Interesting Date

Lots has been going on. More posts and pictures later. But for now I wanted to post about the interesting date Mr H. and I had last night. Well, the date itself was like any other. We had a nice time eating at Logan's Roadhouse. It was my first time eating there. The bread was delicious. I ordered a steak, salad, and mac n' cheese. It was great, but I wasn't hugely blown away. It was a tad expensive for just the two of us, but we had a very nice time on a date, it had been a while since we had gone out together. After eating, we went home and went to bed...yes, went to bed! It was only 10:30pm and although we could have...hehum...you know, enjoyed each other, we didn't because of what happened earlier and this is why I said our date was interesting. Just as an FYI, this may be too much information for some of you so you're more than welcome to just skip over it and just know that we had a great date.





No really, it's kinda personal and lots of information about myself that you may not want to know!





Alright, don't say I didn't warn you!

February of 2008 I had an IUD placed. I spotted and bled for the first 6 or so months but then no periods, no bleeding, no spotting since...until the end of December. I bled pretty heavy and for 10 days. It was weird because I haven't had a period in almost 4 years and even more weird because I have NEVER bled for that long even before the IUD was placed. But I didn't think too much of it, until the beginning of this week when I started bleeding again. In the last 20 days I have been bleeding for 15! Some days are heavier than others. I went to my clinic at the University to talk to them about it because my insurance is through my school. Since I have an IUD, they didn't even check me out [liability reasons, maybe!?]. All the nurse told me is that I should get to a GYN ASAP, I told her that I didn't have one that accepted my insurance and she told me that I needed to get to the hospital. She was worried about a possible puncture in my uterus from the IUD. Driving home I called Mr H. to tell him the news and I started crying because I was scared and I didn't want another hospital bill. I was so confused, I didn't know what to do. Mr H. was very confident and told me that we needed to go to the hospital just to get everything checked out.

Once at the hospital, they took me right back in a room. I felt dumb, and that maybe I shouldn't have come, like I was making something out of nothing. But the bleeding is very unusual and my stomach has been hurting for the last couple of days. So they had me pee in a cup and told me that I wasn't pregnant (duh!) and I also had to have a pelvic exam (ehhh!). The PA-C who did it tried very hard to be gentle [hard and gentle?...sounds conflicting, huh!?]. He moved slowly and talked me through it. It's kinda uncomfortable and awkward having someone else besides my husband down there...but I lived. He also said that I was the best pelvic he's done this week...and I didn't know how to respond to that!

After the pelvic and bimanual exam the doctor came into the room and told me that she does not think the IUD has punctured my uterus, since I have no fever, chills, extreme pain, etc. What the doctor thinks, is that the IDU has lost it's effectiveness and that is why I am menstruating. And if the IUD has lost it's effectiveness than it probably has lost it's ability to prevent pregnancy[and this is why no hanky panky]. So she highly recommended that the IUD be taken out. We were a little surprised because the IUD should be good for another year.

After our wonderful date last night, we were laying in bed, it hit me, I wonder if Heavenly Father has another plan for us. I know that in OUR timeline we can not possibly have a baby...with us both going through school, Mr H. working, no insurance...in OUR timeline we CANNOT have a baby. But now that the IUD will be taken out what does HEAVENLY FATHER'S timeline look like? I'm really not sure...I guess we will just have to wait and find out.

I'm an Aunt Again!

This year has been the year of babies. JM had JEM 3 weeks ago and on the 26th of August we welcomed baby number two. Mr H.'s oldest sister, Cindy, and her husband, Rudy, welcomed a little girl at 12:50pm (Arizona Time). Little baby N weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces and she was 20.75 inches long. Mom and baby did great. Cindy only pushed about 4 times and she came out. I was very honored to have them call me just as soon as the baby came out. Sarah, Mr H.'s youngest sister, called me and put me on speaker phone. I could hear the hustle and bustle of everything and little N's tiny cries. Mr H. and I wish we could have been there to welcome this precious spirit into this world but sometimes we can't always have everything we want.

Cindy and baby were already sent home today and they all are adjusting to having a baby and a 4 year old. R, who's the big brother, is loving his little sister and is a pretty good help. Congrats again Cindy, Rudy, and R!

Happy Birthiversary

Remember when!?

Well, I suppose our family doesn't like to remember a whole lot of dates so we combine important events on days that are already important. Take for instance July 31, last year Mr H. and I tied the knot, it was a special day...this year a healthy and beautiful baby niece was born. Talk about the coolest gift. [Sorry Mr H., I love your gifts...but this kinda out did you! lol].

