The wait is over... Collier is here!

Two weeks ago, on Thursday the 21st, Jamie, Noah and I ate lunch at Dish, then Noah and I went home so he could nap. Meanwhile, I laid down for a little while and dozed off for maybe 30 minutes. Once he woke up, we met my mom at the mall. I left the house without really looking in the mirror or "freshing up" since I'd only laid down for a little bit. Once we got to the mall, I went to the restroom and realized I looked pretty puffy in the face (I had not really had much swelling up until this point). I mentioned to mom how rough I looked and she commented that I was alot more swollen than I had been the night before, when my whole family had carved pumpkins together at my parent's house. She suggested that we go to a pharmacy and check my blood pressure. We left immediately and went to the nearest pharmacy where we discovered my blood pressure was elevated. I called my doctor's office to see what they thought and they told me to immediately go to the hospital to be monitored. Mom took Noah and Jamie and I headed to Helen Keller, where they admitted me. After about 2 hours, it came down to normal so Dr. Keith discharged me but wanted me to come in to his office the following morning for a re-check. I had a small feeling that if my bp was back up, I would be having a baby that following day. Friday morning, Jamie took Noah to school and I went to my appointment. On the way there, I stopped at CVS to see what my blood pressure was and it was even higher than the previous day so I was prepared that I would probably be having Collier that day. At the doctor's office it was even higher, 154/94 and I had traces of protein in my urine. They had me lie on my left side then they rechecked it; it came down some, but not much. Dr. Keith checked me and I was having mild contractions and dilated to 2 cm. He told me that he felt like I was in the beginning stages of preeclampsia and he didn't want to let it go over the weekend. I was far enough along in the pregnancy (38 weeks, 3 days) that he felt like Collier would be fine and if we waited, there was a chance I could get really sick, really quick. He told me to go to Helen Keller Hospital immediately and the C-section would be scheduled for later that afternoon. YIKES! I was prepared for this but nervous doesn't even describe the feeling! Noah was delivered at 38 weeks 1 day so I was so afraid that Collier's lungs wouldn't be ready, just as Noah's hadn't been. I asked him what he thought regarding Collier's lung development and he said that majority of the time, if there is some sort of problem, (such as preeclampsia, etc) the baby's development speeds up in preparation for delivery. I trusted Dr. Keith and he reassured me that he felt everything would be okay.

Since I was already in Sheffield at his office (which adjoins to Helen Keller Hospital) it didn't make sense for me to go home to finish packing my stuff. I called Jamie and gave him a list of the remaining items I needed added to my bag, along with all of Collier's things. I got to the hospital around noon and they got the ball rolling quickly. My mom was already there waiting for me in the room and shortly after that, Jamie, Noah and my dad arrived. The nurse attempted to get my IV started, but after blowing TWO veins, they had someone else do it,thank goodness, because the IV's HURT. Finally, the other nurse got my IV in. Because I had eaten breakfast and had something to drink right before my doctor's appointment, they had to hold off on the C-section until 3:30 - 4ish. We had a crew of people waiting in the room with us, which helped to keep me from being nervous and was a good distraction. Finally about 3:30, Dr. Keith came in my room and said we were about to get started. Shortly after that, the nurses came and got me and off we went to the OR.

First of all, let me say this was a completely different experience than my first C-section because that time, I had already been given pain meds and an epidural before they took me to the OR, so needless to say, I was loopy. This time, I walked myself into the OR and was completely aware as they gave me the spinal. My nerves had the best of me because I was shaking uncontrollably! Because of my scoliosis, they had a difficult time getting the spinal to take and at one point told me that he might have to put me under completely because I still had feeling in my lower half. Finally, I went numb and it was the WEIRDEST feeling because my legs were so HEAVY... at one point, I even had a heavy feeling in my chest making it hard to breathe, which made me a little panicky. While this was going on, Jamie had to wait in another room. After 30 minutes of prepping, Jamie was allowing in the OR and the c-section began. I kept closing my eyes and just praying for my baby to be okay. Finally at 4:16pm on Friday 10/22/10, I heard the most precious sounds, our baby's first cry! I immediately began asking if he was okay and thankfully, I was told he was perfect and healthy. Knowing what I did with Noah, I asked the pediatrician what his APGARS were and they were 9 / 9... as good as they could be which was music to my ears! :) My eyes immediately filled with tears and I just thanked the Lord over and over. Jamie told me that he looked JUST like Noah did as a newborn, which he did and still does. He weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 20 3/4" long. The nurse brought him over for me to see him before they went off to the nursery. Jamie went with Collier while Dr. Keith stitched me back up. Around 5:00pm, I was moved into Recovery where I spent the next hour and then at 6pm, I was moved into my room and told that Collier had already been bathed and was ready to come into the room with us.

