The day that Super Freak fell Helplessly in Love . . .Again . . . Part I

In the wee small hours of the morning of March 13, 2011, I was awake. The mess of pollen outside had fully clogged all of my airways and I found it easier just to be sitting up in a chair reading "Shape" magazine (yes, at nine months pregnant--I like to torture myself??) and blowing my nose instead of trying to lay down and finding all breathing impossible. While reading my magazine, I found myself kind of bored and decided I was going to write a post entitled, "Super Freak" on this blogspot.

"Super Freak" was going to be about how much I truly, really, honestly LOVED being pregnant and how much I loved having a new little precious life growing inside of me. At my doctor's appointment the prior Monday, March 7, Doc Haskins walked in and said, "So, you're ready to have this baby by now, aren't you? How about Wednesday?" I begged and pleaded for at least another week with her inside me before we induced because I was NOT miserable, anxious, scared, or going out of my mind waiting for the bambino to arrive. I was savoring every moment of having her inside of me and cherishing every single kick, hiccup, and sudden appearance of a knee or elbow gliding across my belly. Baby Girl was still soooo active and happy where she was. Haskins looked at my husband and asked if he was aware of how "odd" I was to want to stay pregnant at 38 weeks. Said that women are normally begging him to take the baby by then. . . but not me.

I guess because this pregnancy was so unexpected and so much of a miracle and a gift, I wanted to cherish every single moment of it. And I did. It was by far the easiest of my pregnancies, despite it being my biggest weight gain and my being "advanced" in maternal age. I never had that exhaustion and crazy emotion I had with Luke's pregnancy, or hours of nausea every night of the first trimester I had with Lilly Grace. The only recurring symptoms of this pregnancy were my colds and stuffed noses, and I probably would have had that with seasonal allergy stuff anyway. Because I had been through labor twice before, I didn't have much anxiety about it and I didn't find myself reading four to five different pregnancy books on a weekly basis making sure I was doing everything "right." This pregnancy was a God thing, and I let Him run the show while I tried to be grateful for it.

So, I was reflecting on all of that and what words I would and could choose to convey my total adoration of the pregnant state when I had to blow my nose yet again. Mind you, all day on Saturday the 12th, I had been having contractions on and off, but there was nothing consistent. Kevin, Luke, Lilly Grace and I had an awesome day eating daddy's pancakes for breakfast, going to the zoo, eating a late lunch on the patio at Crown, and just hanging out enjoying family time. As I went to blow my nose yet again in the wee small hours of the morning on the 13th, I suddenly starting peeing on myself, or so I thought, and I could NOT stop. I went running to the bathroom in a rawther graceful fashion with kleenex between my legs trying to make it stop when it hit me: I wasn't peeing. This was not voluntary. What was happening to me?? It was 4:50 a.m. at this point.

Because I had the forethought to bring my beloved iPhone to the hall bath with me, I immediately started goggling "signs of labor" "how to know when my water is broken" "is my water broken" "what should I do if my water breaks?" I could find no definitive answers, but as I sat there on the potty with liquid continually flowing, I concluded by 5:10 a.m. that my water had indeed broken, and by darn, I had better start working on maintenance and packing up for the hospital. As I walked to the shower, Kevin asked what I was doing and I told him, "My water broke. I'm getting in the shower. You can sleep about half-hour or so, but then we'll need to go to the hospital. I'm not waiting for contractions." Of course, he jumped out of bed immediately.

I tried to stay calm and leisurely get ready for the fun impending labor. The fact that I had absolutely no contractions at all helped significantly in that effort. I packed my toiletries, blew my hair dry, made sure my makeup was perfectly applied, and then called Mom and Dad at 5:38. Told them I thought my water had broken and that they needed to come and be at the house when Luke and Lilly Grace woke up in the morning. They came quickly, took pictures for posterity's sake, and off we went. The fabulous shots we captured that morning are at the top of this blog because I can't figure out how to move them. They are super fab!

The labor and delivery story of my precious, amazing baby girl is to be continued . . . she is waking up from a nap and I don't want to spend one waking moment away from her side!

