After a weekend of feeling crampy and some decent contractions, I woke up June 2nd with a definite sign that labor had begun (I won't go into detail, trust me, it's better that way!). I called Brian at work and before I could finish explaining, he said he was on his way.
Next I called to Brandy to see if she could take Kailyn. Then I broke down. We have no NICU here in Valdez, and at 27 weeks, my baby would most certainly need one. I was hoping for a home birth... this had not been in the picture I had imagined. Between contractions, my thoughts wandered to articles I had read, websites I had visited.... how early had I ever heard of a baby making it? I couldn't remember, but it didn't seem like too much before 27 weeks. I was scared for my baby, and that is a feeling that I imagine I will have again, but wish that I won't.
When Brian got home, my contractions were a little less than 10 minuts apart. At full term, this is probably when I would have taken a shower and gotten my bags packed for the hospital, but this early, that's pretty close together!
Once we got to the hospital, it all went kind of fast. I was dilated to a 2, 60% effaced, and now contracting about every 3-7 minutes. Dr. Cullen was great at calming my nerves - he explained that babies survive all the time even younger than Charlie. As a matter of fact, he said, Charlie would probably be fine even if he was born in Valdez, but of course, we weren't going to risk it. Medevac was on it's way... did Brian want to ride with me to Anchorage? I wanted him, but I also wanted my daughter to come to Anchorage. And we would need a car and a change (or five) of clothes.
I think now that I should have know that I would be going to Anchorage, but I guess it hadn't really sank in. Little did I know that I would not see my daughter in Valdez again, my house, my garden, my job... everything would be put on hold until... sometime. Who knows when? Then, while making my list for Brian to pack, Merreley called and said she would get Kailyn and drive the six hours to Anchorage with her 1 year old son in my car. We truly have the
best of friends in the entire
universe. This meant Brian could fly with me and be by my side through the whole ordeal (lucky him!).
They started the myriad of drugs that I would be given over the course of the next five days, including steroids to strengthen his little lungs in case the drugs to stop the labor didn't work. Then, before I knew it, the Life Flight crew was there with the Valdez Fire Dept to prep me for the worst flight of my life. Still contracting, they had to strap me to the gurney (that's kind of like your seat belt), and I was loaded onto the plane, head back to the tail. Take off was not so fun, but then neither was contracting in that position. Amazingly, we made it, and I am really appreciative of the flight crew for the safe flight, Matt & Tasha specifically.
Once in Anchorage, the drugs continued, and Dr. Isada came in to check me out. Things were looking better - the contractions had slowed - but unless my cervix went back I was probably going to be having a baby within a few days. He assured me that it
could change (WHO KNEW??) if we caught it in time, and we were going to at least try to hold labor off for 48 hours so the steroids could kick in. Then, if we made it there, our goal was to be 30 weeks, since that makes all the NICU docs really happy. Next would be 32 weeks, and he said he wants a Christmas card if we make it to there. But our big goal would of course be full term - 37 weeks.
And then he dropped the big bomb. Bed rest until I have a baby. Whoa.... what??? When did he think I would have a baby? So, it looks like we'll be here, in Anchorage, until I have a baby. Did I mention I have an almost 3-year old, run my own business, and hadn't planted my flowers? These are serious things!
Luckily, my mom had gotten on the next flight to Alaska, and Brian's family lives here in Anchorage, so I was allowed to leave the hospital on Friday to finish my sentence in a more comfortable environment.
But I have to say, the story has an anticlimax. For all the scare - things are going great right now. It seems that my placenta began to detach, probably from trauma, and that is what caused the labor to begin. And it looks like that has healed. I am now 30 weeks, and have been allowed to start increasing my activity slowly (I've interpreted that loosely). My body seems to have returned to normal, at least for a pregnant lady, and I have to say that I have a really good feeling that this little guy is going to stay in there for a while longer and be just fine. He's got a great heartbeat and all of his organs are very nicely developed. I can attest that his little arms and legs are just fine - he's kicking me pretty hard these days (and I love it!!!). Tom & Peggy have moved into their travel trailer so that Brian and I can sleep in their room, and overall, I have to admit that it's not as bad as I can only imagine visiting your newborn in NICU would be. And it's nice to be out of the hospital, though I was really digging the cafeteria food!
