Merry Christmas!!

 

Sarah's Birth Story...

Despite many different attempts at inducing ourselves naturally, my body just didn't respond to anything. We also had to make a difficult decision between trying to deliver normally or opting for a c-section, given Sarah's large size. Throughout the entire pregnancy, when I prayed to ask God what we should do, I kept hearing the same thing: "Trust Me." And that's just what we did when we went to the hospital Tuesday morning, December 6th, to be induced by my doctor.

Pretty much nothing went as I had hoped or planned, but everything ended up working out just fine and we ended up with a beautiful, healthy baby girl! I had decided ahead of time that I would like to have my water broken, but to hold off on the pitocin to see if my body would respond and go into labor more naturally than having the drugs. When I asked my doctor if that would be okay, she responded with a very emphatic, "No," then went on to say, "I'm here to induce you, so that's what I'm going to do." She completely disregarded my wishes and made me feel like I was about 10 years old. I clinched my teeth and held back the tears as she broke my water and began the pitocin drip. After breaking my water, without telling me, the doctor also screwed an internal fetal monitor into Sarah's scalp. I know now that this is a fairly common procedure, but one that I would have declined if given the option, as there are risks of infection to both baby and mother, as well as limited mobility for me throughout the labor.

While it was uncomfortable, I still managed to walk a few laps around the floor, which was able to help labor progress at a decent rate. When they began hooking me up to all of the machines, they also tested my blood since I had been diagnosed with mild gestational diabetes. I ate a large bowl of cereal just before heading to the hospital, per my doctor's suggestion. I knew that my blood sugars would be higher because of this, but also knew that my body regulates the sugars fairly quickly, and that the levels would be normal within a very short time. When they saw the high-ish results of the blood draw, they insisted that I get a shot of insulin. I have NEVER taken insulin and know with certainty that my body does NOT need it to regulate my blood sugars. They were simply higher than normal because of what I ate. Not a big deal. But they would not listen to me and gave me the insulin anyway. This nearly set me over the edge, but I still managed to fight back the tears and remained quite peaceful.

I got to walk around the halls a couple of times as my labor progressed. Within two and a half hours of my water breaking, the contractions were coming quite strongly, I had progressed from 2cm to 5cm, and I requested an epidural. As we were waiting for the epidural, I began shaking uncontrollably, sweating profusely, and felt very disoriented. The nurse checked my blood sugar level, and found that I was nearing hypoglycemic shock. Lovely. I wanted to yell, "I TOLD YOU SO!" But just asked repeatedly for something to help bring my sugars up again. I was given sugar water through the IV, which caused extreme pain in my arm because my veins are small and the solution was thick. I had to get FOUR different doses of this solution throughout the course of labor, as my blood sugars kept crashing.

Within about 20 minutes of getting the epidural, I began to feel it's effects slowly go away as I was experiencing a lot of pain and discomfort. They tried releasing more medicine 3 separate times, but nothing worked. So the anesthesiologist came back with a VERY strong dose of a different drug. Within minutes of receiving this dose, I could not feel ANYthing from my armpits down. It was a bit much and lead me to feel quite uncomfortable and nervous about being able to push when it was time. Within 2 hours of getting the first epidural, I was a complete 10cm. I was feeling a tiny bit of pressure with each contraction, but didn't necessarily feel the urge to push thanks to the heavy epidural. This ended up being a blessing in disguise, as we had to wait AN HOUR AND A HALF for the doctor to arrive so that I could begin pushing. During this time, my blood pressure kept dipping to very low levels (72/25), which was likely a side effect of the epidural. Those last few hours of labor were most unpleasant, as I was unable to feel anything below my chest, was shaking uncontrollably, and could not stop vomiting. It was not a pretty sight.

Once the doctor arrived and got ready, it was time to push. My body felt nothing. Literally...nothing. But I somehow ended up pushing the baby out within about 7 minutes. And likely due to the amount of time we waited while at 10cm, I endured VERY little tearing to the pelvic area. Praise God!! Sarah Elizabeth Ober was born at 2:43pm, weighing 9lbs, 13oz, and 22 inches long. It took her a little while to begin screaming, but once she did she sounded great! The doctor and nurses were amazed at her size...and then again at the size of the placenta. I have no idea how or why, but my body just makes big babies...in a fairly quick about of time! :) I am thankful that the labor and delivery went by quickly (6.5 hours from start to finish), because it was definitely a very unpleasant experience. But the prize (this sweet baby girl) is SO worth it!! :)

(Photos of the labor and delivery courtesy of my younger sister, Jessica!)

Dancing Machine...

Newborn Photos...

Welcome Sarah Elizabeth Ober!!

Gratitude...

{Photo from July 2011}

Have you ever loved someone so much it hurts? As I sit and watch my children playing with their daddy from a distance, my heart swells with love and adoration. This husband...these children...they are mine - my family. And my heart can't help but praise my God - the One from whom all blessings flow. And so I sit, soaking in His goodness, filled with awe and gratitude. Words are insufficient in this moment, as there are none to describe the depth of thankfulness within my heart. So I smile as my little heart dances and bows in humble acknowledgment of my limitations. And I smile because I know...that He knows. And really, nothing else matters. :)

35 weeks...

