Benjamins birth story

Dec 13, 2010

Water broke at 8:30 am

Got kids ready dropped them off at friends house got to Hosptial about 9:30

Had a few test done to see if it was my water waiting for results

Got results back they said it was my water

They did an ultrasound to check the fluid level and since he had enough around him that i was free to go home. And if I had another gush, or if i keep leaking to come in I also had to make sure to do my movement counts.

Came home took a nice nap, relaxed and did more decorating of the house. Drank some OJ to make sure he was moving good, have also done the breast pump which is suppose to help bring on contractions, I haven't had any, i was suppose to do it 20 min 20 min off for 2 hours, but I've only done it twice, it hurts and plus I have things I need to do tomorrow.

It's now 10:30 and im still home.

December 14th

Went into my mid wife, she checked me out, said baby sounds great, is very low and ready to come out, I'm dilated to a 4 and 85% effeced. She told me to go eat, then go home and hook myself up to the pump to keep the natural contractions going. An he should be here soon! And if he is not by tomorrow to go in a demand to be seen. She also gave me some natural medicine to help with my nervous and to help feel the contractions. It was these small pills that she put under my tongue that dissolved and tasted sweet. She also stripped my membranes. So now time to eat, and see what happens next. After lunch I went on as normal, went to post office, picked kids up from school, went to the car wash, then to target, there we had a shopping cart of stuff and I told Candice I needed to go to the bathroom when I stood up ( I was sitting in the deluxe kid seat in shopping cart) she said your water broke, my blue jeans were noticeably wet, so she loaded kids to car, I went to bathroom to see what I had, then I called Dustun I told him to stay put until otherwise noted. When I called my midwife she told me to hook myself up to the breast pump and do 20 min on and 20 off for two hours and if by 7pm I still wasn't have contractions to go in. So I lined up a sitter and Candice and I took off. Dustun was out with Abby doing one last father daughter activity before his son arrived. We went and grabbed some food knowing it was going to be a long night and they wouldn't allow me to eat. I just got a jamba juice. We went to triage and explained that my I had 2 gushes of fluid in 2 days. They did another ultrasound said he looked good. I was afraid they were going to send me home. Candice could tell I was upset, so I texted my mid wife and asked her what I should do and her response was: Are they checking to see if your water is intact? Question them re: GBS & broken water-it is a risk factor, make them explain why they're willing to take that risk. So now that I was armed with a loaded question I felt confident that I wasnt going to be turned away. But lucky for me the doctor came in and said if I wanted to be induced they would do it. So of course I said yes. After that I called Dustun told him to come. And then they started my IV and took me to my birth room. As all three of us got settled in we talked, joked around, watched tv.

December 15, 2010

Once I got settled into my room I was hooked up to piton, my contractions were bearable. At 4 am they came in and broke my water. That when things started to speed up more I was still doing good. At some point I did ask for some IV pain meds which are wonderful I was finally sleeping between contractions. I do remember getting sick and throwing up and the nurse saying that was good that meant it was going to be happening soon. I just remember moving my phone off my belly so I didn't get it dirty. Yes yes I had my phone with me :) soon after that I don't remember much I do remember was asking where my epidural was I was yelling it to anyone who would listen I dont think anyone was. I would rest for what seemed to be only few seconds between contractions, and Candice stood by my side asking if I needed to push, she gave me words of encouragement and was on the phone telling Dustun to hurry to the Hosptial and to bring the kids since all our sitters that we did have lined up failed. (We had 5 set up amazing how no one could help anyways) the anastegiologist finally showed up he asked if I could sit up I told him no so I rolled on my side curled up to a ball and had many contractions and feeling like I was about to poop, he cleaned my back and gave me the numbing drugs, he kept telling me to not move, I remember Candice telling him i was in a contraction so I couldn't hold still soon after that my body could no longer stop Benjamin from coming to this world, here I was in bed on my side with his head half way out, feeling everything, no doctors paying any attention to me, upset that my friends failed me and that I didn't know where Dustun was, I was happy I wasn't alone Candice kept saying, I can do anything with Christ. So I had the lord there by my side helping me bring one of his sons into this world for me to take care of.

Finally someone noticed Benjamin coming out they stopped the epidrual and somehow I ended and the end of the bed, the next thing I remember was looking down to see Benjamin make his very quick entrance. Dustun walked in the door right as the doctor caught him. Benjamin was placed on my belly and there he was cleaned he was perfect. Dustun got to cut the cord, he was so happy.

