The Story of Ollie: Part 2

(continued from here)

 

A sweet friend, who has two grandkids of her own, came over to watch the kids during my 40 week OB appointment.  The kids love "miss Julie"!  The last time she babysat, she brought homemade cookies.  This time she brought them each a fun light up Halloween toy.  I left as they were mesmerized with their new toys and had the last minute thought that maybe I should throw my hospital bag in the van just in case, but I quickly dismissed the thought considered all the pre labor I'd experienced so far.  

I checked in for my appointment and sat down in the waiting room.  I started to feel contractions again but thought "oh, here we go again..." and was honestly annoyed thinking it was just more pre labor that would stop after a while.  Then, I heard one of the receptionists call my name.  Evidentally my appointment was really for the afternoon, but knowing I was already past my due date and had already checked in, my OB squeezed me in between other appointments.  

When the nurse called me back a few minutes later, I noticed the contractions were getting stronger, but tried to ignore them again.  As I sat in the exam room waiting for my OB, however, the contractions just kept getting stronger and longer.  My OB took one look at me when she walked in and said, "I think I'm going to send you to labor and delivery".  She checked and noticed I was between 3 and 4 cm now and baby's head was a lot lower than a week ago.  She also noticed more blood around the cervix, indicating that I was clearly contracting and possibly heading towards active labor.  

So, I walked down to labor and delivery, slowly and painfully as the contractions kept coming in waves.  The nurse got me all settled and began monitoring me as I called my mom to let her know what was going on.  I was still skeptical that this was for real, but my mom jumped right in her car and called Ted for me.  Ted stopped at home to check in with the babysitter and told her my brother, Dan, was on the way soon to pick up the kids.  He then headed over to the hospital and got there a few minutes before my mom arrived.  He was just as skeptical as me, but by the time my mom arrived, I was still contracting and by just after noon, when my OB came in to check me, I had progressed to a solid 4 cm and I agreed to let her break my water to help labor progress quicker.  

It wasn't until my water broke that I finally realized, "this is for real!" and I was encouraged that, though labor might be long and painful, I was going to meet my littlest peanut soon.  As labor continued to progress, I practiced breathing techniques and various labor positions to help relax through the contractions and allow them to do what they were supposed to do.  Because labor happened on it's own, I was able to move around freely and even take a whirlpool bath several times.  The whirlpool was probably the best labor relief for me, because the jets massaged my back through contractions and helped keep my mind off the pain.  

I also did a lot of visualizing and speaking positively to myself.  As I breathed through each contraction, I imagined what my son would look like: would he have hair or not, what color would his eyes be, would he look like Valerie or Almanzo...or would he be completely different, how big would he be, would he have long, slender fingers or chubby little hands?  I told myself, instead of "this is so painful", "that was a really productive contraction" and kept reminding myself that every contraction was one step closer to meeting him.  I also kept thinking "I can do this" and "my body knows what to do" to reassure myself that, no matter how hard it was, I had already done this twice and could definitely do it again.  

Just after four, my OB came in to check me again, hoping I was close to transition or almost complete so she could finally deliver one of our babies before leaving for the day.  My husband joked with her that I was probably only 5 cm and, when she confirmed I was close to 6 cm, but not as far progressed as she was hoping, she teased back, "I hate you, Ted!"  Even though I was hoping I had progressed a little more and eager for my OB to actually deliver one of our babies, I was still feeling pretty confident and positive about everything.  I was happy to be still progressing, especially considering I got stuck at 5 cm for hours with my last two babies.  

A few hours later, however, as I got closer to transition, the contractions were becoming unbearable for me.  It was harder and harder to breathe through and keep my mind off the pain of each contraction.  When the on call OB checked and said I was not quite 7 cm, but my cervix was much thinner, I knew I had made a huge accomplishment already in making it so far without any pain medications.  When the next wave of contractions came, I cried to my husband, "I think I want that epidural now".  He reminded me that I was more than welcome to any pain medications and that I had already done an amazing job to make it so far.  When he told me he was proud of me, I knew I had accomplished what I wanted to.  