Soooo..... here I am. We are trying to keep busy - after all, we are in the city for a while with lots of options of things to do. I am not a huge fan of Anchorage, but I am trying to stay positive when I can and take advantage of whatever opportunities being here will allow. It's going to be a long couple of months, but I think that we will all be just fine!
How could that face not make you laugh??
He's got the Beauvais' chatterbug gene! He's talking up a storm here, but I am not sure that you can tell???
Kailyn tried to convince Dad to take the slimy stuff out, but she eventually got in there.
Kailyn and her Valdez BFF, Bella, at the preschool party.
Chief Major inspecting the ranks one last time. All of these firefighters have served under his command at one time or another.
Justin Major hugging his dad.
Charlie is absolutely a perfect fit... of course we all adore him, but it seems he's pretty crazy about all of us, too. He smiles all the time!
A little out of order, but here's some pics from the hospital. Isn't the camo hat and sweater great?!! Brian's Memere made the sweater and Charlie's Memere made the hat... it was a perfect fit and a huge hit at the hospital. I was just thankful that Brian would allow him to wear a sweater finally! I think that little boys are so handsome in them!
Kailyn's 3rd birthday - what a big girl!!
Silly cousins!!!
Puddle jumps at the zoo.
A quick smile between contractions at 9:59 am.
Holding Baby Charlie at 11:11 am.
11:30 - I just love this face; Kailyn made the same one and he still makes it today. It's really cute (is that mean?)
Kailyn got to come in right after the birth - this pic is at 11:45 (he was born at 11:07).
First bath at 12:56.
Well, I've had some issues with my computer, but it looks like I can finally add some pictures! Here's the new guy in town (not so new anymore!), and I can't wait to post more pictures... he looks SO different now! Just for an idea - this picture is Charlie at 4 weeks...
And here he is at 5 1/2 weeks! He is just like his sister in so many ways, which is funny because so many people warned me that since Kailyn was so easy, Charlie would be a challenge. So I was pretty scared and nervous going into it all. Hmmm.... I guess it's just another way that he's keeping me on my toes - as soon as I think I know what's coming, I am in for a surprise!
Picking flowers in Memere's backyard. Note that they stain any clothes that cost more than $5. Generally speaking, Value Village clothes that cost $0.99 do not hold the stain.
Playing with our Anchorage family. This trip has been great for bonding with SUPER SMILEY Baby Alayna, and Kailyn and Tyler are a total riot to watch together. Kailyn is all princess, and let's just leave it at Tyler is not at all a princess! They both love to play together, though, so she will follow him "to the fire" in her Cinderella dress, and Tyler waits to "start the firetruck" until Kailyn's baby is strapped in safely. It is too stinkin' cute to see them interact and accommodate each other. I love it!
Checking out some baby animals at the Zoo. Our favorite has been story time on Wednesdays, where they read a story about an animal and then let us meet them. This day we read the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Mom is even getting into crafting. She's made a couple of these blankets now, and has even thought about helping me with a quilt... 
Jumping again at Trevor & Jeni's Annual Pig Roast. What a great time getting to see all of our old friends again - some that we haven't seen since the wedding.
I don't usually take Kailyn to the park since there's not really room to sit and they usually walk there, but we've gone a few times to this park so I can sit on the bench and watch Kailyn have a good time playing.
Visiting with friends, especially super cute ones like Hailey!
We went to the Imaginarium, but we were all pretty overwhelmed at the rowdy big kids and decided that Kailyn is probably still not old enough yet for it. She loved climbing on everything, especially the big fort, but when two big boys started wrestling and knocked her over, I decided we probably wouldn't be going back there for a while. I've heard it's not so crazy when school is in session, so maybe we'll try again then.
Posts