Oh, happy day!

Oh, happy, happy, joyous day! This has been a WEEK! It's hard to remember the last time I was this ecsstatic to see Friday.

We received some fabulous news on Wednesday, March 1, at my weekly doctor's appointment. Sweet baby girl has TURNED and is no longer breech, so no c-section! Hooray, hooray! I am so proud of her for making the big move southward and to know that a c-section is not at least scheduled makes me feel sooooo much better.

Doc now wants to induce next Wednesday. I am protesting that with everything in me. I go back to him on Monday to see if I have progressed at all (which I hadn't on Wednesday) and he said we will discuss being induced then. I know he wants to induce because it is way easier on his schedule, the baby is a big, healthy girl, etc., but a huge part of me wants to let HER decide when she arrives in the world, rather than fit into his schedule. Yes, it would be easier to schedule and coordinate the children, etc. if she arrived next Wednesday, but to force her into the world before she's ready? I had a problem doing it with Lilly Grace (but bent to the pressure because of Christmas), and really don't want to do it this time around.

Went back to hospital for another flawless fetal stress test and then to Angelina College to get measurements. I got so tickled--to get the weight estimate, they have to take three measurements--the head circumference, the length of the femur, and the belly diameter. They tried THREE times to get her belly measurement, but she is now "out of range," on that. Like her momma! A big bellied gal! Based on the head and femur, they estimated 9 lbs. 9 oz., but Casey said the bigger the baby gets, the less accurate the estimates are, and without all three, it's pretty difficult to guesstimate. Casey couldn't imagine that baby girl had gained a pound in a week!

The other big huge sigh of relief comes from the fact that the AJLI President, Delly Beekman, has completed her Lufkin visit. She was in Lufkin from Tuesday night until Thursday morning visiting a community project; dining with actives, sustainers, and provisionals; leading a general meeting; and having breakfast with past Presidents. It was a wonderful visit, and I am so grateful that AJLI sent her, but it's a big relief to have that behind me and not have to think about Junior League until March 28th.

Kevin just headed to Dallas for the first of his three weekends in March. At the end of the last weekend in March, his trips to Dallas on the weekends for school are OVER! It will be a marvelous day for us all! Happy weekend!

The Day that Changed . . .well . . .a lot

So now that I'm beyond 35 weeks, my doc has enforced weekly appointments, along with weekly non-stress fetal testing. Last week, at 36 weeks and 5 days, I went ahead and decided to donate my time and my baby's gorgeous body to the Angelina County sonography department one last time. The AC sonography students learn how to "do" an ultrasound by working on live bellies two afternoons a week. I have loved being a guinea pig and this was my fourth time to be up there for the fun.

Wednesday's doc appointment went as planned, except that I was expecting him to tell me SOMETHING was happening to indicate I was closer to labor and the only news he had to share was, "Well, man. I don't know where that baby's head is but she is way, way up there. She's nowhere near coming out at this point, Momma!" I was a little disappointed that no progress had been made, because starting on Monday, the 21st, I was feeling a little uncomfortable for the first time and I was SURE it had something to do with thinning out or dilating or something of the like.

Went to he hospital afterwards for my non-stress test. It went beautifully, as it had the week before. She was a busy girl during the test and her little heartbeat sounded like heaven. I am a huge fan of the test--it is such a soothing quiet time with little Miss. Oh, I also went ahead and paid for the delivery that morning at the hospital so that we would be "pre-paid" and I went to Dr. Kim Procell's office and turned in our paperwork and payment so that Baby Girl's pediatrician would be prepared for her arrival.

After leaving the hospital, I went to Angelina College for my ultrasound. Sweet Casey Davis, the program coordinator and lead teacher for sonography, is a friend of mine. I told her that Dr. Haskins wanted to get an approximate weight, if possible, so she insisted on doing it herself rather than leaving it to the students. We did have her students play for a while, and, of course, the baby pointed her left index finger (which she has done every ultrasounds--I consider it my gift from Granny B) and she also flashed a peace sign!

