Andrew is 3 years old today!

February 16-17, 2006:

I had been having contractions over the course of two days. They would be frequent, but not strong; then strong, but not frequent. This day started the same way: contractions about 20 minutes apart, but not alarming. Dennis went to work and I started with cleaning and tending to Charis and Matthew. The day progressed with not much excitement. I could feel the tightening in my stomach with certain things I did, or ways that I moved. The time between contractions spaced out, but still somehow I knew that today was the day. So, I prepared the best I could. Everything was ready at the house. We would be having company, Dennis’ mom, while we were in the hospital, so I wanted to make sure all the laundry was done, house was cleaned and meals prepared somewhat in advance for a day or two. My overnight bag was partially ready. Then we headed out the door for groceries.

I went to the usual stores, starting with Wal-Mart. I leisurely strolled around, pushing my cart with Matthew in it and Charis walking beside me. I met several friends while there. Each one asked of my condition. I informed them I was walking around, preparing for labor. Then I continued with my shopping. It took a few hours to get all that I needed; going to three different stores. I returned home, put the groceries away and prepared supper. Dennis came home about 5:00 pm and we sat down to eat. My contractions had eased off throughout the evening as I cleaned up after the meal. We soon readied the children for bed and had our family devotion time. At 9:30 pm, Charis and Matthew went to bed, while Dennis and I sat up, watching T.V.
After a few moments, I felt a contraction strong enough that I began to time it: 40 seconds. Moments later another one hit, harder than the last. I stood up and paced, glancing at the clock as I did. The time was 9:55 pm and another 40-second contraction. Dennis took notice and asked if it were time. “I think so,” was my reply.

He headed to the children’s rooms and woke them up, gathering their clothes for the next day and placing them in an overnight bag. I finished packing my own. Another contraction at 10:00 pm and I realized we would certainly be heading to the hospital for baby #3 tonight. I called Dennis’ mom, she couldn’t make it until the next day, so we made arrangements with a friend to keep the kids over night. At 10:30, we walked out the door, contractions still 5 minutes apart and ranging from 30-40 seconds.

On the way to the sitter’s, I called the doctor. She told me to come on in and they would check me out. Between contractions, I felt fine. I would chat with Dennis and the kids, telling them their baby brother would be born soon. At the sitter’s, I gave instructions, told the kids bye and we were on our way to the hospital. I was excited; I was going to have this baby tonight. Dennis was skeptical, he thought we would be sent back home to wait for another day or longer.

We arrived at the hospital around 11:30 pm. Just before getting out of the car, another contraction started. Each one was still 5 minutes apart, so I knew when it eased off I had exactly 5 minutes to get to triage before the next one hit. I grabbed my purse, got out, shut the door and practically ran to the hospital. Dennis was right on my heels wondering how I could be so fast if I were about to give birth. When I walked into triage, I told the nurse who I was. She pulled my records and sent me to a room. I was evaluated, measuring at 5 cm dilated and fully effaced. She checked me into my own labor/delivery room at 11:55pm.

Hooked up to a monitor and waiting for the doctor, I continued to have contractions, now about 3 minutes apart and getting stronger. I immediately asked for an epidural and received it in short order. Dr. Zite arrived and checked my cervix; I was at 7 cm. She and the nurses hovered near the door for the next few hours.

At 3:00 am on Friday, February 17, another contraction hit and the monitor indicated a drop in the heart rate of the baby. Fearing the loss of another baby, I pressed the “call nurse” button and informed them of what was happening. Next thing I knew, Dr. Zite and 3 nurses were hovering around me telling me we needed to get the baby out now. I didn’t want another caesarean, so they fixed the bed and I began pushing. The baby did not want to come out and yet, I could not stop the urge to push. Contractions seemed to not let up for me to get my breath. A nurse brought in a mirror for me to watch progress. That helped as I was able to see the head crown, I bore down with more stamina to push him out.

What a relief it was when he came out crying. The clock said 3:15 am as Dennis cut the umbilical cord. The baby was weighed and measured at 7 lbs, 10 oz and 20 ½ inches. We were moved to a recovery room shortly after but it wasn’t until some sleep and breakfast that we finally named him. We wanted a Bible name and we wanted to use my grandfather’s name as well. And that's how Andrew Harold was born three years ago on February 17, 2006!

Tonight we will celebrate this special day as a family. Our plans are to eat at Incredible Pizza, play a few games, then come home for cake and ice cream and presents.

Just for laughs

Faith loves to get the spray bottle and squirt it, usually into her mouth. But this time, I caught her doing otherwise. I kept hearing her squeal with delight and when I went to check on her... this is what I found:

She says "cheese" in anticipation of getting her picture taken. Doesn't it make you just want to reach through the screen and give her sugars!?!

A busy month of events

February is a busy month of events for me and my family. We start off with the 4th being my nephew, Benjamin's birthday. Benjamin was born the day we found out we had lost Bethany, so he holds a very special place in my heart! I don't think of him without thinking of Bethany and vice versa.
Then of course, on the 6th is Bethany Joy's special day. We speak of her to the other children and keep her picture on the mantle with the others, so she is remembered fondly.

Today is another nephew's birthday: Nathan is now 3 years old! He is the firstborn of my middle brother, Ryan, and his wife, Abria. We don't get to see them often, but we love them dearly. Happy Birthday, Nathan!!!