So the things that were told to me about his delivery was done, apparently the resident doctor had his back to me lining up all his tools and the doctor tapped him on the shoulder and said, "hey see that? It's a baby catch it" then the resident doctor apparently tried pushing Benjamin back and he was stopped and was told to stop and catch him.

Once Benjamin was on the warmer I looked around and said wow there is a lot of people in the room to bad no one checked on me between 4 and 8:30 or came in at 6:30 when I was asking for pain meds and a epidrual. Amazingly I never needed any stitches and I felt great after having him. Now knowing that I did it I wish I did it at home, I feel like things would have gone smoother and more calmly if I had. And I now know I can do it with out being numbed up.

So that is Benjamins birth story. I plan on blogging more as soon as I can.

comming soon

Will be blogging very soon. Here are some pictures!

(pictures are in reverse order,sorry)
12-19-1012-18-10
12-17-10
12-15-10

Date nights

So the last few nights I have wanted to try and get in as many "dates" as possible, cause soon I'll be in the hospital bringing a new little one into this world, then I'll be home taking care of the new gift from God.

I was able to go shopping with Abby the other night, just mommy and daughter, we went to the mall and exchanged her boots for a bigger size, then we went to baby r' us and get her baby brother some diapers, then I decided why not finish the date with a movie, well since I didn't have any food, drink or diapers to last through a movie I bought some nessesties there also.
Then we went and got changed and made up a bag with all her new goodies to eat and drink and off we went to a late movie. We saw the new movie Tangled, so very cute. She sat next next and soon she currled up on my lap and there we watched the movie the movie theater was packed but to me it was just me and her, I watched her expression as she watch the movie, I felt her breath, I watched her laugh, and oww and aww over the cute sence. She would randomly look up and kiss me. this was the best date ever.
(forgot camera, :( so no pictures, but trust me we are cute as can be!)

The following night Abby Dustun and I went to sonic for a late dinner, she got a grilled cheese, banana, and milk, I figured since we were sitting there eating she could get out of her car seat, at that point she stopped eating and was being a crazy climber in the blazer, laughing and squealing in delight, my heart was very full of joy as I watched her.




Today when I took her to school, I figured I should probably get a picture, just in case its the last time I am not carrying a new born in with me. I love that she goes to school, she has so much fun, coloring, learning about all the great things in this world, and playing outside, or inside if its too cold. Her favorite thing is the baby's and the buggies she will always go to them, and today when I picked her up, she was carrying one around, I love it!
(Look at her hair it looks silly, like she has a flat top, lol )
After I dropped off the kids Dustun and I went on a breakfast date, we went to Denny's, we got hot chocolate, (the best) orange cranberry pancakes, ham steak, hash browns, and eggs. Dustun got moons over my hammy. Our waitress was so nice, she even gave me a free fruit cup, it really had the best strawberry's, grapes and Bananas.
So the new game we all seem to be enjoying is words with friends, its a I-phone app. Its basically online scrabble, so while we waited for our food we were playing each other trying to get a better word with more points. The first game I beat dustun, me crystal playing a spelling game won!!
When I picked the kids up from school, I took them to he park to play for a bit, here we are being goofy playing around.




After the park we came home, and after their evening snack, I let them play with the snowflakes, putting them on the windows and taking them off they enjoyed it, and it was so cute!
I am very blessed in all the great things God has provided for me, my spunky 2 year old, my almost here baby boy, my husband, all my family near and far, all my friends, my health, my security in knowing we will be provided for and never have to worry about jobs or homes or money.

Tantrums

So for about 3 weeks I have been dealing with Abby and her tantrums, I don't know if it's terrible twos, lack of sleep, due to her bad dreams, separation anxiety, her knowing she no longer going to be the "baby" or what's going on. Some days I can handle her with open arms and love where all I do is give her everything and anything she wants, some days I try to help her and then end up ignoring her until she is done screaming because apparently nothing I do or offer her is what she wants. Some days I laugh at how silly she looks when she is pushing her tears out. And some days I can't handle her at all and I have to get away either by a shower or physically leave the house so I wake Dustun up or call Candice to watch the kids.

I feel like a bad mom cause I don't know why she is acting this way or how I can fix it. I feel like a bad mom cause somedays and many moments I dont want to be around her. All I want to do is run away.