Casey was a little quiet, and then said, "Allyson, you do realize that her head is um, up here and her bottom is down there, right?" Um, no. Hadn't realized that. Had thought I was patting her precious little bottom right under my boobs and instead, it was her head! Baby Girl turned into a Frank Breech position sometime between weeks 31 and Wednesday, February 23. Well, I figured, she's got time to turn . . .this will be okay. Then Casey did the measurements to predict current weight. She did it the first time and said, "I think I'm going to do this again." I asked her what she came up with and she said, "I really don't want to scare you. Let me do it again." So she did. And the second time, the weight prediction came out a whopping 3 ounces lighter. The first time, baby girl measured at 8 pounds 12 ounces. The second time? 8 pounds 9 ounces.

So, the room went wild--everyone was so excited that she is already such a big girl, AND I have three weeks and two days to go until due date! I am soooo thankful that I know about Casey and the program!

I called Dr. Haskins as soon as I left to let him know that the reason he couldn't find the head was because she is BREECH! And, she weighs almost 9 pounds. I talked with his nurse, as he was in surgery. Thursday afternoon, February 24, he called me and told me that we needed to schedule a c-section on Wednesday, March 9--less than two weeks away. We will check again next week to ensure baby girl hasn't turned again and we'll check before surgery, but he feels that for her safety and mine, it will be best to release her into the world 9 days before she's due. He's too concerned about cord placement to try to turn her, and I agree with that one hundred percent. Oh, I forgot to mention that during the ultrasound, they all commented about how beautiful the cord is--it has "hardly any calcifications," which is rare at this stage of pregnancy!

So, my plan all along--which was to absolutely, positively, not know when she was coming and let her arrive at her own pace--has been changed significantly. My plan to have a third vaginal birth has been changed. And I'll be holding her in my arms in less than two weeks! It's hard to believe that she'll be here so soon, and we are now trying to figure out sleep arrangements, etc. for her because of the c-section. I actually bought a co-sleeper yesterday, based on Hilary Haglund's recommendation, because Hilary said that I'll be too sore and she'll be too heavy to lift for nursing the first few weeks, and I really, really don't want to give up nursing this baby girl. Another thing that has changed? My ability to sleep through the night! I've been up several hours a night since learning this news on Wednesday.

The good news is that God is in control. There is still a chance she could turn on her own. Millions of people have c-sections and I will be just fine, as will she. I'm going to see my baby girl soon!

36 weeks--the countdown is on!

Yesterday, I was 36 weeks pregnant. Big, huge sigh of relief. If baby girl decides to arrive at any point now, she will be safe, she will be developed, and she will be ready to face the world. I have always (despite two previous pregnancies) thought that 40 weeks was full-term, but read yesterday on babycenter.com that full-term is any delivery weeks 37-42. I am so grateful that we have made it this far, and hope for a few more weeks with this precious one in my belly.

I started weekly doctor's appointments on Wednesday, and because of my "elderly" status as a Mom, Dr. Haskins has ordered weekly fetal non-stress tests at the hospital, as well--just to ensure that she isn't in any distress. Two days before I was 35 weeks, I had a little "leakage," and I think it freaked him out a bit. Praise God that it wasn't amniotic fluid and that she was safely enclosed in her little world.

My first non-stress test was on Wednesday, February 16, the same day we pre-registered at the hospital and signed up for our payment plan. I was completely shocked at the cost of having a baby/staying in the hospital. For a regular, normal, uncomplicated delivery that includes 48 hours in the hospital and care of both baby and mom, they charge $2500 if you are paying out of pocket. For some reason, I was expecting it to be much more. Of course, that's not the only expenses--we have already paid the doctor upfront, paid for the epidural ($750--and worth EVERY single penny), paid for the Level III ultrasound in the Woodlands, and now we get to pay for these weekly non-stress tests, which are $178 a pop and scheduled for 5 weeks. Anyway, it's good to know that whenever she decides to join us, all the paperwork and negotiating is out of the way and we can get straight to the epidural!

