Valor's Birth Story — Part 1

Some people have birth stories to share. Well, I have a life and near death story to share...with a happy ending of course. This is a scary story, yet wrapped all in love, faith and prayer. Because my son and I visited death's door during this story, it is difficult to recollect and write. I'll be sharing our birth story in a few parts. So here it goes...part 1.

Ps. 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Monday evening, August 25th, Husband and I were spending a simple evening at home. I grew to a very uncomfortable state. My parents came over to visit, my mom lightly touched my round 17 pound smuggled basketball-baby bump and I reeled back in pain. Something just wasn't right. But pushing it all aside, being in the home stretch of the pregnancy, we wrapped up the evening and went to bed. It was a torrential night's sleep. By morning I decided to call my OB, who was on-call for just another 15 minutes. I was having Braxton hicks contractions, but still in enough discomfort to stay home from work. As I spoke to my OB, she told me to come straight to the hospital's Labor & Delivery Unit for observation. I arrived, got to a room, hospital-gowned up and painfully climbed into bed. Monitors we strapped to my round belly and I heard the rhythmic heartbeat of my little boy. There were touches of contractions, but definitely not the real-deal. The on-call OB came for examination, preformed an ultrasound to rule out a placenta abruption. He mentioned the (low) possibility of kidney stones, or appendix issues. Not fitting the traditional symptoms of any of those diagnosis, he ruled it severe strained muscles. I mean I was in the nesting phase, right? So after a few hours of monitoring, I was sent home for rest, ice compression for my muscles and tyenol. My dad came to drive me home and helped get me settled. I spent the afternoon napping until Husband arrived home. We ordered in Thai but I could hardly take a bite. The pain and contractions were back. This was not a strained muscle. All I remember thinking and saying was, "This is not right. Braxton hicks shouldn't be this painful. This baby is coming." Trying to do diligence, Husband pulled up the timer on his iPhone and we tried timing out the contractions and figure out what was happening. After about 10 minutes, I called my OB. Something was not right. The OB, with concern in his voice told me to return to the hospital right away. Husband and I gathered a few items, got in the car and drove fast. For yet the second time that day, I arrived on the L&D floor, got into a hospital gown, was strapped to monitors and waited. I was placed on a 23 hour observation. By morning I had the two monitors constantly on my belly, an IV coming from my right hand, a blood pressure cuff permanently attached to my left bicep, a pulse monitor attached to my left pointer finger and continued to wait, trying to be calm. Listening to my son's somewhat rhythmic heartbeat.

First thing Wednesday morning I was wheeled around for a battery of tests - lab, ultrasound, MRI...the MRI found fluid filling the cavity around my appendix, and a surgical consult. A surgical team was swiftly compiled. The Director of Surgery, the area's top general surgeon for the appendectomy. OB and L&D support. NICU pediatrician. Neonatal support. And many other surgical and high-risk support staff. A few hours passed as the special team was assembled and an OR was set up for every possible situation that could possibly arise in the surgery. Finally about 2 pm on Wednesday they wheeled me into the pre-op area. As I held Husband's hand I looked at him, wearing a surgical gown and cap, knowing we would be separated for the next few hours and how dangerous of a surgery this was normally, but on top of that being 35 weeks pregnant. As we looked at each other and silently knew all the scary risks, we told each other how much we loved each other and that we would see each other soon. Not knowing the results. Not knowing if I had the ability to live. Not knowing if our little boy that was safely tucked in my womb could withstand the surgery. Not knowing if we would be parents that day. He squeezed my hand tightly and released as they surrounded my bed and rolled me back into the cold, sterile, yet very busy OR. All the medical professionals in that room and in the wings were there - just for me and our baby. My pain was growing worse and worse. I was so scared yet just so eager to be put under so I couldn't feel for just a little while.