All of our family joined us to meet our sweet baby boy. Noah, however, was exhausted from the long day and having had no nap, he wasn't the happiest camper. He also did not like his momma being in the hospital bed. My parents hung around for a little while but took him home so he could go to sleep and we spent the evening loving on our little guy.

Jamie stayed with me in the hospital and by the following morning (Saturday) I was up and slowly moving around. It was so much easier of a recovery than my previous c-section. That evening, we decided it would be best for Jamie to go spend some time with Noah and watch football with him at my parents house. My mom, aunt, and sister came and hung out with me, watching football in my hospital room, until Jamie returned that evening after Noah went to bed. Late that night, while I was asleep, my IV was knocked lose and came out of the vein, but was still under the skin, pumping pain medicine into my arm. I woke up with this huge swollen and sore spot on my arm. The nurse removed my IV and started yet another one in the other arm (that makes the 4th place where they tried IV's.) My arm is STILL bruised from where the IV came lose. The rest of my stay was thankfully, uneventful. We were discharged late Monday afternoon and couldn't be happier to get both of our boys home!

Life with 2 kids has been interesting (and tiring) but I've also had Jamie's help these past 2 weeks. He goes back to work Monday and I'm DREADING it. The hardest part has been that Collier wants to nurse every 2 hours so I'm not getting much sleep at night and I feel like ALL I do is feed him and change him and turn around and do it all over again. However, I couldn't be happier or more in love with both of my boys. It took Noah the first week to adjust to sharing our attention but he's doing much better. At first, he would cry every time Collier cried but now it doesn't seem to phase him. One of the hardest things has been that I've been unable to pick Noah up. Jamie has been such a HUGE help and we've really made a good team. We've even successfully ventured out of the house several times. As much as I wish Jamie had more time off, I'm also curious to see how it goes with just me and the boys as we settle into our routine. Jamie has been taking Noah to and from his therapy each day, however, we are taking next week off to ease me into things. The thought of trying to get both boys dressed, feed and out the door all by 9AM stresses me out just a bit. Hopefully, this next week will go smoothly and we'll get into a routine easily. I'm also hoping and PRAYING that Collier will start going a little longer between his feedings ...I'll keep ya'll posted!

Baby Birthday Bets...

Tonight while watching the Alabama / South Carolina game, we all placed 'bets' as to when Collier would arrive. For some reason, everyone thinks I'll go into labor before my scheduled C-section on the 28th. Here's everyone's guesses:

Lindsay ... October 20, 2010 (because she likes the date 10/20/10 and it's her off day:)

Jamie ... October 21, 2010

Derrick ... October 24, 2010

Me ... October 25, 2010

Dad ... October 26, 2010

We'll see who's right... or if we're all wrong. Heck, he very well could make us wait until the 28th.

Last night, Jamie looked at my belly (and how low it is now that Collier's dropped) and he said, "I think you're going to have him next week!" This morning, I called him while he was on the golf course and he immediately called me back thinking my water had broke! He's so funny! He is SO eager for Collier to be here. It's funny, the difference in his excitement this time around. With Noah, neither of us knew what to expect and even though we were both very excited, we were also pretty dang nervous about becoming parents. This time around, it's 100% pure excitement! Jamie talks all the time about how he can't wait for him to get here. It's pretty sweet! :)

The Final Stretch

I'm officially in my 9th month of pregnancy. My 36th week began on Tuesday and I had my check up yesterday afternoon. Prior to my appointment, I could tell that Collier had dropped down some because I have more room around my rib cage (and less room around my bladder because I have to pee all the time). Dr. Keith was in a big hurry to go deliver 2 babies so my visit was very short, but he told me I was beginning to dilate. He didn't give a specific number so I'm thinking maybe I'm at 1 cm? He also confirmed that Collier had dropped and was right on my bladder. Maybe there will be progress at my next week appointment... but regardless, at the very latest, we will meet Collier 3 weeks from TODAY! Jamie and my mom are both convinced that I won't make it to Oct. 28th. Part of me agrees, however, I don't want to have my mind set on that in case I don't go into labor on my own. I'm ready, not that I'm wanting to rush Collier... I want him to come when he's ready, however, I'm VERY uncomfortable. Taking care of Noah has become harder. Lifting him, bathing him, carrying him, taking him to therapy 4 days a week... it's a little more challenging now because I just don't have the energy plus I'm achy and he's really REALLY heavy! I've started getting those "sympathy" looks while in public... you all know what I'm talking about. Where people just look at you and you can tell exactly what they're thinking, something like "bless her heart!" I had a man at the grocery store say, "you look like you're about to go off any minute!"... as though I'm a ticking time bomb. Okay, thanks sir.