As miss Tyler swift says: And you're tied together with a smile but you're coming undone

Benjamin

38+4
It is still hard for me to realize that I am pregnant, I have been blessed to have such great pregnancy, the only time I notice I'm pregnant is when I walk past a full mirror, or try to put my contacts in and hit my belly on sink, or trying to do laundry, reaching and bending is hard to do. And the biggest Que is the fact he is a constant mover and grover, I love it!
My weight has been good, I have only gained 25 pounds since being pregnant, but only 16 from my pre pregnancy weight. My blood pressure has all ways been even, and the one time I thought maybe my water was leaking turn out to not be, guess I was just peeing, lol and I am 2 cm dilated I hope that means i'll be having him sooner rather then later!
I am still able to do the things I want or need to do, all though it take me longer and I have to stop to sit, drink water or relax, I can do it, if I cant I ask for help and I always get it.

Here is how he is growing according to baby center:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How your life's changing:

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

The only thing that I have that I didn't with Abby is some common bacteria infection the only thing is I will be on antibiotics when I go into labor, so that way I don't give it to him.

I have also wanted to do a at home water birth I have a mid wife in my ward, here is her website:
http://beginbeautifully.com/
I have done a lot reading about pros and cons, I'm still at a toss up, I guess I'll just see what fills right when it starts to happen. I am excited to have this little guy join our crazy family!

A typical Day

Here I am about to have a baby and here is what my day was yesterday:
Wake up at 5:30 gotta pee for the 5 time
Toss and turn until 7:00 get up get ready for day
Finish putting hang up clothes away.
Pack lunch boxes, and diaper bags, make breakfast.
Feed kids, load up kids and dog in car, pick up dustun.
Drop kids off at school
Drop bandit off at groomers.
Go to military clothing sales, find winter PT gear for Dustun.
Call around to get an estimate to get a window fixed
Go to the other base pick up a package Candice needs to mail.
Go to ATM, have homeless lady ask for money, drive off go to another ATM.
Go get Breakfast, which it is 11 so we get a big mac and fries
Go home, eat our lunch
Dustun finally goes to bed.
Watch a half hour of tv in peace. :)
Get up to pay bills
Get a call saying window guy is on his way.
Finish bills
Start dinner.
Put Benjamin clothes away and start a donation pile of some of Abby's old things.
Talk to window repair man.
Almost finish dinner, start fire while trying to boil water (don't ask)
leave house, pick up kids from school.
Drive to hospital both them and I have appointments
Drop Samuel off at front door with Candice,.
Drive around forever to find a parking spot.
Go into hospital get Abby BP checked.
Take her with me to get my blood drawn
Wait 45 min to get my medicine.
Samuels all done with his appointment and getting shots, we say good bye
Go back to peds office wait to be told my appointment was canceled some how.
request to speak with doctor, this has been a 3 month process to get seen by her normal doctor and 3 reschedules, ( I'm frustrated)
Ask to get a medical form signed for her school.
Got lost trying to find my car, find it, put Abby in car, and I sit on a bench next to car and take some deep breaths because ever since I said I picked kids up from school Abby has been in complete melt down mode ig: kicking screaming,crying wont walk, doesn't want to be held, throws everything you give her on ground, ext. (no nap at school today, and she didn't sleep well that night)
Get a voice mail saying bandit is done and they will be closing in 10 min, I'm 20 minutes away.
Drive to get bandit
Pick bandit up
Drive home
Abby finally asleep 5 min away from home
Bring her inside, lay her down realize her room is a mess from me not finishing my project 4 hours ago.
Go downstairs, finish Dinner
Call up Ashely and invite her and her son over for dinner and so Candice can do hair cuts
Dustun wakes up
Abby wakes up
We all sit down and eat dinner
I get a package from my mom that has been to 3 different addresses. I thought it was lost
Dustun gets ready for work and goes.
Abby is still been in melt down mode since waking up
Give her a bath at 6:30 and lay her down for bed at 6:45
come downstairs, talk with my friends while hair cuts for boys is going on.
Candice puts Samuel down for bed
then we all go into office and talk
Ashley leaves
Candice and I sit down and watch an hour TV show, and eat pumpkin pie
I think about cleaning kitchen and thats as far as that went.
went to bed at 10:00pm passed out until 8:00 am today. I don't think I woke up to pee.

