Our little man is getting older as we watch. So bittersweet! I would keep him this size and age forever since there is so much that the world can't do to him but I know from watching the older two that it is not possible.
Now that this pregnancy is over I wanted to document it in some sort of fashion so my blog won out...
As most pregnancy are, this one was very wanted and long awaited. After having two miscarriages last year we kind of just assumed the Lord didn't intend for us to have anymore children while here on Earth. But as he always does he surprised us. About a month after our second miscarriage we found ourselves expecting again. Right after the second miscarriage occur ed my physicians began running test after test on me, since over the course of having children we had experienced 3 miscarriages, to discover what medically was leading to them. One of the blood tests they conducted screened for many different blood disorders and the results determined that I suffer from something called PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1). In laymen's terms I have a clotting disorder that was only discovered and researched starting in the 1980s, so not much info on it. Knowing this I was started on Lovenox (a blood thinner) twice a day that was administered by me in my abdomen for the length of the pregnancy. Along with being on a blood thinner my HcG count was monitored every 48 hours via a blood draw for the first 7 weeks following the positive test result. I felt like a pin cushion! Once the blood draws stopped and I got into a routine of administering my Lovenox it was pretty much smooth sailing. However, at 32 weeks I was informed that I would need to start coming in twice weekly for non-stress tests to be administered, to see the doctor, to have ultrasounds done to check baby's weight and development, and for amnio fluid level checks. This wouldn't have been a big deal but I still doctor in the town I grew up in (personal choice so I shouldn't complain) so it would take an hour and a half one way to get to the doctor's office for my appointments. The one perk was the kids got to see Honey a lot and one downside was that when Priss was in school I had to drop her off and drive straight to the appointments, get Swee from Honey's and drive straight back to be home in time to get Priss from school. Many crazy days were involved and some tears on Swee's part when he realized it was one of the days to live in the car.
We made it to 36 weeks and then it was time to begin talking about when to induce since I would be needing to stop my Lovenox 48 hours prior to me delivering. The first induction date talked about was Sept. 4th but I was told it was too early and an amnio would have to be done resulting in another Rhogam shot (I am Rh-) and possible bleed from blood thinner. The next date was Sept 6th but the doctor on call didn't want to induce me. The 3rd date was Sept 3rd. I was to come in at noon for the induction to begin. It began to be a joke in the office that each doctor's appointment I was given a different delivery/induction date. The induction date was changed once again to Sept. 2nd at 7 p.m. The nurse I was talking to the most and who was in charge of my NSTs informed me that if the induction was changed again she would not be the one calling to tell me. To which I responded, "I'm showing up on the 2nd and will not be leaving the hospital without delivering this baby."
Fast forward to the 2nd of September, Jason and I dropped the kids off at Honey's (my mom's) and headed over to the hospital. It took a couple of minutes for the nurses to get up checked in but then it was off to the room. About 2 hours later Dr. Sutton came in to begin the induction with cervidil. Jason went back to get the kids so I could tell them goodnight. They were very eager to meet their baby brother or sister and thought they would be seeing the baby when they got to the hospital...No luck. Bright and early Thursday morning(7 a.m.) the pitocin was hung and the wait truly started. Jason was in and out as he was caring for the kids while Mom worked. After 3 1/2 - 4 hours on pitocin the nurse came in to tell me I had only dilated 1 centimeter more from the 3 I was at when the morning began. I was very disheartened but knew from my past 2 inductions that it took a lot of pitocin to get me dilated. She upped the pitocin and left me laying there. Mom and Priss showed up along with my Dad stopping by just at the contractions were becoming pretty unbearable. I knew that Dr. Sutton was going to be in a c-section from 1 until about 2:30 p.m. and I was trying to not get an epidural since there was an increased risk of a blood clot forming in my spine which could paralysis me due to having been on the Lovenox, I opted for a dose of Nuban. I would not recommend Nuban unless you really want to feel loopy. The nurse must have known that I was far from a druggie so she only administered 1/2 a dose. Within 3 minutes I could barely talk without slurring my words and I could go into a coma type sleep instantly. At about 2:30 I was an 8 and thanks to Jason reassuring that he felt that everything would be okay if I got the epidural I went ahead with one. As soon as I laid back down after it was administered the nurse said, "She's a 10!" I was so tired from the Nuban that I decided instead of pushing I would take a nap. About two hours later the nurse magically reappeared and said I need to begin pushing since the baby's head was only a finger tip away from being born. Three contractions and 20 minutes later baby number three appeared at 4:37 p.m. Healthy, blond and with the smallest head. The easiest deliver yet! Even with all the pain of labor and holding off on the epidural he was still my easiest.
I barely remember much following delivery, again thanks to the Nuban, or even eating my beloved Pizza King pizza (after each delivery I have dined on it). The next morning I was finally ready to take it all in and have continued to do so. The kids announced to grandmas, grandpas and Uncle B that they were the proud big brother and big sister to a little boy. Swee carried a balloon and Priss carried the name sign that she and I had made. They are completely smitten and can't give out enough kisses to him.
We are so lucky that everything turned out how it did. I am healthy and he is beautiful, healthy and completely content in the chaos of our home. I am so thankful that we once again have had the amazing privilege of becoming parents.
Yesterday afternoon we welcomed our second little boy into the family. Thatcher Andrew entered the world at 4:37 p.m. weighing 7 lb 2 oz and was 20 in long. Big brother and sister are ecstatic to have him here. Lots of hugs and kisses have been given and he has tolerated them wonderfully.
Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers on our behalf.
