Baby Girl's Birth Story - Part 1

On Monday morning, I called the doctor's office to inquire of the order of events for Friday morning's induction. I have always been told when to call L&D and not to eat or drink after midnight the night before, but I was literally told nothing this time. When I spoke with nurse Donna, she had already been planning to call because she realized what had happened. She told me to call the hospital at 5.00 Friday morning and to plan to be there at 5.30 if a bed was available. I thought it was early, but it would be alright.

On Thursday, Ronnie got home and we took the boys out for pizza before we dropped them off with overnight bags and sleeping bags at Grandma Jackie's house. I felt terrible leaving my babies, but it would be so much hassle to get them out so early the next morning. Ronnie and I went home alone and did things around the house the rest of the night until I finally fell asleep sometime between midnight and 1.00.

The alarm went off at 3.30 a.m. and I waddled to the bathroom to take my last pregnant bath. I soaked for a bit and watched Baby Girl wiggle around in my tummy. We got everything packed into the van and I made the call to the hospital at 5.00. It was then that I heard what I've never been told before. There were no open beds. I was told to call back at 7.30. At this point it was nearly impossible to go back to sleep, but Ronnie forced me back to bed and eventually I did get a little more rest.

At 7.30 Ronnie called back to L&D while I stayed in bed. He was told that there were several patients scheduled for discharge, but they were still full so I would need to call back at 10.00. At this point I felt like we wouldn't be meeting our baby that day. I was tired and emotional, but Ronnie was so sweet and tried his best to keep me calm. I was also starving because they still said I couldn't have anything to eat. We decided to go see the boys so we left and stayed at my grandma's until it was time to call back.

At 10.00 I called once again. This time I didn't receive information to call again or to come in. I was asked for the phone number where I could be reached and simply told that I would get a call back later.

I was beyond upset. I felt so down. I had prepared myself for this day for two weeks and now nothing was going like I had pictured. I should have been in labor by then, but I wasn't even in the same town as the hospital. I wanted to cry, but I was too tired. I wanted to do something, go somewhere, but I was stuck at my grandma's house until I got a call back. I was just ready to have my baby.

The Last Month

At 37 weeks pregnant (July 3rd), I visited the doctor that just loves to schedule me for inductions. This appointment did not disappoint. He was pleased with my blood pressure, blood sugar and weight, but he really felt that it would be better for me to go ahead and get on the schedule. I had a growth ultrasound before the appointment and it revealed that Baby Girl weighed approximately 7lbs. 9oz. Not small by any means, and there were three weeks before she should arrive. Therefore, I reluctantly agreed to the thing I wanted least. He wanted to schedule me for the 17th, at 39 weeks exactly, but I asked for the 19th so that Ronnie would be home and not have to miss any work. He agreed that it should be okay.

The next week, at 38 weeks, I saw Dr. Richardson (he delivered Ezra). He was disappointed that he wouldn't be delivering our baby (I was too) and offered to change the induction to Monday, July 22. Ronnie and I debated heavily on this, but ultimately decided that we would stay with the 19th.

We left the doctor's office after our final appointment, knowing that we would be meeting our little girl in one week.

The next post will begin her birth story.

What's In A Name - Part 3

Part 3 means that we are to our third son. And, I must confess, when we were told "boy" for the third time, we had no name prospects whatsoever.

Ezra getting ready to go home.

By this point we felt that we needed to use another "E" name and that it should probably be biblical. That didn't leave very many options. We tossed around a few names and had decided that we liked Ezekiel. That was the baby's name and we just needed to find a middle name to go with it. But then we had a discussion and decided that we might like Ezra better. We were so indecisive! Finally, not long before he was born, we decided that we like Ezra and that would be baby's name. Ezra, incidentally, means "help" (another Hebrew name) and the Lord knew I was going to need help with this child!

But then we needed a middle name. Gosh! Naming babies is hard! We talked about names that are in each of our families and decided that William was well represented on both sides, and it's a good, solid male name. Then there's the fact that every time I was pregnant one of my colleagues would rub my belly saying, "I know there's a Will in there!" Her son was William and he is a great young man whom I wouldn't mind my boys looking up to. 

And not long before he was born, we decided that this little man would be Ezra William.

What's In A Name - Part 2

Last week I shared how Ronnie and I chose Ethan's name. This week I'll talk about our second child.

Elijah on his birth day.

We didn't have such an easy time choosing his name, but we finally agreed and we love it still. Mr. Elijah Hayes. I remember writing a list of Bible names that I liked (I love Josiah, by the way, but Ronnie said no!) and giving it to Ronnie. He'd tell me yes, no, or maybe for each one. I heard "no" a lot. But I didn't hear "yes' very much. And there were a few "maybe" answers. Eventually we reached a truce and we decided that the first name for this little boy would be Elijah. It's another Hebrew name and means "the Lord is my God." Plus there's the fact that Elijah was a great prophet in the Bible.

When we got to the middle name, we decided that we would name him after someone in my family. Vernon, after my dad? No. Arlie, after my grandpa? No. Robert? Leroy? Eugene? Martin? Rueben? Obviously all a no. (I have some strange and old-fashioned names on my side!) I decided one day to go through the geneology book that my grandpa Arlie researched many years ago. It was there that I discovered my great-grandfather Rueben's middle name was Hayes. I liked it immediately. I shared it with Ronnie and he liked it too. It flowed well with Elijah. And we had the name for our second son.