I went into this labor and delivery wanting to make it further and possibly even all the way without pain medications, but knew that I would be okay if the pain became too unbearable again.  It's funny, because I kept justifying to both Ted and my mom why I was okay with the epidural when I really didn't need to justify it at all.  I knew my body and what I was capable of and at that point, I just really didn't want to go any further without that epidural.  I knew it was what my body needed before to get me through transition and to finally push that baby out without making labor any more prolonged that it already was.  I knew it had worked well for me before and I was happy with how far I had made it so far.  My husband took one last look at me before the anesthesiologist arrived and said, "You know you don't have to justify it to me.  I'm proud of you and, if I were you, I would have asked for that epidural a lot sooner." 

He then joked that it would be funny if we had the same anesthesiologist as my other deliveries and I joked back, "Yeah, he's my friend".  The process of putting in the epidural was more painful that I had remembered, partly because contractions were stronger and harder now that I was closer to transition and partly because the first attempt didn't work.  The anesthesiologist apologized several times for having to poke me twice and explained that pregnancy often changes the curvature of the back and so the first attempt didn't go in quite right.  I actually cried during the procedure this time, but once the medication started to kick in, I started to smile and really joke around with everyone.  Ted asked me how I was doing and I gave him a goofy grin and said, "Great! I really like epidurals!"  

I decided to close my eyes and rest, letting the epidural do it's job and waiting for that obvious feeling of needing to push.  I had only closed my eyes for a few minutes, however, before I started to feel dizzy and a little short of breath.  The nurse realized the medication was effecting me a little bit too close to my lungs, so she turned it off for a little while and then lowered the amount I was receiving before turning it back on again.  Around 10, the on call OB checked and I had only progressed to 8-9 cm, so I went back to sleep only to wake up just before 11 as I felt tremendous pelvic pressure and started to feel the urge to push.  The nurse checked and said I was so close to being complete except for a tiny bit of the cervix that needed to thin out yet.  She said simply rolling over to that side would help and as she was helping me to move, I suddenly said, "I need to push!"  

Sure enough, I was complete and, as she called the on call OB to let her know, I could hardly resist the urge to push.  She had to beg the doctor to hurry up and beg me to hold on for the doctor to deliver this baby.  We laughed that the nurse might have to deliver if the doctor didn't hurry up, because she knew that the first push would likely bring baby's head right into position and that with just a few pushes, he would be here.  When the doctor finally arrived, the nurse's suspicions were confirmed.  The first push brought his head down so low, that everyone could see his head right there.  After 10-15 pushes, our Ollie was here, giving one final kick on his way out.  (Seriously - this little guy kicked and squirmed his way through labor.  He did NOT want to come out!)  

I'll never forget that moment when they laid him right on my chest the moment he was here and he stared into my eyes.  It is a moment I had prayed for for months and I was almost in tears.  He was slightly stunned from birth and had swallowed some amniotic fluid, but after a few minutes of oxygen and extra stimulation, he was back in my arms and just over an hour after he arrived, he was nursing for the first time.  I kept looking over at my mom and husband wondering if this was for real.  Was he really here in my arms...and not on the way to the nursery, a trip to the NICU in the near future?  It was all so surreal and completely amazing to me.

The only bummer was that Ted missed out on cutting the cord this time.  I don't remember him leaving my side, but, after a few pushes he suddenly felt really dizzy and had to sit down.  He had just woken up from a nap and they had turned on all the bright lights, so it may have just been a combination of reasons.  He told me afterwards, "Sorry for wimping out on you", but I didn't even realize he had left my side until our littlest peanut was already in my arms and I heard one of the nurses making sure he was okay.  Poor guy - it was a long day for him...and, truthfully, he's put up with a LOT in the past few weeks of pre labor drama.  Both he and my mom were huge supports.  I couldn't have done it without them.  

Ollie rarely left my side the entire less than two days we were recovering in the hospital except for occasional assessments and check ups by the on call family practice doctor.  Every time a nurse or doctor came in the room, I braced myself for the worst case scenario, fearing that any moment he could be taken away from us.  Knowing our story, everyone constantly reassured us that he really was healthy as could be.  I fell asleep that first night staring at him in the crib right next to my bed.  I reached over every so often to touch him and reassure myself that this was real.  I'm almost in tears just typing this, because this entire experience was more than an answer to prayer - it was a miracle.  

