Baby, Baby, Baby

The fact that I'm even writing this instead of sleeping should show you all what a dedicated blogger I am. Ha! I'm finally in my own bed with my own sheets and my own things. But I can tell you this much, we are already missing that around the clock nursing care that we got at Brookwood Hospital. I was totally not prepared for the amazing care we would receive there. These women were like second mothers to me and one even told me that I had not had enough rest and that she was making me take a nap and sticking a "no visitors" sign on my door. And she was right, a nap was exactly what I needed.

Needless to say this whole labor and delivery process did not go anywhere close to the way I thought it would. For one, I actually went into labor on my own on the same day they were going to insert a balloon catheter to dilate my cervix. Steve and I think that I really started labor at church on Wednesday night because all night long I was having contractions and they weren't letting up. On Thursday morning we started timing them and they were about 12 minutes apart. But then they transitioned to 3 minutes apart and I knew this was really going to happen. We were scheduled to arrive at the hospital on Thursday for my planned procedure at 4pm but found ourselves in labor and delivery at about 2pm and in much pain. As they admitted me and started all the regular procedures the pain became increasingly intense so I begged the nurse to give me something. At one centimeter dilated, a epidural wasn't an option but pain killer called Nubain was. And thus the most glorious few moments began pain free and I laid there in my nonsense bliss. I called several friends and wasn't making any sense so finally Steve took my phone away from me. One of my funnier moments was when I became convinced that a hospital worker was trying to scam us by upcharging us for a suite when they don't offer suites only just private rooms. My parents and Steve and I'm sure my nurse were well entertained by antics until the Nubain wore off. And I found myself in worse pain with contratctions only a minute apart but still not dilated beyond 1 centimeter. They gave me a second dose but it didn't do anything. And thus I found myself in natural labor. Let me just go on record and say that I think anyone who goes through that voluntarily is crazy. I couldn't say it before having never actually experienced it and there was a time when I was open to doing it, but I was literally climbing the walls during labor. I was screaming so loud that they could hear me down at the nurses station and could hear every word coming out of my mouth (which was quite embarassing and I'm sure not christian like at all). The problem was that I wasn't dilating so they couldn't give me the epidural. I'm not sure at what point they caved on this or it was probably my nurse who was about to quit on the spot but finally around 9pm they gave me the epidural and started pitocin to speed up the process. I have to say that I had been so scared of the epidural but it was nothing. The only hard part was that I was going through contractions while they were doing it and I had to stay still so my sweet young nurse just held me tight and I sobbed into her shoulder. Also, I was worried about the IV too and that was nothing as well. God really blessed me in taking care of those things for me.

Around 6 in the morning, I had dilated to 6 centimeters but had stayed there for several hours and not made any progress. On top of that, my cervix was swollen and they had discovered that I had some sort of an infection. I also had a high temperature, high blood pressure at that point and then the nurse discovered that Samuel had a bowel movement while in utero. This is dangerous because there is a high possibility that the baby can swallow the meconium and of course that isn't good. The doctor on call said that she was giving me 30 minutes to dilate more by speeding up the pitocin. After 30 more minutes, there was no change in my condition and in 5 minutes they were wisking me away for a C-section. This was incredibly emotional for me for one because I obviously wanted a vaginal delivery but on top of this they had called the NICU department in because they obviously were worried about my baby. I have to say the surgery was very quick and not nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be. I was in and out of there in 30 minutes. But unfortunately my baby went straight to NICU and I only saw him right after surgery and then again at 8 pm that night. I had planned this whole bonding time to happen with my baby right when he came out of the womb but that didn't happen. But Samuel ended up being perfectly healthy weighing in at 8lbs and 5oz. We were at the hospital for about 6 days so we were really ready to come home. Samuel is really the sweetest, cutest thing we have seen. And Steve has been amazing with him and me and I don't know how I would have made it through this without him.

We are now on our third week with our precious doodlebug. We are convinced that he is the cutest baby boy we have ever seen but I guess every parent says that about their child. While I have had some complications with my recovery in addition to taking care of a newborn, I have been blessed with so much help from family and friends. The meals that we have received have blessed us beyond belief and the time and care that family members have offered us has made all the difference in the world.

Many of you have read the prophecy that we received two months before I became pregnant with Samuel but in case you haven't, here is the word we received from traveling minister, Prophet Max Navarro from Huntsville:

"The Lord is saying the spirit of the Lord has been moving upon your lives and this is the season to rejoice even more so and watch the spirit of God bring total change and it’s going to be good change into your home.

The Lord has told me to tell you this is also a time where you will see increase rise up in your home. The Lord says many people talk about addition. But there is a multiplication that will take place in your life. Do you guys have any children? Have you been trying to have a child? How long have you been married? A year and a half.

There is a reason why I ask that question. I’m very careful when I deal with babies and marriages.

First of all, because when I was praying and saw the multiplication, I saw a child coming into your lives. Now don’t worry about the economics of the system. Why? Because this child is first God’s and he will take care of his child. And it will be his child before it is yours. And when this child is released to you upon this earth then the Lord will make means for this child.

I see God making provision for this child and I see him meeting the needs for this child. This child is not going to be lacking. You will see supernatural things take place for this child. The Lord has told me to tell you that even He has heard your heart even when you ask God for timing. The Lord says my time is now – what is your time? The Lord says right now is a time when miracles will flow. The Lord says watch and see. It’s not going to be a burden but this child is going to be a joy. The Lord says, he will bring much joy into your lives like never before.

It’s almost like having a new experience every day when you look into the child’s face. You are going to have an experience basically that you will never be able to have when you look at this child – you will see God. You will see the working hand of God in this child.

The Lord has told me to tell you, this is a time and season as you draw near to God, both of you; the spirit of the Lord is going to bring peace into this area.

Most people are never ever going to feel this way. But you are never totally 100% ready for a child. They just come. Why? Because they are ordained from heaven. As the child comes forth – guess what happens? We have the joy to raise this child and bring it forth. The Lord has told me to tell you really sometimes we think this child will nail us down. This child is nothing that will nail you down. It’s going to get you off the floor. But that has been something in your heart but the Lord has told me to tell you to get ready, even your husband, you will have two kids (meaning the child and your husband). You will look at your child and then you will look at your husband. When raising the child, your husband will be able to deal with the child at every level. Not every parent can really do this but there is so much of a child like heart in your husband. That God is going to use your husband in that way.

Don’t worry economically – God has ordained of this in your lives. Watch and see it’s going to be good, it’s going to be fine and it’s going to be great. It’s going to be a blessing more than anything else."