What's In A Name - Part 1

I thought it would be fun to explain the reasoning behind the names that Ronnie and I have chosen for each of our kids. I don't think I've ever written it down and I'd like the boys (and girl) to have the story of how their name was chosen to read when they're older.

I'll do Ethan this week and go through until Little Miss is born and we announce her name. :)

Ethan at his 2nd birthday party.

When Ronnie and I started dating we told each other that we didn't want to have kids. Ha! We were just going to date for awhile and then go our separate ways. Ha! At least that's what young me thought since I was heading off to college and wanted to explore the world without being tied down. 

Wasn't I silly?

Within a few months I began to realize that this Ronnie guy wasn't very easy to scare away and that there may be something to our relationship beyond weekend dates. It didn't take long before we were talking marriage and dreaming about our future family. 

For some reason we decided that we wanted four kids. He has three sisters and I have 2 siblings so a smaller family just wouldn't cut it. In our minds at the time we thought we'd have 2 boys and 2 girls and we picked out their names. 

The very first name we picked was the first name we used: Ethan Tate. I had always loved the name Ethan and didn't know very many guys with that name. It is of Hebrew origin and has a good meaning: firm, strong. Just what I'd want my boy to be, firm in his beliefs and strong, both physically and mentally. Ronnie didn't argue as he liked it too, but he was very particular about the middle name. He wanted him named after his grandfather. So we decided that Ethan Tate sounded good together and we tucked the name away to use when we had our future children. 

Fast forward 5-ish years and when we went for the gender ultrasound of our second pregnancy and found out that we were expecting a boy, we knew automatically what his name would be. The easiest time choosing a name we've had yet. 

Just a little side note: we ended up not using any of the other names we chose when we chose Ethan's name. How odd is that?

36 Weeks

I had yet another appointment this morning, but it actually went pretty well.

I was scheduled to see the doctor that is always running behind. And he didn't disappoint. After we had been in the waiting room for 25 minutes his nurse came around telling everyone that he was running behind. I mentioned that I wasn't sure if I needed an NST today or not, so she went to check for me. A few minutes later I was being taken to a room to get started.

Nurse Joan is the sweetest, most wonderful lady and she got me hooked up, watched the strip for awhile and asked if I was thirsty. Of course I was! I stay thirsty these days. I ended up getting a cold water and an ice pack for my neck while Baby Girl kicked and moved around. Thankfully, everything on the strip looked great and we were told she's doing well.

There is much debate on whether cervical checks are worthwhile or not so I was asked if I wanted to be checked or not. Last week I was only a fingertip so I was curious to find out if anything has been happening with all these contractions I've been having. Surprisingly the doctor said that I'm almost a 2! Yay! I was super excited!

We talked about my glucose levels. I forgot my book so I told him how they've been and he seemed pleased with them and didn't make any adjustments to my medications.

He also mentioned that he wants to have another growth ultrasound so that is scheduled for Wednesday. He's concerned because I "tend to grow big babies." Yes, I know.

Finally he mentioned an induction and choosing a date. I don't know if I'm crazy or what, but I politely declined, telling him that I'd like to go into labor on my own this time. He seemed pretty supportive, but cautiously advised that there was no reason to go past my due date and that it would be advisable to not go past 39 weeks. But he understands that I'd like to skip the pitocin.

Therefore, at the moment, I am scheduled to go into labor on my body's timing. We are being optimistic that I will go into labor by my due date and skip the induction process. The worry is that Ronnie is working 3 hours away four days a week. I'm concerned that I'll go into labor while he's gone and that he may not make it in time. And then I worry about what I'll do if I do go into labor while he's gone; what will I do with the kids, will I drive myself to the hospital, will I be alone in the delivery room? Ironically, I'm not stressed or worried about it. I'm trying not to think about it too much, but I'm pretty excited that I may get to experience spontaneous labor.

Keep us in your prayer! We need them!

35 Weeks

Since the last baby update I've been to the doctor twice so I think it's time for another, even though there isn't much happening.

Ronnie went with me for a 34 week check up. It was one of those where they check weight and bp, measure the big ole ball on my front side, listen to the baby's heart, ask if we have questions and send us on our way in less than 10 minute visits. I never have questions, but Ronnie is a talker and has to talk even if it's just to hear himself. Just kidding. He talked about my glucose levels with Dr. Mannino. He told her how frustrated I get when my numbers are high and that he tells me not to stress, but I don't listen. So, with him sitting there grinning, the doctor agreed with him and reminded me that my numbers are looking very good and not to stress. Thanks, hon!

Then we were told that it was time to start weekly visits! That, my friends, is how we know we're getting close to meeting this little (big) lady!

I went this past Thursday for a 35 week visit. I had to take Ethan with me since we came straight from his summer camp. Huge thanks to Gram Jackie or I would have had all three with me when they told me they were going to do the Group B Strep test. That could have been interesting. But Ethan is a pretty good kid and entertained himself with an I Spy tube in the hallway during the personal moments.

Dr. Lennon was pleased with my glucose levels and said everything sounded/looked good. Thank you to him for not mentioning the 4 pound weight gain this week. (Why can I go for 3-4 weeks maintaining and then BAM! a huge gain at one time?!) And then he checked for dilation and all these stinkin' contractions have gained me a whole fingertip. I was hoping for more, but its a start so I'll take it.

And that is the baby update for now. Only five more (give or take one or two) and I'll be sharing Baby Girl with you all!