Today, just over two days after our littlest peanut arrived, I am sitting at home, staring at his sleepy face as he squirms and starts to wake up to nurse again.  I can't stop smiling and praising God for this littlest blessing and for allowing his story to be so much better than we ever imagined. 

The Story of Ollie: Part 1

40 week baby bump

 

 

"But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength.

They will fly high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint." 

(Isaiah 40:31)

Our Ollie has kept us guessing on his arrival for the last month.  I had contractions off and on as early as my 36 week appointment.  At that appointment my OB confirmed I was already 2 cm dilated. 

Then, the Monday after my 38 week appointment, I started contracting regularly around 3 in the afternoon.  Ted came home around 4 and we took a walk around the block with the kids.  We were timing them every two minutes and getting stronger so we called my parents.  My dad picked up the kids and took them back to his house and my mom went with us to labor and delivery.  After just over an hour they sent us home because the contractions slowed down and I wasn't progressing.  I was frustrated and exhausted so we all went to bed. 

I woke up around 7 with stronger contractions and when they became longer and more consistent, we went back to the hospital...only to have labor completely stall.  Ted ordered me to take a nap while my mom went back to her house.  My parents kept the kids so I could rest and Ted puttered around the house to be there for me.  After a long talk with my doula friend, I felt a lot better, but was still quite emotional and just disappointed.  I decided to make the most out of the day, so Ted and I enjoyed a movie and dinner date before picking up the kids.

I continued contracting off and on all week, but nothing consistent.  By my 39 week appointment, I was surprised to hear my doctor say I had progressed to 3 cm.  She knew I was still contracting and feeling quite miserable, so she stripped my membranes and begged baby to come soon.  I honestly thought he would arrive that weekend, because I became even more uncomfortable.  I could hardly sleep with all the contractions and cramping. 

But, when the contractions didn't get worse until Monday evening and then slowed down again after we were almost prepared to go back to the hospital, I really became emotional.  I felt defeated and wondered if I could even handle real, active labor...or if my body would fail me with the worst labor and delivery yet.  I spent the rest of the week feeling really down and more exhausted with each passing day. 

Thursday night, I fell asleep praying through more tears and Friday I woke up with a strange sense of peace.  I showered, got dressed (as opposed to my usual pajama attire), and spent some time reading from God's word.  As I read, I felt God reminding me that He had never and would not ever forsake me.  He already knew this little one's birth date and would give me exactly the strength I would need to bring him into this world. 

I went into my 40 week appointment prepared to talk about inducing and secretly hoping my OB would just send me right to labor and delivery...

To Be Continued

Project Life: Weeks 37 & 38

September 9 - 15

You just can't NOT smile when this little man giggles.

Daddy took the kids on an adventure to return some Redbox movies...and couldn't resist this sweet face asking for ice cream.

 I signed the kids up for a fun learning class that my friend, Chris, is teaching at a fun learning store in town.  Each class has a theme with a book, activity, and project.  Today's book was about cloud shapes, so the kids got to make their own cloud pictures.

 

The kids were so serious about their painting projects.

The kids just love library days, because they love books just as much as their mommy.

 It also helps that the library has fun puppets and other toys to play with.  Almanzo was quite amused with the puppets today.

36 week baby bump

There was a fun kid's parade before Ted's race and the kids had a blast decorating their bikes, "racing" around the block, and eating some yummy snacks just for them.

 Almanzo is very serious about bike races...and he wasn't so sure about the clowns.

 Our favorite racer

Sunday, we were supposed to join Ted for another bike race, but Valerie was fighting a cold and my allergies were making me dizzy and nauseous all weekend.  So, the kids and I hunkered down at home while Ted went down to Lake Geneva for another WORS race.  We were bummed to miss out on cheering him on and a chance to visit with aunt Sarah and cousin Danny.

I'm starting to hit the uncomfortable stage of this pregnancy as baby is running out of space and my body is getting ready for labor day.  The kids seem to think that means they can cause even more trouble.  Their latest scheme was to get into the vapor rub...and I pour it all over Valerie's hair.  It took several washes and finally a bunch of coconut oil to get it all out, but her hair is still a bit greasy looking.  These two certainly keep me on my toes!