We are definitely in the homestretch now. :) At my appointment this week (35w4d), I was 2cm dilated, 50% effaced, and she was at a -1 station. VERY close to where I've been with both of my previous pregnancies right before going into labor. I've been having mild, painless contractions off and on for a couple of weeks now, so it's nice to know that they've actually been doing something! Hehe. :)

I know every pregnancy is different, as is every labor and delivery. We are wondering what will be in store for us this time around! :) It's crazy to think that my actual due date isn't for another month (December 23rd). I feel like she could come any day now! If she hasn't come on her own by next Tuesday, we have an u/s scheduled to check on her size and a doctor's appointment to follow. At that time, the doctor may decide to try to jumpstart things a little, and if my body is ready, then it should work...if it's not, then it won't. :)

It's all just a big waiting game! On a separate note, I need to do LOTS more updates to this blog, and hopefully I'll be able to find some time soon. :) But don't hold your breath! :)

Not so great mommy moment #492

This one took place over the weekend. My husband and I got the kids down for naps, but had told Isaac that as long as he remained quiet he could read books or play very quietly in his room. Naomi NEEDED a nap badly, but he was doing okay without. After coming out of his room a couple of times, as well as being asked to quiet down, he was one more noise away from having his lights turned out and banished to his bed for a nap. And then it happened. He began to SCREAM at the top of his lungs, "DADDY! DAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDY!" My husband was not around, and my pregnant self that was trying to rest got VERY frustrated. I stomped down the hallway, opened his door, and angrily said, "What is your problem? Why are you screaming? Get up IN YOUR BED....NOW." Then my eyes made their way down to what he was yelling for his daddy about. He had his little finger pointing to something in his new Bible. And he could hardly contain his excitement and wanted to share it with his daddy. With a huge frown on his face, he put the Bible down and quickly got into his bed. I felt AWFUL. Way to squelch his excitement over God's Word, mommy. Way to break his little heart. Where was the rewind button? I wanted to undo it, but it was already done. Just call me mother of the year right here, folks! Thankfully His grace is sufficient for me and all of my weaknesses! :)

Isaac wants to die...

We spent some time this morning looking back through our blog book from 2009. I was showing the kids what mommy looked like when Naomi was in my belly, and spent time reminiscing about when they were both babies. It was a really precious time together. And then we came across a photo of Naomi with their great grandmother, who passed away last year. Isaac was infatuated with the photo and it sparked a most wonderful conversation. This kid is a deep well.

Isaac: "Who is that, mommy?"
Mommy: "That's your great grandma holding Naomi."
Isaac: "Well I want to go to her house."
Mommy: "Oh honey, we can't. She's not alive anymore."
Isaac: "Why not?"
Mommy: "Well because she died."
Isaac: "Why did she die? Did Satan kill her?"
Mommy: "Oh dear, NO! She just got old. And that's what happens when people get old."
Isaac: "But what about Satan? Where is he?"
Mommy: "He is far away from God, in a dark, lonely place."
Isaac: "Is that where great grandma is?"
Mommy: "No, I don't think so. We're pretty sure she's in Heaven, with God."
Isaac: "I wanna be in Heaven with God too!"
Mommy: "Well some day I hope you will. All of our bodies will die some day, but our souls live forever. And if you choose to follow God...if you have Jesus living in your heart, then when you die, you get to be with God forever in Heaven."
Isaac: (silent for a minute) "Well I want to follow God. But how do I get Jesus to be in my heart?"
Mommy: "You just have to ask him."
Isaac: "Like how?"
Mommy: "Like you just ask Jesus if He will live in your heart. And when you ask Him, He ALWAYS does!"
Isaac: "And then I will be with God forever when I die?"
Mommy: "Yep. That's right."
Isaac: (silent for a minute...then very softly) "Jesus, will you come into my heart?"
Mommy: (smiling)
Naomi: "Jesus, come into MY heart, too!"
Mommy: "And when Jesus lives in our hearts, He changes our hearts. He helps us to be kind and loving to everyone."
Isaac: "Hey Naomi - I'm going to choose to die so I can go to Heaven and be with God...and see great grandma!"
Mommy: "Well, buddy...I hope you don't die for a long time."
Isaac: "But I want to be with God and see great grandma!"
Mommy: "I know you do, sweetie. But did you know that God is already with us? We can be with Him here too. He's alive IN us!"
Isaac: "But what about great grandma?"
Mommy: "Well, we can look at pictures and remember her, and look forward to seeing her again one day."

The conversation went on and on like this. Lots of deep, thought-provoking questions from this little guy. He is fascinated with death and dying. And is now fascinated with the idea of Heaven. I wanted to record this conversation, as it was just so sweet and innocent. I love his heart and his desire to learn more about God. And to think...this is just the beginning. I look forward to many more beautiful conversations like these from this little man...he's helping me grow as well!

Happy Halloween!