I had a baby! A little girl to be exact. She blessed us with her presence 6 weeks early, but is healthy and strong as can be. Here's the story.
I had an appointment with my home birth midwife on Wednesday afternoon. The appointment was in MN, since SD doesn't have the greatest of laws when it comes to home birth. (That's something that needs to be fixed in my opinion) After my appointment I met with my husbands aunt for supper in Sioux Falls. I had some pain starting, but just thought maybe it was a gall bladder issue cropping up and it would stop as soon as I took my supplements. We ate and parted ways.
Before I left town I knew something was not right. The pain kept getting worse and worse. I drove home anyway. My cell phone was dead, so I couldn't call Rob and let him know I was on my way, so that just added to the concern. I had all three boys with me and this pain kept getting worse. I thought I might have to stop in Brookings at the hospital it was so bad. I kept praying that if something happened that God would protect my children. I didn't know if I was having a stroke or a gall bladder attack or what it was. I reached Brookings and just kept driving. I was going WAY over the speed limit, but I didn't care. I just needed to get home to my husband.
I arrived home, stepped out of the van and doubled over. Rob came out, very concerned, and got the three boys into the house. I went in and took my blood pressure. It was 242/156!!!! Holy crap! I needed to call my MW and my doctor. I called my MW, who told me to just go straight to the hospital. I then called my doctor to let him know what was going on, he of course told me the same thing. So then I had to call my friend Carole to come watch the boys until my mother in law could get here. She lives 4 hours away and we couldn't wait that long.
As soon as Carole got here, we left for the hospital. My poor Asher was so scared. He didn't want us to leave and it broke my heart to leave with him crying like that, but we had to. My life, and possibly my baby's life, was in danger.
We got to the hospital and got through all that fun stuff that happens there. The blood tests came back and showed that I had severe toxemia. The baby had to come out now. How could this be? I was only 34 weeks along. What would this mean for the baby? What would this mean for me? What it meant was another cesarean for me and a preemie baby. I'm not sure anyone wants that. I wanted to have a home birth after all. Why?
Rob reminded me that we needed to trust God. We prayed. He laid hands on my belly, on our baby, and prayed that everything would be okay.
The nurses brought some scrubs in for Rob to change to. As he went into the bathroom to change, they wheeled me out of my room to the OR. I was prepped for surgery. Did I mention that I did not want another cesarean? My doctor and the nurses were all very wonderful. Soon after Rob got there, my sweet baby was born. The doctor asked if we knew what gender the baby was. When Rob answered no, he said, "Stand up and see." She was perfect! They brought her over to me and she was just beautiful!
They sewed and stapled me up, while Rob went with baby Isabell to the nursery. I was put into recovery until I could move my legs. It didn't take long and I was wheeled back up to labor and delivery. I got to hold my sweet little girl for the first time! Oh what a blessing she was. Soon after we got to nurse for the first time. What a beautiful feeling.
Isabell is still doing great and so am I. We are definitely praising God for this miracle. Looking at all the "what ifs" in this situation is scary. We are very thankful that we serve such a mighty God.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Decisions, decisions....
I'm in the middle of trying to decide what we will do with our homeschooling next year. I finally settled on Heart of Dakota for our curriculum. I'm totally in love with it. It's such an easy curriculum to use and it's educationally sound. It's great for an open an go type of life. I really needed this since my boys keep my so busy. We will also be accepting a new member in the family this June, so having a newborn on top of three very energetic boys. Oh boy, does that sound like a fun time! Really, we are so excited for this baby to come, and we are definitely blessed.
Anyway, I'm way off track now. Back to the HOD stuff. I keep waffling back and forth between finishing up our preschool curriculum, Little Hands to Heaven and having both boys go through Little Hearts for His Glory together. The wonderful thing about HOD is that you can do that. Carrie has it set up in this wonderful way that most of her curriculum can be used for one or more grade levels. So, I could have Lightening(my oldest) go through it using the plan for 1st grade(which I planned on doing anyway) and have Thunder(my almost 4yo) go through it with us using the kindergarten plan. Sounds good in theory, to have both of them going through the same book. It would make things so much easier on me to only have ONE master plan, with a few differences thrown in right?