We woke up to a mass text from JM at 6am that said, "My water just broke!!!" I was too darn tired to get up plus I know that births can take a while [especially first births] so I didn't rush out the door or anything. I took my time waking up. KK and I made french toast for Mr H. I did a load of laundry. I took a shower. I was in constance contact with my parents who were at the hospital. When JM went to the hospital she was already at a 7...but did that make me move any faster?...not really! I got the cameras ready, then realized that the charger was missing [RR "accidently" took it from my house! Just like I'm going to "accidently" punch her face if she does that again!]. I told Dad to let me know when JM has the epidural. In the meantime, AA texted and said she tried waking RP up 3 times to take her to the hospital but he won't budge and asked if I could pick her up on the way. Which we did.

At the hospital we received the update outside the room while JM was resting. The physician went to deliver a set of twins at another hospital and would come back after that so that's why everything was quiet. JM was fully dilated but at a -1 station, she rested while we waited. About an hour after we arrive the nurse went in the room and I followed. I asked JM if she was still alright with me being in the room for the delivery...she didn't care as long as there wasn't a restriction from the hospital on the amount of guests. So I set up post for her right leg. Mom had her left and Z was at the head of her bed looking like he was going to pass out. My other sister, RR was there too just to watch.

JEM was still a little high, but JM started pushing. She made it look so easy, she wasn't straining her face, she was pulling up her legs [while mom and I pushed her legs against her chest to help], and she wasn't screaming or even wincing. Finally JEM started coming down, she would crown but then go back into the canal. Putting my nursing skills to work I was wondering if her bladder was full -- maybe that was why she couldn't come out!? I asked JM if she had to go, she wasn't quite sure because of the epidural and the nurse said that she'd emptied her bladder before they put the epidural in but she would try again. Once the straight cath was in JM filled the basin up half way! Poor JEM was being squished from JM's bladder. After she was empty things started speeding up. The doctor was called in and he just finished suiting up as JEM's head came out. As JEM's head came out JM gave a whimper of pain, but that was the only time. JEM's umbilical cord was wrapped around her shoulder like a purse strap.

JEM
Born: July 31, 2011
At: 2:39pm
Weighing: 6 pounds 10 ounces
Length: 20.5 inches


Z cutting the cord

When she came out she had this very quiet crying. She hated my camera and wouldn't stop crying until she was back with her mom.

Look at her log nails!

Happy Family Photo

Very special moment when JEM was given a Priesthood Blessing

Mr H. was so cute holding JEM, he was a very proud uncle. Doesn't he look like a pro holding her!?

JM did beautifully giving birth. JM made it seem like she did this all the time. She tore a little and was stitched once on either side but everything looked great. I am very proud of JM and I am very grateful that she let me be a part of this very special day. Thank you JM. The easy part is over and done with...now the hard part begins.

Oh, and not to forget...Happy Anniversary Tom! I can't believe it's been one whole year. At times it feels like it was just the other day and sometimes it feels like we've been married longer than a year. And in all actuality we have been married longer than a year, just not to each other. :) We've been through more in one year than a lot of couples have gone through their entire lives. I am grateful to have you as a companion. I am very lucky to have you.

Baby Hungry

I was at Volleyball a couple weeks ago and found out that one of the sisters in the ward was pregnant. A couple weeks after that I noticed that another sister in the ward had a very swollen belly that I had not noticed before. And as you know, my sister, JM, is pregnant and so are both of my sister-in-laws. It seems as though all the women I know are getting pregnant or just had a baby. I am very happy for them and glad that they are adding to their family, but there is a little part of me that is super jealous. Jealous that they are adding to their family, jealous that they get to share the joy of a new life, jealous that, as of now, knowing that we will not have any more children. Mr H. is not interested nor does he want anymore children. This, as you see, has very much crushed my hopes and dreams of one day holding a newborn child of mine in my arms. But this entry isn't going to be about how wrong I think Mr H. is or how can I change his mind. No, I know that Mr H. feels very justified as to what his reasons are and I understand why he feels the way he does. But do I feel ENTIRELY different? Yes. But this isn't the time or place for it. Just knowing that KK might be the only child I have bore has made me treasure the time I have with him. I was looking at old videos of when he was a newborn tonight and it made me sad...knowing that there will be no baby for us. But it also made me smile because he was just so small and cute. Every child is a miracle and a gift from God and in the mean time I can get ready to hold, and smell, and cuddle, and kiss on the future gifts from God that my sister and sisters-in-law are going to have this year.

