Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Baby Ezra Has Arrived!
After what seemed like a never ending pregnancy, I delivered a beautiful baby boy yesterday at 8:12 pm. Our sweet Ezra Hastings is just perfectly formed and enjoying life as best as I can tell. He weighs 7 lbs., 3 oz. and is 20" long. So very tiny compared to his big brothers and sisters. I will post again soon with all the special thoughts that have been floating around in my head these last few weeks. Thank you for praying for us as we get to know and care for Ezra and for him to get to know us. He is most definitely a blessing from Jesus and a clear example of His ability to create great and amazing things.
Wednesday, December 07, 2016
A Blessing from My Hospital Visit
Life is just downright busy. I think most of you know but in case you missed it, Matthew and I are expecting Baby Brooks #6 in January. Very excited but no time to post monthly updates on my pregnancy like I may have done for Baby #2 or #3. I am now 33 weeks along and feeling VERY pregnant. I've been awarded with entrance to an even more Advanced Maternal Age category for women over age 40. I am really soooo appreciative! Any how I had an OB check up on Monday of this week. Matthew would meet me there for the appointment so I brought Juliet, Rylan and Sully but left Philip and Braewyn at home as I was thinking I'd be gone no more than 1 1/2 hours.
After being on the NST monitor for about 35 minutes and being told the baby looks great, I saw one of the doctors. Dr. Allen delivered Sully so it was fun for her to see him again at almost 2 years old. She asked how I was doing. My answer is usually, "I think I'll make it." But I also added that my left leg swells while my right leg just feels numb. I wonder if it's because I carry Sully on my left hip when I do carry him. She looked a little concerned and said, "It really could just be due to the pregnancy, but it could be a blood clot. Thankfully our bodies clot more readily when pregnant so we don't bleed out during delivery. But I just can't let you go another day without knowing for sure if your leg swelling is from a clot or not. I want you to have a vascular scan today so I'll call in a referral."
Ok. Not what I expected from this appointment but the idea of a blood clot really didn't worry me. I'm sure it could be easily handled. Now we just had 2 kids at home and 3 young ones with us and I was told to go to the hospital. I drove the little ones and Matthew followed me over to the hospital parking lot. We parked outside the cancer center as it's next to the heart center where I was told to enter. By this time Sully was asleep in the car so I asked Matthew if he would just stay in the van with the kids and I'd go in alone. Let them watch YouTube on your phone!
Into the hospital I walked and was instructed to take the elevator up a floor, walk down the hall, turn at the end and enter the surgery admission and waiting area. The hospital. This hospital. I had not been inside since June of 2015 when Dad spent 2 weeks in Neuro ICU and then his last three days in Pallative Care. When I arrived in the waiting area, it brought back a flood of memories. I did not want to be here!
I gave the receptionist my form and she asked for some additional information. Then I sat down to wait. Thirty minutes before, being in the hospital was not even a thought and here I was back where I never wanted to be.
Being pregnant and knowing a delivery was in the future, I've had an underlying dread of going to the hospital. My mom told me at one point that she didn't know if she could bear coming to the hospital to see the baby without my Dad. I didn't know if I could bear lying in a hospital bed with monitors hooked to me and remembering seeing Dad in his bed. Being a patient of any kind did not bring happy thoughts.
But here I was sitting in the waiting area which was where we sat (or very similar to) while waiting to hear the outcome of Dad's brain surgery. I didn't know if I should just cry out to Jesus for comfort for my breaking heart or text several friends to pray for me. After a few minutes of silently praying, I decided to tell the receptionist that I would be right back if my name was called because I had to take my key down to my husband outside. A few minutes of fresh air was what I needed now.
Matthew had pulled up to the outside door once I called to tell him I was on my way down. I didn't know how long the wait for my procedure would be so I encouraged him to take the younger kids home and relieve the older two of their "home alone" status. He gave me his key to our other car so I would be able to drive myself home. Reaching for the key I said, "Please pray for me as being up there in the same waiting area where we were when Dad was here is freaking me out." Tears filled my eyes and my voice cracked.