I thought I had decided to just go ahead and do this. However, I don't want to rush Thunder through just to keep him in the same book as Lightening. I think that could have negative effects on his education. So, now I'm thinking that I'll just keep going through Little Hands to Heaven with him and move him on to Little Hearts for His Glory when he finishes. Lightening would just finish out the few things we are doing for his "kindergarten" and then move on to Little Hearts for His Glory in August, or before if I think I can handle it with a newborn baby. This means that I would be teaching out of two different books, but I think I'd rather do that than hold Lightening back or rush Thunder ahead.
I think my husband is getting tired of me talking about it. That or he's heard none of what I'm saying and is pretending to listen. ;)
Anyway, I'm way off track now. Back to the HOD stuff. I keep waffling back and forth between finishing up our preschool curriculum, Little Hands to Heaven and having both boys go through Little Hearts for His Glory together. The wonderful thing about HOD is that you can do that. Carrie has it set up in this wonderful way that most of her curriculum can be used for one or more grade levels. So, I could have Lightening(my oldest) go through it using the plan for 1st grade(which I planned on doing anyway) and have Thunder(my almost 4yo) go through it with us using the kindergarten plan. Sounds good in theory, to have both of them going through the same book. It would make things so much easier on me to only have ONE master plan, with a few differences thrown in right?
I thought I had decided to just go ahead and do this. However, I don't want to rush Thunder through just to keep him in the same book as Lightening. I think that could have negative effects on his education. So, now I'm thinking that I'll just keep going through Little Hands to Heaven with him and move him on to Little Hearts for His Glory when he finishes. Lightening would just finish out the few things we are doing for his "kindergarten" and then move on to Little Hearts for His Glory in August, or before if I think I can handle it with a newborn baby. This means that I would be teaching out of two different books, but I think I'd rather do that than hold Lightening back or rush Thunder ahead.
I think my husband is getting tired of me talking about it. That or he's heard none of what I'm saying and is pretending to listen. ;)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Fun with finger paint!
We made some finger paint today. It was so much fun! We mixed 2 cups white flour into 2 cups of water. Then we divided it into small jars and added washable tempera paint. Covered and shook well to mix. You have finger paint! The kids had a lot of fun using their finger paint too.
Friday, July 31, 2009
My account of July 22, 2003
I guess you could say that the day started out like any other day. We were going on a convoy. A mission to trade some soldiers out from a boat mission and to restock some supplies. We did the normal things that any soldier would do before a convoy; briefing, packing, smoking, etc. Except this day felt different to me. See, I should really start the night before...
As I was cleaning my weapon, a 9mm, and talking to my then dear friend and new "boyfriend" Rob(who is now my husband) I asked him if he had ever wondered what it was like to be shot at. It was such a surreal question. I could almost feel the bullet coming at me as I inspected it before loading it into the clip. The thought passed and I finished my cleaning and packing. I still couldn't shake that weird feeling that something wasn't quite right.
The next day, after our convoy brief, we loaded up and headed out. I was riding in the back of a HMMWV(Humvee) with a few other soldiers. Jon was driving the cargo hemmit right behind me. As we exited the gate, I turned back to smile and wave at my friend behind me. Little did I know that was the last exchange I would have with him on that level.
The convoy was going just fine for a while. We were all looking out, making sure nothing looked out of place, when all of a sudden we noticed an orange(I can't quite remember the exact color, so I could be wrong here) Iraqi truck. It was trying to separate our convoy!
I had just lit a cigarette when I first heard, then felt the explosion behind me. I knew right away what had happened. An IED had exploded. I turned to see what exactly was wrong and saw that Jon's truck was coasting to the side of the road. We started to receive small arms fire from the hills next to the road. It was a perfect setup for an abush. We started firing back and soon we all got up to the "safety zone." I'm a little blurry on what exactly happened next as things seemed to be moving at an unnatural pace.
The next thing I knew our 1SGTs vehicle pulled up and we unloaded Brandon into my vehicle. Being the medic I started to asses his injuries and determined that he needed a tourniquet and an IV. Before we could really do much of anything on him the 1SGT was back and yelling at me to get in his vehicle. I didn't know what to expect, I just knew it was bad.
