Miriam's birth story

While I was sleepily perusing the world of Facebook and mom.me this morning, I realized I hadn't yet written out Miriam's birth story, like anywhere!  So here it is before I forget any more details!  (She's already 3 1/2 months old.  Oops!

Let me be real, maybe it hasn't happened yet because I've been an angry mom.  Post partum he ones have really done a number on me.  We'll write about that more later.  But know that your feelings whatever they may be are real feelings and if you feel like you are loosing your mind, I get it.

Without further ado, Miriam's entrance to our world:

Labor time: unofficially: week and a half?

Officially:  at home: 3am-9am

Hospital 9 am-ish to 2:48 in the afternoon.

For a few weeks before her delivery I would get little bouts of contractions.  They'd be really close together, really long.  When I timed them on the app the app told me "it's time to to the hospital!" But then they'd stop and other than being distracting and uncomfortable I really didn't know what to think of them.  I didn't feel like "it's time to go!".  At 38 weeks I was partially effaced and barely dilated.  I lost my mucous plug in bits and pieces for the week and a half before delivery.  Which was also confusing.  With Charley on a Saturday morning it all came out.  Her's first started dislodging on a beautiful Saturday morning as well. So I was all busy packing the hospital bag, installing and washing the car seat like it was time.  And then we waited.  And waited and waited.  I thought for sure within the next 48 hours she would come.  But one day and the next kept ending with no more signs of impending arrival.  My midwife checked and thought "you probably won't make it to your next appointment.  Then I did.  And she was out of the office, so for my 39 week appointment I saw Dr Highfill.  That was Tuesday.  Wednesday was travis' birthday.  We had Kimmie Babysit Charley and rode with Travism parents for the turtle club.  While there I again had some mucous plug dislodge and contractions and thought maybe it will be tonight? But kept it to myself as I had been having the same symptoms much longer than I ever anticipated.  Well, Kimmie joked when we got back late that she was starting to worry we might have had to go straight to the hospital from the restraint.  I half joked back I was a bit worried that woulda happened to.  Travis got a cinnamon roll delivered by sis Lassey for his birthday from the primary presidency.  My appetite was diluted from the delicious dinner, and probably also the events about to commence.  It was really nice to have left over steak when we came home from the hospital. 

 The next morning around 3 am I was up and couldn't go back to sleep.  Contractions were happening again, and I decided to time them.  Same close pattern as ever, but this time they weren't stopping.  I told Travis around 6am  that he should probably still go to work but be on high alert to come home.  I wanted to think that baby was coming today, but wasn't sure.  Felt like it would happen though.    He reminded me there was still 2 hours before work started and that a lot could happen then.  As soon as TVC was open I called and wanted to talk to my midwife, but "she wasn't in yet".  Nurse told me that if I felt like I needed to I should just go straight to the hospital.  I called my mom and made arrangements for her to come get Charley, still not convinced it was time to call it yet.  When contractions did stop I was perfectly comfortable.  By the time my mom got here I was thinking I would be making a decision to labor at home longer or go in, but in actuality in the time it took for her to arrive I Mae up my mind, "let just go".  The labor pattern was still the same, but getting more painful.  

The only break I had had in the contractions was about 20 mins.  I only knew that because the time I was using on the phone.  I had laid on the couch to rest and got a bit of a power nap, it felt like it had been an hour but was only 20 mins.  That's what convinced me I must be in labor. 

During the home laboring I had had the oppoutunity to shower, and was very determined I needed to curl my hair, which I am very glad I did so it wasn't in my face.  I think I even put in contacts and did my make up.  It kept me distracted during those early morning labors and made me feel that much better going into the messiest ordeal of life. 

When we drove to the hospital my contractions took another break and I thought for sure I was just jumping the gun.  However they resumed.  We were taken to the triage room where I was instructed to pee in a cup, change clothes and sit on the bed in bay 3.  Two other women were already laboring in the bay's 1 and 2 making for a pretty crowded triage room.  The lights were kinda low, the bay's separated by curtains.  I felt like I couldn't really labor freely and had to whisper conversations to Travis.  I could hear them.  I did a lot of breathing excercises.  The girl in bay 2 was going to be sent home.  The girl in bay 1 nearly had her baby in the triage room... I think she had an epidural though so she was pretty quiet. 

The nurse checking us in was an older lady with a great personality.  Whenever she had to do something unpleasant like stick me with a needle she said her name was Madeline.  I don5 even remember her real name, but when she was mopping me up after the delivery she was a saint.  I distinctly remember the humbling gratitude I had for her as she bent down to the ground to reach and clean up my legs as blood trickled down. I squeaked out a thank you, and I hoe she recognized the sincerity and gratitude I had for her and her efforts to help me through the ordeal of birth.  