After a few hours in surgery, my genius surgeon was successful. He completed an entire appendectomy - that had been ruptured. The entire cavity filled with infection and was able to do it all laparoscopically around my largely pregnant uterus. Unfortunately due to the severity, in surgery, I also lost my right ovary, right Fallopian tube and a section of my intestines. But praise to be alive! After waking, I was told that they were moments away from cutting me completely open and having to deliver our baby boy. But he is strong. Valor held on and was able to stay in-utero. We gave him the right name before we had any idea of the trials we would go through birthing Valor into this world. After the appendectomy, I was left with four incisions and a lovely jp drain hanging from another incision on my right side. After a few hours of recovery, I was returned to my L&D room for rest, healing and continued 24/7 monitoring of our sweet, strong, brave little babe.

To be continued.

29 Weeks

(photo taken at 27 weeks)

Time really does fly. How is it that I'm already 29 weeks along in this pregnancy? My OB appointments are now every two weeks and at my appointment last week, my physician asked if I am feeling any contractions yet — UMMM YIKES! Gladly my answer to that question is no. Don't get me wrong, Husband and I can hardly wait another moment to hold our squirmy little boy, but we also want him to grow big and strong before his arrival. Plus, we still have lots to do around our house. Me, being me, I thought it was a good idea to hand-make a mobile for Valor's crib. What a joke! 29 weeks along and I've done about one sixth of the project...yea, you do the math...I better get into gear and start sewing faster (err, actually working on it). We have a door to hang in our laundry room, some basic organization projects and I want to get one major deep clean in before his arrival. For me, summer is hard to get things done because I'd rather be outside. My dear friend just welcomed her healthy baby boy into this world, but he was 15 days early and made me realize...I may not make it to my due date and need to be ready early. So after this post, I am dedicating today to work, work, work!

Baby Size: Valor is now the size of an acorn squash! He measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long. Right now, he weights a little over 2.5 pounds. Can you believe he will triple in weight before birth?

Weight Gain: As you know, weight gain has been a struggle over the course of this pregnancy. It may not look like it (which I think is so odd), but I've only gained 13 pounds this entire course, two pounds in the last month. My OB really wants me to continue to up my calories and to gain at minimum, another 10 pounds before delivery. I guess all 13 pounds have really gone just to my belly. Hey, I'm not complaining! I've been told from numerous sources that you cannot tell I am pregnant at all, not even from the back, only when you see my big-smuggled-basketball-belly.

Overall Feeling: I am doing okay. Thankfully I think I can honestly say, "MORNING" SICKNESS IS OVER! I haven't gotten sick in about two weeks! But, if it isn't one thing, it is another. I definitely can feel my organs being squished and have been struggling for a little while now with some severe back pain. I do great if I can stand, but the sitting really gets to me and unfortunately with work and then two hours of commuting in my car each day, the evenings are a little difficult. Thankfully, as all of you know by now, I have the world's greatest husband who lovingly rubs my back in the evenings and bought me a prenatal massage — which I need to schedule. I've been trying to hold off scheduling, but think I am about ready to break down and cash that in...spa day!

Excited For: At my 24 week update I said I couldn't wait for Husband to feel Valor's kicks, and he now has, which is awesome. Now that the time is getting closer, I am becoming more and more eager to see Husband as a Daddy. I've seen him with very limited amount of babies, and with him being his family's baby, there weren't any to follow. I know, with his personality, he is going to make the best Daddy!

Advice Needed: I have searched all of Pinterest and the web for hospital packing lists. There are so many out there! Some of them look as though I could be packing for a trip around the globe! What do we really need to be bringing? Also, being that I am delivering an hour away from home (without traffic issues) I want to make sure I bring everything that we need, because Husband won't be just "running home quickly" to grab something we forgot. Recommendations are much appreciated!

All the time we wondered and wondered, who is this person coming, growing, turning, floating, swimming, deep, deep inside. — Crescent Dragonwagon

25 Weeks | 24 Weeks | 18 Weeks | 17 Weeks | 15 Weeks

PS — Fun Fact: This post is number 100 on The Passionate Parsley!

Babymoon Staycation Recap

Sometimes coming off a weekend can be a little hard when the 5:00 am alarm sounds on Monday morning. Or maybe a little hard when sitting in traffic or sitting in a meeting that's dragging on way too long. But this Monday I am tired, but still flying a bit high from my excellent weekend — my babymoon staycation with Husband. Yes, it's back to the grind for us. Yes, by 7:00 am today we already had major discussions of budget, school loan payments and what on earth we are going to do about childcare, but that has definitely not taken away the wonderful memories of a well-spent weekend.