Check out these videos of a newborn KK

Memorial Weekend

This was a busy weekend so be patient as I ramble on [warning: this is a long post]. Not only is JM still in the hospital (and probably will be until the baby comes) but it's my sister, AA's graduation party.

Friday May 27:
I told KK to get himself dressed in the morning and this is what he picked out

I asked him if he wanted some shorts on because it was hot and he whined and said no, so this is how he looked when we left our house...and no I couldn't touch his socks, that's how he wanted them. When I locked our house up KK told me that "Tweety" was the in water. Remember the bird? Well, Mr H. named him/her Tweety. I looked and looked at the water and did not see the bird anywhere. The bird really camouflaged itself but KK saw it.

And since the bird cannot fly I felt that I should try and help the little guy out of the water hole. I grabbed a Frisbee and a stick and lured him onto the Frisbee and out of the hole he came. KK was so excited that I saved the bird...I was his new hero. It made me feel good. And after rescuing Tweety we drove to meet our family counselor for a session. There are things that she would like me to work on that might help the "G Situation" such as:

Timer Attention: Giving him attention even if I have to set a timer. "Hey I only have 10 mins but I would love to hear about your day..."

Emphasize positive/Minimize negatives: 5 positives for every 1 negative

Earning is much more effective than taking away: Do not focus on taking away, focus on him earning things

Shaping: Working this a little over time. One step in the right direction = praise. Just like a baby learning to run, praise for standing, 1 step, walking, running

Mental Motivators: "I've got Mr H...this will get easier...the only way out is through...I'm training/reteaching

Think about weekly chores instead of daily ones

say "yes" unless you absolutely can't

These may not seem like hard tasks...but these are painful for me to even think about doing. I know I have not talked a lot about "G's situation" but it's something that is THE BIGGEST and most serious stress for our family.

Saturday May 28:
These next pictures are some more of the damage from the storm.


All of the dots on the fence are hits from the hail. In total damage for our house, 3 screens need to be replaced and the shutters, our kitchen skylight, back patio glass and light, and our air conditioner. I'm just glad everyone was safe and no one was harmed.

Bath Time = Mohawk for KK

Sunday May 29:
AA's graduation party was today. She is the last of my 5 siblings to graduate from high school. She was pretty fired up for her party...lots of food, corn hole, and mud wrestling...yes, mud wrestling. AA shared her open house with her friend, Megan, they've been friends since junior high, I think.

I just have to laugh at this photo with RR

Volleyball

KK LOVED the pool



Now trying to splash mom


Peeknut, (A's ball python) made an appearance too!

Too cute not to photo

Mud Wrestling





KK was so upset that dirt was put into the pool and it didn't help when Aunt RR threw him into the dirty water, but Mimi helped him get over it when she gave him the hose with the sprayer on it and he got everyone within a 5ft radius wet!

I even got mud on me from all the splashing and unfortunately I had to toss the shirt because it didn't come out

Today was a great day, A had fun, there was lots of food and company. The only sucky thing about the day was Mr H. had a severe migraine, which I gave him a muscle relaxer for, and he was dead to the world sleeping it off until about 45 mins before we left the party, he was sleeping for a total of 3.5 hours

Monday May 30:
No pictures today. We had a pretty busy day but what made it great was that Mr H. had the day off. G carried the flag at the Memorial Day picnic. We ate great food and played Cornhole, which I beat Mr H. at! KK had a fun time playing and like a mom would, I brought extra drinks for my family, which was a good thing because the water fountain wasn't working and KK was so sweaty. There was also a silent auction for girl's camp. I donated a hand crocheted baby afghan for them to use. I bid on and won 1 night of babysitting, homemade wheat bread, and an FHE treat. Even though we are VERY financially strapped we thought it was a good service project. After the auction, one of our friends from church asked to have G over for the rest of the afternoon, which we gladly accepted. Once we were done baking in the heat we went home and hung out for the rest of the day. Once G came home we spent FHE time swimming in our pool for the first time this year. It was very nice to be a family and have the opportunity to spend the day together. Usually Mr H. leaves for work at 8am and doesn't come home until 9:30pm because of school. So to have the opportunity was such a blessing.

May 27, 2011

Nothing has changed today for JM, her cervix is still shortened but her contractions are not as regular...which is a great thing. For every day the baby is inside JM that's about a weeks worth of development if the baby were in the NICU. So I told JM to cross her legs or to hang upside down.