Walking back inside I didn't make eye contact with the people I passed. Thankfully after arriving back in the waiting room, my name was called about 15 minutes later. My ultrasound technician Catherine was so very nice. She assured me I had no blood clots. Praise Jesus! We chatted about other things... this being my 6th pregnancy, her never feeling the desire to have children, people who say whatever is on their minds about both situations and how I said goodbye to my Dad in this hospital summer before last. I told her about my hesistancy to come to the hospital since Dad passed away but how being there today took the sting out of thinking about coming back to have the baby. Saying goodbye to her, I heard a sound I've always liked to hear at the hospital. Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star playing over the intercom.
When a baby is delivered at our hospital, a member of the family can push a button on the wall of the Labor and Delivery area and this well known tune plays throughout the hospital. I had heard it play three times while there for my vascular scan. God was telling me that good things, miraculous things do happen here. Not only sad things. I have delivered five beautiful, healthy babies in this hospital. It will be devastating knowing Dad won't be coming to meet his newest grandchild when I deliver this baby. Even still God told me that day when I unexpectedly went to the hospital about a possible blood clot that when the day comes for me to deliver this newest little blessing, it will be a happy day. No more fear of returning to that same hospital for the first time since Dad passed away. I've now been there, done that. Next time Matthew and I will enter Labor and Delivery. And Lord-willing our children will push that little button to announce to everyone in the hospital their new little brother or sister was born. I pray others in the hospital that day hear Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star and are also reminded that blessings are all around us. We just need to be looking for them.
After being on the NST monitor for about 35 minutes and being told the baby looks great, I saw one of the doctors. Dr. Allen delivered Sully so it was fun for her to see him again at almost 2 years old. She asked how I was doing. My answer is usually, "I think I'll make it." But I also added that my left leg swells while my right leg just feels numb. I wonder if it's because I carry Sully on my left hip when I do carry him. She looked a little concerned and said, "It really could just be due to the pregnancy, but it could be a blood clot. Thankfully our bodies clot more readily when pregnant so we don't bleed out during delivery. But I just can't let you go another day without knowing for sure if your leg swelling is from a clot or not. I want you to have a vascular scan today so I'll call in a referral."
Ok. Not what I expected from this appointment but the idea of a blood clot really didn't worry me. I'm sure it could be easily handled. Now we just had 2 kids at home and 3 young ones with us and I was told to go to the hospital. I drove the little ones and Matthew followed me over to the hospital parking lot. We parked outside the cancer center as it's next to the heart center where I was told to enter. By this time Sully was asleep in the car so I asked Matthew if he would just stay in the van with the kids and I'd go in alone. Let them watch YouTube on your phone!
Into the hospital I walked and was instructed to take the elevator up a floor, walk down the hall, turn at the end and enter the surgery admission and waiting area. The hospital. This hospital. I had not been inside since June of 2015 when Dad spent 2 weeks in Neuro ICU and then his last three days in Pallative Care. When I arrived in the waiting area, it brought back a flood of memories. I did not want to be here!
I gave the receptionist my form and she asked for some additional information. Then I sat down to wait. Thirty minutes before, being in the hospital was not even a thought and here I was back where I never wanted to be.
Being pregnant and knowing a delivery was in the future, I've had an underlying dread of going to the hospital. My mom told me at one point that she didn't know if she could bear coming to the hospital to see the baby without my Dad. I didn't know if I could bear lying in a hospital bed with monitors hooked to me and remembering seeing Dad in his bed. Being a patient of any kind did not bring happy thoughts.
But here I was sitting in the waiting area which was where we sat (or very similar to) while waiting to hear the outcome of Dad's brain surgery. I didn't know if I should just cry out to Jesus for comfort for my breaking heart or text several friends to pray for me. After a few minutes of silently praying, I decided to tell the receptionist that I would be right back if my name was called because I had to take my key down to my husband outside. A few minutes of fresh air was what I needed now.