On the 14th, when most people enjoy the frivolties of Valentine's Day, I think of my baby brother, Jared. He is Benjamin's father (and a great one at that, I must say!) and the torture of my childhood! I love you, Jared! =0P

Again on the 17th, we will be celebrating Andrew's 3rd birthday. Abria and I were expecting at the same time. She beat me to the punch by only a week, but it was fun sharing the anticipation together! More on his birthday in a week or so....

Two days later, Dennis and I will share our 9th wedding anniversary. When I married him, I married my best friend; and he is still my best friend today. I thank the Lord for blessing me with such a man!

So, you see, February, the shortest month of the year, is one filled with memories and joys, more so than any other month! Happy February, my fellow bloggers and readers!

6 years ago today...Bethany Joy

It was July 2002. I had recently come back from a long trip for a family visit with Charis, who was 6 months old, and my parents. Oh how sweet it was to be reunited with my husband. Now, I had found out I was pregnant. What bliss!

For 20 weeks I carried this unknown child, love growing as time went on. We had an ultrasound which showed a cyst on the baby's brain. Possibly Trisomy 18? A second ultrasound a week later ruled that out and the cyst had disappeared.I had a girl; I was ready for a boy. Dennis would be excited for sure. But we wanted to be surprised. Days, weeks, months passed on and the baby grew. I could feel the hiccups on occasion. And those feet! Wow, definitely a kicker. Each doctor's visit would send me home with a good report.

Monday, February 3, 2003 dawned to a beautiful day. I carried on with my typical SAHM business: tending to my now 1 year old daughter, cleaning house, preparing supper for my husband's return from work. As the day wore on, it seemed I was not feeling much movement from the baby. No worries since I was 33 weeks. This being my second child, it was close to time for the baby to descend, readying for delivery. As big as I was getting, there couldn't be too much room to kick and squirm as often anyway. I poked at a little nub of knee, or maybe a heel, I don't know. It was protruding from just under my ribcage. I felt it move at my prodding and my concerns fled.9pm, we had put Charis to bed and were sitting quietly discussing the day. I shared with him my thoughts on the baby, again pressing that persistent little foot, mentally noting it was in the exact same spot. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled the next morning, so I planned to ask about when movements slowed down. And we went to bed ourselves.My appointment was at 11am, Dennis was at work and Charis was with a friend. The nurse came in, checked my bp, weight, etc. Then she pulled out the Doppler to hear the heartbeat. This was my favorite time of each visit. But with the first try, she couldn't find a rhythm. A second and even a third with no results. "I am going to get the doctor, maybe I am not doing something right." "Sure, go ahead," I thought. "She is not going to find it either." Already, I knew in my heart that this baby was gone. So I prepared myself for the worst. I wanted to get off the table and call Denns, but the doctor came in with two other nurses before I could get up. She squeezed the goo on my belly and tried the Doppler herself. The only sound heard was the "whoosh-whoosh" of the placenta and a faint, slow and steady heartbeat: mine. We moved to another room; one with an ultrasound machine. I was hooked up and watched the screen for signs of life...anything. And there was nothing. The heart was still, the baby was still. I asked to find out the gender. Doctor tried to comfort me with "it's not your fault" and "please don't blame us." I was numb. I wanted my husband; I wanted my mom. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. She led me to her personal office and told me to call whoever I needed. I had time to decide when to deliver the baby. I called Dennis first. "She's gone!" was all I could get out around the lump in my throat. I heard his muffled cry, "No!!!" and then, "who?" his first thought was that I meant Charis. "The baby." We had discussed boy's names but never considered a girl. He told his boss and immediately left work to come to me.

I called my mom, trying to sound chipper for her sake. She was on her way to the hospital. My sister-in-law was in labor with her first child. I broke down. We decided to wait 2 days to deliver, so that family and friends could travel to be there.

Thursday, February 6 started with snow. We had to be at the hospital at 5am for the induction. My parents were there. His mom was there. Friends dropped in to pray with us and encourage us. At 4:12pm I pushed a beautiful 4 lb. 12 oz. baby girl out. But there was no cry. Only the sound of the busy doctor and nurses cutting the cord, wiping her off and telling me to push for the afterbirth. They laid the baby in my arms. She looked so content, her arms folded across her tummy, her eyelids closed. Wait... did her eyes move? No, only my wild imagination hoping against hope. We were left alone for a few minutes, just my husband, our baby and me. We wept silently. Then we asked for Charis to come in. She didn't understand the solemnity. The baby was "icky" and she didn't want to hold her. I nearly hated having to share my baby with the visitors, but I knew they shared in my loss, somehow. We named her Bethany Joy.

I was released from the hospital on Friday. My heart was heavy, and my arms were empty. Instead of carrying a baby in my arms, I carried a plant. Someone was thoughtful enough to send one to the hospital. But it didn't replace the aching I felt.

Saturday, we had the graveside service for her. It was cold sitting outside, but I felt a warmth inside from peace that only God could give. I was given Bethany to hold during the entire service. I felt as if I was given a second opportunity to tell her goodbye. As friends and family came by to comfort us, they hugged our necks. Some kissed the baby, others felt it too morbid. No matter, she wasn't really there anyway. My goodbye wasn't final that day we laid her to rest. She is in heaven with her Father. And there she waits for me. We don't know what caused her death, but we do know that now, today she is whole and happy. She never had to face the suffering we face here on earth. No sickness or pain for her. Only eternal joy in the presence of God. That was the peace I felt, the peace I feel today. She may be gone, but her memory lives on, even if it was only a brief one.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."