Doctors

The last few weeks has had many doctor visit for Abby's BP monitor, 3 times a week is a lot, thankfully I have had a lot of help and it really hasn't been that big of a deal. Candice, Dustun and I have all taken our turns in taking Abby, or watching Samuel, so I haven't needed to take both kids into the hospital by myself, (Thank you guys, with out you I don't know where I would be, you both help out so much and I love you guys)
Abby does so well waiting to get checked in, and getting it done, her BP has been good, they are higher then the normal kid range which is 88/42, and hers is 95/52, but that is a lot less then it has been in the past it use to be, 117/90's and one time it was very high they had to immediately give her meds to drop it it was in the 140's/ something cant remember.
Everyone at he office knows her and are excited to see her.
My cute little bug, watching toy story 3 on my phone.

Auto trade show

On another weekend we went to a auto trade show, to look at all the new 2011 model cars, it was fun they had all kind of vehicles from all sorts of makers, Abby loved sitting in the driver seat test "driving" them all, I never wanted to me a min van mom but I found one I like a lot, the Toyota sienna, go here funny (http://youtu.be/ql-N3F1FhW4) and I also found a 3rd row car I love, the Chevy traverse and of course dustun found his dream cars,this is bubble bee from the transformer movie.

Dustun got into the car, look how happy the kid is!
But not so happy when he and his partner in crime got caught driving to leave the building in the car, lol
And since chevy is an American car they had this one painted very patriotic, it was an awesome paint job, I wish it wasn't so dark.
This was a real pool table I think that is awesome!
Samuel, Abby, and Candice in the old Army croozers.
Abby had to put the "hat" on, it was way heavy even for her head.
I am so happy we brought the wagon the kids did good, they got to play and run around but also loved being pulled in it.
I look tired, maybe someone who is about to give birth should not go into an inflatable bounce house and do the obstacle course! oh well I had fun!

weekend fun for Abby

While Dustun and I were in Austin, Candice watched Abby for us, she and my other best buddy Morgan, took both the kids to the natural bridge wildlife ranch, which is 400 acres of wild animals that come up to the car so you can pet them and feed them. They said they loved it. I am so happy Abby loves animals and going on adventures!
Nice Zebra
Zebra wanting more food.
my favorite zoo animal.


Morgan and Abby

Weekend fun

A few weekends ago, Candice suggested that Dustun and I get away for a weekend before Benjamin arrives, so we packed up and headed to Austin. They were having a comic con, I knew Dustun would love it and all it's geekness, and I knew I would love to people watch,I was right. there was so many people dressed up in so many characters from different things, some costumes were awesome, some not so much. I got to see the original, bat-mobile, and batman and robin, and the hulk, I was excited.
We had a really nice hotel, and had a wonderful dinner, and for breakfast we order room service, it was so good, I stuffed myself silly. It was a nice getaway.

look at her arms! wow I want them!
bat-mobile
the Hulk
Dustun and his storm trooper friends
me and hit girl form the movie kick ass

Christmas list

I figured I would write down a christmas list so that way I can answer everyones questions all at once.

Abby loves baby dolls, cars, trucks, dress up stuff, shoes, jewelry, books, educational DVD's sesames street, baby Einstein's , anything with a princess on it, coloring/art stuff, anything that will get her imagination to work.

Her sizes are in these general areas: Shoes she is currently in a 5 but will soon need size 6. Pants are about 18 months, shirts, 24 months, PJ's 2T.

Dustun would love gift cards to game store so he can buy some games, any cool new DVD's or CD's

I would love a digital picture frame, a new vacuum, gift card to get a massage :) and of course the always popular anything pretty and sparkling!

Benjamin, he will be really little so a new rattle, binkie, swaddling blankets, PJs, clothes. we will be in the size ranging on newborn to 0-3 months.

Doctor drama update

Man who would have thought uping Abby dosage of blood pressure medicine would have been so stressful. Her appointment at Santa rosa was last tuesday and just as of monday i got it all worked out, Wilford hall for liability reason couldn't check her blood pressure and Santa rosa wanted me to come in and get charged for every doctors office visit. I was told I need to have tri-care approve an at home nurse for Abby or get an at home blood pressure monitor. Finally I gave the nurse the santa rosa doctors number and she spent all day figuring it out, conclusions is Wilford hall will see abby 3 times a week every week for 2 months but if there is any changes that need to be made in her medicine they have to have written consent from sana rosa hospital. Fair enough, as long as she is getting checked and we can get her medicine to be correct for her new height and weight. Then I will be happy.

