Hospital Life

Alright, for those of you who don't know, after I got home with the baby I was having weird issues with my blood pressure. Long story short, I ended back up in the hospital...twice. I have post partumn pre-eclampsia that needs to get under control. Apparently, I have no control over it myself.
You'd think that would be enough...but...my two older ones are sick with the stomach flu, and now Stephen has it as well. I totally hate hospitals, and he's been staying with me every night. Now, he can't. Thankfully, I am blessed with great friends (Lindsey and Cindy) who came and sat with me while Stephen ran errands...AND now, that Stephen is sick, Linds. will spend the night (YES, Christmas night) with me in the hospital. How cool is that?! THANK YOU LINDSEY!!!!
The wing I'm on is so quiet. I am the only patient, as well that is down here (there are other wings that have other people on it). That makes it kind of depressing.
I missed Christmas with my family, and that was pretty horrid...I'm not allowed to walk around by myself because of the medication that I'm on....TV is limited...and there isn't many staff members around because of the holiday....SO...it pretty much sucks....
Please pray for me...I know that I ask for that a lot...but please...I am asking...again....here is what I am asking for prayer for....
1) Healing...healing....healing....
2) That Stephen and the kids would get better...and protection over Colton that he wouldn't get sick, too....
3) Peace that I can rest...(I'm still a bit nervous about falling asleep, etc....being on my own...)

What We've Been Waiting For!

Announcing the Arrival of :

Samuel Colton Bock

Born 12/19/08

7 lbs. 7 ozs. 19 3/4''

Samuel "God hears and is faithful"

Colton "Bringing light to the dark town"

After everything that this pregnancy has brought us, we are praising God for the healthy arrival of our new little boy!

Here is a story of the journey!

We arrived at the hospital on Friday morning (9:00am). I was scheduled for a ECV (external version to turn a breech baby) with a possible C-section. Because the possibility of an emergency C-section I was placed on that floor close to the ER. I received an operating room dose of an epidural (where my blood pressure dipped up and down with waves of nausea...totally gross btw...). When I was totally numb, the doctor came in and gave me a dose of another med. that would relax my uterus (and make my heart race...bringing on more nausea...yuck). The ultrasound was used to locate the head and rear of the baby, and he began turning the baby by maneuvering him from the outside. He'd stop every few moments to check the baby's heart rate and tolerance. After a few minutes, the baby turned head down and stayed there with a very strong heart rate! PRAISE GOD! The staff was actually surprised, as apparently these maneuvers aren't usually successful. God hears and is faithful!

After that, we were moved to labor and delivery. My epidural wore off, and I received med. to induce labor. That all began at 2:oo in the afternoon. Seven hours later, I was ready to bring this baby into the world. The doctor was called, and the baby came shortly after his arrival (2 pushes for those who care...).

When I heard his cries I was crying. I concentrated on the pediatric nurse working on him, trying to read her expression. I wanted someone to tell me that he was totally fine and "normal". Finally, Stephen walked over to let me know that all was great. I broke down into tears that I have been holding onto for six months. God hears and is faithful!

Needless to say, we are praising God for our miracle, and we thank all of those who have traveled this journey with us. We obviously named him accordingly (plus, his initials are the same as Stephen's). We will be calling him Colton, and we are praising God for him every moment!

My Wise Man

My oldest had his first speaking part in a play yesterday. I was so proud, touched, and emotional (probably preggo hormones)! He played one of the wise men in the Christmas Story of Jesus at school, and this video is just a clip of it all. If you don't know, he's the one closest to the audience.

Baby Poll

Alrighty, lets have some fun with this baby thing! I'm taking a poll...leave a comment with your guess on the following:

Gender of Baby Bock:

Birth Time/Date of Baby Bock:

Weight of Baby Bock:

Length of Baby Bock:

Means of Delivery (C-section or "naturally"):

Maybe the winner will be rewarded with a gift card (?)....Lets see how ya'll do!

Baby, Get Ready!

Well, we now have a plan! Friday, December 19, 2008, we'll will check into the hospital for the doctor to try the ECV (turning the baby). Prayerfully, he'll be successful, and I will be induced at that point. If not, the c-section that I've been trying to avoid will come into play! One way or another, Baby Bock will make his/her debut. Then everyone gets to find out whether or not we've been carrying around a baby girl or boy.....stay tuned!

Worth Celebrating

Thank you for all of your prayers lately!

Plus, thank you God for blessing us so quickly!

Today, December 13, 2008....

Our little a/c was resurrected from the depths!

(Did you think that I had a baby?)

Three leaks were located, sealed, and had caps replaced to

prevent future problems!

It has been said that this week may reach the 80's here,

and now I can endure it without completely melting!

It doesn't take much to make a pregnant

lady happy, does it?

By the way, I am 37 weeks and 3 days!

Monday I will be right back at the doctor's office,

and I will be blogging with further updates soon!

Now, lets cheer on baby Bock to

TURN BABY TURN!!!

Healing need....

No, I am not joking. For three months, our a/c unit has been slowly fizzling out. Living in Florida the weather is just simply unpredictable. One day it is sixty degrees, and the next day it can reach eighty! I am naturally hot natured, and I love the cold. Being hot and sticky puts me in a horrid mood and demeanor!

A new baby is coming in a week or so; illness is running ramped in our home (one person or the other has been sick under this roof for the last four weeks); now the a/c has a leak somewhere. That means it could be a simple fix (costing less) or an ordeal that could last days (and costing a bundle). We will find that out (hopefully) tomorrow. If our family friend can't help us, we'll have to let go of our purse strings a little and bring in a professional. Merry Christmas!

So, as trivial as this all sounds, I'm asking for prayer, please! We'd like to get this all over with by next Friday (when I may go in the hospital). Also, it would be really difficult to spend a lot, right now...so we're praying that God "heals" (for lack of a better word) our a/c issue with incredible ease (problems are easy to find, fix, and prevent) and cheaply! Plus, you can throw in a prayer for our family to finally get 100% before we bring a new little one home....thank you friends and family for your support, help, and healing!

Good News or Bad News?

Do you want the good news or the bad news first?

Bad news: Baby Bock has not yet turned into the correct position for delivery at almost 37 weeks gestation.

Good news: I don't have a c-section scheduled, yet. Plus, there is no sign of a physical problem with the baby causing him/her not to turn.

Here is our game plan. Monday (Dec. 15) I will pay another visit to the doctor to see if my body is making any process towards delivery. If so, I will be scheduled to check into the hospital to try to move the baby. If the doctor is successful, I will be induced that day. If there isn't any change, I will have a c-section (scheduled or otherwise).