This past loooong weekend, Husband and I dedicated it as our babymoon staycation. Friday we slept in (ahhhh), I made red-white & blueberry cinnamon rolls. We leisurely enjoyed piping hot coffee on our patio and simple, laid-back conversation.

We went to the local 4th of July parade, then came home and enjoyed more of each other's company on our patio, took a nap and made grilled vegan pizza. The day closed at a local firework display with a couple of dear friends.

Saturday we took a day trip to Milwaukee and toted Braxton along with us. We shopped the South Shore Farmer's Market, purchased a big, warm bag of fresh kettle corn, sat underneath a huge maple tree to snack on our purchase, enjoyed the live musician and watched a local painter sit and recreate the lively scene on his stretched canvas.

A little later Saturday we walked along the lakeshore, soaked in the glistening water dotted with sailboats. Honestly, I don't know what could make for a more beautiful or relaxing scene. Then we finished up our day enjoying vegan burgers on the Stack'd patio — a local beer for Husband and a local root beer for me. On our way out of town, we had to stop at Babe's, which has a huge selection of vegan ice cream and toppings — talk about a happy pregnant woman!

Sunday again was very low-key and a much needed day of rest. For brunch we went to Barbakoa, a local modern Latin bistro and ate way too much! We ordered pomegranate-ginger-habenero nojitos (a virgin mojito) — probably the best and most fun drink I've had since being pregnant. Haha! Waiting for our meal, we noshed on a guacamole and salsa flight. Corn, wild mushroom and fire roasted poblano tacos on homemade corn tortillas, sushito peppers, and for a sweet finish — cantaloupe, watermelon, jicima, and pineapple, dusted with a spicy piquin pepper powder. Is this post making you hungry? 

We closed out our babymoon staycation, way too fat and happy. We spent the rest of our Sunday afternoon walking around a nearby outdoor shopping center and bought Valor the cutest little sweater. So maybe we didn't go on the actual vacation that we were hoping for, but we did get dedicated time together. Time where we pushed everything aside — conversations of to-do checklists, schedule logistics, and whatever other everyday business we need to take care of, and just soaked in the weekend together which, as you know, is an extreme rarity for our family. I am just so blessed to call Nick my Husband and very soon, Valor's dad. There isn't a better guy out there for me or our family!

25 Week Ultrasound

This past week I scheduled an ultrasound and invited my sister, Joy, to attend. To give a brief background, Joy is about to embark on her final year of nursing school...but on a major adventure! From August through November she will be studying abroad in Zambia! Personally, I am so glad she is going because it is definitely an opportunity of a lifetime. But, while in Zambia, our little Valor will be born. Because she will miss the birth, I really wanted her to be a part of the experience and attend an ultrasound. It was such a cool experience. As I laid on the bed, stomach glazed with the jelly, Joy and I held hands and watched Valor squirm around on the ultrasound screen. I will never forget those moments as I watched my sister's eyes fill with delight and the happy tears stream down her face.

Joy, I couldn't ask for anything better than a sister — because of you, I'll always have a friend. Even if I got to choose who Valor's aunt might be, I'd still choose you. Valor is going to be so blessed to call you Aunt!

Only an Aunt can give hugs like a mother, can keep secrets like a sister, and share love like a friend. — unknown

Valor is a healthy little boy, weighing almost two whole pounds — 1 pound 12 ounces! He was moving and giving the tech a bit of a hard time. The only slight concern is that Valor is comfortably in a breech position, as he was at the 20 week ultrasound. He does have time to adjust his position before his due date and I am praying he does, so that my doctor won't have to forcibly turn him. The ultrasound tech said that we will most likely have one more ultrasound closer to the due date to check on Valor's positioning. So, prayers are definitely welcome!

To follow Joy's African nursing adventure this fall, visit her blog.