I keep calling it an ordeal, but I don't know how else to put it.  It wasn't terrine or traumatizing, and ordeal seems to have those connotations, but it is a big undertaking, even when it goes as smoothly as Miriam's.  When we finally got to the hospital and checked, I was 5 cm.  so happy to hear that, as it confirmed I was indeed in labor and about to have a baby.  The nurse also told us at that point that we were just waiting to be in touch with my provider, who still wasnmt in, and the other providers were in surgery.  We needed a provider to order my antibiotics (GBS positive again) so that they could start that and have me on for 4 hours before they broke my water, at which point the nurse estimated I would deliver really quickly.  She estimated I'd have a baby by 5 pm.  Around 11 we got the good news and the bad news.  Bad news: my midwife was out of town!  What!? Twice in a row midwives failed me.  Twice in a row I was delivering 39 weeks and 2 days and my midwife was gone!  Uhg!  But goodnews: dr Highfill who I had met Tuesday was out of surgery and ready for me.  She wanted to break my water then but the nurse had to tel her not yet! 

Soon enough I finally got moved to a room of my own to labor in, lucky me the tub room!  Same as last time.  Finally labor was working-I wasn't confined to a bed so I sat and rolled on the ball to relieve contraction pains, and was able to moan.  It helped sooooo much.  Then I got to labor in the tub and Travis would give me good counter pressure or run the water over my back.  It really helped.  I sat through about 3 big contractions in the tub where I felt more pressure like maybe it was getting close to time to push.  After those 3 I knew it was time to get the nurse.  So Travis went, and we got me over to the bed and the dr in.  She told me she would break my water and then things really got intriguing.  With Charley I never felt definite urges to push, with Miriam, it was very clear.  Miriam was still sitting high so dr highfill coached me to "breath her down" and as I visualized that I felt her second and engage.  Once she was engaged I really felt those urges. Bit was like my body knew exactly what to do.  She was positioned perfectly.  Dr highfill warned me that with the rupture of my water I had some meconium staining and that Miriam had had a bowel movement, so there would be a pediatrician and I might not get to hold her right away.  I understood and really got motivated to get this girl out to safety .  As my contractions came I pushed and I kept pushing and I pushed and I kept pushing and then I yelled as I pushed and then she cried! I get all weepy remembering now, as I did then.  I just started sobbing out "my baby my baby my baby!" And as Miriam came out lungs loud and clear and operating I got to hold her immediately.  Her warm slimy meconium covered body!  Then she went kinda limp, and I offered her to the nurses and in a flurry she was crying again.  Travis said its like she was kinda shocked and then being passed startled her to be like a normal baby again.  

I was only on antibiotics 3 hrs 45 mins.  But there were no complications of that.  Dr highfill told me I did it like a pro and that I should teach every mom how it's done.  Even in late labor between contractions was strangely calm and comfortable.  When "breathing her down" I'd breath with a contractions then sit there twiddling my thumbs just waiting for the next one.  Not at all what I had expected, but more than I had hoped for!  

All in all I feel  like my whole pregnancy and then with the ease of her delivery and even getting to know her since she arrived that this little girl has just been ready to be here and part of this world.  She has this happy easy personality and she's surprised me with her quickness to meet milestones despite my lack of attention and distraction by her big brother.  She is such a blessing to our family already.  Charley loves his baby, and to hold Mir, and to give her hugs and kisses at bed time.  She loves to have us talk to her, and already blows bubbles and raspberries and rolls from her tummy to her back.  She sleeps great, and aside from the first week when her latch hurt me eats great.  We love our Miriam!  

March-April 2016

So, first things first.  What inspired me to open the blog?  I need to document a blessing and take note of a faith building experience.

Today, unexpectedly (thought it was still a few weeks out) we got our Tax return.  I didn't discover this deposit until 11:30 pm, after having a conversation with Travis about bills due.

Back in January he had a minor outpatient procedure.  But, we had to meet his deductible seeing providers before surgery (so those office visits/consults were basically out of pocket) and then for all the big stuff we still owed 20% copay, which is a great discount, but still a large sum of cash.

Well, tonight, as I was organizing myself to call tomorrow and make payments, I was checking some numbers and dates on mint, and I saw the deposit of the Tax return.

This is the first year in our married life we have gotten a return.  Every other year we have owed between 30 dollars to 1000 dollars.  Our tax return this year, is big enough to cover the bill from FMH for his surgery with $6.29 cents to spare.

There's still other bills to be paid, but the fact that one of the BIG ones is covered, is a great relief.

We also thought we owed the anesthesiologist nearly a thousand dollars, and got a call from their billing service today, and when I asked her what the cost was, it was only 201.06 dollars.  Shocked, we promptly paid that one to take care of it, very grateful for the drop in price due to insurance payments which came in after the bill statements we had received.

Now, we just need to pay copays/deductibles at TVC, and then travis' surgery is covered.  Then we have to work out the details of paying for this baby.  But, another blessing, is that this month, Travis gets an extra paycheck.  Just so happens that April has 3 paydays instead of the regular 2.

Tender tender mercies!


