The Beginning of a Birth Story

No - I am not in active labor - yet. But since this blog serves as a catch-all for my family's memories - especially those that I can't get into a scrapbook or photo album, I figured it's important to start this little guy's story today before I forget.

Last weekend I was at St. Vincent's Labor and Delivery being treated for preterm labor. Earlier that week my ultrasound showed my cervix shortening more than it should, which resulted in an exam at the doctor's office, which resulted in my cervix opening. I found myself at Kaiser Sunnyside Labor and Delivery, with yet another exam, revealing that my cervix was 1 1/2 centimeters and rocky contractions on the monitor. The male doctor (first day on the job, might I add) wanted to put me immediately on magnesium sulfate and antibiotics and keep monitoring me. I asked if I could have a moment to think about all this, since I couldn't get ahold of Colin at work for advice and I needed to clear my head. I politely told the doctor I wanted to go to St. Vincent (remembering the horrors of Juliet's delivery at Kaiser - no repeats of that, thanks) and they began the arrangements for an ambulance and started the IV with antibiotics. I was given an oral form of anti-contraction meds and desperately tried to keep getting a hold of Colin. Finally I called another fire station he works at sometimes and told them that I'm in labor and they needed to let him know somehow. Minutes later, Colin is calling my hospital room in his truck and on his way to meet the ambulance at St. Vincent's.

The best part of being in an ambulance on a Friday? Being stuck in rush hour. With a paramedic that thought it useful to keep telling me to calm down because my heart rate was rapid and the baby can feel my stress. Really?! I politely told him to stop talking about my current condition and change the subject, which surely did slow my heart rate. Finally we arrive at the hospital, greeted by Colin and I'm wheeled to Labor and Delivery. I spent 24 long hours there on meds and monitors. Since I had not progressed after 24 hours, they sent me home on strict bedrest and medications. Which is what I have been doing ever since.

My prayers have been that the Lord would allow this little one to stay in until full term, which my doctor would laugh at. She would be happy if I could make it until Monday or Tuesday. Currently my contractions have slowed and I have not needed to take the medications. My cervix is starting to open up by the baby's head, which means labor is coming soon, we just don't know exactly when. Please be praying for a full term baby, if that's the Lord's will for him.

Strawberries!

Earlier this month, we went as a family to Thompson Farms out in Damascus and took advantage of their first offering of u-pick strawberries. The kids did great and it took us only about an hour to pick the berries - we also ended up buying a flat of what they call "jam berries", which are slightly marred and cheaper and meant for making jam.

Here are Colin and Samuel with our loot:Later that night (after freezing berries and canning jam), I made shortcake (which Colin said was the best he ever ate!!). I love this picture of his grandma enjoying a piece:
Ok, Jude picked some, but ate a lot as well:

Sissy didn't pick any and just ate them the whole time.

She stole from our buckets to fill up her own:
Even though this picture is out of focus, I love that the kids hands all looked like this:

Sissy loved strawberry shortcake time. She had to don her tutu for the occasion =).
When Jude asked her for a bite of her shortcake, this is what she did (and I love her red chipped nail polish that Samuel painted on her):
Pretty!
50 lbs of berries - makes me tired just looking at them. I stemmed every single one.

A Sweet Little Dress...

I started this little dress a few weeks back after noticing that Juliet really doesn't have many dresses - and she loves herself some dresses. I used this Oliver + S pattern and loved how simple the instructions were, much different than say any other large commercial pattern out there. Here's how it turned out:I hope it fits her!