18 Weeks & Old Wives Tales

I know I've probably said this already, but geez, pregnancy is weird! I've got it all going on, continued "morning" sickness, headaches, middle of the night insomnia — and it all sounds so terrible, but for some reason, I am really okay with it all. Truly, I am just so happy being pregnant and out of this world excited to meet our little bundle of joy. Our little one is growing like a weed and that is all that matters!

Baby Size: Our baby is the size of a sweet potato, weighing 6.7 ounces and is about 5.6 inches long.

Weight Gain: At my appointment this past week, I gained five pounds, totaling in eight!

"Morning" Sickness: Still staying off the zofran and my OB suggested taking an extra B-6 supplement. I'm still dealing with the nausea and vomiting, but I do think it is better than earlier in this pregnancy.

Excited For: This past week's OB appointment, we scheduled our 20 week ultrasound appointment — May 12th! Boy or Girl?

On Thursday, my Mom and Husband joined me at my OB appointment — and my Mom got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time! Also while we were there we got on the subject of old pregnancy wives tales and how they relate to the baby's gender. So thinking more about it, I thought it might be fun to see what they say about the baby I'm carrying!

Morning Sickness: Yes or No

Cravings: Sweet or Salty

Mood: Moody or Happy

Headaches: Yes or No

Heart Rate: >140 or <140

Up until this last appointment our baby's heart rate was always over 150 bpm,

but this last appointment, the heart rate was 134

Mom's Skin: Acne or Clear

Husband's Weight Gain: Some or None

Girl: 2

Boy: 6

All in good fun, but we'll find out for real in just a short three weeks (even though in waiting time, that seems forever)!

17 Weeks

I'm finally getting to the point in this pregnancy where people who don't know, are looking at me and asking when I am due! It is a pretty strange thing, really. Then they ask "how have you been feeling?" Um, well to be honest, not that great. — And that is usually not what they expect me to say. But they asked, right? Pregnancy for me has been the most bizarre experience. I have been so elated, that even though I've been battling "morning" sickness and was hospitalized, I actually really have been savoring pregnancy. Yes, there are points when it hasn't been fun, but overarching, I like it. I guess in my head, I know that these months have been a struggle, but once this little baby of ours arrives, it will all be worth it.

16 week photo

Quote: To be pregnant is to be vitally alive, throughly woman, and undoubtedly inhabited. — Anne Buchanan & Debra Klingsporn

Baby Size: Our baby is the size of a pear, weighing approximately 5.9 ounces and measuring 5.1 inches!

Weight Gain: After being admitted into the ED last week, I had a follow-up appointment with my primary OB, at my weigh-in, I had gained two pounds, totaling in three!

"Morning" Sickness: As I've mentioned before, I was prescribed zofran to help me maintain my nausea and keep down my meals, and it was working! Until I got two put-me-out-of-commission migraines...So today is day three without taking the zofran. Without the medication I've been battling the nausea and some vomiting, but not as bad as before. Hopefully sometime in this second trimester I'll get over the "morning" sickness stage and get back to feeling 100%. Time will tell! In the meantime, I'll continue snacking on toast and hope my doctor allows me to stay off the zofran.

Excited for: Three things...
1. To hopefully, sometime soon, start feeling the baby's movements.
2. Tuesday I have the day off work with Husband and we are going to work on our registry. I'm super eager because we rarely ever have a day off to be together!
3. Thursday I have another doctors appointment and my mom is going to join us — she wants to hear our little pear's heartbeat!

Thankful for: I am overwhelmed how caring all my friends, family, coworkers and Husband have been through these first few months. Nothing could replace how remarkable they each are!

Next up for my Saturday, I need to plan this week's menu. This whole pregnancy, menu planning has been a huge struggle! As you know, especially since this blog usually is mostly about food, I love menu planning, grocery shopping and cooking. But, oh boy...now it is like pulling teeth! Maybe it has something to do with the fact that nothing even sounds that good to eat. This past week Husband uncovered our grill and I made veggie kabobs and herbed quinoa. If anyone has any great, simple menu ideas, I am all ears!

Happy Saturday!

Praying for Boring

Most pregnant women are eager for the excitement of their first pregnancy — I was too. Excited to be pregnant. Excited to know, boy or girl? Excited to feel those first kicks. Just plain excited...Don't get me wrong, I am still eager for those same things, but more than that, I am praying for boring.

