Abbi's Birth Story- The Backstory

So, I was 2 weeks overdue.  Yeah.  It sucked.  Wilson and I were super impatient and stressed. We were doing EVERYTHING you've ever heard of to bring on labor...and some stuff you haven't heard of.  The common stuff:

• Walking (I gave myself shin splints, bruised my foot, and got multiple blisters in the month prior to going into labor.)
• "Quality time" with the husband...yeah, you know what I mean.
• Sitting on the birthing ball (basically just one of those exercise balls you see women at the gym using.)
• Using the breast pump
• Jogging (see first point)  (Also, I'm pretty sure my neighbors were laughing behind their curtains at the hugely pregnant woman running through the neighborhood.)
• Bumpy car rides. I'm pretty sure Wilson found every. single. speed bump. in. Jacksonville... Seriously.
• Eating spicy, greasy food.  Besides making me feel like a fat slob, this did nothing.

And some less well-known ideas:

• Taking Evening Primrose Oil.  It's supposed to ripen the cervix in preparation for labor.
• Taking Red Raspberry Leaf supplements.  It supposedly strengthens the uterus to help labor go more quickly and smoothly.
• Acupuncture.  Yeah, I did this.  It's a little weird and all but I figured, hey, what's it gonna hurt?  Well, it did hurt a little and certainly didn't bring on labor so whatever.
• Taking a laxative.
• Sitting on a heating pad to bring extra bloodflow to that general area of my body.
• Drinking a half glass of wine and taking a hot bath.  Random woman on the internet #4,782 said it put her into labor so I tried it.  Nothing.

So, the day before I was 42 weeks pregnant (Wednesday, March 21) I went to the midwife.  She told me that if I hadn't gone into labor by that Friday I would be admitted to the hospital for a medical induction (break water, pitocin, etc.) so we really needed to get stuff going.  The only thing I hadn't done to try to bring on labor was take Castor Oil.  This stuff is a stimulant laxative. Basically, it speeds up your body's natural process of contracting your intestines, making you have a bowel movement.  Well, the uterus is made of the same type of muscle that your intestines are made of, so castor oil also causes the uterus to contract.  Ta-da!  Labor!!

The downside of this is it's a pretty...um...violent way of inducing labor.  It's also not super comfortable and can cause dehydration so they don't recommend you try it until the last. possible. moment.  Well, we were there, so after the midwife appointment Wilson went into Walgreen's and got me some *gag* castor oil and we went home, hoping to meet our baby soon.

Next up...Labor and Delivery!

She's Here!

Abigail Elizabeth was born March 22 at 6:22am.  She weighed in at 7lb 2oz, and measured 19 inches long.  She is a champion eater, sleeps for 3-4 hour stretches at a time and is the most beautiful baby we've ever seen.  Ever.  Seriously.  ;-)

Stay tuned for her birth story...

*Update*: The birth story is up!  Start here.

Just sayin...

37 Weeks!

Hello, crazy lack of updates!  Let me explain...No there is too much.  Let me sum up.

*Quick! Name that movie!*

1. We moved to Jacksonville, FL right before Christmas.  Well, I moved.  Wilson was in Rhode Island.  Moving 4 states away by yourself 8 months pregnant=Crazy fun, Navy-style.

2. I've met most of the officer's wives on Wilson's new ship.  Yay!  All of them are married to people who outrank my hubby and are therefore basically off-limits for hanging out.  Boo.

3. We're preparing for the hubs to go on deployment in April.  Fruit is in the dehydrator and beef is marinating for jerky as we speak!

4. I had a baby shower!  We had great fun and I was blessed with some amazing homemade gifts from some wonderful friends!

5. Speaking of baby, let's resume the old categories, with a few new additions mayhaps?

Nausea/Cravings 

Slight nausea at random times.  The midwife was bewildered.  Basically, I just have to keep a little food in the tummy and we're good.  Still no cravings.  Wilson asked me this weekend when that will happen.  Haha, dude, it would've already happened!  I think he's a little bummed that he doesn't have any "I need pickles and a blue snow cone RIGHT NOW!!!" stories to tell.  So sorry, my dear.

Mah Girlish Figure

Hah!  Wilson keeps telling me that I just look like I can't get comfortable.  And he's right.  I'll be comfy for, like 10 minutes and then I need to shift.  This belly is starting to get...annoying.  We went home for a visit last weekend.  Much more feasible now that we're only 5 hours away but it was still not super fun.

Also...the baby dropped!  My mother-in-law noticed it one evening when she was visiting; she said my stomach looked lower and when I sat in bed that night I realized that I could take a deep breath!  Yay!!  Basically, this means the baby's head has dropped into my pelvis.  They say now the baby is "engaged in the pelvis".  Sweet, huh?  Yay for progress!