I found out at my 36 week appointment this week that I am already 2 cm dilated and my doctor seems to think labor could happen sooner than my due date.  Valerie has been telling me quite often, "mommy, your belly is getting too big, so you need to go to the doctor so you can have the baby".  She also insists that he come soon, because "I want to meet him NOW!"   We are anxiously awaiting his arrival, but praying that whenever he arrives his lungs are ready to breathe in this world and that his arrival is less dramatic than our last two experiences. 

Friday, we decided to go ahead and travel to Hayward, WI for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival as planned, but, since I was having sporadic contractions and some spotting, decided to pack my hospital bag and the car seat just in case.  We also decided to drive part way back Saturday night so we could make it to a family gathering on Sunday and break up the long drive home.  It ended up being a beautiful weekend and we enjoyed cheering on our favorite mountain biker. 

***

September 16 - 22

My favorite little girl

After a busy weekend, the kids were so tired they insisted on falling asleep in mommy's arms.  I am so blessed.

 "Mommy, I make a tower!  Take a picture!"

 Some days, we spend all morning in our pajamas and cuddle up watching a Netflix movie.

 Somebody was excited about an early birthday gift arriving in the mail this week.  "Heavy! Heavy!" he said as he heaved it up over his head and declared, "I got it, mommy!"

 Like mother, like daughter - wearing a skirt to play t-ball!

Almanzo loves his new t-ball set from uncle David & aunt Cherylyn.  Valerie got one for her birthday two years ago, so they spent the rest of the night playing t-ball in the basement.

Sunday, we joined my family at my parents' new home for a Klein family Thanksgiving.  My cousin, Sparrow, is visiting from Washington with her daughter, Matia, and my uncle Larry is visiting from Canada so it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the family we are so thankful for.  It was also an opportunity for my parents to invite the family back to my grandparents' home as it becomes their home.  They were all excited to see the changes they've already made and to hear all the plans for future changes.  And, of course, it is such a blessing to continue celebrating the legacy of family my grandparents left behind in the house that love built.

Valerie's imagination continues to amaze me.  Lately, she has been talking non stop about her baby dolls.  She is such a little mommy, rocking her "babies" to sleep, making sure they are fed and clothed, and telling me all about their daily adventures.  One morning, she woke up and said, "Mommy, I really tired...cuz my baby waked me up out of bed! I need tell her not do that, so I can sleep."  

Our littlest peanut decided to tease us with contractions again for several hours Thursday night and then all morning Friday, including during my OB appointment.  I am still 2 cm dilated, but my cervix has thinned quite a bit and baby is definitely head down.  We thought for sure we'd have a baby over the weekend, but contractions slowed down again and we are more than happy to let this little one keep growing healthy and strong.

Project Life 2012: Weeks 34 - 36

We are still working on recovering what photos we can and, since most of my daily photos are now taken on my phone using Instagram, most of the Project Life updates will now include Instagram photos.

August 19 - 25

Our poor computer...which is now holding all our files and photos hostage...

Lazy post vacation days call for lots of cuddling on the couch watching Netflix movies.

 

 Big girl helped push her brother during our early evening shopping excursion to find the perfect going home outfit for little brother.

 We finally found the perfect going home outfit for our littlest peanut.

 33 weeks baby bump

 He insisted on mommy cuddles...and how could I resist?

It amazes me how quickly our kids can figure out the latest technology.  Almanzo was having so much fun playing a matching game on grandma's Kindle.

Bath time saves the day every single time!

So excited to spend time with this sweet momma!

My sweet parents, who just celebrated their 31st anniversary...and are still very much in love.

Our week started out on a major downer - our computer completely crashed, with all our files and photos.  I was literally in tears, but, thankfully, I have photos saved from blogging, facebook, and photo websites I use often.  We've been using the laptop my dad fixed up for us for the time being and have already ordered a new external hard drive to backup our files in the future.  Lesson learned: always back up photos and files in more than one location.  And, if your external hard drive breaks, buy a new one immediately, before your computer has a chance to crash too.

We've also been slowly getting ready for our littlest peanut's arrival.  The kids helped me pick out a going home outfit for him on one of our shopping excursions.  We are also getting excited for my sister's baby to arrive, any day now.  We thought she would make an appearance this week, but she decided it was much more comfy to stay in her mommy's womb for a little longer.  We can hardly wait to watch these two little ones grow up together!