Matthew had pulled up to the outside door once I called to tell him I was on my way down. I didn't know how long the wait for my procedure would be so I encouraged him to take the younger kids home and relieve the older two of their "home alone" status. He gave me his key to our other car so I would be able to drive myself home. Reaching for the key I said, "Please pray for me as being up there in the same waiting area where we were when Dad was here is freaking me out." Tears filled my eyes and my voice cracked.
Walking back inside I didn't make eye contact with the people I passed. Thankfully after arriving back in the waiting room, my name was called about 15 minutes later. My ultrasound technician Catherine was so very nice. She assured me I had no blood clots. Praise Jesus! We chatted about other things... this being my 6th pregnancy, her never feeling the desire to have children, people who say whatever is on their minds about both situations and how I said goodbye to my Dad in this hospital summer before last. I told her about my hesistancy to come to the hospital since Dad passed away but how being there today took the sting out of thinking about coming back to have the baby. Saying goodbye to her, I heard a sound I've always liked to hear at the hospital. Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star playing over the intercom.
When a baby is delivered at our hospital, a member of the family can push a button on the wall of the Labor and Delivery area and this well known tune plays throughout the hospital. I had heard it play three times while there for my vascular scan. God was telling me that good things, miraculous things do happen here. Not only sad things. I have delivered five beautiful, healthy babies in this hospital. It will be devastating knowing Dad won't be coming to meet his newest grandchild when I deliver this baby. Even still God told me that day when I unexpectedly went to the hospital about a possible blood clot that when the day comes for me to deliver this newest little blessing, it will be a happy day. No more fear of returning to that same hospital for the first time since Dad passed away. I've now been there, done that. Next time Matthew and I will enter Labor and Delivery. And Lord-willing our children will push that little button to announce to everyone in the hospital their new little brother or sister was born. I pray others in the hospital that day hear Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star and are also reminded that blessings are all around us. We just need to be looking for them.
Saturday, September 17, 2016
And It's Five Months Later
I am a writer at heart. My blog is my outlet to express thoughts, memories, and keep everyone up to date. A lot has happened since April. We finished our 7th year of home schooling. We traveled to Washington, DC with some friends over Memorial Day weekend. Mom and I spent a weekend in Charleston, SC to celebrate / remember Dad over his birthday weekend. We began telling friends and family that Baby Brooks #6 is to be arriving in January!! We traveled again to visit family in Kentucky and took a detour through Nashville and Knoxville, TN on the way home. And our 8th year of home schooling began the second week of August. This year we joined a co-op which means every Tuesday we spend the morning at a church in town where the kids each have their own classes of 8-9 children learning together. It has brought both the kids and I new friends and new learning experiences. Sully also learned to walk this summer and Rylan is now potty-trained. Braewyn began playing the violin. Juliet is doing great at learning to read in Kindergarten. And Philip has moved up into the youth group at our church. Things are a'changing!
Philip is now 11 and in 6th grade
Braewyn is now 9 and in 4th grade
Juliet is now 5 and in kindergarten
Rylan is now 3 and in preschool
Sully is now 20 months old and enjoying life!!!
Our schedule is busy but we know that God is leading us to these things and the blessings are incredible. Matthew and I didn't foresee 5 (and soon to be 6!) children in our future 10 years ago but we wouldn't change a thing. Thankfully, he and I got away last weekend for a short getaway to Asheville, NC for some needed R&R. We know this season of life won't last forever so it's best to make the most of it. As someone one told me, the days are long but the years are short!
We're all looking forward to meeting you, little one!
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Welcome to the world, Sully!
