The Big Day Oct 18th, 2011

We arrived at the hospital and checked in. They kept me in the triage room for 2 hours monitoring the baby and my contractions. Apparently the amniocentesis the day before, paired with my nervousness, was exciting the baby already. The anesthesiologist and my ob-gyn came in to prepare me for the operation and get my signatures on forms I was too anxious to actually recall what I signed off on.  I still tried to maintain a level of humor and joked with my ob. As I was walked to the operating room and the nurse prepared to open the door to the restricted area, another nurse stopped her and said to hold off due to a potential emergency c section. Emergency c sections take priority over scheduled c sections, after all. I went back to the triage rooms, not that I minded, and before I could get too comfortable the nurse came back to get me. The other baby delivered fine after all. (Thank goodness!)

I walked into the operating room and the anesthesiologist asked me to sit on the middle of an operating table and lean as far forward as I could. I nurse came in, I don't remember her name but I would like to think of her as an Angel, so I will just call her Angel. Well, Angel put her hands on my shoulder blades and told me that I could lean against her chest, because she understood that I probably felt like I was about to fall off of the table: which I did. I leaned on her nervous, and during the spinal block she walked me through it step by step. I am not one for surprises when it comes to my personal bubble (body) so this was very helpful. First I would feel a pinch from the needle, then a burn, a little pressure, and another burn that would slowly dissipate. The doctor then indicated my bottom and legs would get really warm, and that was part of the process. They laid me back and had me bring my legs onto the table before the spinal block took effect. I have to say, the anesthesiologist and Angel walked me through everything and throughout the cesarean section would talk to me and check in on me to make sure I was okay. I had a c section with Emma, but this time it was different. I wasn't shaking from the medicine this time, and I wasn't as worn from being in labor for over 24 hours. During recovery I was aware of the joking the nurses and my ob had with one another, along with the anesthesiologist, and the comfortable environment they had created for me, I actually joined in the joking! Granted, I wanted to be careful not to make my doctor laugh, I didn't want a scalpel to slip after all!

When Cole was brought out I couldn't help but cry. I was so happy that he was here and healthy. Afterward, the nurses and doctors continued to check on me in recovery and although they tried to help me with my nausea, I did vomit about 4 times. Me and my sensitive stomach. Overall, the level of compassion and professionalism, with a personal touch, each person that was involved displayed helped lower the fear I had of undergoing a major surgery, and focus on the birth of my beautiful son: Cole Thompson Turner, 5 lb. 12 oz, 18 1/2 in. Welcome to the world, my love.

Worry Induced Insomnia

Nothing like a lot of worry to top off the pregnancy insomnia...my amniocentesis is scheduled for 9 AM tomorrow morning and, pending what they find, Cole will be brought out Tuesday morning. I've researched amniocenteses and I am not usually one to be afraid of needles, but this is a bit concerning to me. What if the baby moves as they are withdrawing the fluid and he ends up being punctured? What if it causes an infection in my amniotic sac? What if I jerk during the process and they have to do it again? I realize I'm being paranoid...but these things keep playing through my mind. Luckily Keith will be there with me. He is my rock when I need him...thank goodness I have him!

Snow white

My daughter amazes me every day with her independence, sense of adventure, and ambition. A parent-child relationship is truly a mutual learning and miraculous experience.

Sesame Street Day

I can't believe my baby girl is going to be one year old in one week. Since her fascination for Elmo and music are so big...it is only natural we are giving her a Sesame Street themed first birthday party. It is ironic that Let's Rock Elmo came out a few months ago...the perfect birthday gift! Of course daddy is on board to give her their favorite food....pizza! I am excited to celebrate the proudest achievement in my life. Her smile melts my heart every day and I cherish every moment with her that I can. After all, the time goes by so fast. It was just yesterday she was learning to lift her head...and now she's balancing on furniture and always planning her next move. That's my adventurous, Goose!

World Exploration

A month ago crayons were something to throw or try and eat. Now, Emma attempts to color while taking a closer observation of what crayons are. The amazement that accompanies watching a child learn and interact with the world around them is priceless.

Calming Mommy

Ways to calm yourself before an impending amniocentesis and cesarean section? Groom, clean, and pamper yourself! Pedicure? Check! Nails? Check! Marseille Nails is amazing! Possibly getting a haircut and massage...although this massage chair is definitely doing the trick. A chocolate or seaweed wrap sounds heavenly right about now...lol I sound prissy! To balance that out, I picked up my Bear Apprentice Compound Bow this weekend and got some target shooting in to sight in my bow. Talk about a great weekend!

Countdown to Cole....

Countdown: 8 days to amniocentesis and tentative 9 days to cesarean section. Very nervous about amniocentesis. Will Cole be ready? Sarah and Dr. Furr seem to think he will be based on current placenta calcification and head size indicating maturity. He practices breathing even when calm...very determined baby boy! I wonder if he will look like Emma and will he have as much hair? Will Emma take to him? I am anxious about getting pneumonia again...I really hope it does not happen again. Another worry is losing my breast milk after a few months like last time. I have hope it will all work out and look forward to meeting Cole!


Amniocentesis Information

Time Flies

My how time flies when you have a baby...three months after Emma was born we were delighted with a surprise...we were expecting! Although not planned, we were happy nonetheless. As Keith said, "It was meant to be!" After the initial shock, we had fun with the new possibilities. Emma and the new baby would be about a year apart, they would always have someone close in age to play with. Would it be a boy? Would it be a girl? now that we had a girl, I was warmed to the idea of having another one.

Fast forward 5 months, and we find out that it is....A BOY! The look on Keith's face when they pointed it out on the ultrasound was priceless. He was grinning from ear to ear, and a new sense of pride emitted from him. That moment when you tell a daddy that he's having a son.

Keith and Emma are birds of a feather. She has his sense of adventure and fearlessness, mixed with my spunk and sunshine. Now as we are reaching the last few weeks of pregnancy, I know she is going to have fun with her brother when he arrives. Even now, she kisses my stomach and lays against it. She is not even a year old yet and she is in tune with what is going on. I have no doubt she will boss her brother, but love him infinitely, as well.