I didn't have class today but was busy, busy, busy. I had an appointment with the counselor we are seeing as a family. I didn't have a sitter for KK so I brought him with me and the counselor's spouse watched KK...they read a book for 45 min! KK LOVES books! After the appointment, I felt very defeated mind you, I took KK to the store so that we could buy JEM some gifts. KK picked out a dolly and 2 outfits for JEM, flowers for JM, and a box of candy for Papa. We got some lunch and went to the hospital. I had shove the food down my throat and take off, leaving KK with my mom. I was on my way to meet Mr H. at G's school to discuss the possibility of having him repeat 8th grade. The meeting started at 3pm and didn't end until 4:15pm. A lot was said, but it couldn't be decided at that time because the school is waiting for some test scores and the evaluation from the Ellis Institute. So we're not sure if he will be repeating or not. But after that I went home to grab shampoo/conditioner and a brush and headed back to the hospital.

At the hospital Lupe was there with my mom. Lupe is basically a very close family friend...she started babysitting us when I was 2, she lived with us for a while in Michigan, and she's kind of like an older sister to me. KK had a great time and played nicely. But mom needed to get home because A was having her graduation party this weekend. So mom took KK and I stayed with JM until Z could get to the hospital. I braided JM's hair back, which hadn't been brushed since Wednesday. She was very out of it so I just pulled out my computer to start working on homework. JW stopped by with his &iquest girlfriend? Now I question the title of this girl because I am not sure. But JM was a little upset because she really hasn't been introduced to her and thought it was a little weird. JM just wants family visiting, because she's still on MgSO4 and still dizzy and feeling yucky she didn't want to entertain anyone or feel like she needed to. Once Z arrived I started doing homework and JW and his girlfriend left. I stayed for a little longer but once JM started feeling tired again, I left.


I called my mom to pick up KK but KK was having way too much fun with Lupe's boys so I just went home and let KK spend the night. I was feeling very sick because for lunch I had a small salad and it was about 9pm now and my sugar had dropped. I felt like throwing up. I needed food but nothing sounded good. G went to bed and Mr H. took me to steak n shake. I felt better after I ate but still felt bad so I just went to bed.

May 26, 2011

Today wasn't as crazy as yesterday...but it was still busy. I worked from 7am to 11:30am, came home, cleaned, waited for the internet installer guy, he finally shows up at the time I have to leave for class. So Mr H. rescues me and comes home to supervise the guy installing. As I leave the condo I see this yellow finch hopping around...KK starts to chase it and it doesn't fly away. I told KK to leave it alone and we left. In the car I called Mr H. and told him about the bird, that it must have gotten hurt in the storm, and to not let Zero outside.

Since JM was in the hospital I have no babysitter and 2 weeks left of school. My parents want to make sure that JM is not alone in the hospital so they, along with Z, have been taking shifts watching her. I called and found out my dad was at home so I could go to class. On the way to class mom called and said JM was dilated to a 4 and 100% effaced. I wanted turn around and go home but I couldn't because I had a group presentation to do.

Because of all the events happening recently I did not have the opportunity to practice my part of the group presentation for class. I was nervous and didn't want my lack of readiness to hinder my groups grade. I said a silent prayer that I would relax. I felt better but still just wanting to get it over with. I told my teacher what was going on and that I needed to leave after my presentation...she was very understanding.

I got up and did my part of the presentation and I was thankful when I was done. I packed up my stuff and before I left the class one classmate motioned me over to her and she told me that I did a really well on my part and that while I was up there she said she could envision that I would make a great nurse, that I was poised, and spoke clearly and understandably. It made my day...I was so nervous and with Heavenly Father's help I was able to present my material in a manner in which people understood what I was talking about.

On my way home I called my mom and asked what was going on and she told me that they gave JM another shot of steroids for JEM's lungs. And after returning home with KK I wanted to change out of my good clothes and into something more comfortable. I closed the door and started changing and I heard this ripping noise behind me...startled, I look around and nothing is there. I begin undressing and again I hear the noise...I know I wasn't hearing things, but when I look around nothing is there. I slowly start walking towards the noise and this is what I found:

Mr H. actually caught the finch and brought it INTO THE HOUSE! He wants to nurse it back to health by catching worms and feeding it to him/her. In my head I'm thinking, "Are you freaking kidding me? We are not keeping a freaking bird in our freaking house!" But I know that I cannot actually say that because I don't want to hurt his feelings [but he reads this blog and now he knows...I love you MrH...lol!]. So I suggest letting it catch its own worms and eat bugs outside, that way its not so scared and we don't have to worry about it or clean up after it. I think Mr H. got the point that I did not want the bird in the house because he agreed to keep it outside. THANK GOODNESS...lol!