I liked the whole non-stress test experience. You have to go to LDR and lay down on two gauze strips, which they "button" around you with monitors. Then, you hold a "clicker" and every time you feel the baby move, you punch the button on the cicker. Once mom is hooked up, all I had to do was stay still and click away. It was so peaceful to have 25 minutes of just listening to her heartbeat and nothing else. The sweet, Barbie-looking, 22 (at the most) year old nurse handed me the remote to the television, but I really wasn't in the mood for any noise at all. I loved being in an LDR room and NOT being in labor, too. I hope that I'll get to take all of the stress tests--he has me scheduled for them up until 2 days before due date. It is just a peaceful bonding experience that I didn't get to have with my other two--so an advantage of an "advanced maternal age" pregnancy I hadn't planned on!

We are still waiting on her bedding to come in and her changing station to be completed, so her nursery is still functioning as a guest bedroom. It's a good thing, because the guest bedroom currently houses the only working downstairs television. Our TV in the great room decided to retire the Friday of SuperBowl weekend, and I asked Kevin to wait until April to replace it, as that is when you can get the best deal on a new television. We have had some major family bonding time in the "sunshine room," (named by the kids because of the yellow walls painted in there November 2009) watching movies and snuggling up on the bed. Until baby girl's "things" arrive, I just hate to give it up!

I did wash some of her clothes last Sunday. Oh, how I had forgotten about the heavenly scent of Dreft. There is no sweeter smell in the world and sniffing it just made it all the more real that a precious little yummy smelling girl would be arriving soon.

Everyone asks if I think she's coming early. I honestly don't have any idea. She is staying busy, busy in utero, which is supposed to indicate that she's happy and staying for a while. She has descended somewhat, as there is constant pressure on my "nether regions," but based on all of her movement, I think we're still a ways away from meeting her. I love this part of pregnancy where you can see visible body parts floating across the abdomen, watch as she has hiccups, and really feel that body when you pat the belly. This pregnancy has been just awesome and I couldn't feel more blessed!

Who knew?

Who knew that my last blog in June, when I was feeling oh so reflective, a precious third little life was starting in my belly?? I most certainly didn't have a clue. And I can promise you that 18 years ago that night, I never imagined myself as a 38 year old with a newborn. But God is good, God is gracious, and He decided that our family needed another member, so He gave us a blessing baby in the form of a little girl.

To say I was shocked by the news would be putting it mildly. Kevin started grad school in August 09 and is scheduled to graduate in May 2011. I accepted the job of Junior League President for the 2010-2011 year (June through May) because my precious Lilly Grace would start kindergarten in the fall of 2010 and I would have so much time on my hands. My two "babies" were entering 3rd grade and kindergarten, and I was about to have a lot of free time on my hands, after all.

Then, on the day of Friday, July 10, a day that Kevin had gone up to Dallas for class and Luke and Lynda went to Dallas to spend a weekend with Kelly (Lilly Grace and mom stayed home because Lilly Grace had been sick), my always on time to the hour period didn't arrive. That was odd. I waited a dutiful 24 hours and then decided it was time to do a test, just for the heck of it, although there was really no way possible for me to be pregnant. But a late period?? Weird. After going through two boxes of sticks that all came up positive in a matter of about 30 minutes (lots of water intake), I concluded that I was growing older and my hormones must be off.

Kevin arrived home on Sunday and I sat him down in a recliner that afternoon and told him I had to tell him something really, really big. News that he needed to be sitting down to hear because I wasn't quite sure how to break it to him. His first response: "Did you lose your bracelet?" (my 10th anniversary present). No--bigger than that. Then fear struck his eyes. What could be bigger news than that? I pulled the sticks out from behind my back and shock registered in his eyes at first, followed immediately by elation. Then I bawled. Then we tried to figure out how on earth . . . . .the conclusion? It was probably a hormone imbalance. The only time she could have possibly been conceived was 2 days after the end of my last period. And that just isn't possible. That was it. The only time. 12 days before I was supposed to be ovulating. Apparently, no one explained that science to my body.

