The Week in Pictures

  

  

 

Sweet Baby Girl

Makenna Brooklyn Miller

May 6, 2011 7:43 am

8lbs 5 oz

It was the middle of the summer in 2008, hot and humid, and I was overdue with my son Jacob. I was done being pregnant and rather than wait for my body to do its job on its own, we opted to induce labor. I went into the hospital on a Wednesday evening and anticipated having a baby sometime within the next 24 hours. Afterall, I knew of no one who experienced a problem with an induction; it was just supposed to speed up the process. Forty hours later, I had dilated to a two. Even worse, my baby was not reacting well to the pitocin and, ultimately, he was born via cesarean section that afternoon. It was Friday, July 11, 2008.
For me, recovering from surgery was a long and difficult process. I started out with many hours of painful labor and no sleep working against me; and I'm sure having a demanding, nursing newborn was a big factor, too. But it still took me a long time to feel like myself again. When we found out I was pregnant last summer, I made sure that my OB/GYN was onboard with the idea of a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean). Not only did I not want to be cut open again, I really wanted the opportunity to experience the birthing process, pain and all.
Though I've definitely been more fatigued with this pregnancy (I'm sure Jake has a lot to do with that one), it's been relatively normal and uneventful. I have had no reason to believe that anything would prevent me from going into labor on my own. As my due date neared, my doctor began talking more and more about the statistics involved with a vbac, making sure that I understood that the longer labor progressed, the higher likelihood there would be for uterine rupture, and ultimately another c-section. And because the baby's environment begins to deteriorate the longer she's in there, he wouldn't let me go past 41 weeks. If I was at all dilated, he could induce me (strip membranes or break my water); if not, it would need to be a scheduled c-section.
Today is Thursday, May 5th. I am 40 weeks and 5 days. Five days overdue. Every Monday for the last month when I've gone in for my scheduled appointment, the response has been the same: no dilation, no effacement. Essentially, no progress. And since 41 weeks is this Saturday, I am scheduled to have another cesarean section tomorrow morning. On the one hand, I'm glad to know when the end date to this pregnancy is. I'll no longer have to wonder if today might be the day, if I'll have to call my neighbor in the middle of the night to come over and be with Jacob while we go to the hospital. My baby will be here tomorrow morning, and then life can move on. On the other hand, I have to recover from major surgery, all the while taking care of a newborn and an almost 3 year old (which is a daunting thought, no matter how she gets here!). And, again, I miss out on the experience of giving birth.
Am I disappointed? Yes A little saddened? That too. In the end, though, I know what is most important--that Makenna arrives safely, that she's healthy. Tomorrow morning I begin what may be another long road to recovery; but tomorrow morning I also meet my daughter. And for that I am very grateful.

Easter

It didn't take Jacob very long to understand the concept of an Easter egg hunt (albeit indoors---it was snowing outside!)

Sleepy Little Angel

The antics of a growing two year old can be difficult to deal with, especially for this Mama who's patience wears thin a little too easily these days. Jake can be such a little devil sometimes...and then I see him like this, so angelic. I guess there's a good reason why my mom always says to look in on him when he's asleep. I need the reminder of how sweet my little son really is.

Nursery and Baby Shower

I have had so much fun getting the nursery ready for our little girl. It's soft and feminine with butterflies and flowers in lavender and a light brown. I saw the ceiling moulding in another home and loved the effect, so we recreated it in Makenna's room. It's been ready for a couple of weeks, the only thing lacking is the little girl who will reside here! (And there's NO progress on that one, though my due date is in 4 days! Any bets as to when she'll arrive??)

My sweet friends Janae, Pam, & Kristi threw me a baby shower a couple of weeks ago (and I hope I'm not leaving out anyone else!) Though it was a busy Saturday morning, so many people came to shower me with their love and support and I had a wonderful time! 

Backyard Playset Project

We bought a used playset for Jake earlier this winter (I love Craigslist!) that has been sitting on the sideyard until it was warm enough to put it in a more permanent place. Even though we've had plenty of snow and rain this last week, the sun has also shown its face over the last month and temps have been warm enough to work outside again. My hardworking husband dug out the sod and dirt from the back corner of our yard, leveled the ground, and built a box out of railroad ties to put the playset in. All the while, his little "helper" was a constant presence (and Jake's favorite way of helping right now is to either be right in front of where Brian is trying to work, or climbing on his back as he kneels in the dirt to work!)

And here is the finished project, wood chips, sandbox, and all! Thanks Daddy!