 

Pain/Cramping

Braxton-Hicks, baby!  These "practice contractions" are happening almost daily now and I may-or-may-not-have had 3 little contractions in a row last Friday that then decided to stop.  I'm getting ready for the big day!

 

Skin

Clear and glowing!

 

Sleeping

Pretty good most nights, actually.  I'm surprised; I expected to be up all night getting kicked and having to pee by now.  I'm only having to get up once at night and occasionally sleep through without having to pee.  Once I get settled I pretty much stay put so that's good!

 

Fetal Movement

My tummy is lopsided a lot of the time and it's really fun to be able to feel the side of my stomach and feel the baby's foot.  So fun!!

 

The Hubster

...is ready to meet his kid.  Last night he leaned in and talked to my belly and told the baby (s)he needed to get here already.

 

Overall State of Mind

Excited!  A little bit nervous about labor and the big impending life change...but mostly excited!

Did I miss anything?  Probably, but this is a good "sum up"!

Thanksgiving

Today, I give thanks to the Lord my God for the blessings He has bestowed upon me.

For my husband, who loves, guides, and protects me daily.  He is strong where I am weak and holds me up when I fail.  What a man, to honor God and seek His will, love and strengthen his family, and point us to the Lord.  He is already a wonderful father; I can't wait to walk down the rest of life's path with him.

For my parents.  Their commitment to one another has spanned a quarter-century! What a privilege to have such an example to follow.  They have loved me unconditionally through thick and thin and they are always a source of guidance for life's troubles.  I praise God for their presence in my life.

For my parents-in-law.  They have welcomed me into their home and family as another of their children, rejoicing in my joys and sharing in my sorrows.  I could not have asked for a home so gracious and loving.  They are truly a blessing from the Lord upon my life.

For my siblings and sister-in-law.  From the little things like shopping for Christmas and birthday presents together to bigger things like sharing in the loss of loved ones, these are the people I share life with.  I love that I have other Godly women in my life, going through many of the same struggles I face at the same time, and for a brother who is growing and being transformed from a little boy into a man of God.

For this little one.  The blessing of a fruitful womb is from the Lord (Ps. 127:3) so I return thanks to Him.  I praise You, Lord, for the miracle of a baby, for Your perfect timing, and for Your provision to me.  You knew the physical hardships I'd face, moving without my husband while pregnant, and You blessed in amazing ways.  Just like the Israelites in the desert, my feet have not swollen and my strength has remained steady.  I have been healthy, energetic, without nausea, heartburn, or (much) achiness.  You have given sleep to my eyes and rest to my bones and I praise You.  I pray for this child that Your salvation would come to him or her, that You will form each organ into Your perfect design, that You will watch over each moment of this little life.  I ask for Your guidance for us as parents, for Your wisdom in discipline and instruction, for Your peace as we make this life-altering transition.  Bless our marriage.  I praise You for the man You have given me to walk with through this life; You truly designed him for me.  I pray that You will raise up our child to a life of wisdom, faithfulness, mercy, justice, and love.  And I thank You again for allowing us to participate in this miracle called life.

For my extended family, my friends, my overwhelming physical blessings (ie roof over my head, warm place to sleep, etc.), my health....there is too much to list here.  I am so incredibly blessed and take so much for granted.

For the many blessings to come.


Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

God is Faithful

I have a confession to make but you need a bit of background in order to understand it.  Back in March, Wilson had to take a class for the Navy and his reimbursement was delayed.  Sounds like not such a big deal until you realize that the class was in Rhode Island and we paid for 3 weeks in a hotel, meals, travel, etc without any reimbursement.  Well, this is where the confession comes in...I covered that expense by not paying our tithe for a couple of months.  Then I didn't pay it again for this trip that he's taking now.  I know, bad bad girl.  I kept track of how much I owed, though, so that when we got the cash from the Navy I could pay the "back tithe" if you will.

Well, we got the reimbursement check a few weeks ago, which ended up being nearly exactly what I owed in tithing.  I struggled with paying it, b/c doing so left us pretty deficient in our checking account.  But my husband said, "It's supposed to be the firstfruits.  Pay the whole thing and we'll just trust God."  So as I wrote the check that Sunday, the phrase came into my head, "If you are faithful to God, He'll be faithful to you," which is my (very poor) paraphrase of Psalm 18:25, "To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless."  So, anyway, I wrote the check, not sure how we were going to be able to cover all of the moving expenses coming our way, but trusting God to provide.

Well, through 2 VERY unexpected resources, this week God not only paid us back...

he doubled it.

Our Father covered our worries to the extent that, not only are we back on track with our budget, we have extra wiggle room for the coming months.  Praise Him for His goodness!!

"The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." 1 Thess. 5:24

Don't you love it when God shows up??