So one of the last appointments I had for abby at wilford hall her doctor asked in Abby was enrolled in the EMFP I had no idea what it was so she explained what it is:

The Military Services use the term Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to refer to two different functions: a personnel function and a family support function.

The EFMP personnel function:

• Is a mandatory program for all active duty service members.
• Is standard across all Services.
• Identifies family members with special medical and/or educational needs,
• Documents the services they require, and
• Considers those needs during the personnel assignment process (especially when approving family members for accompanied travel to overseas locations).
• Involves the personnel and medical commands and the Department of Defense educational system overseas.

The Air Force’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is designed to provide support to military family members with special needs. EFMP Services includes a variety of personnel, medical, and family support functions. The Exceptional Family Member Program – Family Support (EFMP-FS) is the community support function provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Centers (A&FRCs) that includes, but is not limited to, on-and off-base information and referral, parent training, support groups, relocations assistance, financial management, and school information.

The Special Needs Identification Assignment Coordination process (SNIAC) provides medical information management support for EFMP enrollment functions, and coordinates relocations for families who have medical or educational needs. "Both EFMP-FS and SNIAC work together with EFMP-Assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) to provide comprehensive and coordinated medical, education, community support, assignment coordination as well as housing accommodation to families enrolled in the EFMP program.

EFMP enrollment is mandatory and required immediately upon identification of a special need.

I wish I would have known about this last march when we found out about everything, but now I know and I can turn in the paperwork and get enrolled. It will be nice to have specialist help, I am nervous about moving to AZ because when I looked up this:

For the 2010-11 rankings, U.S. News requested data from 170 pediatric centers and used survey results from thousands of physicians in 10 pediatric specialties who were asked where they would send the sickest children. In all, 62 hospitals ranked in at least one specialty. The Honor Roll features eight hospitals that ranked in all 10

In kidney and urology AZ never made the list but in the list Texas made the list 4 and 3 times for each specialty. And Here in San Antonio we have the highest ranking hospitals for her condition, I know if anything God for bid happened she would have the best of the best care here, in AZ i'm unsure.

I have to put my faith in the Lord he knows the best thing for us, but sometimes its hard to fully understand whats going on.

Doctors apointment

Well today has been a long long day and it's not even over.

Abby and I went to Christus Santa Rosa for her kidney appointment, it took 3 hours, and a lot of waiting, we had to get a urine sample, the good thing was they did the bag rather then a catheter, and had to get her blood pressure take 5 times, then they had to give her an oral medication to bring her pressure down cause it was so high. The side affects were she seemed really tired and her temputare went up so her checks and ears were red. They asked all the normal questions. They told me they need to increases her blood pressure medicine from 2 ML once a day to 1.5 mil twice a day, and the other medicine she stays the same dosage. And now I have to go to the hospital, monday, wednesday, and friday about the same time to get her blood pressure monitored for 2 months. I am very grateful for Dustun working nights, so he can watch Samuel while I go or he can take abby, so I dont have to take both kids with me.

The other news is the doctor ordered a complete liver and kidney scan inutero for baby B, so I have to go in for my self sometime soon.

I'm not worried, I'm not stressed, there is no reason to be, all this is Gods will, He has a plan and He will continue to watch over us. I will follow some advice and "give it to God".

Thank you to everyone who has offered us much support in all of this new knowledge we have been given.

Happy Halloween

Our little sesame street family! Abby Cadabby, her mom and Elmo.

October 30, 2010

Abby is 21 months old today! I am amazed at how smart and funny she is, I feel so blessed to have her in my life!
This morning I made homemade pumpkin pancakes and cinnamon syrup! We all loved them!
Then we all got together to carve our pumpkins, Abby loved helping scoop and eat the guts, so cute.
Here are our pumpkins, a motorcycle, a face, a ghost, a face, and Darth Vader.
With the candles glowing.
She also was so happy with her baby doll she kept telling her jokes and laughing so hard.
Today I am 34 weeks, and while we were outside not once but twice Abby randomly came up to my belly and kissed her baby brother, made me tear up.
Tonight was the ward, trunk or treat, it was a lot of fun looking at all the different costumes.
Candice and Samuel went as Woody and Jessi from Toy Story.
Abby went as Abby Cadabby, from seasme street, dustun wore an elmo shirt, and I was dresed as Abby Cadabby mommy.
They are so cute they loved running around, and dancing.


I forgot to get our group shots, but tomorrow when we go trick or treating around the neighborhood, Ill remember then.