Birth Stories - Beware

FishMama over at Life As Mom is hosting a Birth Story Swap in celebration of her daughter's birth. Since I love hearing these stories (and all the gory details), I thought I would participate and share mine. Warning: If you don't enjoy these types of stories, stop reading NOW!!

~ Miss Abigail ~
I had a great pregnancy with Abby. I was finishing up my senior year of college and only had classes two days a week. I was able to get as much rest as I needed during my days at home (funny thing - I thought it would be that way with number 2 - ha). Everything was textbook up until her due date which was October 28 (2003). I did not want to have a Halloween baby so I was anxious to go into labor and looked for every sign that it was starting. I went for a check up on Oct 24 and my doctor said I was dilated 3cm and probably wouldn't make it through the weekend. After two embarrassing false alarms (as soon as they would hook me up at the hospital, the contractions would stop), I went back to my doctor on my due date. Still at 3cm, still no more progress. She told me to relax and come back in a week (thankfully their practice only allowed you to go one week over before intervening). I was so relieved when we made it to November 1 and she had avoided Halloween (although that may have been fitting). We decided to induce on November 5. We showed up early that morning and they got the pitocin started. I was doing pretty well. I really wanted to go as long as possible without an epidural. A few hours later, my doctor broke my water and the contractions started picking up. Along with the contractions, my blood pressure started rising. They insisted that I lay on my left side to try and lower my bp. It was so hard trying to deal with the contractions without being able to move. I started running a fever and had to have antibiotics in my IV (not fun). The nurses kept telling me that getting an epidural would lower my bp and I would be able to move around. Finally, around lunch, I agreed.

Wow, what a difference. I was able to talk, laugh, sit up, and just enjoy the company. Around 4:00, I had dilated to 7cm. We were starting to get nervous and excited. Around 6:30, I was up to 9 cm and my doc said she would be back within the hour to start pushing. Now, Miss Abigail had been low in the birth canal all day. We had been able to feel her head for hours. So, we thought we were doing great. When the doc came back at 7:30, she said that my cervix had started swelling and that i was no longer 9cm but back to 6cm. About the same time, Abby heart rate started dropping. We repositioned and she bounced back. I asked to wait a little bit before we made a decision and the doc left to go home for a while. Apparently, she was monitoring me the whole time and was back within 30 minutes. I don't quite remember exactly what happened then but I know she talked with Josh outside and then they insisted that a c-section was the best option for both of us. As soon as I said ok, everyone started frantically getting things ready and rushed me to the OR. Abigail was born at 8:24pm and weighed 8lbs, 7oz. She was 22 1/4 inches long and PERFECT. I didn't get to hold her for a few more hours but she was amazing. We were thrilled. Little did we know that that was only the beginning of her strong-willed, stubborn nature.

~ Mr. Kaden ~
Unfortunately, Kaden doesn't have a very exciting story. Based on my experience with Abby, I was encouraged to have another c-section with him. And honestly, that was ok with me. We scheduled his due date and counted the time until October 5 (2006) finally arrived. I had a pretty easy pregnancy with him too. However, I was driving an hour each way to work with a 2 1/2 year old, so I didn't get quite as much rest. We showed up at the hospital on his appointed day, and he was born at 7:49am. He weighed 6lbs, 11oz and was 20 inches long. He seemed so much smaller than Abby. He was jaundice so he had to be put in a Bili-bed for a few days at home. I wish I could say more about his story, but it really was that simple with him.

Whew...it's been a while since I've thought through those stories. It's nice to get them written down.

Perfect Picnic

Yesterday my family celebrated my grandparent's 59th anniversary at Julian Price park off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had a great time. The weather was perfect (almost a little chilly) and made me anxious/excited for the fall. We ate lots of food and the kids loved playing in the creek and exploring in the woods. Abby and Kaden are both fascinated with motorcycles so my cousin took them for a spin on his. They loved it!!

I know Kaden doesn't look happy but he did enjoy it and begged for another ride.

As a bonus, both kids were exhausted and slept GREAT last night!! All in all, it was a perfect day. Except for the fact that Kaden smashed marshmallows all over his face, hands, feet, carseat, on the way down the mountain...but we won't talk about that.

Tea Party

Last Friday, Abby's class had a "Royal Tea Party" for those headed to Kindergarten and to promote the others to the 5 year old class. She had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed her tea (lemonade) and cheesecake bites.

When will I learn?

Abby and Kaden both love art. They love to color, cut, glue, create. They totally get that from their dad. It stresses me out to be creative.

Anyway, we were at my parents' last weekend and Abby was "working" at my dad's desk. She was supposed to be laying on the bed resting...which is why the rest of us were not around (we were doing what we were supposed to be doing - NAP!!) After some time, she came prancing down the hall to debut her latest creation. Guess what she had been doing?? Any one??

Wanna know what that is? It's white-out!! She painted her arm with white-out!! And, of course, she didn't show us until it was dry. Know what gets white-out off of your skin? NOTHING!! We tried everything we could think of (except Goo B Gone, which probably would have worked). Finally, Josh decided to try WD-40. It broke it up enough that we could peel it off. Of course we were trying to get to a bridal shower for my best friends sister where I wanted to show off my beautiful, well behaved, intelligent children. Everyone loved the story (and the kids)!!

Another day, another disaster...

We were having friends over to celebrate Josh's birthday (and new job). Abby wanted to color at the kitchen table. Since I needed to straighten up, I obliged. She wanted to use the markers and once Kaden heard her say that, he wanted to color too. (He prefers markers, of course). They were sitting at the table, sharing, and coloring quietly. I went to the office to order our food.

At the exact moment I hung up and started back to the kitchen, Kaden comes walking in with marker all over his face. Purple marker...everywhere. I noticed that the marker didn't have the tip on it. That's right, he had pulled the purple tip out with his teeth (thankfully I found it later). I was ready to grab my camera when Abby said, "I told him not to mark on the couch" What?!? I ran to the living room and he had drawn all over our light beige couch with the bright purple marker. Thank the Lord for washable fabric and markers. I was able to get most of it out of the couch. Sheesh!! Needless to say, the markers have been banished.

Sunday Lunch

In order to save time (couldn't mess up naps) and my sanity (couldn't think of anything to cook), we decided to pick up Subway on the way home from church.
This is what my sweet, unpredictable Abigail ordered: Ham/Cheese sub, white bread, mayo, mustard, black olives, pickles, salt & pepper, bbq chips, and chocolate milk. Gross!! She ate the whole thing...

Great News!!!

Finally, after 4 years of searching, praying, and waiting, Josh was offered a new job this week!! Beginning September 1, he will be the Manager of Human Resource Business Systems at Baptist Hospital. We are thrilled. It's an awesome job with incredible benefits at one of the best places to work in NC. He definitely deserves it and we are so proud of him.

Long Time...No Talk

Whew!!! We've been busy...having lots of summer fun. I'll update again soon with pictures.