks

10 weeks

11 weeks

12 weeks

13 weeks

14 weeks

15 weeks

16 weeks
17 weeks
18 weeks
19 weeks
20 weeks

22 weeks



23 weeks

24 weeks

25 weeks

26 weeks

27 weeks

28 weeks

29 weeks

30 weeks

31 weeks

32 weeks

33 weeks

34 weeks

35 weeks

36 weeks

37 weeks

38 weeks

39 weeks

40 weeks and 2 days- ready to head to the hospital!  Come on August!

Thank you for those of you who followed my pregnancy journey!  I hope you will continue to follow me as we raise August to be a man of God, and we strive to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Introducing...

August Mitchell Hare was born Thursday, May 3rd at 12:50 p.m. after a complicated but unbelievably beautiful labor.  He is our pride and joy, and we can't believe he is finally here!  I am so in love with him, and I can't imagine my life without him.  I am so blessed to call August my son.  The Lord is good!

"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 well."  Psalm 139:13-14

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Once Upon a Baby...

I am just now getting around to posting baby shower pictures!  Some wonderful ladies from my church threw me a baby shower the day before I turned 35 weeks pregnant.  It was such a cute shower!  I couldn't believe all of the cute decorations they had come up with.  They are very creative ladies.  The decor was vintage inspired, and the theme was books!  A lot of people included a children's book with their gift, and now we have quite the library for our little guy!  I can't wait for Adam to read to him every night.  That was something my dad always did with me, and it was our thing each night.  I always looked forward to it.  I can't wait for Adam to have that with our son.  Here are some pictures....along with the revealing of his name!
The banner hanging in the background is now above baby's crib.  They had a rocking chair (to the left) for me to sit in while I opened gifts.  It was so comfortable!

Food table

Centerpieces





The cupcake toppers were book covers that Summer printed off of her computer.  They were stuck in the top of the cupcakes with toothpicks.  SO cute!

Yes, look at that belly.  At only 35 weeks.  Oh my geez.  The pin I am wearing was made by my friend Susie who helped throw the shower.  It is made out of fabric and matched my outfit!  So cute!


One of the games we played.  You had to come up with the name of the children's book it was describing.  This was so much fun!
This was a cute game.  A spool of string and a pair of scissors were passed around.  Everyone had to cut the string to the length that they thought would fit around my belly.  Whoever got the closest won a prize.


From left to right: Summer, me, my mom, and Susie.  Not pictured: Kimberly!  These ladies did such a wonderful job.  We really enjoyed it!


The scale held blocks with our son's name.....................August Hare!
We chose the name August because we were drawn to "A" names.  We also really like original names.  August is the month we found out we were expecting, so it kind of makes sense too. :)  His full name is August Mitchell Hare.  Mitchell is Adam's middle name, so we are going to pass that down.  We can't wait to meet August tomorrow (if not sooner)!
 
Images by Freepik