So, I called my doctor's office on Monday. Laughingly told Jennifer, the world's best nurse, that for some reason, I had positive pregnancy sticks, but there was NO WAY I was pregnant. When I explained the timing of events, she concurred. As I was heading to Chicago for our annual summer trip in a few weeks, she concluded that I should wait until I was at least what could have been 10 weeks along before coming in because at that point, we would either hear a heartbeat or know it was some funky hormones.

I did my best to push it to the back of my mind, but, of course, it was at the forefront of every thought. Three children? Kevin would be 40 before this baby was born! Our house isn't equipped for three children! No, it wasn't possible. It was hormones. Plus, I displayed absolutely NO signs of pregnancy. My boobs didn't ache like they did with Lilly Grace, I wasn't crazy emotional like I was with Luke. I didn't crave sleep all day long like I did with Luke. I wasn't remotely nauseated at any time of the day like I was with Lilly Grace. Yes, this was hormones. Plain and simple.

On July 27, the kids and I departed for Chicago. We arrived early that evening after a very uneventful flight. Mom and Dad picked us up at O'Hare, as always. Dad dropped us and our luggage off and then he headed to go get Gino's East pizza for my first night dinner. As I lifted our big suitcase onto the luggage stand, Mom put out her arm and told me to stop--that I shouldn't be lifting. I looked at her like she was nuts and lifted away. As we arrived in the kitchen, she casually asked me when I was due. Tears again ensued. I wanted to wait until that night to tell her and dad together that everything was fine, but I was having some hormone issues. Um, couldn't wait that long--she said she knew the second she saw me on the curb at O'Hare. After we put the kids to bed, I told Dad. They were thrilled, but truly as shocked as we were. They had a late in life miracle in my sister, Ashley (mom was 39 and dad 44 when she arrived on the scene), but I had been an only child to that point. I told them that I really didn't think I was pregnant because I didn't exhibit any of the emotions or feelings of pregnancy. My only symptom was a late period, and with my other two, I had way more symptoms than that.

On the morning of August 9, while still in Chicago, a family friend for the past 25 years, Beth Nagel, offered to meet me at her volunteer organization where she did ultrasounds for women with unplanned pregnancies. Mom and I went. I had felt great our entire 2 week trip and fully expected to either see a molar pregnancy or an empty uterus. Instead, there was a heartbeat. It was real, and apparently, a really, really easy pregnancy. My only symptom was the sticks and a belly that looked really bloated by that time.

On August 17, Kevin and I went to Dr. Haskins in Nacogdoches. When he did an ultrasound, the little one's arm "buds" were waving like crazy. It was like she was so excited to say hello! We both cried tears of joy. We had a true miracle on our hands and it already had such personality! Of course, he talked to us about all the risks associated with pregnancy over 35 and the possibilities of complications with both the pregnancy and the baby. We told him that we would not do either the protein test or amniocentesis, so he said we needed to have a level III ultrasound and genetic counseling.

On August 19, Kevin brought lunch from Bodacious home to myself and Luke and Lilly Grace. Towards the end of the meal, we asked the kids if they like surprises and unexpected gifts. Of course, that got their attention. We told them we had a very special gift and their enthusiasm continued to rise. We then shared the news that our family would be growing around Spring Break. Lilly Grace's jaw literally dropped wide open and stayed there for about 3 minutes while her eyes continually widened. Luke was convinced we were just teasing. When we showed them the ultrasound pictures, Luke still thought we were kidding--that we were showing someone else's baby. They were both tickled and thrilled once they realized we were actually quite serious!