As for the second half of March:  We attempted potty training.  Charley really caught on quick to understanding how his body was working, and going pee on the potty.  But we never could get him to go poop.  We have gone back to diapers, but still consider that weekend a sucess in a big kick off to the world of body awareness.  I feel confident that when we really crack down on it he'll catch on, but right now was a little too soon, and too close to so many other big life changes (the toddler bed, the impending arrival of his sister).  But I think that when things settle down, and we try again he'll be ready and willing to give it another more sucessfull go.

The new Young Womens presidency was called, and I gave a talk on high council sunday.  The subject matter that week was "Blessed and Happy are they who keep the commandments of God" and "Strengthened by the atonement of Christ"  Both were wonderful to study and ponder, and I gave a surprisingly long talk (I usually can't get it to go longer than 10 mins!) sharing some of my testimony and experiences with the strength I have recieved through the atonement of Christ.  It was a great way to also get in the right spirit for Easter.

Easter was pretty low key.  We enjoyed a lovely meal with Travis' parents, and colord eggs with Charley for the first time.  He thought that was pretty neat.  Conference weekend found us all really sick-Charley with Flu like symptoms, and Travis and I now with viral cold type symptoms that linger, so we're just doing our best to get healthy before Miriam arrives.  This week I hit 37 weeks, and had a great conversation with my midwife about labor and delivery.  I've finished up some dance lessons for a couple I took on who are preparing for their wedding, and now I'm just trying to square up some final things in young womens and then its just the waiting game for Baby Girl.  Very excited for the time we'll have to just enjoy eachother and our new marvel whenever she decides to make her debut.

January-first half of March 2016

The new year is already well on its way.  One month finished(now that I'm posting make it two month--scratch that, 3 months!  Gah!), and I'm thankful time is finally starting to move at a decent pace with this pregnancy.  That first part really dragged on with nausea and lack of energy/motivation.  We are celebrating here that the days are growing brighter, and the ever growing baby girl in my tummy is going to greet us in just a few weeks yet. 

January was pretty intense. We spent a lot of time at doctor appointments for Travis.  That involved a lot of back and forth, I feel like Charley and I were very nearly always in the car.  Travis ended up having a minor surgery for a fistula.  He took a week off work to be at home recovering.  It was in a sentivive area that made keeping it clean and sitting to do work or drive a car a bit more complicated.  It feels nice to be writing in past tense now that it's been a few weeks and the recovery is also picking up momentum.  It's now middle of March and he just has a small wound we pack and keep clean.  Things got pretty hairy that week he was home recovering and Charley got a stomach bug that went on for forever and I was just pregnant and uncomfortable and doing a lot on my own.

We also started going to play groups.  That has done wonders for my sanity (adult conversation!) and has been a great opportunity for Charley to learn more sharing and be a bit more active (church gym=chance to RUN!)

This week(and they've stayed that way since I wrote it!) I even swept the piles of dirt all the way up (had left them in low traffic areas because getting up and down with the dust pan is getting difficult) and mopped the floors for the first time in a long time.  I find though that the more motivation I have to do things, the less energy I have.  One day of productivity requires a day of recovery.  I get really crampy and uncomfortable and then I don't sleep well when I get everything on my todo list done.  Uhg.  

March is also bringing changes in my calling at church, jut learned I will be released but the new president asked for me to be recalled-to the same calling.  Yay!  I knew I wasn't done with young women's.  I was really just starting to get a rhythm after finally feeling like I had it figured out.

This week is spring break, so we've been seeing more of Elyse and Liam which always makes Charley so happy.  He's gotten more attached and definitely really brings out the water works for goodbyes.   In a few days we will start potty training!!  Ahahhh!! Pray for me.  

Charley turned two at the beginning March. On his birthday I was telling Travis my plan to keep him in a crib and put the new baby in a pack n play so they were both in contained beds-but travisninsisted "he's two, let's try the toddler bed!" And I protested as he went and got it from the garage, but Charley took a two hour nap in it without a glitch. The first night he came out once at bedtime, which I just told him "no it's time to go night night" and walked him back to bed.  This repeated the same the second night.  The other things was on the first night he woke up around 2 am and was on the floor confused.  He must have half sleeping climbed out and curled up, then gotten confused when he woke later.  Otherwise, the only other catch was on a week anniversary, he came out of his room three times.  The first one he got a verbal directions and extra snuggles, second and third time just silently I walked him back to bed.  He cried the third time because he understood that coming out was not allowed.  But he stayed in bed and eventually fell asleep.  It really went surprisingly well.  We're optimistic about potty training, but as my calender wed weekend gets closer I get more scared.  Please, pray for me!

We also celebrated our 5th anniversary!  By DJing a youth dance.  What else?  Lol.  But, Friday night, the evening before our anniversary I made Travis a special dinner and he brought me flowers and said there were Girl Scouts at Fred's with cookies, so I also ran and stocked up on those.  All in all a good weekend.