I am grateful to introduce our newest little Brooks family member, Sullivan James Brooks! Looking at our baby boy, I have to remind myself that he has been inside my body for the last several months and he's really, truly here to stay! Sully (his everyday nickname) was born last night, January 5th, at 9:25 pm. He weighs 8 lbs., 1 oz. and is 20 inches long. Just a quick recap of his birth story begins back on December 16. I had an OB appt that morning and was surprisingly told I was dilated to 3 cm. This sent me on a thought pattern that he might be born any day there after. Well, I had my eyes on Christmas Day, not wanting to have him before that as he would be considered full term by December 25. Thankfully, the weeks passed and I was still pregnant on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and a few days after. This past weekend found me having contractions off and on all day. Yesterday morning I called my OB's office to ask about being seen to know if I had further dilated. I was right in my guess because the doctor told me I was now at 5 cm! She filled out paperwork and told me to take it over to Labor & Delivery of our hospital. I was admitted!
By 1:00 pm yesterday, I found myself in a hospital gown, getting an IV inserted into my arm, and thinking, "This is really happening!" Matthew and I relaxed as the hours went by. I received an epidural around 4:00 pm, my water was broken at 6:00 pm, and we waited hoping I would reach 10 cm very quickly. It look a little longer than I expected, but by 9:15 pm, I had the urge to push. About 15 minutes and 4 pushes later, Sullivan was outside my body and answering the big question we had for the last 9 months... would Philip, Braewyn, Juliet, and Rylan be getting a brother or a sister? New little brother!!
Our parents had brought the older four kids to the hospital at 8:30 pm so by 10:00 pm, they were all so excited to meet Sully. It was a little chaotic and I was shaking all over from the epidural and rush of emotions. Juliet, who had wanted a sister all along, warmed up quickly to Sully after watching Braewyn hold him and wanting to hold him herself. Rylan tried to poke Sully, but then quickly got distracted by some of the machines in the delivery room. Philip was happy to see such a tiny, healthy brother.
Without further ado, here is our Sully!
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We thank the Lord for you, Sully, and pray that He will help us raise you to love Him. Philip, Braewyn, Juliet and (one day) Rylan love you so much and will be great big brothers and sisters to you. You are a precious, new addition to our family!
By 1:00 pm yesterday, I found myself in a hospital gown, getting an IV inserted into my arm, and thinking, "This is really happening!" Matthew and I relaxed as the hours went by. I received an epidural around 4:00 pm, my water was broken at 6:00 pm, and we waited hoping I would reach 10 cm very quickly. It look a little longer than I expected, but by 9:15 pm, I had the urge to push. About 15 minutes and 4 pushes later, Sullivan was outside my body and answering the big question we had for the last 9 months... would Philip, Braewyn, Juliet, and Rylan be getting a brother or a sister? New little brother!!
Our parents had brought the older four kids to the hospital at 8:30 pm so by 10:00 pm, they were all so excited to meet Sully. It was a little chaotic and I was shaking all over from the epidural and rush of emotions. Juliet, who had wanted a sister all along, warmed up quickly to Sully after watching Braewyn hold him and wanting to hold him herself. Rylan tried to poke Sully, but then quickly got distracted by some of the machines in the delivery room. Philip was happy to see such a tiny, healthy brother.
Without further ado, here is our Sully!
We thank the Lord for you, Sully, and pray that He will help us raise you to love Him. Philip, Braewyn, Juliet and (one day) Rylan love you so much and will be great big brothers and sisters to you. You are a precious, new addition to our family!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Not My Timing
It's 4:51 am, perfect time for a post on my blog. All the kids and Matthew are sleeping peacefully, but me and the baby woke up starving! I've eaten a bowl of cereal, read an online devotional, and caught up on my friend's blog. Time for a catch up to my own blog.
From the side bar, you can see that I'm 36 weeks pregnant. I'm excited to have this new baby but feel pretty miserable. Not as bad as many people going through worse things, but out of sorts in my own body. Beached whale comes to mind while laying in bed. Waddling penguin when I'm walking around. I want the baby to be strong before I give birth, but signs point to me having this little one sooner than later. The Lord knows this kid's exact birthday and I know things will work out according to plan. I'm mentally flip-flopping between wanting so much to be done with this pregnancy and on the other hand, I'm still kind of scared to see how me caring for FIVE kids is gonna play out. I have to remind myself, it's not me caring for five random kids. I know four of them personally very well. Just the youngest will be new and we'll all get to know that one together.