This pregnancy started out great, then turned into "morning" sickness. Then...yesterday...a fun admission into the emergency department. But let me start from the beginning:

Sunday was a beautiful day. My mom and I leashed up our pups and took advantage of the sunshine and warmer weather. I had a headache but didn't think much of it. I just took note to drink an extra glass of water when I got home. Maybe a bit of dehydration, I thought. As the afternoon progressed, so did the headache. I struggled to make dinner as the pain became increasingly worse and sent me to bed. The following morning, Monday, I woke up with a still significant headache but had a full schedule at work. I got through my morning routine and arrived at work. At this point, I just want to say how thankful I am that I work at a hospital and am surrounded by wonderful healthcare professionals. Struggling to work through the headache, I mentioned it to my boss and she suggested that I run down to the emergency department to have my blood pressure checked. Personally, I hadn't thought much of the headache being a risk for my pregnancy, just a terrible headache. So, I took a trip downstairs to the ED, not expecting much. I was streamlined into triage for a blood pressure reading. As it turns out, my reading was significantly high and they admitted me. Let me note, I always have quite low readings... I called my dearest Husband who quickly made the hour drive to my hospital. I was swiftly given a room in the ED, they hooked me up to a blood pressure cuff for readings every 15 minutes, took vile upon vile of blood, a urine sample, gave me IV fluids and eventually sent me for an ultrasound.

Praise the Lord that the ultrasound was good, baby's heart rate was a healthy 153 bpm. Over my 4.5 hour admission, my blood pressure was brought back down to a normal and healthy range, I got rehydrated and all my labs came back with a stamp of approval to go home for rest. This morning I have a follow-up appointment with my OB and I am simply praying for boring...or simply the right kind of excitement. All your prayers are much appreciated!

15 Weeks

I have this whole weekend to myself and no plans. This is disastrous. There are less than six months until our baby arrives and there is so much to do! Being a first time mom, I'm somewhat on the lost side. What are the priorities? Picking out the crib? Complete a baby registry? Sign up for birthing classes? Clean out the garage to make room in the nursery? Paint the rocker and changing table? Think about a nanny or daycare arrangements for when I go back to work (yes, I am going to be a full-time working mom)? Ignore all responsibilities and surf pinterest on the couch all day? Maybe it is because I am a planner, but without plans I somehow cannot decide what to do! I know decorating the nursery is at the bottom of the totem poll at this point, but that is all I really want to do...I'll blame it on my pregnancy brain (it is a real thing).

Right now I think I just need some quiet time. It is hard to believe that I am already in my second trimester. I'm starting to look pregnant rather than just a woman that needs to get her running shoes on and work off the winter fat. It is becoming more and more exciting every passing day. Husband and I cannot wait for the day that our baby makes his or her appearance. We are planning, hoping and praying for health. 

Quote: Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. ~Erma Bombeck

Baby Size: Our baby is the size of a navel orange, weighing approximately 2.5 ounces and measuring 4 inches!

Weight Gain: I've gained one pound so far, but seems odd since I look bigger than that. It has been really neat to see the transition and proof that there is a baby growing inside of me!

Fatigue: I'm gaining more energy as the pregnancy progresses. I've been starting to stay up in the evenings past 8:00 pm! I've recently been able to stay up until 9:00 pm — party animal!

"Morning" Sickness: Thankfully the zofran that my doctor prescribed is really helping.

Baby Names: We have a boy and girl name selected.

Excited for: Oh my, there is so many things! But right now, I am counting down the days until we find out if our little one is a boy or girl...Only about five or six weeks away!

Thankful for: Husband. He has been so wonderful this whole pregnancy so far. He has been caring and sympathetic. Husband has been patient as cooking has not been an easy task for me with the nausea and aversions. As I am starting to feel better with the zofran, I am eager to get back in the kitchen and cook meals for him. Also, for my dear friend Alison, who is throwing my first baby shower in May!

Help: Moms, if you have any tips on registering for the first time! Please comment below. What items are you so glad you registered for and were there any that were just a waste? Thanks so much!