That night, I had girl's group, and it was a cooking class. We were supposed to bring a bottle of wine and wear an apron. I went to Hobby Lobby that afternoon and purchased a black apron and pink and blue paint. I painted "Bun in the Oven Due March 18, 2011" on the front of the apron. This was Kevin's suggestion, and it was a brilliant one. I arrived a little late with my sparkling cider after running in Lisa Griffin's house to tell her the news on the way. The first few girls didn't say anything--Suzy Childers even said, "Oh, cute apron." After about maybe 6 minutes and getting started on food prep, someone finally noticed and said, "What is that on your apron?" The few who had glanced at it assumed it was an old apron from another pregnancy--so to say there were a lot of screams and "No way!" exclamations would be putting it mildly. Several of the girls took pictures of the apron and me to send to their husbands. Suzy Childers took the picture at the top of this entry and posted it on Facebook with the caption, "Guess who's preggers? And it's not me!" Within three minutes, the fourth comment identified me--it was a woman I still don't know!--and there were 23 comments within less than two hours. The word was definitely out and spreading like wildlfire!

Lilly Grace and Luke started school the following Monday, August 23. Kevin and I headed to the Woodlands on October 21 for our Level III ultrasound and genetic counseling. We were blessed to hear and see that everything on this precious one was absolutely perfect and just the way God intended. Our blessing miracle was a blessing in every way! I absolutely lost it during the ultrasound because that precious little one held up her left hand and pointed her finger. My Granny, Susan Jeannette Blailock, was notorious for pointing the finger on her left hand towards us when she had a very important fact to share. In fact, she used to laugh and tell us to bury her with her finger pointing towards heaven just to ensure there was no confusion! To see my baby with a pointed finger that early in the pregnancy was like a nod from not only God, but also my Gran. In every ultrasound since, that precious baby has had a pointed finger at some point. Every. Single. Ultrasound.

Going into the October 21 ultrasound, Kevin really didn't want to know gender, but I did. I decided to look away whenever they were looking for "those parts" and stared into Kevin's eyes telling him how much it was killing me not to look. At the end of the ultrasound, the nurse handed Kevin a sealed envelope with a picture inside of it and told us we could do what we wanted with it, but that it had the gender written on it. On the drive home, we decided to save the envelope for Christmas morning and open it as a family--after all, this baby was such a gift that it seemed perfectly fitting.

I had a couple of ultrasounds at Angelina College (playing the role of guinea pig for the sonography students) prior to Christmas. It was such fun to watch the baby and its activity. Although I know it's not "possible," I first felt movement at 14 weeks. I frequently told Kevin that I felt like the baby was dancing inside of me, and the ultrasounds showed a very active, dancing baby. It would come up and "kiss" the ultrasound wand, do knee lifts to its elbows, and always point a finger. The last present we opened Christmas morning was our envelope and we were overjoyed to learn that the baby is a girl!

It has been such a fantastic pregnancy. We have traveled to Chicago and spent the week before Christmas at DisneyWorld with the kids. I've had a few colds here and there, and the week after Christmas, Lilly Grace had flu B, and Kevin and I got some yukky crud associated with that, but aside from that, easy, easy pregnancy. She is already such a joy!

On January 12, I went to Dr. Sheila Hill's office in Nacogdoches and had a 45 minute 3D/4D ultrasound. I was 30 weeks along. The precious girl has the most gorgeous lips you've ever seen, big round, pudgy cheeks, and she was already sporting rolls on her thighs. She looks so much like Luke and Lilly Grace! On Wednesday, January 26, I went to another ultrasound at Angelina College. Based on the measurements, they concluded that she weighed 5 lbs. 15 ounces. The "projected weight" for a baby that age on Friday, January 28, is close to 4 pounds. She is definitely a healthy, big girl, and for that, I am so thankful.

I was 34 weeks pregnant last Friday, February 4th and am definitely "livin' large." We as a family have had such fun watching this little one stretch around in my belly--she is a busy, busy girl. When Kevin was at school a couple of weekends ago, on January 22, the kids and I watched the DVD of Luke's arrival. We were all in tears at some point, as Luke realized how much we adored him from the start, Lilly Grace realized that newborns have to undergo shots (she is totally outraged about this, people, and it will NOT happen to this baby!), and I realized just how blessed our family is by this gift from God.

The official due date is Friday, March 18. I will definitely be better about keeping up with this blog, as my time up in the middle of the night is extending to a little time on the computer! Who knew last posting that a beautiful blessing was in the works? God is so, so good.