Last Monday, I was shocked to be told by my doctor that I'm 3 cm dilated. I had been feeling contractions off and on each day for a few weeks, but really didn't expect to find out they had been doing anything. Later this morning, I have another appointment (yup, soon I might have to go twice a week!) with an ultrasound included. I'm excited to see our baby again and both grandmas get to come this time too! We'll be given a weight estimate and I'm hoping my cervix can be seen on the ultrasound to find out if the contractions from this past week have increased that 3 cm to 4 cm or more! Kind of creeps me out to think that my body is getting ready for this baby just to fall out. I know it's not that simple, but walking time bomb is how I see myself these days. God's timing is perfect always - even when it doesn't look like it to me. This time I see it as really good as Ruth Ann, my mother-in-law, is on school break for the next two weeks and Matthew had already asked off work from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. I kind of hope the baby comes on January 1st so then I'd get Matthew home for two weeks straight but that calls for me to be pregnant for another ten days. Equally, I hope not to have the baby until after Christmas morning. This week is so exciting as we count down the days until Christmas with little people in the house eagerly anticipating that morning of reading the Christmas story from the Bible and then opening presents! I can't wait to see their faces when they see their presents.
All that said, I can wish for this and wish for that, but it's all just a waiting game for me. When I'm not feeling tired or sore, it makes for a very exciting season of life. Welcoming a new baby into the family is one of God's greatest miracles a family can experience. I'm thankful that He chose us to care for this newest little one. I'll be posting pictures probably within the next two weeks!
From the side bar, you can see that I'm 36 weeks pregnant. I'm excited to have this new baby but feel pretty miserable. Not as bad as many people going through worse things, but out of sorts in my own body. Beached whale comes to mind while laying in bed. Waddling penguin when I'm walking around. I want the baby to be strong before I give birth, but signs point to me having this little one sooner than later. The Lord knows this kid's exact birthday and I know things will work out according to plan. I'm mentally flip-flopping between wanting so much to be done with this pregnancy and on the other hand, I'm still kind of scared to see how me caring for FIVE kids is gonna play out. I have to remind myself, it's not me caring for five random kids. I know four of them personally very well. Just the youngest will be new and we'll all get to know that one together.
Last Monday, I was shocked to be told by my doctor that I'm 3 cm dilated. I had been feeling contractions off and on each day for a few weeks, but really didn't expect to find out they had been doing anything. Later this morning, I have another appointment (yup, soon I might have to go twice a week!) with an ultrasound included. I'm excited to see our baby again and both grandmas get to come this time too! We'll be given a weight estimate and I'm hoping my cervix can be seen on the ultrasound to find out if the contractions from this past week have increased that 3 cm to 4 cm or more! Kind of creeps me out to think that my body is getting ready for this baby just to fall out. I know it's not that simple, but walking time bomb is how I see myself these days. God's timing is perfect always - even when it doesn't look like it to me. This time I see it as really good as Ruth Ann, my mother-in-law, is on school break for the next two weeks and Matthew had already asked off work from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. I kind of hope the baby comes on January 1st so then I'd get Matthew home for two weeks straight but that calls for me to be pregnant for another ten days. Equally, I hope not to have the baby until after Christmas morning. This week is so exciting as we count down the days until Christmas with little people in the house eagerly anticipating that morning of reading the Christmas story from the Bible and then opening presents! I can't wait to see their faces when they see their presents.
All that said, I can wish for this and wish for that, but it's all just a waiting game for me. When I'm not feeling tired or sore, it makes for a very exciting season of life. Welcoming a new baby into the family is one of God's greatest miracles a family can experience. I'm thankful that He chose us to care for this newest little one. I'll be posting pictures probably within the next two weeks!
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