You guys probably aren't interested, but I'm including all these details so I can look back and remember how I felt in these last few weeks. I'm still sleeping pretty decently... every once in a while, I'll have a night where I can't sleep, but for the most part, I'm still getting a good night's rest. Thankfully, my back hasn't hurt NEARLY as bad as it did with Noah. During my 36th week of pregnancy with Noah, my doctor took me off work completely. I had SO MUCH back pain with Noah and maybe the reason I haven't had as much this time is because I'm used to carrying Noah around so maybe my back is stronger, therefore the pregnancy isn't as straining on my back? Also, I've been having contractions for the past 2 weeks when I'm on my feet for a while... such as grocery shopping, walking at the mall, cleaning/cooking dinner... and they HURT! They do stop shortly after laying down so I guess it's just strong Braxton Hicks. Also, during my pregnancy with Noah, I began swelling by around week 33 however, I've yet to have any swelling this time, THANK GOODNESS!

This past weekend was UNA's Homecoming and our friends, Sonia and John Montgomery, along with their daughter Addison, came home all the way from Germany, where they've been stationed for the past year! It was SO SO great to see them, especially since it's been 9 months since their last visit. Friday night, we (my best friends from college/Phi Mu, with the exception of a few who couldn't make it) went to dinner: husbands and wives, along with most of the kids... I think there was around 18 of us. Because of the craziness, we didn't get a group picture. Saturday morning was UNA's Homecoming Parade and we all met up and let the kids watch it together. This was Noah's first time watching a parade and he was amazed! He's pretty sensitive and still gets startled by unexpectedly loud noises so I was curious how he would handle all the sights and sounds (the band, police sirens, etc), but he really loved it! He continues to surprise us... things that we think will bother or upset him, thrill him! Following the parade, Jamie took Noah with him to allow me to eat lunch with the girls in downtown. Majority of the group tailgated following lunch, however, I chose to come home and take it easy for a few hours. That evening was the AL - FL game so everyone reconvened at our house to cheer on the Tide. We had a great time, especially since Alabama dominated Florida. Chenequa and Brett's little girl, Hannah, Addison, and Noah all had a good time playing together in the floor. The following day, Sunday, we met for an early lunch at Ricatoni's before the Montgomery's headed out of town. Thankfully, they will be around for several more weeks, so all of us girls have planned a playdate with the kids next week. It was a busy but very fun weekend!


Sonia, Chenequa, Me, and Becca






Me and Chenequa


Becca, Me, Sonia, Melissa, and Chenequa

The Countdown is on...

I had my 34 week appointment on Wednesday and we are getting closer and closer to the end. I haven't begun dilating yet, which I consider a good thing since I'm only 34 weeks! The ultrasound showed that Collier is positioned head down and weighs around 5lbs 6oz already so he might just be a big baby! Noah was 7lbs 4oz. and 21 1/2" long (at 38.1 weeks) so I'm guessing Collier will be a little bigger... maybe around 8lbs. Dr. Keith also scheduled my C-section during the appointment. At first he had it scheduled for October 25, which would put me at 38.6 weeks, however after leaving his office, I had a VERY uneasy feeling the rest of the day over it being scheduled before I was in my 39th week... even if it was by just 1 day. Having had to go through what we did with Noah's lungs being immature, I just didn't feel comfortable with choosing to have Collier arrive prior to 39 weeks. So I ended up calling his office and asking for a date later in that week so it's been changed to October 28th, which is 5 days prior to my due date and right before the weekend. I was afraid to schedule ON my due date with the chance of going into labor during the weekend, and running the risk that Dr. Keith may not be on call... something I don't want to chance since I'll have to have surgery. If it was a normal delivery, I wouldn't mind it, but surgery is a different story. So we've got an end in sight!

