We arrived at Memorial Hospital at 6pm (on Sunday, Aug 23) as scheduled, the ER was pretty busy. We had to check in there because it was a Sunday. They called back to Labor and Delivery and asked if I could just come back and they said yes they were expecting me. So this time we walked back, there was no real need to be sat in a wheel chair and wheeled back, especially with them being so busy. So the nurse we had Friday night was there and we go to have her for a little bit. I got all settled in they set up the iv and took all the stats before putting the servadyl (sp?) in. This was to help my cervix dilate (soften the scarring up a little). It was about 8 pm. So the thought process was that this medicine would take about 12 hours to do its job and then the doctor would induce labor.

Looking back right now, I think we watched a little tv and then tried to get some sleep, but I am not really sure. I know at some point (around midnight) the cramps starting getting worse and I was getting the shakes every time they got bad. I could not get comfortable for nothing and so they gave me a sleeping pill. An hour later I was still awake and had to get up out of bed the cramps were pretty bad. I had to go pee so I went to the bathroom and at that point I could not decide if I had to go to the bathroom (number 1 and 2) or throw up. The shakes were so bad I had to hold on to the rails in the bathroom to get thru them. Andy came in and seen me, then went immediately to find a nurse. Apparently we were in labor. So they got me back in bed, removed the servadyl, and gave me some pain meds to hold me over til the anesthesiologist could get there to put in the epidural. As it turned out the anesthesiologist was around the corner so they got that set up pretty quick too. So I was feeling no pain once that kicked in. Andy made some phone calls, letting mom’s know we were in labor. Of course my mom did not hear the phone, but it was ok, cuz she had plenty of time to get to the hospital. Andy’s mom showed up pretty quick and was sitting in the room for a bit. I was out of it and did not remember much other than the fact that she was there and at one point went out to the waiting room before being told to go back home for a bit as we had plenty of time.

From that point til morning (it was about 3 am) I dozed on and off, not sure if Andy did as well. In the morning when they checked me they could see the baby’s head and they called Dr. Frank, he said for me to give one push and see what happened. Mind you at this point I had no, and I mean absolutely no, feelings in my legs. It was the strangest feeling I have ever had. After one push the baby’s head was crowning. The nurse told me not to push anymore until the Doctor got there. During all this Andy’s mom showed back up at the hospital and we were not sure if my mom was on her way or not. When Dr Frank got there, he asked if he had time to change, he was told yes, but to make it quick, then Andy’s phone rang, it was my mom looking for directions. Her and Uncle Jerry had gotten lost. He handed the phone off to his brother (who was in the waiting room) and had him get them to the hospital.

The doctor walked back into the room and we were ready to go, except Andy was not back yet. So I am sitting there, legs in the air, ready to push and they keep telling me to wait! Lol Once everyone was in place, I was told to push when I felt it, after two pushes little Morgan joined the world. It was a very emotional time for both Dad and I. I will never forget that feeling. So we did the picture with the baby, mom, dad and doctor, then snip the cord was cut and baby was cleaned up. The nurse put Morgan’s foot print on dad’s arm and he headed to the waiting room to make the announcement and see if my mom was there yet.

She was not in the waiting room so he said it would be just a little bit longer. As he was on his way back to the room he seen my mom trying to go thru the nurse who was standing guard outside the door. I had requested that no one come in until my legs were back on the bed, so the nurse was keeping all but Andy out. Of course anyone who knows my mom, knows she was having none of that and was trying her hardest to get thru the nurse. She did manage to get around her and poke her head in, making sure her baby girl and new grandchild were ok. She said she loved me and then waited outside. Andy went and told his mom that she officially was a grandma and showed off the footprint. The got me cleaned up and my feel back on the bed and then both grandma’s, Uncle Doug and Uncle Jerry were allowed in the room.

So Morgan was officially born at 8:36am on Aug 24, weighing 7 lbs 10 oz.

Now, these events are as I remember and what I think I was told. Feel free to correct me if you are reading this and know the story differently.

Yesterday was my 3rd appt and we got to hear the heartbeat again.  This time Andy was there too and got to hear it.   It just makes me smile to think about it, this little person growing, the heartbeat was proof and just what I needed to reassure me that everything is going fine.   I had been thinking something might be wrong because I was feeling almost normal.  But now I know everything is going as it should.  I will have my first ultrasound within the next few weeks.  They are having me go to Barnes or St Mary’s for it, because the equipment at those places is much better and becuase I had a small hole in my heart when I was born and there is slight chance the baby could too.

I actually caught Andy smiling last night, lately that has been few and far between.   I can only hope that having this baby can be a bright spot for him even in these times of hardship.  I know he is stressed and each day that passes without an offer makes it worse, but I know we will get thru it.  OK so its back to work for me.

Ok, so first trimester is officially over!!!  yeah!  The nausea is only around part of the day now, mostly in the evenings around bed time.   So I am thankful for that.  I feel a bit more energetic, but still get tired easily.  Next week I have my next dr appt and I think they are going to do the first ultrasound as well as do some blood tests for abnormalities.  I am starting to get more excited, even went so far as to start thinking about the registry and items that we will need.  Andy and I talked a little bit about the baby’s room this weekend.  We have some work to do, but he will not be in class in March so maybe we can do some of that in the evenings.  I am kind of anxious to get started.

Just wanted to do a little update.  Be back soon!

Ok so I have been meaning to do this for a while, but have been kind of busy and distracted.  The week before christmas was a busy time for us, but I was also dealing with some personal things.  I had been what I thought was PMS’ing for about a week and a half and had not started yet.  So the wheels started turning and I began to suspect I was pregnant.  I was a little nervous about what Andy would feel and think because we had not really talked about whether or not it was time to start trying.  I was out shopping that friday night and thought about getting a test and taking one, but I got distracted by having dinner with a friend.  So on Saturday, I finally mentioned it to Andy while we were on our way to Walmart to pick up some last minute things before getting ready for the family christmas party.   I told him I was a few days late and some weird stuff was going on.  He said he was aware of that, surprised me that he was paying that close of attention with everything else that had been going on.  Anyway, he talked me into taking a home pregnancy test.  Wouldn’t you know that by the time we got home and stuff i was unable to go to the bathroom.  Any other time I have to go as soon as I get home, no matter how long I have been out.

So the first time I took the test (first time EVER taking one of these) I thought maybe I did it wrong, but we got two lines, the second one being kind of faint.  I told Andy, well it looks positive, but maybe we should do the other one (as two come in a box) in the morning when the HCG (?) levels are at their highest.  But you know there is no way I was waiting til morning.  So right before we headed out the door to go to the family party I did the other one.  WOO HOO…same results!  I was still a little nervous and still not sure what Andy was thinking.   Of course I cried (its what I am good at…hehe) and he held me and made some jokes about little ones and stuff.    So I had to ask him what he thought just to be sure it was ok to be happy!  I know sounds a little ridiculous but I wanted him to be ok and happy with the news.  He was ok with it and we decided to tell my mom when we got to the house so she could be the first to know.  She was happy for us too…cried with me….and then my cousin walked in and thus began the night of telling everyone the great news and the wonderful christmas present Andy and I had received.

I did go to the doctor the following monday to have the bloodwork done and it came back positive.  Tomorrow I go in to see the nurse and we go from there.

Needless to say this will be a Christmas to remember!