Sunday, September 22, 2013

Samuel's birth story

The morning of 9/18, I went in for my weekly appt. I was not feeling well, and hadn't for over a week thanks to the high BP, so I was curious to see what would happen that day. 

My appt was at 9:30, but I wasn't seen until 10:30. My BP was higher than it had been, at 153/95. Dr. C was going to send me to the hospital for more testing, but then he asked if I had any other symptoms and I mentioned my nasty headache and he sent me to be admitted for induction instead. 

I texted Kyle to figure out how to move the kiddos around and notified family. Grandma headed down and I got all set up in my delivery room. 

It took forever to get my blood drawn, questions answered, iv started, and all that. They started the magnesium (torture), and then at 2:30, finally put the gel in to start the induction. Grandma was there, but Kyle was still shuffling kids around. 

The first gel didn't do much as far as starting contractions, but when they checked me at 4:30, I had gone from 1cm and 25% effaced to thin and 3 or 4 cm. I can't remember. Kyle and my mom had gotten there by then. 

I got the second round of gel, and at about 5:30, Dr. C came in and checked me and I was already at a 6, he broke my water, started a catheter cuz my full bladder was preventing him from descending. Dr. C knew I didn't want an epidural and said, "you don't need an epidural now, you're at a 6!"  He also said he could feel Samuel's fingers and had to move them out of the way, which was very uncomfortable but also stretched me to a 7.  7 cm and I hadn't even had any contractions to speak of. 

They started pitocin. I had some strong contractions, screamed like a banshee, but prayed through some of them, and got really dizzy because I couldn't breathe through my nose. Dr. C came back in, I was at a 9. He said I could probably push through the next contraction and I was like "I caaaaan't!!" And he's like, "Kara, yes you can." I was like whatever, and protested some more and then just pushed anyway. Sure enough, 2 pushes and 2 contractions later, Samuel was out at 6:43 pm. 

I'm pretty sure I only had 10 or less intense contractions. It was so fast and a little scary, but amazing. My recovery so far has been great. I felt wonderful right after he was out. 

I stayed on the magnesium until the next morning, and Kyle had to go home, so the baby was sent to the nursery that night, which was not much fun for me. Magnesium is awful stuff, and once I was off that, I felt even better. 

My prayers were answered for this birth. I had a great experience with the staff, my dr was there, and I didn't have an epidural. I was also able to offer up prayers, which I've never done before. 

Samuel is a sweet and quiet little guy. Nursing like a champ, and is so loved by us and his big sisters. 

Samuel Francis 
September 18th, 2013
6:43 pm 
5lb 6oz, 19" long 
Gestational age: 37weeks 6days

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Samuel is here!



Quick rundown until I can write my birth story. 

38 week appt 9/18 at 10:30. High BP. Sent for induction. Induction gels at 2:30 and 4:30. Pitocin at 6ish. 2 pushes. No epidural. Baby at 6:43!


Samuel Francis 
5lb6oz
19"

Thankful to The Lord for granting me an epidural free birth like I so wanted. A healthy son, and a beautiful family. To the blessed mother keeping us safe. And to Sts Joseph and Joseph for being awesome. 



Friday, September 13, 2013

7 Quick Takes


1. This week was quite the week. Tuesday I went to OB triage for bleeding and everything was fine, except my BP. Really? So they drew blood and sent me home with a urine collection kit, and orders to return the next night. 

2. The next day I *had* to get down town for the last apostille for the adoption, so I dropped the kids off at school and did that, then headed for my normal ob appt. The doctor was pretty convinced I wouldn't be going home after my tests that evening at the hospital and told me to prepare. 

3. If anyone has been listening to my incessant whining, they know I did NOT want to have this baby on Nico's mffm day. So I was not thrilled about being induced Wednesday night, which would've ensured a Nico Mffm Day birthday. 

4. All of my tests came back as only having mild preeclampsia, so I was sent home. At that point I was just annoyed because I'm spending a million hours at the hospital lately and really, even if it meant he came on Nico's day, I was ready. Now I am feeling yucky from high BP and can't do anything about it. 

5. So, we've made it full term. Here's my 37 week picture:


6. My girls, hubby, and I were all sick this week, also. So that's also been rough. Luckily it didn't last too long and we all seem to be better. 

7. Hubby took care of the kids all day yesterday and let me rest. It was glorious. Love my man. :) 

Happy weekend! 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

1 Year Ago...

Our sweet Nico went on the MFFM page on Reece's Rainbow's website.


I was a ball of stress and excitement. Were we really doing this? Were we really starting the process of bringing our son home?

We had our first homestudy meeting on the 23rd and the next day we were on the New Commitments page.


Again, was this really happening? And did everyone really know about it now?

Yes, it was happening. And we plugged away at paperwork and fundraising.

That same week, we got new pictures. It was perfect timing. To see our boy when we had just made it official was so awesome.


My heart ached to hold my sweet boy, stuck across the ocean alone. But I thought I'd be there soon, so I worked and worked and worked and we waited and waited.

Until that fateful day the week of Christmas that I will never forget; Russia banned the US from adopting from their country. Surely it can't be true? God told us he was ours. We were doing this for him!

But, it was true... and we waited. And things got worse, and my heart broke more every day for the boy we might never be able to bring home. 

In March, when there was no hope left, we decided not to let our hard work go to waste, and we committed to another little boy, around the same age as Nico, but in another country. And as we were working on our new paperwork that week, we got new pictures of Nico.


It hurt so badly, but it was so good to see him smile. 

It's amazing how much can happen in one year. We should have had this sweet boy home already. Instead, we are expecting our first biological boy, and will travel to adopt another boy soon after he's born. 2 boys, neither one are Nico, and our hearts can't grasp "why?" But we are blessed, even through the pain.

We will love you forever, our baby. If it ever becomes possible to run to you, we will. We pray for you and consider you part of our family, no matter what others think about that, you have no one else, and we love you.






Friday, September 6, 2013

7 Quick Takes



1. I am now 36 weeks! Had a checkup yesterday, u/s, and nst again. Samuel's water is back up to normal range, and he's doing well. I haven't felt well the past week, so I'm pretty sure we're not gonna make it until our due date. 

Belly came back :) 

2. We received our travel dates this week!!!!! Yay! But, we will have to delay a bit in order for me to have the baby. Pray for us as we finish these final steps! 

"My mommy and daddy are coming? Yay!"

3. Yesterday was Mother Teresa's feast day. Oh, how I love her and have had her by my side throughout my conversion and now the adoption. 

4. This little girl was such a trooper during my doctor's appts. With the help of copious amounts of snacks, but still. 


5. It's 5:55 pm as I write this. I'm ready for bed. 

6. Ohhh, I have nothing to fill these Quick Takes with. I fell asleep last night (Thursday) at 7:30. Woke up at 2 am, then slept again until 6. I guess I needed it after yesterday's errands!!

7. Today is Costco day and then we are headed to a family rosary at a school family's house tonight. 

Happy weekend!!





Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Tessa's First Day of Preschool!

I'm sitting in my car at my big girls' elementary school, so I thought I'd blog about Tessa's first day of preschool! 

She was so excited. She's been talking about this day for months. This morning she carried her backpack to drop off her sissies and to mass, and then we got to school and she clammed up a bit. :)


My itty bitty girl is a big girl now. In school? How is that possible?


She had lots of fun, said she got to play on the playground and paint a picture. She's a happy girl. 

And a tired one. 


Yes, her chest buckle is low. Shut up.