Saturday, we headed to my parents' house to stay overnight before another bike race.  Ted blessed me with the night off, so I was able to join my parents and my brothers at a wedding reception for one of our childhood friends.  It was so much fun to reconnect with the Jacobs family, a family of five kids just like ours who spent a lot of time with us when we were all younger.  I especially enjoyed reconnecting with Corey and his wife, Laura.  Laura and I became Facebook friends when her son was just a newborn and this was our second time meeting in person.  It's funny that it took Facebook to make us friends, when I grew up with her husband, because she has been such a blessing to me. 

***

August 26 - September 1

 There is not much sweeter than wake up to this little man curled up next to me in bed.

Four years old...going on fourteen.  Seriously, this girl is a hoot!

The kids enjoyed a fun play date with friends during my eye doctor appointment today.

 I just love watching the man I love read from the "God book" and pray with the kids every night before bed.  It melts my heart every time.

She is quickly becoming my big helper.  She wanted a drink of water, so she climbed up on a stool, found a cup, added some ice, and then filled it up with just the right amount of water.  I can't get over how fast she is growing!

I just love this photo of my little man reaching up to me with full view of his littlest brother still snug and safe in mommy's womb.  I am blessed.

Daddy and his little man - I just love these two.

Miss V helping aunt "Seda" cook dinner at my parents' house.

This week started out with a bike race, but the rain kept the kids and I from cheering on our favorite mountain biker.  Instead, we spent the day at my parent's house and the kids soaked up the extra attention from Gramma and Pappi.  My parents are slowly making my grandparents' home their home and it's exciting to see the changes they are making.

The kids kept me entertained all week with their silliness.  They are growing so quickly these days.  Valerie is learning to write and recognize her letters and is just so eager to learn new things.  She is also our little drama queen; all of life is her stage!  Almanzo is all about "I do myself" lately, which often exhibits itself in plain stubbornness.  We are in the process of potty training, but it's a long process.  The only time he seems to be willing to actually use the potty is when we let him run around the house naked.  The moment we put a diaper or underwear on him, he doesn't want anything to do with the potty.

Ted has made a routine of reading to the kids before bed from a kids' devotional bible we have.  It's so sweet to hear them talk about Jesus and even sing songs about Him throughout the day.  They always take turns praying with daddy and I love hearing what they ask to pray about.  Almanzo always asks to pray for a bike race and Valerie remembers to pray for her littlest brother to be healthy and safe.  Then, before they crawl into bed, they both make sure to kiss my growing belly and say goodnight to their baby brother.  It melts my heart every time!

***

September 2 - 8 

Meeting our sweet niece...and we already love her so much!

Our afternoon snack is often a homemade smoothie (almond milk, peanut butter, fruit, and a touch of honey) and the kids get just a little bit excited when it's smoothie time!

First night of a new year of Awana and Almanzo made his debut as a Puggle this year.

35 week baby bump

My sister has been sending us photo updates of sweet Karli and we just can't get enough of her!

Like father, like daughter - our engineer in training doing a little bedtime reading. 

According to Valerie, a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes.  These are her new sparkly church shoes and she can hardly wait to wear them!

Our niece, Karli, decided to make her appearance this week and it was the perfect start to a new month.  We spent our Memorial Day meeting her and falling in love with every perfectly and wonderfully made piece of her.  The kids haven't had a chance to actually meet her yet, because hospital policy prohibited young children from coming into the recovery rooms, but they love seeing pictures of her and talk about her often.  We can hardly wait for them to finally meet her and for her to be joined by our littlest peanut soon.

The excitement of our niece's arrival put me in full on nesting mode.  I spent the rest of the week working on freezer meals and getting everything ready for baby.  Valerie and Almanzo are getting so excited to meet him.  They ask often when he's going to be here and Valerie said, "I want to meet him now!".

This week was also the start of a new year of Awana.  Valerie began her second year of Cubbies and Almanzo began his very first year of Awana as a Puggle.  They were so excited and talked about it all day.  Valerie was so sweet, telling Almanzo how fun it would be and helping to calm his nerves as we drove there.  He was a little shy when we first arrived, but by the time we picked him up he was all smiles and excited to tell us about his class.  I just can't get over how fast they are growing!