Bretton: Part 1

I missed a good portion of my first semester of my Senior year of High School as I was severely ill 24/7.  I went to the doctor a few times, but no one was able to tell me what was wrong.  I couldn't stand the smell of hotdogs, I could barely keep food down, and I lost well over 40 pounds in less than 5 months.  And despite these "symptoms", I still didn't know what was about to hit me...

On February 12, 1999 I was sitting in the main lobby of my High School, waiting for the bell to ring for the next period to begin.  (As a Senior, I didn't have a full course load and often come to school only when I had classes or sat in the library reading while waiting for my classes to begin.)  It was the last day of school before winter break, and I had only been back to school full time for a month or so. I loved school, but was ready for a the break and looking forward to actually being able to do things with my friends without  feeling so ill.  Then, out of no where a sharp shooting pain hit my right lower abdomen.  I doubled over in pain.  I tried to breathe through it, to walk it off, but nothing worked.  It got so intense I ended up literally crawling 150 feet or so to the nurse's office.  Through gritted teeth and loss of breath, I did my best to explain to them what was wrong.  The nurse's secretary quickly got help and I was basically carried to her car and driven to the ED.

What seemed like forever passed, then an ED doctor came in.  He looked over the results of some tests they had me do (urine and blood) and then felt around my abdomen, asking me questions regarding my pain.  He stopped, looked at the chart again, then poked me some more.  I could tell by the look on his face that something was going on.  When he finally spoke he said he didn't believe I had appendicitis (which is what we were thinking at first).  Great!  What was the pain from then? He explained to me that my uterus was expanded, telling him that I was 20-22 weeks along in pregnancy.  He asked if I knew that.  Heck no! Wouldn't I have said something?!  He went on to explain that my pain could be due to an ectopic pregnancy and he needed to get me into an ultrasound right away.

My head was reeling and I felt dazed and confused at what I was just told.  Not once did I get a positive HPT, and I was having periods-- and for the first time in my life they were regular!  How could I be carrying a child and not know it?  I certainly didn't show, with the weight loss I had experienced my stomach was almost concave.  I didn't feel movement, or did I and just not know what it was?  So many things were going through my mind.

As I was taken to radiology for the ultrasound I tried to forget about everything and focus on relieving the pain I was still feeling.  That lasted about 30 seconds.  The ultrasound technician wouldn't stop talking about what she was going to be looking for, how exciting it was, and so on.  Um, not really exciting lady-- I didn't plan on having a baby at 19!  Actually, I never planned on having any children.

I remained fairly quiet during the ultrasound.  I don't remember much of it other than the technician saying the baby was healthy, it was a boy, and that my due date was July 3rd, 1999.  I watched and listened, yet wasn't fully aware of what was going on or being said. I was trying to wrap my head around the idea of a human being growing inside of me-- and all from a one time sexual encounter!  I was blown away. 

After what seemed like hours, and lots of paper work and visitors (some wanted, some not-- but that's another story), they finally released me.  I went home (to the place I had been living since October of '98, with a wonderful older couple from my church).  I was stunned still, yet gaining some perspective and even some feelings of contentment.  I knew it was going to be long journey if I kept the baby, but there was no way I was giving him up!  I myself was adopted.  I know what foster care is like, and that not all adoptive parents are what they seem.  I felt I was the only one who could give my baby the life he deserved and I was bound and determined to do what I needed to in order to give him a great life, loving home, and all the things he could want. 



I'm going to leave it as this for now.  I will write the next part within the next week.

Where has the time gone?

Really-- where has the time gone?!  Today marks my youngest son's 1st year of life!  It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with him, in labor with him, bringing him home from the hospital, and more.  Time truly flies, and without warning.  I know that there are so many minutes in an hour, so many in a day, so many days in  a week, month, and year.  But still, I never really think about how the days are passing by and all the life changes that happen, until "bigger" things come about, such as birthdays.

We had Ephraim's 1st birthday party yesterday.  As Eric's family is in Tennessee, and my so-called family is not a part of my life (long story, not worth telling), we invited all the people who have been a part of Ephraim's life so far.  Denise, Rosie, and Ronica (and her two young girls) came-- they are a part of the only true family I have.  We also had some old friends (ones that have been my friends forever), new friends (mostly from our centering pregnancy group), and co-workers who are always there for us arrive and share in our baby boy's 1st birthday.  I am so glad that we have such supportive and caring people in our lives!


As I reflect on the past year, I start reflecting on the past 12, or 13 really.  My oldest boy is 12.  Now that makes me feel old!  I'm thinking I am going to write up my birth experience with each boy soon.  What a trip down memory lane that will be!