My first thought upon seeing Jon, was "Oh my God! My friend!" I got to work immediately and found he had no pulse and a brain injury that I could do nothing about. Still, he was my friend and I had to try. I performed CPR and tried to bring him back. He let his last breath of air out right there with his head in my hands. "Top"(that's what we called our 1SGT) yelled back "Is he gone?" I couldn't answer. How could I pronounce my friend dead? Top had to ask again and this time I had to answer. "Yes, there's nothing I can do." came out of my mouth.
Soon after we stopped so I could get back in with Brandon and help him. While I had been with Jon, a "combat lifesaver"(they are trained by medics to assist the medics in the field) had been trying to start an IV. I immediately got the tourniquet started as he was loosing a lot of blood. I knew he was going to loose his arm, but that was the last of my worries at the moment. I had to keep him alive.
We talked and talked after he was as stable as we could get him. I talked and prayed with him to keep him awake. We talked about how much he loved his girlfriend and about how God was going to bless him with a long and wonderful life. At one point we heard a helicopter and thought for sure it was the med evac. We found out later that it was a CNN chopper coming to film footage of the burning truck! Are you kidding me? The families haven't even been notified!
We finaly arried at our destination and took both Jon and Brandon to the medics there. My job
was done. I sat on the hood of the HMMWV for a long time, by myself. Dokken came and just sat next to me. I am forever greatful for him. That's exactly what I needed that day. Just a quiet shoulder to sit next to me as I quietly processed what had just happened.
After a while we suited up and headed back to our original camp. That was one nerve wracking drive. I traded out my 9mm for a 203, much safer for me.
I remember nothing else upon arriving other than seeing my dear sweet Rob and just holding onto him for dear life. I was so scared and scarred, I had no idea what to do.
The next few days were a blur. We put Jon's body on a plane and sent him back to be buried. Rob and I had some late nights trying to keep my panic attacks at bay. In the end I clung to my Bible.
As I was cleaning my weapon, a 9mm, and talking to my then dear friend and new "boyfriend" Rob(who is now my husband) I asked him if he had ever wondered what it was like to be shot at. It was such a surreal question. I could almost feel the bullet coming at me as I inspected it before loading it into the clip. The thought passed and I finished my cleaning and packing. I still couldn't shake that weird feeling that something wasn't quite right.
The next day, after our convoy brief, we loaded up and headed out. I was riding in the back of a HMMWV(Humvee) with a few other soldiers. Jon was driving the cargo hemmit right behind me. As we exited the gate, I turned back to smile and wave at my friend behind me. Little did I know that was the last exchange I would have with him on that level.
The convoy was going just fine for a while. We were all looking out, making sure nothing looked out of place, when all of a sudden we noticed an orange(I can't quite remember the exact color, so I could be wrong here) Iraqi truck. It was trying to separate our convoy!
I had just lit a cigarette when I first heard, then felt the explosion behind me. I knew right away what had happened. An IED had exploded. I turned to see what exactly was wrong and saw that Jon's truck was coasting to the side of the road. We started to receive small arms fire from the hills next to the road. It was a perfect setup for an abush. We started firing back and soon we all got up to the "safety zone." I'm a little blurry on what exactly happened next as things seemed to be moving at an unnatural pace.
The next thing I knew our 1SGTs vehicle pulled up and we unloaded Brandon into my vehicle. Being the medic I started to asses his injuries and determined that he needed a tourniquet and an IV. Before we could really do much of anything on him the 1SGT was back and yelling at me to get in his vehicle. I didn't know what to expect, I just knew it was bad.
My first thought upon seeing Jon, was "Oh my God! My friend!" I got to work immediately and found he had no pulse and a brain injury that I could do nothing about. Still, he was my friend and I had to try. I performed CPR and tried to bring him back. He let his last breath of air out right there with his head in my hands. "Top"(that's what we called our 1SGT) yelled back "Is he gone?" I couldn't answer. How could I pronounce my friend dead? Top had to ask again and this time I had to answer. "Yes, there's nothing I can do." came out of my mouth.