19 Weeks

Wow, y'all.  So sorry it's been so long since I posted.  I was out of internet for a while, we're moving (more on that later), Wilson's been gone and home and gone again so freakin' often...yeah.  No offense but blogging wasn't on the top of the priority list.  But here we are, blogging on location from Newport, RI where I'm visiting the hubs for a week.  Woo to the hoo!!

Also, I realize that 19 weeks is a weird one to pick.  However, week 20 is going to be crazy hectic and I wanted to get this up while I had time.

Nausea/Cravings

Ok, so I was never super-nauseous.  It's just that my gag reflex is really sensitive and that's starting to settle down.  The only times I've actually gotten nauseous are when I break my normal breakfast routine in a big way.  Like, nothing but juice until 11:30am.  Or a greasy Egg McMuffin and too-sweet iced coffee at 6am.  Bad decisions, granted, but nothing that would've given me any trouble pre-preggo.

I really haven't gotten any weird cravings.  I mean, I really enjoy a pickle these days and I almost drove to South Carolina the other day to get me some Chik-N-Snak, but nothing too bizarre.  (Chik-N-Snak is in Graniteville for those of y'all in the area, and it's amazing.  For reals.)

Mah Girlish Figure

I'm actually starting to show!!  Just a small little bump but definitely there.  I made the switch 2 weeks ago to maternity jeans and my life is forever changed.  Why didn't anyone ever tell me these things were so freakin' comfortable?!  Please, if you haven't ever been pregnant, ignore those well-meaning folks who tell you to just unbutton your jeans.  I mean, do that if you have to as you drive to the store to buy maternity jeans.  Just do it.  You'll thank me.

Pain/Cramping 

None.

Skin 

Almost clear as a bell.  The other day someone asked me (over the phone) if I was glowing yet.  Um...I don't really know what that "glow" looks like, so I can't say.  Any thoughts, local friends?

Sleeping

Not uncomfortable yet but I can see us heading that way.  I really want to sleep on my back but it freaks me out because you're not supposed to lay flat on your back after the first trimester.  (The baby can compress the umbilical cord.)  That's gonna be a question at my next midwifery visit.  =)

Fetal Movement

It's there! Yes! Check! Positive!! Yay for feeling my little babycakes move!!  Ok, so here's the story...'long about 16 weeks I thought I felt a little something.  Like, it felt similar to bubbles popping or carbonation along the inside of my belly.  I got kinda excited but then, nothing.  For days, then a week.  So I wrote it off and moved on with my life.  But THEN last week (Oct 11 to be exact) I was laying in bed, trying to pay attention and see if I felt anything.  I thought I felt little flutters here and there, enough that I didn't think it could be anything else but not so much that I couldn't be sure it wasn't my imagination.  And then, WHACK!  A very distinct tap.  It was like the baby was going, "HEY! Quit psyching yourself out; it's really me!!"  I just grinned and glowed and called Wilson the next day to let him know.  So exciting.

Almost every day since then I've felt more and more movement.  It's to the point now that I can kinda tell the baby's sleep/wake cycle.  Pretty cool, folks.  Pretty darn cool.

The Hubster

I had to put this new category in, because Wilson really deserves his own spot.  It's killing him to be away for these big moments but he's been around for some stuff this week that I think makes him feel a little closer to the action.  Like, when he got to see me puke yesterday.  See, I have only ever thrown up when he's been gone because it throws my schedule off.  I eat differently and at strange times so it would upset my tummy.  But he had never been around when I've been sick...until yesterday.  Welcome, my love, to the joys of pregnancy!!

Also, he got to feel the baby move this weekend!!  Every time I would get 2 taps in a row I'd take his hand and put it on my belly and tell him to wait and pay attention...and baby would immediately go completely still.  For, like, 30 minutes at a time.  Grrr...c'mon, little one! (Is this a sign of what's to come??)  Well, Sunday night (10/16) I felt 3 taps right in a row in the same spot.  When I took Wilson's hand he heaved a big sigh and put down his book to pay attention.  He was telling me that he thought he felt a little fluttering or something when he suddenly gasped and his eyes got big.  He looked at me and said, "There!  That's what I expected it to feel like!"  And the baby kept on "tapping" him...Wilson caught his breath every time.  And I died.  I love this man!!

Overall State of Mind

I've officially entered that blissful state of second-trimester.  I'm feeling pregnant, have energy again, and am loving every minute of this.  This pregnancy has been wonderful so far and I'm praising God for His provision and care.  It's unbelievable how He allows us to participate in His miracles.  I'm truly in awe of this whole process.

Babycakes is 5 inches long this week and weighs 1/2 lb.

(Yes, I know babycakes is kinda a weird nickname, but "Baby Miles"sounds like a boy and The Little One is too impersonal.  We still haven't really come up with a nickname, but I'm going with this for now, mmm k?)

(Pictures to follow.  They've been taken, but the camera cord is in the truck, which is at the Navy Base while I'm at the apartment.  Yay for good planning!)