Symptoms and concerns

It is 6 am and I can't sleep.  For whatever reason I haven't been able to sleep past 5:30 or 6 most mornings.  It doesn't seem to matter how tired I am, I am up for the day by now.  It is getting quite frustrating.  I am beyond exhausted.  Ephraim is doing better sleeping in his crib but he still comes into bed with us more often than not by the middle of the night.  Once he is in bed with us, I have even more trouble sleeping, as we just don't have a lot of room.  He sleeps with his legs spread so far apart I usually find one of his legs hanging over Eric and the other over me.

I also would love to have a nap during the day, but that just doesn't happen.  Most of the time it is way too hot and sticky to even try to sleep. Props to women who have more little children running around while pregnant.  Or, have a newborn and are pregnant!  I certainly know I am lucky to have my husband home more often than not and to have a 12 year old son who adores his brother enough to watch him for me when I need 20 minutes to lay down.



As each day passes, I get a bit more concerned with the pregnancy.  I pray every day that this baby is healthy and growing well, but my lack of symptoms makes me wonder if there is something wrong.  I know some women have no symptoms and go on to have healthy babies, but I also know that many women who have no symptoms end up having a miscarriage.  I don't think any of us can emotionally handle another miscarriage.  Losing Arden one was of the hardest things I have ever gone through.

So, symptoms-- well, obviously I am exhausted.  That and my constant headache/migraine are my two main symptoms.  Once in a great while a small wave of nausea hits me if I haven't eaten for a few hours.  My breasts have been a bit sore off and on.   Otherwise, I don't feel pregnant.  Part of me feels like I am lucky!  I was beyond sick with Bretton, the first few weeks with Arden were tough, and Ephraim gave me plenty of physical pain to last a lifetime!  An easy going pregnancy is just what I hoped for!  But now that it is here all I can think about is how it doesn't seem right to not be sick.

I'm trying to enjoy each moment though.  Whether this baby ends up in our arms or in Jesus' arms, I want to enjoy as much of the pregnancy as I can.  I have my first appointment on Thursday and will bring my concerns up to the midwife then.  I'm not sure if she will do an ultrasound this time or next time, but I am hoping it will be Thursday.  Until then, I am going to do my best to not worry.

I've got to go get something to eat now.  A small wave of nausea has hit.  And I praise God for that!!

Been awhile...

Wow, it has been a long time since I wrote.  I doubt I will be able to keep up this time either but I'm going to try.  Maybe I will try committing to once a week to start.

Last night was one of the hardest, longest, sleepless nights in months.  Ephraim was crying most of the night and I couldn't calm him down.  Now that it is almost time for me to go to work, he has finally settled down a bit.  I'm hoping he is able to manage through the morning while I am at work.  I know Eric didn't sleep well either, so it could be a super long day for us all.



In other news, my blog title has changed!  It was Mother of One and Expecting.  But, since I found out I am pregnant again, I thought I should change it.  I am pretty shocked still- not fully believing  the test results.   Especially because of my lack of symptoms.  With my others (including our miscarriage) I was pretty sick, in pain, and all the text book stuff.  But other than the occasional nausea, tiredness, and massive migraine (that has lasted for over a week now), I feel pretty good.  Oh, and smells-- yuck!  So, I guess I do have symptoms, just not nearly what I've had in the past.

As of now, my due date is March 7, 2012 but I haven't had an appointment yet, so it could change. A winter baby!!  I can't wait, despite being scared to death to have two under 2!   I love the 11 year difference with my boys.  Not sure how much "love" I will have for a less-than-2 year difference!

Either way, we will make it through-- we always do.  And I am already looking forward to bringing this little one home to join our family!

Viability?

So, today I am 24 weeks pregnant.  They say once you reach 24 weeks they will do all they can to save your baby if, heaven forbid, something should happen.  But, would they really be able to do much in an area where the closest NICU is 2 hours away by car and probably about an hour by life flight?  I sure hope I don't have to worry about finding out!

Eric and Bretton have both felt the baby move within the last week.  It's nice to not only feel him moving myself, but to see their reactions when they get to feel him.  Plus, it's fun to watch the movement from the outside and not just feel it from the inside.  He's got some strong arms and legs already! 

Well, Eric got hired for a part time position at the Hospital- which he is very happy about.  It's where he has wanted to work all along.  But, he can't start orientation until he is listed on the CNA registry, and apparently that can take about a month to get on.  I'm hoping he doesn't lose the position in the meantime because they don't want to hold it or something, but I bet they must know how long it can take and he was honest with them about just finishing the course, so hopefully they want him enough to wait!