May 25, 2011

Today started off as a normal day. I got ready for school, dropped KK off with my RR, went to school, tried to pick up KK (who was with JM), didn't want to wait until they came back, went home, started laundry, and got a call from my mom. "C, we are heading to the hospital, KK is with RP, JM is in labor!" Wait WHAT!? Now let me pause for a second. JM is 29 weeks and 5 days, she had a routine check-up yesterday which raised a little concern and they decided to get her in today for an ultrasound. JM brought KK with her to the ultrasound (that's why he wasn't at the house when I got there after school). At the ultrasound the doctor told her to get to the hospital, JM called Mom and viola...that's how we get to the part where JM is in labor! I talk to RP and ask if he can watch KK for a couple of hours while I go to the hospital to see what's going on. At the hospital I find out that since she had been spotting and has been having sporadic contractions the physician wanted to get her into the hospital for monitoring. After the monitors were placed on her and ultrasounds were done I find out that JM's cervix is too short. For a pregnant woman her cervix should be over 2.5 cm, JM's was 3 mm, which is WAY too short. The physician thought that a bedrest for 48 hours and some medicine to try and help stop preterm labor might do the trick but once she checked JM and realized that she was 95% effaced and dilated to 3 she decided a different approach...Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4).

MgSO4 has some pretty neat qualities, such as it is the component that absorbs sound in the seawater. It's anhydrous, meaning that it is a drying agent. MgSO4 is used in bath salts. MgSO4 is used as a tocolytic medicine, which means that it is used to stop or slow down the uterine contractions for a day or two. JM was given MgSO4 because she was also given a steroid shot to help the baby's lungs to mature. MgSO4 is thought to work with as a calcium channel blocker...there needs to be calcium for the uterus to contract. One good thing about the MgSO4 is that it can help reduce the risks of cerebral palsy which is a risk when delivering a preterm baby. Another preterm risk is cerebral hemorrhage.

After JM was put on the MgSO4 she started to feel very woosy and sick, which is normal. But what was not normal was the weather. There was severe weather...it was so so severe in fact that the hospital staff had to move all of the Labor and Delivery (L/D) patients into the triage area. There were women who were IN labor and having their baby's and the only thing separating us was a thin curtain. JM was a priority though because she needed constant monitoring. After the storm JM was put in her room again and I took off to pick up KK, knowing that I would be back soon. I was also hoping and praying that the baby stayed inside JM.

I did not know how bad the storm was until Mr H. described to me what the streets looked like with pitted grounds from hail and trees uprooted. He told me that there was hail the size of baseballs at my parents and that cars were damaged. I was grateful that my car, JM's car, and my parent's truck were at the hospital and untouched by the storm. RR wasn't so lucky; she was at work and her car was hit badly by the hail. It requires over $4,600 worth of work.



When I drove home it was later in the night and I was not able to see all of the damage along the streets I drove, and when I got home and parked in our garage I could see most of the damage left by the hail. But the next morning it was apparent it was worse than was once thought the previous night.




I was so exhausted from the days events that I just totally fell asleep the moment I walked in the door.

It's a Girl!

Yup that's right! For those of you who do not know a darling girl will be making her presence this summer. Her due date is August 5th (my birthday)! We are so excited and nervous to meet her.





















I know what you guys are all thinking and no...that won't happen for a couple of years but my sister, JM, is pregnant with her first child. This child will be born out of wedlock but this blog is not a place to express your negative feelings about it. It is what it is and she will be keeping the baby. Having said that, I had the great opportunity to plan her "Gender Revealing Party". About a month ago I was at her ultrasound where the tech wrote down the gender of the baby and stuffed it in an envelope and JM gave me the envelope. Which I suppose meant that she wanted me to plan the party. I was going to do it last week on April 1st and make all of the guests think it was going to be a boy but then say, "April Fools!" but I just couldn't get everything together in time. Here are some pictures from last night.

Jenae and her boyfriend, Z (not the baby's father)

Some of her friends

The Name Game...friends and family picked names they liked and decorated JM's belly with them


And because I couldn't resist putting a picture of my beautiful boy in here

And the great food. The cupcakes had a pink middle, so once the guests bit in them they would see what the gender was. I made JM's three "cravings" foods: Velveeta shells and cheese, Red Vines, and Candy.

The pretty flowers my Mom bought

Cupcakes

The flowers I bought

Other Snack Foods

These are the party favors I made and handed out. Nothing too crazy, they just had some candy in them.