Soon after we stopped so I could get back in with Brandon and help him. While I had been with Jon, a "combat lifesaver"(they are trained by medics to assist the medics in the field) had been trying to start an IV. I immediately got the tourniquet started as he was loosing a lot of blood. I knew he was going to loose his arm, but that was the last of my worries at the moment. I had to keep him alive.
We talked and talked after he was as stable as we could get him. I talked and prayed with him to keep him awake. We talked about how much he loved his girlfriend and about how God was going to bless him with a long and wonderful life. At one point we heard a helicopter and thought for sure it was the med evac. We found out later that it was a CNN chopper coming to film footage of the burning truck! Are you kidding me? The families haven't even been notified!
We finaly arried at our destination and took both Jon and Brandon to the medics there. My job
was done. I sat on the hood of the HMMWV for a long time, by myself. Dokken came and just sat next to me. I am forever greatful for him. That's exactly what I needed that day. Just a quiet shoulder to sit next to me as I quietly processed what had just happened.
After a while we suited up and headed back to our original camp. That was one nerve wracking drive. I traded out my 9mm for a 203, much safer for me.
I remember nothing else upon arriving other than seeing my dear sweet Rob and just holding onto him for dear life. I was so scared and scarred, I had no idea what to do.
The next few days were a blur. We put Jon's body on a plane and sent him back to be buried. Rob and I had some late nights trying to keep my panic attacks at bay. In the end I clung to my Bible.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
I'm baaaaaaaacccckkkk!
LOL. No, I haven't abandoned my blog. We moved! We are now back in the Dakotas! South Dakota to be exact! I'm so happy to be back here.
Lots has happened in the past two months. My boys, lightening and thunder both had birthdays! I can't believe they are growing so fast. We are going to start homeschool this year! I'm so excited.
The story about the moving company is a whole post within itself. I may delve further into that at a later date. For now I need to get to bed. I have an early morning tomorow.
Goodnight for now. I'll be back tomorow to update you a bit better.
Lots has happened in the past two months. My boys, lightening and thunder both had birthdays! I can't believe they are growing so fast. We are going to start homeschool this year! I'm so excited.
The story about the moving company is a whole post within itself. I may delve further into that at a later date. For now I need to get to bed. I have an early morning tomorow.
Goodnight for now. I'll be back tomorow to update you a bit better.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Great giveaway!!!
http://lyismama.blogspot.com/2009/05/giveaway-day.html
Such cute stuff!!! The giveaway is for some really cute personalized bean bags.
Such cute stuff!!! The giveaway is for some really cute personalized bean bags.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Keeping busy
I keep waiting for things to calm down around here, but they just aren't. It seems like we have one thing after another lately. I guess that's what happens as kids get older though. Lightening goes to preschool twice a week, I have a couple comitments a month, Rob's work stuff and then there's the daily tasks that require running around town. LOL. Such is life though.
I'm totaly loving it right now. The kids can get pretty crazy, but it's so fun. Sonshine is a climbing fool. Ever since he figured out how to crawl(around 7 months or so) he's been climbing things. I take him off the dining room table at least 5 times a day!! I don't know what I'm going to do with this kid. He's already trying to figure out how to get up to the top bunk. I think he's going to give me grey hair before I turn 30. LOL.
I also finished Rob's winter hat for next year. It's the first hat I've ever knit!! I'm so excited. I almost woke him up last night to try it on. LOL. I didn't. I was a good girl and waited until this morning, then I made him try it. He loves it!! I'm so happy. I have now started on Thunder's hat for next year.
Well, I better get back to knitting and stop blogging for now. Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Peace!
I'm totaly loving it right now. The kids can get pretty crazy, but it's so fun. Sonshine is a climbing fool. Ever since he figured out how to crawl(around 7 months or so) he's been climbing things. I take him off the dining room table at least 5 times a day!! I don't know what I'm going to do with this kid. He's already trying to figure out how to get up to the top bunk. I think he's going to give me grey hair before I turn 30. LOL.
I also finished Rob's winter hat for next year. It's the first hat I've ever knit!! I'm so excited. I almost woke him up last night to try it on. LOL. I didn't. I was a good girl and waited until this morning, then I made him try it. He loves it!! I'm so happy. I have now started on Thunder's hat for next year.
Well, I better get back to knitting and stop blogging for now. Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Peace!
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