Well, tomorrow is Easter.  We are planning to go to sunrise service and breakfast, I think.  Bretton is going to do an Easter egg hunt with Ronica's girls tomorrow either before or after Easter dinner and of course, we will be having Easter dinner- at Denise's like every year.  I am so thankful to have them as my friends and family and am glad to be able to spend the day with them.


I suppose I should get myself together for the day.  There are plenty of things to do!

Time passes by

Time passes by.  Sometimes slowly, and other times too quickly.  The past few weeks have been pretty busy, between appointments, work (both Eric and I), cleaning and rearranging bedrooms, along with some shopping in Augusta today and a family trip yesterday.

Our room is pretty much complete in the way of organizing and rearranging.  Now we have to decorate it.  We have been slowly buying some things for it.  We have been given some wall decor in the celestial theme, which is what we want to do, so all we have had to do is on on to it!  It's been a bit of a struggle in a way though, because things either don't match exactly, or we have trouble finding items that go with the theme.  We did find a few things in the past few days though.  We bought a couple of metal stars and a metal sun that we are going to paint, and a small mirror that is in the shape of a sun with a moon on one side.  Also, we bought some big wood letters for both Bretton and baby, in their initials.  We got these cool 3-D glitter stars and suns to add onto the letters.  We still need to buy paint for it all though.  Bretton wants to do his in either Orange and hot pink, or in black and blue.  We are doing the baby's things in blues and yellows (for the most part anyway).  Finding moons has been the hardest part though.  Hopefully what we have gotten from a friend will have enough to counter-act everything.  - Oh, and we also bought some cool fabric for another sling.  I'm excited to get working on painting things and putting stuff up. 

Yesterday, Eric and I took Bretton and his friend Michael to Joker's.  It was a lot of fun, but tiring!  The boys played laser tag, went on the rock climbing wall and bounce house, played in the amazing playhouse and enjoyed the arcade games.  Eric and I played a number of arcade games as well.  The boys left with a number of goodies from their tickets they earned to cash in for prizes and Eric used his tickets to buy a huge stuffed banana that he names banana-nana.  After our day there, we stopped at Big Lots in Auburn on the way home, took Michael home and then enjoyed a few hours at home before taking Bretton to Michael's for the night.  We stayed at Michael's for awhile and played a neat train game of some sort with Michael's mom, Nancy, and another couple that was there.  It was an enjoyable evening, but a late one that brought me home exhausted!

We have some buys weeks ahead, and I am hoping that they fly by.  The pregnancy seems to be going so slowly which is driving me insane!  I just want it to be over with and have our baby at home with us, in our arms!

Oh, and Eric has a job interview for the hospital on Monday.  I hope and pray he gets the job.  I know he really wants it.

Too much to do!

I feel like there is just too much to do and not nearly enough time to ever do it all in!  Today we went grocery shopping and are now working on cleaning and rearranging our bedroom.  We are at a stand still with it right now though, as we wait for our friend's to come pick up our old dresser that we no longer want.  Then, we can rearrange, clean and put things away.  I'm hoping we can manage to find a way to put the bed in the room that gives us more space, but it's not looking to promising.

Yesterday we went to Portland.  Bretton had an indoor soccer game first, then we headed down.  We went to the Old Country Buffet for lunch then walked around the mall a bit.  Bretton wanted to see if they had some different TV shows on DVD at Best Buy, but they didn't, so we ended up at F.Y.E and both Eric and Bretton got something there.  We also went to a few baby stores, but everything was just beyond expensive, and I don't see how we can justify spending so much money on tiny clothes that won't fit 3 months later. 

I did find some things at Motherhood Maternity though.  I really needed some pants and shirts, so I got one pair of pants and two shirts.  I couldn't believe how expensive everything was, but what else was I going to do?  Not many of my clothes fit me anymore, and buying bigger regular sizes weren't really cutting it either.  So, we decided it was worth spending the money on a few things and I'm just hoping I can get part of that money back by selling them on eBay or something after the baby is born.

We also went to Babies R Us, which was the main reason I wanted to go to Portland in the first place.  We looked around quite a bit, but didn't find too much that we wanted to spend money on- just yet anyway.  We did however find a few things.  Eric found a bib that he was ecstatic about so we bought it.  (His excitement came from the fact that the bib said "If you think I'm cute, you should see my dad.")  We also bought some onsies, a sweatshirt and an Ocean Wonders Space Saver Seat and Swing.  I really like swings and wanted one, but since we have such a tiny apartment, we didn't want to buy a regular sized one.  I think this one will work out just fine; I hope!

As each day passes I get more excited to meet our little boy!  Even Bretton was happy to go baby shopping, which I thought was awesome!  I can't wait to see him as a big brother!  It makes me so happy to know that he is finally going to have a sibling that he has long desired and that Eric and I are adding to our family.  :)