I'm SO SO eager to meet Collier and I've felt like this past week has dragged (or is it drug?) by. The entire pregnancy has flown by so quickly but time seems to have slowed down this week and I'm afraid that's how the remainder of this pregnancy will seem. However, I realized this morning, that I should use the last 5 weeks to enjoy my time with Noah, Jamie and the time that I get to myself! As excited as I am to get Collier here, along with that comes no sleep and not leaving the house very often, and being a food source for a baby that eats every few hours! I need to enjoy getting to sleep through the night (well, with the exception of getting up to use the restroom every few hours) and the ease of having a 3 year old who's already in a schedule and fairly easy to take care of. Plus I need to just use this time to spend as much quality time with Noah and Jamie as possible. So that's my plan for the remaining 4 weeks and 6 days... enjoy my time as a family of 3! On another note, the girls from mine and Jamie's couples' Sunday School class are having a shower for me on Sunday after church. I'm so excited and completely overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness! I didn't expect to get a shower (since this is the 2nd baby and another boy) however, it is completely appreciated!

I love September!

I LOVE September, always have. I enjoy the cooler weather and bringing out the fall clothes, the beginning of football season, and fall television starting up. And so far, this September hasn't disappointed. On Labor Day, we were invited to go out on the river with some friends, Kenny & Shana Winter and their two boys. This was Noah's first time on a boat so I wasn't sure what he would think of it... however, he LOVED it! In fact, he kept trying to stand up and look over the edge of the boat, down at the water. We spent the ENTIRE day out on the water and Noah only dozed off for about 30 minutes. Needless to say, when we finally headed home around 4:30, he was EXHAUSTED.

Last week's weather felt GREAT and I actually was able to wear jeans and not sweat my tail off... it was definitely the beginnings of fall! It was the first time since June that I've felt comfortable outside(temp-wise). Wednesday was my 32 week check up with Dr. Keith and everything's going along just fine. I'm now to the point where I'll see him every 2 weeks so he informed me that at the next appointment he'll do an ultrasound and check to see if I've begun dialating yet! WOW... wasn't expecting that so I'm glad he "warned" me. I'm extremely excited and ready for Collier's arrival. I've reached to point in this pregnancy where I'm uncomfortable and not sleeping great so I'm glad to see the end is in sight!

Another reason I LOVE September is because it's my birthday month! Friday, Sept. 10 was my 29th birthday and I really had a great day, however the celebrating has lasted several days and I've done the only thing a pregnant girl can do to celebrate something big, and that is EAT. :) I woke up on the day of my birthday to my favorite fast food breakfast item, Chick-fil-a Chicken Mini's waiting on me in the kitchen (and Jamie had stuck a birthday candle in the box!), as well as perfume (Dolce & Gabbana #3, which I had just run out of) and a gift certificate to the Marriott Spa for a massage and pedicure. Also, Jamie had arranged to have the house cleaned that morning, which is seriously, the BEST gift ever. Since Noah had therapy that morning, we didn't make lunch plans so Jamie brought home lunch from Dish. Once my mom got off of work, she stopped by with a cake from Sugarbaker's and we all had a slice. She took Noah home with her since he was spending the night with them that night, so that Jamie and I could go to the Melthing Pot in Huntsville for dinner. Lindsay and Derrick were supposed to join us, but she got sick, so they didn't get to come. Brett and Chenequa met us there and we all dined on a wonderful and very filling dinner of cheese fondue, an array of meats, and chocolate fondue. The Melting Pot is always such a fun experience but I've come to the conclusion that the cheese is my favorite part.

Saturday morning, I cashed in my gift certificate and had a massage and a much-needed pedicure and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping with my mom to get some things for Collier and to get maternity/hospital pajamas for me. We found an outfit for Collier to wear home from the hospital, as well as a couple of outfits he can wear to church. That evening, we celebrated my birthday, again, at my parent's house with my parents, Lindsay, and Derrick. Mom and Dad cooked a meal of my choice, Eggplant Parmesan and fettucini alfredo with salad, bread, etc, and we watched the Bama game with them. The eggplant was DELICIOUS... better than Ricatoni's or Olive Garden.

Monday evening, I went to dinner with my girlfriends, Chenequa, Amanda, Melissa, and Kellie, for another birthday celebration. I had originally chosen Sweet Magnolia, but they were closed on Monday, so we went to Red Lobster instead. I had a great time chatting with the girls and enjoying their company. We were definitely the loudest table in the restaurant and one of the very last to leave. Ooops!

The final celebration will take place Thursday night with Jamie's family, as we celebrate mine, Chris, and Wes' birthdays. The boys birthday's are on Sept. 6 so we always do a joint celebration!

All in all, I've had a GREAT 29th birthday with lots of great food and sweet family and friends to celebrate it with. I look forward to ALL that my 29th year has in store for me, and to be honest, it doesn't bother me a bit that this is my last year in my 20's. I'm just enjoying this time and where I am in my life.