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!
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!
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.
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.
We went to the 
Shrimping officially opened on April 15 and Brian had the boat in the water that week to drop pots. We took the boat out for the weekend and met up with Jaime & Mel, and their two friends Becky and Corey. We camped in Sawmill Bay and had a great time being outside in the warmth.... come on summer! Along with an octopus, Brian caught about four dozen shrimp, so he was happy!
Kailyn's favorite part was the Touch Tank - she loved the starfish!
These were all in the Royal Court, where you can wait for an hour and a half to meet the Princesses. The first day, we didn't know any better and all stood in line, but were pros by Day #2! I stood in line while Dad took her to the Royal Coronation and let her check out the Castle. Jasmine was by far our favorite - she actually remembered Kailyn the second day that we brought her back!
Disney Land seemed a lot smaller than I remember Disney World when I was growing up. Not sure if it really is or if it's different as an adult, but I loved it. We never felt overwhelmed, and easily got to go on everything that we wanted to without having to wait in too many lines. It was great.
This one's for you, Papa! We tried to get one as big as the donut!!
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